Three Useful Tips For Writers

How To Make Your Writing Stand Out With Not A Single Word

The first thing to catch the attention of any potential reader of your published work is the visual that goes with it. I try to be as independent as I can with visuals and do my own photography. First off its fun, second I get to control the whole thing.

Tip number one, be prepared.

I use my iPhone or my iPad and they serve my purpose very well indeed. Of all the photos I have taken so far the most pleasing and eye catching for me is the very simple photograph I used for a humorous, true story on lemon cars. I experimented a little, but some of the photos were getting cluttered with too many elements and in the end I went with a very simple shot of a lemon and a bunch of keys. So the lesson learned is, Keep It Simple, or K.I.S. if you prefer.

I make a habit of having both iPad and iPhone with me every I go and make a habit of taking photos just for my own pleasure. I find that many of these come in very handy later on when I need a photo and I just have to scroll through my own little library. Here are two I took of a meal we were having in a local Japanese restaurant. The meal and the photos turned out very nice indeed thank you, and I used the photographs for an article about Japanese cuisine. That is what you call a win, win, win situation. Tip number two is, be prepared at all times to take photos and build your very own photo library,

Tip number two, happy accidents.

Sometimes when taking photographs we get lucky and have what are called happy accidents. One day I was out with my wife walking across a river bridge and as I tried to get an interesting angle on some steps the iPad slipped through my fingers. I just managed to catch it before it hit the deck and in so doing accidentally touched the white button to take a photo with my thumb.

What I got was a nice almost abstract shot of a geometric interplay of shadows cutting across the planks of the decking. I think when I get time I will get my paints out and do an abstract piece based on the photo.

This was the shot I was trying to take, until my iPad slipped out of my hand.

I think the most important things to learn are to experiment a little, but to keep things simple, to try to be original, to be prepared for anything and to enjoy a little luck when it comes your way. Tip number three then is get lucky and learn to save those happy accidents for later use.

Tip number three, be constantly open to chance opportunities.

I came across this subject on a Sunday morning walk around the neighbour hood with my wife. I quite liked the contrast of the colour against a mono chromatic background. And not only did it make for a nice photograph, but it also gave me an idea for an article. That’s what you might call a win-win situation.