I’ve often posted about how to help readers visualize what you see in your mind when writing a story.  That, and the fact that one persistent note I give when consulting on other’s writing is ‘to write on the page the way you want it to unfold’ [on the screen – or in the case of novels, in the mind].

Being at times too candid, I am often accused of speaking in visuals.  But given my profession, to me that is a compliment.

So how delighted was I when I heard this bit on NPR this morning about illustrator Maria Fabrizio who picks a news story everyday and illustrates – her blog is called WORDLESS NEWS – truly the only thing I don’t like about it is that I didn’t think of it first!

In the world of screenwriting where economy of words is the one mandate that everyone can agree on, her work will inspire you describe visually – after all you are writing for a visual art form   In the world of novels, where verbosity is at times encouraged, her work will inspire you to create scenarios that have a unique voice and spark your reader’s imagination.  In the world of journalism, I can only hope that her work encourages storytelling blowhards to use the facts that get to the point.

I encourage you to sign up for her daily email, if her work doesn’t make you a better writer of stories that paint a clear and unique picture, I will eat the Pope’s hat.  (The one that hung it up, not the current one, because he’s fantastic.)

Wordless News began in February 2013, when, on a whim, Fabrizio illustrated Pope Benedict "hanging up his hat."
Wordless News began in February 2013, when, on a whim, Fabrizio illustrated Pope Benedict “hanging up his hat.”