Project 6
Tell me a story
Start by writing 15 words on small pieces of paper or index cards.
Put the pieces of paper in a pile, and randomly choose a word from the pile.
Quickly write down 10 memories that you think of from that word.
Choose the most vivid memory from the 10.
Answer these questions about the memory:
1. Where are you?
2. What time of day or night does it seem to be?
3. What season does it seem to be?
4. What are some of the things you can hear in this image?
5. What’s the air smell like?
6. What’s the temperature like?
7. Where’s the light coming from in this image, and what sort of light is it?
8. What are you doing?
9. Why are you there?
10. Is there anyone else there with you, if so, who?
11. What are some of the objects around you?
12. What’s directly in front of you?
13. What’s to your right?
14. What’s to your left?
15. What’s beneath your feet?
16. What’s above your head?
Is there a story starting to take shape now?
What image or images are suggested by the memory?
Create an illustration (or small series of illustrations) that tell the story.
(Adapted from Lynda Barry, The Nearsighted Monkey - thenearsightedmonkey.tumblr.com)
