The Storytelling Lab Turning Emotions Into Images on the Page with Gary Smith
Sep 15, 2025
Gary Smith, a fine art photographer turned fiction author, discusses how his visual artistry influences his writing. He emphasizes the importance of discipline over inspiration, comparing writing to athletic training. Smith explores the art of emotion in storytelling, linking photographic techniques to vivid scene creation on the page. He shares insights on character development and the use of personal experiences to craft authentic narratives. Additionally, he highlights the fulfilling potential of self-publishing, making it accessible for aspiring writers.
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Writing As A Visual Medium
- Writing is a visual medium because readers form pictures in their minds from words.
- Craft scenes so readers 'see' emotions as if looking through a lens.
Photographing Feelings, Not Scenes
- Gary Smith described photographing feelings by matching light and subjects to his mood each day.
- He then manipulated prints in the darkroom until the image represented that feeling.
Write Daily, Read Widely
- Write every day to build skill and momentum, even if the pages are junk you later discard.
- Read a lot and keep the discipline of daily writing to become a strong fiction writer.