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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/28321
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

My high school teacher gave us some writing assignments that forced us to focus on short scenes. She would give us a picture (usually of a painting) where you could see one person, or more, halfway through an action. Then we simply had to imagine who that person was and what was happening. This technique produced some interesting short stories and helped us to think about the motivations of the character we were just meeting. I think it might help you focus on plot and character and get the hang of it.

For example, take [this painting by Norman Rockwell](https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/c2/36/92/c236929e4844a56ce7e266a0a8bedc5d.jpg). Just look at it and start writing the words that fit the scene. Let the characters, their wishes and their emotions bring forth the plot: does the fight lead any of the characters to rethink their marriage?

Or [this one by William Mulready](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/William_Mulready_001.jpg/641px-William_Mulready_001.jpg). What could be in that letter? What will the woman do in response to it?

Personally, I think it's best to do these exercises with paintings as the figures are imagined. Working with photos can lead one to focus on the real story and real people. But if you prefer photos, then by all means. I do advise to choose images that allow the story to have action (in the sense there is a situation that requires the character to act, rather than sit back and reflect).

Most paintings I use are a bit dated (not to say a lot), but sometimes, if we swap the clothes for modern ones and swap, say, the letter for a tablet (email), you can make the situation contemporary. And there are also paintings that refer to our modern age, like [this one by Robert Lenkiewicz](http://www.robertlenkiewicz.org/sites/default/files/rol07_032_local_children_-_fight_by_the_mayflower_steps.jpg). But you can also take the painting and give it a steampunk or fantasy feel by imagining different clothes. [Paintings like this one by Robert Griffing](https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/b7/ed/7b/b7ed7b736236468bf499e3e77acc37c2.jpg) always give me a sense of adventure.

Or you can just pick an adventure themed painting like [this one by Jakub Rozalski](http://icanbecreative.com/resources/files/articles/apocalyptic-paintings-of-eastern-europe-war/history-steampunk.jpg).

Remember the key thing about this exercise is to have one person (or more) in the middle of action. Don't start with setting but with dialogue or action and let the setting become clear as the plot progresses. Some images will only allow for a short story, but some can grow into long novels if you let them.

Original score: 4