Image & Imagination: Ideas and Inspiration for Teen Writers

by Nick Healy, Kristen McCurry (Contributor)

More than 150 compelling photos and provocative writing prompts work together in this hybrid photo book/journal to inspire young adults to think, dream, create. Writers looking for inspiration and ideas will find what they need here. Image and Imagination is a repository of story starters, a practice space for fun and informal writing, and a turnkey to unlock the writer within.

256 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2016

About the author

Nick Healy is a short-story writer whose first book, It Takes You Over, won New Rivers Press’ Many Voices Project award and was released late in 2012. In a review of the collection, the Minneapolis Star Tribune said, “ … his fine stories seduce us. There is nothing simple in what Healy has accomplished here. Like the best writers, he only makes storytelling look easy.”

The book was named a finalist for a Minnesota Book Award in the Novel and Short Story category, which also included Louise Erdrich's The Round House, recent winner of the National Book Award.

Healy’s stories have appeared in many literary magazines and other publications, including North American Review, Water~Stone Review, Speakeasy, Minnesota Monthly, and Great River Review.

Earlier in his career, Healy wrote fiction and nonfiction for children.

Reviews

[Lorry Chwazik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing prompts and perfectly complementary photographs will practically make the pen jump into a young author's hand and start creating. Lovely!

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

great book for kids and teens who want to write but have no idea how to start,this book includes lots of prompts,starters,and tips for you to get your writing going.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Image and Imagination was the type of book that just called to me. Even when I first saw the cover and literally knew nothing else about it, my Muse had already grabbed a hold of the book and wouldn't let go.

While the Image and Imagination is marketed towards teenagers, I really think anyone who likes to write (stories, journal entries, etc.) would have a lot of fun with this book.

I personally had a blast filling the pages in. There was a mix of personal journal type entries blended in with story prompts. They were in no real order, so it was almost like a game to see what prompt I was going to get that day.

All those times I was looking at a Wreck It style journal, what I really was looking for was this book.

The images and prompts were all suited for each other. Since I am a visual person by nature (I seriously adore Pinterest for visual prompts when I write) the combination was perfect for me.

I think anyone who writes, regardless of their age, could benefit from following this book. Maybe the next big thing isn't found within these pages, but the prompts really get you creative energies. There were a few prompts where I found my Muse asking "what if?" and wanted to take the story to a whole new level.

[Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for creative ideas that youth can use to stimulate their writing. It's also good and inspiring for adults. The text is very brief and each suggestion or instruction is accompanied with an illustration. There is an abundance of great ideas. If you're looking for something to get you past a writing block or just some good writing ideas, you can't go wrong with this one.