Vision Share: Freeze Time

Responding to Life – Step 3

Now make an image that depicts the turning point in your story.

In life, changes are hard to capture as they flow by. But in writing and art, you can freeze time, creating the equivalent of a snapshot to convey a change.

Suggested Time for Activity: 20 minutes

Sharing: with a friend or writing group; social media

Visually portray your story’s turning point. You have many options for making this image: a drawing, a photo, a collage, an abstract representation.

Q. What if I don’t like to draw or think visually? Can’t I skip this step?

No, don’t skip this “Vision Share” step. As with the other lessons, the freeze-time activity is not a test of artistic ability. It’s meant to help you focus the turning point in your change story. A sketch or smartphone photo can illustrate that change. Or use an online program like Canva to design an image.^[1]

In any case, it doesn’t have to be literal. Imagine your change story as a series of frames in a film. When does the turning point occur? Freeze on that frame. Or maybe your story resembles a path with peaks and valleys – or color squares in sequence. Freeze on the color square that evokes your turning point.

You can even make a sculpture with clay or building blocks. Just keep in mind that you may need to photograph a 3-D version in order to share it.

Q. Can I add words to my image like in a comic book?

Yes, but first try depicting the turning point visually. In telling a story about yourself, pictures can take you beyond the usual comfort zone of words. Without words, convey what it felt like to experience a change. Think like a filmmaker.

Pictures take you beyond the comfort zone of words.

Freezing time visually emphasizes story structure: how the action builds to the turning point and then its outcome. Movies relate stories through images, which is not the only thing a writer does in a text-based story. However, sketching out your story with images is one way to break it down into key events.^[2]

If you do like drawing and visual action, you might want to create a freeze-time image that resembles a panel from a comic or storyboard. There, you can use captions or dialogue in text bubbles to help illustrate the action. For an introduction to storyboarding in films, see the many apps and videos available online.^[3]

Q. What if I don’t want to share my visual representation?

It’s up to you, but I encourage you to try it with a friend or family member. The ultimate goal of becoming a better storyteller is to communicate with other people. The response of your fellow humans will let you know if you’re on the right track.

The ultimate goal is communicating with other people.

Sharing your freeze-time image – in person, via email, on Zoom — is often fun and motivating. People like pictures. It’s also a great warmup for sharing your change story when you’re ready for that.

A Word About Social Media: Sharing your visual representation on social media is not required. If you enjoy sharing and interacting with more followers, please do. But if not, avoid social media for the “Vision Share” step.