Chances are, if you're at all familiar with the internet -- and I'm assuming you are since you're reading this -- then you've probably heard of Pinterest.
It's this nifty time-sucking website where you can find images and gifs of basically anything, from DIY candle making tips to memes that just don't seem to die.
But it can also be an incredible tool at your creative disposal, if you know what you're looking for. And it's free and easy to use. When you first make an account, your "Home Page" -- the page you'll automatically go to when you get on Pinterest -- will be a bit eclectic in its offerings.
However, after you've done a few searches for what you're interested in and -- this next part is important -- start following people or boards that you like, soon your Home Page will be filled with just that... stuff that you like (at least for the most part).
That's because it'll be pulling new pins from boards and people that you're following (which is why following is something you need to do), and also performing the sometimes creepy but also quite useful function of beginning to anticipate what you might want to see based on what you've already viewed.
Now you'll want to make boards of your own...
Simply go to Your Boards (it'll be the page with your image and name on it, to the right of the "Explore" button) and hit "Create Board". And you're done! Well, besides the filling it part.
You can also make Secret Boards by clicking that option in Create Board (these are for, shocker, boards you'd rather keep to yourself), and even invite others to collaborate with you.
Having a page of pics and quotes and gifs that pertain to whatever story you're working on can be refreshing and inspiring, and another creative outlet besides the writing itself -- sometimes useful if you're feeling stuck on a particular project but still want to be immersed in it and ready for whenever something good hits you.
Personally I've taken to creating what I call "Topic" boards, boards devoted solely to a single thing rather than a particular story, that I can then myself borrow from for any future project without having to search through ten different boards looking for that one pin of a sword wielding canary I know is... somewhere.
What I mean is this: I have boards occupied only by pins of food, or clothing, or interiors, exteriors, medicine, hospitals, wounds, weapons, high school, the apocalypse, super powers, robots, computers, romance, etcetera etcetera.
Then when I'm creating my new board about zombie robots in high school who love ice cream, nunchucks, and overalls -- I know exactly where to look.
If you haven't tried Pinterest, why not give it a shot? (Just make sure you don't get so absorbed in the endless stream of data that you never write -- let alone shower -- ever again.)
