An Interest in Pinterest

Debbie Millman

SUSAN ELIA MACNEAL: Back in March, we had Glenn Miller (not the "In the Mood" composer) as a guest on Jungle Reds, discussing “Social Media Profiles for Writers.” His post was about authors and bloggers using social media — namely Google+, Goodreads, and Amazon — to promote their work.

But what about the social media we do simply because we enjoy them? I like Facebook and come around to Twitter — but one social media platform I adore is Pinterest. Now, I don’t think I’m reaching all that many people — and I certainly don’t think I’m selling any books there.

No, Pinterest is just for me. (See my boards here, if you'd like.) 

And as the writer of the Maggie Hope historical mysteries, set during World War II, it's been invaluable.

Gosia Herba

First, I love being able to post all sorts of different pictures to a board. I have one board per novel, and when I find a particularly inspiring photograph, I pin it. Later, when looking for inspiration, or just to immerse myself in that world, it’s wonderful to have the images (of maps, flags, ephemera, drawings, photographs, you name it) all in one place. 

Susan Elia MacNeal

One image, a door knocker that I snapped a photo of in Berlin, was instrumental in inspiring a lot of the cat and mouse imagery I used in Maggie Hope #3, HIS MAJESTY'S HOPE. 

(Here's the whole board.)

SEM

To the left is a photograph I took in Scotland of Arisaig House, where the real World War II SOE spies trained before being dropped by parachute in Europe. It's the setting for much of Maggie Hope #4, THE PRIME MINISTER'S SECRET AGENT. 

Robert Heindel

And this is a photograph of a ballet dancer I felt expressed the beauty and eeriness of the two ballerinas  whose murders Maggie Hope investigates in the novel. (My board for upcoming THE PRIME MINISTER'S SECRET AGENT here.)

White House Christmas Tree Lighting 1941

Since my work-in-progress, Maggie Hope #5, MRS. ROOSEVELT'S CONFIDANTE, takes place in Washington, D.C. during the 1941 holiday season, this image has become something of a touchstone for me — the 1941 White House Christmas Card. 

I also love this sketch of the Mayflower Hotel (where some of Churchill's staff stayed):

Ingrid Thompson

Here's shot I took of a detail of the floor of the lobby of the Willard Hotel:

SEM

Also inspiring is the original Wonder Woman, who made her debut in 1941. (Entire board is here.)

H.G. Peter

Amber Interior Design

I also like the other boards, that have nothing to do with writing. Home décor has been useful. With the addition of the Kiddo and now Miss Edna moving in, we’ve been redoing rooms. Pinning different images has helped me figure out what exactly I like and how to research it. 

Lupita Nyong'o

And I have a board for fashion which is a bit of a joke (I'm happiest in sweats and tee-shirts) — but I love it because it's not the images fashion magazines are trying to sell me, but photos I find personally inspiring. 

Zandra Rhodes

And, of course, I have a board for Books, which includes favorites, amazing covers (many out-of-print), and images of readers, bookstores, and libraries. 


And the Art board is my favorite. This discovery was surprising to 

Olaf Hajek

me — I started by simply pinning images that caught me eye. But, in time, themes emerged: Women swimming, "outsider art," ravens, surrealism, hearts, eyes, hands, books, dancers, street art, installations, illustrations, the Virgin Mary, cocktails, foxes, mice, cats, white rabbits, Alice in Wonderland… 

What does it mean?

I don’t know what — if anything. Except now I’m more aware of themes and motifs that attract me and their possible meanings — fragments of dreams I might not recognize otherwise.

And so Reds and lovely readers, do you use Pinterest? 

Are there any themes you think might emerge for you? 

Would creating a board of images (online or a literal collection of photos and clippings) help your writing? Your life?

Tell us what you think!