Ekphrasis is the process of translating one form of art into another, whether that means writing a poem about a painting or singing a song about architecture.
As a writer, it’s your job to translate one work of art — the world of your imagination — into another: the words of your story. Ekphrasis is one way of doing so.
This post is not about the trick for performing ekphrasis. It’s about conceiving of your writing that way.
Whether you’re working on science fiction, fantasy, horror, a romance novel, or a tale for young adults, the need to conceive of the world — your world — as a work of art, is paramount. You have to remember that the description you’re about to give of an apple, a chair, a blonde bombshell, comes not from reality, but from art, the art of your imagination. It’s your job to translate the work of its art into the words of your art. Be free in your interpretation, and allow yourself to color in words all your own.
What’s an example of ekphrasis?
It doesn’t matter. Search Wikipedia if you’re interested. Or check out the Guardian’s examples of the ten best uses of ekphrasis.
The point is not what ekphrasis is, but what it does.
Relate its process to your writing, and see what it does for you.
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