If I didn’t have the Internet, I don’t think I could write. I could research at a library, I know. I can work a card-catalog like no one, and digging through books and discovering facts brings me great joy. But, there’s one thing that having the Internet does for me that wouldn’t be as effective if I had to utilize books and magazines.
I have absolutely no sense of fashion. At.All. I don’t understand it. I can’t look through a rack of clothes and picture outfits. When shopping for clothes, I typically only buy what I can see put together on a mannequin, or go to a favorite boutique in Lexington, Kentucky, where the owner is under strict orders from my husband and daughter to just dress me without my input.
I had a sister-in-law who subscribed to four different fashion magazines and always looked incredible and fashionable. I subscribed to one, copying her, trying to be like her, and after two or three magazines came, I finally accepted the fact that I don’t understand it and don’t have the brain to truly embrace it.
But, with the Internet, I’m able to do things like search, “summertime date night outfit” and I get the most amazing results back! These image compilations with accessories are the best writing tools I’ve ever discovered for writing outfits!
Any time I have ever dressed a character in a book, this is what I use.
I also have a hard time decorating rooms. I’m just not a visual thinker, I think. So, I find the house I want my characters to live in for sale and use the furnishings in the house listings on sites like Realtor.com and Zwillow.
If you read one of my books and there is a description of a room, I’ve either been in it or I’ve looked at it online. Almost none of it is my own imagination.
It’s interesting to me how I just draw a blank until I start looking for images to inspire. Often, as I’m putting together outfits and rooms, it’s in the beginning before I’ve truly fleshed out my plot and characters, and looking at clothes and houses is what helps me finalize putting it all together!
In the next week, I’ll start plotting a book, and I’ll spend a day or two just pinning these kinds of images to Pinterest while my world and characters build in my mind.
Do you enjoy fashion? What is your favorite type of style?
One commenter will receive an ebook of the first two books in the Dixon Brothers series! Book three, Alexandra’s Appeal, releases this month! Find out more at this link.
With over half a million sales, Hallee Bridgeman is a best-selling Christian author who writes action-packed romantic suspense focusing on realistic characters who face real-world problems. Her work has been described as everything from refreshing to heart-stopping exciting and edgy. Hallee loves coffee, campy action movies, and regular date nights with her husband. Above all else, she loves God with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength; has been redeemed by the blood of Christ; and relies on the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide her. Subscribers to Hallee's newsletter get her bestselling contemporary romance COURTING CALLA for free! Sign up by clicking the newsletter icon below or going here: http://www.halleebridgeman.com/newsletter
I am not into fashion at all. I’d say my style is ‘comfortable’. Also, when I shop if I like a blouse/shirt I buy a few in different colors – just one example. I really don’t like shopping for clothes.
I think I am like you. I am not into fashion and if I go to a wedding I have learnt I have to take note of things like what the mother of the bride wore or certain people. I often couldn’t tell much more than I think it was blue or it was a dress, So I know make note of it.
Its the same going to a house some time things jump out and I can remember other times if asked to describe the house I often can recall a few things but often don’t even remember what colour the wall were or what was on the wall. (unless its pink then I wont for get cos I don’t like pink).
When it comes to describing things in a letter etc I am hopeless
I am not a fashion person at all, like you. I would rather wear sweat pants and t-shirts then anything else, lol!
Lol, someone once asked me did I own a different outfit to what I was wearing! When I find something comfortable I buy multiples. So often wearing what is the most recently washed makes it look like I haven’t changed my clothes – hey, it works for me, lol!
Pinterest is our friend! :)
I love fashion. I don’t know that I have a particular style though. I like to be comfortable and look put together. I don’t like to look or feel stuffy, and I like soft fabrics with room.
I dont get fashion at either so I can understand how helpful the internet can be for you. I mostly just where whqats comfortable and what I think looks nice.
That’s so interesting! I expected most authors to have a very vivid imagination, which implies visual thinking. I love fashion, but I’m not great at it. ;) I used to watch What Not to Wear and learned to layer, layer, layer! I also am a big color person — I organize all my clothes by color, and I organize all my crafting supplies by color, too. As for my favorite style? I’d say comfy, first of all. I like shabby chic in interior design, so some of that transfers to my wardrobe.
I love fashion, but I don’t really know my style. I think it is a mix of sporty and casual.
I’m pretty simple myself, whatever I am comfortable in and it looks nice, it is fine with me. When I was much younger things were different, I had to be in style, but as I age I know and have learned that it isn’t the style I’m dressing in that makes me a good person , it is my heart. (not entering for the ebook giveaway, but Thank you)
I am not a fashionista by any means, but it turns out that I’m pretty decent at putting together an outfit when I need to. Of course, the options for men tend to be much more limited than those for women, but still…
These days, my wardrobe is driven by the three great design guides. What is comfortable, what still fits and what is clean. And, sometimes, two out of three ain’t bad. ;)
You’re a girl after my own heart! I found the Polyvore app to build outfits, but I like looking at the ones other people have made better – and a lot of those end up on Pinterest, my other go-to to get ideas. Great post!! As for my style, I’d say comfortable. My daughter got married last October, and I haven’t had on a pair of heels OR Spanx since! LOL!
I like dressing nice – I just don’t know how. LOL
I have a couple of outfits that are just a different color – lol.
Yes!
I always strive to look put together — I just don’t know how to do it without a guide. LOL
The internet is a wonderful thing.
I organize by color, too!
I like sporty and casual dresses. That’s the biggest part of my wardrobe, I think.
This is true. The Bible tells us it’s not the outward that matters.
Two out of three ain’t bad – lol
Pinterest is a wonderful tool to see outfits put together!
I am definitely NOT a fashionista! I live in my jeans. If I can’t go somewhere in my jeans, I probably won’t go. I do like to dress up sometimes, but not often! I’m much more comfortable in jeans than anything else.
Halle, I have no sense of fashion or home decoration! I tend to go with what feels comfortable and is practical, especially when it comes to my home. If a piece of furniture or whatnot doesn’t serve some kind of purpose, I don’t buy or have it in my home. I used to have all kinds of knick-knacks around the house, but then it just became too much of a chore to keep them dusted or rearrange them from time to time. So I quit putting them out! We moved cross-country years ago twice (from Oregon to Illinois where I grew up and back) and those knick-knacks stayed in boxes…lol! I have no idea what’s even in them anymore and have often contemplated doing a Goodwill run to hand them those boxes without even opening the boxes…haha! Seriously, if I haven’t looked at them in almost 10 years, I doubt I would need what’s in there :-)
As for clothes, I like what’s on the store mannequin but it would never look good on me. I tend to go for what I like and what I think looks good together. I try not to pair any crazy patterns or colors and at least color coordinate things. The only time I “dress up” is when I go to church….then it’s either a skirt with a blouse or a pair of slacks with a blouse. Again, comfort is key for me…lol! I’d be almost afraid of a fashion person dressing me…yikes!
I don’t really think about characters and how the writers come up with clothing. I guess it’s just second nature for me to think of them being dressed and not WHAT the are wearing :-) I know a lot of people like Pinterest for many things, so I’m sure you could find inspiration from that!
I try to dress nice, but I’m no trendsetter. I’m mostly traditional, touch of classic, mixed with a tiny bit of trendy. Currently loving all things leopard print.
My clothes need to be clean, tidy and presentable. Oh, and comfortable!! Not too tight in the waist or low neckline. I want to be able to move around without immodestly! Fashion is not important to me, but I do like my things to match.
That’s a great way that you find apparel and house decor ideas, Halley!! Yay for all the good things on the internet!
So fun to read how other writers handle the same challenges you have yourself! My fashion sense is dated and that’s the best you can say about it. When I’m dressing a hero–or an antagonist–I like to watch the videos about men’s fashion on youtube. They’re informative, too.
I dress comfy, too. Tees, jeans, yoga pants (at home). I have some cargo capris, and I like sweaters in fall and winter. I only dress up for church (so not since March!).
I have my own fashion but don’t follow everyone elses!!
I’m not into fashion. I like my own type of clothes & some makes.
I like casual and comfy :) Have you ever bought what you’ve dressed your characters into?
I like to feel put together but also comfortable and I usually only get “dressed up” for church.
I’m terrible with fashion. Right now I’m wearing a skirt I know I got in 2010 as part of a music team, and a shirt of indeterminate age. I just started working across the street from a ladies’ boutique type shop though, and we both have big plate glass windows, so I look out all day at the sample outfits in the windows. Maybe I’ll be inspired.
I find fashion to be a hard thing. Thanks for sharing your story. My sister usually gives me a hand or two… mostly I’ve given up a few years ago after I’ve learned about being colour blind.
I haven’t been able to wear jeans since I broke my tailbone 13 years ago — but, I love my denim skirts!
I love Pinterest for finding outfits!
Every time we talk about one day moving, I look at all of our stuff and inwardly groan. LOL
I am always careful to dress nice – after someone has told me what to wear – LOL
I need to be comfortable, too. I am always in dresses or skirts, but some are more casual than others.
Videos are a great idea!
I have to wear dresses or skirts, so I always feel over dressed when I’m around people in shorts or jeans!
Same!
Some people who have their own style are always so inspiring with the way they dress!
I haven’t! I don’t think about the clothes after I dress them.
I need to get dressed all the way, even to shoes, every day. I work more efficiently that way.
I used to walk past a Cato store every morning and look at the displays in the window. It’s how I dressed myself before I found my boutique.
Wow! That would make fashion hard!