Bob Ross Can Help You Write Your Next Book

Do you remember Bob Ross, the landscape painter and instructor of scenic art? He was the bearded one, with the funky afro, who brought his painting skills to life right before our eyes on PBS Television. His show was called The Joy of Painting and was broadcast from 1983 to 1994.

Mr. Ross was a master at his craft and I used to faithfully watch his half-hour length art instruction shows, whenever I had free time, and I always wished I could have a smidgeon of his talent. I was totally enthralled, mesmerized by his ability to use oil paints and do what he did in just a half an hour’s time.

Unfortunately, Bob Ross had passed on a number of years ago, but we can still enjoy his wonderful creativity on YouTube. Just type his name into the search bar, and see his fantastic talent for yourself.

Well, the writing of any scene in a novel, novella, short story, or any other kind of book, I suppose, is much like a Bob Ross painting. Think about it . . .

1. Bob Ross started every show with a clean, blank, rectangular canvas.

1. You sit in front of your boxy computer screen with a new blank Word document.

2. Bob Ross would begin the scene he chose to paint with simple, "tapping" brush strokes that didn’t look like much to the observer.

2. You begin to write a scene in your novel, that you’ve decided upon, with tapping "strokes" from your keyboard. It doesn’t yet read like a bestseller in its raw state, does it?

3. Bob Ross would then add layers upon layers of paint, 1, 2 or 3 colors and layer at a time. Now it’s beginning to look like something.

3. You then add a layer of background, describing the surroundings, showing the reader where dialogue is taking place. Then you add another layer, and then another, coloring the scene for your readers’ minds. Now it’s beginning to sound like something.

4. Bob Ross, with a deft tilting of his brush or tool, adeptly added shading, creating depth to his scenes, casting light, sunlight, moonlight or darkness wherever he wanted, depending on his desired result.

4. When you apply each layer of words to your manuscript, you are painting a picture for your readers. Each layer should add character mannerisms, intent of conversation (from each person speaking), emphasis or inflection in their individual voices, and show motion or actions as the lines are spoken. All these layers ultimately set the true tone of the scene, whether it be dark and dangerous, moody or lighthearted, sensual or erotic. All are dependent upon your desired result.

5. When finished, Bob Ross' masterpiece painting comes to life. 5. When finished, your written scene jumps off the page.

In closing, do yourself a favor. Take a look at Bob Ross’ amazing talent. His artistic gift just might help you write that next Bestseller.