Unlike prose writing, the strange process of writing with pictures encourages associations and recollections to accumulate literally in front of your eyes; people, places, and events appear out of nowhere. Doors open into rooms remembered from childhood, faces form into dead relatives, and distant loves appear, almost magically, on the page- all deceptively manageable, visceral, the combinations sometimes even revelatory.
In Chris Ware's perspective, picture-based writing offers a unique experience distinct from traditional prose. It allows memories and associations to materialize vividly, enabling a form of storytelling that feels immersive and almost enchanting. Through visual elements, readers are invited to revisit moments from their past, as familiar faces, places, and emotions arise organically in front of them.
This process creates a narrative where memories intertwine effortlessly, sometimes yielding surprising insights. Ware suggests that, while these visual stories may appear manageable and straightforward, they tap into deep, visceral feelings, making the act of remembering both magical and transformative. This illustrates the power of imagery in evoking complex emotional experiences almost effortlessly.
