Why Every Writer Should Have a Novel Mood Board
(+ Free Guide to Create Your Own)
(Almost) every story I’ve ever written started on Pinterest.
Before the plot, before the characters had names, before a single word hit the page. There was always a mood board. Always a feeling. A spark. A color. A scene I could see before I could write it.
Back then, I didn’t even know it was called a “mood board.” I just knew it helped. And years later, through messy drafts, writing slumps, and this debut spy novel that’s been simmering in me for ages, I still return to those boards like home.
Why Pinterest Mood Boards Work So Well for Writers
Mood boards aren’t just pretty, they are practical. They solve real problems we face as writers:
- Feeling stuck in a writing slump
- Struggling to “see” a character or setting
- Losing the tone or emotional thread of a scene
- Feeling overwhelmed with the plot, and craving visual clarity
When you build a story world, you can see that the writing gets easier. Or at least more anchored.
For me, my Pinterest board for the novel I’m currently writing feels like a cinematic archive of my story’s soul. It’s moody, tense, dark, and a bit sharp around the edges, just like my protagonist’s world. The images pull me back in when the writing gets foggy.
What My Mood Board Actually Looks Like (and Why)
I love using:
- Color themes that match the book’s tone. My spy novel is full of dark tones: black, slate, deep burgundy.
- Character visuals: sometimes found, sometimes created with AI (more on that in a second).
- Scene reflections: kissing pictures, a certain car, a sketch, a leather jacket, they all echo real moments in my story.
- Mood triggers: photos that evoke the loneliness, danger, tension, and dry humor my characters live in.
It’s like watching my own show play out, except I get to write it too.
Using Midjourney (or AI) to Create Specific Character Visuals
Some days, I scroll Pinterest and can’t find the face.
You know what I mean? That one character who’s so vivid in your head but doesn’t seem to exist in a stock photo.
Lately, I’ve been using Midjourney to generate images (or even videos!) of my characters: what they look like, what they wear in a certain scene, and even their emotional expressions. I know AI is a debate in the creative world (and it should be), but when it comes to personal visual inspiration, this tool has helped me bring those hard-to-find visuals to life.
And they make amazing additions to the board.
5 Secrets Behind My Novel Mood Board
(that you can steal for yours)
1. Every image reflects a core emotion in the book
2. I use visuals to develop character identity + vibe
3. Setting images shape how I write descriptions
4. A chosen color palette keeps the tone consistent
5. On off-days, the board brings me back in
Want to Create One Too?
Download my free guide:
“Create Your Own Novel Mood Board”
→ It’s a step-by-step PDF on how to find, select, and curate the right visuals for character, tone, setting, and theme.
Perfect for first-time novelists or multi-project writers who need visual grounding.
If you’re overwhelmed, stuck, or just starting out, don’t underestimate a good Pinterest board. Your imagination already knows what this story looks like. All you have to do is help it remember.
💡Bonus Tip:
If you’re creating a mood board for your novel, share it on Pinterest or Instagram and tag me. I’d love to see how your story looks before it hits the page.