The Full Story

Words on a page are powerful by themselves, yet there is something about adding visual elements to a story that elevates it to a new level. Of all the readings and videos this week, I found that I really enjoyed George Watsky’s How to Ruin Everything as well as Allie Brosh’s “Adventures in Depression.” These are two works that I never would have expected to find in a writing class, but I am so glad I did. Watsky’s video, especially, highlighted the impact that film can have on a story—an impact which I unfortunately lack the film terminology to fully explain. His descriptions of places, people, and his experiences came to life with the imagery. He captured the monotony of being out on the road by using repetitive imagery. He even used certain effects in the film to highlight his humor. It was a fast-paced story, but still meticulously detailed.

Brosh’s “Adventures in Depression” was relatable and I think that is the best way to describe what the comics added to the story. Mental health can be a tricky subject. Often people who don’t experience depressive episodes might find it challenging to understand what a depressed person is going through. Brosh has found a way to combat this, by adding in a visual aid that can really capture the inner struggles of depression. It is also really refreshing to see humor within this story, she found a way to make a heavy topic lighter and while that may not always be the goal, I think it helps to break down the mental health stigma. As I was reading this story, I kept thinking how great of a tool this would be in therapy. It might help people discuss their own mental health with others if they can do so in the form of a comic. 

Overall, I thought that both Watsky and Brosh were better able to capture the intricacies of their stories with the use of visual aids.