I come from an artistic background - I've had lettering, advertising, theater make-up, etc.
Anyway in both lettering and theater make-up my teachers suggested that we keep a file of photos or samples - a swipe file in lettering, a morgue in make-up - of styles of lettering and photos of faces and things we liked.
It occurred to me that it might be a good idea for writers to have a swipe or inspiration file of pictures of places or people they liked or were intrigued about.
It makes it easier when you go to describe a scene(of something that exists) or a type of person if you have something to base it off of. I've been taking screen captures over on the '5 minute get-away site' on the Icanhascheezburger site.
Even if you don't start an inspirations file - the site has some lovely photos.
It's just a suggestion. Good luck to the NaNoWritMo people.
