Inspiration from Museums by Christine Liu-Perkins

A visit to the National Palace Museum in Taipei inspired my first book, At Home in Her Tomb: Lady Dai and the Ancient Chinese Treasures of Mawangdui.

​Writers are often asked where they get their ideas. One of my favorite sources of writerly inspiration is museums. I find all types of museums interesting, whether they are big or small, local or national, low or high tech, or broad or narrow in scope.
 
Why are museums great for inspiring ideas for writing nonfiction?

• Museums collect, preserve, and display objects of cultural and historical significance. For exhibits, they identify topics with appeal to audiences.
• Museum exhibits are designed to educate the general public. They introduce viewers to objects with explanations about how they were used, how they were made, how they work, and why they were valued.
• Museum exhibits present information in ways that intrigue and engage visitors. You can pick up ideas from their techniques for presenting content that captivate viewers and help them understand. Some examples to look for include narrative thread, background and context, key points, visual aids, order and flow, graphic design, and interactive activities.
• Museums conduct research on items they collect and display. To learn more, you can consult their curators and explore their library materials.

 
Even if I don't write about something I see in a museum, I always
     learn something unexpected,
          exercise my curiosity,
               practice my observation skills, and
                    ponder questions & answers.
I experience the wonder of contemplating something new — just like children do every day.