Writing Tips #2-Brainstorming

When to Brainstorm

For me, brainstorming is often an early part of the writing process. If I have crafted and moved past the IDEA stage for a world, I may move onto brainstorming to see if I can think of the different pieces that I may or may not want at play. For example, what kind of setting do I want. Do I want a high fantasy setting with dragons and orcs, or would a science fiction world set on a desolate landscape work better?

Brainstorming shouldn't be restricted to the early stages of your writing process either. There is also moments when later on, you may run into a writer's block or a scene that you aren't quite sure how to craft. In those moments, returning to the brainstorming process may help.

How to Brainstorm

The Writer's Digest has a great article on how to effectively brainstorm. One of the big points that the article points out, however, is that old techniques, such as mind mapping and creating visual webs to show inter-connectivity, are still great tools for anyone that is knee deep in the brainstorming process. Brainstorming is often very connected to the IDEA stage, as we often use brainstorming to help flesh out those ideas and merge them together with other ideas to make a stronger narrative.

When you sit down to brainstorm (or maybe you do so while doing some other activity), you want to make sure your mind is focused on what you are writing about. What is your goal of the brainstorming session. Is it to flesh out the characters or to paint the setting in which they live? Maybe it's to solve an obstacle that the characters will need to overcome. Either way, find a medium that works for you to jot those ideas down, whether it is on paper or digitally via some type of software.

But How Do I Brainstorm Ideas into Writing?

Another great article on the Writer's Digest points out several strategies for brainstorming your story's ideas. Firstly, pay attention to the world around you. You will likely draw ideas, inspiration, and other stimuli from the world around you, the media you consume, or even other stories that you read. Observe and record those moments which stand out to you. Even if you don't use it for this story, you could end up using it down the line.

Does that mean I need to carry a notebook with me? No! While some of us may remember those AHA! moments and be able to carry them in the back of our mind, not everyone can. Writing those ideas down is a great way to guarantee their survival. And while a notebook can be useful, we have an equally easy tool that many of us carry in our pocket: our phone.

How easy is it to jot a note on a scrap piece of paper, a napkin, or some other paper and then quickly snap a picture of it? Or, even better, pull open your Notes on your phone and start recording. Don't have the time or skill to write on mobile? No worries! You can also do audio recordings. (Just be careful not to ramble or you'll have to sit through it when you go to translate this to your story). Additionally, there are numerous web tools that also have apps that you can use and brainstorm directly into them, so that you can keep all your thoughts in one place! How you do it is ultimately up to you.

I Want to Brainstorm, But I Seem to be Stuck

There are numerous ways to overcome this. Keep a running list of ideas that you can revisit, take a break, do something creative, or simply just do something else. Often if our mind gets fixated upon a single idea, we can become hyper-focused and have a hard time stepping back to let ourselves breathe. For me, this is often when I'm on the treadmill. I don't listen to music or podcasts, instead opting for silence. Since I can't work on something else, it gives me time to think and turn over ideas in my head.

You may have a different strategy, but remember that brainstorming is just a way to craft your ideas. It is not a one and done process, as you will likely use and revisit these techniques throughout your writing journey.