Monday, April 2, 2012

BRAINSTORM

BRAINSTORM: a spontaneous group discussion to produce ideas and ways of solving problems. Produce an idea or way of solving a problem by holding a spontaneous group discussion: a brainstorming session.

A sudden bright idea: a harebrained idea.


I have a character that won't leave my thoughts--but no idea, setting, story or plot to go with her. I need help!

I’ve heard tales of entire writing groups involved in brainstorming sessions. The author will toss out info or questions allowing members to make suggestions or give solutions and ideas. This might go back and forth the entire meeting, or they may time their sessions allowing other members to take advantage of the process. The session is recorded for the author’s benefit.

When you’re brainstorming a new idea, do you enlist the help of others? Give me one brainstorming tip I can use alone.

9 comments:

Jessica Bell said...

Because I live in Greece I can't get face to face brainstorming sessions, so I turn to folks on Facebook. In fact I had a GREAT session last night on FB. Couldn't live without it!

Charles Gramlich said...

I sometimes conduct a kind of interview with my characters. Like I'm talking to them over a campfire.

Aurora said...

I'm the horrible person that does a group brainstorming session and then goes off and does what they want, group consensus be d**ned! People always accuse me of not listening when I ask for advice :P It's not that I'm not listening, though, it's just that the discussion steered me in a different way.


Aurora Celeste
yasff.blogspot.com
dramaticthreads.com

Ruth said...

The only person I seem to brainstorm with is my husband.

Jessica Ferguson said...

Jessica-I've heard FB is good for that sort of thing. :)

Charles - I tried that once but I knew my characters well. I might do it with this one (she's a complete mystery to me) and see what she has to say.

Aurora - thanks for popping in. I'm exactly like you when it comes to brainstorming but really, isn't that the way it's suppose to be. Their answers are supposed to stimulate our imaginations. Come back to see me!

Ruth - I've brainstormed with my daughter and husband but if I don't like their ideas, I feel bad. :(

Bethie said...

Ha, I'm surprised Cheney would let you ingore her ideas. I love her!
Something that works for me is taking a dictionary and randomly pick words and see if that sparks anything. You just flip and stop and point at the page. It's something you can do alone. Dictionaries don't seem to get bent out of shape about things like people.

James R Tate said...

Sit in a comfortable chair, close your eyes, picure your character(s) at a particular moment in time. Let your imagination run the movie reel. What are they doing? What are they saying? What do you see around them? I love doing this. It get me in touch with my story, and relaxes me at the same time.

Mr. Opinion said...

I like sharing ideas but in real life... yeah no I'm an introvert therefore I'm terrified of speaking out loud.

Jessica Ferguson said...

James - great idea. I'll try it but I might go to sleep. Getting up at 5 every morning is wearing me out. And if I go back to sleep after Jim leaves for work then I won't be sleepy at 9:30 or 10--bedtime! My life has certainly changed from staying up until 2 every night. :(

Mr. Opinion - thanks for visiting. I'm an introvert too.