Brainstorming techniques

bsolah · Sep 16, 2008

So, you've got a kernal of an idea for a novel. You're excited and ready to work on it.

How do you flesh it out and work out the plot?

Do you ramble to someone close to you?

Do you ramble on paper?

Do you outline mechanically and/or methodically?

I've got this idea for a novel, actually, it's an old idea and I've recently come back to it because I've thought of new ways to do it. And I've kind of been rambling my ideas to my girlfriend and talking about seems to give me new ideas for scenes and plot points, character traits etc. as well as kind of outlining and writing summaries of plots.

I keep hitting plot holes and need better ways to work them out.

Mr Flibble · Sep 16, 2008

I daydream it -- I watch it happen in front of my imagination's eye

Preferably in the bath.

then I spend half an hour looking for a) a bit of paper to write it on and b) a pen that, you know, works.

TheIT · Sep 16, 2008

I ramble to a friend and ramble to paper. Whenever I need to figure out where the story is going, I sit down with pen and paper and write down questions as they come to me. I don't try to impose any order or worry if I contradict something I've already written, I just write down my thoughts and whatever answers might occur. Something about being able to see the questions on the page helps me think.

Madisonwrites · Sep 16, 2008

When I'm formulating a story, from first word to last, I keep EVERYTHING concerning that story in a folder. Just thought I'd give you that tip first.

OK. I'm actually in the process of creating a story myself. I have no clue what I'm going to write about. But for inspiration, I tend to look at art and since I write fantasy, I look at fantasy art. That tends to help and sometimes gives me a working 'visual' for a character.

As for working out the plot, each story is different. I wrote a short trilogy and each book took less than six months. However, my novel has taken 2 years (and counting) to write and edit. Basically, you do whatever works. It doesn't matter if it's weird and kooky by other people's standards. Just DO it.

Just toss and turn your ideas over and all around in your head. Write every tiny detail if you have to. Talk your girlfriend's ear off. Also, I act out scenes from my story to see if they flow. Sometimes I'm just sitting on my bed whispering the words my characters speak and sometimes it can look like Lucy (I Love Lucy) when she decided to write that drama!

Anyway, hope this helped. Happy writing!

Hummingbird · Sep 16, 2008

I write down anything I can about the idea before I forget, I then daydream about the story and write down anything that could be used.

In times where I can't daydream well or I just want to get something on paper I just sit down and start going over the notes that I have and trying to flesh them out a little.
For my current WIP I am sorting the notes out by type such as item description, character information, scene ideas, and paragraphs of story. It has helped so far for locating notes.

Nicholas T · Sep 17, 2008

I read news and subscribe to blogs. It has all the benefits of research in the traditional sense, except it exposes you to new ideas and real-world micro-stories that you wouldn't have thought of otherwise. And you also get an insight into how experts and enthusiasts engage with the topic of their choice - the kind of language they use, the common inaccuracies that they like to debunk, the issues and controversies that matter to them, things they consider to be breakthroughs on the horizon... all fertile ground for rich storytelling.

The danger is to get caught up in the reading and never actually write.

Failing that, take a shower. Notebooks are good too.

regdog · Sep 17, 2008

I ramble on paper and then it starts running like a movie in my mind

Alpha Echo · Sep 17, 2008

I write down everything I can think of about where I want to go with the plot into a notebook. I also get to know my characters within the notebook.

Then, I write.

I work out the "plot holes" as I go, and many times, I hit twists and turns I never saw coming.

I am not an outlining type of gal.

tehuti88 · Sep 17, 2008

I mull over my longer story ideas for years. I have nobody to talk to about them (I would adore somebody, though!), and writing about them serves no point since I'd be the only one seeing what I already know (I used to journal online about my stories but those were the entries that never got hits

), so...the only thing available for me to do is just mull over my ideas for long periods of time. Eventually there's enough there to start writing a story. Then the rest of the story builds off of what went before.

I don't outline until I'm getting near the end and want to make sure I've included every scene I wanted to put in there. So far I'm mostly fortunate in avoiding plotholes (as far as I know, I can't be sure!). If something pops up I try to fix it or write my way around it by including it in the logic of the story, if possible.

But long story short, I just think about my stories a lot. That's my way of brainstorming.

Sorry that I have no suggestions on how to work out those plotholes. I've found that laying out the story's entire plot on notecards or pieces of paper, in order, can help point out weak spots, but some people don't like that, and I don't tend to do it anymore. For a plot problem that popped up for me, I just wrote up a rough outline in sentence form of what I knew was going to happen, and after thinking it over, filled in the empty spots.

Carmy · Sep 17, 2008

The first inkling of a story comes to me as a character, sometimes two. I let them 'talk' to me, usually while I'm sitting in rush-hour traffic. They give me a few scenes. This can take months. When I know the characters well, and the scenes are clear in my head, I write them down, and I write a possible but vague synopsis. I discuss it with my writing group and they throw in other ideas. Some fit, some don't, but the discussion always generates added scenes and strenthens the plot.

Telstar · Sep 17, 2008

bsolah said:
Do you ramble to someone close to you?

Do you ramble on paper?

Do you outline mechanically and/or methodically?

All of the above.
Until you think there are no more plot holes.

Church Lady · Sep 17, 2008

In addition to everything above, I like to read. If you read a variety of styles, something might jump at you that will help you with your own writing.
Good luck!

bsolah · Sep 17, 2008

Thanks guys for all the suggestions. They really help.

TheIT said:
...Whenever I need to figure out where the story is going, I sit down with pen and paper and write down questions as they come to me. I don't try to impose any order or worry if I contradict something I've already written, I just write down my thoughts and whatever answers might occur. Something about being able to see the questions on the page helps me think.

I think this will help a lot. I wrote down some questions I need to work out yesterday and it's easier to mull over them in my head now as I'm working.

Idahobo · Sep 17, 2008

One time when I was having a hard figuring out exactly where I wanted my story to go, I took a notebook to a Chinese buffet near where I lived. I had a beginning and an ending and I would work forwards for a while and then backwards for a while until I was the fullest I've ever been but also very content with the out line.

I also find walking a great way to brain storm with myself.

Telstar · Sep 18, 2008

Church Lady said:
In addition to everything above, I like to read. If you read a variety of styles, something might jump at you that will help you with your own writing.

Yes, I forgot that! Also watching a good movie can help with ideas.

dirtsider · Sep 19, 2008

I like talking about it but I don't have many people to do this with. However, one of my writing groups is turning out to be a great resource for pounding away at the rough parts.

I also second reading. I read the news on the internet. I've found a couple of interesting news stories and tidbits that made me go "hmmm, this'll work out nicely in this section of my story".

Another thing I do is watch documentaries. One of them put a whole new spin on my WIP which I'd been stewing over in my mind for years and got me writing again.

Shadow_Ferret · Sep 19, 2008

I let the kernel of an idea purculate in my head for a long time. Sometimes I forget it. That means it wasn't meant to be. Other times it becomes overwhelming to the point of distraction. That's when I finally sit down and start writing.

I NEVER share ideas with anyone. I NEVER make notes. I NEVER outline. All of those kill the idea and it never ends up getting written.

Only actually writing the story works for me.

caustic · Sep 19, 2008

I had had a decent plot idea, but nothing else. I wanted to expand it, but couldn't figure out how. It was vague, but it was annoying in its persistence.

A friend and I were swapping ideas, so I threw this one out, in the blind. I HAD to make it up on the spot. I went from a 2 line idea to a 7 minute run-down of the whole entire story.

It was amazing, and shocked the piss out of me.

Woven · Sep 19, 2008

When I was a kid/teenager, I used to sit on the floor in front of my bed and bounce a blue racket ball up into the corner where the ceiling meets the wall. While bouncing mindlessly, I'd talk out the story in the character's voices.

Now, I talk to myself in my car...when I'm alone. Sometimes I play a mindless computer game while I talk out the story. I have to be actively doing something random or my mind wanders to my grocery list, my kids, etc. Repetitive tasks are great.

Also, I mentally interview my characters and ask a lot of "what if" questions.

eyelash · Sep 19, 2008

Well when i originally had my idea, i sort of marked out what would happen in the first 5 chapters, but before chapter 3 it had already changed and i knew where i was taking it.
I tend to work out my story in a daydream, or when i'm in bed night i close my eyes and run through it in my mind.

Woven · Sep 19, 2008

eyelash said:
I tend to work out my story in a daydream, or when i'm in bed night i close my eyes and run through it in my mind.

I try to do this, but before I know my alarm's going off.

I fall asleep way too easily.

Diana W. · Sep 19, 2008

I try to run images from my story through my mind as I lie in bed at night too. But often my brain becomes to wired and I can't sleep. :Shrug:

redpbass · Sep 19, 2008

For me, I take whatever idea it is and figure out where it fits in the world I made for my stories. Once I have a timeframe and location, I come up with a character or two and then flesh out their backstories which usually leads me straight to the main story's conclusion. All that's left then is actually writing it out and supplying the details.

Though sometimes I start with a character and the story grows around him.

Oh, and a big +1 to the mindless, repetitive task comment. I've had many great ideas whilst doing such things.

bsolah · Sep 19, 2008

Yeah, mindless repetitive tasks work so well.

As uninspiring as working 9 to 5 is, the mindless tasks allow my mind to wander to my story.

bsolah · Sep 19, 2008

I've tried writing with just a kernal of an idea and got lost 20,000 words into it.

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