The world is full of distractions that can prevent us from losing our focus. God knew this when He inspired the psalmist to write, “Be still, and know that I am God.” In order to write clear, concise copy, however, we need to maintain that focus. But often, my poor brain needs help.
Karen Wisner, in her book First Draft in 30 Days, suggests that not only do we need to brainstorm an idea at its conception, but at each stage of the writing process. (If you’re not familiar with this book, the link I’ve inserted in the text goes to Karen’s web site and has a lot of information included in the book. If you click on the book cover, that link will take you to Amazon.com’s purchase page for the book.)
Brainstorming is important whether you’re writing a novel, a magazine feature, a devotional, or even a blog post. While Karen’s book deals with novel writing, the brainstorming prompts she suggests can be used in all genres of writing. She lists over 25 brainstorming exercises–here are just a few:
1. Make a soundtrack for your current project. Choose songs that fit specific parts of your book or the theme of the whole book. Listen to your project’s soundtrack while driving, walking, or exercising. Each time you hear a song from your soundtrack, it will inspire you to brainstorm more.
2. Get out of the house–go anywhere–and people watch. Observe those around you to get ideas from gestures, movements, hints of an overheard conversation, or even just the way people look.
3. Write a letter to one of your characters (either from you or from another character within your story) just to see where it’ll take you, or interview one or more of your characters.
4. Write with a partner on separate projects in the same room, then read to each other what you’ve written. Not for the sake of critique, but to uplift and energize your muse.
5. Go outside and lie on the ground. Admire the clouds, birds, and nature with all its sounds and smells. Imagine your character doing the same thing in his or her setting and try to describe it from that character’s point of view.
What are some of the brainstorming techniques that YOU use? Share your tips with the rest of us.
There’s been a lively discussion this week on one of the writers’ e-mail loops I receive about the “was” word. Today’s novelists hear “avoid passive voice” repeatedly from critique partners, editors, friends, and probably even strangers on the streets. Is passive voice evil? Is the “was” word a sin?
I operate a critique service (
Somewhere between “once upon a time” and “they lived happily ever after,” you’ll find conflict. Conflict keeps the story interesting. If a boy finds a lamp, rubs it, a genie pops out and grants him his heart’s desire, and the boy lives out the rest of his days in splendor and peace, well…it’s a nice story, but it’s BORING! As a fiction writer, you’re not paid to be nice. Remember that. Your job is to…
