The Benefits of Brainstorming for Writers: Part 2

by Cindy K. Sproles @CindyDevoted

Last month we talked about the process of brainstorming. We discussed simple things that introduced you to brainstorming with a peer, but what if you don’t have that person handy to bounce ideas? Then you need a way to help you brainstorm alone. Brainstorming consists of physical, mental, and emotional techniques. Surprisingly enough, these things aren’t rocket science. Though NASA does it with their brainiacs all the time. Get a pencil and paper (I know, utensils to actually write with), and we’ll begin. 

I’m serious about the pencil and paper! Really, I am. Our brains are unique little things. They love stimulation, exercise, and cognitive use. It’s the simplest of things that start that process. Since our brain is a muscle of sorts, it works best with movement. We’re a unique breed in that our brains can multitask, even when we don’t realize it. For example, I find myself doing multiple things when I clean a room. I begin by picking up items and putting them in their place and perhaps I need to take something to the kitchen. My brain triggers a reminder that there is something in that room I need to also attend to. We learn the control of completing task A and then moving to task B. The point is, that our brain is continually reminding and suggesting things that we need or should do. Multitasking. Now, pick up a pencil, grab a sheet of paper, and begin to practice stimulating your brain. Let’s begin.

4 Ways for Writers to Practice Brainstorming

1. Write Everything Down: Remember that this is brainstorming. Every idea has merit—until it doesn’t. The whole point of brainstorming is to give opportunity to every idea. Write everything down. Don’t censure or edit yourself. It doesn’t mean you have to use the idea but don’t censure yourself. Write down every possibility. Allow yourself to think freely without judgment. So often, we begin to jot down ideas and then the internal self says, “Naw, that’s no good. Totally impossible,” when it may spawn the perfect scenario. Write it all down and don’t edit. Oh, for Pete’s sake, brainstorming is not the time to become a comma queen. Don’t edit the grammar, the thought, or even the dialogue. You’re in search of ideas. If you used the idea then you can edit it once you add it to the manuscript. Learn to be a free thinker and a free writer. 

2. Become a free thinker/writer: Well, that sounds out there in left field but believe it or not, free writing and thinking is done all the time in think tanks. It’s a time when you sit down and just start writing every thought that comes to mind. It may not have anything to do with your novel but what is happening is you are allowing yourself to open up your imagination. 

I teach a class about writing descriptions. In that class, I tell my students that they need to position their writing desks close to a window and practice staring. I know, weird, huh? But think about it. When you stare, you begin to daydream and what happens when you daydream? Your imagination goes to work. When you position yourself in a place where you can stare at the sky, the passing clouds, trees, whatever— you unleash creativity. In essence, you become a free thinker. Something you probably haven’t done since childhood. Now, begin to write every thought. Give yourself fifteen minutes. When you’re done, look over your writing. First of all, you’ve done this exercise by actually handwriting your thoughts. You’re triggering that brain to work. And then, you allow the thoughts to hit the page. You’re encouraging creativity. Will you use anything on the page? Maybe. Maybe not. But, when you turn to write on your WIP, you’ve cleared room for that creativity to take hold. Suddenly you can see things from a different perspective.

3. Who, What, When, Where, Why: You can never go wrong with asking these questions. Look at your chapter and then begin to ask the simple questions. Who is doing something? Why did they do it? Where are they going? What will they do if they get there? Learn to who, what, when, where, and why your chapters. When you take a character and pick them apart with these questions, you begin to know them personally. Now you can anticipate, and now you spark new ideas and twists. My mentoring partner will sort through content in a manuscript asking these questions until I want to scream. But boy does that nitpicking spark wonderful ideas and clarify things that might have been confusing. Simple and effective.

4. Bubbles (or a fancier title, mind mapping): My dear friend, Yvonne Lehman taught her critique group about writing bubbles. It’s not for everyone but she noted the value was for every writer. And I agree. Take a sheet of paper and in the center, draw a bubble. Add your character’s name there. Then out to one side draw another bubble and add your protagonist’s important friends. Keep adding bubbles and in each one, add attributes, failures, likes, dislikes, titles, and roads. Bubble every category. As you do this, you’ll begin to see connections between your characters. You’ll see flaws you didn’t realize your character could have. You’ll see motives, goals, and desires. What you are doing is listing all the things about that character that you envisioned when you wanted to write about them. Once that is on the page, begin to bubble with that previous tool, who, what, when, where, and why. It will amaze you at the ideas this will spark. Brainstorming simply opens up our thought process so we can see new ideas. Remember I said earlier, don’t be afraid to try. Again, it doesn’t mean you use the ideas, but I guarantee, you’ll find something new and unexpected you can write into your WIP.

These are only a few of the methods you can use to spark new ideas. Learn to brainstorm, whether you do it alone or with a peer. This valuable tool is more than just a way to get out of a writing corner. It’s a vital process that unleashes imagination. Did you hear that word? IMAGINATION! Yes, I did it in all caps and I added an exclamation point. Sometimes writers get so bogged down in the process of writing that they forget the imagination needed to deepen plots and spice up characters. Set your imagination free and learn to brainstorm.

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The Benefits of Brainstorming for Writers, Part 2 from @CindyDevoted on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Don't Miss the Other Post in this Series!

Part 1: The Benefits of Brainstorming for Writers

Part 2: The Benefits of Brainstorming for Writers

Cindy K. Sproles is an author, speaker, and conference teacher. Having served for a number of years as a managing editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas and Ironstream Media, Cindy now works as a mentor, coach, and freelance editor. She is the co-founder of Writing Right Author Mentoring Services with Lori Marett and she is the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. Cindy is also the co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministries and WWW.CHRISTIANDEVOTIONS.US, as well as WWW.INSPIREAFIRE.COM. Her devotions are in newspapers and magazines nationwide, and her novels have become award-winning best-selling works. She is a popular speaker at conferences and a natural encourager. Cindy is a mountain girl, born and raised in the Appalachian mountains, where she and her husband still reside. She has raised four sons and now resorts to raising chickens where the pecking order is easier to manage. You can visit Cindy at WWW.CINDYSPROLES.COM or www.wramsforwriters.com.