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Planning: Brainstorming

by Pastelsky
Tags   you   writing   tips   help   general   writingtips   | Report Content

Planning: Brainstorming - you writing tips help general writingtips - chapter image

A A A A

 

Before you write a story, ideas are needed. Before you run away from writer's block, ideas are needed. Here are several tips on what to do while brainstorming. 

 

 

1. Use the 6 Ws - Who, What, Where, When, Why and How 

 

 Steps: 

 

a) Think of a random topic. For the example, let's use the common word "friends." 

b) Ask "W" questions related to that word, "friends."

 

- Who are your character's friends? 

- What did they do to earn your character's trust?

- Where did they meet?

- When are they going to step out of your character's life?

- Why are they acting differently?

- How are your characters going to forgive each other? 

 

c) Answer the questions that you have just made.

 

 

 

 

2. Mapping (use the 6 Ws here) 

 

Steps:

 

a)Think of a random topic (it can be anything, really).

b)Write it down on the middle of a piece of paper or blackboard (use the latter when presenting).

c)Draw a line that connects to the main idea.

d)Think of words that are related to the main idea, and write it down on the end of the line.

 

 

Examples: 


   and if you go even further, it becomes:  

 

 

 

 

3. Note down any and every single idea that pops into your head

 

a) Keep any sort of writing materials close to you at all times.

b) Don't be bothered if the ideas don't match up; they will connect later when you map them out.

c) Remember that a single word can hint the plot of an entire novel.

 

 

 

 

4. Listen to music

 

- If you're writing romance, listen to songs with a slightly faster rhythm than ballads.

- If you're writing angst, listen to ballads on breakups or death.

- If you're writing action, listen to fast pop or heavy metal songs.

- If you're writing poems, listen to the lyrics of rock music.

 

 

 

 

5. Read quotes 

 

- They help you keep focused on an idea.

- They can help change your perspective on almost anything.

- You will receive inspiration from the message.

- Even if you don't think of an entire plot while reading, they will always be applicable in real life.

 

 

 

 

6. Read other's stories

 

- The genre or theme can appeal to you.

- The events may spark an idea.

 

Note - There is an extremely fine line between inspiration and plagiarism. To learn more, visit this blog

 

 

 

Just remember these 6 steps when you're stuck. 

Credits: pearlredknight, DailyWritingTips, and TheWritingCenter

 

 

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Comments are moderated. Keep it cool. Critical is fine, but if you're rude to one another (or to us), we'll delete your stuff. Have fun and thanks for joining the conversation!

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thirtysehunds  on says about chapter 5:
thank you very much for the angst writing tips. I have an idea for angst and till now I've written only fluff and basically nothing serious (in AFF) so now I want to try angst but had no idea what should I include or point out more in the plot and characters. It's a good thing that this tips exist here *bows* ♥

ctmgonzaga  on says about chapter 9:
WOW this is great! Thank you for this. :) I really appreciate it ^^

MarkTuan  on says about chapter 9:
Woah this is useful! :)

unfamiliar  on says about chapter 9:
wow thank you!
this is very useful < 3
especially brainstorming and this one ヽ(；▽；)ノ
sobs i'm glad i opened this story (ᅌᴗᅌ* )

ChanRiB  on says about chapter 9:
Can you make chapter about how to make sentences more exciting?

I would really like it if you could write about how to make 'he said, she said' more exciting. Because its hard for me to write some thing better than he said when im stuck.
e.g. 'I don't care about you anymore. It was you who just... well.. you know...' she said.

please put up a chapter for that. I need your help.

-iucunda  on says about chapter 7:
Not trying to offend you, but I think saying "5Ws and 1H" may make more sense than "6Ws". I'm just putting that out there. Though, I do understand where you can get that from.

coffeeplease  on says:
absolutely useful~

yingjumeihua  on says:
How about writing a genre that most FFO users (I think we usually write about bullying or romance) don't normally write like action, mystery, etc.

--dalnim  on says:
This is a very useful guide for writing. Thanks! ^w^

-sarang  on says:
Affies? c;

// The Swan Corner Writing Tips!

http://www.fanficoverflow.com/story/view/719/the-swan-corner-writing-tips-tools-for-success-writing-writingtips

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