WC Camp Nano Prep Series: Part One

writeblrconnections:

writeblrconnections:

NAVIGATION | NEXT POST | 

Hi everyone!

Welcome to the first post of the Writeblr Connects Camp Nano Prep series! This time, we’re talking about…

This post will have information that’s useful for both first drafters AND rewriters.

My main goals here are:

Show you why you need to brainstorm 

Talk about the most efficient way of brainstorming 

Give an overview of some of the most common brainstorming techniques.

Let’s get started, shall we?

WHY DO YOU NEED TO BRAINSTORM?

Brainstorming, at its essence, is any technique you can use to generate ideas. While this is a fairly general definition, this means brainstorming can apply during all parts of the writing process—from character outlines, to plot points, to first drafts and rewrites.  

Now, I’m sure just the mention of the phrase “brainstorming” made some of you ill. I completely understand because I used to be the same way. At that point, when I heard “brainstorming,” it brought to mind endless notes, dead-ends and a general globby mental mess that was completely useless and never produced any real words on the page.

Good news: it doesn’t have to be like that!

The main point that most people miss (myself included!) with brainstorming is focus.

This really hit home with me last October when I signed up for @rachaelstephen’s Prep_Tober. When I saw that one of the first videos in the series was brainstorming, I cringed.

But Rachael brought up a point that I had never thought of:

In order to brainstorm effectively, you have to ask a specific question.

To brainstorm, you can’t just sit down with a blank page and write down whatever random thoughts come to mind. You have to narrow down where your attention is going. If you do that, your brainstorming process goes from a total mess to an incredibly helpful tool. 

Keep reading

Back for Camp NaNo 2018!