Friday Features Tips for Brainstorming
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the word brainstorm as: a sudden inspiration or idea. I don’t know about you, but the brainstorming we’ve done for our book The Promised One and the subsequent series The Turning Stone Chronicles was not a sudden inspiration or idea. We tossed ideas around for several hours before we hit on a title for the series. Then we spent more time brainstorming the world, the plot, our characters, and the various books. Along the way we discovered some tips for effective brainstorming that we’d like to share. 
1. Everything is fodder for an idea, no matter how bad it might sound at first. If you tweak it enough, you might be able to use it.
2. Two heads, or even three are better than one.
3. Invite a non-writer to participate. They might have a different take on the subject.
4. Ask “what if…” , then ask it again, and again.
5. Throw the first five thoughts out. They were the easiest to come by so they may not be the best solutions.
6. Keep good notes. Scribbled shorthand, or half written sentences might not mean much if you don’t get writing right away.
7. Make sure you have snacks, and water on hand. All that thinking and talking makes one hungry and thirsty. Besides, feeding your brainstorming participants is only polite since you’re picking their brains.
8. Ask why? Why would he do that? Why doesn’t the idea work? Why can’t the sky be green?
9. Think outside the box, turn it upside down, on its side, or dissemble it to find new solutions and ideas.
10. Reread what you already have. The solution to the problem may already be hidden in those pages.
Plus a bonus:
Don’t permanently delete a brainstorming thought. You never know when it might come in handy for something else.
Have you ever used brainstorming?
