Creative Brainstorming Fiction

A writer friend brought my attention to a website that will give you some very creative ideas to help you with writing fiction. It's a brainstorming tool that I found extremely interesting.  The Periodic Table of Storytelling is the first page, and though I didn't spend much time there, I was very intrigued by the link that provide a plot generate.  You'll notice that everything list in the plot generator is a link that explains the term or gives you story, plot or character ideas. Try this link and then look down in the text for the next link.

http://computersherpa.deviantart.com/art/Periodic-Table-of-Storytelling-203548951
Then go to the home page:

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HomePage

Look at categories on the left which provide all kinds of ideas for ways to handle various situation in your fiction. Though you may not use the exact method, I'm sure it will trigger new ideas for you that are original and exciting. This is a unique form of brainstorming.

Topics are:
narrative - example: plots, settings, spectacle, characterization, motifs

genre - example: action, horror, love, speculative, drama, comedy

media - example: radio, television, theater, tabletop games

topical - example: betrayal, death, family, food, holiday, memory, religion, money

other categories - example: split personality, creators, true and lies, weirdness isolation

You can spend hours looking through everything that's available on these links, but I think you will enjoy the creativity that it provides to trigger your brain. Brainstorming is an excellent way to make your novel as unique as it can be and to create a page turner.

Question: How Do You Create A Rough Plot Outine?

Numerous questions were asked by writers in my online course in January.  I wanted to share this one with you.
My question is this: Do I start with a rough outline of scenes, using the checklist to insure the scene is driving the story, then go onto adding in sequels and plotting hooks?

My response:

 I plot a little differently than many, but that's natural.  We each find a way that works with us. I plot with things that should happen without knowing at the time whose POV it will be in or where it will happen. I just know these are the details I want to include, so building in the sequels comes from instinct. I ask myself does the other POV character need a chance to share his/her emotional and mental responses to what happened in the previous scene or situation. If so then I add those elements to his or here next scene.

Hooks are techniques we use within scenes and always at the end of a scene to keep the readers turning pages - so those are also instinctive to some degree but can be set up as you approach the end of your chapter or scene.

Here's what I do when plot overwhelms me. (You can do this on a brainstorming computer program if you have one.) I actually do it on sticky notes or index cards. I jot down ideas of things that need to happen-- information I need to share with the reader, incidents that move the story forward, conflicts that occur, new characters or subplots that enter the story---all kinds of things like this. Then I begin to organize them. Which is the least dramatic element? That goes first. I set up conflicts in order of the dramatic and emotional effect on one or both characters. I sometimes use a subplot to create a hook, but a great way to hook is ending a scene with a troubling question, the telephone ringing when the character is waiting for information, an unexplained noise, a question that needs an answer (which ever works in the story) and then move the scene to the other POVcharacter and sometimes another subplot. This keeps readers griping the pages until the find out what happened in the earlier scene . As I work through these cards or sticky notes, I make decisions about what information needs to be foreshadowed earlier or where the information needs to happen to keep the story moving forward. This works very well for me to present all the action, introspection and dialogue at the most effective place it can be in the story -- everything leading to that dire, dark moment when all seems lost -- and then the exciting road to a solution and resolve.

Brainstorm - A Writer's Tool

Most author's heads are filled with story ideas. The problem is finding time to write, but on occasion, the mind goes blank, and writers need a little kick, something that will trigger new ideas.  This brainstorming program called The Brainstormer is a tool that can trigger ideas. The wheels can be spun at random or if you like two of the three combinations but prefer the third option to be more useful, then spin each line independently.  Theme, location or situation, and character or story  are the three options and together can stimulate a plot idea..

Here's a few samples that I found in the spin:
Theme: Flight       Location or Situation:  rusty      Character or Story Element: cubicle
Theme:  Fedility    Location or Situation  Americana    Character or Story Element: harbor
Theme:   Vengence    Location or Situation: dying      Character or Story Element: fishing boat
Theme:   Abduction     Location or Situation:  hippy      Character or Story Element: kitchen

http://andrewbosley.com/the-brainstormer.html

 Give it a try, and if you like it, add it to your writer tool resources.

BRAINSTORMING CONFLICTS

Brainstorming ideas can work wonders for plots and scenes. When tossing ideas into the “hat” nothing is too silly, because even the goofy idea can trigger another great possibility. One method of brainstorming that digs more deeply into a situation is using questions to provoke new possibilities for story conflict.

Once you have a basic plot idea, then questions can provide what you need. First take your basic story problem: Jim is offered a new job in a new city.

Your first question is should he accept this offer, and if he does, how will it affect the plot? Once you have the basic problem, then you can expand on other conflicts that can result from his decision.

Just as you would in real life, questions arise. In this case, one of the first questions is the location of the new job.
• Does he want to move?
• Does the new location appeal to him?
• If so, what are the pros and cons of this new city?
• Will the benefit of the newposition be worth the stress of the move?

Another question might have to do with the job requirements and how will they affect his life.
• What are the job requirements?
• Does he have these requirement to be excellent in his work?
• Will the job bring more money or prestige?
• Is the responsibility greater in this job than his present position?
• Can he handle the added responsibility and stress?
• Does this job require more travel?

The next realistic concern is regarding his home life.
• How will this move and new position affect his family?
• What is his wife’s attitude about the move?
• Will his wife have to give up a career or give up her job?
• Can she handle the stress of this life change?

Other questions that might come up regarding the new job position might be:
• Will his wife’s wages be lost and will his raise recuperate her wage loss?
• Will she be expected to become a hostess for events involving his new position?
• Does she have this skill and is she willing?
• Will she lose time with husband with his new position?
Next you can add the children’s issues, such as: changing schools, making new friends, finding new places to take their music lessons. Does the educational system compare in good favor to the character’s present home environment?

Obviously, each scenario for your plot will result in different questions, but before you brainstorm look at things like location, stress factors, requirements, home life, friendships, and a variety of other topics that you can pursue as you ask questions.

The trick is to take the basic conflict and then break it into smaller parts, asking yourself what other conflicts can result. Once you have numerous conflicts, decide which is the easiest to resolve and let that be your first plot conflict. Put them in order from lesser to the most dramatic, and build your plot line from there.