Writing Excuses Notes: Brainstorming

Here are some notes I took after listening to Writing Excuses.

It is an educational podcast that helps novelists/writers.

The topic, brainstorming, was from Season 1, Episode 1.

Brainstorming

Jot down everything, regardless how silly.

Write down any thoughts or ideas when they come by.
If you don’t, they’ll sneak away.

Take some time to think about the moments you form ideas.

When do they happen? How can you encourage them to happen?

Take a walk or do chores (without music). This time encourages the ‘voices’ to form.

Great thoughts only arrive when you’re alone with your thoughts.

Day dream.
Focus on open thought.

Outlining

Outlining a story lets you hit specific story beats.

It acts like a roadmap to your ideas.

Organize files and keep a concise layout to draw from.

Be sure to keep this a skeleton, not an encyclopedia.

Save the meat for the novel, not the outline.

Balance between always improvising and spending forever preparing.

You can either outline or have it all be improved writing.

Figure out what style suits you and allows for your best work or the most cohesive story.

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