tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post5996796565033748599..comments2024-03-27T10:02:56.747-04:00Comments on Fiction University: Guest Author Myra McEntire: On BrainstormingJanice Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-18496168102163401622016-02-06T13:25:27.340-05:002016-02-06T13:25:27.340-05:00This was a wonderful post! I know it's older, ...This was a wonderful post! I know it's older, but it still stands the test of time. I love the idea of listening to music that invokes the mood you want. Super good idea!<br /><br />Also, about the shower, I personally am one who just likes to get in and out asap. However, I know a lot of people I've seen online who love the showers for ideas. There is a new product out called Aqua Notes. They are waterproof notepads. I'm sure many know about them, but I just learned about them the other day and thought I'd share. Thanks again!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01849731264604925962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-58724099389110674142012-09-13T07:41:55.006-04:002012-09-13T07:41:55.006-04:00Great post & useful advice in opposition to ma...Great post & useful advice in opposition to many texts I've read that pretty much oly told you "let your ideas fly" :)Steeeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17384856969247997379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-5838170350325902762011-06-14T02:34:42.865-04:002011-06-14T02:34:42.865-04:00It probably comes under repetitive tasks:
I walk...It probably comes under repetitive tasks: <br /><br />I walk to work. Since I work a t a couple different schools, it takes anywhere from 10 mins to 1/2 hour and I daydream the whole way. I'm going to get run over some day, but I get the best ideas!Claire Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14354840714847021685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-62202381445590124382011-06-08T22:44:45.931-04:002011-06-08T22:44:45.931-04:00Fantastic ideas! I definitely brainstorm while cle...Fantastic ideas! I definitely brainstorm while cleaning. Driving too.Sonia G Medeiroshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11769867586033748973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-35633051243909819462011-06-08T19:24:05.542-04:002011-06-08T19:24:05.542-04:00Those are some great ideas. I dance in my kitchen ...Those are some great ideas. I dance in my kitchen but only my son is allowed to watch me make a fool of myself. Everyone else tries to take pictures/snicker. Though I dance for the heck of it and as a way to make housecleaning more fun.<br /><br />My repetitive sin is Bejeweled Blitz.Jaleh Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04942272578488986874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-32143127662263432752011-06-08T16:02:11.998-04:002011-06-08T16:02:11.998-04:00All of the ideas are great,and I've used most ...All of the ideas are great,and I've used most of them. The most productive for me are the music and mindless repetitive work. Last winter I had an hour commute to work. I would listen to my 'playlist' and imagine the scenes in my mind while I drove the same tedious route. Then on my break I would write like mad.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14324491231695823916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-8660678685530880122011-06-08T15:00:49.352-04:002011-06-08T15:00:49.352-04:00Naps are good; dreams can be useful. Look where it...Naps are good; dreams can be useful. Look where it got Stephenie Meyer!Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13695162097412527158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-91462066171119551102011-06-08T09:38:25.240-04:002011-06-08T09:38:25.240-04:00Love the brainstorming tips. I find hiking works f...Love the brainstorming tips. I find hiking works for me, even if it's just a quick walk down the block. I always take my iphone with me now, so I can stop and take notes when ever inspiration strikes.<br /><br />Hourglass sounds incredible--I look forward to reading it!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09687047513163296827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-4285963367043832502011-06-08T06:23:09.028-04:002011-06-08T06:23:09.028-04:00Excellent suggestions Myra! Love the shower crayon...Excellent suggestions Myra! Love the shower crayon idea, beats going turning a great thought into a mantra chant (which is what I've been doing and gets strange looks from my wife). Bookmarking the Story Maps, thanks for a great resource.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-64076244930325673452011-06-07T20:31:34.853-04:002011-06-07T20:31:34.853-04:00Awesome post! Also, I love those blank Story Maps ...Awesome post! Also, I love those blank Story Maps you linked to! I'm going to have to try one now. I've been making an outline that has the core events listed by chapter. I then go back and write out a full page of things to happen for each chapter revolving around that core event. I think teaming that up with the Story Map will help out a LOT.Rachel Russellhttp://rachel-russell.weebly.com/blog.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-75370383853706340992011-06-07T16:55:56.063-04:002011-06-07T16:55:56.063-04:00Myra - I just LOVE that you're a pantser too! ...Myra - I just LOVE that you're a pantser too! I usually start with What if's also. Unfortunately I have nothing as NORMAL as showers and story mapping though. Nap is the closest thing. I seem to wake up at four in the morning with my brain buzzing about possibilities. Sleep is overrated anyway, right? RIGHT? :DLisa Gail Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-52607108655695310032011-06-07T14:46:31.482-04:002011-06-07T14:46:31.482-04:00I loved everything you said. I believe I do the sa...I loved everything you said. I believe I do the same thing you call Story Mapping. Only I call it Outline. Can't write without it. The music, dancing, repeating the plot, I do all of it as well. Oh and by the way you don't look a day over 18. <br /><br />Great post!Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10103458688711351378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-41444657434216846802011-06-07T13:23:33.290-04:002011-06-07T13:23:33.290-04:00Thanks for the great advice!
I like to "pro...Thanks for the great advice! <br /><br />I like to "program" my subconscious before I do mindless tasks like laundry and dishes.<br /><br />I look over my notes for the story or think about the plot problem I have, and ask myself a question. It's usually something like "How on earth does main character hide the body?" <br /><br />After that, I leave it alone and do something that doesn't require a lot of thought. It works like a charm. ;)Elizabeth Poolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214706118828699708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-32559352204380111482011-06-07T13:04:53.044-04:002011-06-07T13:04:53.044-04:00I have so many awesome ideas right before I fall a...I have so many awesome ideas right before I fall asleep. Half the time I'm too lazy to write them down and then hate myself for it in the morning when they're mostly forgotten. I've found that observing nature gets my brain going more than anything else. I live in a particularly beautiful mountainous area, and I'm constantly staring out the window or loading my kids into the car for a long drive. So many of the scenes I dream up take place on snowy mountainsides or craggy, half broken canyon roads.Candacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10737441502962855490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-26941802197580482412011-06-07T12:58:19.118-04:002011-06-07T12:58:19.118-04:00I love this post, especially since brainstorming i...I <i>love</i> this post, especially since brainstorming is my favorite part of the writing process. I'm bookmarking this. Thanks for sharing. =)Tessa Emily Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08625256104634830104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-34421658145509024002011-06-07T12:15:33.859-04:002011-06-07T12:15:33.859-04:00Shower crayons! That's amazing. I often use ...Shower crayons! That's amazing. I often use that bit of quiet to think over plot points, but I'd never even thought of that.MKHutchinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07715686902529938959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-18924241714578143832011-06-07T12:14:29.640-04:002011-06-07T12:14:29.640-04:00Janice - Thanks again for having me! And look at y...Janice - Thanks again for having me! And look at y'all, suggesting healthy things like walking! <br /><br />*feels shame* <br /><br />*plays Angry Birds*Myra McEntirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02489075264670333000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-2298286982071739742011-06-07T12:02:22.636-04:002011-06-07T12:02:22.636-04:00Fabulous ideas. I'm a strongly auditory learne...Fabulous ideas. I'm a strongly auditory learner, and so find that that talking to people about my plot and my characters really cements them in my mind. (My long-suffering and supportive husband is a dream come true for this.) <br /><br />I also find that jogging helps to break a few thoughts free, although then I find myself stopping in random places and having conversations with myself about whether said thoughts are workable ore relevant. It helps, but also makes me look like a crazy person!Jo Eberhardthttp://thehappylogophile.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-25541103946823384782011-06-07T12:01:48.655-04:002011-06-07T12:01:48.655-04:00Thank you for this good advice. Funny how 'the...Thank you for this good advice. Funny how 'the perfect idea' will come to you when you are not hunting it down. Showers seem to be one of my most prolific activities for ideas. Need a waterproof notebook!Kristin Nadornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-33226653866704801502011-06-07T11:25:19.330-04:002011-06-07T11:25:19.330-04:00Thanks for the great ideas, Myra. Most of my best ...Thanks for the great ideas, Myra. Most of my best brainstorming happens either with free-writing or walking (sans iPod -- my mind doesn't wander as well with music, because I tend to get so lost in the actual music that I don't think about anything else!).Shari Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12495151345889657066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-85398525646973406372011-06-07T11:15:39.416-04:002011-06-07T11:15:39.416-04:00Great ideas. I have to start with characters, and ...Great ideas. I have to start with characters, and then I just think about scenes I'd like to see them in. Eventually, things seem to come together.<br /><br />TerryTerry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-60313983749566116562011-06-07T11:15:25.589-04:002011-06-07T11:15:25.589-04:00I'm so impressed with your longhand journal! M...I'm so impressed with your longhand journal! My hand cramps quickly so I rarely write things out anymore. Also, I can barely read my own writing. That's sad!<br /><br />I've found dancing opens everything up too. And definitely the repetitive tasks. Half my plots come together on walks!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-22046147181905421532011-06-07T11:04:27.723-04:002011-06-07T11:04:27.723-04:00I love this list! 2 and 6 are probably my favourit...I love this list! 2 and 6 are probably my favourites, though I'm usually hesitant about 2 because I'm always worried about spoiling the book for people.Paul Anthony Shortthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14393249001158230985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-53023608908138257252011-06-07T10:59:08.599-04:002011-06-07T10:59:08.599-04:00Great brainstorming ideas.
Also, Hourglass looks a...Great brainstorming ideas.<br />Also, Hourglass looks awesome!<br />thanks,<br />DonnaDonnahttp://www.donnareeve.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-75180920642838044862011-06-07T10:49:39.716-04:002011-06-07T10:49:39.716-04:00All ten are such solid pieces of advice. I'm t...All ten are such solid pieces of advice. I'm totally partial to number 2 (okay, that just sounds funny...) But seriously, having a good CP (or a few) is priceless in the brainstorming stage. I probably would have lost my mind--or gotten lost IN my mind--without the help of my CPs to sort through everything with.Sara {Rhapsody and Chaos}https://www.blogger.com/profile/09824996048264979275noreply@blogger.com