TOOLS TO UN-STICK YOUR WRITING – Part 1
Problems in writing pop up frequently and involve everything from
general plot issues to misbehaving or lackluster characters to missing pieces
of crucial information. When we’re stuck, it’s handy to have a process to
un-stick us. Getting enough ideas to choose the best one, is the goal. We need to get to the 7th solution.
There are key concepts involved:
- problem solving steps
- brainstorming basics
- seeking help
- brainstorming focus and freewriting
1) Problem Solving Concepts
The basic problem solving method devised at Harvard circa 1972 is
the foundation for most of the models since. It’s logical:
- define the problem specifically
- brainstorm a list of ideas for solutions
- walk away and come back later to evaluate the list
- design or choose a solution to implement from the list
2) Brainstorming with green light thinking
- lock up your inner critic
- record all ideas whether or not they are complete, silly, improbably or possible
- write quickly without worrying about structure or grammar
- try a mind map
NOTE: The free flow
process may feel awkward initially. It might be because your inner critic is
still yelling at you from lock up. More likely it’s a matter of practice. You
don’t get to be a star tennis player the first time you hold a racket, but with
practice you get better. Freewriting/brainstorming is a skill. Keep at it.
3) Seeking help
Two heads are better than one and research says
three to five heads are even better. But apparently three, four or five are equally good. Invite two friends and initiate a roaring brainstorm session to maximize your ideas.
4) Freewriting - brainstorming on the page.
Freewriting can be general, a completion of the starter: I want to write a story about.... Or it may be applied to more focused issues. If using it for a narrower issue, be sure to use stage
one of the problem solving model. Write down a specific problem.
Here are two sample exercises suggested by romance authors from
the Alberta Romance Writers’ Association.
Lorraine Paton (Contemporary Romance Author) suggests you start your
list:
“Next, Suzie could do....”
Perhaps the response will be “no she’d never do that.” Record it and
move on to another idea. Work it out on the page. Keep going until you hit the
idea that feels right.
Suzanne Stengl (Sweet Romance Author) interviews her character “on
the page.”
Ask the character what they want to do, or will do, or what happened
next. Again, keep writing until you get that “let’s go” feeling. Your gut will
tell you if you are on the right track.
Remember, the chances are the first three to six ideas you come up with
will be ordinary even boring. But that 7th idea – it’s gold. Hang on to it. Learn to exercise your brainstorming muscle. It is one of the most
valuable tools in a writer’s toolkit.
What writing tools do you use when plotting or shaking-up your story?