The Beauty of Brainstorming
By: Galley ‘Ho Santa O’Byrne
Summer time and the living is easy.
I’ve always loved that song what with the catfish jumping and all. I’ve always said that my perfect summer getaway would be either an apartment in the Dakota in New York City or a Victorian beach house in Cape May, New Jersey. I have friends whose wives summer in New Jersey and Maryland. They see one another on the weekends. Come to think of it, they have the best marriages I’ve ever seen. Leading me to think - there must be something to this getting away from everyone and everything.
The question is, well, what exactly would I do with my time? Sell seashells by the seashore? Creamsicles on the Boardwalk? None of those hold a particular appeal to me. I don’t think I could do either for an entire season, let alone for years at a time. No, my ultimate fantasy – aside from having a fully stocked, state of the art kitchen- would be to have the time and space to write.
And write.
And write without any of the distractions and attractions of everyday life.
And then I’d invite some of my fellow writers down for a weekend to do what I’ve recently found invaluable to a writer’s life – brainstorming.
That’s right. Brainstorming. Even with the Internet ever at our beck and call writing still remains a solitary endeavor. I don’t know about the rest of you but there are times when I write, edit, re-read and wonder what the heck I was thinking when I started that particular scene or shift in the plot. I touch base with my critique partner but, bless her heart, she’s several hours away and we don’t get a chance to really hash a particular part of the story out. So, it’s back to the laptop at Starbucks for me. It’s the closest thing I can get to being away from it all.
But my mind always turns back to this brainstorming theory. I was working on my first manuscript and while talking to a friend over coffee and via brainstorming she was able to fix the direction her book was going in. At the RWA National Conference in Dallas three years ago, I found myself on several occasions just sitting around with my fellow writers, both unpublished and published, talking plot and characters and tension and it was MARVELOUS. Most recently while in Washington for this year’s conference an author helped me work through a plot device that I found wasn’t really working for my story. Friends, it was like a revelation. Everything fell into place for me.
Suffice it to say, I highly recommend grasping opportunities to work with fellow writers through some of your books rough spots. I know of several small groups of published authors who take the time to get away for a weekend at a cabin or hotel room to do plotting and brainstorming. I know of a few RWA chapters that sponsor writer retreats for just this purpose to get a room of one’s own to write and brainstorm with others. They claim it does wonders for their writing.
What is your opinion of brainstorming? Does it work for you? Would you put down good money to get away from it all and do nothing but write and plot? Sounds like a plan to me.
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23 comments:
I could use a good brainstormin' storm about now. I fear tho, if given a chance ta kevitch with a bunch a' writers I'd jus' socialize, laugh, tell bad jokes and get drunk.
Or go hide.
Either option.
I think the main obstacle is tryin' ta explain how I got ta the place where brainstormin' could be 'elpful...
But I be a good brainstormee-er!
I love, love, love to brainstorm. Ask my writing partners. A few of them would even pay me to brainstorm. Okay so the payment doesn't include cash. Chocolate, maybe a Cap'n and Coke. Ah hell who am I kidding...
Seriously though, next to researching my stories, brainstorming is one of my favorite parts of writing.
Santa, I love to brainstorm with other writers. I think there's some other kind of hormone that gets released with that kind of activity that can't be duplicated by an internet search, and my brain starts following the most interesting new routes. I haven't been to an actual "retreat" where I could really put everything else aside except for the writing and chance to brainstorm, but that sounds like it would be worth the money.
I love brainstorming too. And I'm with JK. Maybe a suggestion I'm giving works, but even if it doesn't, most of the time it'll get my brain working.
I took a few creative writing classes in college and sitting around with other writers was very beneficial. I do major chat sessions sometimes, especially when I'm in the beginning of a story. This book, I think I couldn't have started writing without the HOURS of conversation I had with Haleigh. Invaluable.
I live in South Jersey, so I get to the Jersey shore a few times in the summer and my fam is taking a week to go down in a few weeks. I would LOVE to spend the entire summer just sitting on the deck of a beach house, watching the waves, and writing. Heaven.
Brainstorming is about the most valuable tool a writer has!! Sometimes just saying something out loud provides the answer. Examples of how I brainstorm:
Jack and I talk through stories all the time (ad nauseum, sometimes) wherever we are--mostly over a meal in a restaurant.
I have a friend who meets at a Panera Bread shop on a regular Thursday each month with three other writers to talk through story ideas.
I attended a group retreat of seven writers in cabins on a FL river. We each supplied an outline of a book idea, and everyone voiced their ideas about the story, motivation, etc. The author took notes (furiously). Granted this is an extreme example, but it was fun.
One of my crit partners (who lives in FL) and I call each other now and then to hash out story problems or ideas. Talking is always better, and with so many phone companies offering free long distance, why not take advantage?
I don't know the Dakota, but I'd join you at Cape May in a skinny minute!
Believe it or not but I like to brainstorm with people. I think some of the best ideas come from brainstorming sessions where you can bounce ideas off one another.
I definitely would put good money down to get away and just write. Nothing like sitting at a desk facing the ocean with the window open and the calming sound of waves to make you relax and write.
I just realized that if I really wanted to, and my battery would hold up, I could take the comp down to the beach and write my little heart out. Funny, that's never occured to me before.
Brainstorming is one of my favorite parts of writing. On the train to Nationals, my friend and I brainstormed her story. She was in such an early stage, she didn't even have names for the characters! I fired off questions and she filled in the blanks. Made the five hour trip feel more like fifteen minutes.
I have done a writers retreat and I have to say it all depends on where you go and who you go with. Too many people means socializing and less writing. And then there's location. Some backwoods dorm type place with cramped spaces wasn't conducive for me.
But, I'd do it again under the right circumstances.
Forgot to say, there is one thing about brainstorming that I don't like. That's when the brainstorming involves strangers who don't know your story or your characters. When you are trying to find a story, this can work. People saying things like "What if they are both lawyers?" or "Maybe the baby isn't his!"
But when you are in the middle of your story and just stuck, it's better IMO to brainstorm with someone who knows you, your style, and your story.
I'm always amazed that I never think to do for myself what I do for others - give them ideas and any help they need. That's why I see brainstorming as invaluable.
Don't be shy, 2nd. I think there's more to you than you think in this area.
I'm glad to see we're all in agreement. I'm at work and will pop back in at lunch. Can't post to come here on Facebook - so can someone write on my wall and guide the masses over to the light - I mean here.
For me, brainstorming is useful in the very early stages when I have only nebulous ideas. A kind of variation of brainstorming proved invaluable when I had specific questions I threw out to a small group of trusted writer friends. A writers' retreat would be great if it included all or some of those same friends, but I'd say no, thank you to a retreat with lots of strangers.
I'd love to get away for a whole summer, but I'd head for the mountains instead of the shore.
I put a note on your wall, Santa.
I'm with Janga, the mountains are more for me. I'm really not a fan of sand. I know I live at the beach, but that really sort of happened by accident.
I love brainstorming. I think it's so great if you have a CP that knows your plot, your story, and your vision for it. (Like Ter - I've had problems with people not knowing the story throwing out random ideas that don't, in any way, match up). but when you have someone who knows you're story, it's invaluable.
Though at the beginning, I love brainstorming with almost anyone. It can really get the ideas flowing. In fact, I'm stuck again now, and will probably be annoying Marn out the wazoo for the next week with all my whining about what should happen next :)
Terrio - You mean....like maybe they could be kidnapped my aliens?
I love twisted brainstorming, I admit.
Any gatherin' that includes a group a' rowdy writers be worth takin'. Writing pirates would make an adventure worth takin', that I be sure of.
I 'member Christie Craig talkin' about the whine day also. How she and her CP save one day a week for whinin' to each other. I think that would be productive. Save all yer whinin' fer the one day. The rest a' the week, ya ignore all whine topics.
Like that, I can see where brainstormin' would useful. As I said, I am a mean branstormee-er.
Like Terrio, I live close ta the beach, but wouldn't take me laptop down ta it. Sun makes it too hard ta see the screen. But a tablet and pencil...sure.
Where? Anywhere there be a good table and comfy chairs and some privacy so the hilarity don't spill over and offer bothernation to innocent bystanders.
I love to brainstorm, especially if it's NOT my story.
As far as having all day to write (no day job to interfere), the busier I am, the more I can get done. Makes no sense, except maybe I use my time better when I'm busy.
It's tough to write outside because of the glare. I wish I could write outside. I have the perfect spot on my dock at the lake, but sadly, my screen is nothing but black in the sun. Maybe some day the e-Ink technology of the Sony Reader will make it to laptop screens. Wouldn't that be major cool?
I do find that changing my location helps to stimulate my writing.
I've never had face-to-face critiques. Only online ones. How do others feel about getting your critiques in person?
Cyndi
Cynthia D'Alba
Vote for Cynthia D Morgan for RWA PRO Liaison
Hey there, Cyndi! Thanks for stopping by.
I admit, I don't like getting the crit in person but that really depends on who is giving the crit. I've never the detailed crit with a CP while sitting in the same room. My experience has been more someone asking about the book then making comments on my general description. Which makes me a little crazy.
So I'm curious too. How do you handle the in-person crit when you have to school your face and wait to curse the critter until you're alone? :)
Now, I can handle one on one critique, face to face. Group critique is a whole new ballgame. One on one involves interaction, I find. If'n I can ask specifics... "What was it ya weren't seein'? What be wrong wit' doin' it this way?" That sort a' thing.
Groups, when ya have ta sit and jus' take it? Nope. I blather and leak, especially when the group feeds off itself and they get enthusiastic 'bout what they don't like. And ya ain't give a chance ta defend or ask fer details. I were vicerated in a poetry class once...not allowed ta say a word as I listened to a group totally miss the entire slant a' the piece.
I know, if'n it were plain they wouldn't a' missed the slant. But try ta swim upstream from social norm and ya know sometimes ya jus' gots ta try, even if they can't see it... I dropped the class.
What's an RWA PRO liaison?
I'm sooo with Janga on the mountain preference. The last time I went to the beach, I got 2nd degree burns. Definitely not conducive to happy writing time!
As for brainstorming, for me, it depends entirely on the people involved. Some people can be very, um, forceful and, er, persistent with their suggestions. When that happens, I feel like I'm losing my sense of MY story. But some people are really fantastic about leading you to the answer that you need, if only you could get out of your own way.
I agree, Kelly. The pushy ones, see, I'm less PC about me terms...they will see me shut down. I like ta brainstorm wit' people who ask as much as they suggest. Communicatin' bein' a two way street...
There be some nice places wit' mountains and the sea...like Big Sur, south a' me home...
I think I could go fer a lake ta swim in and trees ta laze about under... Campfire, s'mores... double stuffed flaming twinkies... ;)
The mountains or the sea. The venue isn't as important as the group of writers present. Janga's right. I would never do it in a large group of strangers but, most certainly, with a few people in the romance cyber-sphere. But I also think I'd feel okay in a small group of strangers, say other people attending a conference or workshop. Talk about your fresh persepectives. I realize this isn't for everyone and that's okay.
I'd love to see more brainstorming in small groups at my chapter meetings. After a few meetings you would get a sense of who you could bounce ideas off and who to steer clear of.
I think that if you enter into a brainstorming situation ground rules need to be established, especially if you don't know all the people. Furthermore, I don't think brainstorming works in large groups. Folks you brainstorm with need to be people you know and have some sort of writing relationship with. It's not brainstorming if one or two take over the conversation. That would make the entire endeavor counter-productive. There's simply no place for anything counter-productive in a writer's journey.
Be back in a spell.
Kelly - I totally agree on both counts. And that's another reason that my favorite part of brainstorming is just asking the other writer questions. Keep firing questions until they've answered everything. And if you really have to give suggestions, give general ones, give several, and make sure to say things like, "It's just an idea!"
Santa - I bet we could put a little retreat together in the off season. It's still pretty warm here in December. Or we could go further south and try for Jan or Feb. Off season prices are always so much lower.
Sigh. I be off ta buy me lottery tickets...
You know I think the old interviews we did on the EJ bb (as it was then) were a kind of brainstorming. All the questions we asked one another pushed us to brainstorm about our characters in order to answer the questions. I think they proved productive for many of us--and it was all done online.
That board and those character interviews were the foundation and impetus for everything I now have on my WIP. That's where I learned Bryan didn't grow up with a father and that Celi did photography for a hobby. I'm certain if I'd never stumbled onto that board and met the Bon Bons, I wouldn't be writing at all.
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