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Brainstorming Checklist

Activities
  • Free writing- for this activity, set a timer for 2-5 minutes and write down everything that comes to mind in a notebook, entirely unfiltered
  • Journal/ Diary
  • Observations and pictures- Another thing you can do to help you get some ideas is to browse pictures on the internet. One site that is good for this is Pinterest. Try to think of stories behind the pictures you like most. Write down any ideas you get.
  • Colored notes (Characters, Settings, Conflicts)- Here is one brainstorming activity. Get out three colors of note cards or pieces of paper. One color will include settings, another characters, and the last one conflicts. Use these pieces of paper and time yourself for five minutes. During this time you will sit in a quiet environment and write down ideas for each category. When the time is up, pick a card from each category at random. Try to think of a story that can use all three elements. When you are done doing this activity, write down your ideas on a separate piece of paper.
Ask yourself...
  • Where or what event do you want to live? If you could travel to any point in time, when would that be?
  • If you could have your favorite author write any book, what would that book be about?
  • What life lessons or issues do you want people to be aware of?
  • What do you want to learn more about?
  • What stories, lore, or legends interest you?
  • What interesting things have happened in your personal life or in the world recently that has interested you or challenged you?

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