Creative Writing Workshop

Lesson 4: How to Think Like a Writer.

Brainstorming---Basic to Creative Writing

Brainstorming is basic to creative thinking because it provides a safe environment that is open to new ideas. When you brainstorm you are free to express unique ideas, use your intuition, and to be flexible in your thinking.

The basic brainstorming strategy is to delay judging the merit of your ideas until all of them have been listed. Prejudging restricts the flow of good ideas. When your thoughts are judged at the same time they are expressed, you tend to worry about whether the ideas are good or bad, and fewer good ideas are triggered.

Brainstorming is essentially a right-brain activity, one that allows you to pour out your ideas. Don’t inhibit this process by criticizing or evaluating too soon. Use the following rules for individual or group brainstorming sessions.

Four Brainstorming Rules.

Free your imagination. Write all the ideas that pop into your head.

Wait to judge the ideas. You can’t judge your ideas effectively as you’re receiving them.

The more ideas the better. It’s quantity not quality that counts.

Combine your ideas to make them better. It’s okay to piggyback ideas.

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