Here's a tool I've used in the past to help generate story ideas. I fill a sheet of paper with whatever thoughts arise, using different colored pencils, starting at various spots on the page and not censoring anything. This prompts my subconscious to cough up helpful story facets. There is, however, a tendency to fill the page with "redrum," but therapy and an ankle bracelet help keep that in check.
Welcome to WRITE ENOUGH!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Story Prompt: The Subcon Dump
Here's a tool I've used in the past to help generate story ideas. I fill a sheet of paper with whatever thoughts arise, using different colored pencils, starting at various spots on the page and not censoring anything. This prompts my subconscious to cough up helpful story facets. There is, however, a tendency to fill the page with "redrum," but therapy and an ankle bracelet help keep that in check.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Featured Post
John P. McCann Sizzle Page
'Twas suggested I post a few episodes of my work in a pleasant spot. I've chosen here. Sadly, not everything I've written has y...
-
Twice in the last eight years I've run the Santa Clarita 5k on Independence Day. Back in 2007 it was sizzling hot. Three years late... -
More memories from the boxes . Here's my life at Warner Bros. that year. Cleaned up my office after the Northridge earthquake rearranged...
10 comments:
That's awesome, when did you come up with this idea?
In 2006 I worked on several projects at once. Subcon Dump kept me from bleeding ideas from one into the other by coming up with things unique to each task.
I misplaced all my colored pencils during the move, but now that I've got them back, it's Dump Time!
It kind of looks like a red flag for schizophrenia.. or the calling card of an unemployed English Major.
No longer unemployed.
And there's nothing wrong with schizophrenia. Everyone agrees.
Well we all know "everyone" can't be trusted.
Speak for your own multiple personalities.
Hey!
Dillan, Munkastrap and Bobette are the only five people I trust in this world! You backwards man you!
Simmer down before you wake the children: Gurgen, Lungweiser, and little Grapple.
Very intriguing concept, John. I'm going to try it some time.
The method I use is a modified version of Ray Bradbury's technique from "Zen and the Art of Writing": a recipe box with 4x6 cards which are alpha organized into categories.
Bradbury's method is very general, listing ideas/things like "The Car", "The Moat", or "The Finger" and letting his imagination run wild on the topic by freewriting. He says many of his works started in that manner.
Similarly, when I first tried this, I would jot down ideas or lines or thoughts on a card under the appropriate category, and then continue to brainstorm ideas from other ideas and would often fill a handful of cards in a short time.
But maintaining the file proved difficult due to my habit of scribbling thoughts on the nearest piece of paper. I hated having to go back and copy those down into my file. It was like making double work for myself.
For the last few years, I just keep stuffing those scraps of paper into the box.
Counter-productive, I know, but we writers often tend to be disorganized by nature.
However, it has served me well in avoiding writer's block. I'm never at a loss for ideas thanks to Bradbury's method.
I use the box and cards for screenplays, sticking the cards up on foam core and swapping them around as I construct acts.
But I'll have to check out Bradbury's book. Sounds cool.
Post a Comment