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Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Writing Craft » Page 18

Writing Craft

Brainstorming Made Easy (Part Two)

By Karen Ballon September 11, 2013
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Creative Workgroup in a Meeting

Okay, now that we covered the ground rules, let’s get brainstorming.

I realize not everyone can do the whole trip and retreat bit, but that’s okay. You can do what we do and make a retreat out of it, or you can get together online. With all the wonderful video calling programs out there, you can meet “face to face” without leaving home. For our brainstorming sessions, we gather from Thursday to Sunday. Each person gets 90-minute session, during which we’re all focused on that person’s stated needs. Here’s how we do it:

One person is the designated timekeeper. That person gives warnings when we have a half hour left, and when we have 15 minutes left.

Start each day with a devotion. It never ceases to amaze me how these 10-minute devos set us on the right path as we jump in.

We record our sessions. You can do this with your smart phone, a camera, a video camera, a tape recorder…whatever works best. But it’s amazing how freeing it is to know you don’t have to take notes during the session.

At the beginning of your session, share what you have of your story. We’ve shared as much as a pretty solid outline and as little as “This is my setting, these are my characters, the story is a romance. Go!”

If you want something specific from the brainstorming team, then tell them that up front. Are you looking for the group to help you build the whole story? Are you looking for specific scenes focusing on certain events or interactions?  Are you looking for ways to get your hero and heroine together? Whatever you need, say so. The best way to get what you want is to be as specific as possible.

Consider leaving 10 minutes at the end of your session for everyone to write a “List of 10.” This is a list of ideas they’ve had during the discussion, whether about scenes or character traits or something else, or of ideas that are sparked as the session ends. You can ask for the lists to focus on a specific need, or just let your brainstorming buddies write what strikes ‘em.

If you’re together in person, be sure you’ve got plenty of coffee, tea, water, chocolate…whatever fuel folks need to be creative!

Be sure have schedule in breaks so people can rest their brains and come back to the table refreshed and ready to go.

Everyone pay attention to the person’s stated needs. If you feel those needs haven’t been met, draw the group’s attention back to those needs. Also, it’s a good idea, about 15 minutes from the end, to ask the person, “Do you have what you need? Is there anything else you need from us?”

Clearly, this isn’t a comprehensive “how-to,” but my hope is that these tips will trigger ideas for you as you enter into this amazing realm of brainstorming.

Most important tip of all: Have fun! Enter into this time with a spirit of service and creativity, and get ready to see how the Spirit will take over.

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Category: Career, Communication, Creativity, Karen, Writing CraftTag: brainstorming, Creativity, Writing Craft

Brainstorming: The Ground Rules (Part Two)

By Karen Ballon September 4, 2013
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Are you getting excited about brainstorming? I really hope so. There is so much to be gained from surrounding yourself with other writers ready and willing to share their creativity with you. And from being willing yourself to share with others. Writing doesn’t have to be a solitary task. Knowing you have a group of writers rooting for you, excited about and praying for your project as you’re …

Read moreBrainstorming: The Ground Rules (Part Two)
Category: Book Business, Career, Creativity, Karen, Writing CraftTag: brainstorming, Career, Creativity, Writing Craft

Brainstorming: The Ground Rules

By Karen Ballon August 21, 2013
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Thanks for your thoughts and comments last week. Loved seeing your excitement about getting into a brainstorming group. It really can be a blessing unlike any other. So how do you go about getting started? Well, first, let’s take a look at the ground rules for effective brainstorming. There are several of them, so this week we’ll consider the first three:

1. Steep your sessions in …

Read moreBrainstorming: The Ground Rules
Category: Career, Craft, Creativity, Karen, Writing CraftTag: brainstorming, Creativity, Writing Craft

Preach it! (or Not)

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 15, 2013
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Last summer my family and I flew to South Korea and back so we needed to fill several hours with entertainment. Korean Air provides a selection of movies, so I decided to view "Gentleman's Agreement" since I'd never seen this classic film.

I knew the story addressed the evils of anti-semitism. Of course, I am opposed to anti-semitism so I have no problem with a story coming from this viewpoint. …

Read morePreach it! (or Not)
Category: Craft, Creativity, Editing, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Creativity, Preaching, Writing Craft

Brainstorming Made Easy (Part One)

By Karen Ballon August 14, 2013
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A couple weeks ago I boarded a plane headed north to Idaho for a trip I've taken 9 times. At the end of that flight waited a group of women--Brandilyn Collins, Robin Lee Hatcher, Sunni Jeffers, Tricia Goyer, Tamera Alexander, Janet Ulbright, Sharon Dunn, Gayle DeSalles, Francine Rivers, and Mama Ruth (Brandilyn’s mom)--who have become so much a part of me that I can’t imagine life without them. …

Read moreBrainstorming Made Easy (Part One)
Category: Career, Creativity, Karen, Writing CraftTag: brainstorming, Creativity, Writing Craft

When Do I Write Book Two?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon May 30, 2013
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Recently someone posted a question I get asked all the time:

After finishing my current book should I write the sequel or start something new?

This question is usually posed by a new author whose agent is marketing a series. The editors have not had a chance to weigh in with their interest in the series or lack thereof. Meanwhile, the writer is bored and wants something else to …

Read moreWhen Do I Write Book Two?
Category: Career, Craft, Creativity, Get Published, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Sequel, Series, Writing Craft

Do Some Plots Break Their Contracts?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon May 23, 2013
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In 1995 I watched the movie Cold Comfort Farm. A British comedy, the story was not without charm, though I wouldn't recommend this parody of literature for everyone. Early on, Aunt Ada, who seemed to be a bit crazy, said, "I saw something nasty in the wood shed."

Throughout the movie, I waited to find out what Aunt Ada saw. I waited. And waited. But the question was never answered, at least not …

Read moreDo Some Plots Break Their Contracts?
Category: Art, Contracts, Craft, Creativity, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Plot, Writing Craft

Get the Job Done with Focus!

By Karen Ballon May 22, 2013
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I was just talking with a client the other day about the writing life. She’d struggled with getting started on her novel. Then, once she started, she said it was as though she couldn’t keep her backside in the chair. Everything else caught her attention: laundry, dishes, kids, dogs, yard work, and on and on. And when she finally managed to write most of the book, there was that darned ending! …

Read moreGet the Job Done with Focus!
Category: Book Business, Career, Craft, Karen, Writing CraftTag: Book Business, Career, Focus, Writing Craft

Leave ‘Em Wanting More?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon May 16, 2013
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Do you like stories with unsure endings? Where you don't know if the main characters will live happily ever after?

I am a reader who doesn't like open endings, probably because I enjoy novels that are heavy on romance and I like to know the couple can expect a happily-ever-after. My personal preference is for a novel that doesn't beg for a sequel for the protagonist.

A Satisfying …

Read moreLeave ‘Em Wanting More?
Category: Craft, Creativity, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Endings, Writing Craft

Looking for a Brown Mule

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon May 2, 2013
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I am beyond proud of my uncle, Eldridge Bagley.

Uncle Eldridge is a professional artist. He paints in oil on canvas. Most of his scenes depict Southern rural life in the mid twentieth century. The picture above, from 2001, is entitled Looking for a Brown Mule. 

This picture speaks to me. Does it speak to you? Why? Why do you think he chose that title?

Now let's have some fun. Use your …

Read moreLooking for a Brown Mule
Category: Art, Creativity, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Characters, Creativity, Writing Craft
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