by  Susan May Warren, @SusanMayWarren

I hope you’re keeping warm! I admit, I’m a little spoiled right now. It’s 82 in Florida, and I am sitting on my porch, writing.

But I lived in below-zero temps for 55 years, so I feel for those who are in the below-zeros (and praying for you all. And for Texas! What in the world?)

While you’re trapped inside, can I suggest that this a GREAT time to read a great book and maybe brainstorm a new series, or story? Nothing is better for storycrafting than time to THINK!

The next best thing is to get in a small group of trusted people (e.g. my writing partner, Rachel Hauck and I meet regularly to talk about life, books, marketing and to solve problems).

I look a little tired there because I’m just back from brainstorming with these lovelies from Sunrise Publishing’s Season 3. We had a blast putting together 3 awesome romantic-suspense stories (out in 2022!)

BUT…brainstorming is not without snags. It’s easy to rabbit trail, to get off point, and even craft a story that isn’t in the author’s mind.

So. Here are some brainstorming tips for your next brainstorming session:

Before you start:

• Let the author tell you their story seed…WHY they love this story.
• Ask the author
  • What their big overview of the story is
  • What the story is essentially about
  • What trope it might follow
  • What scenes they absolutely want to keep
  • What stories or movies this might be similar too—even if it’s just pieces

This puts a view of the story into the minds of the brainstormers.

Then:

Take the time to figure out the character’s Story Equation – who they are, what they’re afraid of, their lie, their secret desire, their competing values, their wound, and then their flaws, their competence and their short term and long-term goals.

This helps build a core for your character.

Now:

• Create the big parts of your Plot:
• Who will start the story? And how will they act in their competence in the first scene?
• What is the event that will push them onto their journey?
• Why should they go on this journey? Why not?
• What is their first big attempt to solve their problem? Will they fail or succeed?
• Now that they are on the journey, what is the big cost of not succeeding?
• What is the big reward of succeeding?
• What is their next attempt to solve their problem…if they failed earlier, have them succeed this time. (and vice versa).
• Now…if they looked in the mirror what would they see? What do they need to do to accomplish their goal?
• What is the next big problem?
• What do they do?
• Keep asking this question until you get to the realization of their Greatest Fear and the Lie feeling real.
• What is the truth that sets them free?
• What can they do at the end that they can’t at the beginning?
• What does a Happy Ending look like for them?

If you can answer these questions as a group, it will help the author lay down the big pieces of the plot. But, remember to pause and let the author think through the ideas. The brainstorming partners are there to offer ideas, not craft their own story. It’s up to the author to go deeper and add in those specific events he/she wants to happen in the right places.

One of my tricks is to write all the great brainstorm ideas on post it notes so I can move it around in the right order later.

Finally, don’t expect the story to come together right there, in the brainstorm session. Yes, you’ll have great ideas, but the story will evolve and grow as you write it. Leave yourself room to change and deepen ideas as you discover the story.

There is nothing like the power of creativity gathered together, committed to helping put together a great story! Stories change lives. Let us not forsake the impact we can have when we gather, submit our story to God, and let him join in the process through our trusted cohorts. :blush:

Your story matters. Go brainstorm something brilliant!

Susie May

P.S If you want more brainstorming tips and tricks using the SEQ, join us on Thursday nights for our peptalk at Novel.Academy. Over 500 classes on writing a novel, getting published and building a successful writing career!