Plant before the rain

July 31, 2014July 31, 2014 ~ sharon ~ Leave a comment

Now that you’re planning your brainstorming party (see yesterday’s post), it’s time to expand the metaphor.
Consider planting idea seeds before dousing then with brainstorm rain.
This Fast Company article suggests you’re likely to wash away unrooted ideas in a flood of enthusiasm after you hear the first few in a traditional session.
In short, if you want to maximize the variety of ideas at your brainstorming party — after you play the word games — have everyone write down some ideas quietly before you share and develop them.

Brainstorming Doesn’t Work; Try This Technique Instead | Fast Company | Business + Innovation

http://m.fastcompany.com/3033567/agendas/brainstorming-doesnt-work-try-this-technique-instead

Take them by storm

July 30, 2014July 29, 2014 ~ sharon ~ Leave a comment

Brainstorming is something you can do alone, but it’s not nearly as much fun. Next time you get stuck, invite your writer’s group or some writer friends to a brainstorming party.
Go a little crazy. Play some silly word games. Find lightning swizzle sticks for your punch.
Then try these tips. Bet you all go home with an idea you can use.

5 Tricks To Brainstorm Like It’s Your Job | Entrepreneur.com

http://m.entrepreneur.com/article/234637

Visual aids

July 29, 2014July 29, 2014 ~ sharon ~ Leave a comment

If you like to think in images — rather than outlines — or if you’re working on a play or a film, storyboarding might be a technique worth investigating.
There’s a basic explanation from the Berkeley journalism program.
If you like it, here’s a site where you can try making your own. (Of course, there’s also pencil and paper, if you’re more tactile in your planning.)

Socially systematic

July 28, 2014July 28, 2014 ~ sharon ~ Leave a comment

Of course, you use social media. You’re reading this blog post and probably have one of your own. You’re on Facebook and Twitter and Tumblr and a few more. But has your approach been scattershot or systematic? Look at these suggestions and rethink — or develop — your plan.

How to Create a Social Media Marketing Plan From Scratch

http://blog.bufferapp.com/social-media-marketing-plan

Step by step

July 27, 2014July 26, 2014 ~ sharon ~ Leave a comment

Skop past the promo at the top of this post (you can go back later if you want) to get to this advice for nonfiction writers.

5 Research Steps Before Writing Your Book Proposal

http://janefriedman.com/2014/07/09/5-research-steps-write-book-proposal/