Summary

Linda Locke provides a guide on how to quickly generate new story ideas through brainstorming techniques to overcome Blank Page Syndrome (BPS).

Abstract

The article titled "How To Brainstorm New Story Ideas Fast!" offers a solution to writer's block, known as Blank Page Syndrome (BPS). The author, Linda Locke, suggests that the cure for this creative impediment is brainstorming. She advises writers to use a notebook or digital recorder to capture ideas spontaneously. Locke recommends sourcing inspiration from social media questions, magazine and newspaper articles, podcasts, and even the shower. She emphasizes the importance of recording these ideas immediately, as they can easily be forgotten. The process involves reviewing the collected ideas, selecting one that resonates, and then starting to write. This method is presented as an enjoyable and effective way to find new story ideas and combat the dread of the blank page.

Opinions

The author believes that Blank Page Syndrome is a common issue among writers that can be overcome with structured brainstorming.
Locke suggests that physically writing ideas in a notebook is superior to digital methods for capturing thoughts quickly.
She posits that social media platforms, particularly the questions and discussions within groups, are valuable resources for story inspiration.
Locke advocates for the use of traditional media, such as magazines and newspapers, to spark story ideas.
The author is a proponent of multitasking by listening to podcasts for inspiration during activities like driving.
She expresses a personal experience that showers can stimulate creative ideas, especially under time constraints.
Locke encourages writers to review and select the most compelling ideas to develop into stories.
The article concludes with a call to action for readers to share their own brainstorming methods in the comments.
Locke promotes her Medium membership, indicating that she values the platform's community and the opportunity to earn commissions from new sign-ups.

How To Brainstorm New Story Ideas Fast!

The Cure for Blank Page Syndrome (BPS)

You sit down to write a new story on Medium.

You stare at the white page.

Your mind goes blank.

You can’t think of anything to write about.

Oh no! You are suffering from Blank Page Syndrome, aka BPS!

Don’t panic.

There is a cure for this. It’s called Brainstorming.

Here’s how you can use it to supercharge your brain to discover new story ideas fast!

Grab a notebook and pen to capture your ideas. Jotting them down on paper is the fastest way to record your ideas. Or you can record ideas on your phone. I explain that method here:

How to Keep an Idea Diary with an iPhone and the Notes App

Hey Siri, Take a Note!

medium.com

Scroll through your Facebook feed and the groups you belong to and see what questions people are asking. There’s gold in the questions and the answers. Pay close attention to the questions that interest you and the ones you feel compelled to answer. Write those ideas down.

Read magazines and newspapers and look for interesting stories that make you stop and read. Bookmark or clip out the stories and save them in a Idea file. When you get stuck for a story idea, pull it out and dive in.

Listen to Podcasts. I’m always listening to podcasts while I’m driving and they trigger so many good ideas. Make sure you write them down as soon as you can, otherwise they just fly away.

Take a shower! I always get good ideas while showering. It’s something about the water that gives the right brain free rein to burst forth with ideas. I get my best ideas when I shower in the morning, especially if there is a time constraint where I have to go to work or some other activity soon. A deadline really helps here.

Review your ideas and then pick one that calls to you.

Start writing!

Rinse and repeat.

There you have it! An easy and fun way to find new ideas that you can use to write fabulous stories. Taking the time to research and record your ideas is the cure for BPS.

Let me know in the comments how you brainstorm ideas.

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