Tidbit Tuesday: The Brainstormer

I'm at such a time when trying to think straight is a terrible strain for my brain. I have no idea why everything is piling up this week - my to-do list seems full with stuff and I have no idea where to look and what to do to even make a productive dent.

Strangely, I am writing - at least there I'm lucid. Or maybe you could argue that my mind is so wacked out that this state of affairs is actually conducive to getting a story on paper.

Still, what do you do when you have an inkling for a story but no idea what to do with it? Say, for example, you're struck with this image of this hunky warrior in your mind, or you see this woman alone in a dark, deserted street, or the idea for the perfect title strikes you.

A fellow CP on one of my crit loops posted this link the other day, and I thought it was a fabulous tool for when you're stuck on the brink of a story idea but have no idea where to take it. It's called The Brainstormer. Check it out.

The basic idea is this sort of wheel with different (literally thousands!) possibilities that you spin and watch what combination of themes/ideas it comes up with. You can spin the wheel using the 'Random' button, or you can spin each wheel individually if you already know one aspect of what your story is about. One ring has Theme, one has Location, and one has Story Element.

Try it out - it's a great kick-starter on these dull, brain-won't-work days!

From Mauritius with love,

Zee