Hey everyone. Welcome back to Teen Writers’ Nook for the Teen Writers’ Rally.
First off, I would like to say that this is Alana from TWN. As most of you probably know, my real name is Madeleine and I will be switching from Alana to Madeleine here at TWN.
Now for the post. Today I will tell you all how I brainstorm ideas for writing.
Whenever I brainstorm, I usually think of so many different things and jot them all down in a journal. Some of my thoughts are about character arcs, made up animals/plants, make believe worlds, plots, themes, etc. After I jot them down, I will look back over my ideas. Usually, it will take me several days before I am able to get a whole story idea from all those ideas.
There are many things from where I get my inspiration from. I love to study and do research about animals. Each animal is so unique in its own way, and I would sometimes take certain characteristics of different animals and group them into one animal that I have created. I also love learning about different cultures, and I get inspired as I create different countries for my fantasy world.
Sometimes as I’m reading my favorite stories, I imagine what it might would be like if another character was in it. I would then most likely start building a story for that one character. I also get inspired by themes such as love, friendship, redemption, etc. and use those themes to find a story for them.
I know that this is a very short post. But, that is how I brainstorm. That’s all there is. There isn’t anymore. What do you guys do to brainstorm your ideas?
30 Comments
Kimberly
That’s a pretty cool way to create new fictitious animals and worlds. Research and reading, blended with writing (the 3 ‘Rs’) is always the way I get my brain working on new projects – and, of course, sprinkled with lots of IMAGINATION. Great posts, Alana (hehehe, I mean Madeleine).
Madeleine
Yes, it is pretty cool. That is basically the same with me. Reading, writing, plotting, imagination, and sometimes research are what I use to help me with my story ideas. Thanks, Kimberly (I mean Mommy XD).
Rylie
Ohh I love that brainstorming process! I kinda do the same thing. I have a lot of ideas in my head and then just kinda write an outline from that. XD
I want an Imp from Keeper of the Lost Cities. XDD Or a unicorn. Or a dragon… there are too many cool animals that should totally be real! XD
Madeleine
Thank you! I find it very helpful to write it down when I have so many ideas.
An Imp! That sounds interesting. What is an Imp? I love unicorns and dragons! Whenever I’m writing fantasy, I ALWAYS include a unicorn AND a dragon.🦄🐉
Mary
Ooo, Madeleine (beautiful name, btw!), I love the idea of imagining another character in a story and then writing your own story based off of that. So cool!!
To answer the question, I would probably want a phoenix or a dragon 😝
Madeleine
Thanks, Mary. I love your name. My favorite part of any story is the characters (including the animals). It can be hard for me sometimes because I might write the character in the same setting with the same plot. But I do get cool story ideas.
Ooh! A phoenix is an AWESOME creature! A dragon is also cool.🪶🐉
Joy C. Woodbury
If I could have any magical creature for a pet, I would definitely choose a unicorn! 😀
Madeleine
YES!!!!!! Unicorns are great!🦄
Gemma
Amazing post! It’s interesting to see how different writers do things.
I would want a cuddly pet. But I would like a dragon if I couldn’t find one sufficiently cuddly.
Madeleine
Thanks, Gemma. Yes, it is so interesting. I hear what my sisters do when they write and I’m amazed at how different it is with me and between them.
A fantasy cuddly pet would be AWESOME!!!! I have created pets that look like live-teddy bears in one of my novels. You can use that if you want. A dragon is another great choice to have as a pet!🧸🐉
Corrie.S.P
Happy Reformation Day Everybody!!
Research is a huge part of writing! You have to get the facts strait for your structures and keep those picky readers happy🤣
If you could have any magical creature for a pet, what would it be? I can only pick one!!!!! Agghhhhh! Hm……… *thinking* 🤔
Shapeshifting cat. That way if I get into trouble it can turn into a lion or some other big cat and protect me.
Madeleine
Thanks! Happy late Reformation Day! (Sorry that it’s late).
I agree. Research is a huge part of writing. Haha. You’re absolutely right!🤣
Yes, sorry, but you have to pick one! Or two if you have trouble picking one.
Shapeshifting cat! A domestic cat that can shapeshift into a big cat!! I LOVE cats!!! Even big cats!!! That is so COOL!!!!!!!
🦁🐯🐱🐅🐆🐈🐈⬛ (I am now obsessive with cat emojis).
Mary McMinn
First of all thanks for the tips! I tend to pull out my journal and jot down the first thing that comes to my mind.
I would hands down want a dragon. I’ve always wanted a dragon but I couldn’t *ahem* *cough* quite convince my parents ;). Ah, well I guess I’ll just stick to my dog and call it good. Thank You!
Madeleine
You’re welcome, Mary! That is a great way to brainstorm your idea! It can definitely help with writing the story.
A dragon! That’s cool! I want a unicorn. (but I couldn’t convince my parents either). I can’t even convince them to get a cat🐈⬛. I guess I will also just have to stick with a dog (I also love dogs)🐕.
You’re welcome!🐲🦄
Lorelei Angelino
I love how short and sweet this post is. Thanks, Madeleine!
Oh, good question! Hmm something cute. Maybe like one of those foxes with lots of tales, or a dragon like Toothless. <3
Madeleine
Thanks, Lorelei! You’re welcome!
Cute animals are the best!! A fox with a lot of tales sounds unique🦊! Toothless is the BEST dragon EVER!!!!!🐉 I LOVE Toothless!!!!!❤
Allyson Jamison
A dragon for sure! But a small one. Maybe one that could fit on my shoulder like a pet? Yes, I need that. 😂 I always love brainstorming tips. Thanks for this post!!
Madeleine
A miniature pet dragon sounds cool! Dragons are obviously the most popular mythical/magical creature.🐉 I love brainstorming tips, too. You’re welcome, Allyson!
Katja Labonté
Okay, I have never thought of this before but it is such a cool and creative idea! I am not good at brainstorming myself unless I talk it all out loud, so I should give this a try…
Also I don’t believe in magic but if I could have a non-magical dragon for a pet, I would really like that. Specifically if it was a dwarf dragon. I kinda really want one tbh. We need more dragons in books. XD
Madeleine
Thanks, Katja! Yes, you should give it a try, to at least see if it helps or not.
A non-magical dragon is pretty cool! A dwarf dragon sounds so unique! Yes, absolutely! I love reading books with dragons in them!🐉
K.R.Mattson
I plague friends when I’m brainstorming. They always have the most diverse ideas!
A horse. I know, I know, horses aren’t really fantasy creatures. But I had this idea the other day of a River horse with a fin mane on its neck. Not sure about the tail, but it’d be a light blue or something. Imagination running wild. 😂
Madeleine
I think it is good to get a variety of ideas for your stories.
I LOVE horses! Yeah, they’re not fantasy creatures, but they are still AWESOME🐎!!!! I LOVE your River horse creature! Kinda like a mix between a horse and a fish.🐎🐟 I always like to hear about fantasy creatures that an author has created!
Saraina
“Sometimes as I’m reading my favorite stories, I imagine what it might would be like if another character was in it. I would then most likely start building a story for that one character.” That is so creative and fun!!!! I’ve never done that before!! Brainstorming is weirdly hard for me because often I can’t just produce tons of ideas on demand… I have to let it sit and think about it over the course of several days before my best ideas come to me! 😉
Madeleine
Thanks, Saraina! Sitting and thinking about your best ideas for several days is a lot like brainstorming. Sometimes, I have to just sit and think about my novels and it can take me several days as well. But I still see that brainstorming because I’m thinking of what should happen in my stories. I think you’re doing pretty good!
Saraina
Oh any for the question: if I could have any magical creature for a pet, what would it be? I have no idea. A unicorn? That would be cool lol!
Madeleine
Yes, a unicorn WOULD be cool!!🦄
Emma
Ooooo I love the idea of using a journal while brainstorming!! I’ve actually thought about using one before since I think it would be very helpful for me…but I haven’t yet so I should really start doing that soon. XD I usually try typing out everything as I’m brainstorming on a google doc but for some reason it can be hard sometimes so I feel like if I actually wrote the words down on paper (and then could make markups/move stuff around) it would be more beneficial. XDD And imagining what it would be like if another character was in a story seems super helpful and fun too!! Thank you SO much for sharing, Madeleine!! <333
I think a griffin would be a fun magical creature to have as a pet. XP
Madeleine
Thanks, Emma! I do find it helpful. It keeps my thoughts organized. Oh, yeah you should start doing that soon XD. I do find journals and notepads are easier for journaling than a Google doc. It is fun! You’re very welcome, Emma!!
Yes, a griffin WOULD be a fun pet! I like how it is a crossbreed of an eagle and a lion🦅🦁! Just make sure you keep your shiny things hidden. I heard that griffins would steal anything that is shiny XD.
Faith Quelle
This was short, true, but absolutely valid! I often brainstorm in much the same way… thanks for the post, Madeleine!
I dunno… a miniature dragon? Or a unicorn? Or maybe the Loch Ness monster…
Madeleine
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoy it. You’re welcome, Faith!
A miniature dragon and a unicorn both sound great! The Loch Ness monster is also a cool creature to have as a pet!🐉🦄🦕