In this episode, I . . .
-Give an overview of Stage One: Brainstorming and everything that goes along with it.
-These are topics we’re going to discuss in the weeks to come. I’m going to do a video/podcast on each one.
-Here is the general breakdown, though I might add in some more videos if ideas come to me.
The Brainstorming stage has two parts: Idea and Logistics
IDEA
-Where to get ideas
-Combining ideas
-High Concepts
-How to pitch your story
-Genres, subgenres, and genre mashing
-How to pick a genre
-Define Your Reader
-Story Models
-Alternative Story Models
-Stand-Alone or Series?
-Main Characters
-Antagonists (or other opposition)
-Side characters & the role they will fill
-Point of view
-Archetypes
-Storyworld Elements
-Knowing your ending (or the gist of it)
LOGISTICS
Logistics has four main areas: plot, character, storyworld, and theme
Plot:
-Work out the plot
-Genre conventions
-Story model tropes
-Outlining Your Plot
-Series Plotting
-Storyboarding
Characters:
Create a cast of characters, complete with:
-Physical attributes
-Personal backstories
-Personality
-Purpose, motivations, and goals
-Fears, traits, quirks, and habits
-Skills, strengths, and weaknesses
-Unique ways of speaking
Storyworld Building:
-Decide what is necessary to worldbuild
-Geography
-Environment
-Cities and Towns
-Naming places
-Government
-Demographics and Economics
-Landmarks and Buildings
-Civilizations and Cultures
-Racial and Ethnic Groups
-Physical and Mental Attributes of certain people types
-History of the world and its people groups
-Occupations
-Religions
-Technology
-How to create your own language
-Storyworld slang
-Magic
-Creatures
-Current-Day Problems
-The logistics of battles and wars
-How it all interacts in your world
-Ways to work storyworld information into your story
-How to avoid Storyworld Builder’s Disease
Theme:
-What stories changed your life and why?
-Stories that speak about life and humanity.
-Stories that reveal the human condition.
-Stories that illustrate a universal truth.
-Stories that inspire readers to a higher level of humanity.
-Stories that appear as allegory.
-Stories that speak to a certain issue.
-Theme can pose a question
-Ways to work in theme.
Other brainstorming logistics:
-Making maps and floorplans
-Creating timelines
-Story bibles to keep track of all your work
I look forward to the weeks to come.
Podchaser is the ultimate destination for podcast data, search, and discovery. Learn More