Writers do a lot of brainstorming. There are many methods out there — probably as many methods as there are writers. Here’s one I’ve been experimenting with — meditation. I know I talked about this a few weeks back as a method to break up writer’s block. I also think this is a good way to do brainstorming because it relaxes me. I find ideas flow better when I’m relaxed. It’s not hard to do this kind of brainstorming. You don’t need a group of people, just your self.
To begin, sit in a comfortable position with a pad of paper or your tablet or your computer keyboard in front of you. Then inhale to the count of six. Hold your breath for a count of six and then exhale to the count of six. Do that three times. Relax. Let your mind wander. Thoughts will float in. Write down whatever comes to your mind. Don’t worry about spelling or anything else. You are only gathering ideas from the universe or your unconscious mind or wherever you choose.
I know what you are thinking. This is free writing. You’re right. It is. The difference is how you set yourself up for the session. You will use meditative techniques to get yourself to a reflective state. The method is a thousand years old. It’s still in use because it works. Open yourself to the ideas swimming around in your unconscious mind. Everyone has ideas swimming in their unconscious mind. It’s where dreams come from.
Most people meditate to music. As I mentioned in the blog on meditating to break writer’s block, music can help relax you. I favor Celtic harp music when meditating. Native American flute music is good too. That’s my preference. You could use heavy metal music, if that’s what you want. Or no music at all. It’s all up to you. You decide.
You just have to have a time and place where you won’t be disturbed, a pen and pad of paper, or your tablet, computer, whatever you choose. You don’t even need to close your eyes, if you don’t want to. Just relax and let the ideas come. Write them down with no judgment. Lock your inner critic in a cage. The judgment comes later. No matter how far out the idea, write it down. You never know what might trigger something.
Once you have finished your meditation, look over what you wrote down. See what thoughts came to you and decide if they spark anything for you. Don’t worry if nothing does. That happens. Just relax and try again. It’s all trial and error. You might get nothing from the session. You might get the next best seller. At the very least, you might get some mental rest from the meditation. No matter what you get, it’s good.
I am not one who is comfortable talking about myself but here goes. I enjoy writing, family history, and reading. I decided to do this blog because I wanted to try something new. I decided to make it a weekly blog because I wasn't sure that I could keep up with a daily one, and monthly seemed like I was writing a magazine. I think I did ok with my choices. You'll notice that there are not a lot of graphics on my site. That's because there are graphics plastered everywhere on the Internet and those sites sometimes take forever to load. This blog is a place where you can kick back, relax and be ready to be amused. At least I hope I willbamuse you. This blog is on a variety of subjects from my ficitional cat agency, the FFL, which is monthly, to instructional blogs to editorials, which are my opinions only. I admit that I don't know everything and could be wrong -- I frequently am. Now, stop reading about me and read what I have to say!
Check out my novel, The Accidental Colony — It's the story of a group of scientists fighting for survival.
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