If you grabbed this kit through a free book offer and did not receive the instructions, here they are:
*Note: These guidelines will be updated Oct/Nov 2020, when the print version is published.
Guide for Story Brainstorming Worksheets
These are brainstorming sheets. Once you’ve brainstormed some key points for your story, you can use the outline sheet to make a note of the characters, events, etc. that you’ve decided to use in your story.
- Story Idea Brainstorming – Come up with a few story ideas and then see which one grabs you.
- Character Brainstorming – Think up a few characters who could fit into your story and then choose the best from your ideas.
- Secondary Character Brainstorming – All stories have secondary characters who make several appearances, but they are not Main Characters. They can be family members, coworkers, siblings, etc.
- Minor Character Brainstorming – These are characters your MC may encounter and interact with, but they only show up once in a while. It could be the barista at their favorite coffee shop, the landlord, etc.
- Character Arc Brainstorming – Your MC must go through an arc throughout the entire story. They will not be the same as when the story first opens. Brainstorm some possible arcs your character could go through.
- Location Brainstorming – If you’re writing a story in a central area this may only be one town. If your story covers several states or countries, you will need more locations. These locations can also be major spots where things will happen, a theater, a subway, etc.
- Settings Brainstorm – Every story has settings or places the scenes take place. Think of a few settings you’d like to use in your story.
- Major Story Events Brainstorm – Every story has a few major events that will happen. Use this sheet to brainstorm what those big events could be.
- Plot Twists Brainstorm – All stories have some plot twists—things that happen that sends the MC off in another direction. Brainstorm a few of these on this sheet.
10-14. Critical Moments Brainstorm – See the Critical Moments Guide for more instructions. These are events or elements of your story that need to be added in. Readers, unknowingly, expect these to be in all stories. They may not know what’s missing when they finish a story, but if any of these elements aren’t there—the reader just feels like something wasn’t right. Be sure to add these moments into your story outline once you start fleshing it out in more detail.
- Three Act Structure Brainstorm – Write out a few notes on what needs to happen in the begging, the middle and the end so you have a good overview of your story.
- Story Outline Brainstorm – Print out one sheet for each chapter. Not everyone writes three scenes per chapter, but if this is your method there’s room for it. Each scene needs a beginning, middle and end and so does each chapter. Just jot down the major highlights of each scene. You can do a full outline later.
17-18. Character Journal – A good way to get to know your character is to write a journal of sorts from their POV. The information doesn’t have to be related to the story, but you need to know how he/she will react to certain things, what they’ve encountered in their past that makes them the way they are now. Character journals can be fun—and don’t worry, no one ever sees them unless you share them.
- Premise Brainstorm – Most writers start with a premise before they write the book. This is basically an elevator pitch. You should be able to tell someone what your book is about in one sentence…because most likely, you have one minute to tell them before their eyes roll back in their head and honestly, they only asked to be nice…so hit them hard and fast with your one line premise.
- Blurb Brainstorm – The blurb is the back of the book material. These days it’s most often found in the book description section at Amazon and other online retailers. You want a good book description and blurb to really catch the reader’s attention. You may write ten or more blurbs before you get one you like.
Feel free to stop by the store and check out the Add-ons for Mystery or Romance.
Just go here: https://www.fictionbasics.com/store/
