HOW TO BRAINSTORM A NOVEL 101
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- čas přidán 30. 06. 2024
- Wondering what to write next? How to find that story idea that just SPEAKS TO YOUR SOUL at this moment? Or maybe you're trying to choose from a list of "plot bunnies''. Whatever the case, Abbie and I have got you covered in this episode of the Kate and Abbie Show. We're going over how to brainstorm book ideas, and write the story of your DREAMS. Let's dive in!
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✨QOTD: How do YOU brainstorm a novel? What is the FIRST STEP in your brainstorming process?
I write down the mini trailer of what this story is or about a character I just discovered I want to write. And I get a little help from songs to fantasies and full circle my story. I brainstorm this in notepad, for weeks or sometimes months as per the scenes and ideas that comes to me.
Usually on my phone or I'll try to bring a notebook with me and write my ideas down.
I admit that most of the time when I start writing a story is because I've got that idea, those characters that are stuck in my head, that live in my head and as I think more and more about them I need to write pieces of their life. Once I've got a lot of parts of the story I'm like "ok, let's think a bit of how to put all of the pieces together". So I think of what is the general issue the characters are facing. And then I start developing the characters. And now, thanks to you girls I really go deep into their minds with the internal conflict.
Recently, I've been making a blank Scrivener document and just writing. It's pure chaos. I make jokes, I quote ABBA lyrics, but it helps me put my thoughts down and figure some things out until I go in and outline. That's what I'm doing with my next novel.
I listen to songs and look through pinterest, and if any ideas spark I write idea and act out some scenes, like fight scenes.
The idea of beginning your story from a "zoomed in" perspective and working your way out to the "bird's eye view" is such a good tip! I've literally been grappling with this EXACT issue. Thank you!
It's such a clear way to put it
Love the idea that the character arc/development IS the plot! So freaking true!
You've helped me so much recording this episode. It changed my mind hearing how Abbie writes her inspirations "without having to figure it out right away"; "it's fun that way". That's a good perspective.
23:20 I tried reading a book called The Little White Horse, which inspired the Netflix movie The Secret of Moonacre... It does start with the protagonist, but, instead of info-dumping on the worldbuilding, the readers get info-dumped on every itty-bitty detail about the carriage ride the protagonist starts out on and her relationship with the person across from her: what she and the person across from her are wearing, the interior design of the carriage itself, how bumpy the ride is, and an info-dump of the character's backstory. I stopped reading around page twenty because the author was still describing ALL this in detail, even as their destination finally appeared outside their ride's window. I recall the details of their wear explicitly being around SIX pages long! And then, I think it continued after a the several-pages-long carriage description!
I remember that movie! I didn't know it was based off of a book.
I know exactly what Kate meant when she was talking about how the reader will start looking for a subject to focus on. I did that reading Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. I loved the book, but I got confused many times with, "Why have we switched to this character? I don't even know them or their connection to the first character.” There was definitely just a lot of confusion and distraction for me with that book and his magic rules and things, BUT... I still love it, especially the epic ending. You two have given great advice about connecting the characters with cause and effect rather than just a jolt of, "Hey, now we're following this other random person after you've gotten used to the last person."
Just when I felt down you two come out with this. Appreciate you both
My favourite part of the week is when I see new uploads from the both of you. I love watching your podcast, I feel relaxed watching Kate's videos and learn so much from Abbie's. Thank you so much!
i’ve been struggling with that A LOT, so thank you, guys, so much!! everything is much clearer now💖
Im glad that you two are together. I dont want to see you two apart. We all need someone
This is so valuable! I love Kate’s analogy of anchoring the reader in a clear focus.
Perfect timing! I’m currently working on brainstorming, and this was a good reminder for me on what to focus on. 😊
I had an...shall I say, increase in clarity while listening to this, so thank you so much
Thank you Kate for mentioning the Narnia episode of the podcast. I need to start world building for my next WIP (have the characters and internal conflict set), so I’m excited to listen to that episode. You guys are great and I really appreciate your guidance!
Can you guys talk about organizing stories? (if y'all didn't talk about it) Because I'm struggling to organize them
This is one of my fave podcasats that you have made. Such a good convo.
This was an awesome podcast, really useful this time for me! Thank you Kate and Abbie 🙏🏻♥️
AWESOME video! The Narnia themed bookmarks are really cool!
Thank you for this podcast, very helpful!
7:36 And then I'm like: How do I write that? It's lacking INTERNAL CONFLICT - Abbie's ultimate favourite word/phrase
I literally told myself that I would like to listen to podcast like that few days ago 😂. Truly reading my mind❤️
Thank you so much for this lesson!❤
I am currently working on a group of novel ideas designed to flesh out the world building of my primary novel series. They are not all necessarily going to end up as publishable works, but I figured it would be good to develop these ideas in this way to personalize the world more. Most, if not all, should be able to be published, though, I would imagine. For this reason, I have been brainstorming the novels based more on plot or a concept than initially on character, but the characters have really been coming together very well in the process.
The story creation ideas come from widely varying sources. One source came when I woke up one morning with a first line and title of a story in my head. I had no idea what it was about or referring to but brainstorming it brought an excellent treatment of one of the principal aspects of my main series. Others have come due to song titles or lines from songs that caught my fancy, and I worked an idea around those. One came from several separate ideas I was playing with, including a plot from a D&D campaign that I had tried to develop in the past. Some have come from a specific goal of explaining something that's part of the world. And then I make connections, and that's where the magic really happens.
To be honest, I rarely start with a character. I usually find the character through the story idea. What am I trying to convey in the story? Who would be the best protagonist to convey that? This often involves some initial discovery writing, as I will typically get scenes or images in my head and I want to massage them a bit to find what really needs to come out of them.
Soooo spot on!
I would love a video/podcast episode on sub-plots! It would be so helpful for my novel :)
Great video, super helpful! 🎉
Hi, I really like watching your videos. Discovering your channels made me realize that my WIP that I’ve been struggling with for years lacked internal conflict, and the plot wasn’t super strong. It’s much more of a cause and effect story. The main character has an overall goal of trying to bring her family back together and having to learn to move on, but it’s really hard to try to develop when I’ve already written the entire thing. Since I received really good feedback about the book (especially the characters), I don’t want to change a lot of plot points. Have either of you been in a similar situation where you have a lot of a novel and realize something like that is missing or not working? Do you guys have any tips for how to add in or strengthen the internal conflict? How do you decide what elements of the story complement the internal conflict (and therefore should stay) and how to tell what should be removed?
Hi! I’ve been running into the same problem lately - wrote a whole novel and then realized my characters don’t have proper internal conflict - and it is extremely hard to just work it in. If most of your plot points seem sound (which is better than many of mine 😂🤣) maybe you should just rewrite a few crucial parts, and nitpick through the rest of the scenes to add little moments and connections here and there. If everyone likes your characters, you should keep the SOUL of your characters, even if you change a few things along the way. Just keep what’s really important and connecting about them. And for strengthening internal conflict, I would say just watch all of Abbie and Kate’s internal conflict videos - there’s so many and they’re all so helpful!!! Happy writing and I hope you figure it out!!! 😄👋🏻
22:30 this reminds me of ASOIAF. Makes me wonder if GRRM lost himself in his own plot. But I still love all the books, would cut nothing.
Abbie love the video can you please do a video on your personal outlining process :)
Guys please update a how to insert flashback with movie examples 😩💕💕sooo much and love lights to you both
LOVE this idea! Thanks so much for sharing & being here!!
@@KAEmmons Thankful for you and abbie ❤ I have a twins sister and we both gets so much inspiration from you guys, you both are our future versions we want our relationship goals to be. 💛💛
@@esi1765 thank you so much for your kind words!! Abbie and I are so glad that you and your sister enjoy the videos and podcast episodes we make! That means so much to us 💕
On the topic of writing what you like reading/watching, I read sci-fi, fantasy, and dystopian for the most part, but all I write is contemporary romance.
Abbie, I remember that you did a video on the power of the opening scene on Captain America - The First Avenger
Can you do more videos on the power of the opening scene to existing movies like Total Recall 1990, etc.?
The only thing that seemed to be missing from Total Recall 1990 is the Aha moment, the protagonist did not show any remorse of what he did and allow himself to go back as he was before (there was no moment of temptation either because the protagonist did not turn down on the opportunity he had given), he just struggled himself free and moved on, reaching his goal.
I definitely know WHO I'm writing about, but plot? I don't know her 🙈😂
Wooohooo love you guys so much! Super weird question that has been bugging me… why did you swop earphones? 😂sorry just dying to know
I never realized how much Abbie looked like Maude Apatow until now
That's my problem. I get so many ideas, but a theme is never a part of that. What's the MC going to learn? I dunno. What's his weakness or flaw or what's the Lie s/he believes? I dunno. I just get plot/action ideas, dialogue, whatever.
I am trying to do this method and it’s difficult to master since this is new to me and I need help.
When I take walks or when I'm alone my brain suddenly gets an idea and then I write the idea down but when I go write the story I instantly lose motivation 😭
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0:30 I have seen so many writers asking questions about [this] …
Me: I’m the opposite. But it’s the Emmonses so I couldn’t not click it. Can you relate or am I just weird…