Tuesday, August 25, 2009

The Perfect Tool For All Writers




When plotting out a novel, have you ever come across writer’s block and needed to brainstorm you way out? Are your stories starting to all sound the same? Would you like another way of fleshing out characters?

Pam McCutcheon and Michael Waite have come up with the perfect tool for writers. It’s a package consisting of “The Writer’s Brainstorming Kit: Thinking in New Directions” and a deck of cards.

Here’s what Pam McCutcheon says about the kit: “The ideal situation is to find a better way of brainstorming with yourself. That’s what The Writer’s Brainstorming Kit is all about—a way of using random concepts to trigger new associations in your mind, to break out of your conventional linear mode of thinking and take flight in new, unexpected directions.”

This is a great kit to get you started with a story, creating an entire plot, breaking through a block, adding depth to a character, or finding twists to add dimension to a work-in-progress. Simply shuffle the cards and let them lead you into new directions.

The kit was out of print for a while, but has recently been re-released. Go to Gryphon Books for Writers to order.

Tomorrow, we’ll try a sample run to give you an idea how valuable this kit can be.

11 comments:

  1. Sounds invaluable! Can't wait to hear more.

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  2. Sounds like a great resource. Look forward to hearing more about how the kit works.

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  3. I ordered it today. Thanks for the tip.

    Another good book is Make a Scene by Jordan Rosenfeld. She also teaches writing online. Our local California Writers chapter has had her do a number of seminars and she is fabulous!

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  4. Cool! Can't wait to hear more about it.

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  5. That does sound helpful! Just as long as it doesn't inspire a whole slew of new stories I don't have time already to write - LOL!

    L. Diane Wolfe “Spunk On A Stick”
    www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com

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  6. i've heard of this....interested in seeing what you think about it.

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  7. Sounds like great fun as well as a great writer's tool box!

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  8. It sounds interesting. I look forward to checking back for more information. I haven’t read much on the subject of brainstorming since Jr. high school. :P Have you actually used this in your own writing experience?

    I’m stopping by to tell you that I’m running a contest through my blog. :) The official link is: www.emilyannbenedictcontest.blogspot.com
    If you get a chance, check it out. It’s a good contest for book lovers. ;)

    Thanks for keeping us up to date on ways to improve our writing.

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  9. Sharon: Thanks for listing another great book. I'll have to check it out.

    L. Diane Wolfe: Oh, yeah. It'll spring all kinds of stories to mind.

    Emily: I haven't used it in my current WIP, but I did use it to plot out a couple others. It's fun.

    Lynnette Labelle

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