How to Brainstorm Ideas: Simple Tips for Writers, Artists, and Other Creatives

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Sometimes, it’s difficult to think of new ideas. While recycling the same old templates or ideas work, it could get rather uncomfortable and boring. It’s normal to have an art block or a writer’s block and I personally get one all the time. How do I get past it? Here’s a few tips I learned about how to brainstorm ideas.

How to Brainstorm Ideas: Simple Tips for Writers, Artists, and Other Creatives

1. Scribbles: Make random drafts, titles, and sketches

I use this often for artwork. When I don’t have a clear idea of what I want to draw, I either draw some blank bodies and poses or make blocks of color on a blank canvas and see where it goes from there. Sometimes, an idea forms and the initial sketch eventually becomes a completed piece. If it doesn’t and the sketch gets discarded, it still counts as practice so the effort is never wasted.

I use this method for writing too. When I can’t think of an article, I list down some words or small ideas until I find something I like. Usually, when I start writing the draft, the small idea can grow to a thousand words or more by adding references and examples.

2. Ask what people need or brainstorm with others

This is one of the more effective methods, and it’s one recommended by Napoleon Hill through his “mastermind group” tip. We can only go so far with our limited knowledge and experience, but as a group, ideas can multiply thanks to people’s different lines of expertise and life experiences. This is especially helpful if the group has some good leadership and they unite towards a greater goal.

How do I use this personally? Aside from asking friends and family (like the viewers on my art stream), I also ask myself what would people need. One way to answer that is by looking at what people search for on Google and Bing using their Keyword Planner and Webmaster tools. I keep searching until I find something I want to write about.

3. Read books or look at other people’s works for inspiration

This is yet another method I use when I’m stuck and can’t think of any new ideas. If I can’t think of anything new on my own, I look at the works of others for inspiration. Since my own knowledge and experience is limited, I try to learn from OTHERS’ knowledge and experience through their written or illustrated works! Most often, I’ll find an insight or idea I like and write or create something based on that.

4. Spend time in a quiet place

Personally, day to day distractions and workloads often interfere with my getting new ideas. When I’m at home or at the office, it can get difficult for me to think of things I want to create or write about when there’s so much that needs to be done. What do I do then? I simply go out, find a quiet place where I can relax, and then I try to let my mind generate ideas in peace.

5. Take a break and let ideas incubate

Sometimes, ideas just won’t come out no matter what we do, so don’t fight it. The more we stress ourselves out over it, the more we choke our mind out of getting new ideas. We should just take a break and relax. New ideas will sprout from our mind eventually.

We just need to let our subconscious mind do the work.

One final tip: Always carry a notebook!

There’s a saying, the palest ink is stronger than the best memory. When we get a new idea, it stays in our short-term memory for about 15 to 30 seconds. Unless we can transfer it to our long-term memory… it will likely disappear forever.

How will your memory hold when you get that million-dollar life-changing idea?

You can spend a few seconds to write it down somewhere, or you can lose it forever. That’s not a good risk.

That is the reason why I personally carry two notebooks (and I also have some note-taking apps on my phone). One of them is for articles I want to write, and the other is for things I need to do for the day and other ideas.

By writing down ideas as I get them, I make sure that I don’t lose anything of value. It also reinforces the habit of writing things down so I don’t forget the things I need to do. It worked well for me so far, so it might work just as well for you too.

Six tips on how to brainstorm for ideas:

1. Write down random ideas and scribbles.
2. Ask what people need or brainstorm with others.
3. Read books and look at other people’s work for inspiration.
4. Spend time in a quiet place to think.
5. Take a break and incubate ideas.
6. Carry a notebook!

We’ll end here for now. I hope you enjoyed reading this article! Come and check out our full article list on this link to learn more!