DiAnn Mills | Brainstorming Your Novel

Every novelist reaches a plateau in which the perfect story idea isn’t coming together. The plot germ is there, but the theme, setting, charac-ters, and storyline seem to spin out of control.

So our creativity hits the panic button without a plan.

By using the acronym, BRAINSTORMING, you can halt the whirl-ing and anchor your writing onto a firm foundation.

Believe in yourself. You’ve been given the gift of writing, and you’re pretty good at it. You understand the craft, and you’re continuously educating yourself to add more tools and techniques.

Realistic writing is what sells. No matter the genre, your storyline must be credible with identifiable characters who react and respond ac-cording to the traits you’ve assigned them.

Analyze your basic idea. How can you grow your characters by making their goals difficult, perhaps impossible to reach?

Inspire your readers to attempt and achieve great things. Fiction is truth. Don’t preach your message. Let the reader see who your characters are by the way they tackle life’s challenges.

Name your book and your characters. Why is this important? Because the title of a book gives the writer passion for the project. Who wants to wake up each morning to the thrill of working on novel X? In the same way, your characters deserve names that mean something significant in the novel.

Show don’t tell. Propel your story into action by incorporating body language, explosive emotion, purposeful dialogue, and unique settings.

Technique is essential to every story. To make sure your plotting is tight, ask yourself the following four questions before writing each scene.

1. What is the point of view character’s problem or goal?
2. What does the point of view character learn that he/she didn’t know before?
3. What backstory is revealed? (But not in the first fifty pages.)
4. How are the stakes raised for the point of view character?

Organize your thoughts into a file that contains all of your notes: plotting, research, characterization, and where you obtained the infor-mation. Go a step further and write a lengthy synopsis. This doesn’t stifle your creativity! You are the writer, and you can add, delete, and change whatever is necessary.

Research is vital to every successful novel. If your novel takes place in your backyard, then research the weeds there. Do your best to visit the setting. Interview those who have the same careers or experi-ences as your characters. Use the services of a library, chamber of commerce, Internet exploration, and any other means of research to root your reader into the story.

Motivation is the key to every successful novel. You were motivated to begin a career as a writer. You were motivated to read this blog. Your characters are motivated by their wants and needs. Discover your character’s drive to see what he/she will do to achieve those wants and needs.

This list is only the beginning to get your creativity flowing. Once you’ve completed the BRAINSTORM aspect of your novel planning, the passion to write will soon take over. You’ll be ready to position your nim-ble fingers on the keyboard and speed off on another adventure!

About DiAnn Mills

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action- packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at her website.

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About DEADLOCK

Two murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a serial killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder?

That is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for her new assignment in violent crimes but anxious about meeting her new partner. Special Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he has a reputation for being a maverick. Plus, their investigative styles couldn’t be more opposite: he operates on instinct, while she goes by the book.

When hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences threaten to leave them deadlocked. But an attempt on their lives turns up the heat and brings them closer together, and a third victim might yield the clue that will help them zero in on a killer. This could be the case of their careers . . . if they can survive long enough to solve it.