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Learn it your way
A short class with Sarah and her students. The other ways are under More.
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Today, we'll explore an interesting concept called reverse brainstorming. Instead of asking how we can achieve our goals, we ask, 'How can I fail to achieve X?' Can anyone guess how this might help us in creative writing?
Maybe it helps us think of things to avoid in our stories?
And it might give us new ideas we wouldn't have thought about otherwise.
Exactly! By identifying ways to fail, we open up a space for unexpected solutions. Let's practice with an example: if we take 'writing a compelling character,' how might we fail at this?
We could make the character very one-dimensional or not give them any backstory.
Or maybe we make them do things that don’t make sense for their personality!
Great observations! Identifying these failures helps us understand what makes characters compelling. Let’s summarize: reverse brainstorming encourages us to explore failure to unlock creativity.
Now that we understand reverse brainstorming, let’s apply it in our writing. Formulate a failure scenario based on a plot twist. What if the twist is discovering your characters are actually fictional?
We could think about how that would make them rebel against the author or try to escape the story?
Or they could confront the author about their decisions?
Yes! Those are fantastic angles. Think about how this twist changes your narrative framework. Remember, the more bizarre the ideas, the better the creative possibilities. Let's wrap up this session with our key takeaway: reverse brainstorming is a tool for creative exploration.
I’d like each of you to share one idea you've generated using reverse brainstorming. Let’s provide constructive feedback too. Who wants to go first?
I thought about a character who can’t control their powers and destroys everything around them. That leads them to isolate themselves.
I like that! Maybe we could explore their interactions with society and how they feel conflicted about their powers.
Great feedback! Now, let’s remember to focus on the emotional stakes within those failures. The more depth you build, the more relatable your characters will become.
For a story about a hero who saves the city, a reverse brainstorming idea could be: 'How could this hero accidentally cause destruction?' This could lead to plot twists where the hero faces consequences.
Consider a setting where a character fails to escape from a dangerous situation. This can reveal their vulnerabilities and create tension in the narrative.
To think of failure, don't be shy, / Search the ways it might defy!
In their shortcomings, they find their true self through the lessons of failure.
Think of failure as a gateway to insights.
R.A.S.P.: Reverse Approach to Success through Pitfalls, a technique for exploring creative ideas.
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Reverse Brainstorming
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Lateral Thinking
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Creative Exploration
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A creative ideation technique that involves thinking about how to achieve the opposite of the desired outcome, unlocking new ideas.
A method of thinking that moves away from traditional logic to generate innovative ideas.
A character who is believable, multi-dimensional, and engaging, often driving the story forward.
Reverse brainstorming is a creative ideation technique that prompts individuals to think of ways to fail at achieving a goal, generating unexpected solutions.
This section focuses on reverse brainstorming, an innovative creative writing technique that encourages students to explore the opposite of their desired outcomes. By considering how to fail or achieve the opposite, students can uncover new ideas, perspectives, and creative angles that enhance their writing process.
Reverse brainstorming is a creative ideation tool that shifts the traditional approach of problem-solving by instead focusing on how to achieve undesired outcomes. This method involves asking questions such as "How can I fail to achieve X?" or "How can I create the opposite of what I want?" The fundamental idea behind reverse brainstorming is that by exploring failure or negative outcomes, students can unlock fresh, unexpected ideas that might not surface through conventional brainstorming techniques.
The process promotes lateral thinking by challenging writers to think outside their usual boundaries. For instance, rather than seeking direct solutions to writing obstacles, students can identify potential pitfalls and failures that might arise in their narratives. As a result, reverse brainstorming not only enhances creativity but also encourages critical reflection on potential flaws in ideas, encouraging writers to improve their overall storytelling through foresight and innovation.
In this context, students can apply reverse brainstorming in various aspects of their creative writing, such as character development, plot structuring, and thematic exploration. The goal is to help them deepen their understanding of narrative possibilities while refining their original creations.