We are talking about one of my favorite parts of writing today! How do you brainstorm ideas and organize them for your stories? Author Katie Clark is here to give us her favorite tip.
Welcome, Katie!
Name: Katie Clark
Genre: Young Adult science fiction and fantasy
Latest Novel: Whispering Tower, a YA time travel novel, releasing May 5th
Writing Tip:
Take notes! As I’m brainstorming a new story, I am constantly taking notes as new ideas come to me. There have been time this process has taken only a few weeks, and there have been times this process has taken many months. The notes help me keep things in one place so when it’s time to start writing in full force I have everything I need at my fingertips. Tidbits might come to me about characters, scenes, story world, or plot. I also jot down things I find inspiring for my particular story. This helps keep me on track with theming.
For those who like social media helps, I love making a private Pinterest board for my WIP. This is like a visual list of notes, and it helps me with more descriptive writing.
I like to use Pinterest as well! It’s a great visual tool. I also look up photos to use for inspiration for my characters. It really brings the characters to life if you have a picture that matches what you are envisioning.
Favorite Writing Tip for New Writers:
Tips are a dime a dozen, right? But my biggest piece of advice is don’t get in a hurry! This is a common piece of advice, but it’s so hard to follow (even for me, when I’ve been doing this for years). Patience isn’t my strongest virtue. Sigh. But seriously, slowing down and letting the story develop naturally and fully makes for a better story. I have experienced this with multiple books.
That doesn’t mean fast writing can’t work. It can! But sometimes we’re in such a hurry we miss vital links to helping our story be the best it can be. So, there’s my big tip. Take your time!
I struggle with patience as well! But this is a needed reminder to not rush the process.
Stuck in London for one of her mom’s work trips, Skye Humphries can’t help holding a grudge when she ends up roped into a summer tour group with Philip-who-crushed-her-heart. But when Skye and Philip find themselves barreling through time after unsuspectingly opening the veil between the past and present, they’re thrust into a world where Skye’s very life is in danger. If she’d known her choices were between summering with Philip or being sacrificed to the god of the skies, Skye might have changed her attitude. Now she must figure out what’s most important to her—getting even for the past or having a future.
KATIE CLARK started reading fantastical stories in grade school and her love for books never died. Today she reads in all genres; her only requirement is an awesome story! She writes young adult speculative fiction, including her romantic fantasy novel, The Rejected Princess, a supernatural survival series including Shadowed Eden and Whispering Tower, AVAILABLE NOW, and her dystopian Enslaved Series. You can connect with her at her website, as well as Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
Before you go, take a moment to check out Katie’s upcoming release, Whispering Tower, and let us know your method for brainstorming in the comment section.
Thanks so much for having me!
You are very welcome!