“What is art but a way of seeing.” — Thomas Berger

We know most of the standard suggestions for brainstorming, such as no analyzing, no judging, and no discussion. But if we look closely at our brainstorming exercise we may notice the ideas often fall into an invisible box. We’re bound tightly by the question we’re trying to answer and unconsciously discard words.

That’s good to an extent, but let’s see what delightful idea might arise if we list all the words that pop into our heads. Then consider the one we rank lowest. I’ll show this by giving an example for writing a romantic short story.

The question: What could the hero and heroine be at odds over that is not based on a misunderstanding.

Step 1. Brainstorm twelve or so ideas. Follow the standard rules, but if a word comes into your head and it seems like a random word, write it down.

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Step 2. List the ideas, starting with the ones you think would work best to the worst.

Here’s my twelve for the main source of conflict between the hero and heroine:

1. The use of a piece of land
2. One is going to take over the other’s business
3. A competition in which they’re on opposite teams
   

   A Competition

4. They both want to buy the same exotic item for their art stores
5. An inheritance
6. They’re in different armed services
7. Child rearing methods
8. Hunting for sport
9. Religion
10. Capital punishment
11. Teeth care
12. Eggs

Notice 1 through 5 are common ideas that have worked. Idea 6 could work well, but 7 through 10 are so controversial they may not do well in a romance. Ideas 11 and 12 are the two that popped into my head that I would never have bothered to write down in past brainstorming sessions. Idea 12 is outside the invisible box. Ridiculous.

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Step 3. But let’s go with the worst idea. Eggs.

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Step 4. Now, forget the question and brainstorm what ever comes to mind about eggs.

1. Egghead
2. Faberge eggs
3. Easter eggs
4. Egg inspections
5. Rare bird eggs
6. Egging (as in egging a house)
7. Human eggs
8. Brown vs. White eggs
9. Eggs and cholesterol
10. Fish eggs
11. Egg shape

I could come up with some story conflicts for several of the ideas, and most would’ve been unique conflicts. But what intrigued me involved a female author writing military thrillers and the man assigned to design the cover of her book.

The heroine wants to set the title inside an egg shape, because the main character is Major Eggleston. The hero insists the title should be set in an explosive star shape, a rectangle, or nothing. She argues the significant romantic element in the story suggests many women would enjoy the book. The cover needs to be softened. He counters she should stick to her primary audience: men who like military thrillers.

I can see the conflict ramping up when he pulls rank because the book contract states the publisher will determine the cover. She changes tactics, pretending to be romantically interested in him. He doesn’t fall for her role-play, but he realizes he’s falling for her. And on it goes.

That was fun. Try it.

What low-ranking idea did you come up with while brainstorming, and how could you use it?