You’ve found your inspiration and you’ve picked a topic – now what? The next logical step is brainstorming. You can skip this step if you feel it is unneeded but many people find it useful. Brainstorming can help solidify ideas that are still hazy and flesh out ideas that are still a bit bare. It can give you a basis on which to build, or simply a reference point for future referral.

The most common and most well known type of brainstorming is called mind mapping:

1. Write your main idea in the centre of a piece of paper.
2. Write any ideas, words, phrases, or concepts that pop into your head around the main idea. Connect them to the main idea with a line.
3. These branches can become smaller main ideas with other ideas connected to them.

I've created a fairly simple mind map as an example.

A second, and similar type of brainstorming is clustering. This one also starts with a main idea in the centre. Write down anything that comes to mind. When you can’t think of anything else, cluster related ideas together. The end product will look similar to a mind map, although not as structured.

Use mind mapping when you are trying to organize ideas into a more coherent visual. Use clustering when your idea is not well formed, or structured.

Another method is free writing. Set a goal (a time limit, a page limit, etc.) and write non-stop until you reach that goal. The ideas don’t have to be related, and they don’t have to make sense. Don’t stop writing, don’t analyze what you write, and don’t worry about grammar or spelling. For an example, read the following passage.

I want to write a story about a girl who’s father left her when she was quite young. The girl is a red head and is always in trouble. She’s been to lots of schools and doesn’t ever stay long because she keeps getting kicked out. I don’t know how to start it because I’m at a loss of words. I wish it wasn’t raining today because I would go for a walk and clear my head. I had toast for breakfast but I’m hungry now. Her name is Emily.