About Brain-Dump

The Brain-Dump method is the way I’ve found to help me with my writing, both the inspiration to start writing and to help me push through writer’s block. I like using my Brain-Dump method to get all my ideas out and to have the inspirational snapshot to revisit later when I’m facing writer’s block or struggling to continue writing. This can work for longer stories, a quick story, or poem.

The first part of the Brain-Dump method is creating a Brain-Dump Map.
Then, build from the Brain-Dump Map and create your narrative! 

It sounds simple because it is! No tricks, complex charts to follow, awkward fill in the blanks, or extended lessons needed!

The Brain-Dump method is a perfect way to create an inspirational snapshot of a prompt to assist in starting up a creative project or to visit when you find yourself struggling to create. With a Brain-Dump you get all your ideas, thoughts, and feelings onto paper. This way the initial flood of inspiration stays fresh in your mind. This makes it easier to hold on to that inspiration to get jump started or revisit later when inspiration starts to lull. 

Having a bit of writer’s block? Editing your story and feel like something’s missing? Maybe you set your story down and now that you’re ready to pick it back up, you’ve lost the motivation you once had? A Brain-Dump is perfect for these moments! Snap back to when you had that flash of motivation and inspiration to get back on track with much less struggle.

When using the Brain-Dump method, first you must create a Brain-Dump Map. A Brain-Dump Map is comprised of 3 parts.

1) The Date – this helps provide a bit of a timeline marker. I like to use it to see the progress of what I’m working on. But it’s also great to help find that initial motivation when trying to pick back up a project. Being able to find the date, think back to that time, any events, the weather – all help to relive that moment of inspiration and the easier you can remember it, the easier you can feel it.

2) The Prompt – the prompt is simply what is the source for the flood of inspiration. It can be a writing prompt, a dream, a memory, a song, a movie, or even just a random thought. There is no right or wrong prompt, so try not to overthink it or dress it up. If it prompted the inspiration, it is your prompt.

3) The Dump – if you’d rather call this part the meat or body of the BrainDump Map be my guest, but I find calling it “the dump” is just too automatic for me to fight. This is where you where you write down any and everything that comes to mind, nothing is off limits. While this sounds easy, it may be difficult to fight the urge to try and plan out a story instead of just vent. Emotions, thoughts, ideas, colours, and moments that come to mind are all more than welcome in this space. Don’t judge any of your ideas, just write them down and take as much time as you need to fully empty your brain on the page.
 

*That being said: if you do have strong chunks of story coming to you, go ahead and write it down! This is a spot for all your brain space having to do with this prompt. 

You might not use every idea you come up in your BrainDump Map, that’s fine. You might use every single once, that’s fine too. You can even make it a game and pick a couple random ideas you must find a way to incorporate!