Random Word Brainstorming

The idea is to get you thinking "outside the box" by presenting you with unusual combinations of words and ideas. These web pages will guide you through a few steps that should help you think about things in a new way. Who knows... if you get really creative, maybe you can come up with a cliché to replace "outside the box".

What would I use this for?

Brainstorming has many applications. Perhaps you have a business problem and you are looking for an innovative solution. Perhaps you're a writer stuck at a difficult point in your plot outline. Any time you need to call upon your powers of creativity, brainstorming is one tool you can use to help.

How does this work?

Just follow the instructions on each of the web pages:

Step One: State the problem or situation.
Step Two: Given a random word, list some ideas it brings to mind.
Step Three: Consider how each idea relates to the situation.
Step Four: View the results.

If you're really fishing for ideas out of the blue, you can start with a random sentence instead of stating the problem.

An example

Step One: State the problem

Need something to make a birthday party special.

Step Two: List some ideas

Your random word turns out to be Victory. Try to come up with associations as quickly as you can. Try not to be judgemental-- just put down everything that comes to mind. Some possible associations with "victory" might be:

Victory at sea.
Football homecoming.
Victory garden.
Board games.

Step Three: Consider how each idea relates

Victory at sea: We could watch black-and-white documentaries on TV.
Football homecoming: We could hire the Dallas Cheerleaders to entertain.
Victory garden: We could have the party outdoors.
Board games: We could have a Monopoly tournament.

Step Four: View the results

The summary page will list all your ideas. Think about each one-- does it represent a viable solution to your problem?

No doubt, many of the ideas you come up with just won't work. That's ok, though, because all you need is one idea that does!

In looking over the results, you might decide "documentaries" sounds boring, you can't afford the "Dallas Cheerleaders", you don't have a suitable outdoor venue for the party... but you remember that everyone just loves to play "Monopoly".