How to Jump Start Writing With Clustering
Writing is usually done in a linear fashion, but to open up their creativity, writers may have to temporarily adopt another method. Clustering is much like brainstorming, using free-flowing word associations to inspire ideas.
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Instructions
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Get a blank sheet of paper. In the center of the paper, write a word or phrase that best represents the main subject of your story. Draw a circle around that word.
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Write words outside of that circle. Free associate whatever comes to mind. For an example, in the middle of a blank sheet of paper, I might circle the word hope. I'd then free associate whatever comes to mind: free, happy, content, sad, winter, and so on. Do this for about three minutes. If after three minutes, you feel as though you have more, and then go on until you find yourself starting to force words.
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Resist censoring yourself. Remember this is free association-there are no wrong answers. Some of the words your mind wanders to may surprise you, but that's fine-keep writing. You may later decide to cluster around those words.
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Draw lines from the circled word to those words that seem to connect with the word you started with.
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Tips & Warnings
After you've finished clustering, you might have enough for a story. If you've already began a work of fiction or creative nonfiction, this method may help you work through a problem section in your writing.
In her book, "Writing the Natural Way," Gabriele Rico explains this method in more detail.
Beware of the critic that lives inside every writer's head-that will tell you what you're doing is stupid, and this clustering thing is a waste of good structured writing time. Tell the critic to shut up, and keep writing.
