Storytelling: Idea Stimulators
Storytelling Cards - An Idea Stimulator
Here is a way to come up with an infinite number of ideas. It is a companion to my E-Book 501 Idea Stimulators. This exercise is effective and fun with at least one other person. Some have made this exercise into a party game.
Here's how it works:
Get a set of index cards - you will need a lot of them. You will be making five decks of cards with a minimum of twenty cards per deck. While it is okay to use the lists provided below, I encourage you to add some entries of your own.
Characters
Emotions
Actions and Situations
Locations
Quotes or Trump Cards
Emotions
Actions and Situations
Locations
Quotes or Trump Cards
This process is based upon the concept that creating is a synthesizing process. It is also about making the strange familiar and the familiar strange. It is a form of creative play and stretches the imagination. It is okay to be silly.
Identify a minimum of twenty characters. Place each character on a separate index card.
Make another deck with the emotions listed in the attachment. You probably do not need all of them. Maybe twenty at random for now.
Make another deck of locations.
Another deck of situations.
And finally make a deck of the quotes which function as trump cards.
Pick two character cards by shuffling the deck and picking two cards or more at random. For example you may chose the Advertising Account Executive and Janis Joplin cards. You will develop a story of an interaction between these two characters.
Next flesh out the characters by picking an emotion card for each. For example, the Account Executive may be arrogant and Janis Joplin may be secretive.
Next pick a location where this interaction will happen. Again do it randomly. Let us say you chose a cruise ship for this example.
Then pick a situation card. For this demo, you may have picked Marriage Proposal.
So what might happen when this Advertising Account Executive meets Janis Joplin on a Cruise Ship and one or the other Proposes Marriage? Remember that the account exec is arrogant and Janis has a secret.
Start creating the story. You may write it or tell it to another in your group.
You may get stuck or want to invent a twist to the story. Pick one of the quotes and apply it to the story. Let's say you picked this one:
There is a time for departure even when there's no certain place to go.
Tennessee Williams
How does this quote add, alter, or affect the story?
Think about the numbers of possible combinations. I reckon the number is huge.
Notice that some of the characters are people from history or the arts. Others are more general occupations. Whatever or whomever you pick, expand the character by extrapolating. Make the character strong, weak, zealous, aggressive, beaten, or… by choosing an emotion at random for this exercise.
These quotes are a sampling of those found in my E-Book 1001 Quotes Questions and Pondering. If you would like a free copy, send me an e-mail with 1001 in the subject.
Identify a minimum of twenty characters. Place each character on a separate index card.
Make another deck with the emotions listed in the attachment. You probably do not need all of them. Maybe twenty at random for now.
Make another deck of locations.
Another deck of situations.
And finally make a deck of the quotes which function as trump cards.
Pick two character cards by shuffling the deck and picking two cards or more at random. For example you may chose the Advertising Account Executive and Janis Joplin cards. You will develop a story of an interaction between these two characters.
Next flesh out the characters by picking an emotion card for each. For example, the Account Executive may be arrogant and Janis Joplin may be secretive.
Next pick a location where this interaction will happen. Again do it randomly. Let us say you chose a cruise ship for this example.
Then pick a situation card. For this demo, you may have picked Marriage Proposal.
So what might happen when this Advertising Account Executive meets Janis Joplin on a Cruise Ship and one or the other Proposes Marriage? Remember that the account exec is arrogant and Janis has a secret.
Start creating the story. You may write it or tell it to another in your group.
You may get stuck or want to invent a twist to the story. Pick one of the quotes and apply it to the story. Let's say you picked this one:
There is a time for departure even when there's no certain place to go.
Tennessee Williams
How does this quote add, alter, or affect the story?
Think about the numbers of possible combinations. I reckon the number is huge.
Characters
Notice that some of the characters are people from history or the arts. Others are more general occupations. Whatever or whomever you pick, expand the character by extrapolating. Make the character strong, weak, zealous, aggressive, beaten, or… by choosing an emotion at random for this exercise.
Insurance Salesman
Witch
Shaman
Juggler
Supermarket Cashier
Plumber
Aging Hippie
Cabaret Singer
Lawyer
Dentist
Stand-up Comic
Baseball Umpire
Mom or Dad
Poet
Cheerleader
Chef
Fashion Photographer
Secretary
Heroin Addict
Fashion Designer
Day Trader
Taxicab Driver
Doctor
Emperor
President of the United States
Evangelist
Rabbi
Tennis Pro
Gladiator
College Professor
Pickpocket
Pilot
A Superhero
Auto Mechanic
Artist
Actor
Insurance Salesman
Mafia Boss
Advertising Account Executive
Psychotherapist
Actor
Policeman/woman
General
An Elder
Algebra Teacher
Priest
Moses
Jesus
Julius Caesar
Adolf Hitler
Clint Eastwood
Katherine Hepburn
Susan Sarandon
Bette Davis
Charles Lindberg
Charles Dickens
Mark Twain
Norman Mailer
Meryl Streep
Woody Allen
Janis Joplin
Jerry Garcia
Erica Jung
Sigmund Freud
Martha Stewart
Ray Charles
Bob Dylan
Elvis Presley
John Lennon
Babe Ruth
Witch
Shaman
Juggler
Supermarket Cashier
Plumber
Aging Hippie
Cabaret Singer
Lawyer
Dentist
Stand-up Comic
Baseball Umpire
Mom or Dad
Poet
Cheerleader
Chef
Fashion Photographer
Secretary
Heroin Addict
Fashion Designer
Day Trader
Taxicab Driver
Doctor
Emperor
President of the United States
Evangelist
Rabbi
Tennis Pro
Gladiator
College Professor
Pickpocket
Pilot
A Superhero
Auto Mechanic
Artist
Actor
Insurance Salesman
Mafia Boss
Advertising Account Executive
Psychotherapist
Actor
Policeman/woman
General
An Elder
Algebra Teacher
Priest
Moses
Jesus
Julius Caesar
Adolf Hitler
Clint Eastwood
Katherine Hepburn
Susan Sarandon
Bette Davis
Charles Lindberg
Charles Dickens
Mark Twain
Norman Mailer
Meryl Streep
Woody Allen
Janis Joplin
Jerry Garcia
Erica Jung
Sigmund Freud
Martha Stewart
Ray Charles
Bob Dylan
Elvis Presley
John Lennon
Babe Ruth
Emotions
Absorbed
Abusive
Accommodating
Admonished
Adoration
Adored
Adventurous
Adverse
Affected
Affectionate
Aggravated
Aggressive
Agitated
Agony
Agreeable
Airy
Awkward
Alienated
Alluring
Alone
Altruistic
Ambiguous
Ambitious
Amorous
Amused
Anger
Anguished
Anxiety
Apathy
Appeasing
Appreciation
Apprehensive
Argumentative
Armored
Aroused
Arrogant
Astounded
Attentive
Avoidance
Beaten down
Betrayed
bewildered
Bewitched
Bitchy
Bitter
Blah
Blessed
Blissful
Blunt
Bored
Bothered
Brave
Breathless
Bright
Broken
Callous
Calm
Captivated
Careless
Caring
Celebrating
Chagrined
Charming
Cherishing
Clandestine
Clear
Cold-blooded
Comfortable
Compassion
Competitive
Complacent
Concerned
Confused
Content
Cool
Coping
Cornered
Creative
Crucified
Crushed
Cursed
Dainty
Defensive
Delicate
Demure
Depressed
Desirable
Desolate
Despair
Despondent
Devoted
Disgust
Disregard
Distracted
Distressed
Doldrums
Doomed
Haggard
Hardened
Harsh
Hearty
Heavy
Hectic
Hopeful
Horrified
Humorous
Hurt
Hysterical
Impetuous
Imposing
Impressed
Impulsive
Indulgent
Inept
Inflexible
Insatiable
Insensitive
Inspired
Interested
Intimidated
Intrigued
Introspective
Eager
Earnest
Ecstatic
Electric
Enchanted
Endearing
Engaging
Enthused
Excited
Fanatical
Fascinated
Fear
Fiery
Flattering
Flustered
Fortitude
Frantic
Frisky
Frustration
Funny
Furious
Giggly
Glad
Glee
Gloomy
Glowing
Goodness
Grateful
Greed
Grief
Grim
Grounded
Gushing
Gusto
Inviting
Irritated
Jealousy
Jittery
Languid
Lethargic
Loathe
Lonesome
Lost
Love
Mad
Manic
Martyr
Meddlesome
Melancholy
Melodramatic
Mindful/Mindless
Mopy
Mortified
Moved
Nervous
Nonchalant
Optimistic
Over the edge
Pain
Panic
Paralyzed
Passionate
Passive
Patient
Peace of mind
Perky
Perplexed
Perturbed
Petrified
Pitied
Placid
Pleasurable
Pressured
Pride
Provocative
Quarrelsome
Quiet
Radiant
Rage
Rash
Raving
Ravished
Ready to burst
Receptive
Reckless
Rejected
Rejoice
Repressed
Repugnant
Resentful
Resistant
Restrained
Ridiculous
Romantic
Sadness
Safe
Satiated
Satisfied
Scared
Secretive
Secure
Sedate
Seductive
Selfish
Sensual
Sentimental
Serious
Shame
Shielded
Shocked
Shy
Silly
Sincere
Smug
Sober
Soft
Solemn
Somber
Sore
Sorrowful
Spastic
Spicy
Spirited
Spry
Stoic
Stressed
Stunned
Suffering
Supportive
Surrender
Sweet
Sympathy
Tame
Tantalizing
Tender
The blues
Thick-skinned
Thin-skinned
Timidity
Threatened
Tight
Tolerant
Tormented
Tortured
Tranquil
Troubled
Twitchy
Unconscious
Uncontrollable
Unimpressed
Unruffled
Victimized
Vivacious
Vulnerable
Warm
Weary
Woe
Worried
Yearning
Zeal
Abusive
Accommodating
Admonished
Adoration
Adored
Adventurous
Adverse
Affected
Affectionate
Aggravated
Aggressive
Agitated
Agony
Agreeable
Airy
Awkward
Alienated
Alluring
Alone
Altruistic
Ambiguous
Ambitious
Amorous
Amused
Anger
Anguished
Anxiety
Apathy
Appeasing
Appreciation
Apprehensive
Argumentative
Armored
Aroused
Arrogant
Astounded
Attentive
Avoidance
Beaten down
Betrayed
bewildered
Bewitched
Bitchy
Bitter
Blah
Blessed
Blissful
Blunt
Bored
Bothered
Brave
Breathless
Bright
Broken
Callous
Calm
Captivated
Careless
Caring
Celebrating
Chagrined
Charming
Cherishing
Clandestine
Clear
Cold-blooded
Comfortable
Compassion
Competitive
Complacent
Concerned
Confused
Content
Cool
Coping
Cornered
Creative
Crucified
Crushed
Cursed
Dainty
Defensive
Delicate
Demure
Depressed
Desirable
Desolate
Despair
Despondent
Devoted
Disgust
Disregard
Distracted
Distressed
Doldrums
Doomed
Haggard
Hardened
Harsh
Hearty
Heavy
Hectic
Hopeful
Horrified
Humorous
Hurt
Hysterical
Impetuous
Imposing
Impressed
Impulsive
Indulgent
Inept
Inflexible
Insatiable
Insensitive
Inspired
Interested
Intimidated
Intrigued
Introspective
Eager
Earnest
Ecstatic
Electric
Enchanted
Endearing
Engaging
Enthused
Excited
Fanatical
Fascinated
Fear
Fiery
Flattering
Flustered
Fortitude
Frantic
Frisky
Frustration
Funny
Furious
Giggly
Glad
Glee
Gloomy
Glowing
Goodness
Grateful
Greed
Grief
Grim
Grounded
Gushing
Gusto
Inviting
Irritated
Jealousy
Jittery
Languid
Lethargic
Loathe
Lonesome
Lost
Love
Mad
Manic
Martyr
Meddlesome
Melancholy
Melodramatic
Mindful/Mindless
Mopy
Mortified
Moved
Nervous
Nonchalant
Optimistic
Over the edge
Pain
Panic
Paralyzed
Passionate
Passive
Patient
Peace of mind
Perky
Perplexed
Perturbed
Petrified
Pitied
Placid
Pleasurable
Pressured
Pride
Provocative
Quarrelsome
Quiet
Radiant
Rage
Rash
Raving
Ravished
Ready to burst
Receptive
Reckless
Rejected
Rejoice
Repressed
Repugnant
Resentful
Resistant
Restrained
Ridiculous
Romantic
Sadness
Safe
Satiated
Satisfied
Scared
Secretive
Secure
Sedate
Seductive
Selfish
Sensual
Sentimental
Serious
Shame
Shielded
Shocked
Shy
Silly
Sincere
Smug
Sober
Soft
Solemn
Somber
Sore
Sorrowful
Spastic
Spicy
Spirited
Spry
Stoic
Stressed
Stunned
Suffering
Supportive
Surrender
Sweet
Sympathy
Tame
Tantalizing
Tender
The blues
Thick-skinned
Thin-skinned
Timidity
Threatened
Tight
Tolerant
Tormented
Tortured
Tranquil
Troubled
Twitchy
Unconscious
Uncontrollable
Unimpressed
Unruffled
Victimized
Vivacious
Vulnerable
Warm
Weary
Woe
Worried
Yearning
Zeal
Locations
Cruise Ship
A Bar
Supermarket
Political Rally or Protest
Subway
Fancy Restaurant
Back Seat of a Taxicab
Movie Theater Line
Elevator
Public Bathroom
Cave
Airplane
Kitchen
Starbucks
Nursing Home
Locker Room
Art Gallery/Museum
Rock Concert
Carnegie Hall
Paris, FR
Paris, TX
Easton PA
The Neighborhood You Grew Up In
Madison Square Garden
On the Beach
The Wilderness
Hospital
In Bed
The Prom
Corporate Boardroom
Artist’s Loft/Studio
Boxing Match
Back Seat
Roller Coaster
A Bar
Supermarket
Political Rally or Protest
Subway
Fancy Restaurant
Back Seat of a Taxicab
Movie Theater Line
Elevator
Public Bathroom
Cave
Airplane
Kitchen
Starbucks
Nursing Home
Locker Room
Art Gallery/Museum
Rock Concert
Carnegie Hall
Paris, FR
Paris, TX
Easton PA
The Neighborhood You Grew Up In
Madison Square Garden
On the Beach
The Wilderness
Hospital
In Bed
The Prom
Corporate Boardroom
Artist’s Loft/Studio
Boxing Match
Back Seat
Roller Coaster
Actions and Situations
Singing in Public
Tax Audit
Uncontrollable Laughter
Playing Monopoly
Reading E-Mail
Exercising
Making Love
Having Insight
Tax Audit
Uncontrollable Laughter
Playing Monopoly
Reading E-Mail
Exercising
Making Love
Having Insight
Marriage Proposal
Pumping Gas
Wedding
Meeting with a Parole Officer
An Automobile Fender Bender
Blasting Music from a Car Radio
Witnessing a Murder
A Family Gathering
Playing Catch
Talking on a Cell Phone
Meeting Someone for Lunch
Taking a Test
Sitting in Traffic
Reading Personal Ads
Watching TV in a Sports Bar
Playing Bridge
A Fox Hunt
First Date
Giving a Speech
Buying a Used/New Car
Performing in an Acting Class
Attending a Convention
Writing a Sitcom
Painting a House
Mistaking Another for
Someone You Know
Strangers Bumping Into
Each Other in the Street
Pumping Gas
Wedding
Meeting with a Parole Officer
An Automobile Fender Bender
Blasting Music from a Car Radio
Witnessing a Murder
A Family Gathering
Playing Catch
Talking on a Cell Phone
Meeting Someone for Lunch
Taking a Test
Sitting in Traffic
Reading Personal Ads
Watching TV in a Sports Bar
Playing Bridge
A Fox Hunt
First Date
Giving a Speech
Buying a Used/New Car
Performing in an Acting Class
Attending a Convention
Writing a Sitcom
Painting a House
Mistaking Another for
Someone You Know
Strangers Bumping Into
Each Other in the Street
Quotes (Trump Cards)
These quotes are a sampling of those found in my E-Book 1001 Quotes Questions and Pondering. If you would like a free copy, send me an e-mail with 1001 in the subject.
For every expert, there is an equal and opposite expert.
Arthur C. Clarke
Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process
he does not become a monster.
Fredrich Nietzsche
You don't get harmony when everybody sings the same note.
Doug Floyd
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect.
Mark Twain
There is a time for departure even when there's no certain place to go.
Tennessee Williams
No statement should be believed because it is made by an authority.
Hans Reichenbach
I do not live to play, but I play in order that I may live,
and return with greater zest to the labors of life.
Plato
Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others.
Marcus Cicero
Take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame.
Erica Jong
Some say knowledge is power, but that is not true. Character is power.
Shri Sathya Sai Baba
Whenever man comes up with a better mousetrap,
nature immediately comes up with a better mouse.
James Carswell
Every exit is an entry somewhere else.
Tom Stoppard
Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.
Confucius
If I treat you as if you are what you are capable of becoming, I help you become that.
Goethe
The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.
Oscar Wilde
I've had a wonderful time, but this wasn't it.
Groucho Marx
Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another:
‘What! You, too? Thought I was the only one.’
C.S. Lewis
If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten.
Anthony Robbins
If only we'd stop trying to be happy we'd have a pretty good time.
Edith Wharton
Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being.
Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.
Albert Schweitzer
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over
and over expecting the results to change.
Albert Einstein
Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they are going to be dead by midnight.
Extend to them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster,
and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.
Og Mandino
My days of whining and complaining about others have come to an end.
Nothing is easier than fault finding. All it will do is discolor my personality so that none
will want to associate with me. That was my old life. No more.
Og Mandino
Do not condemn the judgment of another because it differs from your own.
You may both be wrong.
Dandemis
If not now, when?
Talmud
FEAR:
F = FALSE
E = EVIDENCE
A = APPEARING
R = REAL
Veer Sharma
Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart ...
Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.
Carl Jung
Out beyond notions of right doing and wrong doing, there is a field.
Will you meet me there?
Rumi
When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.
Wayne Dyer
He who cannot dance claims the floor is uneven.
Hindu saying
Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.
Chinese Proverb
It is a miserable state of mind to have few things to desire and many things to fear.
Francis Bacon
To the timid soul, nothing is possible.
John Bach
Arthur C. Clarke
Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process
he does not become a monster.
Fredrich Nietzsche
You don't get harmony when everybody sings the same note.
Doug Floyd
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect.
Mark Twain
There is a time for departure even when there's no certain place to go.
Tennessee Williams
No statement should be believed because it is made by an authority.
Hans Reichenbach
I do not live to play, but I play in order that I may live,
and return with greater zest to the labors of life.
Plato
Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others.
Marcus Cicero
Take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame.
Erica Jong
Some say knowledge is power, but that is not true. Character is power.
Shri Sathya Sai Baba
Whenever man comes up with a better mousetrap,
nature immediately comes up with a better mouse.
James Carswell
Every exit is an entry somewhere else.
Tom Stoppard
Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.
Confucius
If I treat you as if you are what you are capable of becoming, I help you become that.
Goethe
The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.
Oscar Wilde
I've had a wonderful time, but this wasn't it.
Groucho Marx
Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another:
‘What! You, too? Thought I was the only one.’
C.S. Lewis
If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten.
Anthony Robbins
If only we'd stop trying to be happy we'd have a pretty good time.
Edith Wharton
Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being.
Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.
Albert Schweitzer
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over
and over expecting the results to change.
Albert Einstein
Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they are going to be dead by midnight.
Extend to them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster,
and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.
Og Mandino
My days of whining and complaining about others have come to an end.
Nothing is easier than fault finding. All it will do is discolor my personality so that none
will want to associate with me. That was my old life. No more.
Og Mandino
Do not condemn the judgment of another because it differs from your own.
You may both be wrong.
Dandemis
If not now, when?
Talmud
FEAR:
F = FALSE
E = EVIDENCE
A = APPEARING
R = REAL
Veer Sharma
Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart ...
Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.
Carl Jung
Out beyond notions of right doing and wrong doing, there is a field.
Will you meet me there?
Rumi
When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.
Wayne Dyer
He who cannot dance claims the floor is uneven.
Hindu saying
Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.
Chinese Proverb
It is a miserable state of mind to have few things to desire and many things to fear.
Francis Bacon
To the timid soul, nothing is possible.
John Bach
Comments
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
Posted by: heena mandloi![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.heartstorming.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 9, 2007 03:01 PM
As fear is close companion to falsehood, so truth follows fearlessness.
Posted by: heena mandloi![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.heartstorming.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 9, 2007 03:05 PM
Don't fight a fact,deal with it
Posted by: heena mandloi![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.heartstorming.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 7, 2007 09:46 AM
I only fear that what I may lose...Due to family and this Society's worries of status...My true love.
I fear an arranged marriage
I fear a forced marriage
I fear losing the one who I love and who loves me.
He fears being disowned if he does not ultimately follow what is being demanded of him.
No matter how much I try to deal...ultimately, devastation lies down the road for me...
For If my true love and I cannot be togther,there lies my greatest tragedy.
There is my greatest fear come to pass.
Posted by: Rina![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.heartstorming.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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November 23, 2007 04:20 AM