Creative Clustering

Creative clustering is a tool that stimulates ideas and develops new characters. Start with a circle in the middle of a blank sheet of paper. Write a character name within the circle. Draw a second circle around the first and divide it into 4-6 sections. Within these sections add emotional attributes (positive and negative) which relate to the character. For example instead of saying your character is fearful be more specific. Fears rejection, fears heights, fears trying new things. Specifics like these come in handy as your story unfolds.

Draw a third circle. Include 2 sections to match each emotion attribute. In this section include settings where the attributes may be displayed.

Draw a fourth circle. In this circle add other characters that may appear in the scenes listed in your third circle.

This does not have to take a long time. You won't use everything, but clustering makes a great springboard for writing new stories and developing new characters. Now start to write the story!