  Noticing Newbies
This week: Thinking Outside The Box Edited by: Tornado Dodger  
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We're told to "think outside the box" all the time, but how exactly do we do that? It's actually a metaphor for a process of lateral thought. It's important to understand how limited our thinking can be, and then suggests an obvious solution as well. That is - don't go with common route, think of something new and creative.
So how do we develop the process to confront problems in a manner other than the ways we normally confront problems? How do we cultivate the ability to look at things differently?
When people think of this metaphor, many think of the "Nine Dots" puzzle.
The goal of the puzzle is to link all nine dots using four straight lines or fewer, without lifting the pen and without tracing the same line more than once. The reason this puzzle is associated with this metaphor is - You can't solve this puzzle unless you think outside the box.
Some people find themselves in a terrible cycle of mediocrity. If you never change your way of thinking then you can't expect anything different to happen, right? Assumptions create a "box" that is tough to get out of. Don't assume the ending or outcome is going to happen as it always has. Confront each situation as unique; don't start forcing it into a familiar "box" that you already know how to deal with. Exploring alternate possibilities will help you get out of your "box" and out into the open world of creativity. Explore the "What if?" scenario and run with it.
This won't just help you in your writing but also in creating contests here also. Instead of following the crowd or just rehashing someone's executed idea - put a twist on it and really make it your own. Analyze the situation and take control of it. Good leaders always rely on their ability to read situations to their advantage. Develop a "feel' for your audience and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone or normal routine. Effective leaders are continually learning about new ideas and demonstrating critical thinking techniques to develop their ideas.
For more innovative ideas, try literally thinking out of the box. Leave your house or office and take a walk out into the elements. Take notice of how others are doing things, then ask yourself how you can apply their actions to your own characters actions.
Five Ideas to Help You "Think Outside the Box".
 Draw a picture.
Drawing a picture is a right-brained activity. Therefore, it can help break your logical left-brain's hold on a problem. Using your visual side on a problem engages other modes of thinking that we don't normally use, bringing you another creative boost.
Read a novel in an unfamiliar genre.
Reading is one of the best ways to stimulate your mind today, but it's easy to get into a rut. Pay attention not only to the story but to the particular problems the author has to deal with.
Work backwards.
Just like turning something upside down, working backwards breaks the brain's normal conception of reality. For example, where you start with your goal and think back through the steps needed to reach it until you get back to the beginning.
Invite randomness.
Not only embracing mistakes but incorporating them in projects, develops strategies that allow for random input, working amid chaotic juxtapositions of sound and form - all of which can help to move your ideas beyond everyday patterns of thinking into the sublime.
Take a shower.
I've read there is some kind of strange mental link between showering and creativity. Maybe it's because your mind is on other things, maybe it's because you're naked, maybe it's the warm water relaxing you - who knows but it's worth a try.
Hope you enjoyed this article. If you would like to share your thoughts, please send me a note using the box at the bottom of this newsletter.
Write and Review on! ~ Brooke
[Related Links] 
"Invalid Item" by A Guest Visitor
"Invalid Item" by A Guest Visitor
"Invalid Item" by A Guest Visitor
[Suggested Links]
"Most Recent TWIST Newsletter ~ 8/10/2011" [E]
This is the latest newsletter from the awesome group TWIST!
"Invalid Item" by A Guest Visitor
A group that took a simple idea and took it and their activities - Outside The Box!
"THE DROP-OFF BOX " by Tammy~Catchin Up~ 
A monthly writing challenge just for NEW members just like you!
"Good Deeds Go Noticed" by Diane
A monthly reviewing challenge with large awards. All it takes is to review, be helpful and enter your reviews in the survey. Why not give it a shot?
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Here are some talented new member's items that caught my eye. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. 
Excerpt:
Briona drank in the sight of the sparkling river, the sound of gurgling water reminding her of laughter, even as the light refracted off the water's surface, causing it to look as though it were winking at her. The river seemed like a person all its own, and it made Briona smile in amusement at the thought.
~  ~
Excerpt:
Please do not ever flee through the holes in my heart
I ask that you walk these plains with me
And one day lead me to the white mountain tops
I am not prepared to receed from this corpse filled land
But with you, I want to learn to swim
~ ~
Excerpt:
Battling miserable insanity, her thoughts repetitiously forced this question in and out between her ears. Vertigo slanted her head hoping to find her bearings and clear the fog from her thoughts. Stalled within minutes, pale solitude enveloped part of the atmosphere not yet devoured by blackness.
~ ~
Excerpt:
I came upon this place by accident, really. The kind of accident that happens as you're cruising down the interstate with the convertible top down and the windows rolled up, listening to the Grateful Dead doing covers of Mozart Requiems, and all of a sudden nail-studded boards fall from the trash truck ahead of you, mating with your tires.
~ ~
Excerpt:
Do I regret the outcome? Of course I do. But do I regret what happened beforehand? Do I even have to answer this question? If it wasn't for Joshua I wouldn't be sitting at this overly-priced Starbucks, typing my life's story while eyeing all of the crazies of Washington, D.C. at the same time.
~ ~
Excerpt:
I have this novel idea I have been pondering on and was wanting to receive some feedback as to what you think; whether it be to obvious of a story, something that has been done before too many times, or if you like the idea and have some things that you think might add to the story.
~ ~
Excerpt:
Flatland faded, grassland passed.
The forests burgeoned.
Massive, dense, black.
Tree possessed of leaves,
Meters wide and deepest green.
~ ~
Excerpt:
Along with the names,
whispers and dirty looks silently attack.
Breaking down the strongest of people,
only to build up their selfish egos.
~ ~
Excerpt:
Jacob was a normal looking young man with startling green eyes. He was eccentrically shy and sensitive, although he had mellowed over the years. He could communicate clearly but, as he was not outgoing and his habit was perpetual, he was without friends. He worked in a cubicle and somehow managed to overlook the jibes he received from co-workers.
~ ~
Excerpt:
The thought of our predicament made you giggle,
Which, in turn, made the edges of your eyes crinkle,
Which then made me want to never let go of your hand,
~ ~ |
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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I received some wonderful feedback to my last newsletter [#4396] "Build Your Audience" and I'm proud to share it with you.
From honolulu
Hi, of course for myself I would like to receive some good reviews. I have got a few. But, not on every static that I've written. I am proud of all my writing. Some of it is just seeming not to be being viewed. And I do appreciate this article. It gave me ideas.
The best advice I can offer is to participate in the community. Get yourself out there and seen and you'll be reviewed. Try stopping into "Invalid Item" and introducing yourself.
From NickiD89 
Great NL, Brooke! I'm always disappointed when I click on a member's biography and there's nothing to read. I hope more people are inspired to share a little about themselves and their writing journeys after reading your newsletter!
Me too! I hope more people read that issue and fill-out theirs. Thanks for writing in!
From Breaker~A Vigilante Ranger~
First time to set my eyes and to think about what you had expressed here, Brooke!! Well I enjoyed reading your newsletter and I can say that this is a must-read newsletter, especially for newbies like me. Thank you very much. After reading this, my eyes were wide opened, in which I understood all your flow expression about the issue you had conveyed in your newsletter.
Hope to read more from you.
Regards,
 Breaker 
Awesome! Thank you for writing in and sharing your thoughts.
From Apondia 
HI. I've been around for awhile but I still enjoy reading the newbie newsletter and picking up on hints to use. Thanks
I always do too. Sometimes there is some really great articles in there. Thanks for writing in and sharing your thoughts
From W.G. Cambron
Submitted with: "Eddie Rex"
Thank you so much for the advice. I had no idea people were inetrested in the writer (I always had the thought its creation over creator in writing). But it does make sense!
I attached my script for my rewrite of the classic Oedipus Rex. I hope many theatre buffs or history fans will enjoy it and one day will see it on stage.
Yes, many people are interested in the author behind the words, myself included. I hope this brings you some reviews of your story. Thank you for writing in.
From A E Willcox 
Submitted with: "Keeping it Real"
This is an article about the importance of research in fiction writitng with regards to the setting and with world-building. I have done a lot of reviews where the writer clearly knows little or nothing about their chosen setting, historical era etc. I am hoping this will improve matters.
Great subject! I look forward to reading it and I hope this brings you some reviews.
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Noticing Newbies: June 15, 2011 Issue [#4450]
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