| Mixology: Techniques for Rapid Ideation Mixology involves the high-speed generation of raw creative material. These techniques are designed to break through cognitive biases and spark unique narrative angles.
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- Lens Illumination: This involves taking a central concept and rotating it through various 'lenses' (e.g., political, emotional, or sensory). It is the primary method for ensuring the world of Wetledale felt multi-dimensional rather than purely functional.
- Cascades: Once a narrative requirement is identified, 'Cascades' is used to map out the diverging paths a scene could take. It prevents the story from following the path of least resistance.
- Chains: A method for sequential logic. Once a 'Cascade' path is chosen, 'Chains' ensures every action or dialogue beat leads inevitably to the next, maintaining the 'tension' noted in the synopses.
- Metaphors & Analogies: Recognised as the 'gold standard' of creative work, these are used to translate abstract theories of Attitudinal Science into sensory experiences for the reader (e.g., the 'hissing log' or the 'transparent layers of paint').
- Switchblades: A lateral-thinking tool used when a scene becomes stagnant. It forces a radical 'sideways step,' approaching the creative obstacle from an entirely unexpected direction to find a sharper solution.
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| Cultivation: Narrrative Development & Organisation Cultivation techniques take the sparks generated in Mixology and organise them into a coherent, structured work. |
- Facets: This involves deconstructing a complex creative objective (like the 'History of the Fishwicks') into its essential components. By polishing each 'facet' individually, the narrative gains its crystalline clarity.
- IWWM (In What Ways Might?): A constant interrogation of the plot. By framing challenges as "In what ways might Helen escape?" rather than "How does she escape?", the technique opens up a wider field of similary structured, creative possibilities.
- 5W1H (Who, What, Why, Where, When, How): The fundamental anchors of any scene. This ensures that even in the most mystical sections, the narrative remains grounded in physical and logical reality.
- The Triple 'Why?': Rooted in the curiosity of a child and the precision of an analyst. Repeatedly asking 'Why?' of a character's action ensures that their motivations are both valid and psychologically precise.
- The 'So What?' Test: A rigorous utility check. Every section of the narrative must prove its worth by being useful to the plot, logically sound, and - critically - interesting. If it fails the 'So What?' test, it is discarded.
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| Creative Control: Strategy & Quality Assurance The Methods of Control ensure that the creative energy is channeled effectively and that the final work meets the high-concept requirements. |
- Essential Glanside: A bespoke process for filtration. As techniques generate an abundance of ideas, the Glanside approach provides the criteria for selecting, categorising, and either developing or rejecting those ideas to build the final narrative.
- Scaffolding: This refers to the repeating series of creative steps used to build a scene from the ground up. It acts as a mental template, allowing for the efficient generation of complex narrative segments without losing sight of the core theme.
- Six Thinking Hats: Creativity is the time-efficient generation of effective ideas that meet the stated requirement. There is nothing better than Edward De Bono's legendary Six Thinking Hats framework for ensuring this is achieved.
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| The Value of Creative Thinking 'Mastery is found not just in the foraging, but in the refinement of the raw material.' Michael Fishwick. |
- Creative Thinking: These creative techniques are the 'Mixing of the Dyes' - the essential, unseen process that allows the narrative of Colour to be applied in transparent layers, building a world of profound depth from a valley of grey.
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