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The Question Bullseye

The Question Bullseye

by | Aug 7, 2018

The Question Bullseye

Clarify your project by exploring what’s central in the idea for you. What makes this project the right one for you, right now?

Style

Special Agent

Skill

Asking Questions

Time

10 minutes

THE ATTIC:

The Question Bullseye

 

A little thinking at the beginning of a project can save you a lot of time in the end. Before diving in to the drafting process, create a mental bullseye so that you can easily see what’s right on, and what’s off course. You’re in the Attic, so focus on the connection point between you and the work.

Ask questions such as:

  • What is at the core of this idea, for me?
  • What are the nice-to-haves?
  • What are the must-haves?

Materials

How to Play

  • Post-its
  • White Board or Large Paper
  • Pencil
  • Timer

1. Draw a three-ringed target on your paper or white board. Make sure the inner circle is big enough to hold at least four post-its.

2. Label the inner ring “core,” the middle ring “must-haves,” and the outer ring “nice to haves.”

3. Set the timer for five minutes, and list elements of your idea. For a story, you might want to consider categories of theme, character, setting, conflict, and events.

4. When the time is up, sort your ideas on the bullseye. If you realize an idea is off-course, stick it outside the outer ring.

5. Step back, and study your work. Should anything move? Should anything be added?

6. Create one or two guiding questions to help you keep your bullseye in mind as you work. Your focusing question might start with, “How does this (scene, character, place) connect with …”

Adaptations

Problem Solving

Rather than using this game at the start of an idea, try using it when you find yourself stuck. You can label the core with a central theme, and the other rings with sub-themes, or use the center ring for the main character, and the other rings for close relationships and acquaintances. The purpose of the game in these scenarios is to gain a better big-picture view of what matters and what might be less important.

Plot and Subplots

Special Agents tend to create quickly, sequentially, from beginning to end. This approach works well for them … until it doesn’t. When you need to see where a story has veered off track, try using this activity to look at the main plot, any primary subplot, and important secondary subplots. You’ll need a larger inner ring for this version. Place events in the appropriate ring, and note what the overall sorting process tells you.

Try On Other Creative Styles

Question Starters

FOR ARCHITECTS

Explore your connection with your idea with a series of question starters.

Try This

What If ... ?

FOR INVENTORS

Use this classic question to explore the possibilities in your idea.

Try This

Importance Interview

FOR COLLABORATORS

Explore what’s most important to you in your idea by digging deep with a friend.

Try This

Wondering What Your Creativity Style Is?

Your creativity is like a fingerprint: completely unique to you. That said, by understanding how you fit (or don’t) into one of four creativity archetypes, you can more easily identify your approach to the creative process. Think of the creativity styles as hats. You may wear one most of the time, but another on special occasions. Your unique blend of personas will affect how you approach each phase of the creative process.

What's Your Creativity Style?

What If?

What If?

by | Aug 6, 2018

What If …?

Use this classic question to explore the possibilities in your idea, and in particular, where those possibilities spark your passion.

Style

Inventor

Skill

Asking Questions

Time

10 minutes

THE ATTIC:

What If …?

 

As an Inventor, ideas aren’t difficult for you, and neither is coming up with options. Rely on your strength to create an exhaustive list of “What if …?” questions, but don’t stop there. Remember, your passion is a huge part of what motivates you. Look over your list of questions and rank them in terms of what sparks your passion most fiercely. A powerful “What if …?” question can take you quite a long way into your project.

Materials

How to Play

  • Timer
  • White Board
  • Dry Erase Markers

OR

  • Timer
  • Easel
  • Markers

1. Choose brainstorming tools you can use while standing up.

2. Play some silly or happy music and dance for a minute to loosen up.

2. Set the timer for eight minutes. Make a list of every “What if … ?” question you can think of that connects you, the artist, with your idea. Consider what memories and experiences you bring to the table, plus your expertise, and especially, your longings or curiosity.

3. When the time’s up, review your list. What stands out? How plugged into this idea are you? Do you need to find a deeper point of connection? Is there a question on the list that might be the one to fuel your next steps?

4. Use your remaining time to choose what questions to take away, and how you’d like to keep them top of mind.

5. If you’re feeling particularly inspired, take another ten minutes and make a graphic or a collage that includes your question, and post it where you can see it.

Adaptations

Slay a Creative Dragon

It’s never a good idea to ignore a dragon. They tend to breathe fire, snag you with their claws, or topple you with their tails. If you’ve found yourself in the presence of a creative dragon, rather than exploring possibilities, use this activity to focus specifically on your fears. Use the first half of your time to explore the very worst that could happen. Then, use the second half to explore all the ways you might overcome that beast. You’ve got this!

Brainstorm Visually

Tap into your genius that goes beyond words. You’re in the Attic, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use a technique more often seen in the Studio. Collage or sketch to explore questions related to the heart of this project. Remember, the purpose of asking questions in the Attic is not so much to explore ideas, but rather to find your personal connection to the piece. Stick close to the heart as you play, and see what you discover.

Try On Other Creative Styles

Question Starters

FOR ARCHITECTS

Explore your connection with your idea with a series of question starters.

Try This

The Question Bullseye

FOR SPECIAL AGENTS

Clarify your project by exploring what’s central in the idea for you.

Try This

Importance Interview

FOR COLLABORATORS

Explore what’s most important to you in your idea by digging deep with a friend.

Try This

Wondering What Your Creativity Style Is?

Your creativity is like a fingerprint: completely unique to you. That said, by understanding how you fit (or don’t) into one of four creativity archetypes, you can more easily identify your approach to the creative process. Think of the creativity styles as hats. You may wear one most of the time, but another on special occasions. Your unique blend of personas will affect how you approach each phase of the creative process.

What's Your Creativity Style?

The Importance Interview

The Importance Interview

by | Aug 6, 2018

The Importance Interview

Explore what’s most important to you in your idea by digging deep with a friend.

Style

Collaborator

Skill

Asking Questions

Time

20 minutes

THE ATTIC:

The Importance Interview

 

The purpose of asking questions in The Attic is to reflect on the intersection between YOU and your idea. As a Collaborator, you do your best work with friends. So, find a friend to help you discuss two key questions:

1. In this idea, what is most important to me?

2. What is most likely to be important to others?

Materials

How to Play

  • A Trusted Collaborator
  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Timer

1. Play a quick game of “Would You Rather,” to loosen up. Take turns posing questions. Ideally, play this game standing up to boost your energy.

2. Set the timer for six minutes, and tell your partner everything you can think of that is important to you in the idea. Your partner should jot down key words and phrases while you speak.

3. When the time is up, review the written list. Is anything missing? Was anything listed as important that doesn’t now seem vital? Your partner can also share any thoughts or questions that arose while listening.

4. Set the timer for another six minutes. Now, explain what is most likely to be important to others. Your partner can help by listing people or categories of people to prompt you. 

5. When time’s up, review your thoughts again. You and your partner may realize you missed a category of person and want to fill in a few holes.

6. Use the remaining time to compare lists and discuss what the key takeaways should be. A list of questions is helpful, but one or two focusing questions will provide you even more guidance. See if you can boil the list down, or choose one or two questions that feel like the right starting place.

Adaptations

Character Spotlight

Rather than playing this game focused on your idea, step into your character’s shoes and focus on the character’s problem or goal. Why is it important to them? Why is it important to others? In the final moments of the game, discuss what insights about your character you can take away from the discussion.

Exploring the Opposite

Sometimes what we need is more breathing space. Our minds are crowded with the trivial and the noise makes it difficult to discern what’s most important. If you feel stumped coming up with what’s most important, try playing this game from the opposite point of view to clear the decks. What’s unimportant? What won’t anyone care about?

Try On Other Creative Styles

Question Starters

FOR ARCHITECTS

Explore your connection with your idea with a series of question starters.

Try This

What If ... ?

FOR INVENTORS

Use this classic question to explore the possibilities in your idea.

Try This

The Question Bullseye

FOR SPECIAL AGENTS

Clarify your project by exploring what’s central in the idea for you.

Try This

Wondering What Your Creativity Style Is?

Your creativity is like a fingerprint: completely unique to you. That said, by understanding how you fit (or don’t) into one of four creativity archetypes, you can more easily identify your approach to the creative process. Think of the creativity styles as hats. You may wear one most of the time, but another on special occasions. Your unique blend of personas will affect how you approach each phase of the creative process.

What's Your Creativity Style?

An Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments

An Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments

by | Aug 6, 2018

Recommended Book: An Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments

By: Ali Almossawi

Illustrated by: Alejandro Giraldo

 

Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org

 An illustrated book of bad arguments

By: Ali Almossawi

ILLUSTRATED BY: Alejandro Giraldo

ISBN:978-1615192250

QUESTIONS EXPLORED:

  • Is your reasoning sound?
  • Have you bought into a false choice?
  • What opinion truly makes the most logical sense?

 

WHAT I LOVE:

Blending whimsy and practicality, this book asks a fundamental question. It’s one I try to consider daily. Am I thinking clearly? So often, when I ask this question, I realize that the answer is no. I’ve been fuzzier in my thinking than I want to be.

While logic is important in public discourse, for me, it’s of daily importance. Why? I know that my thoughts cause my feelings. My feelings play out in my actions. Those actions create my day-to-day results. So, if I allow illogical thoughts to run my life, my results (creative, professional, personal) will be haphazard, too.

I love this book with its easy-to-skim reminders of how logic works, plus fun-loving reminders of common pitfalls to avoid.

PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION:

“A flawless compendium of flaws.” —Alice Roberts, PhD, anatomist, writer, and presenter of The Incredible Human Journey

The antidote to fuzzy thinking, with furry animals!

Have you read (or stumbled into) one too many irrational online debates? Ali Almossawi certainly had, so he wrote An Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments! This handy guide is here to bring the internet age a much-needed dose of old-school logic (really old-school, a la Aristotle).

Here are cogent explanations of the straw man fallacy, the slippery slope argument, the ad hominemattack, and other common attempts at reasoning that actually fall short—plus a beautifully drawn menagerie of animals who (adorably) commit every logical faux pas. Rabbit thinks a strange light in the sky must be a UFO because no one can prove otherwise (the appeal to ignorance). And Lion doesn’t believe that gas emissions harm the planet because, if that were true, he wouldn’t like the result (the argument from consequences).

Once you learn to recognize these abuses of reason, they start to crop up everywhere from congressional debate to YouTube comments—which makes this geek-chic book a must for anyone in the habit of holding opinions.

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Sophie’s World

Sophie’s World

by | Aug 6, 2018

Recommended Book: Sophie's World

By: Jostein Gaarder

 

Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org

SOPHIE’S WORLD

By: jostein Gaarder

ISBN:978-0374530716

QUESTIONS EXPLORED:

  • Who are we?
  • Where did the world come from?
  • What kinds of questions should we ask when we think about the world around us?
  • And biggest of all … What is the meaning of life?

 

WHAT I LOVE:

I’ve read this novel a number of times. Each time, it feels like a wake-up call. Like the main character, Sophie, I find myself drawn into the philosopher’s lessons. Each new question he introduces stretches my mind in a new direction. As he walks through this history of philosophy, I walk through the development of my own thinking. I ask myself, “What questions have been most useful in my life? Where have those questions led me so far, and where might they lead me next?

In one of his early lessons, the philosopher says, “My concern is that you do not grow up to be one of those people who take the world for granted, Sophie dear.” Too often, I do take the world for granted. I slowly slip back into the day-to-day rush, and I forget to ask those larger questions.

Whenever I re-read this book, my mind fills with important questions. Instead of asking myself what’s next on my to-do list, I’m asking questions about meaning and importance. As a result, I find myself walking a little more slowly, looking a little more closely, and listening a little more carefully.

PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION:

A page-turning novel that is also an exploration of the great philosophical concepts of Western thought, Sophie’s World has fired the imagination of readers all over the world, with more than twenty million copies in print.

One day fourteen-year-old Sophie Amundsen comes home from school to find in her mailbox two notes, with one question on each: “Who are you?” and “Where does the world come from?” From that irresistible beginning, Sophie becomes obsessed with questions that take her far beyond what she knows of her Norwegian village. Through those letters, she enrolls in a kind of correspondence course, covering Socrates to Sartre, with a mysterious philosopher, while receiving letters addressed to another girl. Who is Hilde? And why does her mail keep turning up? To unravel this riddle, Sophie must use the philosophy she is learning―but the truth turns out to be far more complicated than she could have imagined.

Buy from:

Print | eBook | Audiobook

The links on this page are affiliate links. More details here.