What's the best ways to plot and brain storm for a novel?

Question

Writer's Block really gets to me. What's the best way to avoid it when trying to plan out a novel?

Answer 1

Ideas can come to you at any time. You could be working on something completely different and all of a sudden you have a brilliant idea for a novel, or for something that could happen in a novel you are currently writing.

When you have such ideas, write them down right away. It doesn't matter if you aren't currently working on your novel, and don't rely on your memory to remember things that you might think of. Get yourself to a pen and paper and write it down, along with any details that you may think of at the time so that when you sit down to work on your novel, you will have all of those ideas at your disposal. It might also help to keep a small notebook with you so all of your ideas are in one spot.

Answer 2

Find a comfortable spot, where you're most at ease and/or have the most privacy. If you already have your idea think about it for a bit, but let your mind wander, just observe. That's often the best way for me to find an idea, or to figure out a problem with my writing.
Depending on if you have your novel or not I find it fun to make up stories about those around me. Find a person and decide their life story. This little game often turns into a great charachter.
Hope some of this helps