Contemporary Plot List (some adult content) Dictionary.com (in case some of the words maybe unfamiliar) Random Spreadsheet Generators (Modified from the section under Choosing The Perfect Character Name.) I find spreadsheets wonderful tools for creating random databases of information to use while brainstorming. It allows me to easily randomly generate names and plots. This is good for varying character names and brainstorming story ideas. It helped me expand my name usage. This does require knowing how to use a spreadsheet, although my instructions are designed for those unfamiliar with spreadsheets. It also requires having a spreadsheet program. There is a free program similar to Microsoft Office 2003 and prior; it is even compatible with Microsoft Office files (except for 2007.) Open Office is free to download at http://www.openoffice.org/, for personal usage. A business version can be found at Wal-Mart, and perhaps other stores that sell software. (I am not affiliated with this company and do not get anything from directing people to the site or recommending the product. Also, please note that downloading and installing software, even from respectable sites, does have some computer safety risks.) For this example, I am going to use Open Office Calc. Other spreadsheet programs can be used. Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Works Spreadsheet, and Quattro Pro. Each program has advantages and disadvantages. Although, they vary, it is my experience that they can do basically the same things. From experience, Open Office produces the most random numbers. Assuming Open Office has been downloaded and/or installed, the first step is to open the Calc option listed in the Open Office folder found with your software programs. This varies by Operating System. The program is comprised of grid squares with numbers running down the left side and letters running across the top. For sake of simplicity, I am not going into spreadsheet specifics beyond what‘s necessary for this generator. Using the boxes, on the left-hand side, under the capital “A,” enter names or one-word plot ideas. One name, or idea, per box. Open Office allows a list into the thousands. It is important to know the number to the left of the last name entered. In this case, the spreadsheet ends with “25.” That is twenty-five individual names or plot ideas. After scrolling back to the top of the page, where the “1” is visible on the left-hand side, click in the white box under the “F.” (It really does not matter what box is used, as long as its easy to see and not in column “A.”) Type in, or C&P, “=rand()*25” without the “”. After clicking return, if it is typed correctly, a number between 0 and 25 will appear. (Please replace the “25“ with the number left of the last name in your list.) It will have a decimal point. That needs to be edited. Right click on the number. Select “Format cells.” A window will open. Under “Category,” “Number” should be highlighted. Next to that are options under “Format.” Select the first number option under “General.” It is a standard number with no decimal point. Click “Okay.” If done correctly, the random number no longer has a decimal point. It probably changed. The random number will change almost every time the user clicks “Enter.” Click below the random number, maybe skip a box or two. For this to work, it requires looking at the number randomly generated. On my spreadsheet, I have a “1” in the box. I type “=a1” into the box below the random number, without the “” and will get the name in box a1 in the upper left-hand corner. (Should this not work, I am happy to try to help work out the problems. However, it cannot really be done via private message/email. I prefer Yahoo Messenger.) Random generators can be used for other writing tools. Professions can be listed to brainstorm character occupations. In my sci fi, I include organizations, governments, groups, non human species, and types technology. The options are limitless. |
