Making Brainstorm More Accessible

The Brainstorm feature in Sudowrite has a lot of visible potential, but it currently lacks the accessibility-focused structure needed to support a wide range of thinking styles. While the interface presents multiple brainstorming categories (Dialogue, Characters, Worldbuilding, Plot Points, etc.), these categories all lead to the same blank prompt experience. This makes it unclear how each option differs and places a heavy cognitive burden on the user to determine how to begin.

From an accessibility standpoint, this is a significant barrier. For many neurodivergent users — including those with ADHD, autism, or executive function challenges — an empty input field is not an invitation to create, but a point of paralysis. Open-ended prompts require users to simultaneously decide what to explore, how to explore it, and how to phrase it, which can be overwhelming. Brainstorming tools should reduce cognitive load, not increase it.

Providing clear, category-specific guidance would make the feature more accessible and more effective for all users. For example, selecting “Characters” could offer structured idea paths such as internal wounds, motivations, contradictions, relationships, or power dynamics. Choosing “Worldbuilding” could surface prompts related to environment, culture, politics, resources, or unintended consequences of magic or technology. These kinds of options act as scaffolding — they don’t limit creativity, they enable it by giving users a starting point.

Accessibility also improves when users understand what a tool is designed to do. Right now, the distinctions between brainstorm categories are implied visually but not reinforced functionally. Brief explanations, example clusters, or selectable lenses within each category would help users quickly orient themselves and choose the tool that best fits their needs, rather than guessing or feeling lost.

An optional guided brainstorming mode would further support inclusive design. Allowing users to toggle between a blank canvas and a structured, prompt-driven experience acknowledges that creativity works differently for different brains. This flexibility would make Sudowrite more welcoming to neurodivergent writers, users experiencing burnout or fatigue, and anyone who benefits from clear constraints.

By framing Brainstorm as an accessibility-first ideation tool — one that actively lowers cognitive friction and supports diverse creative processes — Sudowrite could significantly improve both usability and creative output. Structure, clarity, and choice are not restrictions; they are essential tools for inclusive creativity.