My last blog was about what makes a good idea. Today, let’s talk about how
to create them.
The way I generally come up with ideas is getting up early, and then after my morning bourbons, putting a lot of ideas on paper. I write down anything that comes to me. Sometimes what appears is gibberish, but once in a while, there’s something good. Or at least the spark of something interesting.
Later in the day I will look over the list again. I will then rate those ideas from one to ten, and write the ones that are higher than seven, on a card. I then store the cards in a recipe box. When I need an idea I will go to the box.
Okay, that’s the way I generally do it. However, I also hold the philosophy that if you create ideas the same way all the time, you’re going to always get the same type of material. I want
different kinds of ideas so I sometimes change things up.
Here are a few methods for changing things up.
Write in a new location. If you usually write at home, go to a coffee shop and write about the
spectacularly handsome man across from you. (It's probably me.)
Get one of those books by Leonard Malton, or others, that give you synopsis of movies. Find one you like, and alter it, so that it’s at least a bit different.
Use the first line of someone’s novel to begin writing. At some point, remember that you have to change it so it’s not plagiarism. In fact, there’s a magazine called, ‘First Line,’ where they give you the first line, and you have to come up with a story. I have done this several times and have come up with stories I really like. ‘First line’ never took any of them, but I managed to sell them to much higher level publications that paid a lot more.
Here’s something for those of you who are brave. Movie star, Dan Ackroid, used to go into department stores as various characters, such as a “Southern Sheriff.” He would then buy things as that character, talking to the cashier about all the criminals he was trying
to take down. Of course, you don’t have to use an accent to do this, just be someone other than you. This could help you come up with some interesting story concepts and characters.
Write about something that happened in your life, but change the names and tweak the situation.
Think of yourself as a famous writer like Stephen King, and write as if you were him. I know someone who used to read a well-known writer’s work before he wrote, and the book ended up getting rave reviews.
Look at a photo, and use that to help you come up with ideas. I have done this several times and it definitely helps to create interesting stories.
My final method is to climb into the windows of famous writers at night, and steal their new manuscripts. Works great, except my black leotards tend to snag on the ladder.
Have Fun every day!
Steve
to create them.
The way I generally come up with ideas is getting up early, and then after my morning bourbons, putting a lot of ideas on paper. I write down anything that comes to me. Sometimes what appears is gibberish, but once in a while, there’s something good. Or at least the spark of something interesting.
Later in the day I will look over the list again. I will then rate those ideas from one to ten, and write the ones that are higher than seven, on a card. I then store the cards in a recipe box. When I need an idea I will go to the box.
Okay, that’s the way I generally do it. However, I also hold the philosophy that if you create ideas the same way all the time, you’re going to always get the same type of material. I want
different kinds of ideas so I sometimes change things up.
Here are a few methods for changing things up.
Write in a new location. If you usually write at home, go to a coffee shop and write about the
spectacularly handsome man across from you. (It's probably me.)
Get one of those books by Leonard Malton, or others, that give you synopsis of movies. Find one you like, and alter it, so that it’s at least a bit different.
Use the first line of someone’s novel to begin writing. At some point, remember that you have to change it so it’s not plagiarism. In fact, there’s a magazine called, ‘First Line,’ where they give you the first line, and you have to come up with a story. I have done this several times and have come up with stories I really like. ‘First line’ never took any of them, but I managed to sell them to much higher level publications that paid a lot more.
Here’s something for those of you who are brave. Movie star, Dan Ackroid, used to go into department stores as various characters, such as a “Southern Sheriff.” He would then buy things as that character, talking to the cashier about all the criminals he was trying
to take down. Of course, you don’t have to use an accent to do this, just be someone other than you. This could help you come up with some interesting story concepts and characters.
Write about something that happened in your life, but change the names and tweak the situation.
Think of yourself as a famous writer like Stephen King, and write as if you were him. I know someone who used to read a well-known writer’s work before he wrote, and the book ended up getting rave reviews.
Look at a photo, and use that to help you come up with ideas. I have done this several times and it definitely helps to create interesting stories.
My final method is to climb into the windows of famous writers at night, and steal their new manuscripts. Works great, except my black leotards tend to snag on the ladder.
Have Fun every day!
Steve