How to Create Story Ideas
Authors are often asked where we get our ideas. Whilst I’d like to say that I have a bottomless bucket of brilliant stories into which I dip when ready to write my next work, that’s simply not true. Nor do I sit around idly waiting for a visit from the Muse - a story parachuted into my mind from the ether. Yes, there are moments of subconscious inspiration or ‘the story found me’ scenarios, but the truth is that story ideas can be generated. ‘How so?’ I hear you ask …
Ideas are all around us all the time.
It could be a meme, tweet, dream or part of an overheard conversation that sparks the imagination. Or perhaps something funny or upsetting that you observe in everyday life. Something in your past or your family history, perhaps? It’s easier to write about what you know, so see if you can blend these idea seeds with your own experience in some way, like your career, how many siblings you have, your favourite colour, your pet peeve, etc. But don’t let the facts obstruct a good story. It is fiction, after all.
Sitting still in a public place is a great way to generate ideas. Imagine the backstories of people that you see. Where are they going? What happens if they’re late for wherever they’re going? What’s at stake? Why did they choose to wear those clothes today? What do they want? What if they don’t or can’t get what they want? What do they need vs want? The key is to find the emotional buy-in to someone’s imagined situation and then to write about it.
Another option is working out what sense(s) appeal to you. For lots of us, myself included, we’re predominantly visual learners. Harness this, then apply it to creating story ideas. For example, you could find a piece of visual art or a photograph that you like (or loathe), especially one with characters in it or a vivid landscape scene. Then think about who these people are or who/what might live in the landscape that you’ve chosen. Consider what might lie beyond the edges of the image. Then go back through the ‘who/what/why/what if’ questions and off you go writing. An aural learner can do the same, for example with music or sounds from nature. For children’s books, it can help to see things from their perspective. So, you could sit on the floor and look up at the world around you or sing songs that appeal to children in your target audience’s age bracket.
Yet another option is to research people, places or events in history that interest you. Find a fact that grabs you emotionally. What is it about that moment that stands out? Do you feel joy, pride, distress, ire, everything all at once? Write about it.
Now, we know that not all ideas are good ones and not all ideas lead to a completed manuscript. But all writing strengthens your abilities as an author and sharpens your creative skills. Keep a file of your ideas. Bounce your ideas off family, friends or your writing community. Don’t be afraid to re-think and re-write ideas. The key is to keep writing. Good luck!
