AshleyTaylor
Acolyte
I really love writing, but I don't know how and what to write. Any advice? Thanks!
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How can I find ideas for writing?
- Thread starter AshleyTaylor
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wordwalker
Dark Lord
Here's a good take on that: How Do You Come Up With Story Ideas? - A Writer's Journey
The most important thing, I think, is that "ideas" are never as key as they look to the non-writers out there. No matter where you start, real writing is much more about the discovery, and the work, of expanding it into the story.
The most important thing, I think, is that "ideas" are never as key as they look to the non-writers out there. No matter where you start, real writing is much more about the discovery, and the work, of expanding it into the story.
Well, the first thing you need is something you want to write about. To get started it could be as simple as "I want to write about dryads" or as convoluted as "I have a scene in my head where a girl with one of those giant weaves finds out she's got a beehive growing in her hair, and the spirit of the bees starts talking to her and leads her on an adventure!"
From there, you try and figure out: Based on that loose idea, what should already be in my story? What do I need to make dryads work for me? Dryads need trees, some people would know about them - maybe druids?, what other fantasy elements do you want to throw into the mix, do any characters leap out at you, that kind of thing. Your basic brainstorming session. What makes that concept work. Take it as far as you like.
Finally, once you have some kind of sketch of what you're interested in, there are three things you should specifically try and work develop: Characters, Plot and Setting. If you went through a thorough brainstorming session, you should already have an idea of how these are going to look. But you need to develop them in a way that gets you from an idea to a story. The characters (should probably) need to grow, the plotlines (should probably) need a strong conflict and resolution, the settings (should probably) need some element that makes your whole story impossibly possible.
There are ways to develop these things. If you're new, I suggest you search the forums for threads on those topics, or else try google.
Then there's your author voice and your creativity. You need to practice both of them. And the best way is to just get started writing every day, and not worry too much if you need to scrap everything you write in even the next year. You've got to get started taking your skills seriously. And don't let planning get in the way of working on your ability. Keep them separate.
From there, you try and figure out: Based on that loose idea, what should already be in my story? What do I need to make dryads work for me? Dryads need trees, some people would know about them - maybe druids?, what other fantasy elements do you want to throw into the mix, do any characters leap out at you, that kind of thing. Your basic brainstorming session. What makes that concept work. Take it as far as you like.
Finally, once you have some kind of sketch of what you're interested in, there are three things you should specifically try and work develop: Characters, Plot and Setting. If you went through a thorough brainstorming session, you should already have an idea of how these are going to look. But you need to develop them in a way that gets you from an idea to a story. The characters (should probably) need to grow, the plotlines (should probably) need a strong conflict and resolution, the settings (should probably) need some element that makes your whole story impossibly possible.
There are ways to develop these things. If you're new, I suggest you search the forums for threads on those topics, or else try google.
Then there's your author voice and your creativity. You need to practice both of them. And the best way is to just get started writing every day, and not worry too much if you need to scrap everything you write in even the next year. You've got to get started taking your skills seriously. And don't let planning get in the way of working on your ability. Keep them separate.
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Well...Devor kind of answered everything.
So, I'll just paraphrase a quote from Neil Gaiman: just ask yourself some questions. What if monkeys came from space and created the Earth? What if all the modern world leaders were reincarnations of ancient Greek deities? What if people were made out of lava and ice?
Just keep asking weird and/or cool questions until you find something that your imagination snatches and runs away with.
That's what I do, at least.
So, I'll just paraphrase a quote from Neil Gaiman: just ask yourself some questions. What if monkeys came from space and created the Earth? What if all the modern world leaders were reincarnations of ancient Greek deities? What if people were made out of lava and ice?
Just keep asking weird and/or cool questions until you find something that your imagination snatches and runs away with.
That's what I do, at least.
Gurkhal
Scribal Lord
I bought the book "A Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases" for this very reason. I just flip up a phrase and write a shorty story about it. That's my way to exercise my creative muscles and I've used other books on social history for the same task. I'll give a few examples from what I flip up from the above mention title and my idea for a short story:
Friar: A lonely monk comes to a village devastated by a plague and tries to ease the physical and spiritual suffering of dying and living alike.
Synodsman: A bodyguard to a bishop keeps watch for a militant heretical sect has been assassinating church leaders across the bishopric and many fears the bishop is the next target.
Mummer: A travelling group of mummers comes to the town and preforms a play that makes fun of an unpopular duke, but suddenly realize that the duke's son and an escort of guards has seen their mockery, either they make a rapid change of the play or leg it fast as the wind .
Coram rege: A case of inheritance is brough forward to the king after the count and his direct heirs were killed in a horrible accident, or so those stating their claims say.
Maybe something like this could help OP as well?
Friar: A lonely monk comes to a village devastated by a plague and tries to ease the physical and spiritual suffering of dying and living alike.
Synodsman: A bodyguard to a bishop keeps watch for a militant heretical sect has been assassinating church leaders across the bishopric and many fears the bishop is the next target.
Mummer: A travelling group of mummers comes to the town and preforms a play that makes fun of an unpopular duke, but suddenly realize that the duke's son and an escort of guards has seen their mockery, either they make a rapid change of the play or leg it fast as the wind .
Coram rege: A case of inheritance is brough forward to the king after the count and his direct heirs were killed in a horrible accident, or so those stating their claims say.
Maybe something like this could help OP as well?
When I was new at writing, however long ago that was, I would often write a sentence and see where it took me. I still use this technique to kickstart short stories primarily. If I'm feeling froggy, I may do it for a novel even. However, I can't really work by just going full tilt. I need some kind of plan. Think of writing like a vacation. For example, you may do this:
1. I want to go somewhere hot.
2. I want there to be beaches nearby.
3. I want to be able to visit famous landmarks as well.
That narrows down your vacation picks some. The same can apply to writing. Devor covered this some, but you can narrow down what you want to write about.
1. I want to write fantasy.
2. I want there to be tons of magic.
3. I want giant animals that are worshipped as gods.
4. I want a character that can tame these giant god-animals and thus becomes a feared warlord throughout the land.
5. I want that warlord to be a young boy who has his army and followers thrust upon him.
You could keep doing this kind of thing until it becomes less of a skelton and more of a fleshed out idea.
1. I want to go somewhere hot.
2. I want there to be beaches nearby.
3. I want to be able to visit famous landmarks as well.
That narrows down your vacation picks some. The same can apply to writing. Devor covered this some, but you can narrow down what you want to write about.
1. I want to write fantasy.
2. I want there to be tons of magic.
3. I want giant animals that are worshipped as gods.
4. I want a character that can tame these giant god-animals and thus becomes a feared warlord throughout the land.
5. I want that warlord to be a young boy who has his army and followers thrust upon him.
You could keep doing this kind of thing until it becomes less of a skelton and more of a fleshed out idea.
chrispenycate
Lore Master
To be a writer you have to write - sound tautological? In a lot of ways you have it easier than the person who has a complete epic trilogy bursting out, but not the literary skills to fit a hundred words into a smooth, comprehensible post.
So write, about anything, or nothing. Start developing your voice, your chops. Read lots of other people's writing, work out what you disagree with, what you like, and plagiarise the latter, writing your own interpretation; later this will be a heinous crime, like forging an old master, but while you're learning it's like those earnest youngsters sitting round the Louvre with their easels.
Do the challenges, doing nice short pieces that terminate clean, and possibly with a clever ending, not rambling monstrosities like mine. Showcase pieces and others will point out their opinions on how you could improve, or, once you've got a little experience, start analysing what you like about other peoples's submissions - you'll be surprised how many cross over into your own work.
Should an idea crop up in this period, embrace it, but keep it compact. You might well want to redo it later.
There's no guarantee. It might be like learning the guitar, and discovering that while you're good enough for a family sing-song but have no commercial potential, but even that can be quite satisfying. I suspect that will be the case with me, having started very late, but don't let that slow me.
So write, about anything, or nothing. Start developing your voice, your chops. Read lots of other people's writing, work out what you disagree with, what you like, and plagiarise the latter, writing your own interpretation; later this will be a heinous crime, like forging an old master, but while you're learning it's like those earnest youngsters sitting round the Louvre with their easels.
Do the challenges, doing nice short pieces that terminate clean, and possibly with a clever ending, not rambling monstrosities like mine. Showcase pieces and others will point out their opinions on how you could improve, or, once you've got a little experience, start analysing what you like about other peoples's submissions - you'll be surprised how many cross over into your own work.
Should an idea crop up in this period, embrace it, but keep it compact. You might well want to redo it later.
There's no guarantee. It might be like learning the guitar, and discovering that while you're good enough for a family sing-song but have no commercial potential, but even that can be quite satisfying. I suspect that will be the case with me, having started very late, but don't let that slow me.
What do you want your story to say? What's the point of telling it? Look at general ideas behind some stories and try and figure out how the story is developed from those:
How would you change if enslaved? (12 Years a Slave)
What would you do if you caught AIDS? (Dallas Buyer Club)
Do you think it's right to invade another country for it's resources? (Avatar)
What does marriage do to you? (Gone Girl)
What's the point of going into a fantastical world? The writer sent Dorothy into Oz to learn something. What did she need to learn and how did she learn it? What's your character going to learn?
Jabrosky
Banned
If you want stickers for creative novelty, there's something to be said for drawing connections between subjects that most people normally wouldn't associate with one another. At the very least juxtapose subjects that aren't stereotypically seen next to each other. For instance, you could pit dinosaurs against vampires, or brainstorm some elements that dinosaurs and vampires share with one another. By itself the idea wouldn't be a story, but it can make for a useful springboard.
Ooh, my current avatar is another example of what I'm talking about. Egypt is in Africa, and gorillas are from Africa too, so I said to myself, "Why not draw an Egyptian gorilla?"
Ooh, my current avatar is another example of what I'm talking about. Egypt is in Africa, and gorillas are from Africa too, so I said to myself, "Why not draw an Egyptian gorilla?"
SM-Dreamer
Lore Master
There's a lot of good answers here, so I'll just throw out how I find ideas for writing.
Pretty much anything. Seriously.
I'm reading a passage in a history book about how one culture dealt with another, and the repercussions, and bam, I suddenly have an idea in mind about what if X person was involved, and what was really happening was Y...
Or I'm driving down the road and while looking at a random person, suddenly have the perfect line for an opening chapter, and I'll follow that thought down the rabbit hole.
Sometimes I'm listening to music and kinda spacing, and a line in the song will hit me just the right way that'll open up a whole major character crosshair moment for me.
Or there are, of course, the times where I actually focus because I want something to write about. That's where prompts come in, or looking at artwork until I find a piece I'd like to portray with words, or I'll brainstorm and freewrite until something comes out.
The biggest thing you can do for ideas? Ask "What if?"
Pretty much anything. Seriously.
I'm reading a passage in a history book about how one culture dealt with another, and the repercussions, and bam, I suddenly have an idea in mind about what if X person was involved, and what was really happening was Y...
Or I'm driving down the road and while looking at a random person, suddenly have the perfect line for an opening chapter, and I'll follow that thought down the rabbit hole.
Sometimes I'm listening to music and kinda spacing, and a line in the song will hit me just the right way that'll open up a whole major character crosshair moment for me.
Or there are, of course, the times where I actually focus because I want something to write about. That's where prompts come in, or looking at artwork until I find a piece I'd like to portray with words, or I'll brainstorm and freewrite until something comes out.
The biggest thing you can do for ideas? Ask "What if?"
Bruce McKnight
Lore Master
Read these and you should get plenty of ideas:
Limyaael's Fantasy Rants - Curiosity Quills
Limyaael's Fantasy Rants - Curiosity Quills
BronzeOracle
Mystagogue
Have a think about what you find inspiring, fascinating, frightening. The things you find yourself wondering about wistfully or daydreaming, a vision that you keep thinking of. It could be a place, a person, a situation - anything that you feel passionate about. And then ask yourself about a theme that you want to convey, something that you care about emotionally. Is it family, friendship, justice, freedom, prosperity. The passion and the theme could then become the backbone of your story and protagonist.
I'm writing a novel at present (its early days) and its come about from a number of strands of thoughts/imagery that I found fascinating, they kept moving around in my head for a year or two and then I thought 'why don't I write about them?' So I combined ancient greek mythology with lost civilisations and exterminated megafauna. For a theme I felt strongly about the loss and regaining of family so I chose 'home is where the heart is', and that has guided my main character's emotional arc.
Hope this helps!
I'm writing a novel at present (its early days) and its come about from a number of strands of thoughts/imagery that I found fascinating, they kept moving around in my head for a year or two and then I thought 'why don't I write about them?' So I combined ancient greek mythology with lost civilisations and exterminated megafauna. For a theme I felt strongly about the loss and regaining of family so I chose 'home is where the heart is', and that has guided my main character's emotional arc.
Hope this helps!
KairiLayne
Acolyte
Hi! I observe the world around me and find many inspirational ideas from life. I listen to other people's conversations. I get inspired by the looks or interactions of people. Sometimes I will read something that sparks an idea. Start people watching. I write many short stories that way. Good luck. 
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K.S. Crooks
Grandmaster
First understand that whatever ideas you come up with first, may not be the ones you go on to finish. To get ides begin with what you know. Places you have worked or gone to school, interests that you have such as skiing or playing basketball. Think of things that could happen to you or someone else in these situations.
You can decide on a genre to write in and start writing the first thing that comes to mind. It doesn't have to be good or long. The point of it is to unlock your mind. I have noticed in speaking with other writers that most people have a creativity mental block, but once that door is forced open new ideas begin to flow out.
What I do when I am stuck for an idea to continue my novel is re-watch a movie in the same genre. I think of ways the story could e altered, which then gets my mind thinking of ways to alter my own story.
My final suggestion is always have something with you to record new ideas directly when they come to you. If you wait to write something down, it will probably disappear from your head and you will never get it back. Always keep something on you, at your desk, next to your bed. You can use a phone or any other device, but I recommend a piece of paper and pen/pencil. Using paper make the idea tangible and provides a sense of accomplishing something when you put your ideas from paper on to your computer. When the paper is filled recycle it and get a new one. Hope this helps to free your imagination.
You can decide on a genre to write in and start writing the first thing that comes to mind. It doesn't have to be good or long. The point of it is to unlock your mind. I have noticed in speaking with other writers that most people have a creativity mental block, but once that door is forced open new ideas begin to flow out.
What I do when I am stuck for an idea to continue my novel is re-watch a movie in the same genre. I think of ways the story could e altered, which then gets my mind thinking of ways to alter my own story.
My final suggestion is always have something with you to record new ideas directly when they come to you. If you wait to write something down, it will probably disappear from your head and you will never get it back. Always keep something on you, at your desk, next to your bed. You can use a phone or any other device, but I recommend a piece of paper and pen/pencil. Using paper make the idea tangible and provides a sense of accomplishing something when you put your ideas from paper on to your computer. When the paper is filled recycle it and get a new one. Hope this helps to free your imagination.
What to write?
What kinds of stories do you like to watch/read, SciFi, Fantasy, Drama, Romance... etc.?
What interests you, Dragons, Spaceships, love, etc.?
It usually starts with a simple question, "What if...?"
What if a evil sorcerer made a all powerful magic ring?
What if there was an evil galactic empire and rebels fighting against it?
What if an out of work loser ran into the girl of their dreams riding the bus?
After you have that first "What if...?", you just keep going. What if there were knights in this world? What if there were witches and warriors? What if there were dragons and elves... etc.?
What kinds of stories do you like to watch/read, SciFi, Fantasy, Drama, Romance... etc.?
What interests you, Dragons, Spaceships, love, etc.?
It usually starts with a simple question, "What if...?"
What if a evil sorcerer made a all powerful magic ring?
What if there was an evil galactic empire and rebels fighting against it?
What if an out of work loser ran into the girl of their dreams riding the bus?
After you have that first "What if...?", you just keep going. What if there were knights in this world? What if there were witches and warriors? What if there were dragons and elves... etc.?
Xitra_Blud
Lore Master
People, music, and pictures are how I get most of my ideas. I think everyone is different in how their creative process works. My advice would be to get, see the world, maybe listen to some music and see what works for you.