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How do I start coming up with ideas for stories for my writing?
I want to be an professional writer but I’m unsure on how to create or develop the ideas for stories. Are there any tips to create great concepts and stories and actually put them on the page?
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8 answers
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Jerome’s Answer
What are you passionate about? What’s excites you? Leaning into things you are excited about will translate into your work.
I don’t think there is a wrong answer when it comes to the creative process. I have gone and sat under trees and wrote on paper, I have made notes on my laptop while in bed and I created digital recordings of thoughts while on walks.
With my last book, I started with the ending and worked my way backwards regarding how I wanted to get the reader where I wanted them. Hope that helps.
I don’t think there is a wrong answer when it comes to the creative process. I have gone and sat under trees and wrote on paper, I have made notes on my laptop while in bed and I created digital recordings of thoughts while on walks.
With my last book, I started with the ending and worked my way backwards regarding how I wanted to get the reader where I wanted them. Hope that helps.
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
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Paul’s Answer
I actually read the newspaper.
By reading what is in the national and international media, I am able to generate numerous ideas for stories right from the headlines.
The same from listening to the news on the radio.
By reading what is in the national and international media, I am able to generate numerous ideas for stories right from the headlines.
The same from listening to the news on the radio.
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Ruby’s Answer
Creativity is a tricky thing to maneuver. As someone who has dealt with this same issue, what I do to help me think of ideas for stories is think of life events that have stuck with me in a meaningful way. Writing what you know--hence what you experience--is one way to draw in details and by taking that as a starter you can interpret it in any way you want. You don't have to stay true to the event but it opens up a door for some ideas you can work with.
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Jeremy’s Answer
There are a couple of things you could do. You could take inspiration from other works and create a story from that (but make sure you're idea doesn't infringe on the ideas of others). Thinking out a plot could also help build ideas and make your story more unique. Another thing you could do is take a prompt and create a story off of that or limit what you can write about to narrow down possible topic and form an idea from. Getting them on to the page can be tricky and may take a lot of time, but if you ever feel that you are getting stuck, try skipping to a different scene and let your ideas flow to the paper, you can fix any mistakes later!
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Phil’s Answer
Why should you become an author or create anything at all?
Here is my answer. I believe it’s simply…that we are alive in a world that we share with others. This gives us…a captive audience. Having the gift of creativity allows us to share our imagination and use it to both entertain and teach another.
Like the great bards or skalds of old, authors weave tales of strange and wonderful places. But beyond this simple answer here are further motivations to become a writer.
1. You will feel the power of creativity. writers can create their own unique worlds, characters, creatures, and magical systems. This alone provides an author endless opportunity to explore their own imagination and push the limits of their personal creativity.
2. The ability to provide escapism for your readers. Fiction stories offer readers an escape from the drudgery of reality and the mundane real world and it perceived worries. Stories transport readers to new and exciting worlds, where anything is literally possible.
3. Stories because of their fanciful nature, can explore important societal themes and issues, like power and morality. They can also explore self or cultural identities, in a more touching or compelling way.
4. Fiction has the largest and most passionate fanbase globally. Fans of this genre often connect deeply with these creative and fantastic worlds. Fans long to be a part of the worlds created by authors. Fiction fans often become a writer’s devoted readers for life.
To close this question, I offer this last advisement. The journey of a writer is not for the faint of heart or those who have not a thick skin. Artists as they begin their craft experience self-doubt. It is only strengthened further by those who doubt their ability, to break away from the drudgery of a life devoid of creativity.
Here is my answer. I believe it’s simply…that we are alive in a world that we share with others. This gives us…a captive audience. Having the gift of creativity allows us to share our imagination and use it to both entertain and teach another.
Like the great bards or skalds of old, authors weave tales of strange and wonderful places. But beyond this simple answer here are further motivations to become a writer.
1. You will feel the power of creativity. writers can create their own unique worlds, characters, creatures, and magical systems. This alone provides an author endless opportunity to explore their own imagination and push the limits of their personal creativity.
2. The ability to provide escapism for your readers. Fiction stories offer readers an escape from the drudgery of reality and the mundane real world and it perceived worries. Stories transport readers to new and exciting worlds, where anything is literally possible.
3. Stories because of their fanciful nature, can explore important societal themes and issues, like power and morality. They can also explore self or cultural identities, in a more touching or compelling way.
4. Fiction has the largest and most passionate fanbase globally. Fans of this genre often connect deeply with these creative and fantastic worlds. Fans long to be a part of the worlds created by authors. Fiction fans often become a writer’s devoted readers for life.
To close this question, I offer this last advisement. The journey of a writer is not for the faint of heart or those who have not a thick skin. Artists as they begin their craft experience self-doubt. It is only strengthened further by those who doubt their ability, to break away from the drudgery of a life devoid of creativity.
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Talia’s Answer
I will say draw from whatever inspires and motivates you. If you know a story that needs to be told and you have the power to do so, start there! Think about your niche, and where you fit into the writing community. What impact do you want to make? What do you want to talk about? Shape your ideas from there, but most importantly let the story flow through you naturally!
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Ricardo’s Answer
There isn't a single correct response to your inquiry. Inspiration can come from various sources, such as music, a newspaper article, or even the atmosphere of a gloomy day. Some writers feel the need to immediately jot down their ideas, while others choose to ponder on their new concepts for a bit longer (days, weeks, or even more) before committing them to paper.
For a long time, I had the idea of creating a Frankenstein film. I would write a little, discard it, and make several sketches, but nothing concrete would happen for years. However, during a trip to Colombia to film another movie, the mood of the location, especially the ruins of a church I visited, brought everything together in my mind. Once I returned to Chicago, I began writing, and the movie is now available on Amazon, Tubi, and Blu-ray (Frankenstein, Day of the Beast). So, there's no specific formula – inspiration can strike at any moment.
For a long time, I had the idea of creating a Frankenstein film. I would write a little, discard it, and make several sketches, but nothing concrete would happen for years. However, during a trip to Colombia to film another movie, the mood of the location, especially the ruins of a church I visited, brought everything together in my mind. Once I returned to Chicago, I began writing, and the movie is now available on Amazon, Tubi, and Blu-ray (Frankenstein, Day of the Beast). So, there's no specific formula – inspiration can strike at any moment.
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Caitlyn’s Answer
Always keep a pen and a small notebook on you and jot down ideas as they come to you. They will suddenly occur to you randomly, like when you're grocery shopping, out for a walk. Do not ~ do not ~ do not count on yourself to remember them later!