Is there a process you go through to create a good story idea?

Question

I have written a novel before... but I'm out of ideas at the moment. Is there a "process" you go through to find out a good plot line?

thats good: i dont like plot lines anyways! I thought you needed a basic guideline though

Answer 1

Some people work on a craft for years before they develop a creative process. Most people say write what you know, which I agree with. My husband suggested writing a mystery, because the plot drives itself. Anyway, you lack inspiration right now-the beginning of finding your creative process can be figuring out what inspires that creative chain of thinking. What makes you happy? Sad? What are your favorite emotions, and the things that stir those feelings inside of you? Do you have someone or something in your life that stirs some kind of passion in you? Do you have any recurring thoughts,memories or stories that jump into your mind on a regular basis? What do those things mean to you and why? I'll bet you have a million stories to tell... Don't get too frustrated either, or try to force it- That kind of creating usually ends up in a contrived, derivitive mess. And good luck!

Answer 2

I write anything that comes to mind. Sometimes I'll see a person doing something and I mentally ask them questions and put them into situations to see what would happen, then write it all down.

A plot line is the worst thing you can do to yourself, especially if you don't have a story idea in mind. A plot does nothing more than anchor you to a set pattern of events, and if you deviate from that patter, well, you no longer have a plot, you have a story, which, by most standards, is much more important.

Pick up the newspaper and see what's in there- Truman Capote wrote "In Cold Blood" after reading about a murder in Kansas in a newspaper.

Inspiration comes from everything, you just have to be willing to look for it and be open to it.

Have fun, and good luck.

Answer 3

Personally, I daydream to come up with the initial idea (e.g. woman develops crush on Mr. Wrong, an Elvis impersonator, and in the process meets Mr. Right) then just sit down and start writing and, if I hit a snag (he had her arrested, what do I do now?) then I grab a legal pad and start writing down every possible thing that can happen next, not stopping to think "that's no good" or anything negative, there are no "bad" answers. The whole idea is to come up with as many answers as I can. (example: calls a friend from work to bail her out, calls her mother to bail her out, makes new friends at the jail, meets cute lawyer....)

The first few things you write may suck but once you get rolling and try getting really creative (e.g. joins militia group and blows him away, joins a convent, starts own career as Marilyn Monroe impersonator) then, eventually, good ideas will start to flow, too.

Answer 4

I usually just daydream a lot and use the things that I'm experiencing at the time to help come up with plot lines. Sometimes you just have to give it time and you'll wake up at three in the morning and go "Aha!" You don't want to force it - it limits your creativity when you feel that you have to come up with something.

Answer 5

I get my ideas from news articles that, when I finish reading them, I wonder to myself "what if.......?" I also get ideas from my family, my friends, the people on the train I ride every day, incidents I see on the streets I walk every day, etc etc etc.

Become an observer. Keep a journal and make notes in it every day. Even if you have nothing to write about, write anyway. Eventually, you are going to fall in love with a new storyline, and it will take you over. At least that's what happens to me.

Answer 6

I start by thinking of a story I'd like to read myself, or a character or situation I'd like to explore---then I plant myself down and write about it--if I want to know more, and start getting pleased and a little excited, then I write some more---if I find that the story's beginning to tell itself, then I know I've got something!