I need a good idea...?

Question

I'm a really good writer and I love to write! But the problem is that I have no good ideas on stories (I want to write fiction) Everytime I have a good idea, I work on the plot and I get stuck and it seems like the story has no piont. I can never get a complete story! Any tips from authors?!

Wow! You guys all have great answers! I don't know what to pick as best answer! I think I'll let it go to the voters!

Yeah, look for me John B.! I'll dedicate it to you!

Answer 1

First, look at life around you, your family and school and community. Fiction is always based on real life, so take a look at real life (Steinbeck, Stephen King, Anne Rice all write about where they live or lived ...).

Second, figure our what it is you are trying to say, your point of the novel, before you begin writing. Is it going to be 'love conquers all' or 'revenge is sweet'? Is it going to be 'you can't fight fate' or 'with hard work you are going to make it'. Start with the theme, your point, and then things will fall into place.

Third, pick a limited number of characters, describe them REALLY well, especially both their good and bad points (no one is ever all good or all bad) and begin there. Then, figure out how these characters are going to be in conflict.

Finally, write an outline of what is going to happen, before you begin, where the characters are going to be and what is going to be the issue in each section, and keep to your outline.

It can't go wrong ... good luck and I am sure we'll see your name on the cover of a novel in the near future.

Answer 2

First, outline your story--you must know a beginning, middle and end. Then work on your characters, plot and sub-plots.

Keep a writer's journal with you at all times. This way you can note expressions, conversations, looks of people and things, gestures, things in nature, and anything else that you could use in action or description.

Read a lot--it is very important to see what it is you like about what others have written.

Write every day--even if not part of your book, be sure to keep writing--keep those writing juices flowing. You should keep a notebook next to your bed, and write in it before you go to sleep, and again when you wake up.

Remember that before you start writing, you need to know what the ending of your story will be.

Remember, too, that there needs to be 'peaks and valleys' within your story. Good times and bad--happy and sad.

Think about a book or movie that you didn't like. Start by trying to turn that story into one that you do like--in other words, what was wrong with that writing?

I wish you a lot of luck. Remember that writing is fun--you're not supposed to be thinking about whether you'll get published, how much money you might make, etc. You are doing what you love (and need) to do when you write.

Answer 3

To make a good story, you should make a map of what you want to write about. Like the introduction, the plot, the conclusion, climax, etc. Then you know that you have an ending so you probably won't get stuck in the middle of the story.
To think of a good idea to write about a story, you should look around. Watch a movie, read a good book. They all inspire you. But don't copy the movie or the book. Talk about something interesting that happened, or something interesting that didn't happen. Just imagine. Use your imagination.

Answer 4

Describe the basics of you main characters. Looks, mannerisms, background, etc. Write the details down - or even sketch them if you are a visual person.

Then take your main character or characters and imagine them in some odd/out of the ordinary places or scenarios – anything goes! Write down ideas on what would have to happen to your type of character or how they would react to the scenario you placed them in.

This may seem futile, but it will help you flesh out your characters further and give you insight into what you may want to happen to this type of character in a potential story. You may even come up with multiple story lines and can see if one of them just seems to be the best or easiest to continue

Strong well-crafted main characters can inspire readers to love your story as well as drive you to write a great story for these imagined beings to be in! :-)

This should get you going. Then you may want to write an outline of you story (a kind of synopsis as Richard mentioned above), including the ending. I have heard that John Irving writes his endings first, down to the last line, and works backwards. The idea of the outline is to give you goals as you proceed.

Answer 5

I would say just drop everything and read. Chances are you are not reading enough, (you can never read enough!).
When that happens to me (which is often) I drop everything and pick up Márquez or Borges or any other good short story writer. Inspiration often comes while I am reading my favorite authors. Try combining ideas as well, lets say you have two good ideas for a story, combine them and you'll have one real good story.
These things take time, keep hacking and you'll finish something.

Answer 6

Write a sentence or two for:

The introduction, or beginning

The middle

The conclusion

Connect the dots inbetween!