Where can I find story starters?

Question

I want to write a hrror novel, but I only have a few general ideas. Where can I find FREE story starters and writing tips?

Answer 1

A generic approach:

Scetch details of your main characters. Looks, mannerisms, background, etc. Write the details down - or even draw them if you are a visual person.

Then take your main character or characters and imagine them in some odd/out of the ordinary (out of your current works context) 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. Writing the ending first may give you the "spark" you seek - and also give you something to strive for.

Answer 2

You really can't. If you model your book after someone else's work, you are really plagiarizing. You can't just say "I want to write a horror novel" and then look for some free ways to write it. Either you are a writer or you arent. If you are a writer, the stories come from YOU. You may get inspiration from sources like the news, people around you, etc., but there is no such thing as a story starter. If you can't come up with a story, you have a serious problem. You have already got a start. You have decided the work is a horror story. Now comes the hard part. You have to start doing your homework - developing a good, strong outline and good, detailed character analysis. Brainstorm on paper. Fill a black and white notebook with ideas, thoughts, sketches - whatever. That's where your ideas come from. Somewhere in there will be a story. Maybe you start off with a series of short stories and eventually one of them turns into something lengthier. You have to work at it. Just remember - whatever you choose to write about, you must become an expert on. You need to do your homework. If you are a writer and it is meant to be - there is a story in there somewhere. Pax - C

Answer 3

There is no such thing, I believe, plus it wouldn't be your idea for you did find a site. I think you just need to clear your mind and then imagine the scariest thing that ever happened to you or anyone. I mean, look at Stephen King, the horror master, he wrote a scary novel about a car, and it was truly scary. Ooh! or you could think about what scares you the most something that scares you so bad that you piss yourself just thinking about it. You can do it! I have faith in you.