The first topic about how to write a book is coming up with a
book idea. Fortunately, there is an unlimited supply of story writing
ideas for novels and short stories all around us. They constantly
bombard our senses until we become insensitive to the interesting
stories life presents us. The real trap we fall into is that even though
everything is in constant change, change becomes normal background
noise that is not worthy of our
attention.
As a writer, you must take a make it a mission to see the world unfolding around you with fresh eyes. Imagine yourself as a Martian who has come to earth to study humanity. Take note of how people, places, and things impact your senses. Observation is part of being a writer. It is one of the things that writers DO.
Your Mind Is Your Greatest Tool
Look into the treasures of your mind first. It is more fertile than you might imagine. You have a wealth of stories that your family, friends, and coworkers have shared with you? How many stories have you told your friends and neighbors? Pick a story you like -- be it humorous, sad, frightening, or inspiring.
Start by asking yourself these questions, "What am I trying to say?" The other side of that coin is, "What's bugging me?" Look at the following:
News Broadcasts & Papers
Something is always happening locally and globally. People are constantly getting robbed, stabbed, swindled, and shot. Not only does this happen to people -- homes, banks and shops get robbed, blown up, and torched as well.
People and pets perform heroic acts on a regular basis. What happened that caused these people to step up and become heroes? What was on the inside them that gave them the strength to be so heroic? How many stories have been, and will be, written about someone who risked his or her life to save their child, husband or wife, neighbor, stranger, town, country, or way of life?
Scientific breakthroughs routinely occur in energy, space, medicine, and more. This is the fodder Science Fiction is made of. In fact, a breakthrough is really not required - just a theory.
These ideas are good for both non-fiction and fiction. It doesn't matter if you are writing a grand argument for a story or taking a stand for or against a particular course field of scientific study.
Magazines & Newsletters
Magazines, Newsletters, and Trade Journals are great sources for the inquiring mind. They are more narrow in focus about subject matter. In addition, they make good research materials for fiction as well as article and story ideas.
Google Hot Trends & Topics
Don't Laugh, there can be some real jewels here. For example: At the time of this writing, the son of a superstar Hollywood actor was charged for dealing drugs. He ultimately received a five-year sentence.
What questions do we have here? Famous well-connected rich family; convicted 31 year old son (How was he caught?); Substance abuse (Did he use or just sell?)(For whom?)
The story develops from asking, "Why." In fiction, it isn't necessary to know the real answer to why. You can create a dozen reasons why. Each answer to the "why" question will yield a unique story.
The URL For Google Hot Trends is: www.google.com/trends/hottrends
Conversations
People's conversations can be a rich source of ideas. They talk about their affairs, getting fired or hired. They don't trust their boss or they are in love with him or her. They are going on vacation to Bali, Hong Kong, Japan, or Brazil. They discuss a strange incident on a cruise through the Bermuda triangle. They talk about all manner of people, places, things, and events, both local and worldwide. And, the list of topics is endless.
Books, TV Programs, & Movies
Books, TV Programs, & Movies are rich with plots, subplots, and idea opportunities. Plot ideas can come from, "I can do better than that." Maybe a subplot to be more interesting to you than the main story's plot is. You can simply take the premise and do some, "What if..." questions on it.
In Star Trek, 2009, what if the Federation did arrive in plenty of time to prevent Romulus' sun from going supernova? How would the Romulan government feel about their long time adversary having a weapon of such destructive potential?
Plot & Story Generators
A plot generator is a manual or computerized device for generating random plots. It is typically divided into three sections: Protagonist, Actions of the Protagonist, and Type of Antagonist. Each section contains a list of options. Each option is randomly chosen. There are two basic types of Plot (Story) Generators: Random Plot Generator and Episode Specific Plot Generator.
For a more in-depth discussion, go to www.wikipedia.com and type in: plot generator. Click on "Writing Tools," open the Story Matrix, and use a pencil or the random number generator to make your choices.
attention.
As a writer, you must take a make it a mission to see the world unfolding around you with fresh eyes. Imagine yourself as a Martian who has come to earth to study humanity. Take note of how people, places, and things impact your senses. Observation is part of being a writer. It is one of the things that writers DO.
Your Mind Is Your Greatest Tool
Look into the treasures of your mind first. It is more fertile than you might imagine. You have a wealth of stories that your family, friends, and coworkers have shared with you? How many stories have you told your friends and neighbors? Pick a story you like -- be it humorous, sad, frightening, or inspiring.
Start by asking yourself these questions, "What am I trying to say?" The other side of that coin is, "What's bugging me?" Look at the following:
- Love conquers all,
- Don't tread on me,
- Crime doesn't pay,
- A penny saved is a penny earned,
- Don't trip over the dollars to get to the pennies, or
- Any of a hundred other life lessons?
News Broadcasts & Papers
Something is always happening locally and globally. People are constantly getting robbed, stabbed, swindled, and shot. Not only does this happen to people -- homes, banks and shops get robbed, blown up, and torched as well.
People and pets perform heroic acts on a regular basis. What happened that caused these people to step up and become heroes? What was on the inside them that gave them the strength to be so heroic? How many stories have been, and will be, written about someone who risked his or her life to save their child, husband or wife, neighbor, stranger, town, country, or way of life?
Scientific breakthroughs routinely occur in energy, space, medicine, and more. This is the fodder Science Fiction is made of. In fact, a breakthrough is really not required - just a theory.
These ideas are good for both non-fiction and fiction. It doesn't matter if you are writing a grand argument for a story or taking a stand for or against a particular course field of scientific study.
Magazines & Newsletters
Magazines, Newsletters, and Trade Journals are great sources for the inquiring mind. They are more narrow in focus about subject matter. In addition, they make good research materials for fiction as well as article and story ideas.
Google Hot Trends & Topics
Don't Laugh, there can be some real jewels here. For example: At the time of this writing, the son of a superstar Hollywood actor was charged for dealing drugs. He ultimately received a five-year sentence.
What questions do we have here? Famous well-connected rich family; convicted 31 year old son (How was he caught?); Substance abuse (Did he use or just sell?)(For whom?)
The story develops from asking, "Why." In fiction, it isn't necessary to know the real answer to why. You can create a dozen reasons why. Each answer to the "why" question will yield a unique story.
The URL For Google Hot Trends is: www.google.com/trends/hottrends
Conversations
People's conversations can be a rich source of ideas. They talk about their affairs, getting fired or hired. They don't trust their boss or they are in love with him or her. They are going on vacation to Bali, Hong Kong, Japan, or Brazil. They discuss a strange incident on a cruise through the Bermuda triangle. They talk about all manner of people, places, things, and events, both local and worldwide. And, the list of topics is endless.
Books, TV Programs, & Movies
Books, TV Programs, & Movies are rich with plots, subplots, and idea opportunities. Plot ideas can come from, "I can do better than that." Maybe a subplot to be more interesting to you than the main story's plot is. You can simply take the premise and do some, "What if..." questions on it.
In Star Trek, 2009, what if the Federation did arrive in plenty of time to prevent Romulus' sun from going supernova? How would the Romulan government feel about their long time adversary having a weapon of such destructive potential?
Plot & Story Generators
A plot generator is a manual or computerized device for generating random plots. It is typically divided into three sections: Protagonist, Actions of the Protagonist, and Type of Antagonist. Each section contains a list of options. Each option is randomly chosen. There are two basic types of Plot (Story) Generators: Random Plot Generator and Episode Specific Plot Generator.
For a more in-depth discussion, go to www.wikipedia.com and type in: plot generator. Click on "Writing Tools," open the Story Matrix, and use a pencil or the random number generator to make your choices.
Mr. Dessereau has been a writer and teacher for over forty years.
He has contributed to major works and been published in periodicals
such as Writer's Digest and Business Digest. See More articles on
[http://pcnovelist.com].
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hugh_Dessereau
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