I’ll be starting here with number 8. If you are not confused, then you have read my last post. If you are confused, go back and read my last post.
8. Ask a Friend. This is something I do with my husband all the time. I say, “What should I write about?” He knows the routine. He throws out random words until I say, “Got it.” I then run to my desk and start scribbling. When we try to think of our own ideas, sometimes our brain is stuck. We think the same thoughts over and over. Use someone else’s brain to unstick your rut.
9. Party Game – What Would I Say? Imagine you are at a party. What are your party stories? We all have them. When the topic turns to ex-partners, awful roommates, childhood injuries, funny pets, or travel, what do you say? These are stories you know well, and enjoy telling. Write them down.
10. Party Game – What Did They Say? Bring that notebook to your next party (Yes, the one you bring on your walks). Borrow from other people’s stories. There is always that guy who feels a need to one-up everyone with better stories. Use one of his to find an idea.
11. Dreams. Dreams carry so much wonderful, bizarre, joyous, frightening content. I find character names, plot fixes, and art imagery, all in my sleep. Where is that notepad now? I hope it’s on your nightstand. Be warned that some things that made perfect sense in the middle of the night, may seem like gibberish in the morning. Or is that just me?
12. In the News. Truth is stranger than fiction. Why not borrow from current events? Glance through the headlines and see what catches your eye.
13. Riffing on a Single Note. This one helps to keep those creative juices flowing. Take a single idea (pigs, pots and pans, bravery, Asia, Thanksgiving Day, anything). Now go crazy. Come up with as many ideas as you can. Push yourself. Climb way out of the box. No answers are wrong. Keep saying, “And then,” “What else,” “What more,” “What if?”
14. Works of Art. I personally like using fine art, but any images will do: Art, photography, sculpture, magazine images, billboards. Create a story from what you see in the image. I once passed a billboard with an image of a cubby, golden, winged infant. My imagination went wild.
15. Play with Kids. Play make-believe games with your own kids or borrow some. Anything they make up is something they would be interested in seeing in a book.
So this is where we start. Not every idea will be the right fit for you. That’s why we need to work on these idea generating skills. The more ideas the better.
I have lists of ideas. I review them periodically. Don’t get rid of an idea just because you didn’t connect with it the first time. I often find inspiration in things that I thought were bad ideas. Keep those lists. Also, you don’t have to have a great idea to start writing. I’ve had stories develop just because I put in the time with it. Granted, I’ve also abandoned stories halfway through because they just weren’t working.
Generating ideas can be tons of fun if you let it be. Relax and keep at it. Those ideas will come.
What are some ways in which you generate ideas? I love adding ideas to my list.