Help Generating Ideas

[wifelover1980]

This is a question for the experienced authors out there...

How do you generally generate plot ideas for your stories?

I have a specific character I'd like to write about, inspired by somebody who I know in real life. I have some general ideas of things that I'd like to happen, but not sure how to go from there. Would appreciate any thoughts, ideas, or feedback...

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The bottomline is how comfortable you are straying off the reservation and coloring outside the lines. Your comfort level defines your boundaries.

 

[wifelover1980]

The bottomline is how comfortable you are straying off the reservation and coloring outside the lines. Your comfort level defines your boundaries.

I guess what i am struggling with is the fact that the character I want to write about is based on somebody I know in person and I am hesitant to go too far "out of the lines" because it doesn't seem realistic to me for this person to be like that.

 

[lovecraft68]

I guess what i am struggling with is the fact that the character I want to write about is based on somebody I know in person and I am hesitant to go too far "out of the lines" because it doesn't seem realistic to me for this person to be like that.

Then make up a character who has some attributes of the person you know, but is also very different.

Or just make up a new character, its not hard. If nothing else make up your fantasy girl.

 

[wifelover1980]

Then make up a character who has some attributes of the person you know, but is also very different.

Or just make up a new character, its not hard. If nothing else make up your fantasy girl.

The woman who I want to write about is my fantasy girl in many ways. I suppose I just need to give her a few different attributes.

 

[sr71plt]

My characters, settings, plotlines are self-generating. My problem is keeping up with the ideas that my subconscious drops in my lap.

 

[TxRad]

The woman who I want to write about is my fantasy girl in many ways. I suppose I just need to give her a few different attributes.

Then she is not your fantasy girl.

One of the best ways is to take her out for a test drive. Figuratively that is. Sit down and start writing what your fantasy is with this fantasy girl. You might be surprised what she will and won't do once the motor is running. It might take a few laps around the track to get her handling well but... or butt, you have to try it to decide.

So go write something already.

 

[TE999]

The woman who I want to write about is my fantasy girl in many ways. I suppose I just need to give her a few different attributes.

What are your fantasies about her? Write about those; unless they're boring.

 

[Ironiclaconic]

Conflict is the heart of story. If you have a character you like, think of a conflict or situation which would be a particular challenge for her. Then the story writes itself.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

The woman who I want to write about is my fantasy girl in many ways. I suppose I just need to give her a few different attributes.

Wait a minute...!

You need us to supply you with fantasies about your fantasy girl?

 

[HeatherVivant]

In the first draft, turn off the internal editor. Write it as you see it. Don't let fact get in the way of a good story. Add those missing attributes in, and amplify what is good while minimizing what is bad. A story that doesn't take you astray or lead you outside the lines very likely isn't a good story.

Then begin to edit. Ruthlessly remove all that doesn't ring true. Mercilessly kill what is boring. Embellish details where they're missing; cut flowery prose and empty filler.

Treat reality as the seed of the story, not the limit of what you can write about. To connect with people beyond what is in your own head, you have to be true to the story.

Set it aside. Read it again. Rinse, repeat. When it sings, ship it.

 

[beatrice_dreams]

Conflict is the heart of story. If you have a character you like, think of a conflict or situation which would be a particular challenge for her. Then the story writes itself.

Agreed. If you're looking for an actual plot, you are basically dropping your lovely character into the worst day of their life and seeing how they fight their way out.

Perhaps someday I'll get my own head around that!