Apr 10, 2011

I is for Ideas

Keep those ideas handy!

It seems almost every author interview includes the question 'where do you get your ideas?' Ideas spurt from our imaginations at an alarming rate, too fast to ever record them all. The trick is to find a plot worthy idea, one that can extend through a whole novel. 

One way to check your idea for substance is to dot point all the things that could possibly happen in that story. If you can come up with at least 20 points, then you could write a chapter for each and there's your novel outline. I like to aim for 40, because some will be rejected or changed as I go.

But if you really need some inspiration to kickstart your ideas (or more likely, just to recognise them as they surface - because I know you have them already), then try these:

Keep a Notebook
You hear it over and over again, but how many of us remember to carry ours around with us at all times? I try to, but if I forget, I have an 'inspirations' section in my iPhone notebook, or I can even record a message (if I'm driving). I've blogged about the sacred notebooks in:

Record Your Dreams
You will feel silly at first and have lots of random images that don't seem to tie together, but flesh it out and you'll see a possible plot emerge. My previous posts on dreamwriting:

Steal from Headlines
The newspapers and current affairs programs are filled with great ideas for stories. Take a headline, without reading the article and start to see what plot-line you can come up with. Who would the characters be and what would the main conflict be? If you want to try this, visit:

Just Write
There are plenty of writing exercises you can try to come up with new stories. Here's one of the many books I use for writing exercises:

Now, get to that notebook and write! *Should heed own advice*

25 comments:

  1. AlApril 10, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    I once spent hours sitting in the passenger seat working out the plot for my WIP on a road trip from Melbourne to Sydney. It was late when we got there and I didn't have my diary, so I went to bed relying on my (usually) good memory.
    I couldn't remember a thing the next day.
    I had to begin again. I have this niggling feeling that there were some really good ideas I have never managed to reconstruct.

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  2. mooderinoApril 10, 2011 at 11:24 PM

    Excellent advice Charmaine. Cheers.


    @Al - I know what you mean, my memory is fading fast too.

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  3. AnonymousApril 11, 2011 at 2:45 AM

    Stealing from headlines is a great place for ideas. They say reality is stranger than fiction. And police reports are a great place to search too.

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  4. Jennifer ShirkApril 11, 2011 at 3:19 AM

    Oooh, these are great links and ideas to get ideas! :-)

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  5. Author Joshua HoytApril 11, 2011 at 3:55 AM

    Great ideas I liked the dot exercise the best. I am usually an exploratory writer. Meaning I just sit down and write whatever comes to mind. This is fun and exciting but often leads to plot holes and revisions:) I think the dot point will help me have better focus and control of my story. I'll try it out.

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  6. Catherine DentonApril 11, 2011 at 6:00 AM

    What an awesome "I" word! Thanks for the tips. I do find that keeping a notebook with me helps to capture those fleeting ideas.
    My Blog

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  7. Denise Covey April 11, 2011 at 6:56 AM

    Phew, just got in from Ibiza and am all hot and sweaty but I took my notebook and boy do I have some story ideas,ha ha. Great post. I get a lot of my ideas trawling through newspapers and magazines as they say 'fact is stranger than fiction.'

    Denise<3

    L'Aussie Travel Blog A-Z Challenge I is for Ibiza

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  8. Lynda R Young as Elle CardyApril 11, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    buried under the chaos on my desk are so many headlines because they inspired me at the time (and then they got lost under the mess). Hehehe

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  9. Mary AalgaardApril 11, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    I also keep notecards in my purse and car and set about various places in my house.

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  10. Ghenet MyrthilApril 11, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    Great tips! I carry a note book everywhere so I can write ideas down. I like the idea of stealing from headlines. :)

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  11. Sarah AllanApril 11, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    I love the ideas! The best things I can recommend to record your writing ideas are to keep a notebook nearby, and to just write your story, as you've said. You've gained another follower and I'd love a follow back! :-) I can't wait to see what you have for "J".

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  12. Charmaine ClancyApril 11, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    Lots of great comments - the dot exercise is probably my favourite too. And Al, we all feel your pain.

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  13. doreenApril 11, 2011 at 4:28 PM

    I would be completely lost without my notebooks. They go everywhere with me. I love having them in the doctors office, waiting in traffic and for down time at work...

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  14. AnonymousApril 11, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    Great suggestions. I've never kept a dream diary :O)

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  15. The Words CrafterApril 11, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    I haven't heard of the points system, what a great idea!

    I have finally taken to keeping a notebook handy. And it's paying off!

    Great post and thanks for dropping by.

    Hope your week is going to be a good one :)

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  16. UnknownApril 11, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    Awesome post with great links! Thank you.

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  17. Angie PaxtonApril 12, 2011 at 12:04 AM

    Really greatadvice and ideas! Last Christmas I asked Santa for a voice activated digital recorder and it goes everywhere with me now for this very purpose.

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  18. BriannaApril 12, 2011 at 1:26 AM

    I wish there was some computer gadget that could read my mind and record the plots and details my mind creates while I'm running. Stories flow like water from a faucet when I'm running, but when I get back and sit in front of the computer, the ideas simply drip!

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  19. Sherri LackeyApril 12, 2011 at 1:26 AM

    Good advice! Thanks! I like the part about dreams. I had a particularly vivid dream a couple of nights ago. I dreamed three women became stranded in our town and my husband, being a kind pastor, took them in for the night. I was suspicious of them and began doing a little background research. I found a website they operated and found that they were photographers. The disturbing thing was that the photos they took were all of violent scenes. Ever since I dreamed that I've been wondering if there is a story plot in it.

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  20. The Writing GoddessApril 12, 2011 at 1:37 AM

    Give me a gold star, I carry my battered steno pad full of scribbled ideas everywhere. And keep a dream diary as well.

    Following you now and stealing from your post on embedding a link in comments. Writing in Flow

    Looking forward to your next posts.

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  21. EllaApril 12, 2011 at 3:07 AM

    Great post; Mine is similar, but not as informative as yours! Loved it and thanks for all the great books. :D
    More to add to my wish list!

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  22. Shannon O'DonnellApril 12, 2011 at 5:37 AM

    Excellent post, Charmaine, and a cute kitty picture to boot! Woo-hoo. :-)

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  23. AnonymousApril 12, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    Great post! I like your dot system. I'll have to try that out. I usually just write until something emerges. All your methods are good ones. Again, nice post.

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  24. Karen LangeApril 12, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    Ideas are everywhere, aren't they? I'm always writing something down. Which reminds me, I need to organize my recent ideas on their little scraps of paper. :)

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  25. Arlee BirdApril 13, 2011 at 3:46 AM

    These are all great suggestions. I never understand when people say they can't come up with ideas about what to write. One just needs to open up their eyes, tap into all of their senses, and think!


    Lee
    Tossing It Out
    Twitter hashtag: #atozchallenge

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