Novel Writing Made Less Impossible -- C'mere, You Story Ideas!

When mentoring writers, so many of them tell me, "Brian, I'd love to write books. I just don't have anything to write about."

Calling boo-shwah on that one too, right along with not having any time. Excuses won't generate the wordage.

So let's start with training your mind to create story ideas. The great part is you're already doing it ... if you watch television, attend the theatre, go to the movies, listen to music, read a newspaper ... um, you still read a newspaper, right? Okay, perhaps you read Drudge or check out MS-NBC for your daily information. It won't matter.

Anything that works its way into your brain can be turned into a story idea. It's cliche, sure, but play the "What If Game" ... What if someone spotted the terrorists in the line to get onto the airplane? What if a sailing vessel saw the planes heading towards Pearl Harbor?

What if the President's Press Secretary knew he/she was going to be fired tomorrow?

What if Daddy didn't take the T-Bird away? Now change the genre ... What if Clark Kent recognized an anarchist getting into the Metropolis-Gotham City Express train?

What if a fishing vessel saw a fleet of British ships on their way to attack the Spanish Armada?

What if one of Jesus Christ's disciples learned of Judas' betrayal on the way to the Last Supper?

What if Dadd-E didn't take the Hyper T-Bird away?

Now change the circumstance ...

What if a wanted terrorist saw the Special Ops men before he got onto the train?

What if the aircraft saw a sailing vessel that could give away their position?

What if a reporter received word of the President's Press Secretary's immense dismissal before the Press Secretary him/herself did?

What if after careful deliberation, Daddy took the T-Bird away?

The "What If Game" works well if you have a possible character or two in mind. However, I hear you ask, what if the situation is there, but you don't have a character in mind as the protagonist? I've got you cover. Check in next week.

NEXT WEEK: Characters, You're Next!

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