The Nugget of an Idea

Where do ideas for books come from?

Anywhere. If you're looking for them.

That's key. When you take up the writer's mantle it changes how you see the world. No kidding. Every person you meet has a story. Every news article has fiction potential. Every historic landmark. Every dream.

Start looking for stories. Sit down at the diner and talk to people. Ask lots of questions about their experiences. Don't interrupt with your own stories! And take notes, if not right then--because that can be awkward--then later. Pay attention to people's body language, how they hold themselves, the way they chew on their bottom lip, or fidget, the kind of clothes they wear, how they do their hair. These details, added to fiction later, will make your writing rich for you reader.

I'm not talking about stealing people's stories and cashing in on them. I'm talking about nuggets--that first tidbit that sparks ideas that lead to other ideas.  Eventually people will stop talking to you if you start divulging thier private stories for public consumption! (There's the side benefit of making true friends here if you really care about people.)

Read. Lots and lots of reading of other people's good fiction will not only inspire you to write well but it will often spark your own ideas too.

Once you have your nugget, it's time to define your plot. In one sentence write what it is that will keep your reader wanting to read. Usually this is in the form of a question. Will the hero save the princess? Will they find the buried treasure? Will they get off the sinking ship and make it to safety? Whatever the question, this will be key to creating a story that readers will actually read--it will carry you through the whole book.

Now brainstorm! Next, sit down, sometimes alone sometimes with other creative people, and imagine where your story could take you. Write down ideas, no editing of thoughts. You don't want to squash a thought that could grow into a bigger and better thought. Imagine your whole story. What obstacles will your hero face? How will they overcome them? Throw in more complications as you concieve. You want it to be hard for your hero to achieve their goal and you want the reader to think it can never work out.

It's good to look for two plots--the outer journey (what they are physically trying to achieve) and the inner journey (who the hero needs to become by story's end). For example in the story of Shrek his outer journey is rescuing the princess and bringing her to Lord Farquad. Shrek's inner journey is being less of an ogre (unhappy in his skin) and becoming a kinder person, who accepts himself for who he is. Any well-crafted story has these coexisting plots whether the story is character driven or plot driven--the focus just shifts between the two.

Now come up with an outline! I always cringe when I hear people talk about stories needing a beginning, middle and an end. This is so vague. My Christmas letter has a beginning, a middle and an end but that doesn't necessarily add up to a plot. In fiction certain things need to happen to accomplish that goal--these are the obstacles and turning points that entice your reader.

Here  are the basic elements of a good outline. You can add in more points of opposition than I have here, providing they increase in intensity with the story's telling.

1. Setup--What is life like for your hero at story's start?

2. Spark--What even jumpstarts the plot? A move, a death, a decision... Whatever it is that causes the hero to say, "This needs changing."

3. Movement--The hero moves toward that goal.

4. Opposition--Something must stand in the way. Otherwise the hero will achieve their goal...end of story.

5. Change in plans--The hero must find a new route to achieving their goal, or change their original goal.

6. Progress--Hero works toward their goal.

7. A new development--Another obstacle, usually bigger than the first opposition.

8. The hero gives up hope--All seems lost, until the hero decides to dig deep.

9. Final push--the hero reaches for their goal though all seems lost.

10. Climax--Achieving the goal.

11. Life now--What is life like for the hero at story's end?

Start reading and watching movies with this outline in mind and you'll be amazed to find that most every good story fits into this track, regardless of genre. I use it all the time.

Okay, time to start looking for nuggets!

Traci