On writing: Story seed generation #2
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Here are some more notes about generating story seeds, taken years ago from books on writing.
-When an image really grabs you, stop and write about it for five minutes.
-What people do you find interesting?
-Think of a character with a flaw, a knot that is hurting him and will do him more harm in the future, and what new way he could pursue. Think of a story that would show off or amplify this.
-Create a character with an obsession, then follow.
-Who are your personal heroes? What makes these people a hero to you? What is his or her greatest heroic quality?
-What sort of protagonist could serve as a vessel for you to work through your own problems?
-Think of something you wouldn’t tell anyone: not your spouse, maybe not even your therapist. See if there is a way to make that a story.
-Brainstorm over the following points: things you hate. Things you love. Worst things you’ve ever done. Best things you’ve ever done. People you’ve loved. People you’ve hated. Bucket list. Hobbies. Things you know. What you’d like to know. Areas of expertise.
-Write about the emotions you fear the most.
-How would you live your life differently if you could start over? What would you do, who would you be, where would you go?
-Consider hatching an idea from your passion, and then develop a concept that allows you to stage it and explore it.
-Write about the burning core of your being, the things which are most painful to you.
-Has your own life ever reached a turning point? Have you ever had to face up to your mistakes, admit failure, and find a way to go on? Have you ever been wrecked by the knowledge that you are inadequate, that you cannot fix things, or that your limitations are plain for all to see? Was there a moment when you knew you might die in the next few seconds? Has there been a point of do or die, now or never, it’s up to me?
-What is the truth that you most wish the rest of us would see?
-How do you see our human condition? What have you experienced that your neighbors must understand? What makes you angry? What wisdom have you gleaned? Are there questions we’re not asking?
-Is there a particular theme about which you feel strongly?
-What is the most important question? What puzzle has no answer? What is dangerous in this world? What causes pain?
-Look in your own life: Is there a loss or fear you’d like to finally grapple with, or an ideal or extreme you’d like to imagine?
-Think of some value that you believe in. Through what kind of story would you be able to debate that truth, try to prove it wrong, test it to its limits?
-The whole point of a story is to translate the general into an specific, so we can see what it really means, just in case we ever come face to face with it in a dark alley.
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Here are some more notes about generating story seeds, taken years ago from books on writing.
-When an image really grabs you, stop and write about it for five minutes.
-What people do you find interesting?
-Think of a character with a flaw, a knot that is hurting him and will do him more harm in the future, and what new way he could pursue. Think of a story that would show off or amplify this.
-Create a character with an obsession, then follow.
-Who are your personal heroes? What makes these people a hero to you? What is his or her greatest heroic quality?
-What sort of protagonist could serve as a vessel for you to work through your own problems?
-Think of something you wouldn’t tell anyone: not your spouse, maybe not even your therapist. See if there is a way to make that a story.
-Brainstorm over the following points: things you hate. Things you love. Worst things you’ve ever done. Best things you’ve ever done. People you’ve loved. People you’ve hated. Bucket list. Hobbies. Things you know. What you’d like to know. Areas of expertise.
-Write about the emotions you fear the most.
-How would you live your life differently if you could start over? What would you do, who would you be, where would you go?
-Consider hatching an idea from your passion, and then develop a concept that allows you to stage it and explore it.
-Write about the burning core of your being, the things which are most painful to you.
-Has your own life ever reached a turning point? Have you ever had to face up to your mistakes, admit failure, and find a way to go on? Have you ever been wrecked by the knowledge that you are inadequate, that you cannot fix things, or that your limitations are plain for all to see? Was there a moment when you knew you might die in the next few seconds? Has there been a point of do or die, now or never, it’s up to me?
-What is the truth that you most wish the rest of us would see?
-How do you see our human condition? What have you experienced that your neighbors must understand? What makes you angry? What wisdom have you gleaned? Are there questions we’re not asking?
-Is there a particular theme about which you feel strongly?
-What is the most important question? What puzzle has no answer? What is dangerous in this world? What causes pain?
-Look in your own life: Is there a loss or fear you’d like to finally grapple with, or an ideal or extreme you’d like to imagine?
-Think of some value that you believe in. Through what kind of story would you be able to debate that truth, try to prove it wrong, test it to its limits?
-The whole point of a story is to translate the general into an specific, so we can see what it really means, just in case we ever come face to face with it in a dark alley.
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