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Random Hour #1: Age-Old Question

A couple months ago, I had this wonderful fantasy of what my summer would be like: mornings in coffee shops spent furiously scribbling the next Great American Short Story, afternoons lazing in the park and reading books, and so on. I'm only about a week or so into summer, and so far it's been more like this: reading, reading, wondering what I can possibly write about, and more reading. I've read three books in the past week, but I haven't written much more than a few random, unrelated scenes here and there.

But not for lack of trying! I've been brainstorming nearly as much as I've been reading: listening to music, going for long walks and letting my mind wander, and repeatedly leafing through my personal "idea book" (a pocket-sized notebook I carry with me wherever I go, into which go all the wild and crazy ideas that randomly pop into my head). I now have a couple very basic ideas that, with a little work, could develop into several interesting short stories.

Although I've yet to actually start writing, this past brainstorming-intensive week has been an enlightening experience, to say the least. I normally don't have much time to search for story ideas--my creative writing classes only allow for several days at most before putting pen to paper--so I normally have to go with the first idea that I come up with. This past week has given me a lot of insight into my own mind: how I come up with ideas and choose the ones I want to develop. It's piqued my interest not only in how I personally write, but in the experience, shared by all writers, of coming up with that perfect idea.

So on that note, fellow Buzzers, I pose the age-old question: how do you get your ideas? Do you have to sit down and formally brainstorm, or are you lucky enough that ideas come to you, fully formed, all on their own? And then after you get the idea that has promise-- how do you turn it into a story?

See you next week!

Julia

Posted May 21, 2008 by je55 | 11 Comments |
Filed under: random hour

Comments:

By bookgrobie image bookgrobie on May 21, 2008 at 06:05:38 PM

I'm not really a story writer, but I have written a few songs. Whenever I write I just get an idea of a phrase from nowhere and then run with it. Occasionally I really think about something, but usually it just comes.

By SarahV image SarahV on May 22, 2008 at 03:27:37 PM

In terms of stories, any that I write come to me right before I'd fall asleep. Which means I have to keep a notebook on my headboard at all times. The stories are never fully formed, mostly it's just a situation or a strange place that I have to develop the story from.

In terms of songs, I make a point of sitting down right before bed and writing a page full of poems, mostly about my day and what went right /wrong and how I feel about things. Its a really good way to unwind!

By thebookmuncher image thebookmuncher on May 22, 2008 at 08:01:33 PM

sometimes i get great inspiration from dreams. but that's just me. i have some crazy dreams. pretty awesome ones too. and then i develop a story from there

By bballchica1106 image bballchica1106 on May 22, 2008 at 08:47:40 PM

I dont write stories, but aspire to be a singer/songwriter. I take my ideas from personal experiances or things that i wish would happen.

By historyheroine image historyheroine on May 23, 2008 at 07:06:49 PM

It depends. Sometimes it will be just a random idea that pops into my head. Other times, I don't get plot ideas, but more ideas for scenes. Out of that I can make characters and then I have to answer the question: why are these characters thrown together at all?

By Wiesteria image Wiesteria on May 24, 2008 at 01:07:36 AM

I get my inspiration from songs. Songs with good rhythm and beat just puts images in my head, and that's where most of my stories come from.

By ibteen image ibteen on May 25, 2008 at 09:44:55 PM

I mostly get my ideas from fashion magazines! I build my stories around these outrageous outfits only fit for fiction on the page or on the screen. But since no one but me will ever read my extremely melodramatic love story magnum opus only it's creator could love(with the best dressed cast known to creation), I let it take me away to the most fantastic and improbable places.

By justcallmegeorge image justcallmegeorge on May 31, 2008 at 05:00:48 PM

just look around you. life is full of ideas. you can do anything from watching the news and putting your own spin on a story you see to just watching people. spend some time in a place where there are a lot of people and make up lives for them. something like that. that's what i would do.

By riverlullaby image riverlullaby on June 9, 2008 at 05:26:10 PM

What happens to me is random dialogue will pop into my head, so I'll write the conversation down. Once I get the conversation down, I start adding in the details. I'll figure out who these people are and why they're talking and where and all that jazz. So I guess you could say I build my story's on a conversation.

 

Then, there are the times when I'll be listening to music and I'll just get inspired and just start writing. That doesn't happen as often as the random dialogue, but it has been known to happen to me.

By Elvenstar image Elvenstar on June 12, 2008 at 09:50:13 PM

I have written two short stories, the first being a short story contest winner (W00T!!). I got the idea for it during an online message board roleplay. It WAS going to be my intro (A post or two that introduces my character), but I couldn't join the roleplay because I had to get off the comp. So the next day I took a piece of paper and a pencil to church and spent the sermon scribbling furiously. (Don't worry, I was paying attention!) Unfortunately, I got stuck. (Typical me.) Then, several weeks later, my dad walks up to me and waves a teen short story contest entry form under my nose. I immediately thought, 'I suppose I could fix up that RP thingy and enter it, just for fun.' I filled out the entry form and was pondering over a title, when the ideas just started coming again. Suddenly, I knew how it would end, how the dialogue would go, the title, everything.

My second story started out as a writing excercise. I'm homeschooled, so my dad is my creative writing teacher. He writes, too, by the way, only about anthropomorphic animals. Anyway, he gave me a picture and told me to write a short drabble about what was going on. Once again, the inspiration dried up. Along came the second annual teen short story contest. This time, I worked on something that I am still working on to date, hoping I could finish it in time to enter. When it became obvious that it wasn't going to be done anytime soon, I quickly composed an ending for my picture-inspired writing excercise, gave it to my dad to proofread, came up with a title, and entered it an hour before the deadline. Phew! I am still awaiting the announcement of the winners, but I am certain that, if it gets anything, it'll only get an honorable mention.

I talk too much online.

By katie image katie on June 12, 2008 at 11:46:16 PM

You can get your ideas anywhere.I'm writng a novle off an idea that came from one majior thing.A wierd dream i had.Dreams music can let inspiration come into  our tiny little mindsLaughing

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