Where Do Ideas Come From?

What do you write about when you don't have anything to write about? Hmm, interesting question.

There are a lot of ways people get ideas. From what I understand, many writers, like me, carry a notebook and pen with them at all times to jot things down as they come to them. I jot down ideas like lines, characters, scenes, dialog, story ideas, etc.

Some draw from their past, some imagine the future. Some look at a situation, picture, piece of art or even a pile of junk and think, "what would happen if..." and they're plotting their next best-seller. For some, a sentence pops into their head or they hear a song that sparks an idea. For me, a story in Reader's Digest, an online conversation and a friend's dream gave way to my latest inspiration.

Some online friends, who are quickly becoming my writing lifelines, and I were talking and one mentioned taking a break to watch her favorite movie, "To Kill a Mockingbird." A day or two later, my new edition of Reader's Digest arrived. In, "All In a Day's Work, " there was a short mentioning the book. I commented on it for her. Later, someone else mentioned a dream about cats and birds. I asked if she was going to turn it into a story. Someone else gave her some lines for the cat. Then said she could title it with a reference to the same book. We all started coming up with additions for the story. I mentioned it could work as a children's or horror story, depending on what angle a writer took. One of the ladies suggested I take it, so I did. By the time the original dreamer came back, less than an hour later, we had the main characters and the basic plot figured out.

Really, finding ideas isn't too difficult. It's putting those ideas together in a cohesive manner with an engaging storyline. It needs to pique the reader's interest enough to entice them into buying the book and, hopefully, recommending it to their friends and online. If a career as a writer is the goal, this isn't a one-time deal. It's something to do repeatedly and consistantly. The objective is to build a fanbase. When you do that, you don't want to let them down. They expect a certain style of writing and we, as writers, need to deliver that to the best of our ability.

That's why we need to be out there, with notebooks and pens, always on the look out for new story ideas to jot down. You never know. Something or someone you saw at that flea market you went to last weekend may figure into your next best-seller.

Sometimes The Truth Hurts

It's a fact of life. But I have my doubts that it's rarely felt more often than in the life of a writer. How many professions ~ legal professions ~ are there where you submit yourself repeatedly to the whims of another in this way. This other person has the ability to take your emotions to the highest highs or the lowest lows simply by saying 'yes' or 'no' to you. More absurd still, we often wait anywhere from three months to a year, or even longer, for that one word from one person on one piece of work. But wait we do.

While we wait, we continue to write. We wait because we know this person can tell us if this piece is something they can work with. They will let us know if it's ready for publishing. Sometimes the answer is no. More often than not it's no. That's when it hurts. We need to be able to accept that. As writers we need to be able to look at our work; the work we put so much time and effort into already, and figure out what's still wrong with it. Usually they don't tell you. Most often, the news comes by way of a form letter. A few lucky ones will get genuine feedback.

One good way to get used to accepting criticism of your work is to join a writer's group. Many bookstores, libraries and schools have them. There are also several online. You offer your current work, get feedback from others on it and give feedback on theirs. It's a great way to learn more about writing and help others as well. I've been a member of an online group at http://www.critiquecircle.com/ since December and can't imagine making this journey without the people there. They've saved me from so many mistakes, given me so much advice and support and taught me so much. Every time one of them sells a story or has a request for a partial or a full, I get as excited as if it's a request for mine. They've worked so hard and I'm so happy for them. Many times, they come back and say it was rejected. We try to figure out why, then encourage them to submit again. We're writers and we're friends. That's what we do.

How Much True In A "Based On A True" Story?

Today I wrote a story based on actual recent events in the life of my family and friends. Looking at it, I know it would make a good short story. It needs some editing and polishing, of course. But how much truth do I leave in?

The story takes place prior to a tragic event. There are no names mentioned, but there are enough details that those who know the people will recognize the characters. There's no secrets being given away, nothing lurid or demeaning. The person I'm writing about would love the story. But would she love it about her?

There are several changes I can make but, with this premise, anyone who knows even the basics of what happened will know where the idea came from. In reality, isn't that what a writer does? They take an idea from somewhere, mix fact with fiction, and produce a story.

Some of what I wrote is fictional; the majority is fact. There are a lot of facts I have that weren't widely known. They could be mistaken for fiction by those who don't know. I could replace some of the fact with fiction, to reduce the fact content. But I'm still left with the question of how much is too much?

In this case, my conscience tells me to talk to the family and ask their opinion. The truth is, theirs is the only one that really matters to me right now, prior to submission. If they prefer I not submit it at all, well, we'll have to talk about that.

Still, I'm sure this won't be the last time I'm faced with this question while writing a story.

Never Stop Learning

Today I was looking over a story I've been working on for eight months. It's changed a lot in that time. The basic premise is the same, but it's not the same story.

Two of the most important lessons I've learned are to let the story tell itself and keep it real. I write what I want to say, but its as I edit that the real story reveals itself. That's when new ideas emerge, dialog is added, new scenes are created.

I think that's where the belief is that a piece of wood or a stone knows what it is and the artist brings it out comes from. The artist, in this case a writer, makes the preliminary marks, then the ideas come from there. The work tells you where to go. If you go in the wrong direction, it will tell you, just as surely as if you turn your car the wrong way on a one-way street. There are obvious signs you've made a mistake and you'll see them soon enough.

When you've made all of your corrections, you still need to verify your facts. Never underestimate your readers! If your main character makes a drink and you describe how, verify the name and combination for the setting. Different regions do things differently, have different sayings and have different names for things. Put in as much description, information and fact as you can within your word count, if you have one, without making it feel cluttered or disturbing the flow.

Keeping it real and letting the story flow naturally will help you learn to be open to your story going in new, previously unthought of directions, as well as expanding your education and enhancing your writing.

Browsing at Borders for Dreams

Following Nathan Bransford's advice, found in an old q&a post on Absolute Write, I decided to go to Borders. The only day I was able to accomplish this was Sunday afternoon. I managed to check the online catalog to find they had one book by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt, which should be on the shelves. Very encouraging. So, there I was, trying to peruse the shelves of recently inventoried books for a single novel while keeping an eye on a freshly napped 4 year old. He was having no trouble sneaking away from his easily distracted sisters, who were finding plenty of material to feed their minds. Finally, I located the elusive sea green cover of "The Book of Jane." After collecting my son, I stopped at the cafe for coffee. Then we found a comfortable chair near the comic books. While his sisters each found a book, I read to my son about super heros. On the way to the check out, I picked up Publisher's Weekly, Writer's Digest and Writer's Journal. A little closer to the check out I remembered reading on Critique Circle about how invaluable "The Elements of Style" is to a writer. We quickly located the last copy. It was only after hearing the total that I realized I'd neglected to print the 30% off coupon from my e-mailed newsletter. I handed over the debit card anyway, remembering it's an investment in our future. Actually, it's an investment in me and my dreams. How can you put a price on that?