What’s the Big Idea?
If you’re thinking of kick-starting your writing with the New Year, why not think big? Or perhaps you’ve set a goal to start and/or finish a novel this year. This exercise can help you get going.
Step 1: Think about some of the ideas and problems that intrigue you. Write a list, summarising each idea in a sentence or two. If you’re stuck for ideas ask yourself what inspires you? What do you like to read about or watch documentaries on? What are you passionate about? What makes you angry and why and how does this relate to the wider world?
For example:
Survival in a harsh environment, the decisions that have to be made (problem)
What do you do when your past catches up with you? (problem)
Glass and ceramic craftsmanship (inspiration)
Strong and interesting female characters (inspiration)
People who shove into queues (anger) could lead you to consider countries or leaders who act like bullies, or the importance (or not) of rules in society.
Don’t be too analytical about the list, jot down anything that pops into your head.
Step 2: Pick a couple that feel interesting. How might these become stories? This doesn’t have to be anything like a detailed outline; just an idea, a main theme, and maybe some details that make it your own story, unique to you.
Step 3: Choose one that seems promising (you can do this with as many as you want, eventually) and write a paragraph. What’s your story about? This doesn’t have to be a plot, just a theme.
Step 4: Now expand on that. Add descriptions of plot and character that would give a browser in a bookshop an idea about whether it’s their sort of novel. If you’ve already thought of a title, great; if not, come up with something to call it – you can always change it. And keep in mind this applies to whatever you write down at this stage – anything that doesn’t work can be changed..
Step 5: Now you've got a good basic direction for a novel. If you're happy with what you've come up with, go ahead and try the whole thing. If it isn't something you really want to work on, set it aside and try again, or edit it further. Chances are, many of the details will change as you write the novel, but the central idea will probably stay much the same (though you may find even that changes by the end). Gaie is currently half-way through the novel summarized in #3 and #4, and the plot has expanded twice -- the second time by about ten chapters worth of material -- but the Big Idea is still pretty much the same
If you’re stuck, you could combine your ideas and problems with picture prompts. We’ve posted a big set this month, and there are picture seeds in all of the previous months’ exercises. Try this website in Montage mode for pictures from blogs or start your own collection. Ask friends and family to send you interesting and unusual images.
Picture Seeds
Pick one or more of the pictures below and use as a starting point for a story. Write for 15 minutes.
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