Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Finding Story Ideas in Dissimilar Things
Developing story ideas is often a process of connection. This character connects to this situation, which connects to this event, which connects to this plot, which connects to another event, which connects to another character, which connects to this theme... And so on until the puzzle is complete and the original idea has sprouted and grown into a towering tree.
But, there are other times when the pieces simply refuse to fall into place. Still, it's a writer's job to come up with a workable idea. Preferably, many workable ideas.
Lynn Johnston knows something about cultivating a garden of ideas. She's the creator of the "For Better or For Worse" comic strip. Successful comic strip creators often face weekly, sometimes daily, deadlines that must be met weeks or months in advance. She gives a behind-the-scenes peak at how she gets her ideas.
Her process for developing ideas often begins with a private space that's conducive to inspiration. It may be luxurious or simplistic. The objective is to, by repetition, train the mind that this is the place to relax and allow ideas to flow.
The suggestion I particularly like involves coming up with three dissimilar things. Any three things. It doesn't matter. Then imagine a scene or story that connects all three things. The possibilities are truly endless and usually always imaginative.
But, there are other times when the pieces simply refuse to fall into place. Still, it's a writer's job to come up with a workable idea. Preferably, many workable ideas.
Lynn Johnston knows something about cultivating a garden of ideas. She's the creator of the "For Better or For Worse" comic strip. Successful comic strip creators often face weekly, sometimes daily, deadlines that must be met weeks or months in advance. She gives a behind-the-scenes peak at how she gets her ideas.
Her process for developing ideas often begins with a private space that's conducive to inspiration. It may be luxurious or simplistic. The objective is to, by repetition, train the mind that this is the place to relax and allow ideas to flow.
The suggestion I particularly like involves coming up with three dissimilar things. Any three things. It doesn't matter. Then imagine a scene or story that connects all three things. The possibilities are truly endless and usually always imaginative.
