Writers and Readers Websites Wednesday - Story Generators

Kinda desperate for a new story idea? Or at least something that will kickstart the creative process and get that brain wandering off in new directions? 

Toss in location generator, first line generator and more and this site is perfect to get those ideas churning. 

About themselves Writers Plot Idea Generator says: This plot generator creates original and random story lines for plays, novels, short stories, soap opera, TV series or a movie script. The plot lines generated are not guaranteed to make sense but they do inspire writers by triggering a creative chain of thought. Most of the results might be off-the-wall but some are pure gold. Keep trying and sooner or later the perfect idea will appear. Some plots sound like a short story; some will fill a novel or could even be the start of a huge franchise. 

Go ahead, test it out, play a little! 

Writers and Readers Websites Wednesday - an online museum

Writers - looking for grist for the mill? Unusual ideas as a basis for strange tales?

Readers - fascinated by the strange and unexplained, the unnatural and bizarre?

Then here's a stop off place for you: The Museum of Unnatural Mystery.

Yes, you find here sailing stones, strange science, ancient wonders, troubled history, their own small gift shop (of course!) and much more to keep you fascinated and confused. 

Stop on by the museum and troll for fun and ideas. 

*** slightly over four days left in STormrider signed paperback book and totebag giveaway. (Ends July 7.) Head over - click giveaway tab and see easy ways to enter.

Tracking The Wild Writer's Ideas

Many writers are so brimming with ideas it’s hard to know how to choose one and continue on, spinning that one story when so many other clamor for attention. 

Other writers are great at the writing part, but are hard pressed to come up with that first idea; that seed from which to grow the organic story they dream of. 

And writers who are published or screenwriters produced are forever being asked, “Where do you get your ideas?” 

So, since I have time only for a short post today I decided to toss out a few ideas on how to come up with those ideas. 

Most good writers are curious. They’re forever asking “What is it?” or “What could it be?” or “What if?” From this curiosity comes wonderful ideas, and those ideas come at all times. The trick is to catch them, get them pinned down down. Keep a note pad at your bedside, in your pocket, in your purse, backpack, whatever.  Stories don’t generally spring forth full-blown. Usually an idea or a premise precedes them. A word can spark an idea. Jot it down, more words will follow.

“What if” is the gate to a magical world. Daydream. Imagine. “What if” vampires were not dark and evil, but good, strong and protectors of the human race? Check out SherrilynKenyon’s Dark-Hunter series of romances. What if a young boy in winning a video game unknowingly wins the war against aliens attacking earth? Check out Orson ScottCard’s Ender’s Game and the series that follows. What if wolves could bond with humans and communicate telepathically? Check out my novel Stormrider. What if Bears once ruled the earth and the conscious memory of that time is returning to them – hey go write that one for yourself.

Some writers need to map out their entire book or script before they begin. Others work best on the fly. Writing, generating a story, creates many of its own surprises. If you’re the kind who works best on the fly you’ll find your characters will take on lives of their own and they’ll surprise you with where they take the story you begin. Surprise - this happens with those who ‘map their course’ as well.

You might see a photo in a magazine or the newspaper. Clip it out. Put it where you can see it. Wait and see what ideas might come. 

You might overhear a phrase spoken in public. Write it down. Think about what it might mean, who said it, what the context is. Does it make you feel there is something going on there, something not visible on the surface? Pursue it. Jot down notes. Some of the most disjointed notes come together to form ideas and from ideas spurts of creative inspiration.

As Ray Bradbury once said, “You don’t build a story, you allow it to explode.” I’m kinda with Ray.

Ideas are everywhere, open your eyes

·      Read a lot

·      observe people

·      take time to daydream 

No kidding. Have at it. 

Seven Places For Wtiters To Find Their Inpiration

Being a writer means spending a lot of time behind a computer screen even while we realize that finding inspiration, fresh new ideas, means getting away from the computer. Still, many of us don't don't do it, risking losing motivation, inspiration and even writer's block. Whether you write stories, scripts, articles or anything that requires new viewpoints, new ideas, new subjects, getting out and about is the way to spark that creativity.

When you think about it, most of our best ideas comes to us when we're away from the computer, when we're simply outside in the fresh air or taking a shower, or listening to a favorite song. Sometimes when you're least expecting it an epiphany fires off like lightning, but that doesn't mean we can't go looking for it. 

 

And don't think it's just for writers. Using your brain, seeing new things, hearing new ideas is good for anyone. Readers, writers, expanding human being – get yourself out there.

So, today I started ruminating on places where it's likely to catch up with an idea, something new, something not waiting for a writer behind that computer screen and here's the short list I came up with. No doubt you can add greatly to it if you give it a little thought.

1. A Train Station. It's a good place to expose yourself to people running hither and yon, busy, lots of conversations. People going to work. People setting off to meet loved ones. Others out for a day of fun or on errands. Even more fun to get on one and take a ride, especially in you're in an area with a commuter train. We have one here. Can take my laptop along, make notes as I cock an ear and listen. Even the atmosphere is conducive to sparking new ideas. Writer's immersion and people watcher's delight.
   
   
2. An Airport does much the same. Not so easy to get on a plane though, unless you're really headed off for some destination. Still, just visiting a local airport, hanging out, getting a coffee can be great fun and a good kick to your writer's muse.
    
3. Got a beach near you? Kick off your shoes and wander the sand for a bit. Not only do you get to see some interesting characters (waaaay interesting sometimes) and pick up fascinating snatches of conversation, but the warm sand under your feet, the rolling of the waves is relaxing all by itself and relaxation invites the muse in. It's also a great place for readers to kick back and enjoy the latest book while reclining in the sand.
   
   
4. Have you visited a playground lately? There's lots going on there if it's a popular one. Kids, large and small, parents, irritating teens. The bucolic and the possibly threatening. Sit on a bench. Open your eyes and ears. Read a book or write a bit on your tablet or laptop, then focus again and see what you pick up. Oh, and try not to look like you're stalking the children.
    
5. Got a local college? Then head on over. They have their own bookstores, coffee gathering places and you might even consider taking a class or auditing one or just attending a public lecture. Lots going on here to give you ideas. Lots of writer fodder and plenty for readers and everyone else who enjoys learning.
    
6. The Gym may sound like a weird place to get ideas for writing or just some serious people watching but if you're exercising (and I'm guessing that's why you're at a gym in the first place) you're burning off anger, frustration and emotion. You're also out there with other people who're probably doing the same. Writers can definitely pick up on new ideas here as they work out their own frustrations.
    
7. The Big City. If you live in one you know what it's like every day in the sea of humanity. If you don't, it's great place for writers to visit to get into the bustle of it all. And, if that city has some high places – head upward, give yourself a new perspective, look down on it all for a while. Get thee to a rooftop. New York? The Empire State Building is still a fantastic place to go look out at it all. Not to mention the tourists you'll be packed in with while riding the elevators to the top.

I've offered a few places to get yourself away from the computer and spark some new ideas. There are lots more like visiting a foreign country, going to the mall, or just taking a walk in the countryside. Even walking around inside your own house and being determined to see with new eyes.

So, tell me, what kinds of things do you do, where do you go to inspire yourself, to spark new ideas? I'd love to hear about them. Post them in the comments below.

Where Do Ideas Come From?

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Seriously, I believe it's a question every writer has had to field at some  time or another. And it's a legitimate question. It is also a source of fascination for others who may be thinking of writing a book or undertaking some other creative endeavor.

Where do those ideas come from?  How can I find one, or two, or more?

When you think about it, we all come up with ideas all the time...again I say, all of us. It isn't just the ability to come up with an idea using our creative impulses, but the ability to trust ourselves, our abilities and our own thought processes.  For many writers, it's the ability to shed fear and move forward.  What if it doesn't make sense? What if it isn't good enough?  What if....

Well, remember your stories are pretty much based on 'what if' so cultivate that trust in yourself.  Are there hacks?  Yes there are.  But the ability to take chances with your ideas to push and pull until that idea is forced well beyond what you normally feel safe with, that's what will separate your ideas from the pack...or the hack.

So, where do those ideas come from?  Well, if you talk to several writers you'll get several answers.  Sometimes there are those who think in terms of creative radar.  Ideas float in the ether until someone picks them up.  This leads to the concept of daydreaming and emerging from it with an idea fully formed and fleshed out.  Works for some.

Then there's another, and more reliable method (at least for me) and that is the concept that ideas basically emerge from hard work and thoughtful contemplation.  The writer picks up an idea, perhaps from a newspaper article, or a photo, or witnessing something in public, then proceeds to work out a story and create it.

Ideas come from everywhere, from within ourselves, our memories and experiences and dreams.  From without ourselves, via active engagement with the world.

The trick is being ready to pick up on an idea when it slaps you in the face. Pay attention to the world aroaund you, cultivate the ability to pick up on detail and event. Be curious, investigate things that interest you and be sure to take notes when ideas occur.  The real truth is, ideas are plentiful, it's the execution that's a bitch.  If you don't capture an idea quickly, follow up on it and commit to it, it will disappear, simply evaporate and leave you wondering what happened.  Once that happens, it's very rare that you can get that idea or thought back. Pft!  It's gone.   Pay attention.  Take notes or photos, leave a message to yourself on your phone if you have to, but don't let it slip away.

And, as a writer it's important to attempt to maintain an openness, a willingness to  make connections between things that might seem unrelated, the quirk, the odd moment, the bit of scientific information crossed with a strange first date.  The brain is always churning, always willing to create new worlds. 

Basically, ideas aren't the private arena of the 'creative', everyone gets them.  It's what you do with them that counts.  If you prepare yourself, open yourself, you'll find ideas everywhere you turn, including when you're just sitting around daydreaming.