Once I have a basic idea for a story, whether that's a vibe or a plot or a character, the next step for me is always to make a playlist of music that reminds me of that story. Sometimes, I'll start these playlists months before I even think about writing the book. I have dozens of playlists on my Spotify account of unfinished and unstarted stories. But having those playlists is a really good way to start thinking up ideas for the story. I'll sit there and listen to a playlist, envisioning possible scenes for the story. Here's my step-by-step for how to create a really awesome playlist: Playlist LocationFirst thing we need to decide is where you want to build your playlist. There are several options:
Building the PlaylistOnce, you've chosen where to make your playlist, it's time to start choosing songs. Having a hard time thinking of songs to add? Here are some ideas to get you started:
As an example, this is what my playlist for Forged in Storms and Shadows looks like:
What do you listen to when you write? Or do you prefer silence? Leave a comment!
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So, you've got an idea. It's probably little more than a concept or a character at this point. Compelling yet vague. So, what now?
The planning of a book is pretty specific to its author. There are really two different planning methods.
A Plotter plans the story before they start writing. It's a much more methodical way of writing. This is the way I write. I have to outline and make character profiles, setting profiles, the works. All before I can get started. The best advice I can give to new writers regarding these methods? Experiment. Try to just write and see if it works for you. If not, start plotting and outlining. For those interested in the Plotting method, I full plan on walking you through the method to my madness. Please keep in mind that this is not the only way to plot a book. This is just what has worked for me. There are several steps to my plotting:
Writers, what method do you use? Are you a plotter or a panster? In the thirteen years I've been writing, I've gotten a lot of questions. I mean, a lot of questions. And we're talking about everything from the standard "where can I buy your book?" to the surprised "when do you find the time?!" But the most common question I get asked is "where do you get your ideas?" The answer to that is pretty simple, actually. In short, EVERYWHERE. The stranger I saw while taking the kids for a walk. That movie we've watched ten billion times thanks to the toddler. A piece of artwork I saw in passing. Prompts, books, video games. A conversation with my siblings or a dream I might have had. Point is, you can get ideas from virtually anywhere for writing. The key is finding the idea you're actually passionate about it. Because, without passion, the story will always fall flat. Any idea for a book you have should speak to you. It should be exciting and it should be compelling. Here are some places I've gotten story ideas that really spoke to me: 1. What If...? What If questions are amazing for story telling. What if the bad guy won? What if vampires were the good guys? What if true love was a lie? The options are endless and usually lead to some pretty compelling stories. One of my first books, Forbidden, is based on a what if, being "what if vampires were the good guys?" And y'all it's literally the most unique story I've ever written. Make a list of what if story ideas. Just write down all the what if scenarios you can think of. You could even keep it in your writing space to look out when you need a new idea. 2. Favorite genresAnother list I like to keep is a list of different topics and genres I'm interested in exploring. This list currently has the following subjects included:
3. The Real WorldAs a predominantly fantasy and sci-fi writer, you probably wouldn't think I'd draw much inspiration from the real world. But I really do. Sometimes, it's a conversation I had with a sibling or friend that sparks an idea. Sometimes, it's a conversation with my husband (those are legitimately my favorite story ideas--he's the best to bounce ideas off of). Sometimes, it's something that happened while I was on an errand with the boys. Don't be afraid to draw inspiration from anywhere. You never know what you'll find. And definitely make sure you keep a notebook handy to write it down. 4. DreamsI'm a super vivid dreamer. I always have been (for anyone who has read my books--yes, most of my inspiration regarding villains comes from nightmares--gotta get inspiration somewhere). Dreams are another excellent place for inspiration to strike, so long as you're one of those people who actually remembers them once the dream is over. I actually keep a notepad on my nightstand so I can write my dreams down if something good comes along. There you have it. These are, by no means, the only places to get story ideas. These are just where I get most of mine. A rule of thumb? Always be prepared for inspiration to strike. And always have that notebook handy.
Where do you get inspiration? Do you have anything you'd add to this list? I'd love to hear about it. Drop a comment below! |
AuthorThe blog of Brittany Oldroyd, author of Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy. Archives
January 2022
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