  Short Stories
This week: Edited by: Vivian  
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How do writers begin? Where do they get ideas for stories, articles, novels, essays? Let's look at "prewriting techniques" called finding ideas.
Next week's editor will be Legerdemain 
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Finding Ideas
To paraphrase Elizabeth Barrett Browning, how does a writer begin? Let me count the ways: first with an idea, then writing words to develop an idea.
Several ways, to find ideas to use in writing, exist. We'll look at some, but to discuss all the possible ways would take a book. Therefore, we will examine some of the easiest ways.
Read newspapers and magazines, at least skim them. A headline, a thought, or a quote may trigger an idea for a story. Take notes or clip the information that interests you.
Write a list of song titles or lyrics that appeal to you. I entered a contest a few weeks ago that gave song titles for prompts. Two captured my attention resulting in a poetry win and a second place in short stories.
Save photos or clip pictures from magazines. One way to start writing is to view something that gives you a scene or some action that will lead to a story.
Jot down snippets of conversation that catch your attention. Not only might one trigger a story, but the coversation could be usable in dialogue, make it more believable.
Use a real experience as a way to begin, whether from your life or someone else's. One saying is to write what you know. For some of us that would be rather limiting, but anyone can include some experiences and then expand. Using the experiences of others can lead to interesting stories, too.
Use your imagination. Some people imagine stories until real in their minds. They then write down a fully developed story, needing refining and polishing.
Once you have an idea, how do you fill a blank sheet of paper or computer screen? An idea is barely a starting point; more is needed. Several ways to come up with material come to mind:
Free write words and phrases that come to mind about the idea you've chosen. Simply list the thoughts that pop into your head. After you've written at least part of a page, look at the words and phrases. Start putting those alike together. You've started.
Ask who, what, where, when, why, and how about your subject. Answering the questions will then give you a beginning.
List any information or details you have about your subject.
Try mental role playing. Using your imagination, take the part of different characters you may use, become each one. Play out the "story" in your mind. Write the rough plot, characterization, and so forth.
The ideas given aren't the only possibilities, but they are a start. Therefore, on your mark, get set, go. You're on your way. |
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Words from Our Readers
Come Fly with Me--Kiter 
I liked your comments about animals. When they appear in a story, they seem to bring a new dimension, an awareness of a larger universe. Good one. Write on.
I enjoy well-written stories that include animals, as long as the writer doesn't use said animal as a device to avoid a good story.
Lorien
Hello Viv! Lovely plug selections this time around--I enjoyed them all. I noticed, however, your note not to review BlueThunder. I know s/he is deceased, but can white accounts not receive reviews? I rated only without a problem.
When someone's port has a white case, that means the person is no longer able to check and/or clear the inbox on his/her email. A review goes to email. Therefore sending a review is wasted effort, as well as something that clogs up the system. That's why I ask that no one review any of BlueThunder  's work. Please don't.
Nikola~Loving Her Gracie Girl! 
Maybe I should write stories around my dogs! They are such characters. Thanks for a wonderful newletter, Viv.
Why not, Nikola? A good place to start writing is what you know, and you know your dogs. 
bazilbob
Good point that you should treat pets as characters rather than not bother giving them any thought! The way I understand the difference between PoV and focalisation is PoV merges focalisation, or whose eyes it is seen through, with the narrator, when they can be separate. I think To Kill A Mockingbird is an example, as even though it's the same character, Scout. The narrator is a mature Scout looking back, but the story is focalised through the young Scout's eyes. I might be completely wrong on this, though. Besides focalsation is a major part of PoV, so I'm sure your PoV newsletter covers everything. :) Sorry to get technical, I just thought it would be interesting to point out, and learn about focalisation as seperate from narration.
Thanks for the information. To Kill a Mockingbird is a good example to use.
strider7901
The famous Cujo story is an excellent to give an animal characteristics.
You're so correct. Call of the Wild and White Fang are two other examples.
Until next month, read and write beautiful short stories.
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Short Stories: September 06, 2006 Issue [#1240]
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