I need tips for thinking of a good story plot….i have writers block….any tips that help u?
In the past, when writing short fiction, I have always used bits and pieces of real things/events/people/places and I not only torqued them to fit a new story, I also disguised them with imagination.
One story involved a rodeo, and I could make that a realistic event because I had been to the big rodeo and horse show held annually (at least then) in San Francisco, and used it as my location for the story.
Another story I recall was fantasy/sci-fi, so though I used talking atoms and such that are not at all real, I also included a scene in a hospital emergency room that was taken from what I’d seen in hospital emergency rooms.
That only means this: to write well, a writer must always be observant of all life around him or her, and in fact seek to know situations s/he may not otherwise know by going to interesting places and observing what occurs there, and ANY public place is interesting (private, too) because you can observe people you don’t know, as well.
Observe, take note, inquire, watch, travel and any other word you’d like to include in the list of observation will help you enormously. Even recognizing what leads you to observe a particular thing helps, like whether it was a sound or color or movement, etc.
Suggest you start by mixing up various things you are already familiar with from life (not from books) and just write ideas, even one line, until you hit your stride with one of them. Then write out a general outline, if necessary, though often a one-line idea will turn itself into a ‘good story plot’ before you know it.
Best of luck.
If you still need ‘prompts’ for ideas, try clicking on a few numbers at the following free and safe site until one prompt (or more) strikes your fancy:
http://www.creativewritingprompts.com
March 1st, 2010 at 7:43 am
I think relaxing and doing something i enjoy helps loosen writter’s block. I think it takes your mind of things and when there is no pressure it is much easier to think of things.
Another way is to just brain storm ideas and even if you think an idea wouldn’t go in the story still write it down and when your done then pick an idea and stick to it.
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March 1st, 2010 at 8:25 am
Sometimes, I develop a character first, and then that will get me going on a story. or you could try a tip i found in a book: Sit down and write down 12 story ideas right now. (you can do less than 12!) and if nothing’s coming, just start writing down junk. like ‘this is stupid. i wish i could think of something awesome, like a spy book or a fantasy novel!’ sometimes, just writing SOMETHING helps. I hope that helped, and good luck!!
References :
‘writing magic’ by gail carson levine is where i got that from. it helped me amazingly and has all sorts of cool excercises. ( i found it in the library )
March 1st, 2010 at 8:54 am
Try making your characters do something out of character. If they are nice, make them do something wrong and then talk of the reaction of the others characters to this new person. You can always figure a way to tie it back into a "He knew so and so would react that way when he did…. That is why he press the… (situation)" This will give you and excuse to get him back to his regular good self. Or, go for a walk to the park and watch everyday people and write what you see.
Anna del C.
Author of "The Elf and the Princess"
and "Trouble in the Elf City"
References :
March 1st, 2010 at 9:22 am
In the past, when writing short fiction, I have always used bits and pieces of real things/events/people/places and I not only torqued them to fit a new story, I also disguised them with imagination.
One story involved a rodeo, and I could make that a realistic event because I had been to the big rodeo and horse show held annually (at least then) in San Francisco, and used it as my location for the story.
Another story I recall was fantasy/sci-fi, so though I used talking atoms and such that are not at all real, I also included a scene in a hospital emergency room that was taken from what I’d seen in hospital emergency rooms.
That only means this: to write well, a writer must always be observant of all life around him or her, and in fact seek to know situations s/he may not otherwise know by going to interesting places and observing what occurs there, and ANY public place is interesting (private, too) because you can observe people you don’t know, as well.
Observe, take note, inquire, watch, travel and any other word you’d like to include in the list of observation will help you enormously. Even recognizing what leads you to observe a particular thing helps, like whether it was a sound or color or movement, etc.
Suggest you start by mixing up various things you are already familiar with from life (not from books) and just write ideas, even one line, until you hit your stride with one of them. Then write out a general outline, if necessary, though often a one-line idea will turn itself into a ‘good story plot’ before you know it.
Best of luck.
If you still need ‘prompts’ for ideas, try clicking on a few numbers at the following free and safe site until one prompt (or more) strikes your fancy:
http://www.creativewritingprompts.com
References :
Eng. Lit. degree, post-grad writing courses, journalist for a living, also published short fiction, one play produced, editor, tutor, now retired and writing a first book, a bio.
March 1st, 2010 at 9:48 am
hmmm i usually listen to music and story plots just come to me like that….>_<’ i’m taking Writer’s Craft next year…!
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March 1st, 2010 at 10:25 am
What’s going on right in the story? can you send me a summary or what you have so far? maybe i can help you!
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