For me, figuring out the next book idea can often be the hardest and scariest part of the writing process. But here are some steps as to how I approach it:
- Writing Discussion: Are You an Idea-Generating Machine?
- Writing a Novel in 15 Steps: From Initial Idea to Querying
- On How I Plot a WIP
- Write for Yourself First (vlog)
How do you approach developing book ideas?
Twitter-sized bites:
Writer @Ava_Jae vlogs about the scariest part of her writing process: figuring out the next book idea. (Click to tweet)
Struggling to get ideas for your next book? Writer @Ava_Jae vlogs her idea-generating process. (Click to tweet)
6 comments:
My biggest fear is that I won't be able to make my vague idea complex. My first real concept was pretty simple, and as I plotted and wrote it blossomed into a wonderfully intricate plot. Now I worry, especially with the sequel(s), if I can do it again. I have the bare bones worked out, but will I be able to flesh it out like the first? I've seen a lot of other series kind of run into that wall. Maybe it had to do with deadlines, which is not much of a comfort either.
One thing that has helped so far is to just keep writing. My betas all wanted to know about certain elements of my novel's backstory, and because I wanted to explain it to them, I started writing it with the idea of sending it to them as a thank you. It was simple when I started, but it is becoming incredibly intense and rich in its own right. That this just-for-love-and-fun project has so effortlessly ripened gives me a sense of hope. So I'll keep writing. It worked before.
I definitely understand that fear—that whole can I really do this again? worry is one that I suspect is pretty common for writers. I do agree that just continuing to push yourself (and writing) definitely helps, and ultimately leads do you proving that you can do whatever you were worried about again. Though that probably won't stop you from worrying next time...but that's just a part of being a writer, I think. :)
I also tend to combine everything I love into my stories. It's one of the reasons I decided to write was because no books out there had everything I wanted in them lol. Avatar: The Last Airbender! Whoop Whoop! Another fan! Lots of good advice. Thank you. ^ ^
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I recently clocked in at over 400 story ideas! :) Some of them are fanfiction and some are original stories.
I tend to start with scenarios I like and build the idea up from there. I guess it's easier for me to create a character that fits into the scenario than to create a character and then the scenario that goes with him/her.
You're so welcome, Victoria! Combining everything I love into a book is one of the best parts, IMO. It never stops being tons of fun. :)
And yes! Love ATLA! And TLOK! :D
Whoa! 400! That's impressive. Sounds like you'll have plenty of writing fodder at the ready. :)
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