tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post6834261915042502612..comments2023-12-26T18:33:04.681-08:00Comments on Writability: Writing Discussion: Are You an Idea-Generating Machine?Gabe (Ava Jae)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04778524723148508140noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-13089625607336011042015-03-10T17:59:37.817-07:002015-03-10T17:59:37.817-07:00I don't think I've ever seen anyone do FIV...I don't think I've ever seen anyone do FIVE at once, but...yeah that could get tiresome quickly. I'd advise against that anyway as you really should try to focus on one submission at a time when querying...so five at once is a little iffy.Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-66125754147743075382015-03-10T11:42:31.161-07:002015-03-10T11:42:31.161-07:00One of my biggest pet peeves with these twitter ev...One of my biggest pet peeves with these twitter events are the people who have multiple manuscripts and pitch each on each half hour. I'm glad they have more than one manuscript ready to go - I truly am. But, pitching all five (not a made up number) each half hour just pushes everyone else's tweets down and annoys them. There are 24 half hour blocks available - pitch one MS one half hour and another the next. It'll keep the flow going and keep people from muting/blocking you.Eris0303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-83928167665863567182013-10-02T06:23:04.740-07:002013-10-02T06:23:04.740-07:00Those are great questions to ask. Usually ideas th...Those are great questions to ask. Usually ideas that I deem not novel-worthy are ideas that I lose interest in (and thus no longer want to spend the time to write and work on it). Basically, if I don't love it enough to fully plot it and write it, then I know it won't make it to the fully polished stage, and so I deem it unworthy.Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-8539018232848747522013-10-01T03:16:32.846-07:002013-10-01T03:16:32.846-07:00In fact I said the same thing for many years. I j...In fact I said the same thing for many years. I just had an idea workshop, and I hadn't realized how much story and idea had merged together from all the writing advice I'd read over the years. Yes, not every idea instantly turns itself into a story, but I'm also not analyzing the idea to see if it's worthy of being a book or a short story. That'll kill it faster than anything else because then I'm thinking, "But I don't know what this is about. I don't know what I'll do with it." I just finished a story where I very nearly did that, and it turned out a great story that almost didn't get written. So now I'm just trying to focus on, "Do I want to write this?" and "Am I ready to write this?"Linda Adamshttp://garridon.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-24199646212760007902013-09-29T14:56:18.559-07:002013-09-29T14:56:18.559-07:00You might be mixing idea up with story. An idea i...You might be mixing idea up with story. An idea is only a launch point to get you started; it's not the entire story. It could be a picture or an object or a person you see at the store. I just submitted a story that was launched by a pillow (yes, really), and my novel started with a marble (which is not in the story at all, but merely reminded me of the paperweight museum). My current short story comes from the idea two separate anthology themes and enlisted soldiers. It's not as hard coming up with the once you stop thinking the idea has to be an entire story.Linda Adamshttp://garridon.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-40834124051283303862013-09-28T07:09:33.125-07:002013-09-28T07:09:33.125-07:00Idea generation is a funny thing and works a littl...Idea generation is a funny thing and works a little differently for everyone. The important thing is that we remember to keep track of our ideas, because you never know what might jog some inspiration later on. :)Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-14635969901873662052013-09-25T22:51:28.399-07:002013-09-25T22:51:28.399-07:00There are times I feel like I need a bucket to cat...There are times I feel like I need a bucket to catch all the ideas coming out of my head. Other times are fairly dry. <br /><br /><br /><br />Not every idea is novel worthy, of course. Short stories, sometimes just blog posts. Sometimes just a jotted sentence that doesn't mean anything when I look at it days/weeks/years later.Jen Donohuehttp://authorizedmusings.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-23992526209223912922013-09-25T08:49:19.840-07:002013-09-25T08:49:19.840-07:00I forgot about that! Yes, that's another good ...I forgot about that! Yes, that's another good one. People love fake books, especially when they want to request it and find out it doesn't exist.Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-47580252663510770242013-09-24T20:12:44.553-07:002013-09-24T20:12:44.553-07:00You're so welcome, Stacy! Sounds like your pro...You're so welcome, Stacy! Sounds like your process is very similar to mine, and I definitely understand your frustration. It can be tough when you really want to write, but the ideas just don't work out. In the end, though, when you hit that idea that <i>does</i> work, it's totally worth the struggle. :)Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-74316126445690840152013-09-24T20:02:24.381-07:002013-09-24T20:02:24.381-07:00Wow! I'm not sure if you've told me this b...Wow! I'm not sure if you've told me this before...maybe you have (but I've read hundreds of comments so I don't really remember them all, heh). At any rate, eight years on one manuscript is...wow. Congrats on finally starting to get it out there! <i>And</i> a notebook full of new ideas—that's fantastic! <br /><br /><br />As for choosing ideas...I don't think there are winners so-to-speak as much as there are ideas that you're more passionate about. I'd say try out the ones that grab your attention, and chances are, one will really demand to be written once you start. :)Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-6186215452666055182013-09-24T19:39:57.965-07:002013-09-24T19:39:57.965-07:00Hmmm...sounds like you may want to try out some ou...Hmmm...sounds like you may want to try out some outlining? I have quite a few posts on brainstorming, plotting, etc. if you're interested. But basically the key to turning those ideas into a full plot involves a lot of brainstorming and (if you're a plotter, or open to trying plotting), writing down some points along the way.Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-45093598289463459202013-09-24T18:33:11.917-07:002013-09-24T18:33:11.917-07:00That's pretty much how I come up with ideas to...That's pretty much how I come up with ideas too. I have folders and files of nuggets, most that haven't been explored enough. I've started writing ideas I thought had potential (several chapters), then lost interest or decided it wasn't good enough to continue. That's not to say I'm afraid to commit to an idea--but getting a fully formed novel-worthy idea takes a lot of time for me. I have to marinate in ideas, day dream about them, outline them, write snippets. It's a lot of fun, but also a little frustrating when I really just want to complete something amazing that I'm proud of. Thanks for the great post!Stacy Teitelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-53278925267703308522013-09-24T12:50:56.378-07:002013-09-24T12:50:56.378-07:00Hah! I used to live - LIVE - on your boat!
I th...Hah! I used to live - LIVE - on your boat! <br /><br /><br />I think I commented on an older post saying something similar (or maybe it was someone else's blog) but I spent 8 years writing nothing but one story. I now have nine drafts - one for every year. I got so stuck in that world and developing it (it's the one I pitched for #pitmad) that I feared that when I wrote the last-ish chapter, I was done for.<br /><br /><br />I was waiting to wake in a cold sweat to find I'm not a writer but someone with one idea that I'll prattle on about until my end of days. As it turned out, two weeks later, the dreams and late night conversations happened and now I have a folder and note book bloated with ideas. It's exciting and frustrating, mainly because it can serve as an unwelcome distraction when trying to stick to one project. The other thing is I have a feeling that even if I develop all my ideas into stories, not all will be winners...so which one should I pour my heart and soul into?!<br /><br /><br />And utter devotion to one WIP at a time is one thing you WON'T have to worry about. Better to be a master of one than a jack of many, as they say.Shay Deenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-8904252052622887812013-09-23T20:54:37.804-07:002013-09-23T20:54:37.804-07:00I have too many ideas, but the problem is, I'm...I have too many ideas, but the problem is, I'm not sure how to connect them into an actual story. I also have a to-write list but most of the ideas are just short summaries and endings to that story. I'm not sure how to fill in the rest of the story's blanks, like the beginning and middle. :/Mayukanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-81094037456258943352013-09-23T15:20:11.132-07:002013-09-23T15:20:11.132-07:00I agree completely about the processes—there are a...I agree completely about the processes—there are always pros and cons and the most important thing is that you learn to work with it. I'm comfortable with the way I work (usually), and I just find it interesting to compare notes with other writers. :)<br /><br /><br />On that note, I'm relatively sure that having too many ideas will never be a problem for me. But I guess you never know!Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-78877509953582423602013-09-23T15:14:29.975-07:002013-09-23T15:14:29.975-07:00I have too many ideas. Its a problem. Some ideas t...I have too many ideas. Its a problem. Some ideas take a back seat and may never get written (I have one that's been on the "to-write" list for years and now its at least #4 on the waiting list. Just keeps getting pushed back) but I have two specifically I want to write now. Like yesterday but I have to have paitence cause otherwise I'll get overwhelmed (it's happened)<br /><br />All processes have their positives and negatives ( not that I'm complaining *strokes ideas*) you just have to learn to deal with yours.Stacey Trombleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-66327490035238959312013-09-23T14:09:27.584-07:002013-09-23T14:09:27.584-07:00I think it's totally great that you always hav...I think it's totally great that you always have a trove of ideas. You're exactly the kind of idea-generator that makes me a tad bit envious. :) <br /><br /><br />But I completely relate with your wanting to write out the ideas that you get. One of the many reasons I love writing so much is because it allows you to take a story that exists in your head and make it something tangible that others can explore at least for a couple hours.Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-49379358153745554802013-09-23T13:19:08.864-07:002013-09-23T13:19:08.864-07:00Wow! That is SO interesting! Sounds much more orga...Wow! That is SO interesting! Sounds much more organized than my mess of idea notes.Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-1674422773636010972013-09-23T09:36:41.494-07:002013-09-23T09:36:41.494-07:00Personally I'm a total daydreamer and my inspi...Personally I'm a total daydreamer and my inspiration is overly active. When I am alone and do not do anything special I usually day dream, and more often then not I talk to myself in my mind. This converstaions are usually what begins a story idea for me, an idea that I later explore in my head the next time I daydream. <br /><br /><br />I really can't say how many snippets idea I get and I definitly do not write all of them down, this weak I've gotten at least two that I still remmember. Most of the ideas that I get I forget sooner or later but some remain in my head and develop into something else. Something that has a main charachter, a few side charachters and a hum about what the plot will be. I always write down these sort of ideas. <br /><br /><br />The reason I began writing in the first place was that I had so many wonderful ideas I wanted to write down and remember, so many ideas I didn't want to forget. For me it's always a struggle to choose which idea I should write on, or which idea has the best potential.Lina Tinnerbergnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-91223638865741209982013-09-23T08:47:18.895-07:002013-09-23T08:47:18.895-07:00I don't write down every snippet. I let ideas ...I don't write down every snippet. I let ideas ruminate until there is a story. Then I pour it all into a notebook and let it sit. I add to the notebooks whenever an idea pertaining to that story comes to my mind, whether it's a scene, a character or something about the world. I have several notebooks going at the same time, some are prequels/sequels and some are new stories, waiting to be typed into something coherent. The original idea for the novel I'm working on right now is 20 years old, but I only figured out the setting for it a few months ago. I'm glad I saved it.Patchinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-5413905846324940252013-09-23T07:29:39.012-07:002013-09-23T07:29:39.012-07:00Idea lists are definitely helpful. I keep one, too...Idea lists are definitely helpful. I keep one, too (or several...) and it can definitely help jog some inspiration. :)Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-27497542273603324582013-09-23T07:28:06.936-07:002013-09-23T07:28:06.936-07:00Just checking. :) (But I think you're right—yo...Just checking. :) (But I think you're right—you'll get there).Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-56769889913149691322013-09-23T07:06:08.597-07:002013-09-23T07:06:08.597-07:00I always start with a one-liner for my books, and ...I always start with a one-liner for my books, and I keep a file of ideas so I can go back to them. I tried a number of different genres before I found my niche. Now I force myself to stay in that genre...at least for now...though there's all kinds of crazy ideas in my file ;-)Amy Jareckinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-79509303284038538762013-09-23T07:05:40.907-07:002013-09-23T07:05:40.907-07:00Haha, Thanks Ava. I actually meant something else ...Haha, Thanks Ava. I actually meant something else I'm working on that isn't beta-ready yet. :-)Laura Rueckertnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-46653021882849963682013-09-23T06:39:11.775-07:002013-09-23T06:39:11.775-07:00Hmmm yes, your snippets sound similar to my snippe...Hmmm yes, your snippets sound similar to my snippet list. I tend to find, however, that if I go back to that mini-line or idea wisp and I'm no longer interest in it (or the magic is gone, as you put it) then it wasn't novel-worthy to begin with, so it's not a problem. My subconscious eliminated the idea for me. :) <br /><br /><br />As for your current WIP...if you're talking about the one I think you're talking about, then allow me to reassure you that it's absolutely novel-worthy and a fantastic idea. But I totally understand your doubts—as you said, we all get them from time to time. It's just part of being a writer.Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com