tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post8435855764195248112..comments2024-03-28T08:48:51.749-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: How To Find Original Ideas When You Have NoneJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-89999843291489327872012-02-02T06:11:30.492-05:002012-02-02T06:11:30.492-05:00Thanks for chiming into the discussion, Kerstin! I...Thanks for chiming into the discussion, Kerstin! I agree--researching really can spark ideas!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-20770532301860345062012-02-01T17:05:02.543-05:002012-02-01T17:05:02.543-05:00Don't give up on ideas too fast. I experienced...Don't give up on ideas too fast. I experienced that researching is a great way to grow an idea. Most times I stumble upon interesting aspects I didn't know before and I couldn't have come up with. May it be on the setting or something loosely attached on the theme of the story - it always adds more layers and fleshes out my original idea.<br /><br />Good luck to all and happy writing!Kerstin Broemerhttp://www.literaturjournal.denoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-35367943821569527632012-02-01T16:56:33.698-05:002012-02-01T16:56:33.698-05:00Don't give up on ideas too fast. I experienced...Don't give up on ideas too fast. I experienced that researching is a great way to grow an idea. Most times I stumble upon interesting aspects I didn't know before and I couldn't have come up with. May it be on the setting or something loosely attached on the theme of the story - it always adds more layers and fleshes out my original idea.<br /><br />Good luck to all and happy writing!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-81827021523758734842012-01-26T02:31:58.107-05:002012-01-26T02:31:58.107-05:00During the holidaze, I struggled to find a book id...During the holidaze, I struggled to find a book idea.<br />I had nothing.<br />So, as I told several friends, I "walked around in my mind for a few days and asked the question, 'What if?'"<br />Some of them -- the non-writers -- looked at me like I was bonkers.<br />The writers, however, nodded their heads in agreement.<br />I kept asking "what if?" until something sparked an idea --specifically that question, something in my past and the cover of a magazine. All three things germinated into the seed of a new book idea.<br />As always, appreciate your encouragement, Jody!Beth K. Vogthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04032849469366266791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-15267233685629407322012-01-25T19:18:23.106-05:002012-01-25T19:18:23.106-05:00I usually don't have a hard time coming up wit...I usually don't have a hard time coming up with ideas. But, to make an idea original, I keep it with me for a few months. As I drive, brush my teeth, etc. I think about it. Then it usually takes on a life of its own and becomes different than the story that may already be out there. That's when I'm ready to write it down. But that's just my process.Susan Oloierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07311938400999953443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-71469211588474999202012-01-25T14:06:39.059-05:002012-01-25T14:06:39.059-05:00I have to agree with Jody's method of pushing ...I have to agree with Jody's method of pushing yourself to write, rather than think about it. Simply jotting down a stream of unassociated thoughts can stimulate the imagination and open the creative gate. It seems to me that the more you try to avoid actually 'doing' it, the less likely you are to reveal that elusive bright idea.<br /><br />I try to keep the imaginitive muscles working when I take my dog for a walk - for instance, I might see a piece of litter on the footpath and I'll try to conjure a little drama as to how it got there and why. Sounds silly, but it works for me!Laura Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16627140733300018227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-41558761647076514062012-01-25T11:10:53.708-05:002012-01-25T11:10:53.708-05:00Even if it HAS been done, I remind myself that I&#...Even if it HAS been done, I remind myself that I'll do it in my own unique way. My voice, my logic makes it different. I'm with you, Jody, brainstorming ways to make it more wild always helps!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-81872763075672071262012-01-25T03:40:19.718-05:002012-01-25T03:40:19.718-05:00If I'm really stuck for an idea I'll turn ...If I'm really stuck for an idea I'll turn to the local newspapers. They tend to have a lot of human interest stories. I will use one or more and start to weave a plot around them. Ask yourself what would make them more interesting, what would add tension. For example a story about a teenager winning an academic prize - perhaps they cheated. A story about a nursing home resident turning 100 - perhaps a long lost relative will see the report and be reunited. A story about a mother campaigning for a road crossing - perhaps her child was injured crossing the road.Gayle Beveridgehttp://www.ficklefiction.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-36557656256319857362012-01-24T22:56:04.465-05:002012-01-24T22:56:04.465-05:00I find that doing something out of routine helps m...I find that doing something out of routine helps my creativity. My senses go into shock just a bit when I present them with unexpected experiences. It kind of sends my mind in a tizzy and, in turn, I get great inspiration. As an example, I might take a completely different route to work-just for the experience, eat food that never seemed interesting before, take a day trip to someplace I'd never been, or talk to a stranger. Then, like it was mentioned, I sit down and write...and let the words tell the story.Jamie McHenryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17844129434598954840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-37361080631697692122012-01-24T16:12:10.600-05:002012-01-24T16:12:10.600-05:00Well if someone mentioned hot tubs, I'll chime...Well if someone mentioned hot tubs, I'll chime in that I spent a LOT of time in the sauna during college (once I knew of its existence in the ladies' locker room) when I was brainstorming for an essay.<br /><br />I think mindless physical tasks can also help; when I wash dishes or fold laundry or some such task, my mind wanders...and sometimes it wanders somewhere useful!MK Jorgensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03531862410439190225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-42343929862281609252012-01-24T13:08:24.575-05:002012-01-24T13:08:24.575-05:00This is such great advice, and I feel like everyon...This is such great advice, and I feel like everyone can use it no matter what stage they're in. We all hit these points, even in the middle of projects, where nothing seems exciting. But we just have to trust that what we think of as unoriginal is often very original in other peoples minds.<br /><br /><a href="http://fromsarahwithjoy.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Sarah Allen<br />(my creative writing blog)</a>Sarah Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01185278849400551014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-41380156104908063662012-01-24T12:07:29.554-05:002012-01-24T12:07:29.554-05:00At least for me, I know that I tend to stall when ...At least for me, I know that I tend to stall when I'm doing too much self-editing/criticizing in the early stages of writing. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy...if I'm telling myself that everything that I write is stupid then inevitably I will only be able to write stupid things. <br /><br />I also think that things are usually overused because there is something good in it. So for me, if I'm stuck on an idea, but can't get past the surface of it I usually open up another document and work my way THROUGH the cliches, the expected parts, the typical, and see if I can turn something else up under it._https://www.blogger.com/profile/16045401564948651914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-17323400510221244652012-01-24T11:32:08.223-05:002012-01-24T11:32:08.223-05:00Some of my favorite stories are ones that are revi...Some of my favorite stories are ones that are revised versions of stories that have already been told before. For example, how many times has the Romeo and Juliet story been "rewritten"? One of my new favorite TV shows, Once Upon a Time, takes all the most popular fairy tales and rewrites them by adding new elements, plot twists, and characters. So I think as long as the story isn't copied/plagiarized, it's okay to take an idea and make it into your own by adding your own insight to it.Neurotic Workaholichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06775298184138766683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-2272284623727220282012-01-24T11:14:18.243-05:002012-01-24T11:14:18.243-05:00This post was exactly what I needed to read. I am ...This post was exactly what I needed to read. I am at the very beginninng of starting out writing my first novel and I've been floundering to try and find a rythm. This post gave me a slew of ideas from you and other people on how to get started. THANK YOU!!Natalie Hartfordhttp://nataliehartford.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-57760919055385746342012-01-24T10:55:07.322-05:002012-01-24T10:55:07.322-05:00Dear Jody: Oh, how glad I am that I popped over he...Dear Jody: Oh, how glad I am that I popped over here today--you are so brilliant! I love the picture of a naked, hairy monster running amok in my brain...<br /><br />Off to retweet this!Jeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-42217384682937583412012-01-24T10:42:21.345-05:002012-01-24T10:42:21.345-05:00Hey everyone!! LOVING all of your suggestions toda...Hey everyone!! LOVING all of your suggestions today! Patrice, I think you've just given us all permission to invest in hot tubs! ;-) Or at the very least nightly bubble baths!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-17277773347882496712012-01-24T10:37:16.656-05:002012-01-24T10:37:16.656-05:00Some writer friends swear by WATER. Not to drink! ...Some writer friends swear by WATER. Not to drink! But washing dishes (ugh!), taking a bath or shower, swimming...any activity that involves putting your body into water is apparently a great trick for freeing up the imagination. I like to go for a walk when I'm stuck. For Emma and others who are looking for entirely new story ideas, I would suggest reading/watching/listening to unfamiliar books/movies/music even those that don't naturally hold appeal. That might shake up her imagination and let the wild beast out.PM Kavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18158084685117474279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-81457023924758872092012-01-24T10:20:14.690-05:002012-01-24T10:20:14.690-05:00Great post and ideas! It's scary to think tha...Great post and ideas! It's scary to think that one day...what if I run out of ideas and can't think of a thing to write? That's TERRIFYING! But I know it won't happen. Sure, it may happen for a while. But keep on writing...something will happen. We're writers. It's what we do. We can't just turn it off, even when our minds don't cooperate. Let your spirit and soul free. Let them take over your fingers rather than your mind, and just. write.April Plummerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12000526454256802504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-74419978009239494992012-01-24T10:20:02.940-05:002012-01-24T10:20:02.940-05:00As a fantasy and science fiction writer, my need f...As a fantasy and science fiction writer, my need for originality and difference goes beyond a matter of plot. I've been trying a technique for a while now, and it has been working.<br /><br />I keep a notebook and pencil handy - what writer doesn't? - to jot down all the little "What ifs" and "That's cool" things I think of or see during the day. Sometimes I jot down seven things in a day, sometimes I go for a week without adding to the notebook. The nuggets that I really liked of abandoned stories go in the notebook as well.<br /><br />This notebook is my story stew steeping. (Alliteration! I'm so suave.) Writing things down helps me remember them, so when I start a story, I may have a few ingredients from that stew in mind. When I get stuck or feel like I've reached an area in my story where I don't have something different or fun going on, I go back to my notebook. Taking so many little things and weaving them together will create something creative.<br /><br />I'd say to at least try the story stew notebook. I was surprised at how well it worked.Kathrine Roidhttp://kathrineroid.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-78604197266950936972012-01-24T10:19:46.998-05:002012-01-24T10:19:46.998-05:00Love your advice, Jody!
I always think of the mos...Love your advice, Jody!<br /><br />I always think of the most outrageous thing/circumstance that could possibly happen and then take it up a notch. Anyone who's a mom knows that the strange and unusual can and DOES happen. We just have to be willing to think outside the box even further.<br /><br />I frequently bounce ideas off my family, and together, we come up with some doozies.Cynthia Herronhttp://www.authorcynthiaherron.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-40626811752810714362012-01-24T10:06:18.630-05:002012-01-24T10:06:18.630-05:00Great post today, Jody. I agree with all you'v...Great post today, Jody. I agree with all you've said, and with the commenters as well. Generating creative ideas does not come naturally to me. At all. I depend heavily on being inspired by other novels, by movies, etc. The key to making these ideas original is what you said in your second point. Twist them and tweak them until they are your own. <br /><br />I'll take inspiration from two or three different sources, twist them around, mix them up, and tweak them until they form something completely new. Then I add in my own unique voice and style, and the result is something original. <br /><br />It's like a chef taking common ingredients, but combining them in such a way that he creates something fresh and new and scrumptiously delicious. Something that will then inspire other chefs in their own creative journey.Karen Witemeyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07287122458842709578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-16162094843904336592012-01-24T10:04:53.553-05:002012-01-24T10:04:53.553-05:00Great tips, Jody. When I'm drawing a blank, I&...Great tips, Jody. When I'm drawing a blank, I'll take a walk. Just getting away from the story can clear my head and cause ideas to flow.<br /><br />In the early stages of a story, I brainstorm with my hubby, who is my plotting partner. When the two of us uncage our "beasts," fun things happen. We toss out ideas willy nilly. Some land with a thud, some spur others, and some are total keepers. I love to see how excited he gets when one of us hits on a winner--almost as excited as I get. =)Keli Gwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13236868298400593688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-6612938087939924622012-01-24T09:46:22.965-05:002012-01-24T09:46:22.965-05:00It helps me to run some of my ideas past a fellow ...It helps me to run some of my ideas past a fellow writer or writing group. In the past, this has helped me to shape what was plain in my story idea or tame a wild thought. :)Lindsay Harrelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09379628592162011068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-90487317607084231122012-01-24T07:59:32.363-05:002012-01-24T07:59:32.363-05:00I agree that reveals come via the writing.I agree that reveals come via the writing.Lizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16170701034715108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-82707305938363376452012-01-24T07:53:59.677-05:002012-01-24T07:53:59.677-05:00Doing something else-watching TV, a movie, listeni...Doing something else-watching TV, a movie, listening to music, reading-usually helps "snap" things back in place for me. It usually happens because I'm stumped on a scene or character. But then I work past the dam and it breaks...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com