As an author, I go through stages when the ideas are flowing and there seems to be a never-ending stream of new material popping into my head. This was the way it was all through my Verindon trilogy. Even now, it’s easy to slip back into that world and continue its story.
Then there are other times, times when I have no new ideas, times when I despair of ever having another new idea again.
I’m in that place right now.
Admittedly, I’m not terribly worried. For a start, I’ve been here before and I know it won’t be long before I have an idea. Also, I currently have a new manuscript with my publisher for consideration, so it’s not like I don’t have some work ‘on the go’.
However, it’s frustrating, especially when I have some excellent scenes passing through my head, only to realise that the story they amount to is one that has been done (or overdone) a thousand times.
Although, even if the kernel around which those scenes are built isn’t an original idea, it doesn’t mean their stories aren’t going to have something original in them. After all, as my publisher once told me, there’s no such thing as an original idea these days. All stories are built on about seven original story ideas and are just a variation of one or more of those (ie: forbidden love, overcoming a stronger foe, poor relationships with a parent figure, etc). So even if the story isn’t strictly original, the angle I bring to it might be.
But those angles are still eluding me at the moment. I know better to force it. I never do that unless I at least have an ending in mind. If I start a story that has no ending, I know from experience I’m unlikely to finish it. I simply continue to live in hope that, sooner or later, these ideas will all come together in my head, and that little angle I’m looking for will make an appearance. That’s always the best moment. I hope it isn’t too far away.
Are you a writer? How hard is it for you to think of new storylines and write them? Are you a reader? Have you read many stories that you think are truly ‘original’ lately? Let me know in the comments.
I’ve been in that stage for the last two years and feel I’m only just coming out of it.
Eeek! I hope it doesn’t last that long.
Hi Lynne
Sometimes finding the right idea for a short story can be elusive – but usually if I let it sit long enough something will come. Or sometimes just sitting down and writing anyway brings on the ideas.
Overall though my problem is that I have too many ideas jostling around, enough to keep me busy for several years at least.
Given you have ideas for Verindon – is that something you might pursue one day? I’m sure some of your passionate fans would be happy with the idea 🙂
I would love to do more in that world, Jeanette, but I think I’d have to sell a lot more copies to justify it. I have Keridan’s version of The Heir all ready and waiting to go …
Hi Lynne – I think you’re right. It’s hard to come up with a truly original idea, but that original spin can make all the difference. I’m not sure if this will help, but I read a tip once that can help with finding that original story arc. If you’ve got lots of ideas, even for separate stories, take two of those and put them together in the same story. Worth a try. I was thinking of doing that with some of my half-finished short stories.
In terms of original novels, I think The Book Thief would have to be one of the most original I’ve read in recent years. Lots of stories have been written about Nazi Germany, but the manner in which that one was told, with death being a quirky narrator, was highly original.
Looking forward to seeing that next manuscript.
You know, I thought of doing that with two separate ideas I’ve had lately but I’m not sure yet if I can make them work together. We’ll see.