How do you do to think of a plot? - Writers Forum

LostCause · 05-01-2005, 04:36 AM

I'm intending to write a musical but I can't think of a plot. Can anyone give me tips on how to think of a plot? Whenever I brainstorm plots it either comes back to Romeo and Juliet or Phantom of the Opera.

Spooky · 05-01-2005, 04:56 AM

Sorry, can't help you. My work is all situation and character driven. If you come up with a situation you're interested in, and spend some time in character development, I'm sure you'll have something you can work with.

If you *insist* on plotting, there are tons of online resources that can assist you. Google for them.

Hand · 05-01-2005, 08:13 AM

James Joyce's Ulysses: On Ice

Peter Thomas · 05-01-2005, 09:13 AM

Hm, well given that you seem to be coming back to Phantom and the like, I'm guessing you're not out to write a musical like Grease, Hairspray or The Producers.

Go for a plot that's been done before (there's no harm in 'borrowing' ideas), and then make it your own. As long as you write in a style that is yours, I can guarantee you won't be churning out just another Webber-clone. Try a spin on the quintessential love-triangle? Or maybe find a funny plot and make it serious?

Asking for tips on coming up with a plot is a bit vague, but I hope this has helped even a little. I love musicals and I wish you every success with this!

mammamaia · 05-01-2005, 09:53 AM

lost cause...
being a writer means HAVING ideas to write about... ask yourself why other writers should want to give away their own ideas to someone who doesn't have any... makes no sense, does it?...

anything can make a story... what makes a writer is not only getting ideas from anything and everything, but being able to turn those ideas into finished works...

i once wrote a musical comedy based largely on events that took place in my own life... the main characters were myself and one of my daughters, and the setting was a trip to europe [that we really did take]... i added some other events from other parts of my life that didn't happen in connection with the trip, but that made up a good bedroom farce, et voila!... i had a musical 'book'...

you can do the same thing... take real events, put them together with other real events, add made-up bits to make it all work, and you'll have an 'original' idea for your musical...

now, can you write a real musical?... do you know how to write the 'book'?... can you write lyrics that work for the stage?... are you also a composer, or do you have someone who can write the music?...

hugs, maia

Tidus Kurai · 05-01-2005, 10:01 AM

Oh a musical! As long as its full of lively songs it's all good ^^ lol. Seriously though, I'm actually finding it hard to think of a plot for a musical BUT what I do know is that overlapping songs (perhaps a duet where the two singers run off each others lyrics, or sing their own lyrics but at the same time (i love that in musicals)) are great!

I know you probably don't need much help with ideas for songs (or do you?) but think of other musicals. As somebody mentioned earlier, its okay to "borrow" from other musicals as long as it's got your own label on it

Think Chicago, one of the greatest musicals of all time in my opinion. Think jazz hands, think the puppet song, think parallel songs (two people singing but they're not in the same place - the songs are just kind of linked).

I would love to see what you come up with! When you've got an opening scene sorted will you post it up?