Ideas - Writers Forum

knglerxt · 06-23-2005, 01:45 AM

I'm having a hard time coming up with an idea that I actually like enough to write about. I can come up with ideas, but I just don't think they're very good. Does anyone else have this problem? If so, what do you do about it? I'm beginning to question whether or not I have what it takes to be a writer.

Kane · 06-23-2005, 01:49 AM

I often have this problem as well... All I can suggest is:

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journyman161 · 06-23-2005, 01:52 AM

What DO you like? Work out that, then look within that area for a subject.

Look in the media for something that just burns you & wrtie about that.

Then, start writing. Sometimes the writing itself guides you into a good story, poem etc. If you normally write short stories, try some poetry & vice versa.

Hodge · 06-23-2005, 02:02 AM

To tell the truth, I have too many ideas... Never am I at a loss for them. I only keep working at a couple of them, though.

Anything can be inspiration. Music. A movie. A book. Your job (the more you hate it the better). The two fat guys you were once lodged in between on the airplane. The stupid girl who thought Caucasians are from Caucasia. The pothead who locked himself inside his car and couldn't get out.

Anything. All it is is a matter of not telling yourself that you can't write about something.

Kane · 06-23-2005, 02:13 AM

Yeah that's more my problem as well... Everytime I start a story, I think of something else and want to go write about.

silverwriter · 06-23-2005, 09:45 AM

I keep a little notebook of things that strike me. A man who wears his wedding ring after his wife has died, ohysical pain being tolerable compared to mental pain, etc. It helps to try to incorporate things into beginning scenes to make sure I won't quit on it right away.

Sarra · 06-23-2005, 01:51 PM

I find just sitting down and making a list of your favorite things helps. It doesn't have to just be objects either. Write sounds, words, places, sights, etc. Once you have a list of things, you start to get ispired and fresh ideas are right in front of you.

Kikster · 06-23-2005, 02:30 PM

I usually start writing about whatever. writing eventually evolves into a story.
or I listen to music for inspiration...
or some other times it just dawns on me while I'm doing something totally random, like taking the car at the carwash or stuff like that.
but I guess it's normal to be blocked sometimes, I think it happens to everyone. I am having a hard time as well these days...

suzakugaiden · 06-23-2005, 03:37 PM

Go play a lot of games/read a lot of books/watch a lot of movies. Eventually one'll hit you with a concept you like, but it doesn't actually do anything with it. Take that concept, make it your own, and do it the justice you think it deserves.

shadowseer · 06-23-2005, 04:19 PM

just write a little scribble. Soemthing crazy (such as mutant hamsters destroying all the cheese in the world and the crazy hero who has to save the cheese). Some of my best ideas have evolved out of my worst.

Dan101 · 06-23-2005, 04:28 PM

It may not be that the ideas are not good, more than it is your being self concsious about them. They may be great ideas, you may just have it in your head that they are not for some reason.

My suggestion is sharing them with a couple of friends or family members, and look for the average reaction. If they think its good, then go back and look at it yourself a few times over. Think about it for a while, and if you still dont like it, try to change little bits around with your idea, so that you still have the same strong core idea to work with.

Good luck! ^_^