Shako

Well.... I need help on coming up with a fresh idea for a book. I had a really good book going....but it ended up just like King Kong. Soo....any tips?? Also I seem to rush things way toooo much. Anything that should take up a whole book would only take up three chapters for me. I can't seem to draw things out....

Uriah

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Aurora_Borealis

Hi Shako. Looking for fresh ideas is difficult, but usually I try to take many long walks alone so that I can contemplate the various ideas in my head. Oftentimes I come up with something interesting that I feel could be elaborated. Getting fresh ideas also comes from the type of material you read. I read a smattering of both fiction (in any genre) and non--fiction (mostly dealing with history). Sometimes I piece together ideas that I come across, or take inspiration from them. Writing prompts are also great, as well as talking about writing in general.

In terms of length, just keep trying to elaborate on ideas and events, although you might find yourself to be more of a short-story person.

je33ie

Take a bus trip around town and just listen to the conversations going on around you. Pick someone on the bus and make up the story in your head of where they have come from and where they are going (not just on the bus but in life in general of course!). How many siblings do they have? Do they get along with their parents? Do they have a partner? What are their dreams and aspirations?

If you find you can only get short stories, write a number of short stories dealing with the one character, then fill in the gaps. You will soon be on your way to writing a masterpiece!

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Hobbes

I really like this idea. Even if the individual stories aren't sewn together into a novel, one can easily pen a collection of linked stories this way, or at the very least, the equivalent of a 360 degree camera sweep around a character. It sounds like something I'd like to try.

Mike C

The short story idea as good.

Also, don't beat yourself up looking for a 'new' idea. Take an old one and put a fresh slant on it. Maybe read some Shakespeare, take the basic plot, put it in a different context, change some characters, and you'll find you've got a classic, timeless theme that you can flesh out into something new and original.

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Destroyer

If you want something really original, get all your ideas and put them together. You're bound to end up with something that hasn't been done before.

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captdallas2

Valium, at least you will tend to rush less. The short stories idea is good. Short novels developing different characters that collide near the end is always good. You will figure it out.

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