Developing your Idea Generating Skill Set
by Sandra Makaresz
One of the most common questions emerging writers ask authors is ‘where do you get your ideas?’. Not surprisingly, it’s a question often met with a deep sigh or an oft repeated comedic retort. The true answer is probably close to something like – this is my profession and I’ve developed the skills to discover, uncover, and do the work required to create ideas.
It’s a great answer, but on your way to developing your own ‘Idea Generating Skill Set’ it might be helpful to get some tips. You want a starting point that’s true and tested. A hint at where to begin or just a sign that there really are tangible things you can do. Most of all, you sometimes just need reassurance that your blank page doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t have any good ideas.
If you find yourself stuck, here are few good places to look for ideas.
1. The News – They say that truth is stranger than fiction and there’s no better testament to this than your daily newspaper, online news source, or wherever you choose to get your news these days. News is everywhere and its stories range from local to global. Best of all, the news is public domain. So be inspired. You next great idea might take its inspiration from a local political report, a good Samaritan story or a virus making its presence felt across the globe. Remember though, a news story might inspire your idea but your writing needs to make it your own.
2. Myths and fairy tales – These classic stories have all the ingredients for a dramatic retelling, modern day version, or even a thematic starting point. Choose your favourite and think about what it is that draws you to the story. Is it a particular character or a moral dilemma that it answers? Is there a secondary character you can explore, or a minor one even? Look to your favourites to understand what it is that is interesting to you and the ideas that will excite you.
3. Historical figures - History is filled with interesting characters and situations that many of us know nothing about. Do some exploring and your research might uncover that gem of an idea you’ve been searching for. You can spend a few hours discovering at your local library, the State Library or even search online. There are so many options now and that rabbit hole is just calling out for you to step inside and have some fun. Once you’ve found something of interest, go wild. You can place your historical figure in the future, the past, or somewhere completely of your own invention.