Writing creative writing, story writing and other writings by Rob Hopcott

Somebody once asked me if I could suggest some ideas for writing to get them started on a short story, novel or novella. I answered it was best to look inside themselves to find writing ideas based on their experiences not mine. They were doubtful whether they had a ’story in them’ but, when I suggested they start with their ambitions and dreams, their ideas for writing soon flowed.

Your dreams and ambitions are wonderfully fertile places to get story writing ideas. They hold your deepest interest, they excite you and are fundamental to your personality. Your ambitions and dreams come from your innermost being and so are genuine and real. Since you will almost always write better on subjects about which you deeply care, writing about your dreams and ambitions can help you write with true conviction and feeling.

Naturally, your ambitions and dreams are only a starting point from which to let your mind wander. Using the phrase ‘what if?’ to perm every option is the next step towards revealing mouth-watering story-lines - and may even give you real-life ideas to change your plans.

Are you looking forward to having a family and being part of a long-term relationship with children at some time in the future? Imagine what it would be like. What tensions might you feel? Why is having a family important to you? How would you feel if you couldn’t? What circumstances might cause this state of affairs? The ideas for writing are boundless.

Alternatively, have you an ambition to change your career? Perhaps there is a job you would like but can hardly imagine ever getting, even in your wildest dreams. Imagine how it would be to make this ultimate career change and reap the rewards your new job may bring. Imagine what could go wrong and explore the dramatic tension.  Soon the ideas for writing will flow.

Do you dream about love and romance? These are very popular ideas for writing. What would your ideal partner be like? Can you visualise the great love in your life? How would you feel if you found your ideal love and then lost them?

Perhaps you would like to go to college or university later in your life or perhaps return to college or university as a mature student, if you are older. Life change is great for a story idea. Why do you find the idea exciting? How would you feel once you were there? What problems could arise and what conflicts and situations might you encounter?

Think about the place where you work. Could you see yourself rising through the ranks to become in charge of your organisation? What stresses would it bring? How would others feel about you? Would the huge amounts of money you might earn change your life and make you a different person?

To find ideas for writing, try changing your viewpoint. If you are a young person, imagine you are an older person. Look back on your life and think about the stages you have gone through. If you are an older person, then think about how it would be like to be a younger person. Perhaps even consider how younger people might think about you. Changing your point of view can stimulate ideas and thoughts you may never previously have entertained.

Ideas for writing stories are everywhere but need to be approached with a questioning eye and a willingness to ask ‘what if?’ constantly.

‘What if?’ creates ideas for writing and enhances commonplace situations into playgrounds of the mind. It stimulates your story writing ideas and goes a long way towards keeping your readers on the edge of their seats and coming back for more.

Bye for now

Rob

Rob Hopcott - online author