Creative Writing Ideas That Will Last You a Life Time
You can use basic fiction writing ideas over and over again.
Okay, I’m talking to all you short story writers out there. You can’t write a short story if you don’t have an idea of what the story should be about.
No problem.
We all get struck for a good short story idea. That’s part of being a writer. But there is a simple solution to the problem. Some of you already know the solution. Some of you who know the solution just need to be reminded of it again. And some of you may not have realized how simple the solution is. So, I’ll tell you what I’ve figured out about how to never run out of short story ideas.
Now of course this solution is not an original idea. If you’ve been writing any length of time and have been paying attention, you already know that there are no original ideas in writing.
F. Scott Fitzgerald, one of my favorite writers, kind of clued me in on the solution to the problem of constantly coming up with new writing ideas. He is reported to have said something like, We writers only have two or three events in our lives that so move us that it feels like no one has ever felt this way before. So, we tell the same two or three stories over and over again as long as the public will read us.
Image via Wikipedia
That got me thinking. What I figured out for myself is that there are only so many basic short story plots:
- The end of a relationship
- The beginning of a relationship
- Birth
- Death
- Leaving home for the first time
- The end of youth
And so on and so forth. But you can spin the basic events out in nearly endless short story ideas. Let’s take the end of a relationship.
- The end of a marriage
- The end of a friendship
- The end of a partnership
- The end of a romance
- The end of a love affair
- The end of a business association
- The end of an acquaintance
Or how about death.
- The death of a child
- The death of a spouse
- The death of a pet
You see where I’m going with this?
From about 20 basic significant events in your life, you can write a life time of short stories.
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Liked it
Good hints. The title would make a good book title!
Good article, many ways to expand the ideas.
I like this, I once had a CW teacher that stated there were only so many really intriguing stories that writers through the ages just kept recycling them and giving them their own twists. Great work, Guy.
True, there are a limited number of plots, but can go beyond the ones about relationships to include things like crimes or mysteries, war or conflict or rivalry, etc.
Nice Share
Very useful information on short story ideas.
Good helpful information. I never know where I will get my ideas from and sometimes I am surprised where they come form, but most of the time it is from my life or the life of someone I know.
Awesome. your ideas inspired to write more.
Agreed. Short stories are more powerful when centered on one idea
The list goes endless…. a lifetime of ideas indeed.
You are right. I have used these ideas time and time again in various guises. Thanks for the reminder, Guy.
Christine
Good article
Loved This! In fact I printed it out to put it on my bulletin board to remind myself when I get all stuck!
You have provided us all with a veritable plethora of ideas. Thank you.
Useful tips. Thanks.
I find that every time I read something I get two or three ideas for articles. So I could write all day every day and always have something to write. One event, a million angles! Keep writing!