For many of us writers out there, ideas don't come easily. If you've been blessed with the gift of easy coming ideas, than maybe this post isn't for you, but I find many writers struggling to find that one winning idea.
Sometimes I think of my favorite author, Suzanne Collins, author of the "Hunger Games," series. I find it hard to comprehend that she received the idea for her book series just by combining war and adolescent children, and wrote the first book, "The Hunger Games," on her La-Z-Boy recliner. How could she get a bestselling idea that quickly? How could she write it all from the confines of an armchair? How did she not hate every sentence and think her ideas were horrible?
I constantly have ideas that may seem exceptional at the time, and I get maybe a few sentences, and then discard my work, thinking that even if I was to finish it, the editing and publishing would be a different story, and my idea wasn't one that would appeal to people. I've wondered if there were possibly ways to get amazing ideas, like maybe if you soaked in a bubble bath with candlelight illuminating your dimly lit bathroom for an hour or two, you would suddenly get a revelation to write a specific story, and it would become a bestseller. Well, I'm here to tell you that it's not true.
You can't always just have a winning idea out of the blue. Of course, it's happened before, but usually, in the lives of writers, it takes a long while to find that perfect idea or story to write. It doesn't happen in a normal way either, you may see someone unique, or go on a vacation, and realize how interesting it was, interesting enough to write a fictional story about. I've never met a writer who hasn't had at least one winning idea, and I don't think I ever will. Just wait until the right moment for that idea to spark in your mind.
Try to think of things you enjoy reading. This doesn't mean plagiarizing another authors story, it means thinking about what you could do to incorporate a certain similar theme in one of your stories. Like a fictional YA book about a high school relationship, you can write a fictional YA book about a high school relationship, but incorporate your own ideas, characters, settings, and plot lines. Try writing about things you actually like and have had some experience with.
You can also ask other teenagers what kinds of books they like to read. If you're looking to appeal to a wide ranged audience, see what they like, and then write a book in that genre. For example, if half of the students you surveyed said they liked ghost stories best, then write a ghost story. Then, you know it will appeal to more than you're mom, cat, and best friend.
You can get professional tips from published authors who enjoy helping the young writers of the world. Ask them what they think is most appealing in a story, or to what variety of audience you should send your book to. Explore publishing options as well.
Search the web for different bestselling books and stories. Don't copy the authors, just see what you can kind in common with all the bestselling books. For example, a genre or theme, maybe how much personification they use, fiction or nonfiction, etc. If you enjoy any of these popular themes, write a book about one or two incorporated themes and see where it takes you.
Though ideas may not come quickly, they will come in time, and when they do come, you'll be ready with pen and paper in hand, (or keyboard, depending on your style and writing preferences.)
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Sincerely,
Priceless Pen
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