Following the story thread
As a writer, I am often asked where I get my ideas for stories. I have a few answers for this—all of them true.
Stories come from everywhere, I’ve insisted in online interviews and casual conversations alike. A magazine article, a TV news snippet, a character in a movie, an argument between a couple in an airport—all of these have sent my mind on the “what-if” journey that leads to a story.
Other times, depending on my opinions about my work on a given day, I might suggest that story ideas often start with plot or character and then I’ll build one to suit the other. When characters are dogging me for a story, I might ask myself what would be the most problematic situation I could put that particular hero and heroine in. If a plot hook is niggling in my brain, I’ll twist it in the other direction and ask myself what kinds of characters would find that particular plot problem the most devastating? Yes, making life tough for our characters is a writer’s job.
But today I’ve decided that trying to track down the roots of a story is sort of like making my way through a labyrinth without the benefit of Ariadne’s thread. I’ve culled inspiration from so many numerous sources, pulling together so many different ideas, that the end product feels wholly unique. The ideas have fused so fully that to trace the root causes is almost impossible. I might have pulled a character into the story that I conceived years ago and couldn’t find a place to put him. I might build a world around a tiny germ of an idea that didn’t work in a book I wrote eons ago but now I’ve got new fuel for the concept and think I can make it work.
Truly, some of the ideas are so deep rooted that they seem to come from my toes. My stories represent a million facets of my mental make up, the snippets of thoughts, ideas, fears and dreams that make me.
So where do my stories come from? It’s a topic I love to think about. But I’ll warn you… you may be sorry you asked.
***What ideas have rattled around in your brain forever? A new and improved way to recycle? An idea for a business? A life goal you haven’t met or a place you’ve always wanted to visit? Characters people my brain whenever I’ve got a free moment. What occupies yours?
Prize opportunity—a reader’s tote bag and a signed copy of Joanne’s book The Pleasure Trip awarded to a random poster.
