I need some ideas...

[YankeeDoodle]

Well, I've made my decision, I am going to be a writer. Granted, I haven't earned excellent grammar marks, but this is what I have always wanted to do and I figure I better get an early start. I just want some ideas to start with, something to write about. I know there will be a few jokes associated with this , but I'm being serious. Most of you probably don't like to read, but if there was no way around it, what would the ideal story be about. The reason I ask you is, I haven't read nearly enough books to know what has been overdone. I just want a few serious answers, and if I get an idea I really like, you can expect more threads in the future(I can't do this alone you know). If I ever write anything worthy of being published, I will find a way to thank everyone here at PSU. I have been checking these forums for a long time, I have just never had the time to register and post much. I have to sell the computer to pay for car repairs, and the only posts you will be hearing from me will be from the local library(not that it really matters). Thanks in advance for any replies I may get. I won't be reading this any time before next week, for I am extremely busy. None of you know who I am, but I really loved reading what everyone posted...

[Navaron]

You're off to a bad start if you've already got writer's block. The best way to learn to write is to read. You should be reading a book a week at least.

[TekDragon]

Originally Posted by {BOHICA}Navaron

You're off to a bad start if you've already got writer's block. The best way to learn to write is to read. You should be reading a book a week at least.

What he said.

Don't even bother writing unless you've saturated yourself with books in the genre you want.

I've always wanted to write medieval fantasy. Right now i have over 300 books in my library of sci fi and medieval fantasy. Every one i read I get better ideas on how to write the book (both writing style and plot elements).

Go read some of Stephen King's auto biographies. He's got great advice on writing.

Last peice of advice: go to college.

[YankeeDoodle]

I didn't think I would get a reply this quickly. I might as well get a much PSU time in as I can before tomorrow! BTW I have been reading a TON. I just don't find myself very creative. I am afraid that people won't like what I write. That is why I just wondered what kind of stories people our age like. I love adventure/fantasies like The Lord of the Rings, but I want my work to be original. I may sound like a retard talking about this, but all the grammar/literature teachers I have ever had have said I have great potential to become a writer, and to write every spare minute I have. I figure, since summer has begun, and I am already bored, that I start my writing now...

[Corrosion]

Wanna write my essay on Night?

[Derfud]

It seems that you have said you like the fantasy genre. Since you arent creative, I recommend that you learn a bit about maybe A D&D campaign setting, or another campaign setting for D&D. Since alot of the hostory is already created, and the names of cities, famous people, etc. All you need to do is create your characters, and create an adventure. From there, you're story unfolds. I just began reading R.A. Salvatore last night, and he started in that exact way. Writing about Icewind Dale in forgotten Realms. A publisher took a chance with him, and it turns out he is a big succsess.

[Baneblade]

Write a book on Writer's Block...seriously...

[YankeeDoodle]

Thanks Derfud. I will be on ALL night and will be checking this OFTEN if anyone has anything to add.
Sobekus- I guess I could, but who wants to read a book on writer's block?
Corrosion- I'll get back to you on that, however, it is easy for teachers to tell if an essay isn't your work. When is it due?

[Corrosion]

Originally Posted by YankeeDoodle

Corrosion- I'll get back to you on that, however, it is easy for teachers to tell if an essay isn't your work. When is it due?

Heh, I was kidding, I'm almost done with it now. It's due tomorrow.

I'll post it here when I'm done later tonight.

[Kikinchikin]

Yankee, I don't know if you play PS or not, but if you do, try writing a fan-fic about it in our fan fiction forums. All of us over there enjoy reading each other's stories, and we always provide constructive (never negative) criticism. If you don't play PS, you may still want to drop by that forum and take a look at some of the works of others (I have one myself). Hopefully that will inspire you or at least give you some ideas. Mainly though, don't be afraid that people won't like what you write.

[Madcow]

Originally Posted by YankeeDoodle

Sobekus- I guess I could, but who wants to read a book on writer's block?

Two stories that were written about writer's block in order to fight writer's block:

Barton Fink by Joel and Ethan Coen, written during a serious bout of writer's block while they were writing the screenplay for Miller's Crossing.

Adaptation written by Charlie Kaufman during a bout of writer's block while he was writing the screenplay for Being John Malkovich.

If you could ever write anything on par with either of those you'd most likely die a happy man.

Moral of the story? Write about what you know, and what you're experiencing and allow the creativity to flow from that rather than trying to force the creativity out of a situation which you can't relate to even a little bit. The Lord of the Rings isn't an amazing story because of the epic setting and story, it's amazing because Tolkein was able to create characters each of us could relate to while keeping the epic setting and story. Personally I think the worst mistake you could make is sitting down and thinking "I'm going to write a fantasy story". If the story you're writing lends itself to that setting, great. If it doesn't and you turn an interesting story into crap because you wanted it in a fantasy setting, you just shot yourself in the foot.

[UncleDynamite]

As a writer myself, I keep a "Stream of Conciousness" notebook with me nearly all the time. Basically, it's a place where I immediately jot down an idea once I get it, no matter how dumb/ridiculous it is. Some days I never write in it, other days I will manage to fill up a fourth or more of the book (I have upwards of 15 of these books in a stack next to my desk). I don't bother writing neat, I just get it on the page. Sometimes I'll draw a quick picture if the idea warrants it.

The concept behind the stream of conciousness is that for all the notes you took, you'll eventually find something inspirational in all that stuff you slathered on the paper. You might not have thought it at the time you wrote it down, but looking back, you might think, "Hey, this is a really good idea." Most of my columns for the school newspaper, for example, had their origins in notes I took while doing my morning jog.

Additionally, most excellent pieces of writing come out of experiences that the author had him/herself. While I could give you a batch of possible topics from the top of my head, it's best when you draw upon particular events unique to yourself and then create a more generalized story that's applicable to others.

[Spee]

I myself plan to be a writer, just not creatively.


A columnist, namely in a gaming magazine, is what I'm aiming for.

[YankeeDoodle]

Dynamite- Great idea! I'll get on that immediately. I think I have decided on a topic. I love an epic battle in a book. I also love space-aged technology incorporated into stories. I loved the way The Lord of the Rings didn't have guns/electronics. I probably shouldn't tell anyone this, but I want to know if anyone would read a book anything like this...
/let the rambling begin...
/stop writing in complete sentences due to lack of time...(If i make spelling mistakes, its because I am not checking any of this )
I plan to have a regular kid's summer end and he just goes to school, but at school he falls asleep due to extreme boredom. I haven't though this up yet but somehow the world of old and the world of present collide together and each realize that they cannot share this earth... an epic battle will take place to decide whether the world will have to re-evolve through time again if the world of old wins. the world of old will have dinosaurs, mammoths, wizardry, medieval warriors, roman warriors, etc etc and modern world has technology even beyond what we have today... then of course he will wake up but i wont tell you who wins...
/ends rambling
Again, this is VERY rough idea of what will go on in the story.
As you can see, I have a ton to think about. If you think it is a stupid idea or if you've seen it already tell me. Constructive criticism is welcome!

[321]

I like the idea I would read the book and I hate reading .

Edit: By the way why are you in such a hurry and sorry if you have already said why.