Preptober Step 1: Finding A Story Idea
Happy October! It’s that time of the year: horror movie marathons, Halloween candy, and prepping to write a whole novel.
During October, I’ll be sharing ways to get ready for NaNoWriMo. On their website, they have a 6-week process they follow to get ready for November. However, I’m about 2 weeks too late for that.
So, this will be a sped-up process: 2 posts in the first week, 1 post in the second, 1 post in the third, and 2 posts in the final week.
Ready? Let’s go!
In today’s blog, you’ll learn:
💡 3 ways to come up with a novel idea
🎃 Find a writing community that motivates you
👻 Resources to help you with story ideas
3 Ways to Come Up with a Story Idea
💭 THOUGHT DUMP
Open a blank page and dump out every single thing in that big, beautiful brain of yours. Don’t know what to write?
Here are some questions to get you started:
What are your favorite books?
What are the elements of those books that you love?
What are the elements that you don’t like?
What (in life) interests you?
What are your favorite tropes?
Maybe you love centaurs, fantasy novels, and the fake dating trope. Maybe you love romance novels and two characters in a long-distance relationship trying to make it work. Maybe you want to write a romance between a person and their sentient apartment door—iykyk 😂
The ideas are endless.
And don’t feel pressured to come up with an idea that’s 100% original. At this point in human history, we’re recreating ideas and stories every day—obviously, I don’t support plagiarism.
If you’re writing it, it’ll have your spin to it.
Maybe you want to write a Peter Pan x Pride & Prejudice retelling. (If anyone writes this, please email me to edit or when it’s available to buy.)
Once you have a substantial list of your interests and your likes, go through and circle the ones that excite you the most—the ones that get your imagination bubbling and brewing.
An AI generated this…where are its hands?
📘 KEEP A JOURNAL
Journaling is one of my favorite things to do.
Not only do I get to buy a new, slightly fancy notebook every 6-12 months and buy velvety-smooth pens to glide across the page, it’s my favorite place to jot down ideas or notes or dreams. (Or, if you’re of the digital variety, your notes app or audio recordings)
Here are my favorite journals of all time.
Maybe the idea doesn’t come when you’re thought-dumping all over the place, but it comes a few days later when you’re out and about.
Use your journal or notes app to jot down one-liners or conversations you overhear. Yes, I give you permission to eavesdrop when you’re at your favorite bookstore or out to dinner—just no prolonged eye contact 👀!
😋 READ VORACIOUSLY
If you’re reading this, you likely read more than the average person.
Reading will help you see what’s out there already and give you ideas of how to take elements of a story you love elsewhere. Read wide and deep in your chosen genre and subgenre, but don’t be afraid to branch out.
Ideas can find us in the wildest of places.
If it weren’t for JKR’s mummified skeletal worldbuilding, I don’t think the fandom would have taken fanfiction to the level it’s at—just think of all the marauders’ fics and Draco redemption arcs we have.
If you want to dive headfirst into one of the best (and rarest) matchups I’ve come across—Hermione/George with dual timeline, an exceptional amnesia trope, and incredible lore—click here to read Lumos by Treesap on AO3
Find a Writing Community that Motivates You
The key word here is ‘motivates’.
When joining any writing community, whether it be on Discord, TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook groups, make sure they’re safe spaces with writers who help you, cheer you on, and want to build community.
If you find yourself in a group that’s toxic and competitive, get out!
Protect your mental health and peace and find greener pastures—and kinder writers.
For me, I’ve found Discord servers and TikTok to be two of the best places to find like-minded people.
Story Idea Resources
Random Plot Generator 1 and Plot Generator 2
All the Writing Excuses podcast episodes that feature story ideas
Keep the pen moving,
Kourtney