Write Better: Tips and tricks

Is my idea interesting/original/unique?

Ideas are cheap. There are a lot of them out there. Anyone can have one, and a lot of people do.

Very few people are capable of turning an idea into a full-fledged novel. What's on the surface of your mind is only the tip of the iceberg, and sometimes it needs a lot of thinking (and writing, and re-writing, and forcing yourself to keep going) before that idea works.

Along the way writers ask themselves (and others) questions.

Is my idea interesting and original? Will someone read this? Is there a market for this? Does this sound unique to you?

Usually you get this:

1. Super cool. Not been done before. I love it. Would totally read this!

2. Eh, not my thing.

3.  Depends on how it's written.

[Note: The above comment is my default reply.]

4. No. *may list off plot holes based on description*

How do I use this to help my story?

1. Super cool. Use it for the encouragement it is! Someone thinks you've touched the pulse of a good story. Get writing, but keep in mind that often what makes a good story is the writer, not the supporters backing him or her [but supporters bring you success]. If people are tell you your idea is great and you're still dragging your feet to write it, start asking yourself why you don't believe in the story....Or is it that you don't believe in yourself?

If you're honest with yourself about why this story isn't working for you even when people are telling you they want to read it, you'll probably learn some interesting truths about yourself and the story.

2. Eh. Sometimes these people show up to rain on your parade. I've seen people dis this or that for no other reason than because it's popular. More often, they're just being honest and figured that you'd like another opinion or you wouldn't be asking in the first place, so they're trying to help you out (but maybe not in a very helpful way because you can't figure out if they want to read). These potential readers are the ones who are already on the fence about your story to begin with. They picked up a copy and put it back on the shelf and kept on browsing with a mind to maybe go back later if nothing else catches their eye. It might not be a genre they read or the type of story they look after, so they're more neutral about it than anything else- and that can make them difficult to please and harder to convince that your story is worth a shot.

So take that feedback with a grain of salt. Maybe your story is a rum-soaked fish taco that's been laying in a Louisiana dumpster for two weeks in the middle of summer. Maybe they're not excited about it for a reason. Or maybe your story is a chocolate in a valentine's gift box that got all shook up and they're just not sure if the surprise inside is worth biting into.

Do what you can, but don't think your western romance isn't worth writing just because someone who only reads horror and doesn't like cowboys says your story doesn't grab them.

3. Depends. Probably one of the most infuriating things to say, even if it's very accurate. They're that person you mailed out an invitation to and even though you've talked since, they haven't officially RSVP'd. You can't count them as a yes or no.

People like me, we're open to your idea but not sold on it. Yet.

There  are hundreds of thousands of romance novels out in the world. Many hundreds of those hundreds are paranormal romance. I adore paranormal romance (PR). I will never read all the PR stories out there, even if I spent every second of my lifetime reading them and ignoring all my other interests.

So yeah, I might say "Dunno" when you tell me you have an idea about a PR involving a college student who discovers harpies roosting in the university concert hall after one is killed by stage equipment malfunction. The vaguer you are in your idea description, the less I have to judge your story's merits, so the more firmly I'll say, "I don't know if I would read this."

And if you tell me that it's so original you're afraid someone will steal it, I'll be more inclined to change my maybe to a no. Here's the thing. How many PR do you know of on Wattpad about a student discovering harpies in a concert hall? If the ten of you reading this guide decide it's a great idea and write a story from it, apart from the bare bones, there's going to be a lot of differences and ten different stories.

How do you benefit from potential readers like me?

The good thing about us is that we generally have a strong idea of what we like and don't like to see in stories. We tend to be picky, but we are upfront about it. All you have to do is....

Ask the person what it depends on! [Though many of us will already tell you in our little speech we probably rattled off when we answered you, because a lot of good storytelling demands good writing.] There's a good chance that some of their concerns are your concerns. Plot characterization, character development, good dialogue, a good mystery, etc. Maybe we'd be into it if the harpies didn't have aquiline noses like most harpies do. We almost always have a reason or several to let you know why we *want* to love your story!

4. No. If it's a no, just be polite. Ask why if you want to, but otherwise respect the person's decisions. You asked the question; it's fair to expect that not everyone is going to think your story is original or interesting or worth telling.

IMPORTANT:

1. With all that said, if you want to write the story, WRITE THE STORY. Even if no one says they'll read it, if you want to write it, then write it! A lot of us don't know we're going to like something until we try it. If you never write it, we'll never read it.

For every great, original concept out there that people immediately knew were going to be hits, there are just as many ideas that nobody thought they'd ever want but now they have to have.

2. Don't count on these people to actually read your story. I don't care if 1000 people answered your question. Don't expect them to remember you in 3 months when you post it. Don't expect them to have their calendars circled for the day you might maybe turn your idea into a novel. People forget. People lose interest. People read other stories.

3. Don't get discouraged if you get 100 people wanting to read it, but only a couple do. Keep writing. Make yourself happy and tell the story. You can trick yourself into getting your hopes up for 100 readers real easy that way. I've seen so many writers get discouraged by this!