Before you try to get an idea, you need to fully understand what an idea is. Sounds stupid, right? But if you think about it... an idea is what happens when you make unexpected connections. That's why a lot of story ideas start out as what if.
That's also why you need to force yourself to make these unexpected connections. Here's how.
Think up two random words. To make it easier, just flip to a random page in a book. It works best if they're nouns. Next, we need to make connections between these words. Come up with 5 semantic structures (or fractures). Ooh, fancy word! Basically, it means make steps from word to word. Like those puzzles where you change one letter at a time to get to another word. But this is more like a train of thought. That probably didn't make a lot of sense, so here's an example. Take the words skyscraper and cabbage. Skyscraper > sky > bird > plane > wings > leaves > cabbage.
So this method doesn't always end with a story idea. But it's almost like brain muscle fitness. You make unexpected connections, which lead to unexpected ideas, strategies, or approaches. Unexpected is good! You can do this even when you don't have writer's block because it warms you up, in some sort of way, enough to be inspired. Good luck!
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Writer's Unblock
Non-FictionA short novelly-thing about my go-to methods for creating creative story ideas. And some ideas of my own for you to use. Writers... prepare to be unblocked!
