Okay, so in this post I'll be going over my method.
I first want to recognize that everyone has their own method of beginning a story (despite the fact that I'm new, I've done a lot of research on this). An idea for a story usually begins with me when I'm kind of letting myself daydream, while focusing on my surroundings. It can be set off by something in my environment (a person walking a certain way, a strange sound, anything really) and it immediately takes the form of a "what if" question. For instance, in Sleeper: "What if there was a really highly socially structured world that turns on its head whenever its citizens fall asleep?" This soon became "What if this world shares a dream state where there's some sort of factor that causes the weak to become the strong--a reversal of power structure?" And Kalin was born.
So firstly, if you're thinking, "that doesn't happen to me," I'm betting you're wrong. Most people spend their time walking/driving to and from work, class, the store, wherever, in a kind of inattentive daze. As a writer, you have to utilize that time. Let your mind expand. Attend to everything around you (it's a nice zen exercise anyway). TOTAL SITUATIONAL AWARENESS. I guarantee that something will pop into your mind at some point.
You might dismiss that something as stupid or not story-worthy. DON'T. If you have that moment of inspiration, whether it's a "what if" question or just a passing observation about how things are--that is the fundamental basis of a story. When you start with how things are, you can extrapolate to anywhere--how they WOULD be if..., how they SHOULD be when.... how they CAN'T be (and what would happen if they could be?).
I think the single easiest problem you can have as a beginning writer is assuming your story isn't good enough to be told. People want to hear what you have to say. I promise.
Join me next time for a discussion of my favorite books about writing! For first-timers this will be crucial. Thanks!
