This week: Picking a Story Idea Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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As someone who gets new, shiny ideas far too often, it can be difficult to make a decision. Here are some thoughts that have inspiration or some typical options. |
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Shiny!
Kidding, though if someone got the reference from two words, the Disney friendship would be phenomenal. The word shiny is often used when talking about something new, including ideas. From my own experience, it can be difficult making decisions on which idea to use. I have so many and they don't seem to be stopping any time soon. I've gotten three ideas in the last week. However, there isn't enough hours in the day to write them all. The distractions of life don't help either.
I have to make decisions, like many other writers (except maybe the few who have limited ideas, which is also okay). With NaNoWriMo coming up, there will be many options of what to write but also requires picking one out from the mix. There are some different ways to make a decision.
Prompts
Sometimes it helps to have a reason to pick a story. That is why I enjoy entering contests on WDC, because they help to give me a reason to pick one thing over another. It's also why I rarely enter open prompt contests. Give me an open prompts and I can't make a decision. There are too many options to just write anything. So, if there is a prompt that can give a line of direction, it helps to pick one thing to write in that moment. Having a deadline also helps to give a reason to get things done. I'm a fan of contests with deadlines even if I rarely get anything done in time to enter. Having a prompt can help to pick something out of the different options.
Moment of Inspiration
Other times, it's possible to go with the idea when it occurs. Going with the flow can be a free form experience. Getting to write the idea as it forms gives a particular enjoyment that we don't always get to experience. When the idea comes to your mind, if you have access to paper or the computer (whatever method you prefer), and the words flow... it's a great way to pick something. However, it doesn't go very well if that happens too often. I end up starting things very often, the get distracted by the newest shiny idea that comes along. I've tried to give ideas to gel for that reason. Give time to settle before attempting to allow my focus. Doesn't always work. I have done NaNoWriMo by picking the story the minute midnight hit on November first.
Random
Then there are random ways to pick. One example: paper and baseball hats. Or any type of hat or even a bowl. You write down the ideas on individual pieces of paper. Then find a way to pick one out of the mess. That one is what you write. Another option that can be used on WDC is the virtual dice. Assign a number to the idea, then use the dice. It's convenient because you can pick the numbers, depending on how many ideas you have. It can be five or even 100. Then whatever number comes up, that is the idea to try and write. Or roll against just in case. A dartboard might be an option too. Never tried that. Or blindfolds like pin the tail... Whatever option you see fit in order to pick one idea among whatever number of ideas exist.
At the end of the day, if you don't have just one idea, it helps to make a decision. The question is: How do you pick one?
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How do you decide which story to write?
Last month, I discussed entering non-genre contests with speculative fiction. Here is a comment sent in for the topic:
Comment by Beholden  :
There are plenty of contests I enter with fantasy (and, less frequently, sci-fi) that aren't genre specific. Indeed, my entries to contests are always assigned to three genres these days - it helps in getting more people to read it. Sometimes it's a bit of a stretch to find a third genre that might fit but, so far, I've not had any complaints. Most of my stories are not designed to fit exactly into a particular genre so three genres (or even more) can be quite appropriate. I write first and worry about genre afterwards. For about three seconds.
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Fantasy: September 06, 2023 Issue [#12161]
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