Our lives are filled with possibilities that haven’t materialized.
Stories are conjured of things that do.
When the story-well
feels empty, I think of it this way:
1.
Here are the blessings I have. (I count them). Blessings do not make for
story-hooks, but I need to do this in order to take the next step.
2.
Here are the frustrations and lackings I
experience. (I list them)
Every one of the
items on the lacking list begs for a “what if...”
{As in what if instead
of having an editor pass on my manuscript, it got multiple offers. Or what
if instead of having my old clunker of a car stolen, I won a brand new one in a
raffle and got to donate the old one to someone who needed it.}
Most of the
what-ifs are stories. My mind lets the possibilities in. Starting from the
point of lack, and moving through challenges, to a point of either triumph or acceptance
of the lack, which is an inner triumph.
I didn’t develop
this exercise in order to think up story ideas; it’s something I always did
naturally. But it also assures I will never run out of ideas.
Unless, of course,
I find myself counting my blessings and having not a single lack.
Well, that’s not
going to happen. Nevermore.
5 comments:
What-ifs are a great starting point for stories. I've done this myself.
What a great way to come up with story ideas! Thank you for sharing.
Excellent story-generating idea! Thanks.
I love playing What If? My sister and I did this all the time while people watching. There's a really great book with that title by Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter that has exercises to develop this skill. Highly recommend for all fiction writers.
Definitely a good question. And I agree that starting in a positive place by counting your blessings first helps creativity.
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