I'm a writer who has more ideas and characters than time to write them. I can get a great story idea at least once a day, I mull it over and if it won't go away or becomes even more ingrained in my thoughts, I jot it down either in one of my computer folders or an actual folder of ideas I have in my file cabinet.
The same goes for characters. I don't get one of those a day but when one comes to me and sticks in my mind, becoming more and more real, I jot down the information for them and in some instances even come up with a story that they would work in.
Right now I have a real strong secondary character in my mind. I brainstormed a bit about her with Danita Cahill on our way to a booksigning this past weekend. My main character in my mystery thinks of the secondary character in this way. "Crazy Lil came with the ranch like a stray cat. She helps me out and I provide a place for her to live and food to eat."
I've thought of "Crazy" Lil as being simple minded, a lover of animals, and a person who is diligent at their tasks. Danita gave me some great ideas of backstory for her to explain why she won't leave her grandparent's ranch even after they are dead and it has been sold. It also gave me some insight into the mystery that will revolve around Lil and her past. Her mystery story that will be down the line from several others I've come up with for my mystery series.
Are you a prolific idea collector? Or can you come up with ideas at the same speed you can write them? Or if you do hobbies, do you dream up more projects than you can sanely make?
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10 comments:
Just popping in here so I can hit follow comments!
Paty, I have more ideas than I can write unless I live to be 200.
Our brainstorming session was fun, Paty. I can't wait to read the rest of your new mystery. So, hurry up and write it, would ya? Ha! I know you've had your plate full of family responsibilities and interuptions. But isn't it true? No matter how busy life gets, the ideas just keep flowing. My MIL said she might have one book in her, then she'd probably never have another idea in her life for a second book. I so could not relate!
My ideas come from my dreams, almost exclusively. A couple of years ago I had a deluge of great ideas (the Muse invading my dreams) and recorded them all, like you. I feel fortunate: those ideas are promising, exciting, intriguing. So now when I get a new idea, I can measure it against the others already "vetted." If it's just as good, it gets written. If it's just not, it gets forgotten!
Caroline, I know the feeling!
Hey Danita! I'm trying! I'm trying! I agree. There are so many ideas buzzing in my head all the time, I'm surprised I have been diagnosed as a schizophrenic!
Hi Meggan! Danita's books come from dreams too! Great idea on the vetting.
I agree with the more ideas than time to write. Good luck with your books.
LOL, Paty! Yes, always more ideas than time--not just with writing but with other parts of my life. The biggest challenge is to choose which ones to cultivate. :)
Thanks Marian, and good luck with you time and ideas as well!
Genene, I agree the hardest part can be deciding which thing to work on and which one to toss aside. Thanks for chiming in!
Interesting post, Paty. :) My ideas come in waves. Either a flood or not a drop. But when I get them, I write them down. I do better under pressure, though. Like when my editor wanted a choice of 4 ideas to pick from. I think my brain went into overdrive, but I did it. And I still have the ones she didn't pick that I can use for something else.
Karen, I'm the opposite. I hate pressure! And I feel like I don't put out my best work when hurrying to finish something. Waves of ideas would be a nice change of pace. Thanks for stopping by!
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