Developing vague ideas.

StormWarrior

I failed one of my modules at university this year (am studying philosophy and RE.) I hated the module and do not want to repeat. My university said that I can do an entirely new module from a different department to make up for it. I have chosen to take a creative writing module. I have to write a story basically, and as it's a make-up module, I won't be getting any tuition for it. I can write about anything I want. I have a very vague idea of what I want to write about. How do you go about developing something very vague into a fully-fledged idea? I know people say, just take inspiration from your life and what's around you, but it's not helping!

~Rebel~

StormWarrior wrote: »

I failed one of my modules at university this year (am studying philosophy and RE.) I hated the module and do not want to repeat. My university said that I can do an entirely new module from a different department to make up for it. I have chosen to take a creative writing module. I have to write a story basically, and as it's a make-up module, I won't be getting any tuition for it. I can write about anything I want. I have a very vague idea of what I want to write about. How do you go about developing something very vague into a fully-fledged idea? I know people say, just take inspiration from your life and what's around you, but it's not helping!

Ok, well for me what i find works, is just getting an idea, and writing as much of it down as i can, rolling it through my mind, writing short sentances to convey general themes or ideas or plotlines etc, everything.

I spill out everything i can think of on the 'vague idea' and then just let it be for a while. Let yourself just mull on it whenever suits you. For me, i find thinking while im running works well and i usually have more detail generated or previous ideas evolved, which in itself generates an enthusiasm for the project, then i go back to writing again.

I usually dont really know what comes directly next in a story until i actually start writing it on that particular day, just an overall arc of where i want to go in the long term. If you can get a basic (and it can be very very basic) arc planned out in your initial session, the rest is much easier, and quite fun.

Hope this helps. What size does it have to be by the way?

StormWarrior

Thanks for the tips. It has only got to be 10,000 words.

tinkletoes

I had same problem but was given great advice by various people. Firstly take a notebook with you everywhere you go. Write down phrases that you heard from people and put them into your notebook. It helps to write down one line about the main theme of story keeps you focussed. Best of luck with it:)

StormWarrior

Thanks, I'm not even sure of the main theme though. This is my biggest problem really, I have a few vague, mismatched ideas but no overall theme and the ideas I have don't really link into one another.

tinkletoes

StormWarrior wrote: »

Thanks, I'm not even sure of the main theme though. This is my biggest problem really, I have a few vague, mismatched ideas but no overall theme and the ideas I have don't really link into one another.

k write down those mismatched ideas on a piece of paper and you may notice that one or two ideas have much similarity and can be used as one. I know you said that your ideas don't link but unless it is written down in front of you, you wont be able to join the dots so to say. You have to put a word on those mismatched ideas so it is clear in your head and give you direction.

Write about something you have an interest in, it might make it a lot easier as well.

JumpJump

Don't start with a theme, start with characters. The theme will emerge from the story your characters tell.

Create a character. Put him/her in a situation (preferably an interesting and original one). Now give your character something he/she wants more than anything else. To make it interesting, you could have your character thinking he/she wants one thing, when in fact they really want something else, something they aren't even conscious of. This is your character's motivation, and it's vital.

This is all very writer's workshop bollo x, but since you're new to fiction writing it's the best place to start.

Great, original characters are the vehicle for all good fiction. Storytellers begin with a character, academics begin with a theme.

StormWarrior

Thanks for the tips. How do you show that they want something they are not conscious of?

Also, do you think a story should conform to the standards of any one genre? I want it to be kind of fantasy style (with vast landscapes, maybe battles and a few happenings that can't be scientifically explained) but I am not into Tolkien style stuff and don't want to have non-human creatures and stuff like that in it.

~Rebel~

StormWarrior wrote: »

Thanks for the tips. How do you show that they want something they are not conscious of?

Also, do you think a story should conform to the standards of any one genre? I want it to be kind of fantasy style (with vast landscapes, maybe battles and a few happenings that can't be scientifically explained) but I am not into Tolkien style stuff and don't want to have non-human creatures and stuff like that in it.

In this case i would take your battle/war and make up the 2 (or more) sides. Ask yourself questions about them; Who are they? what are they fighting for? etc etc

Now create a character within one of the sides. Do the same; Whats He fighting for? vengence? loyalty? fame? money? love?

After you ask these questions you'll already have a general idea where to take them.