Sometimes i look at a blank page and I see: POTENTIAL (the chance that something will develop and become real).
Other times I look at a blank page and I see: HORROR! I’LL NEVER BE ABLE TO THINK OF A GOOD IDEA! THAT BLANK PAGE WILL ALWAYS BE BLANK! LIKE MY MIND!
When this happens, it’s time to go back to basics. So here is a method for coming up with a story if you’re trapped in a room with nothing but a blank piece of paper and a pen.
STEP 1:
Make a list of 3 emotions. Here are some to choose from (or think of your own): joy, sadness, anger, hope, guilt, regret, surprise, disgust
STEP 2:
For each of your chosen emotions, think of 2 WHAT IF THIS HAPPENED? ideas.
eg. Emotion: GUILT. What If? #1: What if I was in a shop with my friend and I saw her put a chocolate bar in her pocket?
What if #2: What if I broke the cup that my brother made for my mum for her birthday?
STEP 3:
For each of your WHAT IF THIS HAPPENED? ideas, think of 2 ways this situation could get BETTER and 2 ways this situation could get WORSE.
eg. Emotion: GUILT. What If? #1: What if I was in a shop with my friend and I saw her put a chocolate bar in her pocket? What if #2: What if I broke the cup that my brother made for my mum for her birthday?
Chocolate Bar . . . Better #1: There is a hole in my friend’s pocket and the chocolate bar falls straight through without them noticing. Better #2: Outside, I ask my friend why they did that and they confide in me that someone is bullying them into stealing. We come up with a plan together to stop the bully.
Worse #1: Someone else sees the friend do it. But instead of dobbing them in, they dob YOU in!
Worse #2: Inside the chocolate bar is a ticket to win a car but your friend needs a receipt to claim the prize!
STEP 4:
Choose the idea that you think will make a good story.
STEP 5:
Create characters. Give them a name, age, personality, family background, likes and dislikes, fears and wants.
From this simple method, you now have something that is a bit less than A STORY but a bit more than AN IDEA – it has potential (the chance that something will develop and become real). Try it!
Until next time,
Emily
0 Comments