How to Write a Book- I have a new story idea. Now what?
Inspiration has struck! You have an idea for a story. If you’re lucky, that idea came fully formed and ready to be written. If you’re like most writers, though, there are still a lot of details to figure out. So, how do you start writing your story?
Embrace the Excitement
First, let yourself be excited. The rush of sudden inspiration is a magical experience that creative people need to fully experience. Don’t rush past it.
Capture Your Initial Thoughts
Write your thoughts down. Your story idea might be based on a moment between two characters, a conversation, or a place where something incredible will definitely happen. Whatever the rush of inspiration has given you, write it down—even if it’s just random phrases or images. Capture as much of the initial inspiration as you can. This is a critical step in how to write a story.
Explore and Let Your Mind Wander
You’re still early in the creative process, so everything is a possibility. Be curious. Here are some suggestions to help:
Pinterest Mood Boards: Capture the essence of your story by finding images that reflect the vibe and specific elements of your idea. Online art and photography can be excellent sources of inspiration.
Music Playlist: Create a playlist of music that feels like your story. Pay attention to vibes, lyrics, or the stories within the songs. Let the music get you in the mood and open up your creative mind to new ideas.
Draw Inspiration from Favorites: Consider elements from stories that you love. What do you like about the characters in your favorite movie? What inspires you about the setting of a television show? Why was the plot of that book so compelling? Can you incorporate similar elements into your new story idea?
Engage in Mindless Activities: Doing something with your body that doesn’t require much brainpower can let your mind wander and create. Activities like taking a walk, folding laundry, or chopping vegetables are great for this. Many of my best ideas have come from walking and listening to music.
Develop Your Protagonist
Figure out your protagonist. Who is the main character? What do they want? What do they need (which is often different from what they want)? Who are they at the beginning, and who will they be at the end? It’s completely fine if you don’t have all the answers yet; it’s important to start considering these questions.
Start Writing Scenes
Take your character through a little journey in one scene. Like an entire story, a scene has a beginning, middle, and end. Who are they at the beginning, and who are they at the end? Then, write another scene, and another. There are many things to consider when putting together the plot of a story, but this is how you start.
Remember, every great story begins with a single idea. If you're interested in delving deeper into the art of storytelling and enhancing your skills, check out Unlock Your Creativity and Tell Amazing Stories. I co-created the course with Julie Tyler Ruiz at Story Bold Studio. It’s designed to take your writing to the next level and help you bring your stories to life.
Happy writing!
