Writers need never run out of ideas

There are thirty-nine dramatic plots, or twelve, or seven stories, or just one story shape according to which theory you follow. There are millions of themes. Writers can take a particular part of a known story and make it the whole story. They can clothe known characters in a variety of personalities. They can turn the stories they hear at the pub and the little articles in the local paper into major dramas. Never should a writer be able to say they are stuck for a story.

A new perspective on an old tale

Tell a well-known story from a different point of view. Perhaps tell the story of a footman or an ugly sister instead of Cinderella. Or bring the story right into the 21^st century. Perhaps Jack decides to try a GM crop much to the disgust of organic farmer mother.

Shakespeare is good for a story

The Bard has probably lasted not because of his elegant iambic pentameters and his use of the Warwickshire dialect but because he tells fine stories that resonate with humans. Tragedy, the bringing about of the hero’s downfall through his own unavoidable fault, is still valid. Impossible love affairs and mistaken identity still make for good reading material.

The Bible

This too is full of stories. They are quite intriguing – perhaps even more so if you don’t quite believe them. But it’s also quite a valid activity, finding out what really happened at the time. What would it have been like, being an Egyptian mother at the time when all first born were cursed? Or for that matter being a Jewish one who is tempted to hide her baby in the bulrushes? Who was that crazy teacher who gathered crowds to hear him talk? And what if it was happening now instead of then?

Down the pub

Can the gossip produce a story? Why exactly did the owner of the big hotel near the motorway roundabout run off with the Lottery money? What will happen now? What will happen to those families where the main earner has been made redundant? How is everyone going to get to the match on Saturday if it carries on snowing?  

Run over dogs

The small articles in the local newspaper. What about the little girl who lost her glove puppet three times in one week? Or the old lady living alone who took on the chance thief who broke into her home?  Not to mention the ATM that gave out £20 notes instead of £10.00.

If there’s a good story there we can normally fix the writing, time allowing i.e. if it’s not so dire that it would take too many man-hours to fix. Sadly no matter how great the writing we can’t take it if the story doesn’t work. Writers, there are so many sources of good stories.  Take the time to find yours.