People often ask where stories come from. The short answer is from everywhere. Sometimes an idea will come from something I’m watching or reading. At other times it could come from an experience I have while I’m out. I might be in the supermarket or coffee shop and overhear a few words of a conversation, and that will give me an idea.
At times the idea will appear fully formed, and the story practically writes itself. In contrast, at other times, what comes is really a seed of an idea, which will then have to be nurtured and watered.
Sometimes if I need a story idea, I’ll decide on a particular character type; this will be a person at this time and not even be male or female. I will decide on their personality type and maybe habits. I’ll give them a little timeline and then try to upset things by adding something or someone to the mix or I might take something away and see how they react.
For example, I came up with this thought the other day.
A person who is precise about everything in their life. They’re the sort of person you can set your clock to. They always take the same train or bus to work and always at the same time. They will then go to the same coffee shop on the way, get the same order and be at work at the same time each day.
One morning something changes their routine, and their timing is thrown out altogether. When they should be at work, they find themselves in a different place, and suddenly, they see their spouse arm in arm with a stranger…
As you can see, this could be any story, but the possibilities are endless.
A story idea can come from anything and from anywhere. The critical thing to remember as a writer is to look and listen to the people around you and the events constantly happening because this is your story research.
