Writing Excuses 10.4: Q&A On Ideas

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Writing Excuses 10.4: Q&A On Ideas

From http://www.writingexcuses.com/2015/01/25/writing-excuses-10-4-qa-on-ideas/

Key Points:
Q: Is it ever acceptable for inexperienced writers to write derivative works?
A: Yes. It is one of the best ways to start. Fanfiction is a great training ground.
Q: How do you avoid being discouraged when something comes out with a similar idea?
A: Just because it's similar, it is not the same as the way you are going to do it. If it's good, people want more of that -- and you have it.
Q: How do you know if your idea is a novel or a short story?
A: [Brandon] It's a novel. [Others] Number of characters, plot ideas, and scenic locations. What do you want to write?
Q: Should you only write a story for a themed call if you already had such an idea, or should you work with the idea to fit a story to it?
A: If a theme excites you, write it. Consider it a challenge! Don't write something you're not excited or interested in.
Q: If you have an idea, but you aren't familiar with the setting or genre, how can you practice setting description?
A: Pick a random location, and let your POV character start describing it. Find something in that setting or genre, and type it in -- rekey it. Then go back and rewrite the free writing version to match the tone.
Q: When should you give up on an idea, even though you have a lot of passion for it?
A: When the idea no longer fits the story or book. Save it for later. If the story or book is problematic for your personal beliefs. If it isn't working, set it aside. Sometimes, remember the idea, and rewrite the story to bring it out more! Don't abandon because you don't think it will sell or you don't think people will like it.
Q: If you have lots of ideas, how do you decide what to work on next?
A: What am I most excited about now? If more than one jumps out, try combining them. Do a little writing exploration of each one, and see which one grips you!
( And the details are... )

[Brandon] Dan, you have a writing exercise for us.
[Dan] That's right. We've been talking about ideas all month long. Next month, we're talking about character. So. Get ready for that. Take one of the ideas that we've done. It can be one of the ideas you worked on in a previous exercise, or something new that you have in your idea book somewhere. One idea you're very excited about, and then do one of my favorite writing exercises. You're going to audition five characters for the role of main character in your story. Five people who are completely different, different backgrounds, different jobs, different levels of expertise, different ages, different ethnicities, different genders. People that you would never think would be a good protagonist in your story. Try them out. Find some way that they could fit into that story.
[Brandon] All right. This has been Writing Excuses. You're out of excuses. Now go write.
[Applause]