How To Make a Story Idea Work

Many people are flabbergasted when I tell them I wrote a novel. After their awe subsides they usually want to know how I came up with a story idea and then how in the world did I make that idea into a novel. Well, as many writers would agree, coming up with story ideas isn't hard. I have notebooks, scraps of paper and notecards filled with ideas. The real question is how to pick one that can morph into a story.

In my experience, the best way to choose an idea is picking one with a character you can already see in your head. That doesn't mean you have to love your character. In fact I once wrote a short story based on a despicable character that simply bled from my pen to my paper. That was the first time that a character drove the story and the story was the better for it.

So, pick a character and get to know them. Are they strong?  Are they ingenious or just lucky?  Do they like pizza and beer or sushi and sake?  Are they flirty?  What do they do for a living?  What's their favorite color?  After each of these questions ask, why? 

Here is an example of how I did it with my novel.  I had a story idea about a secret paranormal government agency who employed all sorts of paranormal creatures to save humanity from the supernatural beings who had plans of destruction.  I knew I needed a hero who was strong and tortured, but I needed more.  So, I asked myself some questions. 

Question:  "Does he like pizza?" 

My answer:  "No." 

Question: "Why?" 

My answer:  "Because he's a vampire.  He can't eat it." 

Qustion:  "Does he like being a vampire?" 

My answer:  "No, he hates it." 

Question:  "Why?" 

My answer:  "Because he was turned against his will by someone he should have trusted with his life."

Question:  "Who turned him?"

My answer:  "His father."

Question:  "Why?"

My answer:  "Because his son was born human and, as the only vampire able to procreate, he wanted all of his offspring to be vampires."

Do you see a pattern?  Question...answer...why...because...each one led to the other.  I started with just an idea of a character and found out he was a vampire who was turned by his father.  His father also happened to be the only vampire in the world with the ability to have children and he wanted those children to be vampires.  So, I kept asking questions until I knew him well enough to let him have his way in the writing. 

I did the same for the heroine, the villain and all of the minor characters and soon the story developed before my eyes.

If you have a character you can't seem to get a grasp on, then switch tactics.  Try brainstorming by throwing out random thoughts until they start to form a complete picture.  Or try talking about them with someone, gossip about them if you have too.  If none of that is working then ignore that character and move on, but don't throw them away.  There will come a time, for me it is usually while trying to fall asleep, when you will have an epiphany and you will suddenly get some of the answers to your questions.  Then keep asking until your idea is no longer an idea, but a fully formed story.