Monday, March 21, 2011
Monday Musings
I thought with HOW TO DATE AN ALIEN being on submission that I should probably start working on another project. Yes, I would love for my alien novel to be a trilogy, but you really shouldn't start on the other parts of a trilogy unless book one sells, so now I need a shiny new idea. The problem?
I CAN'T THINK OF A SHINY NEW IDEA.
The first full manuscript I completed came to me in a dream, well the initial idea that threw it into my head and wouldn't let go. My second full manuscript came with an idea from a friend. How to Date an Alien...that one just sort of came to me when I realized the lack of science fiction and aliens at the time I began writing (note: this was Spring of 2010 that I had the original idea.)
So how do I come up with something new? I had this great idea, it was brilliant! My critique partners loved it, I loved it, and then my husband pointed out that it was a book that had already been written..grrrr. I've thought about taking my women's fiction manuscript (see: writing) and making it YA with some fantasy elements, but that one is coming a little bit slower than I had imagined. So now I need to find me some inspiration...
How do you come up with ideas for your new WIP? Have you ever taken a manuscript and changed genres and age groups? Are you tired of hearing me talk?
Labels:
ideas,
manuscript,
Monday musings
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Lots of times it's from reading other books. New ideas just pop into my head. Or I read the news (the weird stuff) and ideas come that way. Good luck, Magan!
ReplyDeleteI actually have a journal filled with ideas for WIP. Some were inspired while listening to a lecture, watching a movie or documentary, or from dreams. My mind just wanders over the possibilities, always asking 'what if' or 'how about', and suddenly an idea is born.
ReplyDeleteMy problem is I have way too many ideas. They constantly come to me. I'm actually planning to write a post about this. Usually when I learn or experience something new then an idea pops up.
ReplyDeleteLydia- My problem is that the shiny idea pops into my head, but then I realize the idea is actually the book that I'm reading and I fail...lol.
ReplyDeleteKetch- Maybe I should start journaling more, good idea!
Nicole- I have some ideas...then I realize that they've been done. I can't wait for your post!
I read a loooooot. Whenever I come across something where I'm like "huh, I would have thought it would go THIS way," I use it as a sort of launching point. I also keep a notebook with me and constantly write notes whenever something flits into my head, even everyday things like overhearing a conversation and wondering what it was all about.
ReplyDeleteI also read a lot of random news and science articles and let my mind wander. And I ask a lot of "what if" questions ;)
Steph- Great suggestions! With everything that is going on in the world, I'm sure news articles would definitely help to launch a science fiction story in my head!
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