Many writers get frustrated when they start a story, because they start out strong with a good idea, but then kinda run out of gas, because the ideas sorta vanish . . . right? Has that happened to you. Well, it happens to me a lot, and it’s super frustrating.
So here’s what I do to solve this problem. When I get stuck, and run out of ideas, I figure out a way to send my characters on a journey. I don’t just throw them on a plane and send them away, I figure out how to make the journey part of the story. In fact, I usually plan for the characters to go on a journey in every book I write.
For example, in the writing lesson, “Why do I run out of ideas for my story,” I talk about how I outline my stories using 7 critical scenes and one of the Pixar rules. (Click the image to go to that lesson.)
The example I use is a story about giants, and part of that story involves the giants going to ArchCity (St. Louis after the apocalypse). On the way to ArchCity, I can throw obstacles at my heros, and they can just barely survive them. When they reach their destination, the protagonist learns something (part of their character arc. I usually put the Dark Night of the Soul (DNofS) at the destination (You can see the writing lesson about DNofS by clicking on the image to the right)
So after the DNofS, the character has learned something, and now they’re stronger or braver or smarter or . . . whatever their character arc required them to learn. Now, the Protagonist and their friends are ready for action and go after the Antagonist. So they return back to where they started their journey, facing the same obstacles again, but now, the Protagonist just blasts through them, destroying any obstacle in their path. This allows you to show the growth in your Protagonist, which is super super super super super super important!!!!!!! (Yes, it’s important)
So think about a journey when you’re outlining your story. Think about putting some obstacles in your Protagonist’s path so you can add tension . . . always add tension whenever possible; tension is what makes your story breathe and come alive.
I hope this is helpful.
Mark
I’m planning a story and am tryin to find ways to make the story more interesting, and this reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally helps
Thx!
Im making a minecraft book called “MINECRAFT INVASION” but do you know what journey game_hacker and his friends should go?
To, Mr.cheverton