Q

How do you come up with new, unexpected plot/story ideas that haven’t been seen before? I’m always in awe of the creativity that some authors’ stories portray, especially in plot. My stories tend to be more character driven, leaving the plot to be less important, but I don’t want it to be boring!

A

Don’t underestimate character-driven stories. A great character can make a bad plot worth reading, but not even a fantastic plot can entice readers to follow poorly written characters. Character-driven stories include a proactive narrator, someone who makes decisions (even if they’re the wrong ones) and gets things done. They’re interesting, and they make readers want to read on. If you’ve got that, then you’re already over halfway to a great story.

To reach 100% (or let’s say 99.9% because perfection is unreachable), the other elements you need are plot and worldbuilding. With fanfiction, worldbuilding is easy. All that’s left is the plot. Your story needs an outside element (or elements) that will force your characters to make decisions and take actions that they would not normally make or take. The more difficult the decision or action, the more conflict your plot will have.

Inspiration is subjective and unreliable. Writers who only write when they’re inspired don’t write very often, but there are ways of encouraging creativity.

#1. Gather your favourite books/films/music/paintings … and make a list of your favourite things about them (if the plot is what you’re struggling with, focus on that aspect). 

#2. Create a list of “What if?” questions either off the top of your head or while reading books or the newspaper or watching TV. Once it’s grown to a decent size pick your favourites. Try combining them and see what you come up with.

#3. Use your fears. 

#4. Start with a title. Make up a wonderfully fascinating title and from it, create a story.

#5 Let your character lead the way. If you have a plotless character-driven story, the problem may be that you’re being too kind to your characters. 

Plots thrive on conflict, so if your characters don’t come across any difficulties, or if all the difficulties are easily resolved, the lack of conflict will lead to a lack of plot.

Total originality in this day and age is nearly impossible, but so is unoriginality (plagiarism being the exception). No matter what you write, even if it’s filled to the brim with tropes and clichés, there will be a touch of originality in it because you’re the one writing it. 

Art is a window to the soul. Pieces of yourself will fall into your writing, whether you will it or not, so all that’s left is to make sure those pieces stand out because they are what will make your work original. To do that, you only have to write what you want. 

To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN