| When you're considering writing a new story, just | | | | It was as simple as that. |
| where do you get your ideas from? I have met | | | | When I've read blogs or interviews from |
| many published authors and read interviews with | | | | successful authors, they say something quite |
| countless more. Most of them confirm that this is | | | | distinct. For most of them, only a fraction of the |
| the question that they get asked more than any | | | | books they read are within their genre. One even |
| other. | | | | said they never read the competition. Many list |
| Many aspiring writers no doubt hope that the | | | | non-fiction as their chief source of reading, and |
| famous author will provide them with a web | | | | most follow the recommended 'good books' and |
| address - or book title - that will mean never | | | | classics, regardless of the section of literature it |
| having to think up an idea again. | | | | comes from. |
| Of course, successful authors don't have a secret | | | | So now I can finish the detour and bring us back |
| place they go to find new ideas. Most writers I've | | | | on the original path. Poor writers don't read much. |
| heard can't even tell you where they find | | | | Decent writers read a lot - but tend to focus on |
| inspiration - it just happens they say. | | | | their genre. The good writers are the ones that |
| Coming up with the idea is only part of the battle, | | | | read widely. |
| as giving two writers the same suggestion and | | | | Take a look at your book collection. A few will |
| they'll provide quite different books. Give a | | | | have a wide selection, but I'm guessing the |
| successful author the same idea and they'll | | | | majority tend to read within a much narrower |
| produce a much better quality book. | | | | range. It's understandable. |
| So what magic ingredient separates mere mortals | | | | Many aspiring writers start out as readers and |
| from the literary greats? At this point, I'll concede | | | | wanted to add to the body of work they |
| that I don't believe there is a writing course out | | | | enjoyed reading. And most readers tend to have |
| there that can turn a poor writer into a great one. | | | | favourite genres rather than an eclectic taste. |
| It's an inherent talent. | | | | So, if you want to become a better writer, start |
| Having said that, I believe that with the proper | | | | acting like a published author and read outside |
| guidance, most OK writers can become published | | | | your chosen genre - especially non-fiction. |
| writers - although I still can't agree on one magic | | | | Which brings me back to my original point. If you |
| ingredient. I think it's a potion and all the aspects | | | | only read within your genre, your stimulation for |
| of writing go into that potion. | | | | new ideas is dampened. You'll find yourself |
| I'm going to go off at a tangent now, but I'll get | | | | reworking plots from the books you read and |
| back on track on coming up with ideas before the | | | | you'll discard them as being too like this novel or |
| end. | | | | that short story. |
| I listen to a lot of podiobooks and writing | | | | If you read more widely, you'll pick up inspiration |
| podcasts. It's a close community. I also frequent | | | | from plots (or factual topics) outside your genre - |
| many of the forums. In addition, I am an avid | | | | which in turn will allow your creative juices to |
| reader of 'How to Write' books. | | | | ponder, 'what if...' |
| One piece of advice always comes through loud | | | | Now I'm not advocating plagiarism, but instead |
| and clear - in order to be a decent writer, you | | | | pointing out that reading non-fiction and new |
| must read. Every source I ever reference says | | | | genres will inspire you in a way that your tried |
| this. | | | | and trusted field never can. |
| So I was looking at an aspiring author's blog the | | | | And it will improve your writing ability too. As a |
| other day and there was a link to their | | | | good example, many aspiring novelists will want to |
| Amazon® wish list. As I'm always looking for | | | | include romance in their book at some point, but |
| new authors to 'discover,' I clicked on it. I had | | | | how many have read good novels from this |
| read works by half of the writers and had heard | | | | specific genre? I'll not ask for a show of hands. |
| of about a further quarter. | | | | So try reading some books that you wouldn't |
| What struck me - and produced a genuine 'light | | | | usually read. It will seem strange at first, but you |
| bulb' moment - was that I thought to myself, | | | | do want to come up with new ideas and be |
| "You sure can tell what types of book this author | | | | published, don't you? |
| wants to write." | | | | |