Do all ideas become stories?
Occasionally I come across an idea that sounds amazing in my head and I feel I can stretch it into a full length novel. I plot and write several pages and then I realize I can’t do it. I look at the story and realize at best it would be a short story (which I don’t write) or maybe just a one off smutty chapter.
With these ideas there are two things you can do with them. Only two things.
- Let them go and know you gave it your best shot. Not everything can be turned into a story.
- Put it aside and work on it later.
I have one story that is currently sitting at number 2. Its good. I got the characters. I got the plot but writing it is killing me. The stakes aren’t high enough. The situation feels forced rather than a nice flowing story.
For me, I should walk away and let the idea go but I can’t. You may be feeling the same way about a certain idea. Keep notes on it. Maybe you need to do more research to get the ideas to flow better.
Sometimes there are stories that you just have to let go. I had to let go of a series I had planned in my head. It was too ambitious for me to even consider right now. Even if I get to start writing on it, it will not be as good as I want it to be.
This post is all over the place. I gave you tips and then told you I did the opposite. Honestly, you have to do what you feel is right. Listen to your gut and go from there. Writing is intuitive and your story has to reach out and grab someone. If you feel strongly about an idea that isn’t going anywhere then give it some time. It will eventually blossom into a full story.
xoxo
Erin Elyse
erinelysebooks.com 