(by 9 people)
There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.
~ William Somerset Maugham
If you're an author or aspire to be one, you understand the frustration that comes from trying to get ideas for your next book. Don't let the next "novel idea" pass you by! Record your ideas so you'll have everything you need to write the next great book.
Places where Ideas are Likely to Come to You
Never when you need them...always when you're busy.
- in the shower, just before you get soap in your eyes
- in the car, while driving in heavy traffic
- in the middle of the night when it's dark and you're groggy
- in the middle of an important meeting, right before you get called on to present
- in line at the grocery store, stuck between people with huge carts
Need exciting new ideas for a book?
- Read. Read books, magazines, installation guides - whatever. Reading changes the focus of your brain and can give you random, AHA moments.
- Go for a drive. I think of my best ideas when I'm driving, so when I really want to think of something cool, I go for a drive. Gas is expensive, so try sitting in your car at the park.
- Watch a movie you wouldn't normally watch. I came up for one of my best plots when I misheard the plot for a movie preview. Since they didn't use it, I did! It's a doozy!
- Look up writing prompts and use them to start stories. With a little creativity you can twist a plot and come up with something completely new.
Journals to Record Ideas
What a Novel Idea Journal
Cute retro design with "What a NOVEL idea!" printed on the cover.
Price: 12.99
Black Heart Sunset 2 Journal
For the romantic writer...one of many heart journals available through this merchant.
Price: 12.99
Use a Digital Recorder to Collect your Thoughts
How the power of speech could be mighter than the pen.
Voice recorders are wonderful in that you can express your idea faster in speech than you can in text. When you really get on a roll, especially with dialogue, the words flow out of your mouth many, many times faster than you could type them. Have you ever started typing something and forgotten what you wanted to say before you got it all out? A digital recorder can help you solve that problem.
Using a digital recorder can also assist you when it comes time to edit, because instead of writing out everything you thought, you only have to write down what you really like and want to use. If you work something out verbally and don't like it, you didn't waste the time writing it out.
Check out the digital recorders below, available on eBay or from Amazon. Many are available with built in flash drives and have folder organizing capabilities.
My Personal Recommendation: The Olympus VN-1000 Digital Voice Recorder
The VS-1000 was very affordable - I only spent $43.00 after tax at Best Buy. If you buy it below from Amazon.com, it will cost you only $33!! It is easy to use once you understand what the limited number of buttons do, and will store up to 400 files in four different folders. This is considerably handy because once you're done with a sound clip you can delete it. No working around it until you're done with the entire tape.
Olympus VN-1000 Digital Voice Recorder
Amazon Price: (as of 08/21/2008)
Digital Recorders on eBay
If you keep an eye on eBay you can find some really great deals on digital recorders. For ultimate versatility, go for one that has speed control (comes in handy during playback for typing), and a flash port (gives you extra storage space.)
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Digital Recorders on Amazon
Olympus VN-4100PC Digital Voice Recorder
Amazon Price: $47.94 (as of 08/21/2008)
Olympus WS-311M Digital Voice Recorder and WMA Music Player
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 08/21/2008)
Creative Zen 16 GB Portable Media Player (Black)
Amazon Price: $138.00 (as of 08/21/2008)
Writing Prompts to Spark your Imagination
- Prompts from Writers Digest
- A prompt a day - view past prompts.
- Creative Writing Prompts
- Click on a number to get a random prompt.
- The Prompt Generator
- Click the button below the text field and get a new prompt every time.
- Tell the Story
- Stick figure picture provide creative imagination links.
514 Prompts for Creative Writers
By ME!
For less than $13, you can get over 500 creative writing prompts that go way beyond the boring "tell me about your childhood" story starters. Get new character ideas, plot ideas, theme ideas, contest short story ideas, and more. 514 Prompts for Creative Writers (by Kimberly Dawn Wells) is an exciting collection of prompts for all degrees and styles of writers. It gives the writer freedom to interpret and develop the prompts as they wish, leading to an infinite combination of ideas.For help developing fabulous characters, try the Character Profile Journal which has enough room for 50 4-page character reports. With these tools, your novel will shine.
Angela Booth's Writing Blog
Angela's blog is full of great tips for brainstorming ideas, becoming a better writer, and getting published.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byMore New Ideas for your Book
- NonfictionIdeas.com
- An ebook that has tips for finding profitable non-fiction categories.
A little help from a friend
What happens when your muse has gone missing in action? Almost every writer goes through a period of writer's block at some point. Frustration can take over, causing you to lose passion for your writing. The pain is real when you stare at the blank screen or page, willing yourself to write. What is at stake for you if you aren't writing?
In as little as one hour, you can be having fun and allowing your muse to play. I would like to introduce you to Holly Lisle's How to Beat Writer's Block (And Have FUN Writing From Now On). With this mp3 audio course, Holly will take you step by step through the process of overcoming your block. In just 30 minutes, the ideas for your new story or solutions to a problem in your current project will pour across the page.
Holly is no stranger to writer's block and would like to share her methods. With her expert guidance, you will not only move past your block but will learn how to prevent the block from happening again. You will also receive commitment training, a walkthrough to get you focused on writing again, dozens of ideas, and five-minute daily coaching. The course includes the forms you will need to keep up with your new ideas as well as a bonus report, 21 Ways To Get Yourself Writing When Your Life Has Just Exploded.
Head over to Holly's shop now and purchase How to Beat Writer's Block for immediate download. You will be writing and having fun again in no time.
Reader Feedback
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MarilynBB
Good lens. I used a voice recorder and notepad plus lots of pictures to help me write my books. Listening to my voice and seeing the photos helped me really feel myself back in the places I travelled as I wrote. I offer a free book on my lens. Posted October 27, 2007 |
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princessklb07
This is a really great lens!! I have been think for a long time about writing a book! My ideas always come to me when I am in the shower!! It is funny to me that you mentioned that place. Great work!! I give you 5*'s!! Posted June 20, 2007 |
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CharlesFinch
Great suggestion on the VN-1000 -- I've been thinking about buying a voice recorder. Cool lens too! Posted June 15, 2007 |
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EelKat
This is such a great lens! I love reading your ideas and info. I like your CafePress journals too. I design journals on CafePress too. I'm going to go check out your other lenses now. See ya around! Posted April 18, 2007 |
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KCStargazer
Excellent info- great tools too! Posted February 10, 2007 |
