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| Maybe you're one of those lucky writers whose head is
bursting with ideas. Or perhaps you have one idea that's been nagging you for weeks,
always at the edge of your thoughts.
Either way, you're itching to begin writing. That's good.
But before you rush headlong into your story, stop and ask yourself one question: Is
this just an idea, or is it a book? |
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Ideas, of course, are the seeds of any work of fiction or nonfiction.
But until an idea is fully developed, until you can envision its beginning, middle and
end, that one idea might not be enough. The experience of writing for pages about an idea
and ultimately getting nowhere (or getting a pile of rejections) has taught many writers
to outline their books before they begin. But if the thought of an outline sends shivers
up your spine, at least thinking your idea through and making sure it merits months of
writing can save you future frustration.
* Ideas for Fiction
A lot of writers, especially when they're beginners, get ideas for fiction from their own
lives. This can be useful for several reasons: you're emotionally invested in the topic,
you can relate directly to the main character, and if the situation actually happened to
you, you're less likely to be unconsciously basing the story on a book you've read. But
remember, just because you find this thing that happened to you or your child fascinating,
it doesn't mean it will be fascinating to thousands of potential readers. Very often, a
real-life event is just that--an event. It's a vivid scene you recall with pleasure, or a
family joke that's repeated over and over. It evokes strong emotions when you remember it,
perhaps you even look back on an event as a turning point in your life. But only rarely
does reality provide a plot. When writers stick too closely to what really happened they
fail to develop the elements necessary for a good story: a believable main character who
is faced with a problem or conflict, mounting tension as that character tries to solve her
problem and experiences setbacks, and a tension-filled climax followed by a resolution
that's satisfying to the character and the reader. If your main character is really your
son, you might not want to get him in trouble or throw rocks in his path. But you have to.
It's the only way you'll create a story that will keep readers hooked and wondering how it
will end.
Speaking of endings, if the resolution of your story comes too easily, it's probably
obvious and predictable. Try mixing up real life and have the situation evolve in a
different direction. Surprise yourself, and you'll surprise an editor.
However you get your idea, focus first on whether it's a plot or a theme. Many times, an
initial idea is really the underlying meaning of the story, what the author wants to
convey to the reader. Themes should be universal in their appeal-- such as friendship,
appreciating one's own strengths, not judging others too quickly. Then play around with
the sequence of events until you develop a plot (what actually happens in the book) that
makes this theme clear to the reader. And remember; if you're using a childhood incident
as the foundation of your story, tell it from your childhood viewpoint, not how it feels
to you now as an adult.
* Ideas for Nonfiction
Your nonfiction book should be based on something you're truly interested in and
passionate about. After all, you'll be living with this idea for many months. The key to
successful nonfiction is to take your idea and approach it in a way that no one else has
ever done before. This means doing most of your research before you begin to write. Don't
settle for the most easily-found information on your topic--your readers have probably
read the same information. Keep digging until you find an aspect to your subject that
strikes you as unique. Then search through the library and book stores to make sure no one
else has already beat you to it.
For a nonfiction idea to become a book, you need enough information to fill the number of
pages necessary, depending on the age group for which you plan to write. Younger children
need a foundation of basic facts, but you can also get fairly detailed within the scope of
the approach you've chosen as long as you explain concepts in a simple and straightforward
manner (how animals hibernate, why insects are different colors). Older readers can draw
on a broader foundation of knowledge, and infer connections between your topic and related
subjects. A detailed outline of any nonfiction book is essential to help you see if your
idea has enough substance and originality, or if you need further research before you
begin writing.
Whether it's fiction or nonfiction, your idea should mean something to you, but also have
the potential to mean a lot to your readers. Think it through, add to it, take the
nonessential elements away, and make sure it has a beginning, middle and end. Only then
will your "idea" turn into "an idea for a book."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laura Backes is the author of "Best Books for Kids Who (Think They) Hate to
Read" from Random House. She's also the publisher of Children's Book Insider, the
Newsletter for Children's Writers. For more information about writing children's books,
including free articles, market tips, insider secrets and much more, visit Children's Book
Insider's home on the web at http://write4kids.com
Copyright: Children's Book Insider, LLC
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