Where do I find ideas for a good book?

If you’re alive, story ideas are popping up all around you every day. It makes no difference if you don’t leave the house, don’t turn on the TV, don’t answer the telephone. And there’s nobody there but you.

So, where does the idea come from? The most expansive database of story ideas is right between your ears. Let your mind wander, and just as important, listen to what it says. Jules Verne was never on an atomic submarine, but he wrote about one. He crafted an amazing story by letting his mind wander and listening to it.
And certainly a very interesting book could be developed on the recluse who never left the house, never turned on the TV, didn’t answer the telephone, and was virtually alone. Or, spice it up. Today, the telephone rang and, wonder of wonders, he answered it. Why did he answer it today when he never did before? And who would be calling him—he has no contact with other people. Or suppose someone knocked on his door. Would he answer it? Who would it be? A UPS man with a package? And what would that package contain? Mystery. Conflict.

But for those of us who do not lead the hermit’s life, more story ideas assault us than we can possibly write. A year ago I read a brief folk tale set in Texas before it became an independent country, long before it was a state. Out of that story of a few hundred words came a modern mystery of 90,000 words. How? I don’t write historical pieces, so I ask myself how could such a folk tale impact the lives of people today. And then I took the most important step: I sat down and started writing.


The news tonight had a story on how the Queen orchestrated the royal wedding of Will and Kate. What if the young couple said, “We’re not going to do that? We’re not having a big wedding.” And they drove off to some small village and got married there. What story could you build from that? The local people came? Someone called the press? The Queen refused to accept them when they returned? The Queen’s people tracked the couple and as the minister was in the middle of the brief ceremony, in walks the Queen? Which way would you go? The Queen presents a bridal bouquet to the bride? The Queen and her soldiers forbid the minister from continuing? Or the Queen sits quietly in the back of the church and only after the ceremony does she reveal herself?

You mission, should you choose to accept it is this: watch the news (local or national) tonight. Find at least two stories that you could develop into a piece of fiction. If you normally write short fiction, this will be easy. But for those who write book length fiction, jot down the ideas. And before you go to bed, put down enough “What if’s” to make a good start on a book. I’m not saying you should write the book. But show yourself how every night, the news will provide ideas that could be turned into a piece of fiction, short or book length—your choice.

And soon, one of those will interest you enough that you will start writing it.

This is Part 1 on story ideas. Part 2 will be posted next week.

Good luck and happy writing.

1 thought on “Where do I find ideas for a good book?

  1. Hi Jim.
    Great ideas. I don’t know about you, but when I’m in the middle of writing a story and get stuck, I get that awful writer’s doubt. I truly believe I will never have another idea and be able to finish the tale. When I get to that point, I think of nothing else, only to become more depressed.
    I think you’re exactly right about the news…even though I don’t watch the news or read the paper…I know…I’m terrible. I tend to get ideas from listening in on other peoples conversations. Sometimes they will be discussing the news and hearing their take on it will often spark something for me.
    Nothing better than hearing two “old timers” chewing the fat on a bench at Wal-Mart.

    ~Ann

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