#Idea Generation

[writingwithfolklore]

15 Ways to Spark a New Idea

Revisit an old project

Take inspiration from classic stories/folk tales

Follow your interests

Start with genre (or a unique combination)

Start with a character

Start with setting

Combine or reinvent some classic tropes

Ask someone to share a story they don’t usually tell (be curious about the people around you)

Use something from your past

Focus on a hard to define feeling

Experience something new

Brainstorm with a writing friend

Read outside of your comfort zone

Talk to a stranger about their life

Twist the normal, normalize the magical

[blackrosesandwhump]

How to Whump Your Hero (or Villain)!

For those times when you have the perfect whumpable hero or villain and don't know what to do with them. Use this generator to get ideas!

You have your character. What do you use to whump them?

Axe

Bandages

Barbed wire

Blindfold

Branding iron

Cage

Chains

Club

Coffin

Collar

Dagger

Drugs

Duct tape

Fishing line

Gag

Garrote

Gibbet

Handcuffs

Hatchet

Knife

Manacles

Operating Table

Oxygen mask

Pistol

Pitchfork

Plastic

Poison

Rapier

Rope

Scalpel

Scythe

Spear

Straightjacket

Stitches

Sword

Syringe

Taser

Whip

Using this random number generator, for example I get #5 Branding iron. Time for some painful branding for my poor villain!

Happy writing!

[bettsfic]

how do you flesh out an idea into a real story, when the idea is simply a question or theme? I feel like there is many ways to take a story when your idea is broad like this.

i've answered similar asks like this that you can find in my process tag and idea generation tag. i think i probably addressed it most closely in this ask.

it's a very interesting coincidence you asked me this, anon, because i just finished a novella whose plot is cobbled together by 3 ideas in a trenchcoat. they were all half-formed concepts that never came together on their own but i still really liked them and held onto them. i think the earliest one was from 2016? unlike a lot of my other stories, i did kind of brute force this one but i think it came out okay! we'll see if my early readers vibe with it or are just "what the fuck, betts." (furry ghost story!)

in the post i linked, i talk about "the easy, long road" of vague ideas, which feels a bit like hoarding, keeping useless things believing you'll one day need them for something. except they don't take up any space, and the good ones end up sticking with you and you *do* end up using them. i think i always take the short, hard road at first, thinking something magical will happen, but i always end up losing steam. that said, whatever i jot down ends up being really helpful when i finally do manage to use an old idea.

i agree, there are many ways to take a story when your idea is broad. it's like being handed a block of wood and you have to carve it down into something but you have no idea what. if you're feeling really compelled, you can make it happen just by getting started. if you're not, you just kind of have to wait until you figure out what it is you want to carve, and do it with more intention than the other option.

i think a long time ago i wrote about "aesthetic piles" but i can't find that post. the idea there is that you create a working title for your theme or question (furry ghost story [actual title "little thousand"] was "dog-eared" for several years), and whenever you watch or read something that fits the aesthetic of that thing, you add it to the pile. eventually you'll put something on the pile that topples it over, and that's when you can start writing it.

and sometimes you end up writing something and realize later that it answers that question or addresses that theme you'd wanted to pursue ages ago. i guess that's the good thing about broad ideas: they're not just single stories, they're generally your core subject matter, things you'll come back to again and again, and concepts you'll pursue whether you intend to or not. i wrote a little bit about developing your Project in a previous newsletter.

[artist-ellen]

i loveee the epic: the musical design idea!! your ancient greek mermaid has actually been my headcanon hera and played into my headcanon circe since i saw it (and i have also been on the epic listen, i’ve had no longer you on repeat for weeks).

also just wanted to say that the mermaid designs are stunning, i get excited every time i see one!! really well thought out and a gorgeous mix of the historical garments/culture and mermaid/fantasy vibe

I am so excited about the epic: the musical ideas that I've had. Even if no one else likes them my brain has had so much fun cooking them up. My greek mermaid as inspiration isn't such a bad idea...

I've listened to 'No Longer You' so often that if I walk away from Youtube too long it will autoplay without prompting now. (๑•̀��•́)و✧

I'm so glad you all seem to really like the mermaids! I had lots of fun making them, and hopefully you guys like the coloring book too!

[thinking-outside-the-giftbox18]

Ideas I ma- Okay, this one I want EVERYONE to see [HLVRAI AU/Scenario Edition]

BLACK MESA FIGHT CLUB AU, run by Dr. Coomer who later invites Gordon into the club. It's one where they let out their fighting spirit and are taught by a boxing expert (Coomer). It IS inspired by TADC FIGHT CLUB AU but I WANNA see Benrey in his fight gear and being super serious about beating the shit out of somebody.

-Giftbox/Prince

[amydrawsdreams]

"Plotting Perfection"

crafting the compelling Story board for my animation

[grimsourgames]

Sci-Fi Adventure Tables are now live on Itch!

Everything you need to solo your favorite sci-fi TTRPG!

Action/Theme Event Generators

Worldbuilding Simplified

Character Information

Traits

Races, Classes, & Themes

Yes/No Oracles

Things

Twists

Places

Encounters

Settlement Names

Settlement Calamities

And more!

[samsayswhatever]

Random Fanfic Idea Generator

I made this to help give me ideas that I haven't written before, while still using elements I made up and I'm comfortable writing. Feel free to use these, or ask for more

[hurbivore]

Words/ Visuals suggestions

Hello Tumblr people! I'm working on creating a mascot for an academic project. If you could share any ideas/words/objects you associate with art, I would greatly appreciate it. Once I'm finished, I'll share the little guy.

Also, this is my first post, so please let me know if I'm doing this right. Tumblr confuses me.

[shootwithheart]

It's 1am and I'm making printables.

Whenever I'm trying to come up with new ideas I usually sketch out a couple dozen, reject most of them, and end up with a two or three solid designs.

As I'm making every circle by hand in my journal, tracing a little disk over and over again, I realized I make printables and can just save myself so much time. Might as well share it for all the other 1am artists too!

I originally heard of the name '20 in 1' on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, where a room of writers would break off for an hour and each come back with 20 ideas to share no matter how awful. It's been a go to idea generation tool for me ever since.

Anyway help support this nonsense with a dollar if you want the pdf and all my other printables or just rip the file off this post it's circles what am I gonna do sue you?

[mckitterick]

"If aliens lay eggs, how does that affect their architecture?"

and other speculative-fiction worldbuilding approaches

lots of SF authors share how they do their worldbuilding - useful stuff!

[harrybushelldesignblog]

Week 1 Blog DES302

Just like that, week 1 is done! It’s been a pretty hectic first week, and the shift from holiday mode to work mode is well and truly underway. After a week of work, my project is currently still in a very developmental stage. I’ve spent the week researching issues surrounding sustainability in football, the environmental impacts of football pitches and their upkeep, the feasibility of my concepts, the numbers behind how they could work, the engineering behind how they could work, and what the finished project could be. Along with this, I’ve set up a calendar, a weekly to-do list and begun building a detailed timeline for my project. I’ve also completed the required ethics modules.

For my capstone, I want to create an event based around football being used to redevelop urban spaces to benefit multiple natural species. At the moment, I want to create seed-planting studs, a seed-spreading football, a pitch mock-up, and an information booklet. I want to use areas of green urban space not normally used for sport which could have almost an art piece installed from the seeds planted throughout the game. It would create a 1 of 1 layout of stuff growing that showcased the exhibition game that took place there. Seed packs used would be chosen to specifically benefit the wildlife of the urban areas used. It could also use the event to raise awareness for greener football. Could showcase to clubs how they could improve their set-ups, i.e. different fertilisers, new plantlife around fields, paints used, water used, etc. This could be done through a casebook/information booklet. 

This week I researched the mechanics of retractable pens and how the pressure placed on the top of the pen allowed the ballpoint to retract. I was hoping I could use similar mechanics to create a stud that allows seeds to pop out of the bottom when pressure is applied to the stud. However, I found that it took a team of 66 designers to create the mechanics of the first retractable ballpoint pen, resulting in a bit of a shock to my system. With this, I began looking into alternative ways to turn a stud into something that can release seeds while in use.  

I also looked into the size and shape of the studs I could use, as well as how these affect the number of seeds that could be stored, plus the size of common seeds. However, I found that a lot of data needed to be included for the specific sizes of certain seeds I wanted to use (like the size of a Carex Comans seed). This is frustrating but should be easy to bypass by purchasing and measuring seeds myself.

At this moment in time, the main tools and technologies I’m using are Google and Miro, as well as a tape measure and a calculator. Since it’s still early on in my project, I’ve spent the week using these tools to try and validate the feasibility of my ideas and to develop my brainstorms further. Further down the line, I’m considering the use of 3D printed moulds for creating the housing for my stud idea, as well as to create the intricate mechanical pieces for the inside of the studs. Along with this, I’m considering using some of the architecture school tools to create a detailed scaled-down mock-up of what my final solution could look like. 

The strengths of Google come from the sheer size of it as a tool. The information it provides is widely available and easy to access. Miro is an excellent tool for collecting all of my ideas in one place, and interlinking them, while also offering formatting tools and templates to plan and collect research. I can’t think of any weaknesses for either of these tools at the moment, but if I come across any they’ll feature on the blog at some point. 3D printing wise, it offers an interesting and accurate way to create moulds and intricate plastic pieces. However, it is time-consuming and sometimes the quality of the pieces is below par. 

The main challenge I’ve encountered with week one has been the lack of existing precedents for my idea. This is both a good and a bad thing, as it offers me the opportunity to create something in a field that hasn’t been done before, but it also means I’m heading into the unknown with this project.  

The only way I can think of resolving these challenges is to ensure I manage my time efficiently and effectively, and focus on certain principles of my idea, rather than trying to do to much.

The interactions with my friends in design and their feedback and validation on my ideas makes me happy! Being able to research and create something in a field I’m extremely invested and interested in is also something that makes me smile and ensures that I enjoy my work. 

So far the anxiety I’ve felt from the sheer scope and importance of my project is the main thing that has made me sad for this project, however I feel as I further grasp my ideas and develop my project further, as well as likely changes to my projects scope, this anxiety will hopefully lessen. 

Screenshots from my Miro Board - A brainstorm of ideas, figuring out the mechanics of a retractable pen, and the volume and feasibility of storing seeds in studs.

[bettsfic]

Hi!

I was wondering how do you elevate or better flesh out a very vague premise (e.g. A man falls in love with his boss). But there are many ways to take vague ideas like this and it’s hard to make it more.

there are really only two paths: the easy, long road; and the hard, fast road. on extremely rare occasion you may hit the jackpot and find an easy, fast road, but in my experience that is like winning the lottery.

the easy, long road:

you write the idea down somewhere. you let it incubate for a really long time. you have faith in the universe that all the pieces will begin to click into place until you go, "i've got it," and start writing.

i call that moment "ignition." when your vague "what am i even trying to write" idea clicks into "wait wait wait, i'm onto something here" and your brain starts churning out ideas for scenes and plot points.

there can be a lot of false starts, where you try to shoehorn your vague idea into another vague idea and see if they make a less vague idea, but sometimes that doesn't work. you may also start working on something else and realize you're unconsciously writing that vague idea you had 3 years ago. but overall it's a passive process. you have to wait for specificity to find you.

the hard, short road:

you write the idea down somewhere. you stare at it until you get a headache, and then you take some ibuprofen and stare at it some more. using the "ignition" metaphor, this is like your car not starting so you just keep turning the engine until it either starts or you flood it.

if you brute force your vague idea, you can potentially ruin it for yourself, but if you're motivated to take this path, i think your first step is to get out a notebook and start brainstorming. if the premise is "a man falls in love with his boss," write a list of industries where they might work. then circle a few of them and start researching those industries to see if you can find a nugget of information that clicks with your idea until you get some kind of conflict churning.

if you can't find anything, you make more lists. list out potential endings, plot points, inciting incidences. character traits and arcs. countries, cities. for every item of every list, make a list of possibilities. if this, then this and this. if that, then that and that. and you go on and on and on until you maybe have enough to get some words down.

an example:

my sister, a copywriter, started doing social media for a welding school. she told me she was learning a lot about welding and that i should write a story about a welding teacher. this school specifically is one of the best in the country, and my sister said something to the effect of, "people come from all over the country to live in this shithole town for six months. that seems like an interesting story."

in my A4 rhodia, on december 19, 2023, i wrote,

story of welding teacher at best welding school in the country

lonely ISTP casey affleck kinda guy (that was my sister's idea; she meant it in a derogatory way)

being taken care of by his grandmother?

all i had was "welder" kind of in the back of my head. fast forward to earlier this month, watching season 3 of the Bad Batch and having a lot of feelings about Crosshair's shakey hands (i've also developed a tremor in my hands).

and then i thought, a welder whose hands begin shaking. that's a conflict, that's an inciting incident. his whole career might be in jeopardy.

i wrote this paragraph:

He'd never admitted to his wife that he wanted kids. They didn’t have any, though, for the same reason he never became a farmer—he didn’t want to raise something just to see it slaughtered. Who knew what kind of war the country would cook up in eighteen years? Turn of the century, sending kids out to god knows where, just the right number of years from Vietnam that everyone would’ve forgotten it, the way that by Vietnam they’d forgotten Korea.

i managed to weave this general idea into the bigger plot of a novel i started a long time ago, and it reignited my interest in that project, and now i'm feeling really good that this 200k monstrosity i thought i would just throw away now might have some potential, more importantly some focus, all because of a vague idea i wrote down months ago.

[grouchydairy]

I don't quite have a wall as much as a bustling city of unrelated strangers entering and exiting buildings at their leisure

#Writing

[hannahlacey]

Brainstorming How To Create User-Centred Tool - Idea Generation

I decided to do yet another brainstorm, this time focusing on different forms of tools, and different pain points to provide a solution for. Taking my research into consideration, I covered many ways of doing so, from AI to websites to journals. 

However, I decided to focus on my main interest thus far within research, which would be bringing Wabi-Sabi into a tool. This lead me to thinking of how i could use this to create incentive to use the tool, tackle the issues at hand, and keep it Gen Z + relevant. 

By focusing on the pain points to prompt inspiration, I was able to come up with a couple of different ideas. At this point, I was still undecided on the format of my plan, which led me to think about publications and app design.

[thinking-outside-the-giftbox18]

Just a free idea that anyone can use because I like making ideas - WrightWorth edition

This AU is both Actor Wright AU AND no DL-6 AU.

So...I have gotten myself into a spiral within a spiral and because I’m still in The Stanley Parable and somewhat Welcome Home rabbit hole, here’s a Wrightworth AU idea based on an separate idea for one of my AHIT OCs.

And here’s the thing: I don’t know the entirety of Ace Attorney despite reading the Wikia. So, some points would be either wrong or vague.

Now here’s the idea - 

1. Gregory survived the incident, sued Manfred, and adopted Franziska. But decided to move to a new place, so Miles and Phoenix get separated. Phoenix does send letters to Miles tho.

2. Miles grows up to be a lawyer and is mentored by Mia Fey, so he was well acquainted with Maya and Pearl Fey. Miles and Maya are still both fans of Steel Samurai, but like always Miles is more private about it.

3. As for Phoenix, he studies art in college but joins an after class acting club, and through some shenanigans, gets to be an uncredited stunt double of the main lead of the Steel Samurai.

4. Will Powers would then get into an accident that affects his health. At first, he wants to continue acting, but then retires for the sake of his mental health. So, he passes the torch to Phoenix both behind-the-scenes and on the show.

5. Phoenix’s letters to Miles slowed down to a halt, and Miles notices how different the Steel Samurai looks after Powers’ accident. So, he was there when everyone was discussing about whether this Steel Samurai is played by a different actor.

6. And for lols, I picture Miles have a crush on this new Steel Samurai because something about him has a magnetic charm to him.

7. Then Phoenix gets framed for murder and Miles takes the case. he then learns that 1) He's meeting THE [NEW] Steel Samurai, 2) who is his childhood friend, and 3) who is currently framed for murder and 4) Is it Miles or is Phoenix fit as fuck???

8. But in the end, Phoenix is innocent, the real killer was found, Maya and Phoenix get along well, and Miles and Phoenix reconnect and promise to interact more.

That is all that I got for this AU ^^;;;;

Hope it’s interesting and you can change a bit if you want to use it. But do credit me for this idea as you use it; and you reply to this too, I like to hear your thoughts on this AU ^^ - Giftbox