Writing Resources – Story Idea Generators Revisited

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Writing Resources – Story Idea Generators Revisited

By Deb Gallardo

I’m always on the lookout for story idea generators. Some of these I’ve found are merely lists of categories or types of non-fiction stories, or they can be questions to ask yourself, so that you are the generator. Lists can be useful, but if you’re looking for a shortcut, read on.

My favorite variety of idea generators for writers is a script that has only a few elements, and with the push of an online “button,” it creates an idea for you on the spot. For example, one such script might contain character descriptions, locales, story problems, time periods, etc. Each time you click on the button that activates the script (or refreshes the page, as the case may be), you get a new combination of elements. The longer the lists within each category and the more types of elements included, the greater number of combinations to be generated. (Remember permutations in college math?)

Some will be bizarre, others ridiculous, but that’s okay. You don’t have to write about anything that doesn’t capture your interest. Keep clicking the button until you find something you can’t resist.

Be sure to check out my article on the most effective way to use a conflict generator. It explains how to use these online idea generation scripts to their best advantage.

If you write role-playing games (RPG), especially of the fantasy variety, you may be especially interested in the link below. BUT even if you don’t write RPG, you might get a spark that sets your imagination on fire, so try it out a few times.

This script will generate up to 5 types of items of your choosing:

coins – includes a description of what kind of coins and how many
jewelry – includes a description plus its relative value or worth in currency
foodstuff
rare or unusual item – may include possible use for it
magical item with a description of what it can do and how many times it can be used, if applicable

Here is the Fantasy idea generator from “What It Had in Its Pockets.” (opens in new window)

It’s hard not to think of Gollum in “The Hobbit” after he lost the riddle contest with Bilbo and hisses, ‘Show the nasty little Baggins the way out, yes, yes. But what has it got in its pocketses?’

For more story idea generators, go to this article on story idea generators, to short fiction idea generators or to Dr. Carolyn Kaufman’s excellent site.