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Story Ideas – It’s All About Heart
By Deb Gallardo
Have you ever considered the many meanings and implications of the word “heart?” There is nothing that touches people’s, well . . . hearts than to write with, um . . . heart. See what I mean?
Here are some examples of this versatile — dare I say “hearty? ” — word:
- The obvious one, a physical heart. Does one need to be replaced, repaired, strengthened, etc.? How does this heart (and the person who owns it) affect others? Is it an infant, a child or teen, a young mother or father, someone about to retire, an octogenarian or nonagenarian? What about the doctors and other medical staff, family and friends, the news media? Did someone lose a family member and donate a heart? Was there a heart attack, heart disease, heart catheterization, heart murmur, enlarged heart, heart palpitations, heart failure, heart association, heart valve damage?
- On a lighter note, we have the simple drawing of a heart. Do some doodling and see how many different images you can generate, then write about the one that interests you the most, imagining that it could come to life on the page and talk to you. Or perhaps it comes to life after you leave the room. What does it do? Does it erase all the others, bring the others to life, too? Draw a mate?
- Expressions about “heart” abound so we might easily take them for granted. To conclude this article, here are titles, song lyrics, common expressions, as well as substitute meanings for and about “heart.” If you’re paying attention, at least one of these may inspire a story. And since we’re about six months out from February, now is the perfect time to be writing those heart-inspired pieces for publication.
“You’ve gotta have heart” (vintage song)
I didn’t have the heart to… (lack of spirit, courage)
A heart of stone
Hard-hearted
Heart-felt wishes, condolences, etc.
I “heart” you!
Broken heart (also, “Achey, Breaky Heart”)
Valentine
Dear Heart (an affectionate term)
“Heart of My Heart” (vintage song lyrics)
Soft-hearted (capacity for sympathy and compassion)
The heart of the matter (essence or core of an issue)
Hearts – playing card suit, Ace through 10, Jack, Queen and King
Hearts – the card game
Queen of Hearts vs. Knave of Hearts (nursery rhyme)
A man/woman after my own heart (someone we identify with or prefer)
At heart (in our inner being)
Eat your heart out (often used teasingly to those who envy us)
Learn something by heart (word-for-word)
“With all my heart” (with earnestness)
“From the bottom of my heart” (total sincerity)
“Have a heart!” (show mercy or compassion)
“Cross my heart” (I promise)
“My heart was in my mouth – or throat” (Fear)
I hope she has my best interests at heart (aim or desire)
“Heart and Soul” (enthusiastically, vintage song, that little piano ditty non-piano players know)
“Take heart” (regain courage)
“Have your heart set on something” (wish for intensely)
“To your heart’s content” (continue until you are satisfied)
“Kingdom Hearts” (great video game series)
“Wear your heart on your sleeve” (make your feelings obvious to everyone)
“Hearts and Flowers” (1890s song used in cartoons for sappy sad scenes)
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