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Story Ideas – Important Questions for Writers to Ask Themselves
By Deb Gallardo
Author Mark Terry from his blog “This Writing Life” made an interesting point about story ideas recently. He makes the case that writers are not only competing with other authors for readers, but with everything else in the reader’s life that fills up their days and nights.
“So what sort of story ideas do I have that would convince someone whose life is a cup running over to shell out $25 and stay up late reading it? What would convince them that, even though they’re got a PTO meeting to go to, they’ll stay in the car 5 minutes reading the book before going in? What story ideas do I have that can convince them is more interesting or entertaining or titillating or whatever than the new lineup on Dancing With The Stars. They’re tired, all they want to do is turn off their brain and stop wondering how they’re going to get everything done.
What are you offering them?”
The topic has the potential to be downright depressing for writers, but one of Mark’s commenters makes a point that ties it all together:
“…readers mostly just want a good story told well.”
Read “How to be a Bestseller” and all its comments — good, lively discussion (opens in new window)
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- Stories and Our Inner Critic/Editor
- Novel Ideas, Ebook Ideas – Child’s Play?
- Story Ideas – Intentional vs. Unintentional Results
- Story Ideas – Fiction Inspiration From True Stories
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