Jeepers, creepers, where did you get those ideas?

“Creativity is 1/10 inspiration, 9/10 perspiration.”

Your writing doesn’t just spring up from the ground
No muse waves a magic wand and inspires you
Writing is work. Period.
How to start

1. Start with a situation.
• Describe an event, an action, or thing happening
• Ask the question “What if…?” or “What happens when…?”
• Think of a setting, and an action or happening in that setting. Complicate the simple action with a problem (a but, whoops, suddenly, or uh oh!)
• Take the time to brainstorm. Think about the situation and how it started, how it continued, how it ended. Take notes in your journal. Outline your situation.
• As you think about your situation, you will also find you are thinking about character and what the action means (theme). Jot those ideas down!

2. Start with a character.
• Begin with a fictional, real, or historical person. Envision who this person is and what this person WANTS (their goal).
• Steal a composite of various people you know, have read about, even yourself.
• Create situations and/or other characters to STOP your character from achieving their goal – this is your conflict.
• In your journal jot down overheard conversations, quotes, and what you imagine your character saying and doing.

3. Start with a theme.
• Some plays start with a germinal idea
• Pick a personal belief about the world, or an issue that you are interested in finding more about – jot down your feelings and thoughts about the topic.
• Start with a statement… “This I believe__________”
• Research your theme so that you confirm or deepen your understanding of the subject.
• Think about characters who might share your vision. Write about them and what opposed them.

4. Cheat
• Borrow ideas from other writers, books, newspapers, etc.

A few DON’T’s

1. Don’t judge your play until it’s written and/or performed.
2. Don’t search for originality. Shakespeare stole his ideas, you can too! What’s important is CHARACTER!
3. Don’t forget to use your notes and journal as a starting place to brainstorm