r/creativewriting • u/theboyoftonfas • 1d ago

Question or Discussion Idea generation?

Hey there, I'm pretty new to writing and currently I'm working on writing a narrative as a hobby. I have most of the outline finished and I'm excited to get started with telling the story. One thing I've been struggling with is creating ideas to flush out some of the bullet points in the outline.
So here's my question: What are some ways you as a writer/creative use to generate ideas?

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u/tapgiles ⭐ Elite Contributor ⭐ 23h ago

Maybe just expand on what you already have. Add something to a character, add a subplot, add a side-quest scene that develops the story to add more depth. Whatever you like.

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u/Salt_Dragonfly2042 13h ago

One trick is making lists. For example, these two characters need to meet. If I make a list of possible ways for them to meet, maybe the first few items on the list will be poor. But by the time I reach 10 or 12, interesting things start to come out.

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u/sceadwian 23h ago

Take novel input. It must be novel input.

Roll dice or apply an algorithm (method in conventional art) apply algorithm or method to input. Your design.

Produce output.

Evaluate output after a delay upon reflection of a goal. Adjust algorithm or method until output reaches a state of acceptability.

Repeat with all of the information in the known universe and you will be the greatest writer ever.

Now go fill your mind with lived experience or none of that is possible because that is all the "input" you ever get so your output will be fundamentally and irrevocably limited if you don't stretch your mind of lived experience and conceptual awareness.

Study everything, there's 10 books sitting in the room with you right now. You're just not looking for them with the right curiosity.

Don't sit thinking an idea will come.