If Your Novel Idea Doesn't Have THIS, You Might as Well Not Write It 🫣

Transforming an Idea into a Compelling Story

The video by Megan, a published author and writing coach, emphasizes the crucial element that transforms a simple idea into a compelling story: an intriguing question. This question contains something contradictory or unexpected that immediately piques readers’ curiosity, making them eager to find out what happens next.

Key Concepts and Creative Process

• Difference between an idea and a story: An initial idea might be a character or situation, but it’s not a story until it poses an intriguing question that creates tension or curiosity.

• Intriguing question:

  • Should contain something unexpected or contradictory that defies expectations.
  • It grabs attention by making readers ask, “How will this play out?”

• Examples:

  • Initial idea: “A teen grows in confidence by entering a beauty pageant.” (boring, expected)
  • Intriguing question: “What if a plus-sized anti-pageant teen enters a beauty pageant?” (contradiction, unexpected)
  • Initial idea: “A controlling government uses coliseum-style games to punish its people.” (expected)
  • Intriguing question: “What if a government forced children to fight to the death in an arena?” (shocking, contradictory)

• How to find the unexpected element in your story:

  1. Identify what is expected in your idea (the obvious or first thoughts).
  2. Brainstorm opposites or less expected alternatives.
  3. Push further by asking what someone would not do in this situation.
  4. Layer these ideas until you find something that feels like a true story question, not just a scenario.

• Personal example: Megan’s story idea came from running during Florida thunderstorms and wondering what it would be like to run toward the storm, not away from it — an unexpected twist that sparked the story.

Advice Summary

• Start by jotting down all expected scenes or outcomes related to your idea.
• Then deliberately explore opposites or unlikely scenarios.
• Keep pushing boundaries until you find an intriguing question that feels fresh and uncertain.
• This question is the foundation of a strong story that hooks readers.
• After finding the intriguing question, the next step is to define the main character’s biggest change from start to finish.

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Creator: Megan (published author and writing coach)