Developing an Idea (Or, I Have a Shiny New Idea, Now What?)

Since November is National Novel Writing Month, we thought we'd talk a little about how to get from that first bright and shiny spark to a fully developed story.

Carmella says:

After I decide on an idea, one of the first things I do is get a journal for the project. Then I start filling it with questions. By asking questions (for instance, what is my main character's goal? Or what would happen if x happened?), my brain starts processing. It's kind of like that journal in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" - only I ask questions and the story answers back! Once I have a good grip on the basics, I start working on an outline. I used to be a pantser but I've found that developing an outline really helps me keep my emotions (um, panic) in check. An outline is like my safety net. Early on, I also spent a lot of time talking about the new idea to trusted friends and my family. I call this "processing outward" but I think my family and friends just call it annoying!

Carmella Van Vleet writes MG fiction and "hands-on" non-fiction. Her debut MG novel, ELISA BING IS (NOT) A BIG FAT QUITTER, will be released in Spring 2014 from Holiday House.

Christina says:
 

What I do after I've decided on an idea:

1. Outline it. See this post: http://christinafarley.com/using-a-plot-grid/ or this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEjC3ri7UEo

2. Then I prep to fast draft the book. See this video for tips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3chpYaMLYxg&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLz2lJRGe6_9CWREAtp8JD5s4xiEam-cDC

3. Write like a crazy person. I don't check for grammar or even if it makes sense. I just write.

4. Once I finish the book, then the real work begins. REVISING!

Christina Farley is the author of the YA novel GILDED, which will be published by Skyscape in Spring 2014.

Kate says:

When I get a new idea, I write down everything I think I know about it. The characters, the setting, etc. Then I figure out what I have to start researching. While I'm doing some general reading on the subject I want to write about, the characters are usually begging me to start writing. So I'll write a chapter or two and then get stuck and come up with an outline. For my newest project, I've been using Save the Cat type beats. Armed with an outline and some background information, it's time to get serious!  

Kate Fall writes middle grade and young adult fiction and is an editor with Entangled Publishing. 

Andrea says:

Once I decide on my idea, I make a list of all the things that could happen in the story. Sometimes, I write to myself as my main character, describing her problems and what she wants. I don't usually use these ramblings in the story, but they help shape my thinking about where the story might go.

After I've done some thinking (and then lots more thinking), I try to fit my ideas into a plot framework, like the Save the Cat structure or Dan Wells' Seven Point Story Structure. And then I write up a one or two page summary of the story, just to give myself some direction. By then, I'm usually dying to get writing, so I do! All my plans change as I get further into the story and find out what it's really about.

Andrea Mack writes middle grade fiction, picture books and beginning readers.

Debbie says:

What I do after I've decided on an idea:

1. Decide on the idea
2. Shortly thereafter, realize the idea is terrible.
3. Attempt to come up with alternate ideas but then come back to the original idea.
4. Work on a rough outline.
5. Despair when I realize the ending is wimpy and clichéd and sucky.
6. Revise the ending until it's not quite as wimpy and clichéd and sucky. Resolve to make it stronger later but first, I actually need to start WRITING.

Debbie Ridpath Ohi illustrated I'M BORED, a picture book written by Michael Ian Black (Simon & Schuster BFYR). Her illustrations next appear in NAKED! by the same author, coming out from Simon & Schuster next May.