Okay so I haven’t started carrying around a little notebook, as I’ve heard a lot of other writers do. But when a great idea dawns on me I repeat it over and over in my head until I am certain that I remember it and when I put myself in front of the computer, I write it down in the notepad. This is not something I recommend though, because when notepad gets closed because windows insists on restarting every now and then for “security updates”, and notepad doesn’t restore So I’ve lost a few of the less memorable ideas along the way. But the defining ideas that affect the way I think of a story remain.

Actually I’m going to find an awesome notebook and buy it. I have to start thinking practically instead of the road of least effort. And if you have also been somewhat of an” idea-book” skeptic, I will let you know how it goes. Anyway what I really wanted to talk about was the importance of a great idea, something intriguing that even with crap writing shines through and makes it bearable. It is no doubt the combination of such an idea with decent or better writing that makes a good book. And instead of focusing on the originality of the idea, (even if it has been done before you can still do it better right? ) focus on the quality of the idea and how interesting you can make it.

And even if someone tells you it’s bad, if you like it someone else probably will to, and if nobody likes it… well you can credit yourself with being unique in your tastes. Even so try to make sure the idea is something within the boundaries of acceptability for at least part of an audience.  And of course, do not underestimate how much professional feedback can help you on the way to perfecting not only your idea, but your entire story. Therefore it is imperative that you find a way to communicate with writers within your genre.

That’s it for now, well take care and keep on writing.

“Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.”  – E.L. Doctorow