Comments on: Creative Writing Ideas in the News

By: Why Hunting for Plots is Worthless | Writers' Treasure

Why Hunting for Plots is Worthless | Writers' Treasure — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:02:05 +0000

[...] ideas be found? Everywhere. In your own previous writing. Your journal (if you happen to have one). Newspapers, novels, television, films, etc. Don’t try to steal plots; if you do, then your writing will not be original, and that’s a [...]

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:07:13 +0000

I bet obits are great for getting character ideas! Good thinking Charlotte!

By: Charlotte Rains Dixon

Charlotte Rains Dixon — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 22:22:40 +0000

I love reading the obituaries for ideas for characters. They are full of fascinating tidbits and things I would never think of on my own!

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:47:56 +0000

I remember in grammar school we had a section on local history, which was pretty interesting. History, like the news, provides a lot of fodder for creative writing ideas

By: J.D. Meier

J.D. Meier — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 23:39:56 +0000

After my last road trip, I really learned to appreciate history and settings. I’ve started to research my own neighborhood … I didn’t realize how much past, I never really knew, and how much it shaped the present that I know now.
.-= J.D. Meier´s last blog ..8 Ways to Be Heroic =-.

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:34:32 +0000

That’s awesome Meredith. I get my characters the same way — taking traits from different people and combining them in interesting ways. I think those bizarre and amazing stories in the news provide some of the most compelling ideas for fiction.

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:32:59 +0000

Oh yes, the entire Law and Order franchise is “ripped from the headlines.” I love it when current events are fictionalized with a spin. It’s a good way to understand various perspectives on what’s happening.

By: Meredith

Meredith — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:17:37 +0000

For me some of the best idea generators are the little 2″ filler pieces on the interior pages of the paper — the three paragraph articles about odd, amazing and or bizarre goings-on around the state. They give just enough detail to kick my imagination into high gear, but not so much as to bog me down.

I get my characters from combining people I know in interesting combinations.

I get my plots from combining newspaper articles.
.-= Meredith´s last blog ..On Editing Your Own Work =-.

By: Icy Sedgwick

Icy Sedgwick — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:14:21 +0000

I love to read the newspapers to get ideas for plots! Truth is often stranger than fiction and one of my favourite things to do is to scan the 'for sale' ads, and then try to work out exactly why the owner wants to part with the item they're selling. Even the obituaries can give great story ideas, if you don't mind being a little morbid. .-= Icy Sedgwick´s last blog ..Random musing on melancholy =-.

By: Kelvin Kao

Kelvin Kao — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:24:52 +0000

I have not looked in the newspaper to look for ideas, but I’ve definitely based my writing on current events and pop culture. Oh, actually, my sister was in AP Government class and one of their group project was to act out a sketch that’s based on current social and economic issues. I came up with the idea of “Lord of the Chair” for them. The story was about this mysterious CEO chair that made whoever sat on it turned evil and greedy, and the fellowship was supposed to take the chair to some mountain to throw it away. This was back when Enron first happened.

I think TV writers for police procedural shows particularly like to look in the news for characters and plot lines. I’ve seen episodes of Numb3rs, CSI Miami, Law and Order: SVU, and Bones that are based on recent crimes. South Park is another show that use current events for their stories a lot.
.-= Kelvin Kao´s last blog ..Busy Busy Busy =-.

By: Tweets that mention Creative Writing Ideas in the News : Writing Forward -- Topsy.com

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:22:35 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Melissa Taylor and Nicole , Nick Lyons. Nick Lyons said: RT @MelissaWrites: Creative writing ideas from the news. http://ow.ly/OD2j [...]

By: Questions, Curiosity, and Writing Ideas | LovePridePrejudice

Questions, Curiosity, and Writing Ideas | LovePridePrejudice — Fri, 15 May 2009 05:34:42 +0000

[...] Fiction Writing Ideas in the News [...]