Success only flourishes in perseverance -- ceaseless, restless perseverance.
--Baron Manfred Von Richtofen

Friday, February 4, 2011

Writers Intution and Finding Your Story

We need our Writer's Intuition throughout the writing process, starting with choosing ideas. Notice I didn't say finding ideas. Finding ideas takes curiosity and good observation and a little imagination. Finding ideas is downright easy. Choosing which ideas are worthy of being written is a little harder.

That's where Writer's Intuition comes in. From all the jumble of ideas battling in your head, you'll find the one (or two, or three...) that really lights a spark for you. The idea you just have to write. The one you know won't leave you alone. That's your Writer's Intuition talking. Listen to it. Even if it seems like that particular idea has already been done to death. Even if that ideas not the next "big thing" you've been hearing so much about. Even if someone tries to tell you that no one will want to read that kind of story.

Trust your intuition. Just make sure you have something uniquely yours to bring to the old ideas. Make sure that your passion and excitement for the story shine through. Then it won't matter what's big in the market right now.

Choose the idea that you are aching to write, and a great story will be just around the corner.

24 comments:

Unknown said...

Great advice, Angie!

Melissa said...

This is awesome advice. I'd be nowhere without my writers intuition!!

Shallee said...

This is such a great post. I had several ideas over the last few months that never went anywhere. Then I had one that made me go OOH! I could see the possibilities, and it excited me. My writer's intuition told me this was the one. And so far, I'm loving it!

Lindsey Duncan said...

Wow, this is very timely for me. Thanks. :-)

nephite blood spartan heart said...

Write on Angie-I have followed my writers muse into lots of creepy, wonderful, scary, beautiful, haunting, frightening, ancient places.

Stephanie McGee said...

Excellent advice. Thanks!

Angie said...

You're welcome, Lindsay. Thanks for stopping by.

Thanks, David. It's amazing where it can take us, isn't it?

WritingNut said...

Great advice.. thank you for the reminder! :)

Charmaine Clancy said...

Great post - and remember to give your characters a little intuition too! Thanks :-)

T. M. Hunter said...

Definitely great advice!

Misha Gerrick said...

I totally agree...

Besides, most of us should want to write the new big thing instead of emulating someone else.

;-)

Angie said...

Thanks, Todd. I appreciate you stopping by.

Theresa Milstein said...

I agree. If we write what we're told to write are what not to write, we won't be true to ourselves. It's nice when we have a few ideas to choose from. Normally, I just have one begging to be written.

Anonymous said...

I think this is so true... the oldest story out there can be made fresh by a new idea.

Angie said...

Lisa, that's so true. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Windy Aphayrath said...

but wait ... what happens when your intuition has ADD and won't let you decide what to write?? Lol!

Great post :)

ali cross said...

This is exactly where I am right now. I've spent a lot of time worrying over WHAT'S HOT to the detriment of excellent storytelling. So I've hopped off the "have to get published" train and am now on the streetcar called "enjoy the journey".

Lindsey Edwards said...

I always trust my writer’s intuition, it has never led me astray yet. It works me like a slave, but it knows what it’s doing and so I’m helpless but to follow it wherever it takes me.

Great post Angie, very uplifting!

Anonymous said...

I needed this today because I'm currently writing something that's totally different than anything I've ever tried. It scares me but it won't leave me alone. I guess I should listen to it.

Angie said...

Thanks, Lindsey. So true. It can be a merciless taskmaster sometimes.

Abby Annis said...

I've been struggling with my WIP for this very reason--I'm not sure if the premise is unique enough. But you're right, a great story may be just around the corner, but how will I know if I never write it? Great post! Just what I needed to hear today. :)

Aubrie said...

Good point! I'm not sure I always choose the write ideas...

Angie said...

Thanks, Abby. I'm glad I could help today. Aubrie, I'm sure you choose terrific ideas! Thanks for stopping by, you guys.

Stacy Henrie said...

Such a great post! I typcially have a bunch of ideas for stories I'd like to write, but when I start to get swayed away from the one I'm working on, I try to remember that intuitive feeling that said THIS is the one to do right now.