I need a creative idea

[Espurr 449]

I am writing a new story. It's a fanfiction and I'm using my OCs. I need help coming up with an idea. Can you guys give me something to work with? Some idea? I'm not going to use them, I just need a creative pop.

[GreyScholar 1,584]

Well perhaps it would help if we could see your OCs, based on that I could perhaps offer a few ideas.

[SasQ 1,376]

If you don't know what to write about, here's an advice from Ernest Hemingway:

Take an empty sheet of paper (or open your text processor with an empty document), and write the first true statement which comes to your mind. And then attach a next one, which is still true and somehow related to the first. (Maybe a continuation of that thought?)

At first, these sentences could seem dumb or not much good a material for a story, but keep going, and you will notice that they quickly turn into one.

This works because stories are true. Even the fictional ones: they are true in the fictional universe you wrote about. From one truth one can only derive another truth, which keeps the story going.

 

You can also make a mindmap of some random ideas you like, by attaching more and more ideas to the one you've started with.

 

Write about the things you're familiar with, and which resonate with you.

 

Don't try to be too smart at the beginning.

Here's another piece of advice from Meghan McCarthy, the main story editor of MLP:FiM herself:

"Writing is rewriting. One cannot have the second draft without putting down the first draft first."

The first draft doesn't have to be mega super cool. It needs to be just good enough to get you going. Then you will be able to find some interesting ideas in it and refine the rest.

 

Did you know that Pixar Studios start their every story from just a single word or a short slogan? E.g. "Fishes" -> "Finding Nemo", "Live Toys" -> "Toy Story", etc. Maybe this approach will help you?

Here are some from the top of my head:

* Pirate ponies! (yarr!)

* Ponies are disappearing in mysterious circumstances

* Underground tunnel

* Somepony is spying Ponyville. Why?

* Big Mac reverses his "Eyup" and "Nope"

Edited April 29, 2014 by SasQ

[Espurr 449]

Well perhaps it would help if we could see your OCs, based on that I could perhaps offer a few ideas.

My OCs are on my profile page. The links to them I mean.

[XxConfusedUnicornxX 834]

Maybe a zombie apocalypse or a story where Celestia goes full control freak on everything not lowering the sun and stuff.... idk

[Scoots and Dash 208]

Well I like to keep my creative ideas to myself, regardless if they will be used or not, but here's some tips:

 

 

 Think like a child: Children have a fantastically simplistic and candid view of the world, something we lose as we become adults. Employ a strong sense of curiosity and simplicity when looking for solutions. So many things in this world happen due to convention or habit, so thinking like a child helps to break this pattern.

 

Distract yourself: Have a change of scene. Do something that you love doing that has nothing to do with your fan fics or stories. Get lost in what you’re doing. Often we come up with ideas when we’re not even thinking about doing them in the first place.

 

Read lots: Any kind of reading material can give you ideas. Find a range of materials that you enjoy reading (there’s no point reading something you hate!). Ideas can come from fiction, magazine articles, scientific journals, anything really!

 

 

Good luck with whatever you come up with  .

Edited April 30, 2014 by Scoots and Dash

[Silver Blade 56]

Maybe you could try going into the background of a pony from the show, or one you made up. Background stories can sometimes be pretty good, especially if its sad (my opinion)

[Discordian 6,015]

Maybe you could try going into the background of a pony from the show, or one you made up. Background stories can sometimes be pretty good, especially if its sad (my opinion)

This would help some, probably.

 

Except use an emotion you're more affected by. Sorrow isn't always a great motivator. Pick something that'll work best for you.

[Sobori 46]

I'm a DM and in all honesty writing a campain for charactors is just writing a story. My advice comes from the DM's guide. Write down ever story idea you have and number them roll some dice and use that roll as a diving board.