Q: I have an idea but how do I get started writing about it?

A: It depends on you and your writing style. Some people like to take a concept, brainstorm a bit, write down everything they can think of about the setting, characters, conflict, use organizers, outlines, etc. As a former language arts teacher, I can tell you that all these things are great ways to generate ideas and to organize your work. There are writers who would never consider doing it any other way, and many of those writers are very successful.

I'm not that organized. Sometimes I start with a character, like Jeremy Jacob, or a group of characters, like the pirates. Other times I begin with a situation or set of circumstances. This is like playing “what if…”. That's how the YA novel I'm working on now got started. I stayed with my cousin in her beautiful restored Victorian home in Florence, AL. and couldn't get the thought out of my head that one room on the third floor would be a great place for secrets, mysteries, or maybe even a ghost. The characters grew from there. There are times when I have an expression, or incident I can't get enough of, so I start there. This happened to me the other day when my two-year-old niece announced, “I'm going to have a talent show!” and then preceded to gather various items from my den that were apparently vital to this talent show. She never quite got to the talent part, but I was thoroughly entertained watching her scoot back and forth setting it up. I couldn't get to my laptop fast enough! No matter where I begin, I write whatever strikes me as really funny or interesting and then I go from there. It doesn't really matter at what point in the story I begin, I can always add more, take some away, whatever.

I do keep a running list of things that pop into my head along the way, but I don't usually use an organizer unless I get lost and need help finding my way back out. I don't generally know where I'm headed in a story either. I like to let my characters take on a life of their own and lead the way. My favorite stories are the ones where my characters do something I wasn't expecting in the end.


If you're still not satisfied, drop a line to writers@melindalongbooks.com. Due to the volume of inquiries I receive, I cannot respond to each question, but do get to as many as is possible in a timely manner. And, of course, thanks for your interest!