How do you come up with ideas to write a book

[Motherofmonsters]

Hello,

I would absolutely love to write a fantasy book series. Not really to publish but just for myself, it's the only thing I can think of that I really want to do.

However I can't get any ideas for it. I think about it all the time but can't get it going.

Does anyone have any tips?

I do a lot of reading/ listening to audible

Thank you

I think you need the idea first and the book comes from that!

Think about a concept of fantasy that you like. Say, dragons. Brainstorm what it is that dragons do. Pick one. Then think of the worst case scenario that could set a dragon off using that thing. How would that happen and why would that happen? Boom. Premise. Now use the same technique forwards to develop the plot.

Why would you want to write if you don't have ideas? Leave it to people who do.

Lukasiac - that sounds like a simple way of starting. I will try that.

I don't have a reason why really, its just something I really want to do. I'm in no rush so if it takes me 10years to get an idea so be it. I just wondered if there was a technique out there.

Try brief one word answers to:
Who
What
When
Why
And then build from there.

@Motherofmonsters

Lukasiac - that sounds like a simple way of starting. I will try that.

I don't have a reason why really, its just something I really want to do. I'm in no rush so if it takes me 10years to get an idea so be it. I just wondered if there was a technique out there.

My entire income comes from writing (have 5 books due out in the next 18 months) and honestly, it's the only way to do it. If you wait for the muse to float down from artistic heaven on a fluffy cloud to hit you with an arrow, you would never write. Sometimes (most of the time tbh) you need to sit down and come up with the plot yourself.

Lukasiak - 5 books! Definitely need to sit down properly and focus on a plot and not hope it comes to me in the shower.

Out of interest, did you have attend any formal classes for your writing?

It depends. The majority of my stories have come from a single scene in my head. Then the story builds forwards and backwards from that scene. I write children's books (about age 10-12yo) for my dc, and because I like writing.

Sometimes they've come from a character and an idea for a story.
Sometimes I've written them in a month (NaNoWriMo) where you aim to write 50k words in November. I got persuaded to do it three years ago on 30th October so I didn't have time to do any planning. In that case I wrote a sequel to one I'd already done, so I knew the main character.
It's quite an adrenalin rush to do, so I have done it each year since.
What I've found quite successful with NaNoWriMo is to just start writing. Every day I plan the next bit and write in the evening, and just keep going until it's finished. I seem to naturally write around 50k, so it works out well.
I definitely use maladaptive daydreaming to help plan when I'm doing that.

I am also a writer. Mine mostly come from dreams. The one I am currently writing is based around a single scene. Some writers sit and plan everything out, others have an idea, start writing and see what happens.

I have days where I hate writing and all I write seems utter rubbish. But I force myself to write every single day and I edit what I have written the day before. The key thing is finding your own voice, don't try to sound like other writers you like.

Write what you would like to read. If you are really stuck then there are plot generators out there that give you an idea to expand upon. Reddit also has a sub called writingprompts where you can practice writing after being given a rough idea.

Thank you for your replies, it's given me lots to think about and try.

I've signed up to some writing groups on Reddit, to see what comes up there