A writer can pull a story idea from any number of sources: a personal experience, a news article, a favorite song, or even another existing story (usually spun into “fan fiction”). Or, in some cases, a story premise or even just a single scene may come to fruition without warning, popping into the head of a writer at random, prompting him or her to rush to a computer to bang those initial thoughts out on the keyboard before they become lost forever.
That’s what happened to me. Having nearly completed my first novel, Empty Me Out, it’s hard to believe that it all started with one random idea – a single climactic, dramatic scene. I didn’t think anything of the idea at first, even hesitated to write it down. But, after swimming around in my head for nearly 24 hours, I knew I just had to lay it out and see if maybe I had something there to build on.
And build on it I did. I constructed the entire story around that one initial scene, which ironically, was the story’s ending. Eight months and 25 chapters later, I find myself sitting on a near complete story and an enormous sense of accomplishment. The experience has been incredibly rewarding, reconnecting me with my passion for writing and a lifelong dream of becoming a legitimate novelist. I’m about to start work on my second novel, which I plan to publish upon it’s completion. It is an exciting time in my life to say the least.
And it all started with a single idea. Never in a million years would I have imagined it opening up a whole new world.
What about you? How have your stories come to life? And did writing your ideas down teach you anything about yourself? I’d love to hear from you!
Thanks for reading!
Copyright © S. A. Healey
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Empty Me Out pushes me to do my best on Illusive Dreams.
Every time you post a new chapter, it works like a reminder that I need to work on my own book.
For that, I thank you for sharing Empty Me Out on Wattpad.
I still can’t believe how far you’ve gone in the story and that it’s going to end soon.
I’m sure that some of us will cry after reading the last chapter because it is just that good.
Your success spurs me and make me believe that I can also do it even though I doubt myself all the time.
I’m so glad you made this blog and hope to see more posts from you in the future!
-Ain Adena/AoiSoraHime-
Thank you so much! You have always been so supportive of my writing. It has meant so much to me.
You are most welcomed! =)
I will always support you because you have supported me when no one read my book.
Who knows, one day, Empty Me Out will be sitting on my shelf? ^_^
Beautiful! Don’t give up Sue!
Um, writing has helped me see parts of me I would never have found myself. It’s a gift.
Thank you, Duggy! I really like your comment…I think writing has done that for me as well. 🙂
Reblogged this on famousmangoes and commented:
Something I came across today that kinda relates to my last post… Kinda. But I love the moment a story comes to life. It’s the best!
Well written, Sue. 🙂 Isn’t it amazing how story ideas come about? Reading this reminds me of the many ideas I’ve had when writing and how they’ve come about. One time I was driving home from visiting my family and we were stuck behind a car who had a cow in a trailer. Suddenly the cow decided to wee and it splashed all over my car, it was seriously disgusting, but I had a story idea from it and it’s currently a work in progress. Insane!! Anyway, I look forward to reading more of your blogs. I need to write another soon, I’ve been a little slack!
Thanks, Lisa! I look forward to reading your posts as well!!
Keep up the good work! I’m happy to be part of those who have been with you since the beginning. I love your work and look forward to read your novel, swear it’ll be my very first one in a while!
That initial thought. That glimpse. That picture in our mind that haunts us until we’re able to flush it out fully.
Creation. Art.
You do it so well.
Don’t ever give up on your dreams. I believe in you. xo