Create Story Ideas That Beg to Be Written: The Simple Secrets to Start Producing Terrific Ideas Today

by John D. Brown

A cracking good story idea requires five critical elements.

Until you have all five, you’ll struggle to plot. You’ll write a few scenes and run out of gas. You’ll feel like the story just isn’t going anywhere. And that’s because it isn’t. It can’t. A story won’t do what a story needs to do without all five elements. However, once you develop these things, your story will suddenly roar to life.

Brown cuts through all the confusion and clearly explains what those five elements are with an abundance of examples. He also reveals the down-to-earth, practical secrets to developing ideas. That means when you finish the book, not only will you’ll know exactly what you need to develop, you’ll also know how to get it done.

No more wasting time. No more struggling, wondering what to do. No more thinking you just don’t have what it takes. Humans are built for story. It’s wired into our brains. You can develop terrific story ideas on purpose instead of on accident. All you need is a little illumination.

Create Story Ideas that Beg to Be Written provides that light, including:
- The real key to creativity (and you’ve got loads of it)
- Why “show, don’t tell” causes problems
- How to make readers care about your characters
- What really drives your plot
- And much more

Don’t wait another minute. Become a story idea machine today.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2020

About the author

JOHN D. BROWN writes action-packed thrillers and epic fantasies with characters you want to cheer for. He lives with his wife and four daughters in the hinterlands of Utah where one encounters much fresh air, many good-hearted ranchers, and the occasional wolf. If you want to be notified when he releases his next book, sign up at his website johndbrown.com

Reviews

[Bookman143 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational!

John D. Brown has written one of the best writing craft books I have read so far. His advice will inspire you and give you lots of tips and encouragement to develop your zing and your story and get to the act of writing, NOW! I highly recommend it and I certainly hope he will continue this series.

[Jon M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I need to get writing!

I once watched John and Larry Correia do a presentation at a writers conference. This is so much more, and much more in depth and informative. When you can’t put everything into a one hour presentation, make it a BOOK!
If you want to write, read this book and work the exercises. Then, be ready to sing the praises of John and his brilliance.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Information

I listened to him speak at a writing conference and was impressed to purchase the book. I enjoyed the read and came away with solid information to help me in my writing.

[Stanalei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book that breaks down the essential needed for creating a story set up.

[Evan F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book that was worth the read, but my (new) print edition was poorly bound with loose pages throughout.

[DoodleBug · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the few writing books I'd easily recommend to other authors.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book for very beginner writers.

My two big issues are: there is a lot of filler, and I don't think it delivers on what the title promises. It doesn't tell you how to create story ideas. It tells you that great story ideas have a larger-than-life character who experiences a hardship, threat, opportunity, or mystery and an obstacle. There is a lot of focus on finding elements that you think are cool (which he calls "zing"), and he encourages "monkey see, monkey adapt" (meaning take things you like from others' work and modify them).

One additional note is it would have benefited from a copyeditor as there are a handful of glaring typos; however, that's a minor issue.