Where Do You Find Your Ideas, and How Do You Develop Them Into A Fiction Book: Part 2 – Your Ideas Bank

Following on from last weeks post, and we’re going to talk about something that every writer needs – their very own Ideas Bank. You know those moments when you’re struck by inspiration but can’t seem to remember it later? Or maybe you have a million ideas floating around in your head, and they all get jumbled up together? That’s where an Ideas Bank comes in handy!

First things first: what is an Ideas Bank?

An ‘Ideas Bank’, also known as an ‘idea vault’ or ‘creative repository’, is a collection of potential story concepts, characters, settings, and any other elements that can be used to inspire and fuel your writing projects. It
serves as a treasure trove for writers to draw from when they need fresh inspiration or are struggling with writer’s block. By regularly adding new ideas to your bank, you ensure a constant supply of material to work with, allowing you to explore different genres, themes, and story-lines without being constrained by any single idea. An Ideas Bank can be physical (e.g., notebooks, index cards) or digital (e.g., text files, spreadsheets, note-taking apps), making it easy for you to access your stored concepts and ideas at any time. Think of it as your personal treasure chest filled with gold (or should I say, ideas). Having an organised and easily accessible Ideas Bank can save you from those dreaded moments when inspiration strikes but you can’t remember what it was by the time you sit down to write.

Now let’s dive into how you can create your very own Ideas Bank:

1. Find your style: Just like finding your writing voice, discovering the best way for you to organise and store ideas might take some trial and error. Some people prefer digital tools like Evernote or Google Docs, while others find physical notebooks more appealing. Experiment with different methods until you find what works best for you.
2. Capture ideas everywhere: Always carry a notepad or use your mobile to jot down ideas as they come to you. You never know when inspiration will strike – it could be during your morning commute to work, while watching a film, or even in the middle of the night (yes, those 3 AM epiphanies are real).
3. Categorise your ideas: Once you’ve collected your ideas, sort them into categories based on their theme, genre, or type. This will make it easier for you to find specific ideas when you need them. For example, if you’re a fiction writer, you might have separate sections for character sketches, plotlines, and setting descriptions.
4. Update regularly: Just like watering your plants, your Ideas Bank needs regular attention too! Make it a habit to review and update your bank every few weeks or months. This will help keep your ideas fresh and relevant. Plus, you might find new connections between old ideas as you revisit them.
5. Combine and create: Don’t be afraid to mix and match your existing ideas to create something entirely new! Sometimes the best inspiration comes from combining two seemingly unrelated concepts together. This is also a good way to overcome writer’s block or creative stagnation.
6. Use it as a tool: Your Ideas Bank isn’t just for when you’re stuck. You can use it as a tool to plan out your writing projects too! Outline chapter ideas, key points, or even the overall structure of your story before diving into the actual writing process. This will help guide your creativity and keep you focused on what matters most.

Now that we’ve covered how to create an Ideas Bank let me share a secret: maintaining one isn’t just about storing ideas for future use. It’s also about nurturing your creative mindset, fostering your growth as a writer, and ensuring that you never run out of inspiration again!

So go ahead, start building your very own Ideas Bank today, and watch how it transforms the way you approach writing. Remember, every idea counts – no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.

7 Guidelines for using your ideas bank

1. Capture the moment: Whenever an idea pops up – whether it’s during your morning commute to work or while you’re cooking tea – grab a pen and paper (or your phone) to jot it down immediately. Don’t let those fleeting thoughts slip away!
2. Keep it simple: Your Ideas Bank is meant to be a collection of raw ideas, so there’s no need for polished sentences or perfect grammar. Just write down the main concept in simple terms that you can easily understand later on.
3. Categorise wisely: As you add new ideas, try to organise them into categories based on themes, genres, or topics. This will make it easier to find and use your ideas when you need them most.
4. Be descriptive but brief: Give enough details about the idea so that you can remember what inspired it in the first place, but don’t write an essay! A few well-chosen words or a short phrase should suffice.
5. Embrace your inner nerd: If certain ideas excite you more than others, feel free to add extra notes about why they appeal to you. This will help you identify patterns in your interests and passions, which can guide your future writing projects.
6. Let it grow: Don’t be afraid to revisit old entries or add new ones as your ideas evolve over time. Your Ideas Bank is a living document that should reflect your growth as a writer.
7. Have fun with it: Remember, this process is meant to be enjoyable and inspiring! Experiment with different formats, styles, and even doodles if it helps you connect with your ideas on a deeper level.

By following these guidelines, you’ll create an Ideas Bank that not only serves as a treasure trove of inspiration but also becomes a tool for honing your writing skills and discovering new creative avenues.

4 Common mistakes to avoid

1. Lack of organisation: Make sure you have an organised system for storing and categorising your ideas, so they’re easy to find later on. Use tags or labels to help sort through the ideas quickly.
2. Not capturing enough details: When jotting down ideas, try to capture as many details as possible. This will make it easier to expand upon them in the future and avoid forgetting important aspects of your idea.
3. Not reviewing them regularly: Set aside regular time to review your Ideas Bank, even if it’s just 10-15 minutes per day. This will help you stay familiar with your ideas and spot any patterns or connections that can inspire new content.
4. Ignoring feedback: Solicit feedback from others on both the organisation of your Ideas Bank and the conversational style in which you’re writing. Constructive criticism can help improve both aspects, making them more effective for your needs.

4 Key takeaways

1. Be consistent: Set aside regular time for capturing ideas and reviewing them. This consistency helps you stay familiar with your ideas and spot patterns or connections that can inspire new content.
2. Capture details: When jotting down ideas, try to capture as many details as possible. This will make it easier to expand upon them in the future and avoid forgetting important aspects of your idea.
3. Seek feedback: Solicit feedback from others on both the organisation of your Ideas Bank and the conversational style in which you’re writing. Constructive criticism can help improve both aspects, making them more effective for your needs.
4. Use prompts and exercises: Utilise prompts or exercises to generate ideas, such as brainstorming words or exploring different narrative styles. These tools can help inspire new ideas and keep your Ideas Bank fresh and diverse.

Conclusion

Your Ideas Bank isn’t just for writing fiction, you can also use it for generating blog posts for your website, and this is how I’m currently using mine. I have a list of ideas for future posts, and when I sit down to write a new post I refer to my Ideas Bank.