DON’T LOVE TALKING HEADS?

Read and complete the entire Fast Draft Process as a:  Digital Playbook (editable workbook PDF) or Print Playbook (Paperback workbook)

Worksheet Action Step(s):

Action Step #1 – Your favorite stories:

Practice the “What if?” process using 3 of your favorite stories.

Please practice developing some of your favorite stories by using
the formula below. (Re-watch above Story Ideas Examples video as needed.)

Questions to get you thinking about your stories: What movie do you never get tired of watching? What novel have you read more than
once? What story inspired you to write your own story?

Reminder: Investing additional upfront time helps you create special story ideas – and practicing within successful stories helps you develop your own story ideas.

Please use the formula below:

 * “What if?” (Potential protagonist + a simple situation)

 * “Better yet… What if?” (Refined protagonist + more complicated situation)

 * “Wait… Better yet… What if?” (Focused protagonist + complicated situation + one potential antagonistic force)

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Action Step #2 – Your story ideas:

Practice the “What if?” process using 3 of your story ideas.

The next step is to develop your own story ideas and improve them to the best of your ability.

You can enter completely new story ideas using the same story idea development formula below – or you can take the same idea and refine it three times to try and make it as compelling as possible.

Note: This brainstorming process can help you even if you’ve already started writing your story. In fact, it should help you simplify your story to its core.

Once again, please use the formula below:

 * “What if?” (Potential protagonist + a simple situation)

 * “Better yet… What if?” (Refined protagonist + more complicated situation)

 * “Wait… Better yet… What if?” (Focused protagonist + complicated situation + one potential antagonistic force)

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Action Step #3 – Your one idea:

Select one idea you’re going to explore for now.

The last step is to choose one story idea you want to keep expanding.

Remember: It often takes many good ideas (and bad ideas) to generate one special idea worth writing for 200-300+ pages. So if you’re not in love with your idea, it’s okay! Just keep developing your ideas until you’ve landed on at least one that you really like.

Brainstorm your one story idea using the same formula below:

 * “What if?” (Potential protagonist + a simple situation)

 * “Better yet… What if?” (Refined protagonist + more complicated situation)

 * “Wait… Better yet… What if?” (Focused protagonist + complicated situation + one potential antagonistic force)