...you should send out, today, the best work you are capable of doing today. Of course you'll do better a year from now. But a year from now you should be writing the story that you care about and believe in at that time--not reworking this year's story.
Every project is different, and where to begin and how to brainstorm will to some degree depend on the story, and since you're the only one who knows that, you probably already have the answers to this question somewhere in the back of yout mind.
I suggest that first you look at your concept/idea and ask yourself what it's really about (not necessarily the plot).
Is the concept really about a person or person(s) and the changes in their interior landscape as they move through the events of the story? Then start by getting to know your characters as people before writing.
Is the concept mainly plot-driven? Then focus on the structure of your story and how it can be best used to keep us on the edge of our seats.
Is the concept more about a place than necessarily the people or events in it? Then build your world, get to know your setting first.
Etc...
You may also want to browse through my column. I've asked most of the writers I've interviewd what their creative process is, and you may be able to get some ideas from how they approach it.
How to Write a Movie in 21 Days by Vicki King is a good book on inspiration and getting into the right headspace for writing.
Backwards and Forward by David Ball is written to be a book about how to read a play (yeah, I know), but it turns out to be a really good manual on writing.
Hope some of that helps.
Post edited by: Caleb Monroe, at: 2007/01/28 18:04
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