Your Next Big Idea: Where You'll Find It

I've been traveling for the holidays and mosta foodie. What's that about? Which brings me to...
recently I visited with family in Ohio. At oneWhat Is It About the Thing That Excites You?
crowded gathering my 9-year-old nephew Bryan,I like to think I watch something over and over
who has already been recognized in the localbecause I need that long to figure out why I'm
press for his writing talents, pulled me aside andintrigued with it. I'm not sure I can watch
said, "Aunt Sophfronia, I haven't been writing. IRobocop today--it's too violent for me now. But
don't have any ideas for new stories. What do Iyears ago I saw past the violence and became
do?"totally involved with what the film said about
First I complimented him on asking thepersonality and spirit and what exists beyond a
question--so many adults struggle with this veryperson's physical being. I don't know yet what's
thing and don't ask for help! Next, I asked himgot me stuck on Top Chef, but I'm working on it!
about what he's been watching/consuming latelyThe key is to find out what draws you to your
re: movies, television shows, games, etc. Welatest obsession. Why? Because that will be the
discussed several things, but the one story thatfoundation for your new idea.
seemed to grab him was from the movie, HighHow Can You Use the Same Themes/Inspiration
School Musical. He recited it to me in detail. Ito Create Something New?
asked him what about the movie interested him.The ideas I gleaned from Robocop turned up in a
He liked how music helped tell the story. He likedshort story I wrote. My nephew is using his
that the characters were ordinary kids. Then Ifascination with watching kids just like him acting
asked, "Can you use any of this for inspiration toout a story to make a new story for children in
create something new?" He thought about it for ahis own school. Making this next step is easier
moment. I could almost see the wheels spinning inthan you think: chances are the reason you're
his head. Suddenly his eyes lit up and opened wide.obsessed about a particular topic is because you
"The Vincent Elementary Musical!" He couldn't stophave something very big you want to say about
talking after that. He story was coming outit. You just haven't put form to your thoughts
fast--we even discussed how he could usejust yet. Take some time to think and articulate
popular song s to help tell his story. That was it,the original feelings and thoughts you have about
he was off and writing! Okay, what exactly didyour source of inspiration.
we do to get him to his idea? Let's review:Map It Out and Get to Work!
What's Got Your Attention Now?An idea will remain just that--an idea--until you put
We all like to take in stories in one way orsomething on paper. What you write doesn't have
another: movies, musicals, plays, television shows,to be elaborate. A few notes to yourself or a
operas, books. And there are times when youparagraph detailing your concept will be enough to
might find yourself taking in the same thing overget you started. Whether your idea comes to
and over again. Maybe you're stuck on realityyou in full form, like the "Vincent Elementary
shows or you've become totally obsessed with aMusical" or in pieces that you'll put together over
movie--I remember when the film Robocop cametime, you'll see this process will work for you
out. I'd never seen anything like it and I couldn'tagain and again. So the next time you're stuck
get it out of my mind. I saw it seven times in thethink about these steps--and how even a
course of a month! Right now I'm watching the9-year-old can do them--and find your next big
show Top Chef over and over and I'm not evenidea!