That Storytelling Spark
There is something incredibly satisfying about taking an initial spark of inspiration to a fully cohesive story. But when I think about how that spark comes to me, and how I recognise it as a potential story to tell, I feel like I’m grasping at wind. So I’ve had a good sit down, and a long hard think after I’ve asked the following question:
How does my spark to write actually happen?
Number 1 - It’s kind of random
No matter what routine I put in place, inspiration strikes at different times. And one thing I’ve learnt is… Be ready for it. The spark knows no time or place. So when it appears, I better have the notes app on my phone handy, or a notepad.
Number 2 - It’s a vivid image in my minds eye
Not once has any spark I’ve had to write down involved words. Take little red riding hood for instances… The spark doesn’t come as, There is this girl and she has a grandma. And then she goes through a forest…
The spark will be an image of a girl wearing a red hood, making her way through a forest. I start to get curious, wondering where she’s going, wondering why she’s walking through such a dangerous forest. After all, something could happen. Something could come out of the shadows and attack her. But then I see the little girl has a sword hidden under her hood. OMG! She’s an assassin! Goodbye Wolf! The Red Hooded Shinobi’s have finally tracked down your hiding place!
Ok… ok… That’s just an example. But you get my point. The spark doesn’t come as words, it comes as images, almost like I’m watching a movie.
Number 3 - It’s character driven
Most of my sparks are of individuals in their own little worlds, my focus narrows in on them, even if I’m first thinking of an overarching theme like a revolutionary period in a dystopian setting. The story never really takes off until I know the character and see them in whatever moment they are in.
Number 4 - It’s made from at least two things coming together
Spark (noun): produced by striking together two hard surfaces.
No…. It’s not my head and another inanimate object that creates the spark. I’m talking about overarching themes.
Time Travel + Heist Movie = Avengers Endgame
Treasure Hunt + Romance = Pirates of the Caribbean
Modern Day Dystopia + Greek Mythological Labyrinth and the Sacrifice of Children + Chosen One = Hunger Games
As you probably know a heist movie or story by itself can be boring. Multiple themes and overarching tropes are needed to create complex characters and a story. That’s why, when I get a spark, it’s usually when two themes or tropes come together. For instance, the last story I wrote - The Eclipse - is not only a story of romance and love, it’s also a story about the creation of light and dark and loosely based off the story of Genesis.
Number 5 - It’s easily forgotten
This point ties back easily with the first point. When the spark happens, if I don’t write it down, I’ll likely forget it. Not only that, I can’t just write the story title down, or a sentence. I need to write a sentence about the general plot point and the first paragraph or two - if it is a short story - if it is a novel length spark… The first chapter, and a high level outline:
What’s happening?
What’s the problem/conflict/bad guys?
How does the story end?
So if you see me vigorously scribbling down on a notepad, or typing away at my phone with a look of deep focus, it is probably a spark I’m trying to capture.
xo A.R.Willow
