I’ve already talked about the importance of plot originality and creativity, but what makes an original and creative idea?
First off, let’s look at a definition for creativity: Creativity is a mental and social process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts, or new associations of the creative mind between existing ideas or concepts. Creativity is fuelled by the process of either conscious or unconscious insight. An alternative conception of creativeness is that it is simply the act of making something new. Preferably something clever. Something new can be anything, but it should have meaning.
So, basically, being creative is inventing new ideas that have never been seen, heard or read before. You want the person that has picked up your book on an impulse and read the blurb to think that the idea is a new one unheard to them and they must read it straightaway! We all want that, don’t we? We all want it, but seldom do we get it. Let’s face it: it’s hard to think of an original idea. Both a) our works are heavily and unconsciously influenced by our favourite authors’ styles or ideas, and b) you find that what you once thought was original has already been used. You have to make a conscious effort to find something creative. Here are Sunny’s steps to coming up with creative criteria:
1. Pay attention. Simple, right? Wrong. You should always be on the lookout for ideas. When you listen to a conversation on the telephone, when you watch a movie, when you go to the mall and walk around. EX: I got an idea for my title at my uncle’s funeral during one of the speakers. Also, I am basing a story on the life of one of my friends. It’s all around you, but you must notice it.
2. Ask questions. About everything. Say you’re writing a novel that includes life in the 1920s. But it sounds hokey and unrealistic, because, well, you were born in 1992. What do you do? Either question your ancient veteran grandfather or take a trip to the nearest old folks’ home. “When in doubt, drive someone nuts with questions”.
3. Think about it. When you are in the shower, doing your chores, sitting at the lunch table, or staring at your ceiling at 10:00 PM, mull over what you’ve learned and try to piece together a creative plot. The situations above are good times to think about it, but only if you are as obsessed as I am. The best way to stumble across a good plot is to say: “What if so-and-so did this? And that made this happen, and so-and-so freaked out and bad villain dude does this?” Or something like that. The point being, you must dwell on it and consider all the possibilities – as there are a lot to choose from – until you come up with something you like.
Now let’s look and the definition for originality: Originality is the aspect of created or invented works by as being new or novel, and thus can be distinguished from reproductions, clones, forgeries, or derivative works. An original work is one not received from others nor one copied based on the work of others. The term "originality" is often applied as a compliment to the creativity of artists, writers, and thinkers. An original idea is one not thought up by another person beforehand.
So an original idea is a good one, right? Being original is again just coming up with a new or unique idea that hasn’t been thought of yet. You want to show that your work has potential before someone even reads it, as you want to show that you can think up a completely unique idea, which is what all readers want from a novel: a great plot that will entertain them through to the end. Here are a few ideas of Sunny’s on how she tries to achieve originality: I think it would be best for a writer (like myself) to think of an idea and experiment (aka do test novels) with the plot. Or you could take an idea and mould it over 10 or 20 drafts until it fits your liking. But you must make sure it bears little or (preferably) no resemblance to the original. Otherwise that, my friends, is called plagiarism. Another thought is that originality can be based on how extensive the reader’s library is.
Now we’ve gone through all that, let’s get those creative minds working!!
Discussion 1: What are the most original and/or creative ideas that you have seen in a writer’s published works? Look at the plot idea in terms of the four main steps. Where do you think you would be most likely to pick up a great idea?
Discussion 2: What are the different outcomes of a particular event, e.g. a car crash or a wedding?
Assignment 3: Write two separate scenes with the same characters and choose an event (e.g. a birthday party) where there will be two separate outcomes. For example: Scene 1: Lauren and Peter go to the party, but never make it as they get lost (I know, riveting stuff =P). Scene 2: Lauren and Peter go to the party, get there and no one’s there – everyone had played a hoax on them which meant that they’re in the middle of a field at midnight alone. Show as much creativity and originality as you can, unlike my two examples!!
ALL COMMENTS ON THIS THREAD ARE ONLY FOR DISCUSSIONS 1+2. POST ALL YOUR ASSIGNMENTS IN THE HOMEWORK THREAD AND MARK IT 'PLOT DEVELOPMENT: ASSIGNMENT 3'. THANK YOU.