Asking What if

How is a story created? Most often, its by two simple words, what if? What if teens had to fight to the death? (Hunger Games) What if there was no color, no emotion, no pain? (The Giver) What if you were in a coma, and could decide whether to stay or to leave? (If I Stay)

Writers aren't the only people who ask this question, normal people do, everyday. Writers just pursue the idea and expand upon it. We can take a simple question, and transform it into pages of words and scenes and characters and life.

How do we do it? We think. And we think. And we think. Until that one question becomes a nagging thought in our minds, growing into an idea. If you have writer's brain, like me, you will start creating opening sentences and climaxes.

Think of an idea, and let it grow. Don't force it though. It wouldn't do you any good to just lay on your bed and stare at the ceiling. If you do you want that "what if" idea, just observe. Look around you wherever you go. Just be patient.