Writing Excuses masterclass

The podcast Writing Excuses

The first assignment is:

Write down five different story ideas in 150 words or less. Generate these ideas from these five sources:

1. From an interview or conversation you’ve had

(Forgotten the conversation though it was only a couple of weeks ago. Remember the idea though)
A professional daredevil sells pieces of his experiences – the thrills without the dull parts – until the day unexpected weather veers him off course and right into something no one should have ever witnessed. A murder maybe? He extracts the experience and puts it in safekeeping but refuses payment, not so much out of principle but more out of a mistrust toward the people offering it. What follows is a tale of cat and mouse as the daredevil tries to find a way to stay alive and in full control of his faculties.

2. From research you’ve done (reading science news, military history, etc)

(Got the idea from Timons Esais’ lecture held at World Fantasy Convention)
In the confusion of battle a group of soldiers from different units find themselves behind enemy lines. All of them are genetically modified to such an extent that they might not even be considered to be the same species anymore but all have human base DNA. They need to discover their common humanity and find a way to work together to survive and get home.



Image: Hubble

3. From observation (go for a walk!)

(It’s really, really dark in Helsinki right now. Saw someone walking in front of me repeatedly disappearing into the shadows between street lights and started wondering what I would do if they didn’t reappear at the next one.)
Something in the dark places of Helsinki is killing unsuspecting people out for a wintry stroll.

4. From a piece of media (watch a movie)

(Prometheus because it was such a huge disappointment.)
A group of archeologists arrive in a mining town (located on an asteroid or a moon) to explore a possible find of another civilization of intelligent beings as yet unencountered by humans before. They start finding rumors of a great uprising of some sort. Their discoveries cause not only revelations about the ancient civilizations but themselves as well. Disagreements break out into all-out war when the leader of the expedition is found dead inside the ruins.

5. From a piece of music (with or without lyrics)

Jamiroqui – Cosmic Girl
Someone like a cross between the Silver Surfer, Dazzler and Starlord. Treasure hunter, glittery and fabulous as well as armed to the teeth. She finds the first clue to a legendary treasure and starts down a path that leads to more that she expected.

Anything sound good to you?