I had a power point presentation for you to link to covering creativity in classic and successful works of literature through out history from the days of Gutenberg to the Harry Potters of today.
But that would be way too boring and long. Or maybe it wouldn’t be, but it would take way too much time.
We all get ideas. Some are great. Some are pure suckage. Or wait, maybe it has nothing to do with the idea and more about the presentation. And the creativity behind the presentation and the writing.
I love reading the Chet Gecko series by Bruce Hale because the words surprise me on every page. Chet Gecko’s humorous narration keeps me reading page after page regardless of what’s going on in the story.
I also love reading I So Don’t Do Mysteries by Barrie Summy, because again, the fun writing style and voice keeps me flipping pages. I just finished I So Don’t Do Spooky and it’s better than the first!
I loved reading Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson because every word reflects the dark mood of the story. And I cared about the main character. She was real to me. I would have followed her anywhere.
But all of these stories, written by someone else, might have flopped. I’ve heard that any great writer can take any idea and mold it into a great story. I read about agents stating that in their slush they see too many predictable stories with not enough tension.
I challenge you to really look at your story, your writing, your structure, your words, your scenes, your dialogue. Are they predictable? How can you change them so every page surprises a reader and keeps their eyes glued to the page.
And yeah, I know, easier said than done.