Daily Archives: March 8, 2009

The Best Story Ideas

Have you noticed that some authors always seem to have great ideas for their books? By which I mean, you read a one-line description of the story (or maybe a couple of sentences) and you think, ‘Wow, I want to read that!’

Other authors, I might love their books and buy every single one, but I don’t necessarily fall in love with their ideas. I read the book confident that I’ll fall in love with the story, but the idea never jumped up and grabbed me by the throat.

The best ideas don’t necessarily have to be out-there ideas like The Time Traveler’s Wife, or some of Jodi Picoult’s books (though out-there is great, too). I’m thinking about, in romance fiction, a story that might fit right in with the genre’s conventions, yet something about the idea grabs me and makes me think I want to read that book. (Being a writer, I usually also think, “Darn, I wish I’d thought of that,’ but I’m trying to be a better person and get over that) 🙂

So, who do I rely on for consistently “wow” ideas? Every Jennifer Weiner book I’ve read, I’ve fallen in love with the idea (Good in Bed, Goodnight Mr. Nobody etc). Susan Mallery (I’m thinking Falling for Gracie and others) and Kristan Higgins (Catch of the Day and Too Good to be True)…more great ideas gals. In young adult fiction, Meg Cabot consistently comes up with those I-love-it ideas (Princess Diaries is an oldie but a goody, plus How to be Popular, Airhead, etc).

Tell me which authors you think consistently write stories based around a great idea, or a great hook, and I’ll check them out!
Abby