How to BRAINSTORM a Story Idea 💡

What's up, my friend? Today we're going all the way back to the basics: how to actually come up with a story idea. I've gotten quite a few questions that go something like this: "I want to write a book, but I have no idea what to write about!" That's why in today's video I'm breaking down my 5-step process + 3 bonus points that will 10x your inspiration!

Comment below and tell me: how do YOU come up with story ideas? After watching this video, do you have some new ideas sparking in your mind? ;)

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✨T I M E S T A M P S✨
0:00 Introduction
1:10 Step 1: Choose Your Genre
2:04 Step 2: Find Your Theme
2:59 Step 3: Meet Your Protagonist
4:56 Step 4: Describe Your Vibe
5:28 Step 5: Pick a Location
6:28 Combining Story Elements
7:30 Bonus Tip #1: Make an Aesthetic Board
8:30 Bonus Tip #2: Make a Playlist
9:40 Bonus Tip #3: Give it a Working Title
10:20 Recap

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✨ V A L U A B L E R E S O U R C E S✨

MORE VIDEOS YOU WOULD LIKE:

→ HOW TO FIND YOUR MC'S FATAL FLAW

→ THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF EVERY STORY

→ MY SCRIVENER SETUP

→ 10 WEAK WORDS TO CUT FROM YOUR NOVEL

✨F O L L O W ✨

✨ A B O U T ✨
My name is Abbie Emmons I teach writers how to make their stories matter by harnessing the power and psychology of storytelling, transforming their ideas into a masterpiece, and creating a lifestyle that makes their author dreams come true.

Story isn’t about “what happens” — it’s about how what happens affects and transforms the characters. I believe that there is an exact science (a recipe, if you will) behind a perfect story. And if you know what ingredients you need, you can create your own perfect story with ease and confidence. That’s what we talk about every week on this channel – and if it’s something you’re into, be sure to subscribe and join this community!

[doctorkimcruises]

Gosh I really like your eye-catching bookshelf backdrop. Makes the video even better

[ChrisKunzler]

6:49 "a psychological thriller about the dangers of isolation and loneliness"
nice peek from a year ago into our present

[_kylie]

I come up with story ideas by daydreaming in lessons... sometimes they're constantly stuck in my head that I pretend I'm the characters in the story and act it out to myself in my room... I want to write a story where I can actually get to feel and "see" the characters. That way they would no longer be just part of my imagination and have life. I will write it. I will post it. I can do it.

[aliafalcon]

"A character who lost honor and desires power and respect, because he thinks that leads to happiness." Zuko is that you?

[WhollyOdd]

My problem isn't story ideas... it's getting started with writing those ideas.

[sunglasses]

You wrote 100 days of sunlight?? I LOVE THAT BOOK SO MUCH!! 100% my comfort book, I read it over and over again!

[arlettfoxwell]

Abbie, I read your book in less than a day. I loved it!

[meino]

What I love about picking a non realistic setting is that you can mold the world in a way that best fits the truth you want to convey. For example: I'm writing a story on what it means for something to be real, so I set it in a world that slowly starts losing its realistic integrity.

[tparks]

I teach creative writing to high school students. The hardest part for them is getting started, finding the idea that will inspire them to put words on paper. I have a Brainstormimg worksheet for writing short stories which includes 3 of the 5 points in this video. I'm going to show this video to my students this week!

[juliaherkel]

Okay, but seriously, I also instantly go to make a Pinterest board!! Thanks for the tip about adding 'aesthetic' to it though :)

I like to collect music as I work on my book. I'll be listening to music, and be like 'THIS IS MY BOOK'. Music totally helps make the mood of your book 1000% better. I love soundtrack music: movies are great for this, and there are so many awesome artists out there who make music that doesn't have any words. Just instruments and vocals. And I love listening to that when I'm writing. 🎧

And I totally try to give my WIPs working titles. Like, I have one for a book I'm currently working on, but I also feel like it's not THE one. Yet I'm growing attached to it at the same time. 😂

[aliciagouws]

i ligit love that her books are colour coordinated

[IJPAILJIMIAIOD]

One way I really like coming up with story ideas is, I go to an antique shop, and I pick out four random items, a surreal photo from online, and finally, a song. I use all 6 elements to begin building a plot

[Ella-blgv]

I’m 13 and have written a short novel - 10, 000 words. I really want to write another one and your channel is very helpful so thank you :)

[annanas]

My inspiration was basically :"be the representation you want to see". Started when I was 13, have been working on what is now a trilogy for almost 3 years. It's finally starting to come together, and that gets me hyped!!

[emilyboyer]

"What is the story that you want to read. Go write it." Wow 😍 your videos have helped me so much, I've been binge listening to them over the past weekend and it's made my planning process so much faster and more thoughtful!

[crimsonicle]

I've just learned to figure out the RIGHT theme for my story and now, I have deeper ideas about the plot and conflict of my novel. Thank you.

[fairyiyn]

I love writing but I get unmotivated because I can never think of a plot that gets me hooked on the story, or intrigued by the characters. if *anyone* has even the slightest plot idea, general advice or character ideas I'd appreciate it so so much! If I'm given an idea I will make sure to twist it and add things and I would never copy anything directly if you didn't want me to. thanks again! <3

[forevercatholic]

ABBIE!!! Oh my gosh, thank you!!!

I just came up with an awesome idea for a story set in the Colorado Rocky Mountains with romance and cute vibes but also bittersweet moments and so much THEME! Thank you amazingly much! Now I'm just DREAMING of going and writing it!!!!

[TohruTatiteshi]

When I previously created stories, I wrote something and then edited it many times, until I was happy with it. Thank you for showing me these methods for creating stories efficiently :)

[thesamuraiman]

This hasn't exactly "helped" me think of an idea, because I already have a story to write, but I kinda wanna write all this down for fun.

I've been watching your 3-act structure videos. Those have been really helpful.

I like structure almost as much as you do. Haha. The way you do it may seem intense, but honestly enjoyable, at the same time. I'm looking forward to plugging in my ideas into the templates you've laid out.