From Spark to Story: How to Turn an Idea into a Page-Turning Concept
Introducing a 5-week workshop to help you develop your novel idea from vague notion to bold, intriguing concept.
There's nothing like the excitement of discovering the perfect story idea. Suddenly, you can't think about anything else. I've been there countless times, scribbling frantically on napkins or anything I could grab.
After writing several bestselling novels, here's what I've learned: a raw idea alone isn't enough. Whether you're searching for a winning idea or have one picked out, you need to transform it into something more—something complex, engaging, and full of conflict and drama.
You must also be able to express your idea with brevity and clarity. The last thing you want when describing your novel to an editor, agent, or potential reader is to see their eyes glaze over while you ramble on with unnecessary details.
So how do you create exciting and alluring ideas that can be explained in a few sentences? I’ll be sharing a four-step process that I've refined over years: First, identify a compelling basic idea. Then, expand it with characters who have meaningful goals and dreams. Next, plant substantial challenges and obstacles. Finally, refine everything down to the essence of your story. What emerges becomes much more than a mere idea—it becomes a concept for your novel.
During the workshop, I'll guide you through each step in this transformation process over four weekly exercises and a final week to wrap it all up. We'll start by uncovering an idea (or developing the one you already have), then expand, refine, and polish it until you have a page-turning concept that can be expressed in a few sentences.
There are numerous ways to find and develop an idea for your novel. In this workshop, I show you how to do it MY way, using the tips and tricks that helped me write several bestselling novels. These aren't theoretical approaches—they're tested methods from someone who's experienced this journey many times. I spent weeks refining my process as I designed this course.
Ready to turn that spark of an idea into something more? Join us next week! You’ll be invited to share questions, comments, and even snippets of your writing. Use an idea you plan to develop into a novel for real or makeup something especially for the workshop. Once you learn this process, you can reuse it with other ideas.
NOTE: This writing workshop is for paid subscribers only. You will have access to all course lessons and exercises as long as you remain a paid subscriber. So take as much time as you need to go through all the lessons. You’ll also gain access to previous challenges.
Lesson 1 starts HERE:
By the way, I’m still having White Lotus withdrawals. I love the quirky, dark humor and exotic locations. Belinda was my fave; but how about those Ratliff kids? A total mess; heck, the whole family is dysfunctional but fun to watch. Season 4 will be filmed in the South of France supposedly. Can’t wait.
#7 in Rising Fiction! congrats! I think it was Substack AND you, to be honest!
This is so helpful, the basics that is. I'd love to join in if I could get a break in my schedule. Thanks for writing it. I too cannot wait for White Lotus #4!