How to Come Up With GREAT Story Ideas — 3 Things Every Bestseller Has In Common

Summary

In this video, Claire Freas shares the three secret ingredients for writing irresistible commercial fiction. These ingredients include crafting a high-concept story that's easily pitchable, weaving an invisible thematic layer that emotionally resonates with readers, and incorporating psychological elements like danger, power, beauty, wealth, and competition to make the story engaging. Freas explains how these components work together to create a compelling narrative that sticks with readers long after they finish. With practical tips, examples, and insights, this video offers valuable guidance for aspiring authors looking to write stories that captivate large audiences.

Takeaways

• 😀 High concept is a story idea that is easily understandable and has broad commercial appeal.
• 😀 High concept ideas are marketable and can be summarized in a simple sentence or phrase.
• 😀 A good high concept pitch should immediately convey the main elements of the story in a way that excites readers.
• 😀 To create a high concept idea, consider using an 'X meets Y' approach, such as 'Cinderella in space' or 'Pride and Prejudice with zombies.'
• 😀 Not all stories need to be high concept, but they are easier to market and pitch in the commercial publishing industry.
• 😀 The invisible theme is the deeper, unspoken story that adds emotional depth to your narrative and ties it all together.
• 😀 Invisible themes can be seen in the emotional or moral questions posed by your story, such as parenting styles in *Finding Nemo*.
• 😀 A strong invisible theme enhances the emotional resonance of a story, making it more impactful and memorable for readers.
• 😀 Psychological appeal refers to adding elements that trigger deep human desires like danger, power, beauty, wealth, and competition.
• 😀 Incorporating psychological triggers into your story makes it more pleasurable to read, appealing to universal human experiences.
• 😀 The combination of high concept, invisible theme, and psychological appeal creates a story that is both engaging and irresistible to readers.

Q & A

What is a high-concept story?

A high-concept story is one with a striking, easily understandable idea that is highly marketable with broad commercial appeal. It can be summarized quickly in just a few words and immediately gives readers an idea of what to expect from the book.

Why is having a high-concept idea important in writing commercial fiction?

A high-concept idea is important because it is easier to pitch and convey to readers, editors, and agents. A simple and compelling pitch helps grab attention and increases the chances of a reader buying the book.

Can you provide some examples of high-concept books or movies?

Examples of high-concept stories include 'Jurassic Park' (scientists bring dinosaurs back to life and they break loose), 'The Hunger Games' (teens forced to fight to the death on live TV), and 'The Martian' (an astronaut stranded on Mars must survive using science).

How can writers come up with high-concept ideas?

Writers can brainstorm by using the 'X meets Y' formula (e.g., 'Cinderella in space' or 'Pride and Prejudice with zombies'). They should also try to summarize the story in 10 words or less to determine if it’s high concept.

What is the difference between the physical layer and the invisible layer in a story?

The physical layer refers to the actual plot events, such as 'a detective solves a crime,' while the invisible layer refers to the underlying thematic elements, such as personal growth or moral questions, that give depth and emotional resonance to the story.

How does the invisible layer contribute to the story's emotional impact?

The invisible layer adds depth by addressing a thematic question that resonates with the reader’s emotions. It ties together the plot's physical events and ensures the story has a satisfying narrative and conclusion.

Can you explain the thematic question in 'Finding Nemo'?

'Finding Nemo' poses the thematic question of whether it's better to be an overprotective parent or to give children the space to grow and self-actualize. Marlin's journey reflects this tension and his transformation as a parent.

What psychological elements should writers include in their stories to appeal to readers?

Writers should incorporate elements that appeal to psychological desires such as touch, danger, power, beauty, wealth, and competition. These elements make the story more pleasurable to read and can hook the reader’s emotions.

How can the psychological elements enhance the appeal of a book?

By including psychological buttons like romance (touch), suspense (danger), or competition (power and rivalry), a story becomes more engaging. These elements satisfy deep human cravings and make the reading experience more enjoyable.

Why is 'The Hunger Games' a good example of a story that hits all psychological buttons?

'The Hunger Games' incorporates several psychological elements: competition (the games themselves), danger (the fight to the death), beauty (the portrayal of the Capitol), and power (the control of the Capitol over the districts), making it compelling on multiple levels.