Today’s shoutout goes to Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Amazon bestselling Ninja Cap’n, who’s busy with the A to Z Challenge these days. He’s here today to talk about What if’s, and his new book: Dragon of the Stars. Take it away, Alex!
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Dragon of the Stars by Alex J Cavanaugh
As writers, we’re always on the lookout for our next story idea. We become master observers of people and situations. We’ll jot down notes and start storylines that may or may not go anywhere.
Sometimes we have a spark, but it just doesn’t seem to take. Or maybe it doesn’t go in a direction that’s exciting. We’re bummed and tempted to shelve the idea.
Maybe what we need is to explore that idea from a new angle. Flip it around and turn it into something different. That might be just thing to ignite interest again.
What are some ways we can shift the pieces of the puzzle around?
- Reverse the roles. Take the main characters are reverse their position in the storyline.
- Change the time period. Shift the story forward or backward.
- Change the setting. Urban instead of rural, small city instead of big, desert instead of mountains, etc.
- Try a different country. Would it be more exciting set in a different culture?
- How about a different or additional genre? A mystery in space? A historical paranormal?
- Go for the worst case scenario. Part of the story isn’t very exciting? Ramp it up – what is the worst thing that could happen?
- Brainstorm with other writers. Sometimes sharing the idea with those we trust will lead to a revelation.
- Brainstorm on our own. Throw everything out there, including the kitchen sink. No rules, no restrictions–just go nuts!
Any of those changes can make all the difference in the world. My latest book, Dragon of the Stars, came from a song and a little ‘What If?’ Ayreon’s Dragon on the Sea was about Queen Elizabeth I sending Sir Francis Drake to fight the Spanish Armada. The dragon in the song refers to Drake, but I wondered–what if the dragon was the ship? What if it was a spaceship instead? What if the Queen sent a Nobleman to find that ship? From that point, the story unfolded quickly, with the ending coming from a rather twisted ‘What if?’.
So, if a story needs a little something, try ‘What if?’
Alex J. Cavanaugh works in web design, graphics, and technical editing. He is also the guitarist in a Christian band. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. He’s the author of Amazon Best-Sellers CassaStar, CassaFire, and CassaStorm. His latest book, Dragon of the Stars, came out April 7, 2015. Purchase it on Amazon – Barnes and Noble – Kobo – Chapters – Amazon UK – Goodreads – iTunes – Amazon Print – Overdrive. Find Alex here, and on Twitter.
Who else has had a story unfold with a little help from ‘What if?’ What have you been doing this March and April? Have you been to the blog by Alex J. Cavanaugh? Have you bought Dragon of the Stars yet?
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Great idea..What if’s have so many possibilities. Your imagination can really go full speed ahead!
really gr8!!
I love these ideas for working through an idea. My first book came from a dream that was a what if.
Thanks, Alex Cavanaugh, for the great tips and ideas!
If ‘what if’ wouldn’t exist, I probably wouldn’t have been able to write 🙂 loved the post Damyanti, do keep sharing more of these thought-provoking write-ups!
Hi Damy! Miss you, too!
Great tips, Alex. An author once told me if I get stuck, it must be time to kill someone off.
🙂
Heather
Thanks, Heather. I thought I’d miss you guys, just didn’t know how much!!
Thanks everyone! Appreciate all the awesome comments.
I love that you got an entire novel out of a song- talk about the power of imagination!
And the biggest “What if?” is “What if I don’t write it at all? Who will then?” Great ideas here.
Dean, I’m a non fiction writer and
Try to remind myself of this when I get frustrated or tired. What if I don’t share my story abd someone really needs to hear it?
Exactly, TM. When it’s written, those that need to read/hear it when they should. Sometimes it takes a while, but the words will be received.
What a great post, Alex and Damy! This is my first visit to your blog, Damy, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Alex, what useful ideas, and a fascinating glimpse into your writing process ~ Thanks for sharing!
Glad I could introduce Damy to you, Fundy!
Welcome, and I hope this was the first of many. 🙂
Thanks, Alex and Damyanti, for this interesting and informative piece. There were many good ideas there. 🙂
Great ideas on how to shift the puzzle pieces around… and get the creative juices flowing once again! 😀
Hi Damyanti.
Hope you are well.
*waving*
*Waving back*. I’m ok, but might have dropped down a rabbit hole and landed in a world of stories. 😉
Hi Damyanti .. great to see you with a brief blog post – take care and look after yourself and enjoy the writing.
The What If .. applies to so many things – but Alex has expressed it well here with how he worked out his plot ..
Cheers to you and we do miss you … – Hilary
Hilary, thanks for your note. I miss you guys, too. Just need to get my blogging mojo back on. Soon.
Great ideas here! I like the “what’s the worst that could happen” scenario. You can have lots of fun with that one.
Lori, yes you can!
Most successful authors frame their stories in “What if?” These are some excellent tips.
I love what ifs. They always give me some great story ideas.
Congrats on the release, Alex. It looks like it’s going great.
Thanks, Patricia!
Interesting advice. Those are great questions to ask even if the story’s elements are working fine. In fantasy/sci-fi world-building the “what if” questions can add unique and interesting elements.
Very interesting story behind the Dragon idea. My next series came to me by thinking of something historical and then putting it into a science fiction space adventure.
Historical science fiction – cool idea!
What if’s are always in my thoughts because it is neat to think in that manner and if we chose the other way to go what would happen and would there be another me out there completely different? Congrats Alex on your book!!
Birgit, thanks, and that’s deep!
I’ve bought Dragon of the Stars, can’t wait to read it.
Thanks, Spacerguy! Hope you enjoy it.
You’re doing just great!
Kris
Good ideas for getting those creative juices flowing.
Did some what-iffing with a new writer’s group last night and got a great idea to move my new story along. It’s fun to hear how your story evolved, Alex.
Liza, that’s awesome!
I love doing worst case scenarios. Sometimes I become too attached to my characters and this helps give me creative ways to kill them off.
Stephen, that made me chuckle.
I had a pretty good concept pop into my head yesterday but wasn’t able to make any headway with it last night.
This is definitely sound advice, Alex. Change is often a very good thing, and it has the potential to inspire us, as we explore the possibilities of all that can be.
And there is always something we haven’t thought of yet.
What ifs can grow into fascinating stories. What ifs do fuel the imagination. Great post!
Dear Alex, take some rest. Cut back, You are doing far too much. Thanks Damy for having Alex here, we all love to read what he says.
I’ll survive, Jo.
Excellent post, Alex. I get most of my story ideas from contemplating what ifs. Just a little twist can really make all the difference.
It sure can! And you know the twist in this story.
You are one of the coolest people I am happy to know in this crazy world, thank you for all you do… i also hope wish Alex much success… as he is the hardest working blogger in the world!
Thanks, Jeremy! And Damy is uber-cool, isn’t she?
Aw, Jeremy, thanks :).
And yes out Ninja cap’n is definitely scifi Ninja– he’s everywhere all the time, and still writes amazing bestselling books!!
Love your posts!
Damyanti! So wonderful to ‘see’ you again – I’d been wondering! Thanks for this post and to Alex for saying about the what-if’s. Great idea!
Susan, been thinking of you, too. Will check out your blog asap 🙂
Reblogged this on oshriradhekrishnabole.
Thank you!
Nice push for the novel but… the cover is atrocious. I wouldn’t buy it in a thousand years. (Yes, I judge some books by their cover).
I’m sorry, I thought my publisher did an amazing job with the cover. I’ve liked all the covers they’ve done for me.
Bruce, I’m reading the book, and I like Alex’s easy, accessible style. I don’t push anything that I personally don’t consider worth pushing. :). That’s only my opinion tho. I appreciate you being honest about yours.
Yes, thanks for that comment. I hadn’t realised that the author was personally involved in the review, so I shot the cover down with all guns blazing. It still doesn’t appeal to me, but if I had realised that the author was involved in the posting I would have been more discreet. My apologies.
Reblogged this on Books and More.
Thank you!
Reblogged this on BeeWrite Publishing and commented:
I’ve been a big fan of Alex for a long time. I’m looking forward to reading his new book, especially after the “What if” explanation.
Thank you! For all that.
Alex, I love your ideas for switching the story around. It gives the writer many possible stories.
Glad it gives you ideas!
“What Ifs” are the ever giving muses of those who write – Fantabulous Post!
Such a great post. So many useful ideas, especially to help us get over creative hurdles. Much appreciated.
Glad it helped!
I enjoy contemplating as well as posing what ifs. It an interesting thought exercise though I know some people don’t like it especially if debating an issue that could implicate various what if scenarios. To me it can be a good idea to consider all possibilities of an issue.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
A Faraway View
Damy, thank you so much! You rock.
Thanks for bringing the party here, Alex. As always, enjoyed hosting you and the gang!