Have you written a book?

[CAJ1]

I would like to challenge myself and do something different. I was thinking about writing a book and came across www.lulu.com. Has anyone got any tips on coming up with ideas for stories and any other useful info which may help me?

TIA

[boogieboogie]

QM I said I begin with a story I have to tell, that's all.

Last week I watched an episode of Father Ted and the story was:
3 bishops visit Father Ted, the first one to go leaves the Catholic church, the second one to go leaves in an ambulance and the 3rd one dies and leaves in a coffin.

That was the story. The middle bit being getting from the beginning to make the end make sense. (throw in another bi-storyline or two for tv interest). Nothing complicated about that.

People communicate in stories, gossip is storytelling, as is when we tell people about our day at work or what we overheard or saw. I would write a list if I had to write factual because I'm not very good at it, but fiction just flows naturally. (for me that is).

[Quizmonster]

That was my point, BB. You say that, in your case, you "start with a story to tell". In other words, you already have a story-idea in mind before you first sit down to write.

That's the part of the process Caj1 wants help with, rather than what to do with the idea once it's established.

Your responses fulfil the second half of the last sentence in the question...they provide "other useful info". My and some others' responses fulfil the first half of that sentence...they're "tips on coming up with ideas for stories".

Let's face it...if one hasn't got a story-idea, writing techniques are irrelevant! Cheers

[CAJ1]

Thank you for all of your answers, I found them very helpful. I'll let you know if I ever do anything successful lol!