The writer's idea thesaurus : an interactive guide for developing ideas for novels and short stories

416 Pages·2014·1.55 MB·English

by  Fred D

THE
WRITER’S
IDEA
THESAURUS
An Interactive Guide
for Developing Ideas
for Novels and
Short Stories
FRED WHITE
WritersDigest.com
Cincinnati, Ohio
DEDICATION
For Philip and Marion Weyna, with love and admiration.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1: THE ADVENTURES OF X
1 Adventures in an Alternate Universe or Reality
2 Aviation Adventures
3 Adventures of Defectors, Deserters, Mutineers
4 Adventures with Ghosts
5 Adventures in a Magical Land
6 Adventures of Mariners, Mountain Climbers, Spelunkers
7 Adventures of Rebels, Rogues, and Crazies
8 Adventures of Shape Changers
9 Adventures of Time Travelers
10 Adventures of Treasure Seekers
CHAPTER 2: THE CLASH OR COMPETITION BETWEEN X AND Y
1 Athletic or Gaming Competition
2 Battlefield Clashes
3 Business-World Conflicts
4 Democracy vs. Dictatorship, Monarchy, or Theocracy
5 The Clash Between Industrialists, Environmentalists, and Nature Lovers
6 The Clash Between Lovers (Current or Former)
7 The Clash Between Gangs and Gangsters
8 Religious or Spiritual Conflicts
9 Science vs. Superstition
10 Superhero vs. Supervillain
CHAPTER 3: CONFESSIONS OF X
1 Confessions of Artists, Authors, and Musicians
2 Confessions of Criminals
3 Confessions of the Dissatisfied
4 Confessions/Disclosures of Healthcare Workers
5 Confessions/Disclosures of Employees and Employers
6 Confessions of Lovers and Spouses
7 Confessions/Disclosures from the Military
8 Confessions/Disclosures from the Political World
9 Confessions of Religious Persons
10 Confessions of Traitors and Deceivers
CHAPTER 4: THE CONQUEST OF X
1 Conquering a Bad or Dangerous Habit
2 Conquering Intimidation
3 Conquering a Disease or Illness
4 Conquering Envy or Jealousy
5 Conquering a Phobia
6 Conquering Laziness or Loss of Ambition
7 Conquest of Reason Over Superstition
8 Military Conquest or Resistance
9 Conquest of Mind Over Matter
10 Conquering a Physical Disability
CHAPTER 5: COMMUNICATING WITH X
1 Communicating with an Animal or Insect
2 Communicating with the Sensory Impaired
3 Communicating with the Comatose or Hypnotized
4 Communicating with the Dead or Undead
5 Communicating with the Enemy
6 Communicating with an Estranged Friend or Relative
7 Communicating with Human Colonists and Aliens
8 Communicating with a Fugitive
9 Communicating with Oneself
10 Communicating with a Spiritual Entity
CHAPTER 6: THE CURSE OR PROPHECY OF X
1 A Curse from the Depths
2 Ancient or Medieval Curses or Prophecies
3 Curses or Prophecies of the Conquered
4 Curses or Prophecies of Monsters or the Monstrous
5 A Curse or Prophecy from a Religious Artifact
6 Prophecies, Visions, and Hallucinations of the Drugged
7 Prophecies of the Hypnotized
8 Prophecies and Curses of Magicians and Clairvoyants
9 Prophecies, Curses, and Delusions of the Mentally Disabled
10 Prophecies and Incantations of Sorcerers
CHAPTER 7: DESCENT INTO X
1 Descent into Confusion or Uncertainty
2 Descent into Despair
3 Descent or Trespass into a Danger Zone
4 Descent into Hades
5 Descent into Purgatory
6 Descent into Madness
7 Descent into Poverty and Squalor
8 Descent into the Subconscious
9 Descent into Subterranean Realms
10 Descent into Wonderland
CHAPTER 8: THE DISCOVERY OR CREATION OF X
1 The Creation of Artificial Life
2 The Creation of Marvelous Machines
3 The Creation of Miracle Drugs
4 The Creation or Discovery of New Social Structures
5 The Discovery of Ancient Dwellings and Burial Sites
6 The Discovery of Exotic/Endangered Life Forms
7 The Discovery of Gateways to the Past
8 The Discovery or Invention of Magical Realities
9 The Discovery of New Worlds
10 Scientific and Technological Discoveries
CHAPTER 9: ESCAPE FROM X
1 Escape from Abductors
2 Escape from an Abusive Parent, Spouse, or Partner
3 Escape from Slavery or Bondage
4 Escape from Death—Actual or Imminent
5 Escape from Divine Wrath
6 Escape from Incarceration
7 Escape from Self (from One’s Own Demons)
8 Escape from Time Constraints
9 Escape from Wartime Conditions
10 Rescue from Being Lost or Marooned
CHAPTER 10: THE EXAMINATION OR EXPLORATION OF X
1 Examination of a Cold-Case File
2 Examination of a Cover-Up
3 Exploration of a Danger or Forbidden Zone
4 Exploration of a Ghost Town or Abandoned Dwelling
5 Investigation of Missing Persons, Animals, or Property
6 Exploration or Exploitation of Space
7 Exploration or Investigation of Unusual Phenomena
8 Examination of Strange Bodily Phenomena
9 Underwater Exploration or Exploitation
10 Wilderness Exploration or Exploitation
CHAPTER 11: THE GROWTH OF X
1 The Growth of an Artistic Movement
2 The Growth of Dangerous Entertainment
3 The Growth of Alternative Family Relationships
4 The Growth of an Outcast Individual or Group
5 The Growth of a Political Movement
6 The Growth of a Religious or Spiritual Movement
7 The Growth of a Romance
8 The Growth of a Social Custom or Movement
9 The Growth of a Special Individual
10 The Growth of Unusual Technologies and Industries
CHAPTER 12: THE INVASION OF X
1 Alien Invasion
2 Bacterial or Viral Invasion
3 Barbarian Invasion
4 Insect or Arachnid Invasion
5 Military or Paramilitary Invasion
6 Mutant Invasion
7 Mob Invasion
8 Invasion or Uprising of the Marginalized
9 Paranormal Invasion
10 Vermin Invasion
CHAPTER 13: JOURNEY OR PILGRIMAGE TO X
1 Journey to an Ancestral Home
2 Journey to Another World
3 Journey into a Wasteland
4 Journey to a Forgotten or Neglected Place
5 Journey to a Magical Place
6 Journey in Search of One’s Destiny
7 Journey to a Third-World Country
8 Journey into the Past or Future
9 Pilgrimage to a Sacred or Pagan Site
10 Pilgrimage to a War-Related Site
CHAPTER 14: LOVE BETWEEN X AND Y
1 Forbidden Love
2 Love Between Mortals and Immortals
3 Love Between Performer and Director (or Another Performer)
4 Love Across Classes, Cultures, Ethnicities, Religions
5 Love Between Doctors, Other Health-Care Providers, and Patients
6 Love Between Friends, Rivals, and Enemies
7 Love Mix-Ups, Foul-Ups, and Missed Opportunities
8 Love in Strange or Exotic Places
9 Love in the Workplace
10 Young Love
CHAPTER 15: THE MYSTERY OF X
1 Mysterious Books, Packages, and Documents
2 Mysterious Buried or Hidden Objects
3 Mysterious Illnesses
4 Mysterious Messages
5 Missing-Persons Mysteries
6 Mysterious Phenomena
7 Mysterious Places
8 Mysterious Societies
9 The Mystery of Missing or Stolen Property
10 Mysterious Strangers
CHAPTER 16: THE RESCUE OF X
1 Animal Rescue
2 Rescue of Cultural Artifacts
3 Rescue of Endangered Species
4 Rescue of Hostages
5 Rescue from Natural or Engineering Disasters
6 Rescue of Political Prisoners or Protesters
7 Rescue of Refugees
8 Rescue at Sea
9 Rescue from (or by) Alien or Supernatural Beings
10 Rescue of War Wounded
CHAPTER 17: THE SEARCH FOR X
1 The Search for Alien or Exotic Life
2 The Search for Artifacts, Manuscripts, or Relics
3 The Search for an Elixir
4 The Search for a Fugitive
5 The Search for Freedom, Simplicity, Self-Sufficiency
6 The Search for Identity or Roots
7 The Search for a Missing Person
8 The Search for Resolution
9 The Search for a Solution to a Health Crisis
10 The Search for a Weapon
CHAPTER 18: THE SECRET OF X
1 Secrets of Animals
2 Ancestral Secrets
3 Family and Friends’ Secrets
4 Letters from Secret Senders
5 Secret Missions or Callings
6 Secret Organizations
7 Secret Projects
8 Secret Rituals
9 Secrets of Lost Peoples and Places
10 Secrets of Youth and Old Age
CHAPTER 19: THE THREAT OF X
1 The Threat of Contamination, Illness, or Infection
2 The Threat of Assault
3 The Threat of Economic Chaos or Collapse
4 The Threat of Blackmail, Extortion, or Bribery
5 The Threat of Family Instability
6 The Threat of Invasion or Insurrection
7 The Threat of Electronic or Mechanical Malfunction
8 The Threat of a Mental Breakdown
9 The Threat of Natural Disaster
10 The Threat of Social Upheaval
CHAPTER 20: THE TRANSFORMATION OF X INTO Y
1 The Transformation of Addicts and Criminals
2 The Transformation of the Traumatized or Wounded