Productive Planning
Yesterday, I spent a couple of hours roaming the internet looking for inspiration for the short story I need to write within the next two months. It’s amazing what can be found this way. And it’s even more amazing what a glimpse of an image or a fragmented sentence might produce in the mind.
First, I looked up a couple of generators:
Alien Name Generator
Alien Race Name Generator
Alien Name Generator
Random Planet Generator
The Rancor Pit Planet Generator
Using the above generators I saw a lot of combinations, most of them weird and not appropriate. However, I saw fragments of suggestions that I liked and I made a note of them…just in case. The planet generators helped me get into the “world” mode and what might be required of my people and the plot. At present, I haven’t settled on anything concrete, but at least I have an idea forming in my mind.
Then, I did a Google image search and looked at different types of aliens, sf characters, weird looking people, extra terrestrials, etc. This resulted in three possible outcomes to the story itself. I haven’t decided which way to go, as yet, but at least I have something to go with.
Next, I intend to write a quick outline of the story. It will probably be 8 or 10 lines in length to start with, but will grow from there.
The initial shock and numbness regarding this story has turned into productive planning. I have three days left to finish the planning. I think I’m doing well.
Filed under: My Writing:, Other Projects
Those generators are so great! I like the Rancor Pit one. I’m going to bookmark these to use at a later date. All the best with writing your story - I’m already intrigued!
Did you know, by the way, that my alien name is: “Helios Annchi, Cleaner of Robots”? But please call me Helios.
Interesting planning strategy. I hate searching for inspiration for things like this, but I usually find it pops up in the most unexpected places when I’ve stopped thinking about it so hard! Best of luck with it.
I’m glad you like them, Helios.
Alan, it’s the first time I’ve done a internet search for inspiration. I guess I’m thinking of timing, and as I usually think for weeks and plans for longer…I have to get a rig along with this one.
Get a rig along? Did you just mondegreen or did I? I was raised English, so I’m quite prepared to believe that I have it wrong, but I always thought the expression was ‘get a wriggle on’.
Hehe, fancy asking me! My family laugh at me all the time for getting expressions all mixed up. I say I do it on purpose, but I really do it to spice up their lives… but, maybe I just don’t know what the sayings really are.
Karen, you are so much more organized than I am–giving yourself a deadline to plan the story! That would freeze my brain to a standstill.
I’m so pleased you were invited, too–I know your story will be wonderful. It’s quite hilarious that we both posted such similar blog entries about it!