The Big Idea

What is it? It’s the idea that delights you, makes you giggle or despair (for your characters). It's the idea within your story that gives you glee. The bright jewel, the sun in the sky that made you smile every time you think of it. This has to be kept alive, even as the bookends, and surrounding structure of story start to emerge as you build your narrative. Because the Big Idea is the wave of energy that moves you through an entire project. The generator of excitement with you every day as you write. It was Dorothy going to OZ, not the details of Oz on every page. But this impossible place she would be propelled to by a tornado, with impossible characters who would help her get home, and she would help them in return, is a pretty big idea.

The Big Idea is pure energy and joy. It’s what thrills and excites you, unlocks your heart, engages your mind. So how do you recognize a big idea? How do you identify it?

Notice what the Big Idea does NOT have:

It does not have a story.
It does not have structure.
It is simple.
It should feel as radiant as a little sun. To you.

What it does have:

It will feel good.
It will be unexpected.
It will be original.
The idea will feel like lightning, it will have energy.

Story structure and details come later. The mechanics of how you take the lightning of a Big Idea and put it into a bottle are out there. They have been written all over the internet. Everyone has some point of view on it. But as you expand your idea into storytelling never lose touch with what you fell in love with in the first place. Don’t snuff out the Big Idea with endless complication.