The idea is the heart of your story. Knowing it keeps you on target to complete the book and succeed. Idea is not story. Being able to state your idea in one sentence is key. We often spend an entire day at our writing workshop getting the four attendees to pin this one sentence down, but that's how important it is! “A book to inspire, instruct and challenge the writer in everyone.” #1 NY Times Best-Selling Author Susan Wiggs "An invaluable resource for beginning and seasoned writers alike. Don't miss out." #1 NY Times Best-Selling Author Terry Brooks

1. The Original Idea
The seed of your story.

3. What Is Your Original Idea?
Good news is you had one.
Bad news is you probably forgot it.
It is usually the first thought you had (the spark
of inspiration).
It is the foundation of your book, the seed.

4. A character (or cast of characters).
A plot.
A setting or scene.
An intent (theme).
A “What If”.
A “High Concept”.
Original Ideas
Can be Anything.

5. Original Ideas Can Be Anything.
Character: “Who protects the sheep from the
wolves? Another wolf: Will Kane.” NEW YORK
MINUTE
Plot: “Same date, six different years, the Time Patrol
must keep the Shadow from changing our timeline.”
TIME PATROL
Setting or scene: “An international treaty bans
weapons in Antarctica: What if the US put nuclear
weapons there and lost track of them?” ETERNITY
BASE

6. Original Ideas Can Be Anything.
Intent/Theme: “Which is more important? Honor
or Loyalty?” DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY
“What If”: “What if people going into the Witness
Protection Program really disappear?” CUT OUT
High Concept: “In a post-apocalyptic world, what
if the top .1% is delineated by length of life rather
than wealth?” BURNERS

7. Do You Actually Need One
Sentence?
The creative process makes a difference.
Are you front-loading writer vs. a back-loading writer?
Is it clear from the start or do you have to discover it?
Genre can make a difference.
Thrillers, mysteries, suspense, science fiction, fantasy:
probably better to have the idea.
Romance, literary writing: you might have to find it in the
writing.

8. The Importance of Your Original
Idea
It initiates the creative process.
Remembering it keeps you focused.
It is often the core of the pitch to sell the book.
Do you remember the moment of conception
for your book?

9. The Importance of Your Original
Idea
It is the first thing I do in a writing workshop.
We spend as much time needed to get the
author to write what their book is about in one
sentence.
Can you do that?

10. What To Write?
Mark Twain: “Write what you know.”
Write what you want to know.
What is your background?
Write what you read.
Write what you are passionate about.

11. The Character Idea
Start with a character/cast of characters
Place them in a setting= time/place
Throw obstacles in their way
Characters will determine story
Lonesome Dove
New York Minute

12. The Character Idea

13. Focusing Your Idea
When you write your one sentence down, check to see
what the subject of the sentence is:
Character? Protagonist, antagonist?
Plot?
Check to see what the verb is.
Positive or negative?
Action or re-action verb?
Try to have inherent conflict in your idea!

14. Where The Shiver?
What excited you?
What excites the people you tell it to?
Where’s the emotion, the passion?
You are selling emotion and logic.
What does the reader relate to?
Can you communicate the shiver?

15. Intent
The why behind the what.
What do you feel?
Why are you writing this book?
What do you want readers to feel?
You always have an intent.
Positive versus negative.
Resolution= the payoff to the reader.

16. Study And Find Ideas
Look for the original idea in every book you
read and every movie/show you watch.
Usually a sentence or a scene will jump out at
you.
As soon as you finish a book, immediately go
back and re-read the opening chapter.

17. Study And Find Ideas
Where did the Ark of the Covenant end up at the end
of Indiana Jones?
Warehouse 13
The Unit Meets Warehouse 13
Nightstalkers: Area 51
The “anti-Western”
Unforgiven
Out of the coffin, out of the closet
True Blood

18. How Is Your Idea Different?It isn’t: every idea has been done.
The difference comes in the transfer to story. Usually
through:
Unique character. (Alien) A 1950s movie has the
same idea.
Unique setting. (A Thousand Acres) King Lear on a
farm.
Unique POV. (Wind Done Gone) Reversed point of
view.
Unique intent/theme. (High Noon) The town doesn’t
band together to support the sheriff— anti-motif.

19. Idea Is Not Story
Every idea has been done. When I say original, I
mean original to you in your moment of conception.
Story is (covered on other slideshows):
Who (characters)
What (plot)
Where & When (setting)
Why? (intent)
Idea can’t change, story can.
How are you going to do it differently?

20. For more free slideshows on
writing, survival, history and other topics,
go to:
www.bobmayer.com/workshops

21. How to
write the book
How to
be an author
www.bobmayer.com/nonfiction
“A book to inspire, instruct and challenge the writer in everyone.”
#1 NY Times Best-Selling Author Susan Wiggs
"An invaluable resource for beginning and seasoned writers alike.
Don't miss out."
#1 NY Times Best-Selling Author Terry Brooks

22. “In Who Dares Wins, Bob Mayer gives us a unique and valuable window into the shadowy world of
our country’s elite fighting forces and how you can apply many of the concepts and tactics they use for
success in your own life and organization.”
Jack Canfield: Co-creator Chicken Soup for the Soul and The Success Principles
“Success in life—as in combat—has always demanded depth of character. Who Dares Wins reveals
what it takes for you to move into the world of elite warriors and how their training developed that Can
Do spirit and Special Forces ethos of excellence.”
Lewis C. Merletti: Director United States Secret Service (retired), Former Sgt 5th Special Forces Group
(Vietnam); Cleveland Browns Executive Vice President & COO

23. New York Times bestselling author, graduate of West
Point and former Green Beret. He’s had over 80 books
published across an array of genres, including the #1
bestselling series Green Berets, Shadow Warriors, Time
Patrol, Area 51, and Atlantis.
He’s presented for over 1,000 organizations during three
decades of writing full time.
If you’re interested in his weekend intensive workshop or
having him present for your group, email him at:
bob@bobmayer.com
www.bobmayer.com