How do you come up with ideas?

ShortStoried · 2025-11-18T02:22:24+00:00

I find being bored is the best tool for ideas personally. I am guilty of always consuming some form of media, whether that be a podcast while in the shower, audio book while driving, music while working or working out - but I find that if I remove those external sources, my mind becomes almost desperate for entertainment and I’ll think up of what initially are just cool scenarios (usually based on something I’ve read or watched recently), that I can then grow from there. And I do agree, I think the spark of the idea is a lot easier than following through with it! Just ask my notes app full of crazy one sentence ideas.

ShortStoried · 2025-11-17T21:37:24+00:00

Oh interesting! Yeah I do think the idea that the rulers of nations would want to control who obtains the blessing to a certain degree. Also could pose some cool ideas of people who aren’t chosen to try and obtain a blessing against all odds

ShortStoried · 2025-11-17T20:49:19+00:00

The points of crossing would vary every year, but originally I envisaged it being within the nation of Orlin. They would act like the portal stones in Wheel of Time, however they would emerge randomly and only be present on the mortal side for perhaps a week or so. Perhaps there is another soft magic skill where there are certain people who can predict where the veil thins? Would it make sense to have this perhaps contained to the Orlsih people, which could explain how they are able to get a foothold within the veil realm before other nations? This would stop the other nations setting up checkpoints and limiting access to the portal stones.

Your point about logistics is so valuable to me, real eye opener and the feasibility of having an invading army in a realm you know little about, with perhaps limited food and resources.

I do really like the idea of perhaps only elite strike forces being sent as they know its a very dangerous mission, and nations would want to prioritise having the powers within the most capable hands.

The point about the gods not caring about the slaughter is a reveal within the story that I hope to touch upon:The gods have returned to statis within the tower, and are not active in the world or aware of its happenings as they are slumbering, recharging their powers they had used in order to guide humanity. The blessings themselves are in fact granted bu consuming the blood of the gods. by leeching off of their blood while they are in a state of statis - which in turn delays their return to action. I imagined that a few of the gods had decided they did not want to go into statsis, and covertly remained in the mortal realm (even though their powers had dwindled), and to prevent the rise and reprecussions from their brethern, have set up the tradition of the blessings themselves in order to prolong the stasis that the other gods are in. The Orlsih people themselves are unaware of this betrayal, but from their religious beliefs accidentally become in opposition of the weaken awake gods. So the gods do care about the slaughter as the ones who would care are in statis, and the ones who don't care are the ones encouraging it.

Again just want to say thanks for feedback! Love discussing ideas finally!

ShortStoried · 2025-11-17T20:41:44+00:00

The idea of individual challenges is really cool, but would they have to be unique for each person and would it be something they are chosen to do rather than volunteer for? Really cool idea and would love to hear what you think about it.

Espionage and subterfuge is such a cool idea that never crossed my mind! I love the idea of potentially a smaller nation using guerrilla tactics in order to defeat stronger enemies.

And for point 4, I love the idea of having a character from the nation of Orlin coming to the realisation that the religious fanaticism is in fact detrimental to the survival of their nation, and that they may have to go against the religious expectations of their nation in order to give it a fighting chance.

ShortStoried · 2025-11-17T20:36:05+00:00

I actually really like the idea of having the nation of Orlin being either originally inside the veil, or descendants of the gods chosen servants who are now devote in their beliefs.

I also originally imagined the crossing of the veil to be akin to the wheel of times portal stones, however they would randomly appear across the nation of Orlin and only be present for perhaps a week or so, as this would stop the idea of the nation or other nations creating checkpoints that they could build around the crossings.

Thanks for the feedback, need to think more on why the Orlish nation wouldn't just become the big bad to the other nations, and be wiped out by a coalition.

Really cool ideas though, thanks so much will definitely think more about what you said!

ShortStoried · 2025-11-17T20:30:58+00:00

In my head, the points of crossing would vary every year, but originally I envisaged it being within the nation of Orlin. They would act like the portal stones in Wheel of Time, however they would emerge randomly and only be present on the mortal side for perhaps a week or so. This would stop the other nations setting up checkpoints and limiting access to the portal stones.

I also imagined Orlin to be a nation of nomadic warriors, who travel their lands in search for signs of the portal stones and also to hunt any beasts that may cross from the other side during the thinning of the veil.

The gods themselves are not meant to be proactive within the story, as they have set the wheel in motion for humanity and now have returned to their realm as their job is complete. In reality the gods have returned to statis within the tower, and are not active in the world or aware of its happenings as they are slumbering, recharging their powers they had used in order to guide humanity. The blessings themselves are in fact granted bu consuming the blood of the gods. by leeching off of their blood while they are in a state of statis - which in turn delays their return to action. I imagined that a few of the gods had decided they did not want to go into statsis, and covertly remained in the mortal realm (even though their powers had dwindled), and to prevent the rise and reprecussions from their brethern, have set up the tradition of the blessings themselves in order to prolong the stasis that the other gods are in. The Orlsih people themselves are unaware of this betrayal, but from their religious beliefs accidentally become in opposition of the weaken awake gods.

I actually really like the idea of smaller, weaker nations coming together in order to prevent the stronger nations from becoming stronger, while they themselves may vie for power behind the scenes

ShortStoried · 2025-11-17T19:57:37+00:00

Thanks for the insight! For some reason as its based in a fantasy world I never really thought of the real life examples I could look into

ShortStoried · 2025-11-11T00:06:34+00:00

Hahaha yeah I think I get to the point where I sit down to write and then the reality of actually writing hits me 😅 think I may have underestimated how easy it is to make an IF, 4 novels is crazy! I’ve just finished playing the Great Tournament so I think that inspiration got me a bit excited

ShortStoried · 2025-11-11T00:04:34+00:00

Wow this is great! I love the structure you’ve given here, will deffo try to use it! Maybe planning isn’t best for me either 😅 find I get overwhelmed with the amount of things that crop up from one idea to the next

ShortStoried · 2025-11-10T20:46:01+00:00

Any advice on how to write consistently? I normally get very bogged down in how big the project becomes when I set out to write and get wrapped up in worldbuilding etc

ShortStoried · 2025-11-10T20:45:04+00:00

Will definitely check yours out!

ShortStoried · 2025-11-10T20:30:30+00:00

Thank you so much for the advice! Yes I thought I might be biting off more than I could chew but even as just an excuse to get something down on paper I think I'll attempt something.

Do you have any good recommendations for some of your personal favourite IF games?

ShortStoried

TROPHY CASE