W is for What If

While some have too many ideas, there are others who struggle to find something to write. Sometimes, a solution to that is a What If question. I even have a writing contest on writing.com where the prompts are worded in What If questions. Though I try not to ask myself too many of them because I don't need any more story ideas currently, lol.


What if...?
“What if” questions are useful for writing because they can be a catalyst to our creativity. The question can force the writer or be used to make the characters face new scenarios, new possibilities and new assumptions. It is a basic approach in that all you have to do is start the question with "what if" and go from there.


Examples:

What if.....     there is free will?
                      everything is pre-determined?
                      there is no meaning to life?
                      you were the only person alive?

                      the people revolt against the government?
                      privacy is no longer a right?
                      guns are outlawed?

                      aliens are peaceful?
                      the sun explodes?
                      an asteroid hits the Earth?
                      animals can speak our language?
                      animals revolt against the humans?
                      pizza is deemed unholy?
                      trees start walking?
                      rain falls up?
                      technology takes over?
                      we stop using technology?
                      work is a prison?
                      kids revolt against their parents?





Web sites:
http://www.be-a-better-writer.com/plot-outline.html
http://stratecutionstories.wordpress.com/2011/12/27/the-power-of-what-if/
http://www.ehow.com/how_2193528_brainstorm-short-story-novel-ideas.html
http://www.seventhsanctum.com/generate.php?Genname=whatif
http://www.fiction-writers-mentor.com/random-plot-generator.html



What if...?
Do you use What If questions?