In search of a great idea

John and I met a guy this weekend who quit his job to work on his big idea.  It sounds so cool and so scary and we’re totally jealous.  If only we had a big idea.  Help?  As we all know, I have no ideas.  There are days I can barely put words on paper.  (Or on the screen.  Imagine how long it would take me to post if I wrote drafts in a notebook first.)

This inability to come up with an idea is making me think about the similarity to writer’s block, which seems to be causing writer’s block, and can I just say I don’t want to have writer’s block?  Maybe I’ll write about writer’s block.  Maybe I’ll just keep typing writer’s block.  Writer’s block.

Writer’s block could be a toy.  Like little wooden blocks with letters on them, except instead of just one letter per side, they have whole keyboards on each side, and you can press the letters to make words that would appear where?  On top of the block?  I think I’ve just described a computer in the shape of a cube, and I’ll shut up now ’cause that’s kind of dumb.

9 Comments

  1. momma betty

    There is no such thing as writer’s block. And, see, you wrote your way right out of it by free association? As far as the great idea, you’ll never get one going at it that way. Instead, think of problems, then brainstorm possible ways to fix them.

  2. IBCRandy

    I’m right there with you. I’d love to quit my job and write video games, but in order to do that I’d need an idea for a great game. The only game I’ve released (Toddler Tantrum, available for 80 microsoft points on the Xbox Live Indie Games Marketplace. Tell your friends) was certainly NOT a great game idea. It was just something I wrote over my winter vacation to get the hang of publishing a game. And after two months of sales it’s made me about what I normally make in a week.

    So lets do a writer’s block swap. You come up with a great game idea for me, I’ll work on a big idea for you guys. 🙂

    1 – You could make a Wrestling Toddler Federation (just so it would have the acronym WTF).
    2 – Start a web comic. If XKCD can do it with stick figures, anyone can.
    3 – Create Deliverymenus.com. You enter your address, and it lists all local restaurants that deliver to it, along with links to their menus, or maybe even create a custom PDF that has all of their menus compiled together. I have no idea how to make money with that. Advertising? Make restaurants pay to be listed? I’ve got nothin’.

    Sorry, looks like that’s all I’ve got right now.

  3. Melvin?

    Children’s books. I am SO serious. Go to the library today and browse through them and you’ll see why. Do a whole series about Roxy, the epileptic dog, who overcomes her fears and, with expensive meds and loving support, lives happily ever after. I’m sure we can find somebody to do the illustrations.

  4. Good ideas…I think also have to come with a little luck and good timing.

    PS: I’m looking for a good idea, too. I mean, I HAVE good ideas…just too afraid to implement them… *sigh*

  5. Jess

    I wrote an essay about writer’s block, actually. It basically illustrates your mom’s point above. I’ll send it to you if you like. Or bring it to you, because we absolutely must get together soon.

    Oh dear, I see there’s another Jessica following you so I’ve decided to post as Jess from now on. I’m terribly jealous and would hate to be succeeded. Then again, succession implies I’m some kind of royalty, right? I’m okay with that. Especially if I come out looking like Kate Middleton.

  6. Zannah

    Randy –
    1. Awesome.
    2. I won’t say we’ve never thought about a web comic, but I’ve come to the sad conclusion that I will never be as funny as Randall Munroe.
    3. That’s a great idea. I’m as confused as you are about how some websites make money, though. I NEVER click on ads (even though I keep trying to remind myself to do it to help out other bloggers – my memory sucks), so what’s really in it for the advertisers? On the other hand, if they’re willing to pay me for space on the page while I provide a service, who am I to argue with them? Seriously, I think that’s a good idea.

    Mel, Jess, Mom – I’ll look into the children’s book idea. It might be difficult to explain (or illustrate) a dog having a seizure in a way that wouldn’t terrify a kid, though.

    Also, Jess, I always replace my friends with new friends who have the same name. That way I don’t have to bother with memorizing a new name. 🙂

    And Jessica? Welcome! Having the good ideas is the hardest part, I think, so you’re ahead of the game.

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