I’ve known some creative artist types (musicians, mostly). Some of them sometimes get blocked, some of them seem to never have that problem. Since none of them write (music) for a living, the answer for them is to relax and let it come if it will. Though one of them pointed out that she’d had a lot of trouble making new tunes until she realized that EVERY circumstance gives something to write about. For instance, a tune called “Heave Together” that was written after she and the rest of the band went out on rough seas to watch whales and ended up VERY sea sick. When you get to that spot, the creative issue is what NOT to write…
I see the Three Little Pigs went into the stationery business after putting paid to the Big Bad Wolf. It shows in the names they gave their homes/stores.
I can’t imagine the pressure of producing a daily funny. . .especially when there are SO many critics in the audience. . .even the commenters aren’t funny EVERY day. . .
How about Computer store → Word processor store → web browser store, → internet store → then convince your family that writing really is working so they’ll give you the space.
Since I’ve written for fun for years, I can so relate to this one. My bigger issue than finding ideas, though, is making myself sit down and write regularly. However, when I do, the ideas often flow. (Often; not always.)
“A good idea is a good idea, after all — and in those days it was perfectly acceptable, indeed it was part of one tradition, to re-tell, to use again, to repeat: it was in the telling, as in the aural tradition, that one’s artistry and individuality became apparent.”
Lin Carter, “Tolkien: A Look Behind ‘The Lord of the Rings’”, Chapter: Fantasy in the Medieval Romance.
The author refers to “Amadis of Gaul”, the eleventh volume, “Agesilan of Colchos”, which pinches an episode from Aristo’s “Orlando Furioso” (canto 33, stanza 102 ff). Of course, Aristo took the idea from Apollonius Rhodius’ “Argonautica” (Phineus and the harpies).
BE THIS GUY almost 3 years ago
How about the plagiarism… I mean, how about the the used ideas & stories store?
ImDaRealAni almost 3 years ago
At least write children’s stories to teach kids lessons you never learned till you turned 25.
BasilBruce almost 3 years ago
That’s the thing about ideas; you can’t just buy some from a store. You have to make your own.
Templo S.U.D. almost 3 years ago
dreadful
Concretionist almost 3 years ago
I’ve known some creative artist types (musicians, mostly). Some of them sometimes get blocked, some of them seem to never have that problem. Since none of them write (music) for a living, the answer for them is to relax and let it come if it will. Though one of them pointed out that she’d had a lot of trouble making new tunes until she realized that EVERY circumstance gives something to write about. For instance, a tune called “Heave Together” that was written after she and the rest of the band went out on rough seas to watch whales and ended up VERY sea sick. When you get to that spot, the creative issue is what NOT to write…
marilynnbyerly almost 3 years ago
No, ideas are easy. It’s the time store that’s always closed.
Bilan almost 3 years ago
That must be Hollywood. No new ideas there.
syzygy47 almost 3 years ago
That’s the problem. Going to the idea store, when you should be going to a Muse-ment park.
ronaldspence almost 3 years ago
Truth!
tudza Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Subscribe to the “Ideas for Authors” monthly service.
ILK almost 3 years ago
This is very true. This is why movies consist of special effects instead of good dialogue. This is why TV consist of reality shows and re-makes.
dadoctah almost 3 years ago
I see the Three Little Pigs went into the stationery business after putting paid to the Big Bad Wolf. It shows in the names they gave their homes/stores.
Breadboard almost 3 years ago
So the idea store closed thus the reason why Pig, Goat ,and Rat make up all the story lines for Mr. Pastis .
blunebottle almost 3 years ago
PAUL: “So, what is it you’d like to do with your life?”
ROYSTON: “I want to be a paperback writer. That’s where the money is.”
iggyman almost 3 years ago
I can’t imagine coming up with a new comic every day for example, Kudos to Pastis!
Ellis97 almost 3 years ago
You don’t need an original idea. You can use a similar concept and with the right amount of creativity, you can make it stand out on its own.
mjb515 almost 3 years ago
The writer is the proprietor of the Idea Store, not the customer.
Snolep almost 3 years ago
This one really hit home. I have an article due this afternoon, and am sitting here reading comics!
chris_o42 almost 3 years ago
Hollywood solved the Idea Store closure—they just keep remaking the old ideas over and over.
phredturner almost 3 years ago
I’m a bit surprised that a pun creating app isn’t available now
wrd2255 almost 3 years ago
Keep walking, the bar is just a bit further. Worked for James Joyce and Pollock.
1953Baby almost 3 years ago
I can’t imagine the pressure of producing a daily funny. . .especially when there are SO many critics in the audience. . .even the commenters aren’t funny EVERY day. . .
Huckleberry Hiroshima almost 3 years ago
lmao .. yup
tom.amitai almost 3 years ago
Ideas are easy to come by. Expressing those ideas in a way that people will want to pay to read or watch or listen to is the hard part.
Golf Buddy almost 3 years ago
Maybe Snoopy will help them…
Zebrastripes almost 3 years ago
Unless one tells his own story, there’s nothing that hasn’t been written before….and before that….
Yakety Sax almost 3 years ago
This explains SO much.
The Fly Hunter almost 3 years ago
So that’s what writer’s block actually looks like.
Gent almost 3 years ago
What writer uses pen pencil and paper these days?
tripwire45 almost 3 years ago
How about Computer store → Word processor store → web browser store, → internet store → then convince your family that writing really is working so they’ll give you the space.
Major Matt Mason Premium Member almost 3 years ago
The loathing store is right next to the fear store.
WCraft Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Brilliant!
KEA almost 3 years ago
nailed it Pastis!
hoffquotes2 almost 3 years ago
Ahhh, that explains it :)
Goat from PBS almost 3 years ago
I’m pretty sure most stores sell paper, pencils, and pens.
the lost wizard almost 3 years ago
I have an idea.
Bucinka almost 3 years ago
@Pig: Add a couple quarts of vodka and yes, you can.
Pony99CA almost 3 years ago
On another topic, why do they build stores that go halfway into the sidewalk or sidewalks that are so wide that the stores interrupt them? :-D
zeexenon almost 3 years ago
One must have lots of experiences before one can twist them into a great tome, or tomb?
wolfboy oz boy almost 3 years ago
wow
KeithRoman almost 3 years ago
WRONG: The Idea Store is WIDE open. The store of people that actually care to HEAR your ideas has a waiting line around the block. . . .
rgcviper almost 3 years ago
Since I’ve written for fun for years, I can so relate to this one. My bigger issue than finding ideas, though, is making myself sit down and write regularly. However, when I do, the ideas often flow. (Often; not always.)
briangj2 almost 3 years ago
“A good idea is a good idea, after all — and in those days it was perfectly acceptable, indeed it was part of one tradition, to re-tell, to use again, to repeat: it was in the telling, as in the aural tradition, that one’s artistry and individuality became apparent.”
Lin Carter, “Tolkien: A Look Behind ‘The Lord of the Rings’”, Chapter: Fantasy in the Medieval Romance.
The author refers to “Amadis of Gaul”, the eleventh volume, “Agesilan of Colchos”, which pinches an episode from Aristo’s “Orlando Furioso” (canto 33, stanza 102 ff). Of course, Aristo took the idea from Apollonius Rhodius’ “Argonautica” (Phineus and the harpies).
mfrasca almost 3 years ago
The Idea Store in Schenectady NY is still open.
Sisyphos almost 3 years ago
Rat’s pessimism is completely overturned by Pig’s manic optimism. Goat remains bewildered….
StarBeak almost 3 years ago
So the success and prosperity store still open?? I never seen an open one.
TIMH almost 3 years ago
Next stop is the bar.