When I'm screening prospective clients, I ask a series of questions for two main reasons: to get an idea about the story and to see if the writer understands the story. What I've learned in writing my MFA thesis, over and over is that neither the first idea—or the third—is the best. Ideas have to be mulled over, challenged, worked through, and usually discarded for better ones that only come after significant examination.
Sometimes writers believe they have this incredible story idea (maybe they do) that doesn't need any changes or critiques (well...) and is ready for prime time (sure...). Researching and worldbuilding don't equal examination, just in case you're wondering. When ideas first strike, it's easy to believe you've got a winning ticket when you're busy worldbuilding. What you forget is that you haven't built the story.
It can be tough to tell a writer or idea creator that their idea requires a bit of fleshing out. This can be especially true for writers/idea creators who haven't studied craft nor understand how to structure their story (based on extensive reading in their genre).
We aren't born knowing how to tell a story. We learn storytelling by hearing and reading. If you're writing genre fiction, there is a structure that can be studied. Let me tell you, genre readers will let you know when you've missed the mark even without an MFA to support their critique. Writers/idea creators should pay close attention to story fundamentals.
Is your idea ready? Start With These 5 Questions*
*Warning: There may be some sass.
Question 1: Who is your protagonist?
Your Answer: There isn't one because I have a ton of characters and they're all equally important.
My Analysis: No, they aren't. Out of all of the *likely* dozen-plus characters you think should get equal page time, one should rise to the top. Readers can connect to a number of characters, but the journey you want them to take should focus on one.
Question 2: What is your theme?
Your Answer: I don't know what this is.
My Analysis: Your idea is going to need work. Readers come back to stories again and again to learn something, even if it's wisdom they already know. How a hero learns this lesson is what makes reading interesting. The reader can't learn anything if you're not saying anything.
Question 3: What does your protagonist want the most?
Your Answer: They don't really want anything.
My Analysis: What's the point of reading this thing? There's no real story here. Are you sure your brilliant idea is above critique?
Question 4: What is the main conflict keeping your protagonist from his/her goal?
Your Answer: Well, there's a ton of stuff going on.
My Analysis: If you can't name one thing out of all the "stuff" going on, I'd bet nothing is going on in this novel. The hero's struggle to get what they want is why we tell stories. Without the drama, you will struggle to write your novel and entertain readers.
Question 5: In 50 words or less, can you tell me what your novel is about?
Your Answer: Two kingdoms are fighting.
My Analysis: You punted this one after four words. This makes me believe you haven't given your idea enough thought if forty-six words weren't needed to express your story idea. It doesn't matter that you have dozens of pages of notes for worldbuilding. Nothing's happening in this world that'll keep readers' interest. And new writers/idea creators will likely push for all those notes to make it into the final draft of their novel which will bog down the narrative (it'll sound like information dumping or a definition appendix) and bore the living daylights out of readers.
Bonus Question: What are the genre tropes used in this story?
Your Answer: N/A.
My Analysis: You either don't know what a trope is or you should read more. I ask this question to see how familiar writers/idea fairies (I mean, creators) are familiar with what readers are expecting from their story. As an editor/coach, I'll be looking for and reviewing these tropes to help you write a satisfying story.
Are you ready to draft after answering these questions?
Not necessarily, but it's safe to say that you're starting off strong. If you can answer these questions with a clear idea of your hero, theme, goal, and conflict, then you can move ahead with confidence. You might not be able to sum up your entire story in 50 words or less, but you can start outlining and see how things progress. If you hate outlining and write by the seat of your pants, start drafting with those four pillars in mind as you move through each scene.
If I haven't been clear, let me say it again: These questions shouldn't remain unanswered or with the current responses.
Do these questions help me gain or lose clients?
Both, depending on the mindset of the writer/idea creator. The ones who are able to face their limited understanding of their story, want to deepen their craft skills, and are willing to work hard will move forward. Those who think their ideas are above critique, don't want to understand craft, and aren't willing to work at creating a stronger story disappear fast. It's a joy to work with the former and I want to avoid the latter.
Not only that, newbie writers/idea creators aren't prepared for the hard truth about writing: the story changes as you write.
If you're not prepared to think about and challenge your ideas, you won't be ready when characters do the unexpected and you suddenly have to pivot. Character behavior will force you to think about your ideas--and if you don't know your character even a little bit, then you won't know how they should respond when faced with challenges or what choices they should make.
Final Thoughts
Don't close your eyes and launch the football hoping your best receiver or tight end is out there not quadruple-covered. Sit with these questions and think through your idea. If it helps to write a quick scene to flesh out desires and conflict, do that. Just don't assume your idea is ready without doing the work.
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