/lit/ - Literature

I have a drawn out process, but it seems to work out well in the end. I go through three main stages (excluding editing); they are:

>1. Conceptualising
>2. Preparing
>3. Writing

1. Conceptualising is all about that spark of an idea. I keep a notebook with story ideas and brief synopses - from there, I'll compile them all into a single document. On this document, I'll then colour code each story idea based on its potential, level of interest and strength. The three codes I use are:

>Red = Weak / Poor Idea
>Yellow = Medium / Aim to Improve
>Green = Strong / Good Potential

If I like a story that falls under the 'yellow' code, I may come back and work on it sometime. However, often the strongest ideas go on to the next stage - which is 'Preparing'.

2. When preparing, I'll create a treatment, which is pretty much a guide book. It often contains everything from synopsis, theme (premise), characters, setting and outline. I like to do a loose outline, not setting anything too much in stone, but giving myself a good idea of how the story progresses. I also often follow a three act structure, either through choice or due to a subconscious decision. I spend the most time here, often tweaking and refining ideas.

3. Last step is sitting down and writing the actual story. With the treatment and outline done, I have all the 'tools' I need to complete the narrative. Spending so much time in the treatment stage also allows me to understand the characters and story better - so writing often feels very natural and concise.

I need to expand my reading genres, so im looking for a book thats post apocalyptic. Preferably post nuclear war, much like. Fallout. Any suggestions?

>entire edward hopper catalog.jpg

ITT: People post story ideas. People rate story ideas on a scale of 1-10.