Includes bibliographical references and index.

pt. 1: You've got an idea. First thoughts about writing and ideas ; A world of ideas ; The idea file ; The water's fine ; Suspended disbelief and other acts of faith -- pt. 2: Evaluating ideas. Stoking the fire ; Exploding the idea ; Reading is fundamental ; Other people's ideas ; Gaining distance ; Letting go ; Ideas for another time -- pt. 3: Idea parts. Mining for diamonds ; Fish or foul? ; People ; You gotta have arc ; Dot the dragon's eye ; The relativity of truth ; Western Union -- pt. 4: Better ideas. Getting started ; Adding ideas ; Stuck in the middle ; Stuck at the end ; When you're stuck in revision ; Beginning again ; Last words and recommendations.

Presents strategies for turning good ideas into great fiction and nonfiction stories, explaining how to spark inspiration, develop ideas into a piece of writing, assess the ideas, analyze story elements, and troubleshoot the manuscript. Includes over three hundred prompts.