Story help?

[rainbowshy]

If this isn't allowed, I'll be happy to delete it.

Anyway, I'm writing a story that is inspired by the movie Frozen. It's basically about this autistic eighteen year old girl who is somewhat isolated from exploring the world around her. The only time she ever gets out is when her mom can't leave her at home. I'm in need of some ideas for this story right now. I don't want her to have any special powers or anything like that. D: 

I just need to have someone who can help me work through this plot and come up with some good ideas. I'm stumped and trying so hard to make this story work, but I don't know what else I can do.

Comments

[agilebrit]

What does she want? What is preventing her from getting it? How will she overcome those obstacles?

Those are the three basic questions that drive Plot. Once you figure the answers to them out, you've got a framework to hang your story on. Then you can get into the motivations of the people around her--for example, is her mother afraid she'll get hurt on the sharp edges of the world, or embarrassed that her daughter isn't neurotypical, and that's why she doesn't let her go out? Some amalgam of both? Something else altogether?

When I'm stuck, I look at my characters and ask questions. Frequently I do this with a pen and paper, the old-fashioned way. I also break the plot down into the seven-point structure to keep myself on track with what needs to happen when.

I hope that helped somewhat. :)

[rainbowshy]

Well, I use my iPad for a lot of my writing stuff. I haven't even thought of asking myself those questions, and now that I have... I realize I don't have a good general idea.

[agilebrit]

Story is a Person in a Place with a Problem. How they solve that problem is Plot. Plot is not just a sequence of events, it has to lead to some goal in the end. Once you figure out what your main character wants, that's half the battle. The length of the thing is also a factor; if it's a short story, her goal can be a lot simpler than if you're trying for novel-length.

I use my netbook for most of my writing, but sometimes using pen and paper unlocks a different part of the brain.