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Sample idea: What could possibly go
wrong?
Think of an ordinary, everyday sort of character, and think
of one aspect of his life. Then make a long list of all the things
that could go wrong with it.
Let's consider a man who needs a beer. He's probably a regular
at his local pub or bar. What could go wrong with that?
He might have too much to drink, or not enough. The pub might
be closed, or it might shut down permanently for some reason.
It might catch fire. The beer delivery might fail to arrive,
so the bar runs dry. He might get drunk and suffer the consequences,
or do something he lives to regret.
Perhaps someone spikes his drink, or steals his drink, or threatens
him, or tries to sell him something. Maybe the landlord or his
favourite barman dies. Perhaps a new company takes over the pub,
and maybe they turn into a some sort of theme pub, or change
it so it appeals to a different market.
Perhaps they stops selling his favourite beer, or the brewery
stops making it. Maybe his wife tries to stop him from visiting
the pub so often, or she insists on coming with him when he'd
prefer it if she stayed at home.
Perhaps some undesirable types adopt the pub as their local,
or maybe the landlord installs a jukebox or a garish fruit machine
that ruins the quiet atmoshere. The atmosphere - and the number
and type of regular patrons - will certainly have been affected
by things like the ban on smoking, rising taxes on alcohol, and
so on.
The ordinary life of a simple drinking man can be upset by so
many things - and hopefully you spotted several story opportunities
there. Now try it again with a different character or a different
aspect of his life.
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