15 Comments
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Karin Gillespie's avatar

I am such a fan of The Idea. Like you, when I first read it, all kinds of lightbuulbs went off. Thanks for this insightful post and for the mention.

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Jessica Payne's avatar

Yes, such a good book. I recommended to everyone! Thanks for your wonderful post!

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Meredith Rankin's avatar

Thanks for this, Jessica. I’ve been writing for a long time but only recently decided to deliberately write something that had a higher fun factor, and this piece was helpful.

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Jessica Payne's avatar

Hi Meredith, so glad this was helpful! Thank you for reading!

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Jessica Richter's avatar

Thank you for sharing this! I honestly had no idea fun wasn’t a thing every author thought about. I’m the complete opposite. My very first or second thought about story is the fun factor. I have to know it’s there before I can develop a plot. Also, I just ordered The Idea—thanks for the rec!

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Jessica Payne's avatar

Let me know what you think of it!!

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KC Reid's avatar

This is absolutely what I needed to read today! I have found myself debating lighter moments in my draft work, and this articulated what I didn't realize I was trying to do. Now that you have made this concept more concrete for me, it will be much easier for me to weave it in. Thank you!

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Jessica Payne's avatar

So glad this was helpful! Thanks for reading!

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Shelley Burbank's avatar

Excellent article. I think you nailed it. Also I’m recognizing the names of all the people you referenced so that’s fun, too.

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Jessica Payne's avatar

That is fun! And thanks for reading and for your kind words!

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Cassandra Powers's avatar

I would say Tina Fey's take on The Four Seasons on Netflix has both high (ish) concept and fun factors!

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Jessica Payne's avatar

Oh I haven't seen that! I will look. Thanks!

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Cristina Cala's avatar

Uh oh, my multi-generational family drama is feeling attacked … I love that you’re laughing while writing! It’s always my goal to make drama funny and humor dramatic.

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Jul 17
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Jessica Payne's avatar

I think these are great ideas! I'd love to hear what you think after you've read The Idea!

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Jessica Payne's avatar

Deleted this comment by accident, so sorry Sarah! Meant to delete my own reply because I left something out and wanted to redo it.

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