Writing Exercise: Choose A Different Tine

It can be difficult to come up with an idea for a story that you like. It can feel like everything has already been done and whatever you come up with is ripping off another story. If you are in such a situation of writer's block, then the best cure is to start writing. Specifically, start writing a story that has already been done.

The way you will change it is by choosing a different path. At some point in a story, a character is given a choice. It can be an internal choice like being selfless or being greedy, or it can be a seemingly unimportant choice like getting Pepsi or Coke at the grocery store. Whatever the choice may be, when the character comes across the fork in the road, have them choose the alternate tine. If somebody chose to walk around a mountain, have the climb up it. It should create a whole new set of experiences which may drastically change the rest of the story.

The idea behind this practice is to get your mind moving. You start following a familiar trail. Eventually, your mind starts wandering and asking what-if questions; what if something different happened or what if the character reacted in a different way? If you don't get curious, you may also just get bored. If you are already familiar with the story you are writing, you may choose to create something totally different just to keep yourself interested. Regardless of why it happens, making a character choose a different option may be all you need to come up with a totally different story all your own.