How to Tell if Your Idea for a Story is a Good One

How do you know if an idea is a good one?

Think about *conflict.*

Is there conflict within the character or in the situation.

If not, then you need to find how conflict is intrinsic to the character or situation. If you can't find the conflict, it might not be a good idea for a story.

Does all fiction have to have conflict? Well, maybe, and probably.

You need to consider what fiction is for. Nonfiction writing is to inform. Fiction is either (1) to entertain, or (2) to forge the consciousness of the (human) race. Both of those jobs are dependent on conflict within the story. You may have a different idea of what fiction is for. Consider whether or not your philosophy needs conflict, but your story probably does.