Neil Gaiman’s 3 questions that make writing stories easier.

Gaiman’s best work—and this isn’t up for debate—is the book he wrote for his daughter, later turned stop motion film, Coraline.

While the book is a quick, two-day read, I’m not here to discuss him.

I’m bringing him up because he wrote the preface for the 60th anniversary-edition of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451.

Where, to my surprise, he and Ray were great friends up until Ray’s passing.

With all that said, the real meat I’m going to share with you isn’t within the plots of the two stories mentioned above.

It’s within Fahrenheit 451’s preface.

A quick read, Gaiman offers his condolences, what the book alludes to without giving away the plot and…

Three easy-to-ask questions that simplify the writing process.

These questions are:

What if…?

“If only…”

“If this goes on…”

Let’s start from the top.

“What if…?” stories, Gaiman says, give us change and a departure from our lives.

We all love the idea of escape. Hell, that’s why drugs, alcohol and entertainment are consumed, but I digress.

So his example within the preface:

“What if aliens landed tomorrow and gave everything we wanted, but at a price?”

Notice that last part ‘but at a price.’

Everything in life comes at a cost or tradeoff; a ‘price’ or negative happening can be the challenge or climax that bleeds within the binding of your story.

Next, “If only…” stories let us explore the glories and dangers of tomorrow.

Gaiman’s example:

“If only dogs can talk.” or “If only I were invisible.”

Lastly, “If this goes on…”

This statement in particular lead to the creation of Fahrenheit 451.

A statement that doesn’t necessarily predict a future outcome, but rather pokes at something wrong done today.

Gaiman’s final example:

“If this goes on, all communication everywhere will be through text messages or computers, and direct speech between two people, without a machine, will be outlawed.”

Bradbury used all three questions like such:

“If this goes on, nobody will read books anymore.”

“What if firemen burned down houses instead of saving them?”

“If only books could be saved.”

Questions like this paint a scene and give the situation an issue, giving your character a reason to exist.

It makes the whole conceptual stage of a story seem manageable and less daunting.

And when the gears begin to turn—maybe, just maybe—you’ll create something enjoyable and worth your time.

— George