Masterpiece. A word that people connect with only a mass cinema. But, I believe, it is completely wrong. A literary masterpiece engages emotions, profoundly influences perspective, and can inspire change.
Every kind of genre exists in the writing world, whether it be cinematic, author or audio platform. Audiences have varying emotions and interests, so they seek clear and engaging stories.
Every magnum opus work is once an idea. The idea undergoes deep imagination, techniques, worldviews, plots, characters, and emotions, then transforms into a perfect script.
Always remember that you don’t find epic ideas, you grow them.
If you’re dreaming of writing a story that stands something powerful, profound, and unforgettable, then you’re not just looking for a story…
You’re looking for a masterpiece.
But before the characters walk onto the page, before the world begins to take shape, and before a single word is written, one thing must happen first: You must choose the right idea. An idea that serves as the core of the script and adds depth to the writing.
In this blog, you’ll find how to pick an idea that can be structured into an epic story.
What Makes an Idea Truly ‘Epic’?
Hey, writers! I have a question for you.
If you have a well-structured idea for a short film, but an unstructured idea for a feature film, which would you choose?
What do you think? Is a masterpiece dependent on its length?
Is it a magnum opus work reliant on a particular genre or high-budget script?
The answer is strictly No.
Many big-budget movies fail to connect with audiences, while numerous small-budget films, such as Bheja Fry and Phobia, even filmed in a single room, leave a tremendous impact on viewers.
Do big-budget movies not have great ideas? Indeed, they do. However, the ideas need to be polished in the right way to become epic. An idea needs layers, emotions and endurance.
It must contain:
- Timeless themes — love, sacrifice, rebellion, justice, redemption, etc.
- High stakes — not just for the character, but often for a family, a community, or even a world.
- A long journey — physical, emotional, or spiritual.
- Moral complexity — the choices aren’t easy, and the consequences are heavy.
Your idea doesn’t have to be fantasy or historical — even a small-town drama can be epic if it tackles life-altering emotions and a transformative arc.
Two Powerful Ways to Brainstorm Story Ideas
When searching for that golden idea, it helps to understand where ideas come from. They usually fall into two broad categories:
- External Brainstorming
- Personal Brainstorming
1. External Brainstorming (For Conceptual Writers)
External brainstorming draws inspiration from the surroundings. Conceptual writers seek inspiration from the outer world—facts, people, culture, and memory. These writers excel in adapting and transforming existing material into something fresh, purposeful, and emotionally resonant.
Sources of External Ideas:
- A news article that sparked emotion
- A real-life hero or scandal
- Conversations or cultural shifts
- A scene you witnessed in public
- Documentaries or interviews that stayed with you
These ideas often provide a solid plot skeleton — a hook, a situation, or a conflict that sparks curiosity. Look out, observe, collect, and then transform that material into something meaningful.
2. Personal Brainstorming (For Intuitive Writers)
This method comes from within—you don’t chase ideas, you feel them. Great stories often lie in your fears, failures, and vulnerabilities. When you tap into your raw emotions, the stories become universal and relatable.
Prompts to Trigger Personal Ideas:
- Tell the story you’re most afraid to tell.
- Recall a moment when you couldn’t stand up for yourself.
- Write about a deep embarrassment you never shared.
- Revisit a failure that changed you.
- Capture a challenge that shook your beliefs.
These elements are grounded in emotions, fantasies, memories, or unresolved questions. Internal ideas often hold emotional truth and depth — they’re what make a story feel real and relatable, even in a fantasy world. These stories may feel uncomfortable to tell, but that’s where your truth lives.
Every story is waiting to be found—either within you or around you. Stay curious, stay courageous, and let the world be your co-writer.
Point to be Remembered: The most powerful epics usually combine both: a gripping external structure with a deep internal core.
Ask These Questions to Choose Wisely
Before diving into your story, pause and reflect. The right questions can reveal whether your idea holds emotional truth, creative depth, and impact. Before committing to any idea, ask yourself:
- Am I emotionally connected to this idea? Can this idea evolve?
- Can I live with it and work on it every day for the next 1–2 years?
- Does this idea have layers?
- Can it support character growth, emotional and psychological stakes, and thematic exploration?
- Is there something universal in this idea?
- Epics often shift and grow during the writing process. Is this something flexible?
Don’t Confuse Epic with Overcomplicated
Many writers confuse “epic” with “complicated.” An epic story isn’t defined by how many characters, subplots, or twists you add, but by the depth of its meaning. A truly epic tale resonates significance in every scene and character arc, lingering with the audience long after it concludes. You need to add transparent logical reasons behind every scene, action or dialogue that make a story realistic.
Epic means meaningful. Try to avoid these common traps:
- Chasing Trends
Popularity doesn’t guarantee that something is right for you. If you lack a personal connection to the theme or world, your enthusiasm will fade, and so will your readers’ interest.
- Overloading with Plot Twists
Too many twists without emotional grounding feel hollow. A good twist should deepen the story, not just shock the audience.
- Ignoring Inner Conflict
Epic isn’t about what happens—it’s about why it matters. The real power comes from your character’s internal battles and emotional transformation.
You can test your idea before committing to a story:
- Write a short story, scene, or dialogue from that world.
- Try outlining a few chapters or the ending.
- See if you’re still excited after a week — or even more intrigued.
If an idea keeps you awake at night or whispers to you in silence, it’s worth chasing.
The Epic Test: Does Your Idea Have Depth or Just Drama?
“Is this idea good enough?” A question that haunts every writer at some point.
The truth is, great ideas aren’t born perfect—they’re discovered, nurtured, and slowly sharpened through rewriting. Many writers wait for a ‘flawless’ concept, but the real skill lies in recognising the potential within a rough idea.
Here’s what happens when you start evaluating your idea:
1. It Excites You Over Time
If an idea sticks with your mind for weeks, it means it is a green flag for you. It points to something deeply personal or meaningful around that idea. Your mind is continuously evolving and generating new scenes, emotions or characters, that’s a strong creative signal. Once you receive this signal, you no longer need to ask, “Would I still write this story even if no one ever reads it?” You’ve already found something powerful, and you should create it properly. Epic ideas deepen with time.
2. It Has Emotional Weight
A good idea doesn’t just entertain — it moves you. At its core, every powerful story is driven by a deep emotion: love, guilt, revenge, longing, or redemption. Ask yourself — Can I already feel what my characters are going to endure? If the idea doesn’t stir something in you, it likely won’t stir anything in your audience either.
Emotional connection isn’t optional; it’s the essence of your story.
3. It’s Bigger Than a Moment
Once you find your ‘why?’ with your idea, move to the next step. A strong idea isn’t just a quick thought — it has a 3-Act structure, a potential theme, and a strong character arc. It can grow into a clear beginning, middle, and end. If you can see the setting, feel the increased stakes, and sense how it will all unfold, then you’re not just daydreaming. You’re onto something worth writing.
4. It’s Personally Challenging… But Universal
The most unforgettable stories often come from a place of personal truth — a moment, memory, or emotion that shaped you. If your idea makes you nervous, that’s a good thing. Maybe it asks you to write about something you’ve buried. Whatever it is, don’t run. If your heart is in it, and others can see parts of themselves in it, then you’re holding a story that has both soul and reach. Epic stories demand courage and the willingness to grow.
5. It Passes the ‘One-Line Test— The Premise.’
No idea can develop without a one-liner called Premise. The premise is the atom of a story that should be crystal clear. This one-line test helps you know if your idea is focused and intriguing. The perfect premise can take up to weeks to develop. Even true writers take time to rewrite and redesign it. So be conscious of how crucial it is for an epic story.
If you can express your story in one powerful line, that’s storytelling gold. It helps you truly understand your story and which format and platform is suitable for your words.
I know, after reading these words, you’re still puzzling over how to create an idea that is acceptable for all. Let’s try to understand the fact.
How Can A Writer Determine if their Idea Will Resonate With the Audience, Producers, or Publishers?
Well. There’s no guaranteed formula… but there are signs, strategies, and smart checkpoints that help you figure it out early, before investing months or years.
1. Does Your Idea Tap Into a Universal Emotion or Conflict?
At the heart of every unforgettable story is a feeling we all know — love, betrayal, survival, identity, justice, or self-worth. The universal truth is that all humans have different choices, but a thing that unites us is our emotions. Some people may not enjoy action, drama, or sci-fi, but everyone connects with emotions. Because audiences don’t connect to genres, they connect to sentiments. Whether you’re writing sci-fi, romance, or satire, the emotional truth must land.
2. Is Your Idea Fresh… Yet Familiar?
This is what publishers and producers crave. They’re looking for something they know how to sell, but that feels brand new. Everyone wants to invest their time in something fresh and full of unexpected twists. Even in simple dramatic stories, the audience desires to see something that has never happened before. It might be simple, but fresh.
That’s what makes your story both safe and surprising — a powerful combination in today’s creative world.
3. How Do People React When You Pitch It?
Want to know if your idea truly resonates? Share your premise with a few trusted people—readers, friends, or your writing group. Keep your eye on responses. Do they ask, “Wait, what happens next?” “That’s different,” or “I’d read/watch that!” If yes. Your idea has natural resonance. If not, don’t panic. Accept feedback and try other possibilities, and pitch again. An epic story may lie there. You just need to refine it through the lens of a true writer.
If your idea consistently gets curiosity, praise, or constructive suggestions, it has potential. Because writing isn’t just about inspiration — it’s about alignment between you and the industry.
My Final Words: Your Epic Is Waiting
Choosing the right idea is not about picking the most “grand” concept. It’s about choosing something that you believe in enough to stay with it through the doubt, the brainstorming, and feedback.
What kind of idea are you exploring for your masterpiece?
Share it with me in the comments or tag @WriterSimranThakur — I’d love to hear your epic beginning!
And don’t forget to share your feedback.
Simran Thakur
Author| Audio Story Scriptwriter| Blogger| Poet
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