Writers: Why should writers get their own ideas?

Hah, this sounds like an essay question one of my English teachers might give me. I really hope I don't write you five paragraphs explaining why. ^-^" I personally don't care that others want ideas that they themselves didn't create. I never have cared all too much. But I have never (and probably never will) ask someone else for ideas. I always seem to have more than enough to go around. I really think the people who lose out are those who want someone else's ideas. I've never understood the logic of asking others for ideas (maybe starting ideas, however), as I've always found the creation of ideas the funnest part of writing. But if I were to use someone else's idea, for some reason, I'd feel guilty that I wasn't capable of making it myself. I'd also feel a little inadequete and insecure about my writing. It would also feel a bit alien to me, writing what someone else created. Like I'd want them to create all the other elements to their plot, like my ideas would stand out amongst theirs. Not to mention my writing specialty might not be what I'm looking for. For example: I'm best as writing fantasy and sci-fi, but what if somone gave me a romance? It's probably never bothered me because I feel that the loss is more on the taker's part rather than the giver's.

Maybe it's just my belief that makes me feel so strongly on this. I think that idea are sacred and must not be handed out like pamphlets on the street. And you're #2 statement is only your assumption. If I don't have an idea I don't want to ask anyone for theirs. That would be wrong and even a little gross. I reply to these questions, often with a pretty harsh tone, to remind them that if they get an idea from someone, it isn't their story anymore. It's like borrowing used toilet paper. That's just how I fell and how I tend to react.

I've had times when I wanted ideas but when I have had ideas of my own, I've known how much effort I've had to put into it so I wait until I think of my own idea. I, personally, wouldn't take another person's idea because what's the fun in that? Plus it's harder, because when it's your own idea it's easier for you to write because it originated in your head. We can moan at people all we like about getting their own ideas, but let's face it. There's always going to be people trying to steal other writers' ideas.

I am not generally hostile to people who ask for ideas, but I think there are a lot of lazy people out there who forget that the point of writing is to create something, not just to execute. Me giving someone else a detailed plot is a bit like an "artist" who traces or copies other paintings. It isn't really art that way. I'm willing to offer suggestions if the author has a direction he/she is thinking of going in (more than just, "i wanna write a love story...ideas?), but those who just say "give me a plot" are just not even trying. Yes, I have a pretty horrific case of writer's block this very moment, and I sometimes wish ideas would come my way...but part of the process is working through the doubts. Anyway, if writers here want random ideas, I don't understand why they don't just google "writing prompts." Google will absolutely bombard you with ideas for your stories that are provided for free by people who actually wanted to provide them. As for you manga example, the two scenarios are really not comparable. The artist and the writer of the manga BOTH get credit and money when the story is published. The person asking for a plot on y!a is asking for a handout, not a coauthorship. The problem with it is that it's a one-sided agreement that results in absolutely no credit for the person who gives the plot idea. The two people are not involved in a creative relationship beyond "give me a plot" and "OK, here's a plot." Additionally, some of the plot-askers are asking for a plot for their SCHOOL assignment...which would make it plagiarism. No one should answer those questions. Finally, I usually don't reply that way myself. I usually just skip questions asking me for plots. I think ignoring the question is probably preferable to putting down the questioner, but sometimes it needs to be said. There are some unbelievably rude people on this site who seem to think they are "entitled" to answers. Those people deserve whatever answers they get.

No, if you want to write and be an author, you make up your own stories/ characters, period. If your book sells, and you gave that stranger the idea, YOU won't be recognized. In a real book, NO ONE acknowledge "That person from Y!A who gave me the idea." Would you do that? I watch anime too. :D In animes, most mangakas make/ draw there own characters and stories.

Honestly, I've never thought people who asked for ideas were doomed as writers. Nor would I ever tell them they weren't real writers. I do personally think the best ideas are the ones you think of yourself. Though that doesn't make me think less of people that ask for ideas. I'd be hypocritical and a liar if I said I'd never asked any sort of idea advice from a friend. People that are asking for plot ideas, are usually asking for something to get them going. I'm an avid member of a site where people put up their ideas for adoption. So many writers adopt these ideas, make them their own, and no one there thinks anyone is less of a writer. You'd think everyone would understand what it's like to be stuck and feeling like you have no ideas. It's a little arrogant, really, to talk down to people asking for ideas. Like you said, they're not asking for a manuscript you labored over. As a writer, I have many ideas. Many ideas I will never get to for one reason or another. Might as well give them a home. If someone can work with an idea that I can't, good for them. Ideas aren't concrete or set in stone. The person receiving the idea is going to do what they like with it. Ideas are flexible, and that's what makes them easily shared. You could get unlimited stories off one original idea. I don't know why people still reply if they're just going to say, "Get your own ideas." I don't do that. If I have no ideas to offer up, or any advice for the writer, I don't say anything. I think maybe people feel if they make it obvious to people they aren't going to give them ideas they'll stop asking. Seriously, I don't even know how I would define "my own ideas." All my ideas originated somewhere else anyways. For me, I have to feel like the idea is mine. I can't outright ask for an idea because I wouldn't feel passionate about it. A real writer is a person who enjoys writing. Asking for ideas is really no different than working with a writing prompt. But If someone learned the idea behind their most favorite book came from a prompt, I highly doubt this would make them feel any different about it. And if it did, well, that's terribly shallow if you ask me.

because plagrisum is ILLEGAL! :)

you know what?????????? you have a really good point.

It's important to have an idea that the writer themselves is passionate about. If someone has to beg for ideas, they're not going to have the same enthusiasm for it as they would if they came up with it themselves. Most of the people asking for ideas expect others to come up with an entire premise or plot for them. There's far more to writing a story than just coming up with a main plot--there's characterization, side plots, backgrounds, cultures. If someone can't be bothered to think up their own plot, are they going to bother with the rest of the work? The main reason is that wanting to write something but not wanting to do the work is just plain lazy. There's plenty of people on the site who don't want to write a story--they just want to have written one. It's like wanting to come up with a world-changing invention and then stealing other people's research. If a writer doesn't want to have to come up with a story themselves, then they don't have the passion and creativity to write anything that's worth reading. I tell people who beg for story ideas this because it's simply a waste of time to do something that you have no real passion for, and writing without passion is writing for all of the wrong reasons. If someone truly loves writing, they'll take the time and effort to come up with a story they want to write.