[crich70]

True enough. And of course the two or more ideas that work in your mind might not work in quite the same way (if at all) in mine. Which just goes to show that everyone has their own story to tell and that such come not just from two or more ideas mixed together but equally from the experiences of each writer (I think). And of course without something to 'add stress' to the character he/she isn't likely to do anything. I mean if he/she has no problem to solve, no quest to complete, etc. there is no tension, no story. At least not one that I'd find interesting enough to read. And of course the 'problem' can't be something that is too easy to solve or else what's the point? If hero needs $50,000.00 to pay for a Dr. bill and someone just gives him the money there isn't any story worth typing. But if while he's looking for the money he either gets mixed up with a loan shark (who will expect prompt repayment) or sees a murder committed and has to now avoid becoming victim # 2 then things start to get interesting. I also agree that what might look good initially may not gel together to make a sensible story. Things have to happen for a reason even in fiction.