Absurd story ideas can still make sense, they just need great execution and excellent plotting/planning, along with some pansting freedom.
I get these bizarre story concepts rattling in my idea every so often, that I want to make it into a novel, whether stand alone or series. Like those ideas that are niches in science-fiction/fantasy/science-fantasy. I do get ideas that aren’t so insane, that make sense yet are done differently.
The thing is I ENJOY those kinds of stories that are so bizarre and unusual that many people will say it is trying too hard, yet I know that even a story concept like that can still work if I want to get enjoyment from beginning, middle, then end.
I want to write stories so bizarre and unique in the early drafts, but edit and revise the story like a pro in the way that the story is just unique and has severe potential. The story, plot, execution, and character growth along with their development are what has the story stand out (great world-building, lore, and a good magic system also helps).
You want examples, then I can give you two:
A nomadic elf travels the ruins of a fallen kingdom with a shape-shifting unicorn where demons are attacking the residents, along with a terrifying secret shrouding the former kingdom and the continent overall.
A group of four strangers (traveling alien princess, space bounty hunter, galactic police officer, and planet merchant) land on a mysterious planet where they end up fighting for their lives while struggling to deal with each other to escape a planet is not only sentient, but actively trying to kill them and drive them insane.
To some people these examples aren’t too crazy, to most yes it is. But I do not care because I love stories like this and even wilder. Even if it’s done right from beginning to middle to end, I still want to write stories like that. It’s a drive for me to write bizarre niches in story ideas.
I can write a story that makes sense, even done with a twist. I prefer to write stories like the examples.
I found some old writing prompts from 2023 that I never got around. Most of these are up my alley and I find it exciting, since writing prompts don’t require you to stay true, you can bend and mend them to your desire.
Those examples seem pretty normal. They remind me of The Last Unicorn, LoTR and Star Wars in certain details.
A bizarre story would be gay billionaire dinosaur fiction, great white shark romance and stuff like that. (>‿◠)
Like you said, it’s all about execution, so I say go for it! Write the most bizarre story you can. The more unique the premise, the better these days. It’s so hard for any book to rise above the others lately, especially with AI-generated books flooding the market now.
Many people need to understand this. You can create an absolutely crazy and weird plot concept for a novel, just know how to revise, edit, and execute the story like any other story.
I feel like one of these days you’re going to write weird fiction with a cosmic horror spin and tons of Lovecraftian monsters and put them all on a sentient planet that periodically sucks souls and speaks gibberish or something like that
I always feel like Lovecraft should be a pen name because it’s so perfect for someone who writes stories, but it’s a real last name. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Lovecraft
If you want weird, you gotta give Perdido Street Station a try. A lot of the lore in there is just… I mean…
There’s a woman with the head of a bug. That’s one of the first characters you get introduced to. She’s only the tip of the iceberg in terms of weird creatures and weird lore.
You can make it weirder! How about the tunnels of the caves on that planet are the roads that lead inside the planet, and it’s an entire world in there where dinosaurs wear clothes and are obsessed with macaroni and cheese, and old-school arcade games.
I like putting weird things in my stories (a favorite is an exploding bird ball). You just need to make sure they’re believable in that world and describe them in a way that is easy enough to imagine
The House of Leaves is another example based on being bizarre yet it works. Another thing is that the way the House of Leaves is shown written in the story is an example of how there are NO rules on how to write a story/writing is an art where you can express yourself with no restrictions.
I never read this story at all, I only heard things and seen some pages. That was enough for me to come to that conclusion.
Ooooh! I know House of Leaves! I watched an entire in-depth review of the House of Leaves, so I know exactly what happens. Still, I might want to experience it myself one day
I’m tempted to write a book abomination like that XD Sounds like fun.
The Anvil of the World by Kage Baker is bizarre yet engaging
Kage Baker’s world in Anvil of the World is something else. None of the weird things are explained why they are that way. Weird fiction on a whole other level. I wish she had a chance to write many more stories. Unfortunately, she passed away at only 57. Cancer, I think.