How to Write Books Good, Part 1

Thinking up the idea:

• Think of an idea.
• Lie in bed and think about the idea some more.
• Dismiss idea.
• Walk around house. Do menial tasks. Allow the mind to wander. 
• When the mind has wandered around to an idea, stop doing menial tasks and pay attention.
• Write it down.
• Read it over.
• Change it.
• Lie down on sofa. Let idea form a story.
• Dismiss idea. Hates idea. Idea is stupid.
• Decide to write from the headlines. Switch on news. Read newspapers. Look for inspiration. 
• Ebola, eh?
• Brand new idea. A plague that wipes out most of humanity! The few survivors come together under some vague supernatural (religious?) pretence. 
• But evil people have also come together! Drama! Conflict!
• Realise your idea is The Stand, by Stephen King.
• Read The Stand, by Stephen King.
• Go back to original idea, decide it's good enough. 
• Congratulations! You now have your idea!