I've had an idea playing in the back of my mind for a while now. I'm not sure about it, but if it goes somewhere then I'll probably put my other projects on the back burner for this one. It has some serious potential.

Here what I know. The MC is a young adult male. He experiences what I can only call a waking "dream". That is, wherever he goes he sees people, things, and events, that no one else can see. He may have experienced extreme physical or emotional trauma, and may suffer from undiagnosed physical or emotional disorders. That depends on my angle. I've thought of several.

1. This character sees "phantoms" of potential futures.

2. He sees "ghosts" of past events. (Not actually ghost, but images of the events.) There are two options here. a. He suffers from amnesia and sees images of forgotten past events, or b. He sees images from the past in general.

3. He sees the spiritual realm in some sense.

a. He sees semi-metaphorical images of the spiritual conflict. For example, when a certain person (who is lying) speaks to him, he might see a forked tongue. Or, as a person is being tempted, he could see a snake curling around their body. Think abstractly.

b. He is being demonically influenced as sees images produced by the demons. (I don't like this option, but it could have some direction to go to.)

4. My character is insane, and what he sees are, like dreams, merely his mind playing games. He visions could be expressions of his dreams for the future, memories from the past, or dream like expressions of his mental turmoil, etc. (That is, a sort of waking dream overlays his experience of reality.)

What appeals to you the most, and what are some potential story ideas that come out of this?

I like 1. and 3.(a) the best. With 1., he could see a bad future that he has to stop, probably by clashing with some powerful villain. 3.(a) could perhaps be a murder mystery, with his visions providing clues that aid him in solving the case.

I like 3-a I think it's a unique concept and a mystery story might go good with that. (I like mysteries )

Does anyone else know that he sees things? (it could be interesting if someone finds out about it...)
What time period are you thinking for the story? (if you've figured it out yet)

Brainstorm: The mystery idea for 3a is brilliant, but I'm going to change it up a bit. The character sees 1, and 2b, and 3a.

I've also had another idea, though. What if the "visionary" character isn't actually the MC?

The MC is a police investigator. The story is focused on mysterious and criminal events which surround a mysterious little girl, who is the visionary. Her parents have a history with the Mafia and with organized crime that is related to certain cults, and so a number of people are coming after her. Our MC protects her from a Mafia attack, but discovers that a dark spiritual power is perusing her. In a dramatic climax, our MC attempts to kill the demon posses man who has been perusing the visionary, but instead he is seriously wounded, and watches in awe as the little girl (who already has very strong faith) casts out the demon.

Now I really like this idea.

Brilliant!
I'm guessing the girl will develop/strengthen her faith over the course of the book? Is the MC "Christian" (have faith)? Or do both of them gain faith through the book?

I second the brilliancy. Epic.

Your idea keeps getting better, Neil.

The little girl is already saved, but her faith does strengthen a bit through the story. The MC is a church goer, but not a Christian. (He may attend an Anglican church, I'm not sure.)

I do too. And I want this book. Immediately. Never mind the fact that you haven't written it. =)

eruheran

Eruheran, that is my only problem on here: I want all these books that aren't written yet.

I'd buy it too!!! Let us know when you get published! (seriously. let us know.)

I like 1, 2, and 3. All of them. I think being insane would kind of get rid of some of the mystique you have going there, since it's just like a form of schizophrenia, and there are plenty of books about that.

I also like the idea of him being in some position of authority, and being able to tell people's true selves and inner struggles through the metaphorical sight. Almost like Curdie and the Princess!

I like them all and would probably read it.

I will note that I'm pretty sure I've seen each concept used in books or movies before, though, so don't be disappointed if someone's already used the concepts... I don't see any reason why you can't do it again, though.

Well, it's a pretty hazy concept, so I don't think I'd come up against significant problems in that area.

Plus, you can always add your own twist, I'm sure.