A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 21

This is the 11th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Because the best way to come up with a great story idea is to come up with a lot of ideas. And the best way to come up with a lot of ideas is to be proactive in sourcing story ideas.

Today’s story: 12 Signs You Are A Sapiosexual — Someone Who Is Physically And Mentally Turned On By Smart People.

When you think about what turns you on, and what attracts you to other human beings, romantically and pragmatically — what comes to mind? While most people will automatically have their mind turn to the way someone laughs, or the colour of their eyes, there are those in life who do not focus on those components when choosing a partner.

No, for some, it is not about what resides on the outside, but rather, they find those they want to settle down with, and spend time with, based on their intelligence, and their mind. While most do consider intelligence something that aids in the pull to another human being, a group most often referred to as Sapiosexuals, find it to be the main point of sexual and soul connection. Intelligence for this group isn’t just a bonus, it is a necessity.

Here are 12 signs you may be a Sapiosexual, because it is so much more than liking someone who uses big words and has read Infinite Jest.

1. Intelligence, and deep conversation, inspires you and turns you on.

2. Credentials don’t matter. When looking for potential partners, intelligence is always at the top of your list.

3. You love debating.

4. Physical attraction is great, but conversation is better.

5. The more you get to know someone, the more attracted to them you are.

6. You hate small talk.

7. You are extremely turned off by foolishness or brutism.

8. You would much rather meet someone in a bookstore than a bar.

9. You are an incredible listener.

10. Bad grammar is one of your biggest turn offs.

11. It’s not just about book smarts for you.

12. You are always looking to learn.

This sure seems like an idea which should spawn a romantic comedy, but it’s not entirely obvious to me. My first thought: What if doctoral student Rebecca is madly turned on by fellow doctoral student Aninda. As it turns out, Rebecca determines through weekly visits to her therapist that she is a sapiosexual. Okay, fine. But what if Aninda is turned on by brute strength? Does Rebecca attempt to reshape her personality to appeal to Aninda? Perhaps hire personal trainer Leanne to toughen her up. How to walk tough. Talk tough. Curtail Rebecca’s instinct to think and speak in complex sentences. Dumb herself down.

And it works! Rebecca and Aninda become lovers.

But then, at a late night workout session with Leanne, one things leads to another and they end up having a sexual encounter.

Now the normally buttoned-up intellectual Rebecca finds her neatly structured existence upended: in one relationship that is in effect based on a lie and another relationship with someone who is precisely the opposite of her supposed sexual interest.

Then there’s this: Aninda meets Leanne who is precisely the type of woman she’s turned on by.

That could make for some fun scenes: The three of them meet to try to figure out what the hell is going on, Leanne surrounded by two brainiacs, but she has her own street smarts.

Hm. I guess the story lays out more easily than I thought.

There you go, my 19th story idea of the month. What would YOU do with it?

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Day 19
Day 20

Each day in April, I invite you to join me in comments to do some brainstorming. Take each day’s story idea and see what it can become when we play around with it. These are valuable skills for a writer to develop.

See you in RESPONSES to hear YOUR take on this story idea. And come back tomorrow for another Story Idea Each Day For A Month.