Dreams are amazing (and weird and sometimes terrifying). But they can also be a source of ideas for stories. The important thing to do is to write down your dreams as soon as you wake up, or, POOF, the ideas will be gone. Not that my dream last night of spell-checking the name of my granddaughter’s teacher would make a good story…but still. You get the idea! Write it down.
Thanks, Melissa! Thanks, Tara!
Sue is perfectly correct. Ideas can come from any person, place, thing, situation, encounter… This creative process is certainly difficult to explain to someone who doesn’t wake up in the middle of the night to write down an idea or grasps any bit of paper to jot down the perfect character before the idea is lost. Great post!
Thanks, Sue! Thanks, Tara!
via STORYSTORM 2018 Day 11: Sue Fliess Listens to Her Handyman…?
Miranda and Baptiste Paul share not only inspiration tips, but stories from their lives. Patience and looking back are key points to mining the perfect ideas for picture books. Thanks, Miranda and Baptiste! Great interview of each other!
via STORYSTORM 2018 Day 9: Miranda & Baptiste Paul Use Real Life as Inspiration (with a few caveats)
Technique does conquer all! It’s not speed, size, or strength that helps us discover ideas or write well. It’s the technique, or craft, that helps us reach our goals of dreaming up and listing ideas – and then turning those golden ideas into projects.
In this blog post, Tim lists some techniques writers might use to brainstorm. He has some new ideas I want to try. But what popped into my mind was how I stare into space. It seems that helps me come up with new ideas. I also get ideas when I am outside in the mountains or going for a walk in my neighborhood. Now I just need to make sure to write down those thoughts.
Thanks, Tim! Thanks, Tara!
via STORYSTORM 2018 Day 7: Tim McCanna’s Technique Conquers All
Oh, I am amazed! Inspired. Ready to go. We just need to put on our “see the amazing” glasses and start writing down what really piques our interest, our passion. Ideas are hanging there, right in front of our eyes, ripe and ready for plucking.
Thank you, Jess, for the invigorating post. Ready to go, yes I am. Thank you, Tara, for STORYSTORM!
Corey speaks like a true recycler, digging out past files, lists, notebooks, and manuscripts…and then hunts out the perfect idea for a new picture book project from old materials. Corey also suggests that we writers keep our eyes and ears open when we read other books, sing songs, watch TV, and repeat those nursery rhymes. One never knows when inspiration will strike!
Thanks, Corey, for the great tips! Thanks, Tara, for putting together Storystorm 2018!
via STORYSTORM 2018 Day 5: Corey Rosen Schwartz Begs, Borrows & Steals
I love this post! Family traditions and culture are so interesting – and unique to each family. What a perfect place to mine ideas for stories!
Thank you, Debbi! Thank you, Tara! (Get well soon!).
via STORYSTORM 2018 Day 4: Debbi Michiko Florence Explores Culture and Family Tradition
by Debbie Ridpath Ohi I’m assuming that you’re all deep into your brainstorming about story ideas at this point and already have a meaty list after all the inspiring posts you’ve …
Source: Storystorm Day 24: “Bake Your Darlings” by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Simmer those ideas on the back burner or place them in the oven to let them bake a bit. Don’t peek too early – they might just flop!
Love, Laughter, and Life 