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Storystorm 2019 Day 6: Susan Taylor Brown’s Post of Storystorm Past

January 6, 2019 8:00 am

by Susan Taylor Brown (from 2009)

I’m a collector. I can’t go on a walk without finding something I have to pick up and take home with me for my idea box. A stick. A rock. A broken toy. I also have a hard time throwing things away so an item headed for Goodwill might find its way into my idea box. It’s a great way to jumpstart my tired brain. Whenever I find something new or old or interesting, I toss it in the box.

Does something in my idea box jump out at you?

What kind of creature has a purple feather? What would a little kid be carrying around in that black jewelry box? Does that green silk scarf belong to a magician? What would those sunglasses be if they weren’t normal sunglasses? Who lost their yo-yo?

By asking myself questions about things in my prop box I can get my writing motor revved up again.

Whose black gloves are these?

What kid is trying to solve the case of his grandmother’s missing brooch?

I know this is all about Storystorm 2009 and I know you haven’t had a chance to build an idea box of your own yet. But wait. You probably already DO have one. Or even two. If you have a junk drawer where you toss items that don’t have a home, you have a good start on an idea box. Here’s my junk drawer.

Your turn. Go open any drawer in your house right now, junk or otherwise, grab something out of it and then write about it as though it were something entirely different.

What if the box of matches was really a bed for teeny tiny fairies?

What if the string was a rope to help a princess escape from the castle.

What if the ribbon was a rare snake that had been stolen from the zoo?

That’s all it takes. An ordinary object and a question, “What if?”

You get the idea.

Susan Taylor Brown has authored poetry, fiction and non-fiction books for children and adults. She lives in San Jose, California with her husband Erik Giberson and their white German Shepherd, Zoey.

Susan is asked a lot about where she finds her ideas. She thinks this is a funny question because she never has to go looking for ideas, they find her. Sometimes she’ll read something and not even realize that an idea has burrowed into her brain. It might not pop up for weeks or months or even years. Then one day she can be eating breakfast and BOOM, the idea will jump out and say, “Write about ME!”

Learn more about Susan’s work at susantaylorbrown.com.

At the conclusion of Storystorm, prize packs will be given away (books, swag, writing tools). Comment once on this blog post to enter into the prize pack drawing.

You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm participant and you have commented once below.

Good luck!

Posted by Tara Lazar

Categories: STORYSTORM 2019

Tags: Susan Taylor Brown

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604 Responses to “Storystorm 2019 Day 6: Susan Taylor Brown’s Post of Storystorm Past”

1. Just one junk drawer? Ha! No problemo, friend. I do find other people’s junk drawers more interesting because I don’t already know the history of the stuff. Thanks for the photo of your idea box. I already have a hunch that the pack of cards has special powers….but only when used to play cribbage!

   By Linda Mitchell on January 6, 2019 at 8:05 am

2. Yes! The junk drawer what a good idea. Thanks for the inspiration! I just opened mine and looked with fresh eyes – loads of fun.

   By Tara Hannon on January 6, 2019 at 8:09 am

3. Great post! With all of the junk drawers and disorganized closets in my house I should have oodles of ideas for new projects!

   By Eileen Meyer on January 6, 2019 at 8:12 am

4. My junk drawer looks exactly like that, minus the realtor’s notepad!

   By jennysarawrites on January 6, 2019 at 8:14 am

5. I love the idea of doing this activity with student writers too!

   By Diana on January 6, 2019 at 8:15 am

6. Opened up one of my junk drawers and found an old key. Could be the key to a new story…
   Thank you for this idea.

   By Lori Dubbin on January 6, 2019 at 8:16 am

7. Love the, “What if…”
   What if all Storystorm participants sell a book…😁

   By junesmalls on January 6, 2019 at 8:21 am

8. I love this blast from the past! Yes, turn trash into treasure! Thanks for sharing this idea!

   By Robin Jordan on January 6, 2019 at 8:22 am

9. Magnificent idea! Thank you for sharing.

   By DaNeil Olson on January 6, 2019 at 8:23 am

10. My daughter takes after you, lol. When she was little and went for walks she always brought home bits and bobs like old cell phones, bottle caps, acorn caps, rocks, broken blue plastic, etc… We also geocache so she has a pencil case for swag she trades out.

    By authoraileenstewart on January 6, 2019 at 8:30 am

11. Oh NOW I get it, all that random stuff filling up and spilling out of my kidS’ drawers are IDEAS! Thanks for the awesome tip!

    By RebeccaTheWriter on January 6, 2019 at 8:31 am

12. I like the “what if” idea. Thanks.

    By Laura Hancock on January 6, 2019 at 8:32 am

13. I will look at my junk with different eyes.

    By Tina Cho on January 6, 2019 at 8:36 am

14. Lol I can finally tell my husband there is a purpose for the junk drawers!! Thanks 😉

    By Katie B on January 6, 2019 at 8:37 am

15. I recently lost one of my black gloves and you’ve inspired me to write a story about it! Love your website!

    By Lisa L Furness on January 6, 2019 at 8:40 am

16. Who doesn’t have a junk drawer, closet, garage, etc. This is priceless. Thanks, Susan.

    By MD Knabb on January 6, 2019 at 8:48 am

17. What a fun idea…my junk drawer has endless items for inspiration!

    By tanyakonerman on January 6, 2019 at 8:48 am

18. Oh, yes! Junk in the drawer can become treasure! Thanks for the inspiration!

    By Jane Heitman Healy on January 6, 2019 at 8:54 am

19. I’m in the midst of cleaning my office and now I’m actually looking forward to tackling it again today. Thanks, Susan!

    By Joana Pastro on January 6, 2019 at 8:58 am

20. I love this idea Susan! Especially the “What if . . .” prompt in combination with the junk drawer expedition. Thanks!

    By Aimee Satterlee on January 6, 2019 at 8:58 am

21. I love Susan and her imagination. Though she has morphed more into a visual artist, her view of the world and her imagination are still inspiring!

    By Laura Purdie Salas on January 6, 2019 at 8:58 am

22. Unfortunately (or now fortunately) I tend to “collect” so I have several “junk drawers”, Never thought to use it as inspiration though, great idea…Thanks!!

    By Deborah Cuneo on January 6, 2019 at 8:59 am

23. Susan, thanks for this post. I love the types of questions you ask yourself when you pick up the found objects! And as a side note, your junk drawer is very clean and organized. 🙂 I’m excited to open mine with a curious mind.
    Ps I loved the hummingbird photos on your website!! Wow!

    By hallee2012 on January 6, 2019 at 9:01 am

24. Great idea! I would have only to step into my husband’s “office” to find a BUNCH of shelves with story inspiration on them.
    I agree with Susan, ideas come easy to me…I just have to always have a pen and paper ready. I have so many ideas, I have an ideas folder…I can’t keep up with writing them all into stories!
    Thanks for the post!
    I just realized, after StoryStorm, I’ll have even MORE ideas that need to be written up. Yikes! I need to be independently wealthy so that I can spend my days writing! Ha!

    By sarahheturadny on January 6, 2019 at 9:01 am

25. “What if” is often a go to for me when I’m looking for a new idea. Thanks for sharing your junk drawer!

    By rosecappelli on January 6, 2019 at 9:03 am

26. Those precious stones and shells collected on long walks in the old marble jar.

    By Mardi Edwards on January 6, 2019 at 9:04 am

27. I’m glad to know my collections now have a higher purpose😂

    By Laura Rackham on January 6, 2019 at 9:05 am

28. Thanks Susan!

    By indalus3 on January 6, 2019 at 9:05 am

29. I never thought to go spelunking for ideas in a junk draw? Can’t wait to give it a try.

    By Andria Rosenbaum on January 6, 2019 at 9:09 am

30. I love how this exercise challenges us to keep our curioudity alive. Transforming everyday objects into inspiration. Brilliant! Thanks for sharing, Susan!

    By Amanda Davis on January 6, 2019 at 9:09 am

31. Time to go through those junk drawers. They do have a purpose

    By Connie L Van Horn on January 6, 2019 at 9:09 am

32. I am a collector too. My office is filled with inspiration. I don’t always remember to ask what if? Or maybe more importantly I don’t respond with an answer that is not the average, ordinary, obvious answer.

    By Sarah Tobias on January 6, 2019 at 9:11 am

33. “What if…” is gold. My junk drawer(s) will get a good mining.

    By teacherwriteracker on January 6, 2019 at 9:11 am

34. Fun! I definitely have a junk drawer to explore.

    By Katie L. Carroll (@KatieLCarroll) on January 6, 2019 at 9:13 am

35. Thanks for the perfect excuse for not cleaning out my junk drawer! Just like I’ve been airing my bed for years instead of making it, I’m now cultivating story ideas, not clutter! I’m off to explore! Thanks for the new perspective!

    By mbhmaine on January 6, 2019 at 9:15 am

36. Found objects!

    By supermario6 on January 6, 2019 at 9:17 am

37. This is a great idea, thank you!

    By Alicia on January 6, 2019 at 9:17 am

38. I took your advice and I found a few ideas in my junk drawer! Thanks for the tip!

    By ranessadoucet on January 6, 2019 at 9:21 am

39. Thank you Susan for your post. Looks like you have a lot if ideas to be inspired by…that shiny broach could be worth two hundred, and seventy three dollars or more. . .

    By Mark Bentz on January 6, 2019 at 9:23 am

40. Great idea! Thanks for the story sparkers 😎

    By lizricewrites on January 6, 2019 at 9:27 am

41. Ah…justification for amateur archivists, at last!

    By Katie Engen on January 6, 2019 at 9:27 am

42. Perfect! I definitely have lots of junk.

    By Bethanny Parker on January 6, 2019 at 9:29 am

43. One thing I love about writing PBs is being able to connect my writing life with my family life. I love brainstorming ideas with my kids and also reading them drafts to gauge their interest. I can see this idea of making stories from random items as a fun game with the kids. We could play together! It could also be a great activity for school visits! Every child picks an object and Then makes up a story for the object. I’m excited just thinking about it!

    Thanks for the post.

    By tamaragirardi on January 6, 2019 at 9:30 am

44. I’m happy to put my junk drawer to use! (Attics work well also:)) Gail Hartman

    By thecrowsmap on January 6, 2019 at 9:33 am

45. Looking forward to looking through my junk drawers!

    By Amy Houts on January 6, 2019 at 9:34 am

46. Thanks, Susan for the permission to collect. I have a treasure chest of ideas.

    By Cynthia Hawthorne on January 6, 2019 at 9:35 am

47. My junk drawer beckons! I love your idea box. Thank you, Susan!

    By M Lapointe Malchik (@imartytweet) on January 6, 2019 at 9:37 am

48. Little scared to open my junk drawer but I’ll give it a shot. Ha! Fun ideas.

    By Debbie Huard on January 6, 2019 at 9:39 am

49. Thank you!

    By Shel ledrew on January 6, 2019 at 9:40 am

50. Interesting post. I have an idea file with random thoughts.

    By June Sengpiehl on January 6, 2019 at 9:42 am

51. I definitely have a junk drawer. Never thought of a prop box for writing. This is the writing exercise for my 5 year old son. He tries to keep everything. Thanks for the inspiration.

    By Ashley Congdon on January 6, 2019 at 9:44 am

52. I knew there was a reason I kept random objects in case they “come in useful one day”. Great idea to use it for story ideas! Thanks for the tip.

    By Joan Longstaff on January 6, 2019 at 9:46 am

53. Thanks Susan! All those random visual cues waiting to be discovered… and right here in the house the whole time.

    By Mary Warth on January 6, 2019 at 9:46 am

54. My entire house is an “idea box” I put things together in “idea shrines” and sometimes they speak, sometimes they collect interesting dust bunnies, but they can always shift, change and give me a different idea!

    By Margaret Flint Suter on January 6, 2019 at 9:47 am

55. I have a box in my house right now that is Goodwill bound. I think I’d better give it another look through before dropping it off. Thanks for the inspiring post Susan!

    By Jennifer Bower on January 6, 2019 at 9:48 am

56. Opening the junk drawer is akin to opening the Journal of Misfit Ideas. I combined the advice from Days 5 & 6 and was prompted to draw and write a bit. Thanks Susan (and Mike Allegra). And Susan, brava on the work you do with incarcerated teens. Amazing stuff.

    By Lucky Jo Boscarino on January 6, 2019 at 9:49 am

57. great post. Ideas can be found anywhere just open our minds to the possibilities

    By Kay lalone on January 6, 2019 at 9:54 am

58. I’m in un-clutter mode. It helps clear my head.

    By Manju B. Howard (@ManjuBeth) on January 6, 2019 at 9:54 am

59. What a great way to jumpstart ideas! Thank you!

    By Janice Woods on January 6, 2019 at 9:54 am

60. I think I can find loads of ideas lurking in drawers, closets, under beds in my home – and that’s after multiple recent moves! Thanks for the reminder to turn that clutter into inspiration!

    By ptnozell on January 6, 2019 at 9:56 am

61. Thank you for sharing your interesting collection of ideas.

    By Carolyn Currier on January 6, 2019 at 9:58 am

62. Oh, my my my. If you could see my house right now, you would know that I will NEVER run out of ideas with this strategy!! 🙂 Thanks!!

    By Anita Palmeri Overgaard on January 6, 2019 at 9:59 am

63. Finally, a good use for all those junk drawer items! Thanks for the good idea.

    By Andrea Mack on January 6, 2019 at 10:02 am

64. I’ve got loads of junk drawers. It’s time I open them and talk to the objects. My husband will shocked because he’ll think I’m finally cleaning and leave me alone!

    By Barbara Senenman on January 6, 2019 at 10:04 am

65. Miscellanea mining! Great idea that could lead to organizing a few drawers along with way. Thanks, Susan!

    By C.L. Murphy on January 6, 2019 at 10:10 am

66. Thanks for your inspiration, Susan! You should see my pantry; )

    By Polly Renner on January 6, 2019 at 10:12 am

67. “What if?” Is my favorite writer question!

    By Sherry Howard on January 6, 2019 at 10:12 am

68. Never thought of my junk drawer as inspiration for an idea. Can’t wait to get started on it now!

    By pathaap on January 6, 2019 at 10:12 am

69. What a clever idea! This will work for me. I have multiple “junk” locations. Thanks!

    By Linda Chavez on January 6, 2019 at 10:13 am

70. What if is my favorite question to ask! Great post!!

    By amshahen1 on January 6, 2019 at 10:16 am

71. I get the idea! Thanks Susan!

    By Latasha Vernon on January 6, 2019 at 10:18 am

72. I never thought of my junk drawer in that way before. Good idea

    By nicolesalterbraun on January 6, 2019 at 10:18 am

73. Great idea! Thanks

    By Stephanie Williams on January 6, 2019 at 10:19 am

74. What if and open junk drawer, purse, backyard–Great combinations for idea stirring. Thank you for sharing.

    By Carole Calladine on January 6, 2019 at 10:19 am

75. I knew my junk would be worth something some day! 🙂 Looking forward to some interesting inspiration today. Thanks!

    By Rebecca Colby on January 6, 2019 at 10:20 am

76. We don’t have a junk drawer but we do have “the bowl of interesting things” that we will show our grandchildren some day- could be a treasure trove!

    By Garnett Natasha on January 6, 2019 at 10:23 am

77. Uh oh. I think this enabled me to justify my messy house as for idea generation… Seriously, great idea! Thanks

    By Cinzia on January 6, 2019 at 10:26 am

78. I love this idea generator, Susan.

    By Nadine Poper on January 6, 2019 at 10:29 am

79. Ok, now I’m compelled by ‘the bowl of interesting things’ the previous commenter refers to. Also this post reminds me of the book The Beasties, which everyone should read. 🙂

    By Cedar Pruitt on January 6, 2019 at 10:29 am

80. I have an idea box too! I’m so glad this is an actual ‘story-storming’ thing. Thanks for showing how these objects can be the spark for wonderful questions that lead to something more.

    By Teresa Daffern on January 6, 2019 at 10:32 am

81. I should have read this BEFORE I cleaned out our junk drawer, not that there still isn’t ample material in there. Lol. Thanks for suggesting a way to make the useless useable!

    By celticsea on January 6, 2019 at 10:33 am

82. Interesting. I have tons of junk drawers to help me ask What if.

    By Joanna Rowland on January 6, 2019 at 10:34 am

83. I love the idea of using random items to jumpstart the creative process

    By Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudhri on January 6, 2019 at 10:35 am

84. GOod way to get ideas! Let’s hit that junk drawer and think, “What if?”

    By Erik Ammon on January 6, 2019 at 10:35 am

85. So procrastination pays off–not disturbing those junk drawers is actually a wise decision–who knew?

    By 8catpaws on January 6, 2019 at 10:38 am

86. I have several junk bags waiting to be sorted…. I guess now I have a reason to do it. 😉

    By Ana Crespo on January 6, 2019 at 10:39 am

87. I opened a drawer and found dog biscuits and birthday cards. What if…?

    By randilynnmrvos on January 6, 2019 at 10:39 am

88. So neat to see such a variety of idea generators from such talented people! Thank you, Susan! Going to rifle through some drawers today…

    By Natalie Banker on January 6, 2019 at 10:39 am

89. My husband just last night said to me, “We are not hoarders.” Just because, like you, I have a hard time letting things go doesn’t make me a hoarder. I love the way your mind thinks. And you gave me a story idea. Thanks!

    By Michele Helsel on January 6, 2019 at 10:40 am

90. Very cool! I’m going to go and raid my junk drawer.

    By lindaschueler on January 6, 2019 at 10:40 am

91. I think this is a great idea!

    By rachelnrosenthal on January 6, 2019 at 10:44 am

92. I have a craft drawer with bits and bobs, maybe it’s time to go look through it. Thank you.

    By Johnell DeWitt on January 6, 2019 at 10:45 am

93. Great idea!

    By Cindy Faughnan on January 6, 2019 at 10:47 am

94. Neat way to find ideas!

    By rjtraxel on January 6, 2019 at 10:48 am

95. Lots of possibilities here! Thank you!

    By Midge Ballou Smith on January 6, 2019 at 10:51 am

96. Thank you for sharing Susan – 🙂

    By mlflannigan on January 6, 2019 at 10:54 am

97. Great idea. I collect small figures or trinkets for kids never thought of looking at them for a story. I have them all lined up and I call it my happy place. 🙂

    By Tania Russ Hebert on January 6, 2019 at 10:54 am

98. I just have to decide which junk drawer to start with! Thanks!

    By Kelly Conroy on January 6, 2019 at 10:55 am

99. I knew junk drawers were really just the portal to creative genius! I just knew it! That makes me so happy! I love your bio! It is funny how characters and ideas will suddenly pop up in our lives and say, “Write about ME!”

    By LaurenKerstein on January 6, 2019 at 10:55 am

100. I love this idea-but I’m looking in my kids’ junk drawer instead. Should be way more interesting

     By Betsy Parkinson on January 6, 2019 at 10:56 am

101. Love the idea box idea! Tactile items should surely inspire some good ideas.

     By Alice Carty Fulgione on January 6, 2019 at 10:57 am

102. Another great place to find story ideas. Thank you for the inspiration.

     By Jane Serpa on January 6, 2019 at 11:00 am

103. Fun ideas! I definitely need to look around more as I go through my day!

     By beckylevine on January 6, 2019 at 11:02 am

104. I certainly have “stuff” to peruse. Thank you for the helpful suggestion, Susan!

     By Robin Brett Wechsler on January 6, 2019 at 11:02 am

105. I never thought of having a physical idea file. Thanks!

     By Tempy on January 6, 2019 at 11:03 am

106. Since I am a packrat, I have a couple of places that just might be inspiration stations! Thank you for opening my eyes to a use for some of the misfit tidbits I have laying about. 🙂

     By writeknit on January 6, 2019 at 11:05 am

107. What a great way to jump-start ideas!! My junk drawers have a whole new purpose now!! Thanks!

     By thelmakat on January 6, 2019 at 11:06 am

108. This is going to be a hard one for me. Just looking at that box makes me uncomfortable. Hmmm . . . maybe I’ll have to raid my husband’s desk.

     By wingedtrish on January 6, 2019 at 11:11 am

109. I’ve been clearing out our attic. There’s lots of treasures up there and it’s the biggest junk drawer ever. Thank you for the post! Looking forward to implementing your approach.

     By Mary Miller on January 6, 2019 at 11:13 am

110. Definitely a fun way to look for ideas! Thanks for this post!

     By Nancy Ramsey on January 6, 2019 at 11:13 am

111. Great suggestions here! Thanks!

     By Lori Alexander on January 6, 2019 at 11:14 am

112. I have ohh so many junk drawers. I should be able to write a series!! Lol
     Great suggestions! Thank you.

     By lauriekutscera on January 6, 2019 at 11:15 am

113. My junk drawer! I’m sure it must be a goldmine of ideas. How refreshing, now I’ll be able to look at it as inspiration instead of a mess!

     By Carol Gwin Nelson on January 6, 2019 at 11:15 am

114. Thank you. Great suggestion for inspiration. I’m in declutter mode and need to change my mind set to see these things in a story way. 🙂

     By Carolyn Lucas on January 6, 2019 at 11:16 am

115. I have many junk drawers!

     By colleenrkosinski on January 6, 2019 at 11:18 am

116. Thank you for the suggestion!!

     By studiojcd on January 6, 2019 at 11:21 am

117. Thank you, Susan for opening our eyes to idea possibilities hidden in plan sight! With a glance in my desk drawer a story idea generated; main character envisioned; an ending formulated. How the main character will play out her story . . . time will tell. For now, I’m grateful to have had the creative flood gates of the written word open once again.

     By Lori Mozdzierz on January 6, 2019 at 11:22 am

118. I went to our junk closet! I found several items I have no idea where they even came from. So I am gonna create a story for them. Thanks for the great tips.

     By chrisynthia on January 6, 2019 at 11:22 am

119. Finally, my stashes of junk will pay off!

     By Meilssa Chupp on January 6, 2019 at 11:24 am

120. Thank you for empowering me not to clean out my junk drawer! Great idea. Thank you!

     By Kimberly Marcus on January 6, 2019 at 11:26 am

121. Great perspective…too much organizing hinders the creative process! Very liberating..thanks for the tip!

     By Deb Sullivan on January 6, 2019 at 11:26 am

122. Oh man, I just cleaned out my junk drawer. All that’s in it now is packing tape, a hammer and twist ties…sounds like an adult novel idea. 🙂

     By Sally Lotz Spratt - Badass 2019🦋 (@SallyLotzSpratt) on January 6, 2019 at 11:29 am

123. Wonderfully creative fuel!

     By Marcy Salenieks on January 6, 2019 at 11:31 am

124. Thank you for giving me an excuse for hoarding, it’s not junk it’s potential ideas!

     By Mel Copeman on January 6, 2019 at 11:32 am

125. I get the sense I should be embracing my youngest daughter’s collection habit a bit more🤣 I’m now feeling inspiration! Thanks for the fun post.

     By Aimee on January 6, 2019 at 11:34 am

126. Thanks for this idea. You have put a fresh and positive spin on all the clutter I usually give myself such a hard time about 🙂

     By Amalia Reef on January 6, 2019 at 11:35 am

127. 😁! Thanks! Now I have an excuse, er umm, reason to keep my junk drawer!

     By ingridboydston on January 6, 2019 at 11:38 am

128. Susan, I love your idea of giving purpose to our junk drawers. I think the cooking gadget drawer could also give me ideas by asking the what if question. Thanks for giving us this fun suggestion to find story ideas at our fingertips.

     By Peggy Jaegly on January 6, 2019 at 11:39 am

129. Love this! Found a tiny plastic baby in the couch yesterday and my daughter shrieked with laughter! She said that that was “the baby that did all the bad stuff when she was little.” 😂😬😂

     By Beth Gallagher on January 6, 2019 at 11:40 am

130. Most of my studio is random “idea props” Thanks for making this okay!

     By Shelly Hawley-Yan on January 6, 2019 at 11:42 am

131. This is great! The images remind me of when I did “I Spy” projects with my fourth grade classes.

     By melissamiles1 on January 6, 2019 at 11:44 am

132. I’m a collector, too! A pack rat! Wow! That’s an idea for a character!

     By Suzanne Alexander on January 6, 2019 at 11:44 am

133. What great ideas! I’m off to open a junk drawer and ask, “What if?”

     By Jessica Kulekjian on January 6, 2019 at 11:47 am

134. Great idea and great post. Junk drawers are fed very well in my house!

     By Debra K Shumaker on January 6, 2019 at 11:49 am

135. Thank you!

     By Nicole Vuong on January 6, 2019 at 11:49 am

136. Thank you, Susan, for sharing the contents of your idea box. Just imagine all of the stories waiting to be written that are hiding in your box.

     By judyrubin13 on January 6, 2019 at 11:50 am

137. I need to go open my junk drawer now! Thank you for sharing this post. So many good ideas.

     By Ashley Bankhead on January 6, 2019 at 11:50 am

138. Junk, who would’ve thought!

     By Cynthia Harmony on January 6, 2019 at 11:54 am

139. Great excuse to clean out my junk drawer! Thanks!

     By maryshorgan on January 6, 2019 at 11:55 am

140. I love the idea if objects sparking stories!

     By Mecxa Caron on January 6, 2019 at 11:55 am

141. We’d be an interesting sight on a walk together, Susan. LOL Our pockets overflowing with treasures. My collections end up on shelves and in boxes & baskets in my office, but this idea-finding mission doesn’t need to begin in a box or drawer. What if those tiny ornaments on the Christmas tree were actually alien space crafts? What if the streets in my neighborhood were giant sleeping eels? What if, when that plane lands, it’s as tiny on the ground as it appeared in the sky? COOL…look what you’ve opened up for me, Susan!

     By carol w Munro on January 6, 2019 at 11:56 am

142. Plenty of inspiration in my kitchen and coffee table drawers! Thanks for the spark!

     By Annie Cronin Romano on January 6, 2019 at 11:56 am

143. This reminds me that I need to use my imagination more when I look at everything, as I did when I was a child lol! Thanks for sharing!

     By Laurie Bouck on January 6, 2019 at 11:57 am

144. Funny you mention a purple feather because my mom loves to tell this story about how when I was an arts-and-crafts-loving kid, I would always ask her for random art supplies around dinnertime. The example she used is: “Mom, I need a purple feather and a pink pipe cleaner RIGHT NOW!”

     By Susan Johnston on January 6, 2019 at 11:57 am

145. I moved this summer so basically my whole house is a junk drawer. 0.o

     By angie9091 on January 6, 2019 at 12:00 pm

146. Susan,
     I love “the what -ifs”! Thanks for the great pics of your idea box and junk drawer.

     By Janie Reinart on January 6, 2019 at 12:01 pm

147. Not only junk drawers. I have four drawers in the grandkids playroom full of mini story starters. Things like mini light sabers, soldiers, and many other mini’s I have saved. What a great use for these items. Will use this technique this week. This is a great idea. Thanks

     By Marge Gower on January 6, 2019 at 12:03 pm

148. Junk drawer, here I come!

     By Juliana Jones on January 6, 2019 at 12:10 pm

149. I love the idea of using a junk drawer! thanks:)

     By Elizabeth C Steiner on January 6, 2019 at 12:11 pm

150. Had never thought of hoarding as leading to new story ideas!

     By cath jones on January 6, 2019 at 12:13 pm

151. Thanks for this, Susan. I’ve got lots of junk drawers to look through!

     By Arlene Schenker on January 6, 2019 at 12:14 pm

152. Love the comcept of an idea box – nother justification for all the things I collect! Your junk drawer is much tidier than mine. As a teacher, I can see sending this concept home with my students to come up with at least one idea. As a child, I was always fascinated with what the Borrowers and the Littles turned ordinary items into. This is my first year doing Storystorm – an added bonus is that I get to learn about new authors too.

     By Anne LeBlanc (@AnneLeBlanc2) on January 6, 2019 at 12:16 pm

153. Cool prompt. Thanks!

     By Ryan Roberts on January 6, 2019 at 12:19 pm

154. I have several junk drawers so that part of the challenge is not a problem. Now on to writing…

     By danesusawwii on January 6, 2019 at 12:19 pm

155. Junk drawer to treasure chest!

     By KRISTINA CASTILLO on January 6, 2019 at 12:19 pm

156. Great ideas! Great for students, and for us collectors of life!

     By . on January 6, 2019 at 12:22 pm

157. sometimes I open the junk drawer and say, “what the heck is this?” – next time I’ll say “oh, look, alien feathers, X-ray goggles, fairy bed, cloud snippers…”

     By Sue Heavenrich on January 6, 2019 at 12:22 pm

158. Fabulous idea!

     By Jennifer Phillips on January 6, 2019 at 12:22 pm

159. An idea box is a great suggestion, and I have to admit, my junk drawer looks way worse than yours. Ideas jump at me, too. Thanks, Susan, for posting.

     By Debra Daugherty on January 6, 2019 at 12:23 pm

160. What great inspiration in that junk drawer! or to make a trip to a thrift store to look for inspiration. Thanks!

     By bevbaird on January 6, 2019 at 12:28 pm

161. I also have many junk drawers – lol! I love the ones with pictures and artwork that my kids did when they were little. Yes, lots of inspiration in those drawers!

     By Sandi Arndt-Kohlway on January 6, 2019 at 12:28 pm

162. What a fun way to pull inspiration! Thanks!

     By Sarah John on January 6, 2019 at 12:29 pm

163. I have such a box, too! Well, actually a bag. It’s a story starter bag. Thanks for sharing and inspiring me to drag it out of hiding. Wishing you all the best! Loved meeting you at Highlights.

     By Lynne Marie on January 6, 2019 at 12:30 pm

164. Susan thank you for you inspiration to us all. What a wonderful way to see things…😊

     By Li’vee Rehfield on January 6, 2019 at 12:31 pm

165. If a junk drawer is full of ideas, I may have just filled my month, I have a few junk boxes left from our remodel to still unpack-I wonder what I’ll find? Thank you!

     By Megan Whitaker on January 6, 2019 at 12:31 pm

166. 👌🏻

     By bgonsar on January 6, 2019 at 12:32 pm

167. This is a great idea!

     By Kim Erickson on January 6, 2019 at 12:39 pm

168. Susan, I loved your parenting writing about listening to a different drummer. And by the way, have you found my sunglasses? Thank you for your post.

     By Pamela M Miller on January 6, 2019 at 12:41 pm

169. Thank you! I love the “what if?” for an object. What if this feather, rock, shell, rubber band are? I will look at my collections of things picked up as a source of stories.

     By Nancy Ferguson on January 6, 2019 at 12:41 pm

170. Inspiration from the junk drawer. Of course! Thanks.

     By Pat Miller on January 6, 2019 at 12:44 pm

171. I recently cleaned my junk drawer. I will open it anyway and look for inspiration.

     By Sharon Nix Jones on January 6, 2019 at 12:53 pm

172. Nice writing prompt. I didn’t even need to look at *my* junk drawer. Got three ideas looking at yours! Thank you.

     By Carlie Cornell on January 6, 2019 at 12:56 pm

173. Going to see what “what ifs” my junk drawer is concealing right now! Thanks for the inspiration.

     By Lucretia on January 6, 2019 at 12:57 pm

174. I love the simplicity of this. From junk to story gem! Thanks for the inspiration.

     By Summer Quigley on January 6, 2019 at 1:01 pm

175. After all of the holidays my bedroom has become a junk room. Hiding our life from the eyes of our holiday company. This should be easy for me. Thank you!
     Julie Mondi

     By Julie Mondi on January 6, 2019 at 1:02 pm

176. Love the “what if..”. Opening junk drawers now. And bins in my daughters’ playroom too! Thanks!

     By Michelle Kashinsky on January 6, 2019 at 1:02 pm

177. Heading to my junk drawer now. Thank you for the tip!

     By Heather Kelso on January 6, 2019 at 1:03 pm

178. I love the idea of the idea box. Actually it gave me an idea for a story!!!

     By Lisa Springer on January 6, 2019 at 1:03 pm

179. Very interesting! Thanks!

     By Erica Joseph on January 6, 2019 at 1:07 pm

180. Thanks for this great post and wonderful suggestions! When I get home, I plan to look for treasure in my “junk” drawers–what a great place to search for ideas! Thank you!

     By denarose on January 6, 2019 at 1:12 pm

181. “What if” is a great way to explore writing ideas. I’ll be looking for items on my daily walk to put in my new idea box. Thanks!

     By Pamela Harrison on January 6, 2019 at 1:13 pm

182. I like this treasure hunt!

     By LeeAnn Rizzuti on January 6, 2019 at 1:13 pm

183. What a great idea. Jewels out of junk!

     By Anjali Amit on January 6, 2019 at 1:15 pm

184. Wow! What fun! Pick an object any object. I opened the closest drawer, because I’m all cozy and didn’t want to move. It was nearly empty—astonishing because entropy rules in most drawers in my house. (BTW, your junk drawer looks highly organized to me, Susan.) I grabbed the first thing I saw and was off on an amazing journey. I’m just pausing to say thanks. Adventure awaits—gotta go!

     By Gretchen McLellan on January 6, 2019 at 1:20 pm

     1. Okay, I’m going to a drawer right now, what will I choose?
        Hmm, a lined, 4×6 bright pink note pad. What if it was a magic carpet, whatever you wrote on it with a magic silver-ink pen, would shrink you down and then fly you there. A place? Zoom away you would go there! A person’s name? Zoom, you are at their front door, school room, hospital bed, gravestone. What then would you do there? What were you to say or feel or do or make right, or change? And would you need another mode of transportation to get back home? Forget about Aladdin. I have my own flying magic carpet!

        By photojaq on January 6, 2019 at 7:42 pm

185. My husband brings home junk he finds everyday. A crushed earring, four-leafed clovers, etc. He brings them home and drops them on the counter, an offering for my imagination. They must have a special home. Thank you for helping me see his offerings in a new and useful way.

     By Martha on January 6, 2019 at 1:21 pm

186. Thanks Susan, off to the junkdrawer I go!

     By rimna on January 6, 2019 at 1:27 pm

187. I love the idea of junk being an idea treasure! Thank you

     By krbatti on January 6, 2019 at 1:27 pm

188. In my first grade classroom, we will ask questions to create higher level of thinking. We try to stay away from “What if?” questions since with first graders, the sky will not even limit them.
     As we get into writing, which is the rest of this year, we will look at something and ask questions to figure out what it is, where did it come from, or what it might be used for.
     We may not always have it “right”, but we can develop a story from it.
     I also collect antiques. I will bring things in and have the kids figure out what it might have been used for. Sometimes the object is obvious, like a cup, but we think about the story of this cup that has been around for over a hundred years. Who do you think drank from it? Did it belong to just one family? What did they drink from it? What did they talk about? What happened to the other cups? How did the cup feel to be alone? How can we change that? Who made the cup? And so on and so on and so on…..
     Questions are a great way to fish out a story.

     By matthewlasley on January 6, 2019 at 1:28 pm

189. Great idea! I have tons of drawers full of random flotsam and jetsam. =)

     By jenabenton on January 6, 2019 at 1:28 pm

190. I love this, and it is so true! My daughter and I recently cleaned out a storage unit packed with all her childhood memories, toys and mementoes. It was story gold. If you think a drawer is packed with possibilities, try a whole garage-size unit.

     By Ginger Meurer on January 6, 2019 at 1:29 pm

191. Excellent idea and excellent post

     By James Arthur on January 6, 2019 at 1:36 pm

192. Going through the junk drawer is a great idea (although it’s pretty scary in there😬). Thanks for sharing your method for finding inspiration.

     By Jodi Mckay on January 6, 2019 at 1:37 pm

193. I’ve been a collector since childhood and I still have many of my original collections. What a good reminder this is that these childhood treasure could be the source of ideas.

     By sallie wolf on January 6, 2019 at 1:40 pm

194. Great post, thanks! “What if?” plus random object = lots of ideas. I should find some more when I clean out my car, too 😉

     By Lisa Billa on January 6, 2019 at 1:41 pm

195. This idea would be even more fun if you went through someone else’s junk drawer, so the junk would be unfamiliar to you. Could we trade junk drawer exploration with another author friend or critique partner?

     By Rita Goldner on January 6, 2019 at 1:41 pm

196. Thanks, Susan, for the junk drawer idea. Terrific for writing ideas. My whole house is filled with junk. My husband is a hoarder, and my question would be “what if” this house was rid of the junk? What would I joyfully write about that? I guess I should look at the junk in a different light and try the “what if” idea on one of his pieces of stuff.

     By betlw on January 6, 2019 at 1:43 pm

197. Love this post. I créât junk drawers wherever I go. And I’m renting a house so I’ll go and look at THEIR junk drawer. Don’t tell on me please!

     By setwiggs on January 6, 2019 at 1:43 pm

198. What if…What if…What if…. YESSS!!!

     Thank you, Susan for the reminding us of the power of the What if!

     By Suzanne LaLiberte Lewis on January 6, 2019 at 1:47 pm

199. I collect things too, but I take pictures of the. Instead of keeping the actual objects. Thanks for the idea!

     By Liz Steinglass on January 6, 2019 at 1:48 pm

200. The infamous “junk draw” lives again as a story starter. I remember “back in the day” having a cigar box that was under my bed where I placed “social” things. It even had s distinct smell. TY,
     Susan!

     By Kathy Halsey on January 6, 2019 at 1:53 pm

201. I love the idea of rummaging for ideas in our very own nooks and crannies!
     Thanks!

     By moviemommie on January 6, 2019 at 1:56 pm

202. What a brilliant idea to ask “what if” questions with found objects. Thank you for sharing Susan! I’m sure this will help me come up with many more ideas to add in my notebook.

     By heidikyates on January 6, 2019 at 2:00 pm

203. This is a great idea. I just looked in one of my junk drawers (I have several) and noticed all the keys I’ve collected throughout the years. I have no idea what they open, but there are a lot of possibilities for a main character to find out.

     By Barbara Farr Renner on January 6, 2019 at 2:06 pm

204. A drawer of extraordinary (and ordinary but interesting) things is great. I just found an old dragonfly tablecloth holder. He might be my next character. x

     By Kate Peridot on January 6, 2019 at 2:10 pm

205. Great ideas here! And fun!

     By Tracy Hora on January 6, 2019 at 2:12 pm

206. Thank you for sharing your idea box, Susan 🙂 Your suggestion to look around led me to a red box that I’ve had since I was a child. WOW! Rediscovered lost treasure!

     By chardixon47 on January 6, 2019 at 2:14 pm

207. My daughter’s room looks just like your idea box!!

     By heavenlyhashformoms on January 6, 2019 at 2:15 pm

208. Thanks for the idea starters.

     By jaclynsmiller on January 6, 2019 at 2:24 pm

209. I love this idea – thank you for the inspiration!

     By Angie on January 6, 2019 at 2:24 pm

210. I found 3 new story ideas from this post and my junk drawer. Thanks for the inspiration Susan. Back to the drawing board.

     By Sheri Radovich on January 6, 2019 at 2:35 pm

211. Thank you, Susan! I like taking this idea outside as well: what has nature collected under the leaves, in the low spot in the ravine, or behind the broken down rock wall? Where did the animal go that left these prints on the muddy path? Thank you for the inspiration!

     By writeremmcbride on January 6, 2019 at 2:36 pm

212. Wow…here I have been scolding my self for not throwing away all those odds and ends, and instead, I’ve been building a story idea treasure chest. Great reframing! Thanks!

     By Carolyne Ruck on January 6, 2019 at 2:37 pm

213. Read and enjoyed your post about how you used your imagination and junk drawer.

     By Jenifer McNamara on January 6, 2019 at 2:37 pm

214. I never thought to look into a junk drawer for inspiration, but we certainly do have a junk drawer (or two, plus junk stored in closets) that could easily serve as inspiration.

     By Debra Katz on January 6, 2019 at 2:41 pm

215. “What if?”…the perfect story starter.

     By Sara A on January 6, 2019 at 2:42 pm

216. Great ideas, to use found items as inspiration for stories. They jump out at me a lot, so now, I can put them in a place to use for later. Thanks for the suggestions.

     By paulabpuckett on January 6, 2019 at 2:48 pm

217. I love this idea! Thank you! So many drawers to choose from..:)

     By triciacandy on January 6, 2019 at 2:55 pm

218. inspiring!

     By Sallye O'Rourke on January 6, 2019 at 2:59 pm

219. “What if?” Thanks for reminding us of the story potential nestled in those two little words.

     By Kathleen R Wilcox on January 6, 2019 at 3:01 pm

220. Re-imagining, re-purposing, thinking outside the box!

     By Vicky Howard on January 6, 2019 at 3:01 pm

221. Great idea generator! Thanks, Susan! With an endless supply of junk and “what ifs,” I should never want for ideas.

     By Gabi Snyder on January 6, 2019 at 3:05 pm

222. Fabulous idea! I have idea drawers all over the place. My kids playroom is chock full of them. I just need to sit in there with my coffee and notebook and let the ideas flow. Thanks for the idea!

     By jennielynnjohanson on January 6, 2019 at 3:08 pm

223. I love your idea for working on new ideas! I have many junk drawers 😉 Sometimes walking through an antique store has a similar effect.
     Thank you!

     By Jane Dippold on January 6, 2019 at 3:09 pm

224. Everything can tell a story if we are willing to set it free-thank you for reminding us not to close ourselves off to ideas, wherever they are!

     By Gail Hedrick on January 6, 2019 at 3:11 pm

225. I love playing WHAT IF. Thanks for the inspirational post.

     By kathydoherty1 on January 6, 2019 at 3:12 pm

226. I love the idea of mining my junk drawer for ideas!

     By kirsticall on January 6, 2019 at 3:12 pm

227. I’m not usually inclined to pick up the items I see discarded when I walk, but I agree they can be super inspirational! Thanks for the reminder to just look around — inside and out!

     By Stephanie Shaw on January 6, 2019 at 3:13 pm

228. Thanks for the great idea! I’m off to explore my junk drawer…

     By Debbi G on January 6, 2019 at 3:16 pm

229. I’m looking in my junk drawer now!

     By Amy Harding on January 6, 2019 at 3:18 pm

230. What a fantastic idea! I plan on going “spelunking” in my junk drawer after my current wip is complete! Love this…:)

     By karengreenwald2985 on January 6, 2019 at 3:18 pm

231. Hi Susan. Ironically, I’m consciously getting RID of excess and unused things in my house! However, I have noticed that many items I keep bring back fond memories (story ideas), now I just need to open my mind to what I’m getting rid of. Thanks for the suggestions!

     By Juliana Lee on January 6, 2019 at 3:19 pm

232. Ah the junk drawer….I find it so irritating but now can look at it differently:)
     Thanks!

     By Anna Levin on January 6, 2019 at 3:20 pm

233. An idea box is a fun idea; reminds me of the “junk drawer” my grandmother always had and it was a great place to explore and imagine. Thanks, Susan!

     By Val McCammon on January 6, 2019 at 3:33 pm

234. We have several junk drawers. I’ll have to go digging through them.

     By Gregory E Bray on January 6, 2019 at 3:34 pm

235. I have a craft room filled with things, I think this is my junk drawer 🙂

     By Joan Swanson on January 6, 2019 at 3:41 pm

236. Thanks for the ideas, Susan. I certainly have LOTS of drawers and boxes filled with interesting junk!

     By Cathy Ogren on January 6, 2019 at 3:47 pm

237. Thanks for this fun post! Great ideas!

     By Elizabeth Brown on January 6, 2019 at 3:52 pm

238. IDEA BOX! I love it! Thanks for the inspiration Susan!

     By Cortney Benvenuto on January 6, 2019 at 3:53 pm

239. The junk drawer–now there’s a place to look for ideas! Or the back room…or the garage…or the memory box tucked away from 20 yrs past…. 🙂

     By yangmommy on January 6, 2019 at 3:57 pm

240. LOL, I dont like any of the stuff in my junk drawer. It really is JUNK. Probably time to clean. Hmmm, maybe there is a place to start a story.

     By shiela Fuller on January 6, 2019 at 4:00 pm

241. Brilliant, think of something common in an unusual way. Thank you.

     By Kaylynn Johnsen on January 6, 2019 at 4:01 pm

242. I love the idea of looking at junk with new eyes! Today, I will have a feast! Thank you for your post, Susan. It helps get the juices flowing.

     By Anne Bromley on January 6, 2019 at 4:01 pm

243. What a great idea! I have a box of treasures that I go through once in a while and I love to dig in there now and then just to remember when n where I got that item. Now I can look at them in other ways too.
     Thanks for the help!

     By leeanimator on January 6, 2019 at 4:03 pm

244. A “what if…” junk drawer hunt ❤️

     Thank you, Susan!

     By Aurora K on January 6, 2019 at 4:13 pm

245. I have jars of things all over my house I can’t seem to throw away. I keep them expressly for inspiration. Yet I haven’t looked at them once for sparking ideas. Thanks, Susan!!! By the way, that brooch is dreamy!

     By karammitchell on January 6, 2019 at 4:18 pm

246. Hmmm… will check out my collections!

     By Rhonda Whitaker on January 6, 2019 at 4:19 pm

247. I love the idea of getting an object from a junk drawer. I’m running with this one. Great post!

     By M.A. Cortez on January 6, 2019 at 4:22 pm

248. “An ordinary object and the question, ‘What if?'” That’s great advice!

     By Krista Harrington on January 6, 2019 at 4:24 pm

249. I love perusing antique stores with this sort of “prop box” mindset, so much fun! Thanks for the reminder about using tangible items as prompts.

     By Alexandra Hinrichs on January 6, 2019 at 4:41 pm

250. I’ve moved into several houses whose owners have recently passed away. Their relatives allowed me to lived among the furnishing of their loved ones. What a collection of story ideas! I never thought about this as a source! Thank you.

     By Le Anne Brown on January 6, 2019 at 4:45 pm

251. I started my Idea Box immediately this morning!

     By Deb Cushman on January 6, 2019 at 4:52 pm

252. Great post! I love doing writing prompts based on objects.

     By storyfairy on January 6, 2019 at 4:55 pm

253. I definitely have junk drawers! Great idea, thanks!

     By Erika Henkart on January 6, 2019 at 4:56 pm

254. Susan, I am a collector of story tidbits, too!! Love the suggestions of the junk drawer and the “What If” question!
     My brain is on fire!
     Thank you!

     By Lucy Staugler on January 6, 2019 at 4:56 pm

255. Finally my junk drawer has a purpose!

     By Jocelyn Rish on January 6, 2019 at 4:57 pm

256. Onto my junk drawer. Thank you for the idea!

     By K.A.Steed on January 6, 2019 at 5:11 pm

257. Love this post and I have plenty of messy collections around my house so hopefully I’ll find some inspiration in them!

     By Jamie L. B. Deenihan on January 6, 2019 at 5:13 pm

258. One person’s junk is a writer’s treasure. Thanks for resharing this gem!

     By cravevsworld on January 6, 2019 at 5:24 pm

259. I’m trying to clear out my junk, but there’s always more where that came from.

     By SuZan Klassen on January 6, 2019 at 5:27 pm

260. Thanks, Susan. Objects are a great inspiration, and sometimes, they even make great characters!

     By Melanie Ellsworth on January 6, 2019 at 5:36 pm

261. Hmmm…..good inspiration but I got sidetracked cleaning out my junk drawer! (Damn compulsive behavior!)

     By Monica Harris on January 6, 2019 at 5:42 pm

262. Oooo! YAY! Junk drawers! Never thought of that one! Thanks Susan! 😀

     By Rene` Diane Aube on January 6, 2019 at 5:46 pm

263. This is great! Never dawned on me that my junk drawers are such a treasure trove of ideas! Wonderful!

     By doreenbuchinski on January 6, 2019 at 5:51 pm

264. My grandmother had a similar broach. I remember wearing it when I was a child. Such good memories! Thanks for posting!

     By Carolyn Bennett Fraiser on January 6, 2019 at 5:55 pm

265. Thanks, Susan! Great idea!

     By Sarah Noble on January 6, 2019 at 5:57 pm

266. I do agree that stories find us!

     By Carol Gordon Ekster on January 6, 2019 at 6:02 pm

267. Great post! Around here our attic serves as “junk drawer”. Next time I’m up there I’ll bring my notebook. Thanks:)

     By Nancy Colle on January 6, 2019 at 6:06 pm

268. Going to look at my junk drawer right now!

     By Buffy Silverman on January 6, 2019 at 6:16 pm

269. Each one of us owns one, just never had the thoughts to explore on the what if’s but now is the chance. Let me start with the closet or the garage.

     By aliciaminor on January 6, 2019 at 6:18 pm

270. Great idea!

     By Kathy Ceceri on January 6, 2019 at 6:22 pm

271. Did you ever find a heart shaped rock? Or a 4-leaf clover? Well, now you have something to aim for on your next walk. I think they’ll make a nice addition to your box of ideas.

     By Genevieve Petrillo on January 6, 2019 at 6:25 pm

272. What a great “trigger” for plot and mystery. Thank you for pulling me out of this idea slump. You now have a new fan.

     By Stella Lopez Stauffer on January 6, 2019 at 6:28 pm

273. Susan, I love this idea AND your questions that arise from the various items. You’ve given me some much needed inspiration today. Thanks.

     By marty on January 6, 2019 at 6:29 pm

274. I love keeping an Idea Box to keep those items that strike our imagination and just might lead to our next manuscript! Thanks for sharing.

     By Brooke Hollon on January 6, 2019 at 6:30 pm

275. Great idea!!

     By Jessica Potts on January 6, 2019 at 6:30 pm

276. The yo-yo stood out to me right away! I added it to my idea list right away

     By Brittney Kauffman on January 6, 2019 at 6:31 pm

277. After reading today’s post I went immediately to my junk drawer to see what I could imagine. Believe it or not (hahahahaha) I have a few junk drawers so this may be a few days worth of ideas! Thanks!

     By Amber Webb on January 6, 2019 at 6:35 pm

278. I know that my brain hits pause (or at least ‘slow mo’) whenever I have to do a brainstorming activity … so I am going to use the ideas in Susan’s post to practise doing this – in the safety of my own home. I’m thinking it could be a good warm-up … like we need to warm up our muscles before exercise, we also need to warm up our brains before writing.

     By Kellie on January 6, 2019 at 6:38 pm

279. My husband and I have been watching Marie Kondo’s series on decluttering in anticipation of our move to a new home, out of the floodplain, this spring. We are saving those things that “spark joy.” Now I will also be looking for things that “spark stories!” Thanks for the inspiration!

     By Carmela McCain Simmons on January 6, 2019 at 6:39 pm

280. Everyone needs a junk drawer, in fact probably a few, but I’ve never thought about them so positively. Thanks Susan.

     By Kaye Baillie on January 6, 2019 at 6:47 pm

281. Thanks for the ideas

     By Shirley on January 6, 2019 at 6:52 pm

282. Great idea. No problem finding junk.

     By nrompella on January 6, 2019 at 6:53 pm

283. Susan, thanks for this idea for story starters. I just can’t decide which drawer to start with.

     By Sherri Jones Rivers on January 6, 2019 at 7:06 pm

284. Oh I got junk, boy do I got junk! Going to find those ideas now.

     By teresa.mi.schaefer on January 6, 2019 at 7:08 pm

285. Wow! I stepped around a crumpled up left over solitary glove when I left the library just now. I was in such a hurry I waltzed right past it with hardly a thought. This is a great lesson in slowing down and really seeing what’s right in front of you! Thank you.

     By Sandy Foster on January 6, 2019 at 7:18 pm

286. As a teacher, I usually end the day with quite a collection of junk in my pockets. There are definitely some stories there! Thanks!

     By Susanne Whitehouse on January 6, 2019 at 7:26 pm

287. Random objects as prompts – fun idea and easy to source – thanks!

     By Susan Macartney on January 6, 2019 at 7:34 pm

288. Thank you for sharing!

     By Tanya Shock on January 6, 2019 at 7:38 pm

289. Such good advice to explore the world and ask myself, “What if?” Thanks for that reminder.

     By debbiemccue on January 6, 2019 at 7:42 pm

290. I was going to write a children’s story about a feather I found on the beach. The only other things I found were a surf boarder’s watch and a set of dentures. lol No pirate’s treasure.

     By Chelle Martin on January 6, 2019 at 7:47 pm

291. Thanks Susan and Tara, going to look in my junk drawer right now 🙂

     By Artelle Lenthall on January 6, 2019 at 7:47 pm

292. “What if?”
     What a great idea!

     By Emily Patriquin on January 6, 2019 at 7:48 pm

293. What a coincidence. Today I decided I need to clean out the junk drawer in the kitchen. Glad I read your post. Now I’ll be mining for story ideas as I clean. Thanks so much for the tip!

     By Suzanne Lieurance on January 6, 2019 at 7:53 pm

294. Funny, I picked up an item just last week that triggered a story idea for me. I placed it in a zip lock bag to remind me to return to that idea. I think I will use that idea for my Storystorm entry for today! Thanks for the reminder, Susan!

     By Rona Shirdan on January 6, 2019 at 8:01 pm

295. I love imagining objects having a life of their own. Great writing prompt!

     By Linda KulpTrout on January 6, 2019 at 8:02 pm

296. Another great idea. I am off to my junk drawer!

     By saralakron on January 6, 2019 at 8:06 pm

297. I have 2 boxes and love every small thing in them.
     Thank you!

     By Maria J Cuesta on January 6, 2019 at 8:10 pm

298. Thank you for the interesting writing prompts.

     By Judy Cooper on January 6, 2019 at 8:18 pm

299. Thanks, Susan! What a great perspective on using what you can around the house….especially if you are stuck inside and experiencing the dreaded BLOCK!

     By mariaordish on January 6, 2019 at 8:22 pm

300. Great “How I write” essay on your website, most of which I concurred with, and I googled stenos to learn how they work since you use one. Thanks for the post.

     By Poupette Smith on January 6, 2019 at 8:30 pm

301. Susan: You have opened my eyes to new possibilities by looking at items in my junk drawer. Thank you.

     Suzy Leopold

     By Prairie Garden Girl on January 6, 2019 at 8:35 pm

302. Wow! My husband said it must be in the name..Susan! I am always bringing “junk” home after walking Hank our Chesapeake Bay Retriever, walking the beach, just about anywhere! Now to turn them into ideas for stories!!! Thank fellow “Susan”!!! 🙂

     By seschipper on January 6, 2019 at 8:40 pm

303. I am at my son’s Boy Scout meeting thinking “what if” about my surroundings, the weather, and their conversation inside the window! Thanks for new perspectives and inspiration!

     By Jill on January 6, 2019 at 8:40 pm

304. Plenty of junk – not all of it in drawers! 😉 Thanks for the inspiration!

     By Gabriele on January 6, 2019 at 8:50 pm

305. I love the idea of looking in a junk drawer. Maybe my subconscious mind has already been storing potential story ideas!

     By Frances Kalavritinos on January 6, 2019 at 8:56 pm

306. Thank you Susan! After reading “Pippi Longstocking” as a child, I always loved the idea if “thing finding”, and continue to keep my eyes open for little unexpected treasures to this day. 😊

     By Susie Sawyer on January 6, 2019 at 8:59 pm

307. What a fun idea!

     By Robyn McGrath on January 6, 2019 at 9:08 pm

308. A person’s trash could be their story treasure — love it!

     By jshaklan on January 6, 2019 at 9:12 pm

309. Love the found treasures as prompts! Thank you:)

     By Elizabeth Kuelbs on January 6, 2019 at 9:15 pm

310. A great reason to hold onto all my junk! On the hunt for some stories.

     By susanzonca on January 6, 2019 at 9:16 pm

311. I will definitely open that random drawer. Thanks!

     By Irene Grace on January 6, 2019 at 9:20 pm

312. I love taking ordinary things and making them the star of their own story. (And your junk drawer is a lot cleaner than mine.)

     By Susan Schade on January 6, 2019 at 9:20 pm

313. You never know where an idea might come from. Having an idea box or collection to peruse for ideas is a great idea.

     By heartfeltwords4kids on January 6, 2019 at 9:20 pm

314. Love the idea of sorting through your junk drawer. (I have a couple). I also was happy to find your website. It was an inspiration for one I am creating.

     By Laurie Kaiser on January 6, 2019 at 9:33 pm

315. Just ONE junk drawer? *scoffs* Amateur.

     Regardless, this is a brilliant way to get the creativity flowing! 🙂

     By KidLit Underground on January 6, 2019 at 9:36 pm

316. Idea box, what if’s Thanks

     By bookfish1 on January 6, 2019 at 9:42 pm

317. Almost everything has a story – if not, make one up! Thanks for sharing!

     By danielledufayet on January 6, 2019 at 9:43 pm

318. A purpose now for the junk drawer! Thanks!

     By Judy Sobanski (@jkspburg) on January 6, 2019 at 9:49 pm

319. ooooh – this one really sparked something for me! What a fun challenge. Thank yoU!

     By Nicole Loos Miller (@beautify_life) on January 6, 2019 at 9:51 pm

320. What an interesting way to look at ordinary things and trigger creativity. Thank you for the inspiration!

     By Mariana on January 6, 2019 at 9:53 pm

321. I agree. We don’t go looking for ideas – they find us. I love the ‘what if’ question; i think more important than the idea box is the ‘what if’ question. A leaf, a rock, a stick… are just ordinary, ‘boring’ objects without the ‘what if’.

     By authoryvonafast on January 6, 2019 at 9:54 pm

322. My junk drawer is actually my car…now I have a real purpose for cleaning it up! 🙂 And thank you for the “idea box” idea!

     By annabrookswriter on January 6, 2019 at 9:54 pm

323. Love this post. My daughter and I were clearing out her miscellaneous /junk shelf last night. I think I’ll re-examine the bag before taking it to the thrift store.

     By suzannepoulterharris on January 6, 2019 at 9:57 pm

324. Ironic that the things I put in my drawer because they are not child proof are now things to inspire picture book ideas.

     By Carmen White on January 6, 2019 at 10:00 pm

325. This makes me think of The Borrowerers. What if they lived inside one of my junk drawers? (I have many!) I look forward to trying this idea out.

     By Alexis Ennis on January 6, 2019 at 10:10 pm

     1. Borrowers*

        By Alexis Ennis on January 6, 2019 at 10:12 pm

326. I definitely have a junk drawer or two or three, sure to be overflowing with untapped inspiration. Thanks for the tip!

     By Jennifer Hunt on January 6, 2019 at 10:21 pm

327. Ha…yes, junk drawers. I can see it now. Agents and editors are going to be inundated with stories about misshapen spoons that survived the garbage disposal, rubber bands so small they could barely ring a pinky finger, and odd plastic implements that only the original Tupperware lady knows what they are for. Thanks for opening the drawer on some new ideas for us, Susan!

     By viviankirkfield on January 6, 2019 at 10:24 pm

328. SUSAN: I LOVE your suggestion to keep a story box/drawer! The possibilities are ENDLESS in my house! THANK YOU for the inspiration, and for sharing your own idea box!

     By Natalie Lynn Tanner on January 6, 2019 at 10:25 pm

329. Cool idea! I’ve always been afraid to open those drawers, but now .I have a reason!

     By mhklump on January 6, 2019 at 10:29 pm

330. Great idea, then it’s a space you can revisit later.

     By Kim D on January 6, 2019 at 10:34 pm

331. I’m just LOVING how every one of these incredible authors find inspiration everywhere! Great post!

     By CJ Penko on January 6, 2019 at 10:38 pm

332. Great idea-my junk drawers is full of things.

     By Alicia on January 6, 2019 at 10:39 pm

333. Great ideas for inspiration. Wonderful post!

     By rekrall@yahoo.com on January 6, 2019 at 10:41 pm

334. A box full of ideas!

     By Kimberly on January 6, 2019 at 10:44 pm

335. Susan, Hugging the Rock was the very first novel that many of my middle school students actually finished reading. They were captivated by your story, and loved the verse structure—far less intimidating for those reluctant readers. With scant text, you still managed to master complex characters and layers of complexity. Thanks for sharing some of your tips on generating picture book ideas!

     By angiecal76 on January 6, 2019 at 10:47 pm

336. Oh my golly!! My house is so cluttered!! I’ve been missing story inspiration!! Time to start digging! Thanks for the great post!!

     By Cindi Goodeaux on January 6, 2019 at 10:49 pm

337. Idea box-what a great idea! Thanks!

     By Darcee A Freier on January 6, 2019 at 11:04 pm

338. I really enjoyed this post. Thank you for sharing!

     By megcason1 on January 6, 2019 at 11:07 pm

339. What a great idea! Time to search through all the “junk” I have collected through the years!

     By Krista Maxwell on January 6, 2019 at 11:10 pm

340. Fascinating idea! I collect natural objects because I like them, but it might be nice to think of them narratively, too.

     By Rebekah Lowell on January 6, 2019 at 11:23 pm

341. The ideas are in a draw in my head and it is such a relief to get them onto paper.

     By Carol Angels Khan on January 6, 2019 at 11:24 pm

342. Thanks you for incentivizing the process of cleaning (or at least sorting through) one very cluttered basement!

     By Steve Schwartz on January 6, 2019 at 11:25 pm

343. Finally an excuse for why I do not throw out anything 🙂

     By Stephen S. Martin on January 6, 2019 at 11:27 pm

344. Great idea! Thanks for (re)sharing!

     By Leah Coleman on January 6, 2019 at 11:30 pm

345. I have more junk drawers than I should admit to. Thanks for the idea. 😊

     By authorlaurablog on January 6, 2019 at 11:35 pm

346. O! No! not more ‘stuff’ Love this idea!Thanks!

     By Rani Iyer on January 6, 2019 at 11:37 pm

347. Thanks for sharing. I just got an idea after reading this!

     By Sylvia Grech on January 6, 2019 at 11:45 pm

348. I liked your suggestion to use the contents of a junk drawer to spark ideas. Thank you

     By DB Cote on January 7, 2019 at 12:10 am

349. Thank you so much for sharing the writing with props idea! So fun!

     By Jolene Ballard Gutierrez on January 7, 2019 at 12:10 am

350. Thank you, as they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Love the notion of finding ideas in the junk drawer.

     By Sara Fajardo on January 7, 2019 at 12:12 am

351. What a great post, I love the idea!

     By Shannon on January 7, 2019 at 12:16 am

352. Going to dig through my junk boxes asap! Now I can tell my husband what their purpose is!

     By Meghan Burch on January 7, 2019 at 12:19 am

353. You should see MY junk drawer! What a way to put it to good use.

     By annempohl on January 7, 2019 at 12:21 am

354. Great idea to explore the junk drawer!

     By jeanjames926 on January 7, 2019 at 12:33 am

355. What a fun idea! My kiddos are going to enjoy joining in this one as well!

     By Charlotte Offsay on January 7, 2019 at 12:37 am

356. So creative! Thank you for this wonderful idea!

     By Jennifer on January 7, 2019 at 12:39 am

357. Great idea! It almost makes me regret all the junk drawer stuff I threw away when we moved this year. Thanks!

     By Loralee Petersen on January 7, 2019 at 12:42 am

358. I can’t even tell you how much I love this idea. I need to go find a box!!!

     By Cheryl Malandrinos on January 7, 2019 at 1:00 am

359. My junk drawer find was a key ring without a key! Where is that pesky key? And what is it for?…

     Great idea! Thank you Susan! 🙂

     By Lisa Marie Murphy on January 7, 2019 at 1:17 am

360. I’m loving but laughing, because people are posting that they are watching and Kondo’ing… dumping things they do not need or love or use. But the 1st post on that I saw was Eric Fan telling how when he went to throw out his stuff, someone else had left a dragon teapot. It is beautiful. But better, I immediately was seeing how many stories could come out of this pot, it’s illustrated features, it’s cultural origins, and the synchronicity that occurred.
     I feel somehow that Eric will be making his own story about that pot soon, so now to search for more items as resonant for myself.

     Great reminder on the WHAT IF part… finally learning to do this more as a matter of course!

     bonnie fireUrchin lambourn

     http://fireUrchin.com

     By fireurchin on January 7, 2019 at 1:32 am

361. I have five kids therefore all rectangular prisms in my house look like this! Now I can put a positive spin on the chaos! My kids thank you!

     By ciaraoneal on January 7, 2019 at 1:34 am

362. I love the “idea” of an idea box 🙂 Of course, I’d have to say our whole house is one giant idea box of stuff! lol

     By writersideup on January 7, 2019 at 1:44 am

363. I have a bag of goodies like this that I bring to classroom-based school visits. Students get an object from the bag and they incorporate the object “in some way” into what they write for a timed writing activity I facilitate. Goofy me has not used the same bag of goodies (OR my junk drawer) for my own writing. Thanks for the nudge to do so!

     By Dawn Prochovnic on January 7, 2019 at 1:54 am

364. Thanks for the inspiration!

     By Heather Stigall on January 7, 2019 at 2:07 am

365. Who knew I was not actually messy but collecting story ideas?

     By Brenda Miller on January 7, 2019 at 2:11 am

366. I don’t have a drawer, but my pockets are always filled with odd bits and bobs.

     By catpledger on January 7, 2019 at 2:28 am

367. Thanks for sharing your “idea box” and junk drawer Susan–what a wonderful resource for story ideas. I also enjoyed viewing your art creations on your website! Thanks Tara for sharing Susan with us on Storystorm!

     By Michelle Kogan Art, Illustration, & Writing on January 7, 2019 at 2:34 am

368. Great post, Susan, and I know it works, because a collection of single earrings in my drawer inspired a story I sold to Highlights!

     By deborahholtwilliams on January 7, 2019 at 2:34 am

369. I can’t wait to look in my drawers!! Thank you for the great ideas!

     By Marcia Berneger on January 7, 2019 at 2:50 am

370. My kids would love the idea about the idea box. Actually my daughter already has one, full of treasuers that I would otherwise throw away. 😉

     By Mirka Hokkanen on January 7, 2019 at 3:28 am

371. This sounds like a great excuse to create another junk drawer 😉

     By Heather Gallagher on January 7, 2019 at 4:10 am

372. What a great idea!

     By Freda Lewkowicz on January 7, 2019 at 4:11 am

373. I have lots of junk drawers so I might as well put them to good use. Thanks for the story starter idea.

     By Susan Nicholas Korstanje on January 7, 2019 at 6:56 am

374. I love the concept of an idea box or an idea drawer or an idea anything for that matter! What a wonderful reminder that ideas can sometimes be revealed simply by opening a wider perspective… quite literally! Many thanks for sharing!

     By Meli Glickman on January 7, 2019 at 7:22 am

375. Cool! I never thought of using physical objects like that!

     By Lenora Biemans on January 7, 2019 at 8:24 am

376. Hitting the junk drawer! Great idea! Thanks!

     By Jo Jo on January 7, 2019 at 8:26 am

377. Great ideas! It isn’t junk if someone can use it.

     By Rick Starkey on January 7, 2019 at 8:45 am

378. To us, they are junk drawers. To kids? It’s treasure. My son loves to tinker and create with all the ‘junk’ in ours at home. Thanks for sharing!

     By https://katiewalsh.blog/ on January 7, 2019 at 8:46 am

379. Thanks for the post! My junk drawer is a treasure trove of inspiration… Or as my husband would say, a mess. 🙂

     By SARAH Meade on January 7, 2019 at 8:48 am

380. Hurray for 10 Years of Storystorm!
     I skipped a few years, but I’m glad to be back!
     Thank you, Tara!
     Karen Roberts

     By kroberts24 on January 7, 2019 at 9:09 am

381. Yes! Something to do with all the stuff I find and hoard haha.

     By Brittanny Handiboe on January 7, 2019 at 9:13 am

382. Thanks for the suggestion, Susan.Time to go idea hunting. Renaming my junk drawer to my idea drawer.

     By hdening on January 7, 2019 at 9:24 am

383. This is a great idea – especially for me because I have a LOT of drawers like this! A fun way to start going through my “stuff” which I keep meaning to do!

     By Jane Norton on January 7, 2019 at 9:25 am

384. Oh yeah — I have those drawers. I also have this crazy pile of not-quite-finished newspaper & magazine articles that kinda work the same way too… Always happy to be reminded of the upsides of hoarding.

     By hmmmmm on January 7, 2019 at 9:31 am

385. “An ordinary object and a question.” I have lots of junk, never thought of turning it into a story idea. Thanks for the suggestion Susan!

     By Kathleen Cornell-Berman on January 7, 2019 at 9:32 am

386. I have junk drawers and i have a junk room! Lots of potential inspiration there! Thanks for the new ideas!

     By Nancy Riley on January 7, 2019 at 9:53 am

387. What a great source of inspiration! I love this!

     By Penny Parker Klostermann on January 7, 2019 at 10:00 am

388. I have a 9-year-old, so we have LOT of junk. For some reason, I’ve never thought to go through it, but will definitely take a look! Thanks for the idea.

     By Lynn Baldwin on January 7, 2019 at 10:17 am

389. Another super idea! Starting my own idea box!

     By deniseaengle on January 7, 2019 at 10:18 am

390. Awesome post! Characters are lurking in our own homes. We just have to capture them and put them on paper!

     By Rebecca Guzinski on January 7, 2019 at 10:19 am

391. Great suggestion! I’m headed to that blasted drawer right now!

     By Writer on the run on January 7, 2019 at 10:19 am

392. Splendid idea! An idea box. Half way through reading your post, I had to stop and jot down a story idea. Just like magic! Thank you for the inspiration. T

     By tanjabauerle on January 7, 2019 at 10:28 am

393. What a great idea! And as a bonus, I can quit feeling guilty about not finding time to clean out that junk drawer.

     By Jacqueline Adams on January 7, 2019 at 10:29 am

394. Junk drawer, kids’ pockets…all good.

     By Mary Worley on January 7, 2019 at 10:40 am

395. Great post! Inspirational and perhaps motivational as I have several drawers that need to be gone through. Calling it research might just help! 🙂 . Thanks!

     By curryelizabeth on January 7, 2019 at 10:43 am

396. Totally love that you gather up odds and ends in your wanderings then use them as inspiration. I’ll be looking at all the junk in my drawers (cabinet drawers LOL) with new eyes.

     By Vicky Ford on January 7, 2019 at 10:48 am

397. Great post, Susan! Junk boxes/drawers have always been a part of my life… when I was little I was always collecting bits and pieces from behind both my house and my grandmother’s house which overlooked Everts Pond, to pieces of metal and wooden bits from Cones, to acorn caps, white rocks, pine cones, tree branches etc from out at the farm in South Reading.

     And yes, it has carried over to today… I have collected rocks etc from each place we lived, and from the VC campus when I was a student there (both before and after it was owned by Norwich University… I even have material from when I spent a residency at Goddard)

     By saputnam on January 7, 2019 at 11:02 am

398. I love making fascinating discoveries in my neglected drawers. Thanks for posting.

     By andreesantini on January 7, 2019 at 11:04 am

399. AH…thank you, Susan, for legitimizing my “junk drawers”! I now look at all my saved flotsam and jetsam and see a treasure trove of story ideas as I ask “What if?” My “BOOM” ideas often come early, EARLY in the morning when I wake up to pee. In fact, a PB story idea pounced on my brain this morning! Your Storystorm is just what I needed today. With gratitude!

     By marsha e wright on January 7, 2019 at 11:13 am

400. Never thought to look in the junk drawer for ideas. Good thinking!

     By Rebecca on January 7, 2019 at 11:16 am

401. A treasure trove of ideas in the junk drawer–thanks, Susan! 🙂

     By mariagianferrari on January 7, 2019 at 11:22 am

402. I do pretty much the same thing except I set my gallery of props on one of my desks as a reminder to think outside the box…;)

     Great post!

     By storycatcherpublishing on January 7, 2019 at 11:24 am

403. Great ideas! Thanks for this post!

     By alisongoldberg on January 7, 2019 at 11:24 am

404. Dang it! Just cleaned it out! I’m sure I saved something in there…

     By Nadine Gamble on January 7, 2019 at 11:30 am

405. Since I’m in the middle of declutter (a la the Debbie Diesen method and NOT the Mari Kondo method), this might yield some fun ideas for me. Thanks, Susan!

     By Teresa Robeson on January 7, 2019 at 11:44 am

406. I love the idea of finding inspiration in the junk drawer

     By Tracey Brown on January 7, 2019 at 12:00 pm

407. Ah-h-h the junk drawer! Maybe I should rename it the drawer of ideas!

     By diana delosh on January 7, 2019 at 12:08 pm

408. I’ve been watching the Marie Kondo tidying show, and to think she’s throwing out all those potential story ideas!! The brooch photo brought back fond memories of the time my cousin and I buried an entire suitcase of my grandmother’s costume jewelry. It’s still there, as far as I know. Thanks for the post, Susan.

     By Claire W Bobrow on January 7, 2019 at 12:09 pm

409. Thank you

     By Kassy Keppol on January 7, 2019 at 12:15 pm

410. Oh boy… my junk drawer now has a new purpose! love it!

     By Laurel Goodluck on January 7, 2019 at 12:40 pm

411. Having more than one junk drawer, it seems I’ve got lots of potential story ideas lurking in my house! Thanks for the inspiration.

     By Leslie Leibhardt Goodman - Writer on January 7, 2019 at 12:41 pm

412. Another great Storystorm idea and very easy to give a try! I went out to my garage junk containers to get some new ideas!! Awesome!!

     By Robin Robb-Kraus on January 7, 2019 at 12:41 pm

413. I’ve got many junk drawers and will take a look for inspiration. Thank you!

     By Margaret Greanias on January 7, 2019 at 12:51 pm

414. Yes, the beloved junk drawer. I will rename it the idea drawer. Brilliant post!

     By wpdrey on January 7, 2019 at 12:52 pm

415. So many drawers to choose from! Thanks for sharing.

     By Daryl Gottier on January 7, 2019 at 1:03 pm

416. “Props” to you…and me…and everyone. (I knew my junk drawer had a purpose.)

     By Jenny Boyd on January 7, 2019 at 1:08 pm

417. Oh, you know me! I’m a collector too. So many places where I’ve stashed ‘prizes.’ Now I know what to do with them! Thanks!

     By Angie on January 7, 2019 at 1:14 pm

418. Thanks for the great post! Two ideas for me in one post! Hurray!

     By Christine Pinto on January 7, 2019 at 1:15 pm

419. Hummm. Wondering which junk drawer will be the most inspiring. I’m off to go exploring. Wish me luck!

     By Louann Brown on January 7, 2019 at 1:20 pm

420. I definitely have a lot of junk drawers in our house 😬😁. Thanks for the idea.

     By Amanda Malek-Ahmadi on January 7, 2019 at 1:21 pm

421. What a fun idea! My kids have lots of junk in their drawers. I’m going to go have a look!

     By Shawna J Tenney on January 7, 2019 at 1:24 pm

422. Thank you for this post. I do have a lot of treasures lying around. 🙂

     By Elizabeth Saba on January 7, 2019 at 1:47 pm

423. Yes! Objects are a great story starter. And if a character is in my mind, I often try to picture the objects they carry or collect.

     By Anna E. Jordan on January 7, 2019 at 1:58 pm

     1. Thanks for a fun reminder that somebody’s junk can turn into a writer’s treasure!

        By Rinda Beach on January 7, 2019 at 2:10 pm

424. Love using the “what if” technique on a random collection of objects! Thank you.

     By Kathryn Jean Hagen on January 7, 2019 at 2:17 pm

425. Love the idea box! Reminds me of a dress-up trunk.

     By Gayle Veitenheimer on January 7, 2019 at 2:18 pm

426. Thanks for this! Great idea.

     By Lynn Alpert on January 7, 2019 at 2:31 pm

427. In my house, the floor of my kids’ closets are a comparable treasure trove of ideas and props that can trigger ideas! Thanks for the reminder!

     By Margie Markarian on January 7, 2019 at 2:40 pm

428. Great post!

     By sandrabyrdlawson on January 7, 2019 at 2:40 pm

429. Thank you Susan! I never thought of my junk drawer as a place for inspiration – off to look! 🙂

     By Jen Bagan on January 7, 2019 at 2:42 pm

430. BOOM! You’ve sent me in a different direction with an idea has been rolling around my head for a loooong while!

     By Patti Ranson on January 7, 2019 at 3:08 pm

431. Finally getting caught up from the weekend, and I have to say, this sort of exercise is exactly what writers of poetry do all the time: ask, “What else could this be?” It’s a great activity for getting kids to think about their surroundings and them objects around them, too.

     By Matt Forrest Esenwine on January 7, 2019 at 3:29 pm

432. Junk drawer? How did you know today I was starting the clean up of an overloaded garage? Junk drawer times 100! Thanks, Susan, you are going to make my job a lot more fun!!! I’ll let you know how it goes.

     By Susan Orton on January 7, 2019 at 3:47 pm

433. Thanks for being part of StoryStorm! I’m headed for the kitchen junk drawer now.

     By CindyC on January 7, 2019 at 3:50 pm

434. Finally! A perfect excuse to keep my junk drawer(s)! Now to explain it to my husband:) Thank you, Susan! Patti Richards

     By Sensibility and Sense on January 7, 2019 at 3:51 pm

435. Yes, junk drawers are one of the fascinations in life, and for kids and authors, they are golden. What lurks right under our noses can be so fun. Thank you.

     By RaeMcDonald on January 7, 2019 at 4:15 pm

436. Thanks for sharing!

     By Sara Matson on January 7, 2019 at 4:18 pm

437. So much junk to pour through….

     By Laura Jean Watters on January 7, 2019 at 4:24 pm

438. This is a great idea for those who are more tactile in theri learning and thought processes!

     By Amy DiMouro on January 7, 2019 at 4:25 pm

439. Thanks, Susan! Oh boy, do I have a junk drawer. It’ll barely close. It’s nice to think of good reason to keep clutter!
     I’ll write again when my junk drawer hatches an idea!

     By Marie Sanderson on January 7, 2019 at 4:26 pm

440. Thanks for this – my junk drawer of bits of paper – tickets, receipts, cards – privudes lots of possibilities to explore.

     By Jen Kraar on January 7, 2019 at 4:29 pm

441. I am a collector!!! I’ve never thought of the who’s what’s and where’s of all this “good stuff”. A new way of looking at things so I can keep it all!! Thanks, Susan!

     By mona861 on January 7, 2019 at 4:34 pm

442. Great idea, Susan. I never quite saw myself as a “collector,” but from your definition I sure am. Okay, I have an excuse 2019! And the ideas roll in…

     By Antje on January 7, 2019 at 4:36 pm

443. Thanks for sharing. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I have a lot of junk. So I’ll go a hunting.

     By Sharalyn Edgeberg on January 7, 2019 at 4:36 pm

444. Fun idea Susan!

     By Lauri Meyers on January 7, 2019 at 5:08 pm

445. Finally, I can justify my junk drawer! Thanks, Susan. –Kim

     By naturewalkwithgod on January 7, 2019 at 5:16 pm

446. Didn’t think to look through the junk drawer. Thanks for the idea!

     By Ellen Sirianni on January 7, 2019 at 5:17 pm

447. I like the idea of using physical items to spark a story idea. Great tip!

     By Carolyn on January 7, 2019 at 5:17 pm

448. I’ll try it, thank you!

     By Sue Niemann on January 7, 2019 at 5:34 pm

449. I knew all that stuff in my junk drawer was good for something! Thanks for the post. Love seeing the photos of your “collections.”

     By Kristin Wauson on January 7, 2019 at 5:45 pm

450. OMG, you’re asking me to go through my junk drawers! Terrifying, but interesting. Thanks for the suggestion!

     By Jilanne Hoffmann on January 7, 2019 at 5:58 pm

451. I knew I had junk drawers for a reason! Thanks for the suggestion!

     By Karin Larson on January 7, 2019 at 6:07 pm

452. I had created boxes like these for improv starters with my drama kids. I haven’t put one together for me. I plan to check out the junk drawer(s)!

     By Jane Baskwill on January 7, 2019 at 6:46 pm

453. My husband’s junk drawer holds many mysteries.

     By Susan on January 7, 2019 at 6:46 pm

454. The junk drawer! A good reason not to “Kondo-ize” my junk drawer is filled with inspiration (and fortune cookie fortunes!)

     By claireannette1 on January 7, 2019 at 6:56 pm

455. The junk drawer! A good reason not to “Kondo-ize.”
     My junk drawer is filled with inspiration (and fortune cookie fortunes!)

     By claireannette1 on January 7, 2019 at 6:59 pm

456. Now see… that junk drawer is good for something! Great exercise. Thanks!

     By Christine Fleming McIsaac on January 7, 2019 at 7:10 pm

457. Great post!

     By Sue Frye on January 7, 2019 at 7:22 pm

458. Enjoying toying with the ‘what ifs’ of objects. A great creativity jump starter. AND I have plenty of drawers (and closets) stuffed with stuff. Time to explore (and maybe do some early Spring cleaning).

     By lorisherritt on January 7, 2019 at 7:51 pm

459. Thank you for “the what if” inspiration!

     By Mary Boehmer on January 7, 2019 at 8:08 pm

460. Thanks for the ideas.

     By Kathy Mazurowski on January 7, 2019 at 8:48 pm

461. Great post!

     By Dawn on January 7, 2019 at 8:59 pm

462. This is a creative approach. Thanks for the fresh idea.

     By Trine Grillo on January 7, 2019 at 9:03 pm

463. What a fun idea. Thanks, Susan.

     By Jim Chaize on January 7, 2019 at 9:12 pm

464. Hi Susan. Thanks so much for the ideas. And, yes, I do have a few junk drawers – don’t we all?

     By Janet Smart on January 7, 2019 at 9:15 pm

465. What a creative idea to generate creative ideas! Thanks!!!

     By J. D. Silverwood on January 7, 2019 at 9:37 pm

466. Thanks, Susan. Peering into my junk drawer now–my adult kids call it the Mom Sh*t Drawer

     By Tracy Molitors on January 7, 2019 at 9:58 pm

467. Ooh, the junk drawer for ideas … 🙂

     By writeforapples1 on January 7, 2019 at 10:02 pm

468. Thats a cute idea, and I have a few junk drawers too!

     By Jabeen Chawdhry on January 7, 2019 at 10:12 pm

469. Ha! There are some things in my junk drawer that are total mysteries…Thanks for the fun idea! 🙂

     By Diana Calio on January 7, 2019 at 10:18 pm

470. Great ideas, Susan! Off to scour my junk drawer 🧐

     By Monica Stoltzfus on January 7, 2019 at 10:32 pm

471. I Love to keep things too so maybe I’m in luck 🙂

     By Lydia Lukidis on January 7, 2019 at 10:38 pm

472. Brilliant use of the junk drawer. Thank you!

     By Chris M. Regier on January 7, 2019 at 11:14 pm

473. I have plenty of junk drawers to examine. Time to go have s look around.

     By Nicole Turner on January 7, 2019 at 11:22 pm

474. I always knew the junk in the drawer would come in handy.

     By Tiffany Painter on January 7, 2019 at 11:25 pm

475. I think you’ve just given me permission to NOT clean out my junk drawer!

     By Patricia Toht on January 7, 2019 at 11:39 pm

476. Looking forward to dig through my treasures!

     By Faith Kazmi on January 7, 2019 at 11:45 pm

477. I have many drawers of inspiration! Thanks for reframing it for me.

     By Vanessa Marcus on January 8, 2019 at 12:35 am

478. Well, if a junk drawer is all it takes to have an idea box, I’ve got plenty of stuff to go through to find an idea! Lol

     By Cindy E. Owens on January 8, 2019 at 12:44 am

479. You’re making me look at junk in a new way. Thanks.

     By Janet Frenck Sheets on January 8, 2019 at 1:01 am

480. I found a light bulb! Ding! An idea!

     By Michelle Sumovich on January 8, 2019 at 1:22 am

481. A professor in my MFA program used to give us a weekly bag containing tiny objects to use as writing prompts. Each week, we would exchange bags with someone else to get a new one. Those bags functioned as terrific story starters.

     By Nancy Kotkin (@Brave_New_Words) on January 8, 2019 at 1:26 am

482. Thank you for sharing.

     By Carolyn Currier on January 8, 2019 at 10:38 am

483. Thanks! I seem to have an idea box that’s been mislabeled “misc.” a : )

     By Andi Butler on January 8, 2019 at 11:58 am

484. A great idea!

     By Jay on January 8, 2019 at 12:09 pm

485. No shortage of junk drawers in my house, can’t wait to mine them for ideas 🙂

     By Carrie Kruck on January 8, 2019 at 12:28 pm

486. I love that my junk drawer might be INSPIRATION! Thanks for the helpful tips.

     By joyceschr on January 8, 2019 at 12:52 pm

487. I love the what if game

     By kiwijenny on January 8, 2019 at 1:57 pm

488. As a retired educator who never throws anything away, my whole house is an idea box!

     By Sherrilynn Scott on January 8, 2019 at 3:33 pm

489. I will visit my junk drawer/closet and get busy with my ideas.☺

     By rachel on January 8, 2019 at 4:25 pm

490. Thanks for the fun idea!

     By Helen Lysicatos on January 8, 2019 at 4:36 pm

491. “What if?” should be the first question in my Storystorming arsenal! Thank you!

     By Sandy Perlic on January 8, 2019 at 4:38 pm

492. Think I’ll start a digital story box this year. Need to learn to let go of some things. Would also be fun to go to a thrift store and gather items in the buggy for a story. Take a photo and come home and write about the items in the photo.

     By Maria Bostian on January 8, 2019 at 5:37 pm

493. Hmm….junk box/drawer… Oh yes I have those… I’m off to spend…. oh hours sorting through… lol. Thanks Susan. (Any chance it’ll get sorted?) Nah!

     By Diane Tulloch on January 8, 2019 at 6:06 pm

494. Oooh! I could write SO many things from just the interesting “gifts” my students bring me!

     By Noelle McBride on January 8, 2019 at 7:05 pm

495. Thanks for re-sharing this post with us.

     By Christine Irvin on January 8, 2019 at 8:17 pm

496. Hoarders unite!

     By Kyle McBride on January 8, 2019 at 8:42 pm

497. Ohhhhhh, I so wanna Create a FUN IDEA BOX!!!!

     By sherilyncook on January 8, 2019 at 9:07 pm

498. We used to have “drawer number 7” where everything lived!!

     By Therese Kay on January 8, 2019 at 9:43 pm

499. I didn’t have as much useful and interesting things in my junk drawer as I found in my munchkin’s! Thanks for this post.

     By Nadia Salomon on January 8, 2019 at 10:22 pm

500. We have always had a junk drawer that holds everything that doesn’t have a place. Maybe I should take a closer look inside

     By Amy Bradshaw on January 8, 2019 at 10:59 pm

501. I need to get better at asking myself “What if?” It’s such a simple question, but it can lead to countless possibilities.

     By Becky Scharnhorst on January 8, 2019 at 11:16 pm

502. Inspiring ideas, Susan! Just set our imagination loose and any lost, found, or misc. piece of junk can be the seed for something magical. “What if” can lead to a whole host of other questions, that then lead to a story begging to be told.

     By Joannie Duris on January 8, 2019 at 11:35 pm

503. Okay, time to go check out my two junk drawers for some ideas and inspiration!

     By kmajor2013 on January 9, 2019 at 12:45 am

504. I’m reforming my memory boxes. This is the perfect time. I’m letting go of the not-needed and re-treasuring the great moments.

     By Zoraida Rivera on January 9, 2019 at 1:04 am

505. Running to check my junk drawers…yep, plural. “What if” …

     By Keila Dawson on January 9, 2019 at 1:49 am

506. Awesome! While I sort through my junk drawer, I may find a PB idea.

     By Angela De Groot on January 9, 2019 at 6:45 am

507. Genius! A lot of PBs ordinary things become extraordinary characters (think Stick Man). I shall practice ‘what if’ more often

     By Helen Matthews on January 9, 2019 at 8:16 am

508. I’ve never thought of looking for ideas in my drawers. Thanks, Susan!

     By Myrna Foster on January 9, 2019 at 10:40 am

509. Finally a use for all the things in my junk drawer!

     By Bettie Boswell on January 9, 2019 at 10:52 am

510. Can’t wait to try this idea for brainstorming ideas. Thanks for the post!

     By Anne Appert on January 9, 2019 at 11:22 am

511. I’m just doing my January de-clutter… perfect time to contemplate some stories!

     By aidantalkin on January 9, 2019 at 12:00 pm

512. Now I know why I have two junk boxes of broken and odd things. Thank you!

     By jessicadunnagan on January 9, 2019 at 12:28 pm

513. Fun idea!

     By Anita on January 9, 2019 at 1:10 pm

514. That’s an awesome idea! I just looked at the tools my husband left scattered and thought of dragon’s claws and scales, ha. Thank you!

     By Nora Fry on January 9, 2019 at 2:45 pm

515. We’re cleaning out a room and discovering all sorts of stuff. Perfect post for me today!

     By Wendy on January 9, 2019 at 4:05 pm

516. Susan, thanks for your post! I’ll look at my treasures in a different light now. 🙂

     By Sara Pistulka Weingartner on January 9, 2019 at 4:32 pm

517. Thanks for teaching us to look at our clutter in a new way! I can only imagine the treasures (and the ideas) if I go through my kids’ rooms!

     By Marcie Rinka Wessels on January 9, 2019 at 6:38 pm

518. So smart to use visuals to jumpstart a picture book!

     By martina.franklin.poole on January 9, 2019 at 7:54 pm

519. I’ve never taken the junk drawer approach but love the idea. Thanks!

     By kjerstenhayes on January 9, 2019 at 7:59 pm

520. Thank you for justifying my saving habit!! I do keep “treasures” in a number of little boxes for my grandchildren to enjoy… I will revisit them again! 🙂

     By Karen Lawler on January 9, 2019 at 9:51 pm

521. I’m headed to my junk drawer!

     By julielacombeauthor on January 9, 2019 at 10:03 pm

522. Ooh! Now I can put that junk drawer to good use finally! Thanks for the great idea! You never know where inspiration for a story might strike!

     By Lindsay Fiore on January 9, 2019 at 11:10 pm

523. I was just reading Hector the Collector by Shel Silverstein last night and your box looks like it could be Hector’s! Here’s some items from my junk drawer in case they help anyone– several sets of monster eye rings, a strip of tickets from Lobsterfest, many colored coffee stirsticks, a recipe for Kombucha, a dime, a pink screwdriver, a small plastic pumpkin, a bag of corn seeds, farm animal stickers and some cards from flowers that were sent to me. 🙂

     By Tasha Hilderman on January 9, 2019 at 11:57 pm

524. Have a junk drawer and about 7 junk counters to peruse 🙂

     By Kelly Ohlert on January 9, 2019 at 11:58 pm

525. Anything can be in a picture book!

     By kaleegwarjanski on January 10, 2019 at 9:44 am

526. I just looked in my junk drawer for some inspiration! Now I’m not guilty anymore about that drawer! Thanks!

     By Melissa Stoller on January 10, 2019 at 11:54 am

527. Fun idea–thanks!

     By LAUREN BARBIERI on January 10, 2019 at 1:02 pm

528. I never knew my junk drawer was storing ideas! I’m so happy now!!!

     By Lisa Riddiough on January 10, 2019 at 2:54 pm

529. Finally! Justification for my junk drawer. 🙂

     By Rachel Stones on January 10, 2019 at 4:12 pm

530. From trash to treasure – thanks!

     By Tamawi on January 10, 2019 at 6:27 pm

531. I wish all the junk in my house was contained in a single drawer – but perhaps this is my chance to think creatively about all that junk!

     By Francoise on January 10, 2019 at 6:41 pm

532. Oh did I get into trouble when I was young for doing that! But now, I’m a freer bird (and not quite so foolish, admittedly). Idea Box here we come! (btw, I thought I signed up properly for Storystorm. Did I?)

     On Sun, Jan 6, 2019 at 4:04 AM Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) wrote:

     > Tara Lazar posted: “by Susan Taylor Brown (from 2009) I’m a collector. I > can’t go on a walk without finding something I have to pick up and take > home with me for my idea box. A stick. A rock. A broken toy. I also have a > hard time throwing things away so an item headed for” >

     By Linda Bendor on January 10, 2019 at 11:14 pm

533. I have a junk drawer. Yes, just one. No hidden junk drawers here. If i did have more than one then I would have a ton of potential ideas!

     By Dani Duck on January 10, 2019 at 11:27 pm

534. Thanks Susan. I have multiple junk drawers. So this should be easy…

     By tiffanydickinson on January 10, 2019 at 11:53 pm

535. Nice twist by asking What IF.

     By topangamaria on January 11, 2019 at 1:23 am

536. What a great way to jumpstart ideas!

     By Ink Bottle Studio on January 11, 2019 at 3:02 am

537. Using a prop box or junk drawer to generate story ideas…I’d never consider that before but it works. I have a new idea! Thanks.

     By Linda Hofke on January 11, 2019 at 6:33 am

538. OHH, I love this one! Another goodie from the past.

     By Sarah Maynard (@SarahDMaynard) on January 11, 2019 at 9:29 am

539. Great idea – never tried this one!

     By Nicole Strangman on January 11, 2019 at 9:51 am

540. what a great idea! my junk drawer is always overflowing, will be great to put it to use

     By shanah salter on January 11, 2019 at 12:38 pm

541. It’s true, ideas come from everywhere. Thanks for re-sharing.

     By Julie Rand on January 11, 2019 at 4:26 pm

542. I like this very concrete idea prompt – thank you!!

     By Carrie Finison on January 11, 2019 at 7:16 pm

543. Susan, thank you for the inspiration. Finally, a real purpose for my junk drawer. Another idea I thought of as I am trying to reduce “stuff” in my home: after the Idea Box has sufficient stuff in it, I could take a picture and use that to refer to. Then I can give away or thrown away the contents, while preserving the great ideas the Idea Box will inspire.

     By Johna Nicole Rossetti on January 12, 2019 at 10:12 am

544. Thanks for sharing!

     By Melissa Mwai on January 12, 2019 at 5:33 pm

545. I love this idea and that it gives me an excuse have that junk drawer!!

     By Kathy O'Neill on January 12, 2019 at 6:50 pm

546. I definitely need to get better at asking, “What If?”

     By Janet Halfmann on January 12, 2019 at 7:52 pm

547. But Husband! I CAN’T DONATE THIS. Susan Taylor Brown said I need it for picture book ideas!!!

     By Stephanie Lau on January 12, 2019 at 11:30 pm

548. Thanks for this idea! I’m off to go write a story about a hammer. 🙂

     By Jennifer Broedel (@JBroedelAuthor) on January 12, 2019 at 11:34 pm

549. Ooh, I have lots of vintage treasures to use for this!

     By Erin Le Clerc on January 13, 2019 at 12:25 am

550. Thanks so much, Susan. I’m off to explore my drawers. I knew tossing things into them would be good for something one day. 😉

     By Mindy Alyse Weiss on January 13, 2019 at 7:12 am

551. Thanks for the fun idea

     By Nadia Ali on January 13, 2019 at 7:22 am

552. Something old, something new, something very clever, Susan! Thank you

     By Barb Ostapina on January 13, 2019 at 1:56 pm

553. Thanks Susan

     By KATHY Z.PRICE on January 13, 2019 at 2:02 pm

554. So glad I’m at my Mom’s house. Anyone else need a junk drawer? EVERY drawer at the bar counter area is a junk drawer. 4 of ’em.

     By Shereen S. on January 13, 2019 at 5:07 pm

555. Got an entire PB story arc out of this one! Thanks!

     By Laurel Ranveig Abell on January 14, 2019 at 11:36 am

556. Great ideas. If you combine this with Linda Mitchell’s comment, then a great group activity (online) or for a critique group would be to show pitures of their junk drawers & come up with “what if…” stories. FUN. Thanks.

     By Maria Marshall on January 14, 2019 at 1:31 pm

557. I looked in my junk drawer and the what ifs started flowing…Thank you!!

     By Judy Bryan on January 14, 2019 at 2:36 pm

558. I’ve got several junk drawers that are worth a look. Thanks!

     By Caren Cantrell on January 14, 2019 at 5:18 pm

559. Well, lucky me! I have heaps of these crannies around my house, storing odds and ends. 😉 Great thinking to use objects to generate story ideas. Thanks, Susan!

     By Emma Wood on January 14, 2019 at 5:21 pm

560. Love the ideas in this post! I hope my junk drawer is as interesting as yours, I haven’t looked in mine in awhile.

     By Carolyn Kraft on January 15, 2019 at 12:09 am

561. I love your imagination. I needed a dose of that today. Thanks.

     By Michelle O'Hara Levin on January 15, 2019 at 3:01 pm

562. Such a great idea!

     By Ms. Schubé on January 15, 2019 at 3:58 pm

563. Love it. I also have a difficult time parting with things. Now I can use those things.

     By Andrew Lefebvre on January 16, 2019 at 12:09 am

564. I save interesting objects too — sometimes for the story potential, and other times for my daughter to play with.. but now I am totally starting an idea box.. Thanks for reposting this one, Tara, I love it!

     By Kelly Rice Schmitt on January 16, 2019 at 12:23 am

565. What a great idea!!! Now I can look at my junk drawers with fresh eyes and open arms… thanks!

     By Jennifer G Prevost on January 16, 2019 at 7:41 am

566. Time to dive into my junk drawer. Whee!

     By Susan Tuggy on January 16, 2019 at 11:58 am

567. What a fun, new source of ideas! I didn’t even get up from this chair, and just recorded eight new ideas. Plus, I have a great excuse not to clean out that drawer…

     By Lou on January 16, 2019 at 2:22 pm

568. Wow! I have a junk box that’s probably full of ideas. Thanks for the idea.

     By Janine Johns on January 16, 2019 at 4:20 pm

569. Great excuse for a junk drawer. Thanks!

     By Terri Sabol on January 16, 2019 at 6:45 pm

570. Great idea!

     By Brandon Collins on January 16, 2019 at 9:55 pm

571. Great strategy for finding new ideas! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

     By Amelia Shearer on January 17, 2019 at 11:18 am

572. Ideas popped into my head as I read this. Thank you.

     By Cassie Bentley on January 17, 2019 at 1:42 pm

573. I have lots of junk drawers. I have no excuse for not coming up with an idea. Thank you!

     By Jill M Proctor on January 17, 2019 at 11:34 pm

574. I have two junk drawers and a large “collection” of various items. Thank you for reminding me that I have ideas stored all around me.

     By aturner513 on January 19, 2019 at 2:26 am

575. My clutter queen tendencies have been vindicated. Thank you

     By topangamaria on January 19, 2019 at 10:09 am

576. I’m sure there is stuff around my place I could do this with!

     By readstuffnwrite on January 19, 2019 at 4:49 pm

577. OH, do I ever have junk drawers. Even after I clean them out! thnx

     By cantsing1 on January 20, 2019 at 10:47 am

578. I am a pack rat and I want to thank you for validating my vice. It is now considered my idea journals, drawers, and closets!

     By dlapmandi on January 20, 2019 at 11:46 am

579. I have a hard time getting rid of things too! I’m not alone. Whoo-hoo! Now I have an excuse: I’m saving that for story inspiration. Love that.

     By Dianne on January 20, 2019 at 1:16 pm

580. I’ll never look into my junk drawer again without thinking of this post. Thanks for the great ideas.

     By Doris k Stone on January 20, 2019 at 3:11 pm

581. Great idea! Thank you!

     By donnacangelosi on January 20, 2019 at 4:26 pm

582. you’ve just given renewed value to the boxes of toys my kids don’t use but can’t part with … something from box a, something from box b …

     By Angela H. Dale on January 21, 2019 at 12:36 am

583. Love your take on looking at the ordinary in an extraordinary way!

     By Hillary Homzie on January 22, 2019 at 12:52 am

584. I live in the house that my grandparents built. My grandpa passed away 19 years ago, and I’m still finding things that he had stashed away. The stories I could write . . .

     By thedandelionzoo on January 22, 2019 at 2:26 am

585. I knew the things stashed in my junk drawer would be useful someday! Thanks for the ideas!

     By Paula VanEnkevort on January 22, 2019 at 5:24 pm

586. What a great idea! And now I know what to do with all the things I find when I am out walking :-).

     By sharongiltrow on January 23, 2019 at 12:33 am

587. Hi Susan, Thanks for this junk drawer idea! Also the image of ideas finding you – again similar to what I’m reading in The Big Magic!

     By Janet AlJunaidi on January 23, 2019 at 1:25 pm

588. What a great idea. Hahaha, I know which drawer to open first. Thank you.

     By Robyn Campbell on January 26, 2019 at 10:24 pm

589. I have so much inspiration around me!

     By Joyce on January 27, 2019 at 4:22 pm

590. What a great idea! Even MORE exciting is I have a big plastic bin of what used to be my “animal drawer” from when I was a kid….a bin filled with match box cars, rubber frogs, tops, jacks, marbles, and all sorts of plastic animals….who could make GREAT storybook characters….hmmmm…

     Michele Katz Grieder

     By creationsbymit on January 28, 2019 at 12:20 am

591. Great imagination! This would be such a fun activity at a school workshop as well. Thanks!

     By Marie Powell on January 29, 2019 at 12:35 pm

592. Great idea, luckily I haven’t done any spring cleaning yet! Junk drawer here I come.

     By hannahtuohyillustration on January 29, 2019 at 1:12 pm

593. I usually want to pretend my junk drawer doesn’t exist. Now I can’t wait to raid it! Thank you so much for the inspiration!

     By Danielle Hicks on January 30, 2019 at 2:47 pm

594. Love! Your creative ideas at the end for what regular objects could be is so hilarious and inspiring!

     By Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez on January 30, 2019 at 8:41 pm

595. I might turn this into a “take a picture of an object” and have an idea album in the cloud. I am forever trying to get rid of stuff, but it can hang out in the cloud all day. Thank you.

     By higherthanrubies on January 31, 2019 at 9:47 pm

596. I’m a magpie who loves bringing home irresistible things. Thanks for showing me a way to turn them into stories.

     By Laurie Swindler on January 31, 2019 at 11:39 pm

597. Time to starting hunting through the house….

     By charmaineweston on February 3, 2019 at 2:55 am

598. I remember this post! I think of it often, actually. Great ideas here! 🙂

     By Sheri Dillard on February 3, 2019 at 9:11 am

599. Found items make great writing prompts as they invite you to take on a different perspective. This one netted several ideas.

     By andromeda515 on February 3, 2019 at 10:11 pm

600. It’s like your own island of lost things. Love it!

     By loelmu on February 4, 2019 at 5:02 pm

601. I feel like my whole house is a junk drawer/idea box today thanks to my kids. Maybe I ought to also do some tidying.

     By teachom on January 26, 2020 at 4:38 pm

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