by Darshana Khiani and the Soaring20s
It’s the middle of Storystorm, I hope your gears are turning and churning out ideas. If yours are a little rusty like mine, then I suggest starting small by following your curiosity and then letting your imagination take over. From TV shows, doodling, to puppy clothing, ideas are everywhere! Today members from the Soaring20s Picture Book Debut group are here to tell you where they got some of their ideas. Enjoy!
While struggling with a story about an otter, I doodled a secondary character—a sea lion who was roaring while flying a plane. Suddenly the idea to play with sounds that could be made by both animals AND vehicles took over. And before I knew it, I had a shiny new book dummy called ANIMALS GO VROOM!, which will be published by Viking in 2021!
Abi Cushman, author-illustrator of SOAKED! (Viking, July 2020)
I had an idea for a story while picking up my son at daycare one day. When I arrived, he was playing outside. He started running in my direction as soon as he saw me, but there was a group of kids in his way. Instead of going around, he roared and waved his “claws” at them, like a T-Rex. It worked, but I don’t know what was funniest, his strategy or the disapproving looks he got from the other three year olds.
Joana Pastro, author of LILLYBELLE, A DAMSEL NOT IN DISTRESS, illus. Jhon Ortiz (BM&K, September 2020), and BISA’S CARNAVAL, illus. Carolina Coroa (Scholastic, Spring 2020)
I once read that when Edward White completed America’s first spacewalk in 1965, he was reluctant to return to his ship and when he finally did, he said, “This is the saddest moment of my life.” Immediately, I thought, “Wow! Kids can really relate to that feeling.” I knew White’s story needed to be shared with young readers so I wrote it. The Stars Beckoned comes out from Philomel in early 2021.
Candy Wellins, author of SATURDAYS ARE FOR STELLA, illus. Charlie Eve Ryan (Page Street Kids, August 2020)
I’m currently working on a draft inspired by an episode of the non-kid-friendly show, “Drunk History” (Comedy Central). Each episode is a goldmine for highlighting overlooked histories of underrepresented groups, including women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community. Try working THAT point of inspiration into a picture book author’s note.
Kirsten Larson, author of WOOD, WIRE, WINGS: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane, illus. Tracy Subisak (Calkins Creek, 2020) and FIRE OF STARS: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars are Made Of, illus. Katherine Roy (Chronicle, 2021)
Ideas often come to me as I walk in nature. I think the quiet—wherever I am—opens up my mind and heart and allows me to be more receptive to sights and sounds and ideas! Just the other day I came across some scat—whose? With a lot of fur in it—whose? I am not sure what I will do with that but the discovery sure nurtures curiosity and questions. And who knows where that takes me.
Mary Wagley Copp, author of WHEREVER I GO, illus. Munir Mohammed (Atheneum, April 2020)
I’ve gotten a story idea from watching my kids have a huge fight.
Sam Wedelich, author-illustrator of CHICKEN LITTLE: THE REAL AND TOTALLY TRUE TALE (Scholastic Press, May 2020)
My dad sent me pictures from a local event called Prairie Plowing Days, a demonstration of steam tractors and gang plows to show how farming was done in the early 1900s. The event featured other antique farming equipment, such this tractor. Kansas to Washington, DC, in a tractor?! Research uncovered the American Agriculture Movement’s 1979 cross-country “tractorcades,” which led to the farmers occupying the National Mall for weeks, which led to more protests, which led to Farm Aid, which led to me writing FARMERS UNITE! Planting a Protest for Fair Prices.
Lindsay H. Metcalf, author of BEATRIX POTTER, SCIENTIST, illus. by Junyi Wu (Albert Whitman, September 2020), co-editor with Keila V. Dawson and Jeanette Bradley of NO VOICE TOO SMALL: Fourteen Young Americans Making History, illus. by Jeanette Bradley (Charlesbridge, September 2020), and author of FARMERS UNITE! PLANTING A PROTEST FOR FAIR PRICES (Calkins Creek, November 2020).
When I was a teenager, a song I loved came on the radio. I squealed, “Turn it up! This is the best song ever.” My friend’s Dad scoffed and replied, “Really? This is the best song ever?” That exchange stuck with me and became the kernel that launched the interaction between young Mason and his Grandpa in How Long Is Forever? Mine those long ago memories and you may find your next idea!
Kelly Carey, author of HOW LONG IS FOREVER?, illus. Qing Zhuang (Charlesbridge, April 2020)
I was taking care of my cousin’s puppy who was wearing a onesie (who knew there were dog onesies??) to keep her from licking her stitches. I took the puppy outside to pee and forgot to undo the onesie snaps. You can guess what happened next. That incident spawned a title and a story which I’m working on now!
Melanie Ellsworth, author of CLARINET AND TRUMPET, illus. John Herzog (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, August 2020)
When a book editor read my article for the New York Times about what Julia, an autistic Muppet, means to my family, she asked me if I could write a picture book about an autistic girl with sensory issues. My daughter and I both live with autism and sensory issues, so I thought about what bothers us the most. I settled on sticky hands and created scenes with pancakes and syrup for breakfast and slime day at school.
Jen Malia, author of TOO STICKY! SENSORY ISSUES WITH AUTISM, illus. by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff (Albert Whitman, April 2020)
I’m not an illustrator, but sometimes ideas come to me in the form of images. I was at a writing conference with friends, and I suddenly pictured a sari where the border color was interspersed into the body of the sari, and the sari color was interspersed into the border. I sketched it, and realized it was a metaphor for a girl’s experience traveling to India to visit her grandmother, and the grandmother’s experience traveling to the U.S. to visit the girl. I’LL GO AND COME BACK will be illustrated by Sara Palacios and published by Candlewick Press in 2022.
Rajani LaRocca, author of SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS, illus. Archana Sreenivasan (Lee & Low, July 2020), BRACELETS FOR BROTHERS, illus. Chaaya Prabhat (Charlesbridge, 2021), WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET, illus. Archana Sreenivasan (Abrams, 2022)
I usually get my best ideas from brainstorming. Like with my book THE ELEPHANTS’ GUIDE TO HIDE-AND-SEEK (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky April 1, 2020), I started with the idea of a parody guidebook of some kind, then I brainstormed activities kids like that don’t really have guidebooks (and wouldn’t). Then I brainstormed angles for ways the guidebook could be ridiculous. Soon I had an idea that was much more interesting than the original small seed.
Kjersten Hayes, author of THE ELEPHANTS’ GUIDE TO HIDE-AND-SEEK, illus. by Gladys Jose (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, April 2020)
A lot of my stories come from the “What If?” game. What if a spunky, creative girl who dances to the beat of her own drum decides to start ballet classes? What if instead, it was an Indian classical dance? These questions led me to write a story about a Indian-American girl trying to find an Indian dance class that suits her. This story is on submission now!
Darshana Khiani, author of HOW TO WEAR A SARI, illus. Joanne-Lew Vriethoff (Versify, Spring 2021)
Soaring20s is a diverse group of authors and illustrators with picture book debuts soaring onto shelves in 2020 and beyond. Visit soaring20spb.com for behind-the-scenes posts, resources, and giveaways!
You can also follow them on Twitter @Soaring20sPB and Instagram @Soaring20sPB.
Soaring20s is giving away the choice of a picture book manuscript critique or a picture book dummy critique to two different winners.
Leave one comment below to enter.
You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm participant and you have commented once below.
Good luck!
571 comments
Comments feed for this article
January 15, 2020 at 7:12 am
BRUCE BENSON
I learned the “What if?” and “Why” from a course by Neil Gaiman. Simple to remember and the flood of ideas come pouring out. Thanks to all of the other ways to get ideas. But ideas are only that unless you take action and complete them to full fruition.
January 15, 2020 at 7:20 am
Linda Mitchell
These are wonderful! What I notice is not so much the finding of the idea but the moment of noticing that the idea can grow into a story. LOVE all of these. They are fuel for my engine. Thank you all and can’t wait to read all the books that stemmed from these!
January 15, 2020 at 6:58 pm
Abi
So true, Linda! I think when you think of yourself as an author, you’re more likely to see potential in your own experiences as story ideas. It’s about being mindful.
January 15, 2020 at 7:21 am
vanessahorn35
It’s inspiring to read the daily Storystorm posts! 😀
January 15, 2020 at 8:53 am
Nancy Riley
More great ideas! Thanks and continued success to you all!
January 15, 2020 at 7:22 am
M.R. Street
I loved reading how PB authors get their ideas! I often have “what if” light bulb flashes, and also am inspired by nature. I’ve also been very inspired by all the Storystorm posts. Thanks, Soaring20s as well as Day 1-14 blogpost authors!
January 15, 2020 at 7:22 am
Ruthie Kirk
What a fun collection of idea sources! I predict a bright future for the creative boy who used the T-Rex strategy! And astronaut Ed White’s reaction is unforgettable.
January 15, 2020 at 10:13 am
Kara Newhouse
Great to read all these moments of inspiration from an array of authors. Looking forward to your books!
January 15, 2020 at 7:30 am
Suzanne Lewis
It’s always so much fun and helpful in my own creative idea generating when I hear where a story seedling came from and how it blossomed into a beautiful flower! Thank you!
January 15, 2020 at 7:30 am
Kathi Morrison-Taylor
What a wonderful set of origin stories! Can’t wait to read these books!
January 16, 2020 at 12:03 am
jenniemacdonald
I love this term, “origin stories,” Kathi! It always makes me think of superheroes’ origin stories. And they are always mash-ups of unrelated things that generate superpowers—like reading! Thanks to all of the authors for sharing!
January 15, 2020 at 7:32 am
Bettie Boswell
Thank you for sharing your great ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 7:32 am
Jeanette Stampone
Fantastic! I am looking out for stories everywhere now. I love the crazy out of the box ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 7:33 am
Lesley Grigg
So many muses! Thanks for sharing!
January 15, 2020 at 7:34 am
Kathy Erskine
Great post! Lots of fun ideas — thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 7:38 am
steveheron
Like all of these. I was thinking to myself ‘What if?’ And then it came up at the end. A lot of my ideas come from things that make me/kids laugh
January 15, 2020 at 7:40 am
Rebecca
Love reading how all these ideas came about! Thank you for sharing.
January 15, 2020 at 7:43 am
Jessica Coupé
Very inspirational to see where everyone’s ideas come from!
January 15, 2020 at 7:44 am
authoryvonafast
Thank you all for sharing how you got your ideas – and how those ideas turnd into stories! It only shows that ideas are everywhere… turning them into viable stories is the harder part. Wishing you all success with these debut books!
January 15, 2020 at 7:46 am
Marianne Knowles
Thank you all for reminding us that ideas are everywhere if you know how to look!
January 15, 2020 at 7:48 am
Sarah Hetu-Radny
Really great post thanks Tara… nice to have little bursts of inspiration from different people who get ideas in different ways. I HAD to stop and write down an idea that one of them sparked in me immediately upon reading her comment. We’ll see what today’s drive brings (I brainstorm on my drives to work!) Thank you!!!
January 15, 2020 at 7:50 am
Robin Perkins
I agree with Linda Mitchell’s comment above. This is the art of noticing. We need only take the time.
January 15, 2020 at 7:50 am
Jane Heitman Healy
Thanks for giving us a wide variety of ways to find ideas. Congratulations, everyone!
January 15, 2020 at 7:56 am
Daryl Gottier
Thanks for sharing the inspirations for so many of your ideas. Recognizing their potential is so important.
January 15, 2020 at 7:59 am
Michelle Ramirez
Inspired!
January 15, 2020 at 9:16 am
michelemeleen
I think the most interesting part is how each person can see a spark, then their own life experience smashes into it creating a unique PB😁
January 15, 2020 at 8:03 am
Kelly Jaques
Wow, Soaring20s, a plethora of great ideas and inspiration! Thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 8:06 am
Cathy L. Murphy
It’s great to hear about so many wonderful soon-to-be-released books and the inspiration behind them!
January 15, 2020 at 8:09 am
Lauri Fortino
What a treasure trove of ways to come up with ideas; thanks for sharing! And congratulations to all of you on your forthcoming books!
January 15, 2020 at 8:11 am
storyfairy
I loved reading all these different inspiration stories! Thank you so much. 🙂
January 15, 2020 at 8:11 am
sequinsue
It’s so great to hear where and when inspiration strikes for other writers!
January 15, 2020 at 8:15 am
orchardka
Loved reading all the different ways that ideas turned into books! Thanks for sharing.
January 15, 2020 at 8:16 am
thecrowsmap
Interesting! Congratulations to the Soaring20s!
January 15, 2020 at 8:17 am
Jennifer Blanck
Thanks, all, for sharing your idea inspirations! Story ideas really do come from everywhere!
January 15, 2020 at 8:19 am
Joy
I can’t wait to read these!
January 15, 2020 at 8:19 am
tanyakonerman
What a great list of “behind the story” stories! I agree that inspiration is everywhere!
January 15, 2020 at 8:23 am
Beth Gallagher
What a fab and inspiring post! Congratulations to all the Soaring20s and thank you for this wonderful Storystorm post. I have so many ideas inspired by odd little sights, sounds, experiences and am glad to read that others are too. 😊
January 15, 2020 at 8:23 am
Jay
This is a great post in the middle of Storystorm to keep the ideas flowing! Brilliant.
January 15, 2020 at 8:23 am
kiwijenny
I like these ideas. I especially like What if? Thanks
January 15, 2020 at 8:25 am
Andrea Mack (@AndreaL_Mack)
I’m excited by all the great books coming out! Thanks for sharing the inspiration behind your stories!
January 15, 2020 at 8:28 am
kaleegwarjanski
I love hearing how people get their story ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 8:32 am
Janet Smart
Wow! A lot of great ideas to think about. Thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 8:33 am
tinamcho
Thanks, Soaring 20s, for sharing how you found ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 8:42 am
Angela De Groot
Thanks for sharing your inspiration sources. Looking forward to reading your 2020 books (and beyond).
January 15, 2020 at 8:45 am
Ashley Congdon (@AshleyCCongdon)
Thanks for ideas! Ideas are really everywhere.
January 15, 2020 at 8:45 am
rimna
Lots of great examples on finding stories – thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 8:45 am
Mia Geiger
So many interesting ways of coming up with story ideas! Thank you for sharing!
January 15, 2020 at 8:47 am
gayleckrause
We’re surrounded by story ideas. Thanks for sharing yours. 😉
January 15, 2020 at 8:47 am
Sarah SarahH
Inspiration is everywhere! I love how Storystorm helps writers be open to inspiration at all times.
January 15, 2020 at 8:48 am
asiqueira1307
Hahaha, so many funny stories, but my favorite was Joana Pastro’s one.
January 19, 2020 at 8:52 am
Joana Pastro
Thanks, Ana! It was quite an interesting moment for sure. I wish I had been more diligent at writing down all the cute little things my kids did when they were little.
Happy StoryStorming!
January 15, 2020 at 8:48 am
Colleen Owen Murphy
Wow! What a plethora of ideas!! I have a few favorites from the list that I think I will play with right now! Thank you to all who shared!
January 15, 2020 at 8:49 am
Rona Shirdan
Thanks for the tips. I will make sure to nurture my curiosity!
January 15, 2020 at 8:53 am
me
So many sparks! Thanks, all.
January 15, 2020 at 8:54 am
Jennifer Phillips
Love hearing the back story of so many book ideas. Very stimulating. Thank you!
January 15, 2020 at 8:55 am
Jennifer Kay
Love hearing the inspiration behind these picture books. Thanks so much for sharing.
January 15, 2020 at 8:56 am
Karrie Zylstra
I got ideas from reading how you all got ideas because your experiences reminded me of my own. Thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 8:59 am
debbiearnn
I love hearing what’s coming in kids literature and the inspiration behind each story! Thanks for sharing!
January 15, 2020 at 9:00 am
Anne LeBlanc Gr 4/5 teacher (@AnneLeBlanc2)
So many great ideas to share with my students. I find they don’t often value the story material in their own lives. This will help!
January 15, 2020 at 9:00 am
rosecappelli
Thanks for the great suggestions and the reminder that ideas are everywhere. You just have to take the time to notice. I love hearing from other authors about their process. This post helped me see how a tiny seed of an idea can be approached from many different angles until it grows into a story. Congratulations to all of you on your upcoming books!
January 15, 2020 at 9:03 am
kimpfenn
Love reading the backstory on these fabulous upcoming picture books! Thanks for the inspiration!!
January 15, 2020 at 9:03 am
Krista Harrington
Great advice! I often do the “What If’s” when brainstorming new ideas:)
January 15, 2020 at 9:08 am
VC
I really enjoyed reading where all these ideas came from!
January 15, 2020 at 9:11 am
Robin Brett Wechsler
Fascinating how the mind works. Thanks for sharing these story seed nuggets! I’m eager to read all the books that came from them.
January 15, 2020 at 9:12 am
stiefelchana
These are great! Thanks so much for sharing, Darshana! I’m so excited for your debut!
January 15, 2020 at 9:13 am
marsha weiner
this is a friggin’ avalanche!
mucho gusto
mw
January 15, 2020 at 9:14 am
Manju B. Howard (@ManjuBeth)
Thanks for sharing! My ideas come from conflicts I know well. The “What if?” and “Why” questions lead me through my character’s story.
January 15, 2020 at 9:15 am
melissamiles1
You definitely created some great images in my head of a dog in a onesie and a toddler clearing a path with T rex claws! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
January 19, 2020 at 8:55 am
Joana Pastro
Hi Melissa! Yes, that little T-Rex was quite a sight!
January 15, 2020 at 9:16 am
Karin Larson
Terrific post, thank you so much. It is fun to read how others turn ideas into inspiration and books.
January 15, 2020 at 9:16 am
Krystal Snead
I want to read all of these!
January 15, 2020 at 9:16 am
Dayne Sislen, Children's Book Illustrator
Thank you these are great!
January 15, 2020 at 9:17 am
clairebobrow
Thanks for sharing your sources of inspiration! Good stuff!
January 15, 2020 at 9:19 am
Lara Elliott
Thank you all for sharing! The ideas are swirling already.
January 15, 2020 at 9:21 am
jbbower
Thank you for the inspiring post Soaring20s! It is so helpful to hear how other authors found their ideas. So often, great ideas really do come out of mundane and everyday experiences. Congratulations to all of you on your new publications and good luck to those who are submitting!
January 15, 2020 at 9:21 am
Lindsey Hobson
It’s great hearing all the ways people can get ideas and what a little kernel can become!
January 15, 2020 at 9:24 am
Kim Wilson
So many great ways to brainstorm!
January 15, 2020 at 9:26 am
Kathy Halsey
Wow, what a round-up of tips. TY, Soaring 20s.
January 15, 2020 at 9:27 am
Elizabeth Brown
Excited for all these books! Thank you!
January 15, 2020 at 9:29 am
bgonsar
It sounds like a good year for new releases. Congrats all!
January 15, 2020 at 9:31 am
kateywrites
What a fun list of places to find ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 9:31 am
Darlene Koppel
Thank your for the multitude of ideas. Congratulations on your success.
January 15, 2020 at 9:37 am
ryanrobertsauthor
Thanks for all of the inspiration. Can’t wait to hold your books in my hands! Congrats!
January 15, 2020 at 9:37 am
Franny G
Soaring 20s sounds interesting — going to check you out. And thanks for your tips.
January 15, 2020 at 9:38 am
ptnozell
This post is brilliant! I love all of the different perspectives. Thanks so much for sharing – to your continued success!
January 15, 2020 at 9:38 am
Joan Swanson
Those are some great ways to get multiple ideas. Thank you!
January 15, 2020 at 9:39 am
Lisa Black
Thank you!
January 15, 2020 at 9:40 am
Maria Bostian
I love reading through all of your different ways to drum up ideas. So many of you have wonderful books on the horizon! Congratulations to all!
January 15, 2020 at 9:41 am
Joan Longstaff
Just goes to show – keeps your eyes and ears open and ideas will come your way. Be open to any and every opportunity. Thanks for sharing.
January 15, 2020 at 9:42 am
Mark Bentz
Thank you for posting. Great suggestions to think of new ideas.
January 15, 2020 at 9:42 am
Rebecca E. Hirsch
So fun reading all these different ideas! I hope you all enjoy your debut year.
January 15, 2020 at 9:43 am
Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudhri
I can’t wait to read Drunk History–The Picture Book!
January 15, 2020 at 9:45 am
ofmariaantonia
What a fun list of inspirations! Neat to see this.
January 15, 2020 at 9:47 am
Sarah Tobias
Right now, I don’t care about new ideas, I just love hearing about all the new books coming out. Congratulations to you all for your upcoming books. I look forward to reading them.
So many places for inspiration. It sounds like you each made personal connections to your inspiration.
January 15, 2020 at 9:48 am
Melissa Stoller
Thanks for sharing your inspiration stories! I’m looking forward to reading all your books!
January 15, 2020 at 9:48 am
Lauren Barbieri
Love these stories behind the stories! Congratulations on all those books hitting the shelves!
January 15, 2020 at 9:50 am
rgstones
Ideas really are everywhere!
January 15, 2020 at 9:51 am
Polly Sena Renner
How fun to read everyone’s idea patterns! Thank you Darshana!
January 15, 2020 at 9:53 am
Jane Serpa
Wow, so any great ideas in one post. Thanks to everyone for sharing.
January 15, 2020 at 9:56 am
Deb Sullivan
Loved reading through the various ways to churn out ideas…great stuff!
January 15, 2020 at 9:57 am
Robyn McGrath
Such fun ideas! I loved reading them all.
January 15, 2020 at 9:58 am
Megan Whitaker
Fun to hear where the inspiration for your books come from! Thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 10:00 am
Cathy Lentes
I love seeing and hearing where creative people get their ideas. I had two aha moments of inspiration in the last week as I was coming into the school where I work. I’m having fun making notes for each of these possible books.
January 15, 2020 at 10:01 am
Sally Lotz
These are great. My current WIP came from a single sentence written on a sidewalk in chalk. Ideas are everywhere – if you take the time to look.
January 15, 2020 at 10:03 am
writeremmcbride
Thank you for sharing your many ideas and way of discovering them. My friend mentioned “what appears on the page” yesterday, and I realized that I am often experiencing what I put on the page as an idea that is new to me as it shows up right there. Openness is the key – whether through challenging yourself to go a step (or more!) further with an idea, or disappearing into the quiet of your surroundings to let the ideas come to you. The receiving may be the key to discovering them.
January 15, 2020 at 10:04 am
Susie Sawyer
Many thanks to all of you for sharing the inspiration for some of your stories! Ideas really can come from anywhere!
January 15, 2020 at 10:04 am
Susie
So many interesting ideas. Thanks for sharing.
January 15, 2020 at 10:05 am
faygie1
Thanks for giving some insight into where you get your ideas. They really are all around us, but sometimes we have to work a bit harder to find them.
January 15, 2020 at 10:06 am
Marty lapointe-malchik
Good morning, Darshana! What’s more exciting than seeing so many fabulous debut PB? Getting to eavesdrop on the source of the seed of an idea and where it came from! Thank you for charging the air with an overarching ‘You GO, Girl’ launch point for Storystormers no matter their gender. If man, oh, man can be universally adopted then why not You go, Girl! Thanks Tara, YOU are the original girl that keeps us all going and invites Darshana to your 2020 idea blizzard.
January 15, 2020 at 10:08 am
julie rowan zoch
I haven’t even heard all these stories yet – and I’m part of the group! Haha! Now prouder than ever!
January 19, 2020 at 8:58 am
Joana Pastro
And that’s why our group must keep going forever and ever! 😉
January 15, 2020 at 10:09 am
Beth Charles
Your brainstorming ideas gave me some brainstorming ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 10:09 am
Thelia Hutchinson
Great inspiration. I often get some kind of ideas that pop into my head based on things I have seen, heard or experienced. I sometimes doubt myself, with coming up with these ideas, but I feel better now and understand that the ideads brewing could ead to better things. I just have to believe.
Thank you.
January 15, 2020 at 10:09 am
Gregory E Bray
Thanks for the great post.
January 15, 2020 at 10:10 am
pjaegly
These examples have widened the plethora of new ways to dream up book ideas. Thank you!
January 15, 2020 at 10:13 am
Lori Dubbin
The Soaring 20s is a wonderful and apt name for your group!
January 15, 2020 at 10:15 am
Kari Gonzalez
Great ideas, soaring20’s! Thank you for sharing and excited to read your upcoming titles!
January 15, 2020 at 10:16 am
pathaap
Wow! Lots of great ideas here. Thanks to all of you for the inspiring post!
January 15, 2020 at 10:18 am
Cathy Ballou Mealey
Love this reminder that inspiration is all around us. Congrats all!
January 15, 2020 at 10:18 am
authorlaurablog
This is a cornucopia of ideas and ways to generate ideas. Thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 10:21 am
Krista Maxwell
Thanks for sharing your ideas. I came up with my one just reading through these!
January 15, 2020 at 10:21 am
lmconnors
Fun examples and great ideas! Thank you.
January 15, 2020 at 10:24 am
juliannahelt
Great ideas! Thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 10:26 am
Mary Worley
Thanks! It’s helpful to hear how the seed of the idea grew into a story from so many different authors. My TBR list is a lot longer now, too. 😊
January 15, 2020 at 10:26 am
Daniele Arndt
So interesting! Thanks for sharing!
January 15, 2020 at 10:27 am
Juliann Caveny
Now THIS is an inspiring group of writers! I love every idea and am excited to add these to my “too be read” list. It’s such fun to learn where our ideas came from. Thanks for sharing yours with us.
January 15, 2020 at 10:29 am
judyrubin13
What an inspiring post! Ideas are going to blossom today with so many examples.
January 15, 2020 at 10:29 am
shannonlhall
This one was great! So neat to see how all of their ideas came to be. I often get picture book ideas just doing everyday life with my kiddos. But then I forget them because…….kiddos.
January 15, 2020 at 10:30 am
Riya
That’s a lot of nuggets to mine from. Especially liked the idea about making the guidebook ridiculous.
January 15, 2020 at 10:30 am
Chang H
Thank you all for sharing. And congratulations on your upcoming books!
January 15, 2020 at 10:36 am
stacey miller
I love how authors get great ideas from something their child did or something someone said, this was such an interesting read thank you.
January 15, 2020 at 10:38 am
Jessica Kulekjian
Thank you for this round up of inspiration. I love learning how all these ideas found their way onto the pages of a book.
January 15, 2020 at 10:38 am
BARBARA SENENMAN
Many great ideas. Brainstorming is my favorite because l often come up with something or fix a problem by going back and forth with my critique partners.
January 15, 2020 at 10:40 am
Heather Erquiaga
Oh, I love all these tips! And congratulations to all on your upcoming releases! 🎉
January 15, 2020 at 10:43 am
Candace Spizzirri
What a fun post! Thank you Soaring20s!
January 15, 2020 at 10:44 am
nicolesalterbraun
Great ideas! Coming up w/ story ideas is the easy and fun part for me. It’s the rest of the story I struggle with…LOL
January 15, 2020 at 10:44 am
Laurie
I love hearing how other people get their ideas. It really makes by brain more receptive to ideas where it normally wouldn’t be.
January 15, 2020 at 10:50 am
Glenda Roberson
I get so many ideas, but as a new writer have trouble fleshing them out in a way that will appeal to kids and agents. Anyone who thinks writing a great picture book is easy needs to talk to those of us who write them. Thanks for your wonderful post.
January 15, 2020 at 10:51 am
Debra Kempf Shumaker
What a treasure chest of wonderful stories of inspiration. Thanks for this post!!!!
January 15, 2020 at 10:51 am
Carolyn Bennett Fraiser
Some great ideas! They always come from the strangest places.
January 15, 2020 at 10:53 am
donnacangelosi
Thank you Soaring 20’s! Ideas are everywhere!
January 15, 2020 at 10:53 am
mommamoocow
Quiet moments can stir up my ideas.
January 15, 2020 at 10:54 am
Eileen Mayo
I love reading all the different inspirations for story ideas! Congratulations on all the debut books. Can’t wait to read your stories😊
January 15, 2020 at 10:54 am
8catpaws
“I brainstormed activities that kids like that don’t really have guidebooks…” and BINGO! An idea popped into my head! Thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 10:56 am
Carole Calladine
What a diverse and useful post. A real idea generator. Lots to think about here. Thanks for sharing.
January 15, 2020 at 10:57 am
Susan Macartney
Wow! What an amazing group and congratulations on all your upcoming releases! LOVED the variety of inspiration sources in this post – so entertaining and helpful – thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 10:57 am
Gail Atherley
It seems that curiosity and being open and receptive to ideas is the key to most of these creative tips. Be observant and absorbent, memorialize the idea in some form, then, be ready for growth and transformation. Exciting ~~ thank you!!
January 15, 2020 at 10:59 am
Aimee
Wonderful ideas! Great that many transformed into books. Congrats soaring 20s!
January 15, 2020 at 11:00 am
Christina Shawn
I love hearing about where you find inspiration. Thank you!
January 15, 2020 at 11:05 am
Laurel Ranveig Abell
Such great ideas!!! Thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 11:06 am
Cheryl Johnson
Great places for inspiration! I’ll have to start watching Drunk History. Another idea is an extremely popular Facebook group ~
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WeirdSecondhandFinds/
January 15, 2020 at 11:06 am
Arlene Schenker
Wow! So many great ideas! Thank you, Soaring 20’s, ad good luck with all your books.
January 15, 2020 at 11:07 am
Shirley fadden
Congratulations to all the Soaring 20’s authors for banding together in support of one another while showcasing each other’s books and sharing knowledge of the craft. So many little gems to think about here.
January 15, 2020 at 11:08 am
Angie
So many great suggestions for finding ideas! Thank you for sharing and giving me ideas to make my Storystorm notebook FULL with PB seeds.
January 15, 2020 at 11:10 am
aliciaminor
What a goldmine of ideas you have like it’s raining manna from Heaven. More power on the Soaring 20s. Thanks and God bless.
January 15, 2020 at 11:12 am
kirsticall
Great ideas everyone and congrats on your 2020 books!
January 15, 2020 at 11:12 am
cantsing1
Wonderful pieces. So wish some were in print so we could see how the ideas were fleshed into a book. I, of course, jotted down the titles ; )
January 15, 2020 at 11:12 am
Carol Gwin Nelson
It was so fun to read through so many different ways to find ideas from the talented Soaring 20s. Thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 11:15 am
Garnett Natasha
It’s interesting to read these stories of inspiration. Thank you to all who contributed today.
And right now I am hearing a clicking in the cupboard- odd- but could there be a story here?
January 15, 2020 at 11:18 am
Juliana Lee
Love hearing everyone’s story sparks! Really, there’s no reason not to get 30 ideas in 30 days… it’s more a matter of writing them down before you forget!
January 15, 2020 at 11:18 am
Chelle Martin
Thanks for sharing your ideas and good luck with your books.
January 15, 2020 at 11:18 am
Heidi Yates
Thank you for all of the inspiration today!
January 15, 2020 at 11:19 am
Anita Banks
Interesting how our minds work. Thank you.
January 15, 2020 at 11:22 am
mssarahmorgan
I love this reminder that ideas can come from anywhere – thank you for sharing these stories!
January 15, 2020 at 11:23 am
Becky Shillington
Thanks for all of these great ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 11:25 am
Writer on the run
This was awesome and so idea-generating! Thanks Soaring 20s!
January 15, 2020 at 11:27 am
Rebekah Lowell
Love this insider’s look into how different authors got their ideas. Thank you for gathering these experiences for us!
January 15, 2020 at 11:29 am
Katie L. Carroll
So many different places to look for ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 11:30 am
Meli Glickman
Thanks for sharing all these inspirational stories and helpful tips. I’m so excited about these 2020 books coming out! Thanks for sharing!
January 15, 2020 at 11:32 am
Amy Healey
This was so inspiring and so helpful!
January 15, 2020 at 11:32 am
Louann Brown
I love the diverse way you have all found new ideas! I think I will need to revisit your posts to try them all. Thanks Soaring 20’s! (Such a cute name you clever writers)
January 15, 2020 at 11:33 am
Teresa Robeson
So fun reading about how my buddies in the Soaring20s get their ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 11:34 am
Lisa Riddiough
Thanks for sharing, Soaring20s!!! It’s fascinating to learn where we all get our ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 11:34 am
Damon Dean, SevenAcreSky
A Treasure Trove of ideas! Thanks for these leads, Soaring20s and Darshana!
January 15, 2020 at 11:35 am
Hollie Wolverton
Fun to see all the different ways inspiration struck! Thank you for sharing.
January 15, 2020 at 11:36 am
Arlene Schenker
Proof that ideas can come from anywhere. We just have to be open to them!
January 15, 2020 at 11:37 am
Megan J. Walvoord (@mjwalvoord2)
Love all these stories of where you get ideas! Many of mine have come from my smart and creative childrens. I will get several from these wonderful exercises and my brain has been giving me ideas right before I go to sleep at night!
January 15, 2020 at 11:39 am
jenabenton
What a great assortment of ways to find ideas! Thank you.
January 15, 2020 at 11:41 am
Aileen Stewart
So many great ways to come up with ideas. Thanks for sharing everyone!
January 15, 2020 at 11:47 am
cynthiahm
I just loved reading the sheer variety of ways that inspiration for stories can come to a writer. Thank you so much and good luck to all with books coming out this year!
January 15, 2020 at 11:47 am
matthewlasley
It is inspiring to hear how many other people came up with their ideas. They are so diverse and none started with “I was sitting at my desk staring at my screen when……”
January 15, 2020 at 7:08 pm
jellypop24
Still try in to fine my ideas
January 15, 2020 at 11:51 am
Heather Stigall
Thank you for sharing how you’ve come up with some of your ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 11:52 am
iamdavidbyrne
Thanks for the inspirational post. Yesterday, I totally misread a Jehovah’s Witness sign, and it ended up inspiring one of my Storystorm ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 11:55 am
Michele R
I love this post for two reasons…
1 – It’s a gives a lot of great ways to find story ideas
2 – It shows another example of the camaraderie of the kid lit community!
Thank you!!
January 15, 2020 at 11:56 am
Janice Woods
Fantastic tips and ideas. Thanks so much for sharing!
January 15, 2020 at 11:56 am
Doreen E. Lepore
Thank you and congrats to all of you! Looking forward to reading your books.
January 15, 2020 at 12:03 pm
danielledufayet
Thanks for all the ideas -so inspiring! Congrats!
January 15, 2020 at 12:03 pm
June Sengpiehl
Fascinating and entertaining post about finding ideas.
January 15, 2020 at 12:06 pm
Debra Daugherty
Wow! So many great ways to find PB ideas, and so many wonderful books that sprang from theses ideas. Thanks, everyone, for sharing.
January 15, 2020 at 12:08 pm
Marty Bellis
Darshana, thanks for sharing this list of authors, their books, and how their stories began. And congrats to all of you!
January 15, 2020 at 12:11 pm
Becky Ross Michael
So many great examples about the origins of writing ideas…thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 12:12 pm
Sherry Smith
Thanks Darshana and the Soaring 20s for sharing your inspirations and ways to generate new ideas. I’ll check out the books when they’re launched.
January 15, 2020 at 12:13 pm
Jean Matthew Hall
Thanks for these inspirations. Day 15 and I have 15 ideas. I’m happy.
January 15, 2020 at 12:13 pm
hannahhudsonwrites
Love seeing all the different ways stories come to the surface.
January 15, 2020 at 12:15 pm
mona861
Holy crap….there’s a lot of books coming out in the next few years!!! So, I’m thinking, what if really works. Congratulations all!!!
January 15, 2020 at 12:15 pm
Cortney Benvenuto
I loved this post! Thank you everyone for sharing your random and awesome inspiration/ideas! 🙂
January 15, 2020 at 12:19 pm
Sallye O'Rourke
I’m inspired. Ideas are everywhere!
January 15, 2020 at 12:19 pm
Heidi M. Rogers (@heidimrogers)
I can’t wait to read these new picture books!
January 15, 2020 at 12:26 pm
Judith Snyder
There is much to think about in this post–so many great ideas.
January 15, 2020 at 12:30 pm
Paula Puckett
Wall-to-Wall full of information. Thank you all SO much for sharing your experiences!
January 15, 2020 at 12:30 pm
Gabi Snyder
So fun to read about all these moments of inspiration. Thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 12:31 pm
storycatcherpublishing
Congratulations to all these wonderful debut PB authors! I loved being able to learn more about their story capturing process…
Great post!
Donna L Martin
Story Catcher Publishing
January 15, 2020 at 12:33 pm
Kelly Vavala
So inspirational! Just shows ideas can show up anywhere at anytime! Thank you for sharing all these wonderful authors success stories!
January 15, 2020 at 12:34 pm
Carrie Williford (@carrietimes)
It totally makes sense that Drunk History would be a good source of ideas for non-fiction! I have learned about so many interesting people and stories I’d never heard of.
January 15, 2020 at 12:34 pm
Shirley
Wonderful post. Congratulations to all!
January 15, 2020 at 12:37 pm
Heather Rowley
Thank you, thank you for all the wonderful ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 12:40 pm
dedradavis03
These are all such great examples of the ‘behind the scenes’ of inspiration! Congrats to all of them on their upcoming books!
January 15, 2020 at 12:41 pm
Kathy Ceceri
Inspirational. Thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 12:42 pm
Donna Mork Reed (@DonnaMorkReed)
I love this long list of where ideas come from. I often find my ideas come from goofing off with my husband or friends. Some little joke or comment and I think, oh, that’s a good title, or that would be funny if taken literally…and it goes from there. 🙂
January 15, 2020 at 12:44 pm
Mary Jo Wagner
So many ideas in one post — thank you!
January 15, 2020 at 12:44 pm
Christine Pinto
Thanks for all the fun ideas of ways to find ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 12:47 pm
Dawn M.
Great ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 12:47 pm
Susan Eyerman
Great ideas for finding ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 12:48 pm
Kaylynn Johnsen
All of these books sound so fun. Thank you for sharing your inspiration.
January 15, 2020 at 12:49 pm
debbeauchamp
Congratulations to everyone in the Soaring20s Picture Book Debut Group! And thank you for the post. I love hearing where all your ideas came from.
January 15, 2020 at 12:50 pm
teresa.mi.schaefer
Fun to read where so many different ideas come from.
January 15, 2020 at 12:51 pm
Sheri Radovich
Lots of inspiration from these ideas and the group that is having publishing success. Finding a good critique group of writers is important I think.
January 15, 2020 at 12:52 pm
Liz L.
Wonderful inspiration. Thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 12:54 pm
Alicia
thanks for sharing how you got your ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 12:59 pm
Nadia Salomon
Love these inspirational backstories on how your picture books came to be. Thanks for sharing Darshana! Can’t wait to see more of your work on the shelves.
January 15, 2020 at 1:06 pm
Brenna Becker
Thank you for the inspiration, Soaring20s!
January 15, 2020 at 1:06 pm
cbcole
Carol Cole – Great ways to find new ideas. I love the what if?
January 15, 2020 at 1:07 pm
Pamela Harrison
What a wonderful post! It’s such fun learning how authors get their creative ideas! Congratulations to all on your 2020 books!
January 15, 2020 at 1:09 pm
Leslie Leibhardt Goodman - Writer
Finding a story idea always comes down to those two words teachers have been telling their students for years. “Pay attention.” Ideas are absolutely everywhere, and this post proves it.
January 15, 2020 at 1:09 pm
Cathy C. Hall
BIG congrats to you, Darshana! (And all the other soaring pb authors!) I think I might remember that ballerina–good luck! 😉
January 15, 2020 at 1:10 pm
Amy Bradshaw
So great to hear about how others find their ideas. Amazing how an idea will appear out of nowhere!
January 15, 2020 at 1:10 pm
LeeAnn Rizzuti
Always fun to hear these idea origin stories. Thanks, Soaring 20’s group and congrats on your debuts.
January 15, 2020 at 1:11 pm
nrompella
I love hearing how everyone gets there ideas. Thanks for sharing!
January 15, 2020 at 1:11 pm
Sara A
This is a wonderful compilation. I love the insight into how many different authors found that kernel of an idea that turned (or will turn!) into a book!
January 15, 2020 at 1:13 pm
Brinton Culp
Thanks for sharing everyone! 2020 looks to be a great year for books. And I adore the Soaring20sPB hamster!
January 15, 2020 at 1:13 pm
Laura Jean Watters
So many different perspectives!!! And so much success to give one hope (and a little envy). StoryStorm lessons tell us behind all of those successes are hours of work. Very encouraging!
January 15, 2020 at 1:17 pm
Brandy Lynne
Great ideas from everyone! Thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 1:20 pm
Rebecca Thill (@rkthill)
Very inspiring!
January 15, 2020 at 1:20 pm
Traci VW
What fun! It is fascinating to see other writers’ journeys. Thanks for sharing your inspiration!
January 15, 2020 at 1:21 pm
Amy Harding
Love the diversity of idea-mining here!
January 15, 2020 at 1:22 pm
Amy Harding
Love the diversity of idea-mining suggested here!
January 15, 2020 at 1:23 pm
Peggy Dobbs
Another wonderful post! I love learning where and how authors collect ideas. Inspiration is truly all around us every day. Thank you!
January 15, 2020 at 1:25 pm
Sue Heavenrich
Congrats to the Soaring 20s – how fun to read about inspiration for stories… and then see how stories evolve.
January 15, 2020 at 1:29 pm
Gretchen McLellan
Congratulations Soaring20s for your collective successes and for bonding together to celebrate what will be a very exciting year for you all. Enjoy every moment! My debut group Seenin17 is still going strong. Consider meeting each other at Highlights for an unretreat after the year is over. Most of us did and it was priceless!
January 15, 2020 at 1:32 pm
ruthwilson48
I appreciate the practical advice of taking inspiration from our daily lives. A lot to work with here!
January 15, 2020 at 1:34 pm
Susan Johnston Taylor
Thanks to Darshana and others for sharing these tips!
January 15, 2020 at 1:37 pm
kirstenbockblog
Wow! Such great ideas and a list of awesome books for me to look for!
January 15, 2020 at 1:39 pm
Aimee Satterlee
Thank you Soaring20s for sharing your inspirations behind your stories. It even sparked an idea for me! Looking forward to reading all of your books coming out soon!
January 15, 2020 at 1:41 pm
bevbaird
First – congratulations to all of you on your book releases this year! Great ideas from all of you – thanks so much for sharing them.
January 15, 2020 at 1:41 pm
Stephanie Austin
It is inspiring to see the various ways ideas can manifest!
January 15, 2020 at 1:45 pm
Linda KulpTrout
I enjoyed reading about all the ways these authors get their idea!
January 15, 2020 at 1:50 pm
Virginia Rinkel
I love how all these people ‘got their ideas.’ I feel like I get so many ideas, that I’m on the outside edges of a spinning centrifigal force – and then being overwhelmed, go ‘poof’ – lights out – until I completely forget about it and the next day, on a quiet walk, or in the shower, it’s like a magnet – the ideas come together and the puzzle pieces mostly fit. Thanks for this post.
January 15, 2020 at 1:50 pm
Laura W.
Thank you for all the ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 1:53 pm
Mary Jane
Thanks for this inspiring post about how unexpected thoughts and ideas can trun into stories.
January 15, 2020 at 1:55 pm
Linda Whalen
Great ideas come from the most unexpected places! 🤔
January 15, 2020 at 1:57 pm
LenoraBiemans (@BiemansLenora)
Inspirational! Thank you!
January 15, 2020 at 1:57 pm
Leanne Luetkemeyer
I love these ideas for story mining. Thanks for sharing. Bottom line is to get them on paper before they float away! Thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 1:58 pm
Robin Jordan
The stories behind the success – love it! Thanks for the insight, all! Have a fabulous Wednesday!
January 15, 2020 at 2:01 pm
drawingablank6
haha. I have a list of ideas from Drunk History, I guess I better start on them!
January 15, 2020 at 2:02 pm
westindianmommy
I loved reading about the stories behind the inspiration for these books. Just reading this post gave me an idea of my own! Thank you 🙂
January 15, 2020 at 2:04 pm
Ashley Pierson
More fantastic ideas and I love drunk history too! Thank you!
January 15, 2020 at 2:05 pm
Charlotte Offsay
Wow! How fascinating! Thanks for sharing!!
January 15, 2020 at 2:06 pm
Tracy Hora
Fun post! I loved seeing how the seeds turned to full stories.
January 15, 2020 at 2:09 pm
Lillian Heckinger
Lillian Heckinger
Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas. They really are helpful and inspiring.
January 15, 2020 at 2:20 pm
Cheryl Keely
What great story idea generators. Congratulations to you all and may your books soar to success.
January 15, 2020 at 2:20 pm
kathrynjeanhagen
Thank you, Soaring20s, for your full backpack of ideas!! I’ll use some today for Storystorm.
January 15, 2020 at 2:25 pm
rjtraxel
I love all the different ways you all found a story to tell.
January 15, 2020 at 2:28 pm
aidantalkin
Fantastic peek into so many story sparks! Thanks… now, time to go write some of my own!
January 15, 2020 at 2:31 pm
sjwmeade
Lots of great tips here. Looking forward to the new books coming from this group in 2020. Thanks for the post!
January 15, 2020 at 2:36 pm
wyszguy
What great sparks!
January 15, 2020 at 2:38 pm
Jessica Potts
Great ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 2:39 pm
Lisa Billa
Thanks for sharing! Fun to hear about how stories start, and sometimes change along the way. I look forward to reading ALL of these!
January 15, 2020 at 2:39 pm
Sara Fajardo
Love this potpourri of inspiration. Thank you!
January 15, 2020 at 2:47 pm
Louise Aamodt
I guess there’s no WRONG way to find inspiration!
January 15, 2020 at 2:49 pm
Karen Yin
What a fun peek behind the scenes and inside the mind!
January 15, 2020 at 2:56 pm
colleenrkosinski
Looks like a great group!
January 15, 2020 at 3:01 pm
Cathy Ogren
It was such fun reading about how each of you came up with your ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 3:07 pm
Amy Houts
So inspiring to read your ideas that turned into books. Congratulations!
January 15, 2020 at 3:07 pm
Gabriele
Wow! Three new ideas before I reached the end of this post! Thank you!!
January 15, 2020 at 3:08 pm
Amy Houts
So inspring to read about your ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 3:08 pm
Lydia Lukidis
These are hilarious! Congrats on all your success 🙂
January 15, 2020 at 3:09 pm
Deborah Foster
These are all amazing ideas! And all so different!
January 15, 2020 at 3:23 pm
Jennifer Weisse
Such a fun post and great ideas! Congratulations on all of your upcoming books!
January 15, 2020 at 3:35 pm
Johnell DeWitt
Apologies if this double posts. Technical issues have been plaguing me tonight. Happy to see so many writer friends featured. Congrats! And thanks for the tips.
January 15, 2020 at 3:45 pm
Janie Reinart
What fun to see where your ideas come from. Congratulations on your debuts❤️
January 15, 2020 at 3:48 pm
Joyce
Thanks for sharing!
January 15, 2020 at 3:52 pm
sareenmclay
Thank you, it is so inspiring to read where your stories started from.
January 15, 2020 at 3:59 pm
DCSM
A lot of diverse and creative ideas. Thanks for sharing what works for each of you. I especially like the idea of making sure underrepresented voices are being heard.
January 15, 2020 at 4:02 pm
bookfish1
Great examples, much appreciated, very helpful.
January 15, 2020 at 4:03 pm
Kim Larson
Ideas are everywhere! Great post. Thanks for sharing and congrats on all the new books!,
January 15, 2020 at 4:06 pm
Lori Alexander
Loved reading the group’s varied inspirations. Thanks for sharing!
January 15, 2020 at 4:10 pm
chardixon47
Thank you Darshana! Two ideas popped out of your insightful post!
January 15, 2020 at 4:14 pm
SpeechVine
Thank you for sharing. You really can find inspiration everywhere.
January 15, 2020 at 4:15 pm
Maryna Doughty
So fun to read about how these authors got ideas for their picture books!
January 15, 2020 at 4:20 pm
Aimee Larke
I loved reading how others get their ideas! I cannot wait to read these books this year.
January 15, 2020 at 4:31 pm
jessicadunnagan
thanks for sharing your inspiration!
January 15, 2020 at 4:32 pm
Katie Williams
I love the diversity of ideas here, what a fun post!
January 15, 2020 at 4:33 pm
MaryLee Flannigan
Thank you Everyone! So fun to read 🙂
January 15, 2020 at 4:35 pm
Jane Baskwill
It was so much fun to see where an idea is born and what came of it. A grat post. Thanks Darshana and the Doaring20s!
January 15, 2020 at 4:36 pm
Aryn Kennedy
Just got a fun idea while reading this post. Thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 4:39 pm
Prairie Garden Girl
So many ways to discover inspiration.
Thank you, Roaring 20s authors.
Suzy Leopold
January 15, 2020 at 4:44 pm
Melanie Ellsworth
Love the comments about the importance of noticing even the smallest of moments – those can turn into a story seed!
January 15, 2020 at 4:47 pm
Sue Martin
Looking forward to the Soaring 20’s (21,22…)
What if……!
January 15, 2020 at 4:54 pm
Heather Gallagher
Great inspiration here!
January 15, 2020 at 5:04 pm
Pamela Haskin
I love hearing how other authors get their ideas. They really are everywhere!
January 15, 2020 at 5:09 pm
Linda Hofke
I love hearing ideas that sparked stories. It’s always interesting.
Congrats to all the Soaring20s member on their books. Can’t wait to read them.
January 15, 2020 at 5:11 pm
Susan Drew
LOVE this post! So fun to hear how people come up with their ideas.
January 15, 2020 at 5:30 pm
Linda Silvestri
Wow! This post is bursting at the seams with inspiration. Thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 5:37 pm
Carol Gordon Ekster
This group really is soaring! Thanks for all the inspiration and good luck to all of you as you release your titles into the #kidlit universe.
January 15, 2020 at 5:39 pm
gattodesign
Going slow but great inspiration here. Love to think of what ifs…
January 15, 2020 at 5:40 pm
Leigh Therriault
Wow, what wonderful ideas and stories! So inspiring and motivating, yay 🌅
January 15, 2020 at 5:47 pm
Robin Wiesneth
I’m a fan of the Soaring20’s web site, great group of new writers! These story seeds were very inspirational.
January 15, 2020 at 5:47 pm
Linda Schueler
Cool stories! Thanks for sharing!
January 15, 2020 at 5:56 pm
Alice Fulgione
Story ideas are truly everywhere to be found. Thanks to all the authors, some of whom I know personally, for sharing their inspirations!
January 15, 2020 at 5:59 pm
cravevsworld
So much fun to see where stories are born! Thanks for sharing.
January 15, 2020 at 6:04 pm
Gayle Veitenheimer
What a fun post! Thanks for the encouragement!
January 15, 2020 at 6:12 pm
vgraboski61gmailcom
Thanks for all of the insight into your great ideas! Great post.
January 15, 2020 at 6:13 pm
Poupette Smith
Congrats to you all, and thanks for sharing where you got your ideas. It’s always interesting to read about process, and perhaps you’ll expand on how you got from inspiration to story (teehee!)?
January 15, 2020 at 6:33 pm
Joel Chalmers
Thanks Soaring20!
You guys seem to prove that picture ideas can really come from anywhere. Note to self, always be ready for an ideas with a way to take notes. Best of luck in your debut year!
January 15, 2020 at 6:38 pm
JillDanaBooks
What a fun post! Thanks for all those stories of moments of inspiration! Congratulations on all the new releases!! 🙂
January 15, 2020 at 6:42 pm
Melissa Richardson
I love those secret moments of inspiration, they’re the best guilty pleasures!
January 15, 2020 at 7:03 pm
Sara Trofa
Thanks for the interesting post!
January 15, 2020 at 7:06 pm
Becky Woodall
It’s great to read about other peoples idea processes. Thanks for the post ☺️
January 15, 2020 at 7:49 pm
saintamovin
Great ideas…thank you
January 15, 2020 at 7:51 pm
Lori Mozdzierz
Your stories on how your books came about is awe inspiring!
January 15, 2020 at 7:54 pm
Kaye Baillie
I really loved reading all the examples. Such great ideas turned into books. Thankyou all.
January 15, 2020 at 8:07 pm
Amy Newbold
I loved reading the stories of how your ideas became books. Thanks for sharing!
January 15, 2020 at 8:11 pm
Janet Halfmann
So many great ideas for finding stories!
January 15, 2020 at 8:14 pm
Nancy Furstinger
Fascinating ideas, all, but am especially looking forward to the book about dog onesies!
January 15, 2020 at 8:26 pm
Debbie Lodato
Really super posts today.
Thanks Soaring20s.
Congrats on your PB 2020 debuts.
What!!! Your doing a PB dummy critique as a prize?
So kind…
January 15, 2020 at 8:26 pm
yangmommy
Love learning how all these stories originated! Looking forward to reading them this year
January 15, 2020 at 8:33 pm
Lisa L Furness
WOW! Such great inspiration from all the roaring 20 authors!
January 15, 2020 at 8:56 pm
Lisa L Furness
Oops – sorry about the typo – ***Soaring 20 Authors!
January 15, 2020 at 8:33 pm
Nadine Poper
Thank you Soaring20s and congratulations on all your upcoming releases!
January 15, 2020 at 8:47 pm
Mark Ceilley
I enjoyed reading how so many of you got your story ideas.
I’ve often gotten ideas from vacations I’ve taken. Something I see or that I do while vactioning has genereated many of my stories. I usually make the time while on vacation to write the first draft.
January 15, 2020 at 8:49 pm
Erik Ammon
Thanks for the ideas, Soaring 20s! Congratulations on your new releases!
January 15, 2020 at 8:54 pm
Kelly A.
The inspiration for one of these ideas just became my inspiration for a completely different idea! Love it!
January 15, 2020 at 9:09 pm
writeknit
I loved this post! So much fun and inspiration comes from the world around us as well as from the little ones in my life. Thanks 🙂
January 15, 2020 at 9:09 pm
Lori Sheroan
So many great stories about the origin of ideas! I feel inspired. Thank you!
January 15, 2020 at 9:10 pm
Julie Reich
Thank you for sharing your stories–I learned something from each of you! Congrats on your upcoming book birthdays!
January 15, 2020 at 9:12 pm
Sandhya Rose
Thank you Soaring20s! This has been a super inspirational post!!
January 15, 2020 at 9:12 pm
Sue Reichard
Great ideas! Thanks so much for your article! I am learning so very much! I am loving this!
January 15, 2020 at 9:21 pm
Phaea Crede 💀🏴☠️⚔️ (@PhaeaCrede)
Inspiration can come from anywhere! I love it!
January 15, 2020 at 9:26 pm
Naana
Thanks for sharing the Soaring 20’s. Lots of great ideas from your writing journeys. Can’t wait to read your books.
January 15, 2020 at 9:27 pm
catpledger
I am loving the variety of posts in Storystorm. Thank you for writing this.
January 15, 2020 at 9:47 pm
JEN Garrett
Isn’t it wonderful how picture books can morph from ideas? I’ve got one on the back burner that started out with an author and illustrator bantering, then became mixedup fairytale characters, and now it’s on its way in an entirely new direction!
January 15, 2020 at 9:59 pm
Kristen Tipman
This was great! Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing.
January 15, 2020 at 10:12 pm
Amanda Davis
Wow! So cool to see where and how inspiration may arrive for others! Thank you all for sharing and congrats on your 2020 debuts!
January 15, 2020 at 10:12 pm
Amanda Davis
Wow! So cool to see where and how inspiration may arrive for others! Thank you all for sharing and congrats on your 2020 debuts!
January 15, 2020 at 10:16 pm
Dawn Young
Thank you all for sharing your great inspiration stories.
January 15, 2020 at 10:27 pm
Natalie Lynn Tanner
SOARING20S: THANK YOU for the FABULOUS INSPIRATION!!! SO MANY ideas have come FLOODING into my head (much like the Soaring20er with the dog onesie issue!) from your AMAZING examples! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I CAN’T WAIT to read and view your work; I’m already making a list of them so I can keep an eye out for their debuts!!! THANK YOU!!!
January 15, 2020 at 10:28 pm
Mike Irvine
Crazy. I just sat down tonight to try and think of a new PB story idea! For some reason, most of my ideas come to me when I’m not thinking about writing. I also try to listen to ‘signs’. For instance, if i keep seeing raccoons, then I take that as the universe telling me to explore a story about raccoons.
January 15, 2020 at 10:35 pm
DaNeil Olson
Soaring20s, this post was magnificent! Thanks for the inspiration.
January 15, 2020 at 10:43 pm
Mary Warth
Thanks to you all for the great examples. And Congratulations!!
January 15, 2020 at 10:44 pm
Laura
Very interesting!
January 15, 2020 at 10:45 pm
Abby Wooldridge
I love hearing how other people get their ideas and how those ideas turn into actual stories! Thanks so much to all of you for sharing, and congratulations on your books!
January 15, 2020 at 10:45 pm
beckylevine
Great examples of finding ideas! Thank you!
January 15, 2020 at 10:48 pm
Sylvia Mary Grech
Great post, thanks!
January 15, 2020 at 10:50 pm
Cinzia V.
I love hearing about all these ideas! Totally inspirational. Thanks.
January 15, 2020 at 10:59 pm
Lori Menning
I love hearing how writers get their inspiration. I can’t wait to read about the dog wearing a onesie!
January 15, 2020 at 11:11 pm
betlw
What a great list of how to get new ideas! I like all of them but would love to read about the Elephants’ rules for hide and seek. That sounds really intriguing. Thanks for so many ways of getting ideas.
January 15, 2020 at 11:15 pm
susanzonca
Thanks to the Soaring 20s I have a lot of inspiration today.
January 15, 2020 at 11:16 pm
Rebecca Heller
Great ideas! And such wonderful books coming out in 2020. Sticky hands (ew!) and silly Guidebooks particularly spoke to me!
January 15, 2020 at 11:28 pm
Alison Hedrick
So much fun to read these!
January 15, 2020 at 11:29 pm
ingridboydston
Thank you for this potpourri of ideas!
January 15, 2020 at 11:35 pm
Gaynell
great ideas…I loved hearing the inspiration behinds the books!
January 15, 2020 at 11:43 pm
seschipper
Loved this approach from the “Soaring 20s” ! The idea for a story can come from the most unusal places!!! Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
January 15, 2020 at 11:48 pm
curryelizabeth
So fun to read all of these! Thanks Soaring 20s and Tara!
January 15, 2020 at 11:55 pm
charlestrevino
SOARING! – Well done!
January 16, 2020 at 12:03 am
Katie A Giorgio
What a fun post…thank you!
January 16, 2020 at 12:04 am
Rebecca Herzog
These are all so much fun!!!
January 16, 2020 at 12:26 am
percyandcat
What great and fun inspirations, thank you all so much. I am interested in who’s scat that is? Haha!
January 16, 2020 at 12:33 am
Midge Ballou Smith
Thank you!
January 16, 2020 at 12:39 am
Susan Cabael
Couldn’t stop smiling reading these vignettes. The tractor one gave me an idea that I have never had, even through all the years I’ve participated in this event.
Early happy book birthdays to all the Soaring 20s!
January 16, 2020 at 12:52 am
Leah
Great stories of inspiration!
January 16, 2020 at 1:04 am
carmelamccainsimmons
Thanks for showing us how to find so many ways into stories!
January 16, 2020 at 1:06 am
Joanne Roberts
what a fun group of creatives. thanks for all the unusual places to look for opportunities and sparkling new ideas!
January 16, 2020 at 1:22 am
58chilihed13
these are an amazing group of writers and so many fun ways to capture ideas. I am adding to my to be purchased pile from all the cool to be published listed here! Thanks to all for sharing!
January 16, 2020 at 1:23 am
laurimacey
Love your creative spirit!
January 16, 2020 at 1:54 am
Suanna
These are some amazing ideas.
January 16, 2020 at 2:40 am
Jocelyn Rish
So fun learning the inspirations behind a bunch of upcoming books!
January 16, 2020 at 2:51 am
Jilanne Hoffmann
So many ideas. It’s the execution that’s the tough part. Go Soaring 20s!!
January 16, 2020 at 2:53 am
Gaby Lagos
Darshana, I imagine playing the “What If?” game, followed by “What If instead?” I would use anytime, thanks for your advice.
January 16, 2020 at 3:04 am
Ruthie
love hearing where ideas come from! Congrats to all @soaring20spb
January 16, 2020 at 3:12 am
Sharon Langley
Inspiration is everywhere
January 16, 2020 at 4:07 am
Carolyn Currier
Thank you!
January 16, 2020 at 4:34 am
Rachel S. Hobbs Gunn
This was great!
January 16, 2020 at 5:06 am
Maria Marshall
I love the huge range of ways to find inspiration. Thank you all.
January 16, 2020 at 5:08 am
Catherine
Thank you for all these ideas, several of them have inspired new ideas and title. Congratulations to all of you on your picture book debuts :o)
January 16, 2020 at 6:23 am
Laura
Stories everywhere!
January 16, 2020 at 6:44 am
Freda Lewkowicz
This is seriously the best post EVER for me! So many ideas and I’m grateful to all of you!
January 16, 2020 at 7:28 am
mbhmaine
What fun to read about the geneses for all these ideas!!! Congratulations and thanks for sharing these great tips!
January 16, 2020 at 7:39 am
Jen Bailey
What great variety! Thanks!
January 16, 2020 at 8:04 am
Nadia A.
Thank you for all the ideas – so inspiring!
January 16, 2020 at 8:04 am
Jen Jarson
Thanks!
January 16, 2020 at 8:39 am
jenfierjasinski
Thank you all for sharing your unique idea getting stories. Looking forward to seeing more from this great group!
January 16, 2020 at 9:02 am
Sherri Jones Rivers
Oh my goodness. What a plethora of possibilities and a jumble of jump-start idea-generators! Whew! My mind is racing………
January 16, 2020 at 9:28 am
Dee Knabb
What a treasure chest of idea generators. Thanks, Soaring 20’s!
January 16, 2020 at 9:42 am
Laurie Carmody
I enjoyed reading the diverse ideas! Inspiration really does come from all over!
January 16, 2020 at 10:03 am
Pat
I love learning about the seed of a story and reading about so many all at once—wow! Thank you, Soaring 20s.
January 16, 2020 at 10:11 am
supermario6
Congratulations on your successes!
January 16, 2020 at 10:35 am
Michele Ziemke
Great inspiration. It tapped a memory that I think will make a great start for a PB!
January 16, 2020 at 11:04 am
suzannepoulterharris
These were fun! Ideas can come from the most random of places … as long as we’re paying attention.
January 16, 2020 at 11:05 am
Mireya
In respnse to this:
deas often come to me as I walk in nature. I think the quiet—wherever I am—opens up my mind and heart and allows me to be more receptive to sights and sounds and ideas! Just the other day I came across some scat—whose? With a lot of fur in it—whose? I am not sure what I will do with that but the discovery sure nurtures curiosity and questions. And who knows where that takes me.
Oh ME TOO. Isn’t wonderful! Sometimes and I mean a few times I wonder if anyone feels the way I do. It’s nice to know other great thinkers are put there with me.
January 16, 2020 at 11:11 am
Jacqueline Adams
It’s fascinating to see how your ideas came from so many different places. Thanks, and congratulations to all of you on your PB debuts!
January 16, 2020 at 11:12 am
Brittanny Handiboe
Love reading about how other people come up with ideas. Makes me want to look a little closer at my surroundings.
January 16, 2020 at 11:19 am
kyavorski
I love hearing the backstory behind stories. It’s always inspirational.
January 16, 2020 at 11:27 am
Amelia Gossman
These are all such great ideas – hearing where other people draw their inspiration from is really helpful – it stops me from overlooking experiences I might have thought weren’t interesting enough in the past.
January 16, 2020 at 11:36 am
Karen Greenwald
Fantastic information and inspiration! I need to reread and try each suggestion! Thanks everyone…and CONGRATS!
January 16, 2020 at 11:57 am
Darcee Freier
Congratulations to you, Soaring 20s! Your books and the ideas that generated them are all so unique. Thank you for sharing!
January 16, 2020 at 11:59 am
David McMullin
Stories are everywhere! Thanks everyone. I can’t wait to see all of these books.
January 16, 2020 at 11:59 am
Liz Steinglass
Absolutely fascinating to hear where all these ideas came from.
January 16, 2020 at 12:07 pm
Rachel
Fun to read-ideas come from all over!
January 16, 2020 at 12:13 pm
Lucky Jo Boscarino
Wishing all the folks at Soaring20s much success in 2020!
January 16, 2020 at 12:17 pm
Carrie Tillotson
What a treasure trove of ideas! Thank you Soaring20s!
January 16, 2020 at 12:39 pm
Virginia Law Manning
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE SOARING 20s!!! And thank you for sharing your stories of inspiration! I loved reading about all your books coming out!!! And will now try to flesh out an idea for today : ) Thank you!
January 16, 2020 at 12:52 pm
Suzanne Alexander
You just proved that great ideas come from everywhere. We just have to be open to them. Thank you and congratulations to the Soaring20s.
January 16, 2020 at 1:32 pm
Nancy Ferguson
Thank you for a view of how writers get ideas.
January 16, 2020 at 2:10 pm
Susan Twiggs
What a treasure trove of prompts and ideas. I’d love to win à critique
January 16, 2020 at 2:11 pm
Susan Twiggs
Great ideas. I’d love to win a critique
January 16, 2020 at 3:10 pm
Belinda Fallon
Thanks for the ideas!
January 16, 2020 at 3:28 pm
marshaelyn
You’re all a ROARING SUCCESS! Congratulations! Thank you for offering your tips and tidbits that spark stories, especially during deary cold, gray January days. Sending energy and inspiration for continued success…
January 16, 2020 at 3:30 pm
Kassy Keppol
Loved seeing all the ideas. I think it is great that so many in this group are published. Shows how important strong groups are.
January 16, 2020 at 3:53 pm
Patricia Alcaro
Thanks for sharing your inspirations.
January 16, 2020 at 4:34 pm
jenwritespbs
What a great, collective post! Ideas really can be found all over the place!
January 16, 2020 at 4:41 pm
megcason1
I love your inspiration stories!!
Thank you for this post.
January 16, 2020 at 5:04 pm
Erin Buhr
Your stories were all so different. It was fascinating to read them all in one place. Thanks for sharing!
January 16, 2020 at 5:07 pm
Monica A. Harris
This is the perfect post for Storystorm! Snippets of where ideas come from and a brief (non-drunk history, I’m assuming) of how they developed. Thanks so much for sharing!
January 16, 2020 at 5:38 pm
mginsberg10
Thanks for sharing all those amazing ideas! Someday, I hope I can be in a group like yours. How did you find each other?
January 16, 2020 at 5:40 pm
kateperidot
What a lovely compendium of prompts. Thank you all.
January 16, 2020 at 5:44 pm
carolmunrojww
My dear Soaring 20s, all of your ideas had me ooooo-ing. Can’t wait to read all of your books.
January 16, 2020 at 5:44 pm
tdjw
Yes I get ideas from the most random moments. Thanks!
January 16, 2020 at 5:52 pm
Elizabeth W Saba
Wow! Ideas come full circle and into a book! Great post!
January 16, 2020 at 6:01 pm
Meredith Fraser
Hooray! I just got a great idea for a book while reading your ideas. Thanks so much.
January 16, 2020 at 6:29 pm
thesheilster
What an informative post. I enjoy reading about other writers’ journeys and these stories have been inspiring.
January 16, 2020 at 6:47 pm
jeanjames926
Great post! Loved all the story ideas. Lots of inspiration.
January 16, 2020 at 7:33 pm
Kimberly Marcus
I loved reading all of the inspiration! Thank you!!
January 16, 2020 at 7:37 pm
Sarah Skolfield
Okay…I have to go back and read all the other great tips I’m sure are in this post but I had to jump right into the comments because HAHAHAHA…I’m with you that Drunk History is a goldmine. Yup, I have a few PB bio ideas I got from that show.
January 16, 2020 at 8:22 pm
saputnam
Great post!! Thank you for sharing how the Soaring 20 authors got their ideas! It’s true that story ideas are everywhere… we just need to be open to the possibilities.
January 16, 2020 at 8:43 pm
whitcoma
Thank you for sharing! I would love a critique! Thank you for your consideration!
January 16, 2020 at 8:53 pm
Hélène Sabourin
Thank you
January 16, 2020 at 9:07 pm
jshaklan
So much inspiration here — thanks!
January 16, 2020 at 9:08 pm
Julie Augensen-Rand
Congratulations, everyone, on all of your success stories. There were a lot of great ideas in there. Hi, Lindsay, Can’t wait to hold my copy of Tractors!
January 16, 2020 at 9:11 pm
deirdreprischmann
Awesome ideas- very inspirational.
January 16, 2020 at 9:27 pm
denarose
Thanks for sharing all these wonderful story ideas, and explaining what sparked them!
January 16, 2020 at 9:56 pm
Jill M Proctor
So fun to read about all the different ways ideas reveal themselves. Thanks to all for sharing!
January 16, 2020 at 10:35 pm
kmajor2013
Clever idea for a post, group! I enjoyed reading each snippet from all those authors! Thanks for sharing all those ideas and processes.
January 16, 2020 at 11:08 pm
Susan Wroble
This was really fun to read, and just shows that inspiration is everywhere. Thanks!
January 16, 2020 at 11:12 pm
teacherwriteracker
I had to leave this post twice to jot down ideas. Thank you!
January 17, 2020 at 12:42 am
Mary Ann Blair
Love all these ideas!
January 17, 2020 at 1:12 am
Keila Dawson
This just shows how ideas are everywhere! Fun to read about how each author got theirs.
January 17, 2020 at 4:54 am
Diane Tulloch
It’s amazing where one can get ideas from. I often see a picture in my mind or at night when dozing I’m visualizing a mini movie. Not always can I remember them or get down what it is. This was a great post. thanks.
January 17, 2020 at 10:27 am
Mardi Edwards
thank you so much for sharing those amazing ideas with all of us.
January 17, 2020 at 10:48 am
Dawn Young
So many great ideas! Thank you for sharing.
January 17, 2020 at 11:27 am
Jaclyn Crawford
Thank you for sharing your stories and inspiration.
January 17, 2020 at 11:30 am
Penny Parker Klostermann
I loved that you told us specifics about your ideas and what stories they led to or are leading to!! Lots of inspiration in this post! Thanks to all!
January 17, 2020 at 12:58 pm
Helen Lysicatos
Thank you for all the ideas
January 17, 2020 at 1:38 pm
Carrie Cook
Good luck on your upcoming books! I have been following you on Twitter.
January 17, 2020 at 3:13 pm
Judy Sobanski
Congrats to all on their upcoming book releases! Thanks for sharing how you find your ideas!
January 17, 2020 at 3:35 pm
Jill Lambert (@LJillLambert)
Thank you all for the reminder that ideas are literally everywhere…we just have to keep our mind-parachutes open for them!
January 17, 2020 at 3:40 pm
KASteed
Thanks for the ideas!
January 17, 2020 at 3:41 pm
Jennifer Parker Raudenbush
Very inspiring post. Thank you!
January 17, 2020 at 4:26 pm
Jolene Gutierrez
I love hearing your inspiration behind your stories!! So much fun!
January 17, 2020 at 4:44 pm
Michele Helsel
I love to read about all the origin stories! So cool!
January 17, 2020 at 6:00 pm
Rebecca Gardyn Levington
Great ideas and stories! Can’t wait to read all your wonderful books!
January 17, 2020 at 6:09 pm
anneiversonbellsouthnet
Talk about a literary garden in full bloom! So many ways for stories and ideas to be born and come full circle!
January 17, 2020 at 6:14 pm
Brenda May
I enjoyed this post on so many levels. Interesting to hear so many ideas springing from different ways. And I realised something, I actually see ideas in pictures. Might sound stange but I did not realise this. I cant draw at all, and I struggle to put the pictures into words. This post has opened another door for me. Thank you.
January 17, 2020 at 6:35 pm
Dee Leone
So many great tidbits! Such a variety of inspirational ideas!
January 17, 2020 at 6:58 pm
Shirley Ann
Thanks for sharing your inspirations.
January 17, 2020 at 7:14 pm
Lindsay Ellis
Your post sent me scribbling. Thanks!
January 17, 2020 at 7:21 pm
Kellie
This is by and far my favourite (FAVOURITE!!) post so far … I filled a page, in tiny writing, of ideas just from the ones shared here. Thank you thank you thank you!!!
January 17, 2020 at 8:41 pm
Janet Frenck Sheets
I love hearing where writers get their ideas. Thanks for sharing.
January 17, 2020 at 8:56 pm
kathydoherty1
I found it interesting to learn how you were inspired to write so many stories. Thank you.
January 17, 2020 at 10:54 pm
Viviane Elbee
I loved hearing about all these different inspirations behind your books and I can’t wait to read them! Thank you.
January 18, 2020 at 12:03 am
Joannie Duris
Congratulations on all your PB debuts! I love how you all found story sparks in such diverse moments of your life. Some sparks had me laughing out loud, and sparked my own ideas about close encounters I’ve had with nature while driving in my rural neck of the woods.
January 18, 2020 at 1:38 am
angiecal76
Now that’s quite a terrific assortment of inspiration. Good luck on all of your upcoming books in 2020 and beyond!
January 18, 2020 at 1:39 am
Zoraida Rivera
Life experiences and brainstorming, local events and walking. Inspiradoras!
January 18, 2020 at 1:50 am
topangamaria
Thank you for sharing your inspirations. Soaring indeed.
January 18, 2020 at 10:45 am
Matt Forrest Esenwine
Just goes to show inspiration is everywhere if we know where and when to look! Congrats to all, and thanks for sharing!
January 18, 2020 at 10:57 am
jimchaize1
So many different ways that story ideas show up. Thanks all for sharing your variety of inspirations.
January 18, 2020 at 11:11 am
Jill Friestad-Tate
Thanks for sharing the details behind several of your stories! It is both useful and inspirational. Good luck with the debuts!
January 18, 2020 at 11:41 am
dlapmandi
I loved reading all the inspirations of your published books. Hopefully some of our brainstorming will lead to a great and publishable manuscript.
January 18, 2020 at 2:06 pm
Elizabeth Duncan
I enjoyed reading a “group” blog about where their real ideas came from… thanks for sharing!
January 18, 2020 at 2:25 pm
Shawna JC Tenney
It’s fun to hear all the different ways you have found inspiration! Congrats on your new books!
January 18, 2020 at 3:07 pm
Susan Orton
Lots of inspiration coming from this marvelous group of writers! I felt like I was in a lab with one idea igniting another, and another . . .so energizing! Congratulations to all of you on remarkable upcoming books!
January 18, 2020 at 4:10 pm
Kathy Cornell Berman
Thanks for sharing all the inspiring settings that spurred your picture book stories. Congrats on the books!!
January 18, 2020 at 4:38 pm
Laura Purdie Salas
What a fun round-up–I love the variety!
January 18, 2020 at 4:57 pm
Stephen S. Martin
Ideas can hide and jump out of anywhere.
January 18, 2020 at 7:15 pm
Jan Milusich
So many ideas, so little time!
January 18, 2020 at 9:24 pm
Buffy Silverman
So much inspiration. Thank you!
January 18, 2020 at 9:35 pm
Stephanie Lau
Thanks for sharing all your stories!
January 19, 2020 at 10:40 am
Rachel Funez
So fun to read all these methods for inspiration.
January 19, 2020 at 11:11 am
shanah salter
These books sound great!
January 19, 2020 at 1:13 pm
rindabeach
Each one of your ways into the land of story is unique, like each one of you. Thanks for sharing!
January 19, 2020 at 3:37 pm
E. D. Stewart
Wow! I loved reading how different writers can come to their ideas in such diverse ways! Thank you for this. 🙂
January 19, 2020 at 5:04 pm
Sarah Wolfe
Stories are everywhere! Thanks for the article!
January 19, 2020 at 6:42 pm
Wendy
I’m looking forward to all of your stories! (and I got an idea already!)
January 19, 2020 at 6:44 pm
Dina Ticas
You all had such great perspectives!
January 19, 2020 at 7:18 pm
susaninez0905
I loved reading this. Such inspiration for those quirky ideas you think might not work. Thank you!
January 19, 2020 at 7:50 pm
julielacombeauthor
What a treasure trove! I love mining for ideas from the History channel
January 19, 2020 at 8:44 pm
writersideup
This was SO much fun reading about so many varied “seeds” of stories 😀 😀 😀 Thanks, everyone!
January 19, 2020 at 9:29 pm
Susanne Whitehouse
Great to hear where ideas come from! Thank you!
January 19, 2020 at 9:40 pm
Nicole Loos Miller
So many fun ways to generate ideas! Thank you for sharing!
January 19, 2020 at 9:45 pm
Rachel
Thank you for the great post. Loved the various ways you come up with ideas. Thanks for sharing.
January 19, 2020 at 10:42 pm
Lauri Meyers
So much talent in this group. This will be a fun PB year:)
January 19, 2020 at 10:46 pm
Judy Palermo
Such great ideas! Thanks!
January 20, 2020 at 2:53 am
debbiemoeller
Great ideas everyone! Thanks for sharing.
January 20, 2020 at 3:44 am
Michelle Kashinsky
Well that’s all a lot of inspiration! Thank you for sharing, love this!
January 20, 2020 at 7:41 am
sharongiltrow
I loved reading about where your ideas came from and how they grew :-).
January 20, 2020 at 10:47 am
Kate Thackray Edwards
These were really interesting!! I love to hear true-life examples of how ideas originated 😀 Very inspiring, thanks!
January 20, 2020 at 11:04 am
Jennifer Hunt
Love hearing about where and when everyone got their ideas and inspiration to write their books. Ideas are everywhere!
January 20, 2020 at 1:21 pm
Lynn Alpert
These are great ideas! Thanks for sharing and congrats on all the debut picture books!
January 20, 2020 at 1:46 pm
Karen Rafeedie
This post was so fun to read and generous to share. Thank you!
January 20, 2020 at 1:58 pm
Angela H. Dale
Congratulations to you all on your forthcoming books. And thank you for sharing your story inspirations.
January 20, 2020 at 2:40 pm
Denise Engle
Great ideas from everyone. Especially liked that a writer found an idea from a piece of fabric!!
January 20, 2020 at 3:11 pm
Heather Kelso
Thank you for sharing your ideas, this is so great to read what inspired your books. Congratulations!
January 20, 2020 at 5:01 pm
Mary York
Dear Darshana, “What If” I take your advice?! Someone may like my manuscript!
January 20, 2020 at 6:17 pm
Elizabeth Ross
This was a gold mine for generating story ideas! Thank you, Soaring 20’s!
January 20, 2020 at 9:12 pm
stephaniewildman
Good luck to you all, with all of your books. Soar!
January 20, 2020 at 9:28 pm
ammwrite3
Loved hearing all your backstories for your upcoming books—many congratulations!
January 20, 2020 at 9:59 pm
jacquesartandbooks
Drunk histories isn’t so bad to have as an author inspiration, one of my books comes from a bender on bourbon – ooops did I say that aloud 🙂
January 20, 2020 at 10:41 pm
Karan Greene
So fun to hear how story ideas came about!! Thanks!
January 20, 2020 at 11:22 pm
Karen Lawler
YEAAAHHH for those of you with stories coming out !! 🙂 I am getting inspirations left and right form this entry. Thank You !!! 🙂
January 21, 2020 at 12:36 am
susan schade
Thank you for your post and inspiration!
January 21, 2020 at 10:42 am
leahpsmoser
This is great advice. Inspiration really can come from anywhere!
January 21, 2020 at 1:01 pm
LaurenKerstein
What a terrific post! I loved hearing about the things that inspire your ideas!
January 21, 2020 at 6:09 pm
Nancy Kotkin
Love the smorgasbord approach to this blog post. Lots of ideas/suggestions swirling around in a pot to stew on…
January 21, 2020 at 10:00 pm
Elizabeth Metz
I LOVE Drunk History, and it’s such a natural fit for both idea mining (all that unearthed history they didn’t teach us in school!) and in style, too (short and sweet, keep it loose, don’t take yourself too seriously, etc etc.) Can’t wait to read your story, Kirsten. And thanks to all the 20s for sharing your story origin stories!
January 22, 2020 at 2:28 am
Amanda Malek-Ahmadi
Congrats on your upcoming history books. I love all the places you described getting your inspirations from. Many books that I have written are about dance. One being about Ballet Dancers that will be published in September 2020 by The Small-Tooth-Dog Publishing group. I am very thankful to Storystorm as I wrote the story last year as I was participating.
January 22, 2020 at 7:07 am
jodieparachini
It’s amazing to me how ideas can come from just about anywhere. thanks!
January 22, 2020 at 10:13 am
doreenrobinson
Brilliant group here with so many great ideas! Really enjoyed the variety in this post.
January 22, 2020 at 10:34 am
Anita Palmeri Overgaard
Great ideas! So many ways to look for book ideas and inspiration!
January 22, 2020 at 2:37 pm
Angie Isaacs
I, too have had story ideas come from my kids arguments. Yay…?
January 22, 2020 at 3:02 pm
Lisa Tolin (@lisatolin)
Can’t wait to read your debuts! Thank you for sharing your sparks.
January 22, 2020 at 9:54 pm
Jane Dippold
I love reading the beginnings of your story ideas! Looking forward to reading your new books!
January 23, 2020 at 9:15 am
audiencedog
The idea of parody guidebooks really got me smiling!
January 23, 2020 at 1:56 pm
Kelly Rice Schmitt
Thank you for sharing so many wonderful sparks to keep us going! I look forward to reading your debuts!
January 23, 2020 at 3:49 pm
Mita Martino
I really loved on the stories shared by authors on what inspired them. You never know when inspiration will hit!
January 23, 2020 at 9:36 pm
kelliejanebyrnes
Lots of great ideas here, thank you. And lots of wonderful picture books to be on the lookout for this year, too!
January 24, 2020 at 4:15 pm
Dea Lenihan
Love this! There are ideas everywhere, right? We just have to grab them. xo
January 24, 2020 at 5:49 pm
Beth Schneider
Lots of great ideas. Thanks!
January 24, 2020 at 6:43 pm
imagination4lf
Thanks for sharing, Darshana! It’s always fascinating learning how others discovered their own ideas for stories.
January 25, 2020 at 7:56 am
rhumba20
Thank you for this post! I’ve enjoyed reading about the birth of ideas for books to be😀
Anna Levin
January 25, 2020 at 5:06 pm
McCourt Thomas
Great ideas!
January 25, 2020 at 5:37 pm
Judy Bryan
Very much enjoyed reading about the idea sparks that led to all those wonderful books! Congrats Soaring20s!!
January 25, 2020 at 6:04 pm
Sheri Dillard
Wow, lots of great inspiration here! Thanks, Soaring20s and congrats on your debuts! 🙂
January 26, 2020 at 5:46 pm
Terri Sabol
I love that we got great tips from the Soaring20s. Thank you all!
January 27, 2020 at 11:45 am
alisongoldberg
Great inspiration! I look forward to these new books!!
January 27, 2020 at 1:01 pm
Ashley Bankhead
This was such a fun post. I like learning where others get their ideas. Thank you for sharing!
January 27, 2020 at 5:38 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
SO MANY great ideas about finding ideas here. Thanks so much!
January 27, 2020 at 9:53 pm
Amy M. Miller
What awesome ideas (and so many, too!). Thank you for all of the prompts.
January 28, 2020 at 9:23 am
Michelle O'Hara Levin
Thanks for all the ideas. And good luck with all your 2020 launches.
January 28, 2020 at 4:04 pm
Sylvia Chen
Wow, love hearing about how so much inspiration happened! Thank you!
January 28, 2020 at 7:37 pm
Anne Appert
Such an awesome list of idea inspirations! Thank you for your post.
January 29, 2020 at 12:05 am
tiffanydickinson
You are right – ideas are EVERYWHERE. Thank you, Darshana and the Soaring20’s!
January 29, 2020 at 10:18 am
Kelly Conroy
Very exciting! Congratulations everyone!
January 29, 2020 at 2:36 pm
Cindy
Thanks for the fun, creative ideas!
January 30, 2020 at 12:17 am
Sara Matson
Congratulations, everyone! I enjoyed hearing your ideas.
January 30, 2020 at 7:43 pm
LJ Laniewski
Such a fun post. It’s incredible how long an idea seed can stay with you before it decides to become a book.
January 30, 2020 at 8:14 pm
Lynne Marie
Darshana — it was so fun to have met you and hung out with you this year. Thank you so much for sharing!
January 30, 2020 at 8:53 pm
Lucy Staugler
Darshana, fabulous inspirational ideas from the Soaring20’s! Thank you!
January 31, 2020 at 1:04 am
Dani Duck
I love playing the What If game Darshana! It’s a great way to get good ideas.
January 31, 2020 at 1:35 am
Brenda Grant Lower
Great ideas! Sparked my own ideas!
January 31, 2020 at 12:40 pm
annemweaver
All inspiring ideas! Thanks, Soaring20’s! (and best of luck to you!)
January 31, 2020 at 7:26 pm
Brenda Miller
This post had my mind popping with a new idea. Thanks so much.
January 31, 2020 at 8:48 pm
kmshelley
Thanks for the awesome ideas!
February 1, 2020 at 2:36 pm
Rebecca Fleishman
Thank you for another day of inspiration-what great advice 🙂
February 1, 2020 at 5:33 pm
sheriradford
Ideas from Drunk History! Brilliant!
February 1, 2020 at 5:50 pm
shellshock7
thank you!
February 1, 2020 at 7:09 pm
Maria J Cuesta
Funny to read how everybody comes with ideas.
Thank you!
February 2, 2020 at 7:52 pm
Jefna M. Cohen
This is such a great composite post, brimming with ideas. And hope. Thanks!
February 3, 2020 at 5:46 pm
michelebacon
What a treasure trove of BOOKS added to my TBR list. Happy publishing, all!
February 5, 2020 at 12:47 am
Lucretia
Thank you to all for sharing these engaging stories about finding inspiration-and recognizing it–in everyday events both past and present. It’s inspiring some ideas already!
February 5, 2020 at 10:34 pm
CindyC
Great post. Amazing ideas are everywhere!
January 15, 2021 at 12:36 am
Virginia Rinkel
Thank you all for sharing these stories.