January 23, 2021 11:23 am
by Rosie J. Pova
Every story has its own way of sneaking into my subconscious. I keep my mind open, and on the lookout, so that, in its tiny kernel form, the idea could find a crack and jump into my precious pool of ideas to draw from.
I’ve noticed that there isn’t just one process for me that works the same way each time and I love that! I can relax, knowing that the muse can tap on my shoulder, whisper in my ear, tug on my pajama pants or even pull my leg, occasionally, to get my attention. Or I can summon her up with some tricks up my sleeve, too. But one thing’s for sure―she will show up! I can trust that the well will never dry up and my next story may spring at any moment.
It’s a game, and it’s a playful challenge. And it’s always fun to discover the clues leading up to a new inspiration for writing my next piece!
Today, I’d like to share my top three tried-and-true techniques for collecting or retrieving story ideas.
1. A Theme
Sometimes, my starting point for generating ideas is a theme. I have a specific one in mind that I want my story to reflect. My picture book, SARAH’S SONG, is an example of that.
Reading other books with a similar theme, I wanted to write a story about something precious, cherished that is lost or transformed into something different in a way that the character would have to let go, and either find peace with it or adapt to the new and transformed “something precious.” Not in so many words in my mind, just very basic sense for the direction in which to focus.
The story I wrote was about a special tradition a girl and her grandma shared through dance and music, but then it altered when Grandma was no longer able to dance and sing like she used to.
2. A Phrase
Listen! A character might be talking to you. A narrator may be feeding you a phrase to draw your attention. That happens to me often. Usually when I’m driving, washing dishes, taking a shower or when I first wake up.
I’d hear a line of dialogue and my curiosity takes over, leading me on a path to discovery. Who is that character talking? What are they like? What do they want?
Other times, an interesting sentence pops into my mind as was the case recently with this one: “Mule mulled over the idea. . .” I thought it sounded cool and was funny to me. I also knew what he mulled over, but won’t give it away here ;). So, this turned into a new story I wrote.
Initially, I believed that would be my opening line for the story. Well, it turned out it wasn’t. I added a new opening and the mulling mule paragraph moved down. But that’s not all! Later, in revisions, that sentence changed, and Mule no longer mulled. That verb was replaced with another one. So, poof! There went my consonance, too! But I have no regrets! This little phrase worked to get me to write a brand-new story! And here’s what one of my critique partners had to say about it after I polished it and sent it back to her: “It’s spectacular! It’s glamorous and hysterical! Well done!”
I have no clue whether this story would ever become a book, but no doubt, I consider that a win!
Another instance of a story that sprang from a sentence was when this came to my mind: “The school of failure was located in the middle of nowhere, but it was the center of everything.”
Oh, how I admired this opening sentence! Genius! So clever! I was patting myself on the back… for a while. Then the story went through a gazillion revisions. I kept the sentence, even though it was no longer the opening sentence. Then more revisions followed. I still didn’t have the heart to kill my darling, so it stayed, stubbornly and selfishly saved by its author.
Fast-forward a couple of years (at least!) the story sold! Here came a gazillion more revisions after it was acquired. At some point, the editors asked me to get rid of that sentence―they thought it was vague and not kid-friendly and just did not serve the story at all. GASP! What? But that was the one that started this whole story creation! I was attached to it now!
Well, I had to cut it and I knew it. Eventually, I gave it my farewell and showed it the exit.
The journey of that book was long and hard, unlike some of my other books. But here’s the result and I am so happy and excited for it!
3. A Prompt
My upcoming book, SUNDAY RAIN, was born out of a prompt. There was a submission opportunity through 12 x12 to submit to an editor. I wanted to take advantage of this call for submissions, but I had no story that matched the taste of that editor. So, I decided to write a new one, just for them. I looked at their guidelines again and what piqued my interest was a “story that captures a moment.”
I thought about it and brainstormed. I wondered what childhood moment I could reflect in a story.
And then an image of kids playing in the rain popped into my head.
I have a vivid childhood memory of swirling and twirling in delight, soaking wet, in a heavy summer rain. But in my case, I was the only one — all my friends who were there ran for shelter when it started pouring. The rain was so warm, I stayed. I felt happy, adventurous, and carefree at that moment.
So that served as the spark for my story. The words started pouring out of me. I finished a first draft pretty quickly.
Well, long story short, that publisher did not pick the book, but another one loved it and did! So now it’s a book that will soon be out into the world and in the hands of many kids!
Another story I recently wrote was also born from a prompt. This time, it came from a dear critique partner. I wanted to write a story for a specific publisher and when I shared that with her, we tossed around some ideas of general themes that would be a good match for that house. Then my friend suggested I write a story about community coming together. Once I had that prompt, the idea quickly flooded in and I poured it out on paper the same day. Her feedback on it? “It’s AMAZING Love it!!!!”
So, these three methods have proven the most fruitful in sparking story ideas for me lately and I hope you will try them all!
Have any of those worked for you? Let me know how ideas pop up for you most often.
Rosie J. Pova is a multi-published, award-winning children’s author, poet, speaker, and writing coach on a mission to inspire children not only to read and write more, but to use their creativity, follow their passions, dream big and believe in themselves. She is also a Writing Instructor for the Dallas Independent School District through The Writer’s Garret, an instructor with Writing Workshops Dallas, teaching picture book courses to children’s writers, and the founder of two children’s writing contests–KWEST and Haiku Hype–as well as the organizer of The Write Universe Kidlit Writers Workshops in Dallas, TX. She also serves as a judge for Rate Your Story.
Rosie visits schools and shares her inspirational journey as an immigrant from Bulgaria and how she became a published author, encouraging kids to persist, push through obstacles, and hold a high vision of themselves.
Her upcoming picture book, Sunday Rain, celebrates imagination, the love of books, and new friendships. You can pre-order a signed copy. Her latest book, The School of Failure: A Story about Success will be released in spring 2022. Visit Rosie at rosiejpova.com, on Twitter @RosiePOV, Instagram @rosiepova and Facebook.
Rosie is giving away a signed copy of SUNDAY RAIN.
Leave one comment below to enter.
You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm participant and you have commented once below.
Posted by Tara Lazar
Categories: Picture Books, Storystorm 2021
Tags: Rosie J. Pova, Sarah's Song, Sunday Rain
Mobile Site | Full Site
Get a free blog at WordPress.com Theme: WordPress Mobile Edition by Alex King.
Great tips! I can’t wait to someday be in Publisher’s Weekly as an upcoming published writer!
By Earl @ The Chronicles Of A Children's Book Writer on January 23, 2021 at 11:28 am
Thank you for the great tips!
By Rebecca Arent-Draper on January 23, 2021 at 12:23 pm
Hi Rosie, It is true. Stories can come from everywhere if your open.
Thank you for your post. And congratulations on, Sunday Rain.
By Mark Bentz on January 23, 2021 at 11:29 am
These are great ideas, Rosie! Thank you! I love the idea of starting with a phrase or line and seeing where it goes (and also being open enough to change it if needed).
By Andrea Mack on January 23, 2021 at 11:30 am
Nifty! Love it when ideas just pop! Thank you so much:)
By Nancy Colle on January 23, 2021 at 11:31 am
Thank you, Rosie, for sharing your writing inspirations. What great ideas to start with today.
By judyrubin13 on January 23, 2021 at 11:32 am
Thanks Rosie! You’ve got me listening to my characters!
By Jany Campana on January 23, 2021 at 11:33 am
Great post, thank you! Ideas are there–we just have to grab them. I can’t wait to read SUNDAY RAIN!!
By Linda Staszak on January 23, 2021 at 11:33 am
Congratulations on your books. I love how you can turn a line into a story! I can’t wait to read Sunday Rain!
By Patricia J Holloway on January 23, 2021 at 7:42 pm
Great tips! Thank you! Sunday Rain looks lovely!!
By Jessica Hinrichs on January 23, 2021 at 11:34 am
Thanks, Rosie, for sharing your 3 prompts! Congrats on your continued success! You’ve inspired me to keep going:>
By pollyrenner on January 23, 2021 at 11:34 am
Killing my darlings is always so hard. Thanks for reminding me that I can celebrate the fact that they kept me at it until they had to die for the cause.
By Ginny Neil on January 23, 2021 at 11:37 am
So fun to read the process of these books I know so well! Congratulations and much success to you, Rosie!
By Lynne Marie on January 23, 2021 at 11:37 am
Wonderful ideas! And I love hearing how your stories came to be. Thanks!
By Cathleen Collins on January 23, 2021 at 11:38 am
Your suggestions offer so many possibilities for ideas. Thank you.
By Judith Snyder on January 23, 2021 at 11:39 am
All great ideas, and it was interesting read how the author used these strategies to generate her picture books stories.
By Debra Katz on January 23, 2021 at 11:40 am
Interesting places to find ideas. Thanks!
By nrompella on January 23, 2021 at 11:41 am
Such great tips! Thanks, Rosie.
By Cathy L. Murphy on January 23, 2021 at 11:42 am
Thanks so much for sharing these great techniques!! 😀
By Laurie Bouck on January 23, 2021 at 11:43 am
Love the idea of getting an idea with a phrase. I’ve never thought about that before. Thank you!
By Kaye Wright on January 23, 2021 at 11:43 am
Love these!
By Jeanne Cherney on January 23, 2021 at 11:43 am
I love this post. These are all great ideas, Rosie.
By Linda Hofke on January 23, 2021 at 11:43 am
Hatching ideas using a theme, a phrase, and a prompt! Thanks for sharing your process with us.
By awritersdream41 on January 23, 2021 at 11:44 am
Hi Rosie! Thank you for your inspiration. It brought back childhood memories of running through the sprinklers.
By Corlie Aldrich on January 23, 2021 at 11:44 am
I loved reading this post. Stories are everywhere, one just has to be open to them. What a great takeaway!
By Genevieve Gorback on January 23, 2021 at 11:45 am
Thank you for sharing how writing from a spark of an idea can be shaped into story. I especially love hearing how your work with your critique team. Congratulations on your new book!
By Shaunda Wenger on January 23, 2021 at 11:45 am
I liked the ideas especially the prompts. Thank You.
By readmybook2002 on January 23, 2021 at 11:46 am
My current wip started as a response to a prompt during my regional SCBWI Lit Mingle meeting. Our group traded postcards and other pictures, picked one we liked, and wrote a short story. As you suggest, stories are everywhere, and we just need to listen to them speak. Thank you Rosie for such an inspirational post.
By Armineh Manookian on January 23, 2021 at 11:46 am
I don’t blame you for loving that “school of failure” sentence either! Great to see the title still reflects the gist of it…Thanks for sharing Rosie!
By Deb Sullivan on January 23, 2021 at 11:47 am
Great ideas I will have to try them. Thanks for sharing
By Kay on January 23, 2021 at 11:47 am
Thank you for the inspiration, Rosie! It’s exactly what I needed to hear today! So many wonderful ideas! Congratulations on your upcoming book! As a child I loved playing in the rain!
By jillburns7 on January 23, 2021 at 11:48 am
That is how stories come to me too, in many different ways and shapes and then I have to let them marinate in my brain and heart. A lot of walks are needed to help them to reach my typing hands.
By asiqueira1307 on January 23, 2021 at 11:48 am
So many great ideas in this post, but I was especially intrigued by the idea of having a brainstorming session with critique partners to match wish lists. Lovely post, thanks!
By Susan Wroble on January 23, 2021 at 11:49 am
SUNDAY RAIN sounds delightful. I love your description of fashioning a story around an intriguing line only to eliminate that line in the end.
By Claire A. B. Freeland on January 23, 2021 at 11:49 am
Rosie, I love your three tips on how to come up with ideas. I’m going to try them all. Your book about rain brings back memories for me. My kids loved running in the warm summer rain. Sometime I would even join them. Our neighbors probably thought I was daft, but it was fun. Great post! You’ve given me ways to get more writing ideas.
By betlw on January 23, 2021 at 11:51 am
My ideas often begin with phrases too, and yes, it’s so hard to “kill my darlings” later if I must, but I find this is a great way to find my way into my story!
By Tanya Konerman on January 23, 2021 at 11:52 am
Thank you, Rosie! These are great ideas…
By Mary Beth Rice on January 23, 2021 at 11:52 am
Great suggestions for sparking new ideas. Thank you!
By Tara Cerven on January 23, 2021 at 11:52 am
Hi, Rosie! So hard when one of your favorite lines get cut! Can’t wait to read all your new books- Congratulations! And thanks so much for all these awesome ideas. I’m feeling inspired!
By Laura Bower on January 23, 2021 at 11:56 am
I particularly like suggestion #2: find a phrase. Gonna give that one a whirl today!
By karynellis on January 23, 2021 at 11:56 am
Loved this inspirational post, Rosie! Thank you.
By Candace Spizzirri on January 23, 2021 at 11:56 am
Such a great idea to assign yourself a theme or prompt according to what might fit a a particular publishing house – even if the story finds its ultimate home elsewhere!
By Cathy Ballou Mealey on January 23, 2021 at 11:58 am
Thank you Rosie 😊
By saintamovin on January 23, 2021 at 11:58 am
Thanks for the inspiration, Rosie! I relate to the idea of phrases. I have many written in my notes that have made their way into my stories. Sometimes even just a couple words! 🙂 Cheers to your success!
By adavis6385 on January 23, 2021 at 12:00 pm
I’ve had phrases and characters pop in my head while bathing, washing dishes, etc., too! I love it when my characters “talk” to me. Congrats on your upcoming books!
By Joy Wieder on January 23, 2021 at 12:01 pm
It’s always fun to listen to how story ideas come about and how much they change in the process! Great tips! Congratulations on your publications!
By Krissy on January 23, 2021 at 12:02 pm
Thanks for the post!
By Jessica Potts on January 23, 2021 at 12:02 pm
Love these ideas. Thanks!
By Christine Fleming McIsaac on January 23, 2021 at 12:03 pm
Wonderful tips for getting ideas out! Thank you for offering these up today. I will be hunting for the phrases that grab my attention and writing them down!
By Catherine Lee on January 23, 2021 at 12:04 pm
Great tips. I look forward to reading Sunday Rain.
By Bethanny Parker on January 23, 2021 at 12:04 pm
Rosie, Thanks for sharing your three idea-generating tips and highlighting the processes in such a clear, engaging manner. I, too, have found that responding to a prompt often results in a first draft that takes shape much more efficiently. Can’t wait to put these approaches into motion! Congratulations on your latest pb success story!
By Lucretia S. on January 23, 2021 at 12:04 pm
Great post, Rosie! I have SARAH’S SONG, and it is such a sweet story. Thank you for the writing tips. I’m going to try all of them!
By Linda KulpTrout on January 23, 2021 at 12:05 pm
I love the title of your books! Thanks for your ideas!
By mariemessinger on January 23, 2021 at 12:05 pm
Rosie, your suggestions helped me think of a childhood moment that could be a story! Thanks so much!
By Writer on the run on January 23, 2021 at 12:05 pm
I really enjoyed this glimpse into your process and how it inspired your work. Thanks!
By Christine Fleming McIsaac on January 23, 2021 at 12:06 pm
Always love having specific examples of how stories develop. Thanks for sharing with us!
By marty on January 23, 2021 at 12:06 pm
Thank you so much for the inspiration, Rosie! I have a few beloved sentences that I probably need to give the heave-ho, but they did their job to get things rolling.
By goodtimegreatstory on January 23, 2021 at 12:06 pm
Great reminder that stories change and grow throughout the process. Thanks for your inspiration!
By Jill Friestad-Tate on January 23, 2021 at 12:07 pm
Thank you, Rosie. I love hearing how picture books began. Congratulations on your new book.
By sareenmclay on January 23, 2021 at 12:08 pm
Thank you for sharing how you hatch your ideas. Many of mine come to me from watching the natural world, or nature programmes on the TV. Or seeing something a child does when I’m out and about (or used to be out and about!) Best of luck with the new book.
By Joan Longstaff on January 23, 2021 at 12:09 pm
Love your story and your stories. I’m near Dallas, so I may be in touch!
By chaunceyelephant on January 23, 2021 at 12:09 pm
Thank you for sharing how your ideas generate more ideas. I appreciate learning where that’s led with editors. Congrats on your success, Rosie!
By Robin Brett Wechsler on January 23, 2021 at 12:09 pm
Thanks for sharing!! 💘💘💘 the ideas???
By kelbelroberts on January 23, 2021 at 12:09 pm
First, I’m so glad to hear that others struggle so much with deleting those initial sentences that we all think are so brilliant! I like your thought about them serving their purpose in getting you on the path.
Second, I love the idea of writing about a moment – I’m going to ponder this and see what I come up with!
By Jessica Fries-Gaither on January 23, 2021 at 12:11 pm
Can’t wait to read The School of Failure. Thanks for sharing your inspirational story it must have been bitter sweet cutting that line. I thought it was an awesome line. Some great helpful tips.
By John McGranaghan on January 23, 2021 at 12:12 pm
Rosie, great examples as to how you hatched ideas for books! Perfect share!
By Cathy Ogren on January 23, 2021 at 12:13 pm
Wow, I love the way you trust in your muse enough to be open and playful with your ideas. Great post!
By libbydemmon on January 23, 2021 at 12:15 pm
Thank you so much, Rosie, for the tips. I’m excited to try a prompt for today’s idea. Congratulations on your new book! I look forward to it.😊
By Gail Aherne on January 23, 2021 at 12:16 pm
I love this! Thank you so much for delving into your process. I tend to get some ideas from reading grown up books. I’ll start thinking or wondering about something I’ve read and poof!
Can’t wait to read your books!
By Kimberly Marcus on January 23, 2021 at 12:16 pm
I remember playing in the summer rain as a kid, too—can’t wait to read “Sunday Rain!”
By meganu on January 23, 2021 at 12:18 pm
The strategies you use are surely making me think today!
By Susan Cabael on January 23, 2021 at 12:19 pm
THANK you Rosie, you reminded me I have lists of ideas from Tara and other authors in a folder that I will revisit and come up with something new.
I wish I had heard a character talking to me and start there but lists of prompts and ideas are great starters.
By Sheri Radovich on January 23, 2021 at 12:20 pm
Writing prompts are an excellent way to get ideas flowing. Thank you Rosie for this inspiration!
By Catherine Brewer on January 23, 2021 at 12:21 pm
Love the examples of where you got your ideas. And we always need to hear it’s ok to kill our darlings, even the ones that started the story idea!! Great post!
By Tracy Hora on January 23, 2021 at 12:24 pm
Beautifully said. I have a book idea that I have written based on a prompt and the idea flowed.
By muskoshe on January 23, 2021 at 12:26 pm
Love these ideas to get muse a hopping. Even came up with a germ of an idea for a story. Thanks
By kiwijenny on January 23, 2021 at 12:26 pm
All your ideas worth of a second read. Thank you!
By TerriMichels on January 23, 2021 at 12:27 pm
Thanks so much, and congratulations, Rosie! I’m looking forward to reading Sunday Rain.
By rosecappelli on January 23, 2021 at 12:28 pm
It’s inspiring to read how you successfully used each of these techniques. I especially like the prompt that asked you to create a story that captures a moment. This one has me thinking of small moments that can become big stories. Thanks!
By Peggy Dobbs on January 23, 2021 at 12:32 pm
Thank you for sharing your ideas! Looking forward to giving them a try!
By Julia on January 23, 2021 at 12:34 pm
thanks, Rosie, for a terrific post! It’s a fascinating process, isn’t it, when the original spark for a book is among the things that end up having to be cut? I love the title School of Failure and look forward to holding your books in my hands . . .
By Jessica Swaim on January 23, 2021 at 12:34 pm
Thanks for these great ideas Rosie and congratulations on your books! I feel my well has run dry at this point; but, I am certainly going to try to fill it up again!
By jbbower on January 23, 2021 at 12:36 pm
Thanks for the brainstorming ideas!
By Buffy Silverman on January 23, 2021 at 12:36 pm
I’m thinking that if I start listening to myself and just be quiet, I might learn how to recognize ideas.
By danielle hammelef on January 23, 2021 at 12:37 pm
Thank you for 3 great ways to generate story ideas.
By paulabpuckett on January 23, 2021 at 12:39 pm
Great ideas! Thank you, Rosie!
By erintsiska on January 23, 2021 at 12:40 pm
Rosie ,
Thank you for the post. Congratulations on your new book❤️
By Janie Reinart on January 23, 2021 at 12:44 pm
thank you for sharing your prompt process. You blog also reminds me about how important critique partners are.
By Carole Calladine on January 23, 2021 at 12:44 pm
Rosie – love how you demonstrated your multiple processes (something that really resonates!) with 3 inspiring examples. Such a great way to ease into our idea-generation weekend – thanks!
By suumac on January 23, 2021 at 12:45 pm
I love hearing how your ideas evolve!! Congrats on your beautiful new book!
By Charlotte Offsay on January 23, 2021 at 12:48 pm
I like the idea of a character talking to you-something to think about it. Great ideas
By Elyse Trevers on January 23, 2021 at 12:50 pm
Thank you Rosis, I really enjoyed your blog. I find the phrase method is usually what gives me the most ideas and it is so reassuring to read that that particular phrase might not make it to the book as I am having to cut some of my favourite lines after receiving advice. I also like the prompt idea and am looking forward to trying it!
By Cathy McDonnell on January 23, 2021 at 12:52 pm
Thank you for the three tips, especially listening in when you keep coming back to ideas.
By Melissa H. Mwai on January 23, 2021 at 12:52 pm
Rosie, thanks for these gems, and congratulations on all your books!
Gail Hartman
By thecrowsmap on January 23, 2021 at 12:54 pm
I love your three suggestions-and am so happy how they led you to your fabulous books -thanks for the inspiration and congrats! 🙂
By danielledufayet on January 23, 2021 at 12:54 pm
Thanks for sharing more of your writing journey, Rosie!
By Kirsti Call on January 23, 2021 at 12:56 pm
Thanks for sharing your top 3 tips Rosie! These are great brainstorming ideas. Looking forward to reading Sunday Rain.
By Penelope McNally on January 23, 2021 at 12:57 pm
Terrific post! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and what works for you. Great ideas. For what it is worth, I love that sentence and would have had a hard time cutting it as well!
By Karin Larson on January 23, 2021 at 12:58 pm
You’re brilliant to listen to your subconscious! I’ve discovered story ideas in the twilight of just-before-waking but not during the day when fully awake. I’m going to try to listen more for characters speaking to me throughout the day. Thanks for sharing your techniques!
By expressdog on January 23, 2021 at 1:00 pm
Oh the power of prompts! Thanks for sharing this inspiring message!
By Meli Glickman on January 23, 2021 at 1:01 pm
Such an inspiring post – thanks for all the wonderful suggestions to help us hatch ideas. Loved hearing about how your books began.
By bevbaird on January 23, 2021 at 1:02 pm
I think a phrase works for me most often. I have one running through my head that needs a story. I’ll keep your journey in mind as I explore it. Thank you!
By Jennifer Blanck on January 23, 2021 at 1:02 pm
These are all food for thought and hopefully I can ruminate on them and come up with a tasty treat! Thank you!
By Colleen Owen Murphy on January 23, 2021 at 1:03 pm
Your ideas and books sound great! Thanks for the inspiration, Rosie!
By Rebster on January 23, 2021 at 1:04 pm
Hi Rosie! Thanks for sharing your writing techniques. Congrats on your success!
By Joni Hay Patras on January 23, 2021 at 1:04 pm
Food for thought, thank you, and “The school of failure was located in the middle of nowhere, but it was the center of everything,” is such an evocative sentence. It perfectly describes my sister’s old school in the Mallorcan countryside…
By Poupette on January 23, 2021 at 1:05 pm
Wow! Thank you Rosie for the ideas and the encouragement to “kill your darlings”. It’s so hard to do, yet you’ve done it and survived! Thrived!
By Nancy Ferguson on January 23, 2021 at 1:09 pm
Thanks for the great ideas about how you come up with your ideas! Congrats on all of your successes.
By Dawn Prochovnic on January 23, 2021 at 1:11 pm
Thanks for the idea generating prompts, Rosie. Looking forward to checking out your books.
By LeeAnn Rizzuti on January 23, 2021 at 1:14 pm
Oh those little darlings! I can relate. Thanks for your wonderful post!
By Heather Rowley on January 23, 2021 at 1:18 pm
I often have a phrase that pops into my head and ends up as a manuscript. Nothing published yet but I’m forever hopeful. Hmmm! “forever hopeful”-might be a good story idea!
Thank you for your ideas to get the creative juices flowing!
By martyfindley on January 23, 2021 at 1:23 pm
Thanks for the super suggestions on how to jumpstart story ideas!
By Alice Fulfione on January 23, 2021 at 1:24 pm
Thanks for sharing
By Cheryl L Kula on January 23, 2021 at 1:25 pm
Love the thought that ideas can come in so many ways. Thank you for sharing!
By heatherbell37 on January 23, 2021 at 1:26 pm
Thank you for your tips!
By Jessica Coupé on January 23, 2021 at 1:28 pm
Great post! Thank you so much for sharing your brainstorming tips, Rosie!
By Nicole Loos Miller on January 23, 2021 at 1:28 pm
Wow. Amazing how quickly you get your stories ready for publication. You have given us some good ways to add to our story idea storehouse.
By Sherri Jones Rivers on January 23, 2021 at 1:32 pm
A theme, a phrase, a prompt…these are great ideas for generating ideas! Thanks so much, Rosie!
By Aimee Satterlee on January 23, 2021 at 1:32 pm
What an invigorating and playful post! I love your openness to your ‘muse’.
Thank you for sharing these tips. Big congrats on your most recent book sale and Sunday Rain!
By Aimee Haburjak on January 23, 2021 at 1:32 pm
Thanks for these nuggets. Any sparks help and I love filing them away for days when the well runs dry.
By Melisa Wrex on January 23, 2021 at 1:33 pm
Thank you so much for sharing where you find your inspiration!
By Julie Maria Harris on January 23, 2021 at 1:36 pm
Great suggestions for generating story ideas, Rosie! I especially enjoy coming up with phrases or doing prompts that take you on a journey of discovery! Thanks so much for sharing some of your process!
By kmajor2013 on January 23, 2021 at 1:46 pm
Prompts have been a major source of story ideas for me. Thanks for giving us a glimpse into your process. Yay! for two upcoming books! I’ll be watching for them.
By Darcee A. Freier on January 23, 2021 at 1:48 pm
I love the idea of a fun phrase becoming a picture book! Thank you for the tips, Rosie!
-Maryna Doughty
By marynadoughty on January 23, 2021 at 1:49 pm
Congratulations on all of your stories!
By Shirley Ng-Benitez on January 23, 2021 at 1:50 pm
Thanks for these great story prompters, Rosie! Themes and phrases are often the kernels for my ideas, and they definitely grow into stories with a good amount of imaginative watering!
By Suzanne Lewis on January 23, 2021 at 1:55 pm
A phrase haunting you resonates for me.
By yvonne pearson on January 23, 2021 at 1:57 pm
Congrats, Rosie! Thank you for your contribution to storystorm. I will start listening for those phrases to reveal themselves to me! 🙂
By Bonnie Kelso on January 23, 2021 at 1:57 pm
Hi Rosie! Such great prompts! I’ve also had story ideas stem from reading/seeing items in the news, listening to children around me, and remembering moments from my childhood (as you did with Sunday Rain)!
By annette schottenfeld on January 23, 2021 at 1:59 pm
Your ideas bring to mind Sunday Rain. Ideas are just like raindrops, they’re all around you. Just step, touch a few and see what happens;)
By Patti Ranson on January 23, 2021 at 2:00 pm
Thanks for sharing your writing methods of madness! Love your ideas and will carry them with me in finding ideas and sticking to them.
By Linda Sakai on January 23, 2021 at 2:00 pm
I too have felt the pang of killing the darling that inspired the story in the first place. Great post!
By andynarwhal on January 23, 2021 at 2:00 pm
I like to build off of a theme… many of my stories started as a theme idea
By Krista Legge on January 23, 2021 at 2:05 pm
Yes, to all three ways! Also, when I overhear a kid talking, or a moment I can’t get out of my head, or… when you get the idea. 😉
By JEN Garrett on January 23, 2021 at 2:07 pm
Sorry you had to kill your darling, but The School of Failure sounds great!
By Carrie Tillotson on January 23, 2021 at 2:08 pm
I find the key difference between an idea and a good one is finding that one thing and giving it time to develop. I love how a line, a word or a phrase can build into a full story.
By matthewlasley on January 23, 2021 at 2:16 pm
Thank you for your inspirational post. Sometimes I get ideas when I go down a rabbit hole on the internet. Searching for info on one thing leads to another thing and so on. This is fun isn’t it? Thanks again.
By Marilyn Wolpin on January 23, 2021 at 2:16 pm
Great post thank you!
By Sarah Hetu-Radny on January 23, 2021 at 2:17 pm
Great inspiration and ideas! Thank you. Looking forward to reading your books!
By vgraboski61gmailcom on January 23, 2021 at 2:18 pm
Thank you so much for these helpful tips! Sunday Rain sounds like a lovely book!
By Renee Choy on January 23, 2021 at 2:21 pm
Thanks for the great tips! Whenever I’m able to visit bookstores and libraries – you remember the days before Covid, right? – I eavesdrop on children as they look for new books. It’s a great way to pick up phrases. That and their honest opinions of what they like or not. Thanks for sharing with us and for a chance to win your new book.
By Pamela Haskin on January 23, 2021 at 2:22 pm
Thank you sharing how you get ideas, but also how many of them morph into something better after revision.
By Amanda on January 23, 2021 at 2:24 pm
Thank you for sharing!
By Sara Ackerman on January 23, 2021 at 2:28 pm
Rosie, what a great post. Love all the tantalizing hints of what you have to come. I’ve found themes and phrases (some that appear at the silliest of times) to be what mostly spurs my stories. Though a magazine prompt spurred my most recent NF. Congrats on Sunday Rain and your other books!
By Maria Marshall on January 23, 2021 at 2:28 pm
I love the prompt idea. Thanks!
By jenabenton on January 23, 2021 at 2:30 pm
Very inspirational! Thank you 🙂
By Phaea Crede - Jet the Cat (Is Not a Cat) author (@PhaeaCrede) on January 23, 2021 at 2:32 pm
i’m inspired!
By Sallye O'Rourke on January 23, 2021 at 2:34 pm
Your prompt has prompted me. Thanks!
By Judie on January 23, 2021 at 2:36 pm
Some more great techniques for idea farming. Thank you! Congratulations on your new books. So exciting!
By tracivw on January 23, 2021 at 2:37 pm
The willingness to be open and receptive is something I appreciate. It’s so interesting that your childhood memory is what poured (no pun intended) out of you. Maybe tapping into that source more often is the trick.
By cmochowski on January 23, 2021 at 2:42 pm
Thanks for sharing your three techniques to finding/developing an idea, especially the theme technique!
By pathaap on January 23, 2021 at 2:44 pm
I get ideas the same way you do! I typically get them from a theme and it taps me on my shoulder and other places and from a phrase. I don’t have any published stories yet but I’m remaining hopeful! Thanks for the tips Rosie! Good luck on future stories.
By lavern15 on January 23, 2021 at 2:47 pm
This post is sparking a lot of thoughts. Thank you!
By beckylevine on January 23, 2021 at 2:48 pm
Rosie, the notion of writing a picture book from a wishlist comment is intriguing. You’re so fortunate to be able to work with the amazing Helen Wu!
By Joyce Uglow on January 23, 2021 at 2:50 pm
Thank you, Rosie! I am inspired by your three muse inviting ways to get ideas to come by.
Thank you, Tara, for your ever giving bloggers that participate in Storystorm.
By marty on January 23, 2021 at 2:51 pm
Congratulations!
By Joyce Uglow on January 23, 2021 at 2:52 pm
I am in love with that image of the singing donkeys! Thank you for sharing. Hugs. T
By Tanja Bauerle on January 23, 2021 at 2:54 pm
Thank you for the great tips!
By Rozana Rajkumari on January 23, 2021 at 2:54 pm
Loved this. I work really well with prompts too.
By Lauren Hidalgo on January 23, 2021 at 2:58 pm
I just had to laugh and groan in sympathy at how your amazing opening sentence ended up being cut. Been there, cut that. Thanks for sharing!
By Christine Van Zandt, author of A BRIEF HISTORY OF UNDERPANTS on January 23, 2021 at 2:58 pm
Stories pop from the most unexpected sources. I write some story ideas from beginning to end and others remain an idea or a line in my journal for years before they finally morph into full fledged story. I penciled a few ideas in my journal this morning. Which way will the ideas wander? Where will they finally go? Who knows?
By Susan Jobsky on January 23, 2021 at 2:59 pm
Thanks so much for the examples of prompts that have proven fruitful for you. Definitely gave me some new ideas. Congrats on your books!
By Jennifer Phillips on January 23, 2021 at 2:59 pm
took me a while to complete this post – it sparked so much in my brain! thank you for the suggestions.
By tasha woodson on January 23, 2021 at 3:00 pm
Having a phrase or a character’s voice show up is such a gift. I use prompts often for short stories but have never tried them for a picture book. Thanks!
By Shelli on January 23, 2021 at 3:06 pm
I love that you worked with a crit partner battering around prompts to fit for a publisher. very concrete–not waiting for it to drop from the heavens!
By Amy H on January 23, 2021 at 3:09 pm
Thank you, I learned a lot about giving up that opening sentence. I have struggled with that too. Now I can give myself permission to let them go when they need to without feeling like I am being untrue to the story.
By Elizabeth Moore on January 23, 2021 at 3:11 pm
Thank you, Rosie! I will try all these ideas!
By Sarah Lynne John on January 23, 2021 at 3:11 pm
I’ve had some success with prompts, but not phrases or themes. Will have to give those a try. Sounds like you have a wonderful critique group.
By Roberta Gibson on January 23, 2021 at 3:14 pm
Thank you for bringing us back to the Muse and reminding us how we can welcome it. Your books sound wonderful, Rosie!
By Joyce on January 23, 2021 at 3:15 pm
Thanks for your examples and suggestions. I just remembered an in the moment memory that I’m going to write down now!
By Marla Yablon on January 23, 2021 at 3:16 pm
Thanks for sharing your most successful strategies for story idea generation, Rosie.
By ptnozell on January 23, 2021 at 3:16 pm
Great tips, Rosie! It’s inspiring to read how your ideas came about and how they transformed. Looking forward to reading your books!
By donnacangelosi on January 23, 2021 at 3:20 pm
Thanks for your words of inspiration! You books are lovely!
By Kathy Crable on January 23, 2021 at 3:24 pm
Thanks for the ideas!
By Carol Gwin Nelson on January 23, 2021 at 3:29 pm
It’s a great idea to read the publishers’ wish lists and try to write a story to match. Thanks for a great post.
By rosihollinbeck on January 23, 2021 at 3:37 pm
Your 3 techniques work for me, too, although I hadn’t formally identified them. Thank you!
By SHANNA SILVA on January 23, 2021 at 3:39 pm
Hi Rosie, puddle jumper. I love getting caught in the rain! Congrats on Sunday Rain and the rest of your growing canon and what you bring to kids in all your literacy roles!
The tips are great, especially using an editor’s wish list as a prompt. I’m new to 12X12 this year and will surely try that out a time or two.
Thanks for sharing your meandering path to final story–that is in itself freeing and inspirational. I hope you can use that beautiful sentence somewhere!
By Gretchen McLellan on January 23, 2021 at 3:41 pm
Thanks for sharing all your advice!
By Jennifer Rathe on January 23, 2021 at 3:44 pm
Great ideas. I don’t think any of my stories came about in the same way.
By Ashley Sierra (@AshleySierra06) on January 23, 2021 at 3:48 pm
Great tips, Rosie, and congrats on your upcoming books! Lines of dialogue often come to me first, too. 🙂
By Teresa Rodrigues on January 23, 2021 at 3:49 pm
Great hearing about your journey. Very best wishes x
By lisakhan9 on January 23, 2021 at 4:01 pm
Standing at the sink, making the bed, walking the dog – that’s how story ideas slide in sideways, often as a phrase, seldom full-blown. Always have to work hard to do that part.
By mariearden on January 23, 2021 at 4:02 pm
It sounds like your brain is a fountain of ideas! Thank you for the tips and inspiration.
By Susannah Crispe on January 23, 2021 at 4:03 pm
I have to carry paper and pencil with me all the time. Ideas pop into my constantly. Thanks for your tips, Rosie.
By Marlena Leach on January 23, 2021 at 4:09 pm
Thanks for the tips Rosie!
By bgonsar on January 23, 2021 at 4:09 pm
Love these 3 techniques, thanks for the insight!
By Lydia Lukidis on January 23, 2021 at 4:09 pm
“…there isn’t just one process…” Thank you, Rosie, for this insightful look into your idea process. I came up with a couple of ideas after reading your tried-and-true techniques. Theme and Prompt shouted at me 🙂 Congratulations on your forthcoming books!
By chardixon47 on January 23, 2021 at 4:10 pm
I loved your ideas. Thank you so much!
By Sara Habte on January 23, 2021 at 4:12 pm
Wonderful post, Rosie! THank you!
By Krista Harrington on January 23, 2021 at 4:17 pm
Thanks for the great tips, and the reminder that the original line might not even be needed in the final story. I look forward to your books!
By Lisa Billa on January 23, 2021 at 4:19 pm
A phrase just popped into my head after reading your post (and post-election): “It’s Never too Late.” It’s never too late for lots of things. thanks for the prompt!
By 8catpaws on January 23, 2021 at 4:23 pm
Prompts have been really helpful in developing ideas that turn into stories!
By Meg on January 23, 2021 at 4:26 pm
Thank you for sharing these tips, Rosie! A theme, a phrase, a prompt. What great ideas! Thanks for sharing your darling examples, too. They led you to your stories, and then went on their merry way. I loved your line about the school of failure! I’m sure it was hard to cut, but you followed some great advice I heard at a writer’s conference once: you have to love your story more than you love your words. I’m so glad that line led you to your story–and that you got to share it with all of us! Thanks so much for a fantastic post! 🙂
By Abby Wooldridge on January 23, 2021 at 4:29 pm
Wonderful tips! I often use prompts from a writing group I belong to, to generate ideas. Thank you for sharing. Your books sound wonderful!
By Jennifer Weisse on January 23, 2021 at 4:30 pm
Seeing theses tips on paper made me realize I’ve used these ideas at one time or another. Thanks for your insight.
By mjmeyer06 on January 23, 2021 at 4:32 pm
I loved hearing the backstories of your stories! Congratulations on your upcoming books!
By Lauren Barbieri on January 23, 2021 at 4:34 pm
Thank you for the tips. I’m sure they all will help to inspire stories!
By Judy Sobanski on January 23, 2021 at 4:37 pm
Love your suggestions – thank you!
By DaNeil Olson on January 23, 2021 at 4:39 pm
Great suggestions! After reading the first one, several phrases popped into my mind. Love it! Thank you! Congrats on the new books!
By Angie on January 23, 2021 at 4:40 pm
Love these tips especially the challenge of an idea of a story capturing a moment!
By kimpfenn on January 23, 2021 at 4:42 pm
Love these tips especially the challenge of capturing a moment! Thank you!
By kimpfenn on January 23, 2021 at 4:43 pm
Your books look so beautiful 🤩 great advice for finding inspiration, thank you
By kiralee strong on January 23, 2021 at 4:45 pm
Hi Rosie! Thanks so much for sharing your ideas! I often hear a character speak to me and I have no idea who they are or what they want. I often have a catchy title pop into my head too, and then I build a story around it. Congratulations on all your publications, and thanks again!
By Susie Sawyer on January 23, 2021 at 4:46 pm
Thank you for the ideas! I love that Sunday Rain came from a prompt that brought a childhood memory to it’s rightful place–in a children’s book!
By Vickie McEntire on January 23, 2021 at 4:48 pm
Thanks for the tips!
By Lynn Alpert on January 23, 2021 at 4:51 pm
Thanks, Rosie, for sharing your method for PB ideas. I can relate with you on revisions, and how the story you started with changes with each draft.
By authordebradaugherty on January 23, 2021 at 4:57 pm
So interesting to hear how some of your stories started and morphed from the original seed. Thanks for sharing, off to think of themes, prompts, and phrases.
By andreesantini on January 23, 2021 at 5:01 pm
It’s good to know there’s more than one way into story magic. Thanks for sharing each journey!
By rindabeach on January 23, 2021 at 5:08 pm
Congrats on so many books and ideas, as well as sharing some of your methods!
By paulajbecker on January 23, 2021 at 5:09 pm
My brain works like this too, a drop-in …
By catherine owen on January 23, 2021 at 5:22 pm
Congratulations on Sunday Rain and School of Failure. I feel your pain in having to kill your darlings. Thanks for the helpful tips.
By Stephanie Wildman on January 23, 2021 at 5:34 pm
I love it that you were bold and made up a story to fit the editor. And that it all worked out, in a way other than how you first hoped!
By Deborah Williams on January 23, 2021 at 5:35 pm
I often have little spurts of ideas while in the shower too! Thanks for the post!
By Rona Shirdan on January 23, 2021 at 5:37 pm
Thank you Rosie, It’s funny to hear the very lines of the story that gave you inspiration were edited out. I see that happen so often with the authors I illustrate for.
By Dayne Sislen, Children's Book Illustrator on January 23, 2021 at 5:44 pm
Thanks so much for sharing part of your process Rosie, seems there are almost as many ways to spark story ideas as there are ideas. Phrases sparking ideas has been my muse’s favorite lately … there’s just something about the way words play off of one another, it’s magic!
By tinefg on January 23, 2021 at 5:44 pm
Thank you for sharing these interesting excerpt from your writing journey!
By Sara Matson on January 23, 2021 at 5:45 pm
Great post. Inspiration is everywhere!
By Lynn Baldwin on January 23, 2021 at 5:51 pm
Thank you, Rosie. You’ve got me thinking. A prompt has never worked for me. But yes, a phrase or a theme! And sometimes a name, the cutest or zaniest, or most thought provoking, can kickstart a whole story.
By Garnett Natasha on January 23, 2021 at 5:53 pm
Woot, congrats on your books and the newest, Rosie! Fun to explore how the that starts the book doesn’t always make it into the book. But it served it’s purpose. Ty for sharing your process!
By kathalsey on January 23, 2021 at 5:56 pm
Excellent. Thank you, Rosie!
By David McMullin on January 23, 2021 at 6:07 pm
All great reminders Rosie, to capture the words that resonate and let them grow.
By Catherine Morgans on January 23, 2021 at 6:10 pm
All great reminders Rosie, to capture the words that resonate and let them grow. Thank you
By Catherine Morgans on January 23, 2021 at 6:13 pm
Thanks, I need all the help I can get.
By Sharon Lillie on January 23, 2021 at 6:23 pm
Inspiration can be found in so many places. We just have to be open to look for it. Thank you.
By Susan Eyerman on January 23, 2021 at 6:25 pm
I love your examples, Rosie! Brilliant!
By Kaye Baillie on January 23, 2021 at 6:25 pm
Thank you for great suggestions!
By Leslie Tayloe on January 23, 2021 at 6:35 pm
I love prompts! Thanks for the inspiration.
By Sue Heavenrich on January 23, 2021 at 6:42 pm
Rosie, congratulations on your beautiful books. Thank you for sharing where ideas lurk.
By Lori Dubbin on January 23, 2021 at 6:43 pm
Just added more ideas to an idea that sprung from Sunday rain. Thanks for the spark
By Kathy Mazurowski on January 23, 2021 at 6:45 pm
Ideas often come to me while I’m doing something mundane. Thanks for the information, Rosie!
By Dannielle Viera on January 23, 2021 at 6:45 pm
Thank you for sharing those ideas. My ideas get writtien down but then often all of a sudden an idea that has been floating around for a long time will just pop up and begin to flood my paper, coming out faster than I can write sometimes.
I loved reading your bio and what you aim to teach and do as an author. Congrats on your upcoming books.
By Amanda Malek-Ahmadi on January 23, 2021 at 6:47 pm
I love the school of failure sentence! Beautifully worded!
By authorlaurablog on January 23, 2021 at 7:00 pm
Thanks for all of your tips, Rosie! Congrats on your recent sales and book publications. Love the theme idea for SARAH’S SONG.
By Pamela Brunskill on January 23, 2021 at 7:01 pm
I love to include my inspiration for stories when sending manuscripts to my CPs! I think it makes the story deeper! Thank you for sharing yours with us!
By dedradavis03 on January 23, 2021 at 7:07 pm
Thanks, Rosie, for not only sharing the ideas that sparked your stories, but also showing us where those stories ended up….sometimes without their original lines. Yes, show those darlings the door if they’re no longer serving the story. Thank you!
By Jilanne Hoffmann on January 23, 2021 at 7:08 pm
Thank you for these tips, and congratulations on your new and forthcoming books!
By Lyn Miller-Lachmann on January 23, 2021 at 7:17 pm
Thanks for your post. Good luck with your book.
By Chelle Martin on January 23, 2021 at 7:22 pm
Fabulous post with great ideas! Thank you and congratulations on your books.
By Barbara Senenman on January 23, 2021 at 7:34 pm
Congratulations on your books. I love how you can turn a line into a story! I can’t waitto read Sunday Rain!
By Patricia J Holloway on January 23, 2021 at 7:44 pm
Congratulations on your books. I love how you can turn a line into a story! I can’t wait to buy and read Sunday Rain!
By Patricia J Holloway on January 23, 2021 at 7:45 pm
Thanks for sharing how you find ideas! Themes, phrases, and prompts are great ways–thanks for the reminder. I’ve found that phrases have helped me with idea for poems–I’m going to remember this for picture books, too. Thanks!
By Diane O'Neill on January 23, 2021 at 7:48 pm
Rosie, I leave a prompt on my desk and give it a few minutes to percolate in my imagination before going to bed. By morning, sometimes even before I see the prompt on my desk, ideas come flooding in and I write them down as fast as possible like I’m catching butterflies on a windy day. Thank you.
By Hank Dallago on January 23, 2021 at 7:49 pm
Phrases pop into my brain frequently, but I often fail to capture them. Your post has inspired me to become more diligent about writing down those random snippets.
By Lori Sheroan on January 23, 2021 at 7:50 pm
Thanks for your great post. Phrases are wonderful. I need to do a better job of writing them and just words that come to mind down!
By Diane Kress Hower on January 23, 2021 at 7:52 pm
You gave me a new idea! Thank you. It was from a tradition. Great tips!
By Karen A. Kelly Aspiring Writer/ Griever on January 23, 2021 at 7:59 pm
What great ideas! And that rain….such fun!
By boardmancamera on January 23, 2021 at 8:00 pm
Prompts are always fun! Thanks for joining Story Storm.
By authoraileenstewart on January 23, 2021 at 8:01 pm
Thanks so much for this inspiring and informative post, Rosie! Congrats on your new book. Looking forward to reading it.
By Sarah Meade on January 23, 2021 at 8:08 pm
Wonderful … a story that captures a moment … so many thoughts right now.
By Kellie on January 23, 2021 at 8:11 pm
Thanks for your suggestions Rosie!
By Jan Milusich on January 23, 2021 at 8:15 pm
Mom and I like your ideas about ideas. Plus I am pretty sure I like mules although I’ve never met one. Once I was afraid of the rain. So Mom bought me a raincoat. Then I was afraid of the raincoat.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
By Genevieve Petrillo on January 23, 2021 at 8:24 pm
Great ideas, and inspiration. I love how you follow where the story leads, and needs to go.
Congratulations!🎉
By Cathy Lentes on January 23, 2021 at 8:29 pm
Amazing Rosie! Congrats!
By stiefelchana on January 23, 2021 at 8:35 pm
Many of my stories start with a phrase — and like you said, sometimes that original phrase doesn’t fit into the final story the way I imagined. I’d like to get better at starting with ideas, so I see the big picture right away.
By janetfrencksheets on January 23, 2021 at 8:39 pm
Great ideas! Thank you for sharing!
By Janice Woods on January 23, 2021 at 8:45 pm
Thanks for sharing your tips, Rosie!
By Sara Trofa on January 23, 2021 at 8:46 pm
Great ideas, can’t wait to sit down and do some brainstorming! Thank you for sharing your process : )
By Katie Williams on January 23, 2021 at 9:04 pm
Great ideas Rosie! Congratulations on your new books. (Playing in the rain was one of my favorite things to do when I was little.)
By Louann Brown on January 23, 2021 at 9:10 pm
Thank you, Rosie, for sharing how ideas pop into your brain. My best ideas seem to come to me when I’m outside in nature.
Suzy Leopold
By Suzy Leopold on January 23, 2021 at 9:23 pm
Congratulations on all your books! Thank you for sharing your process, Rosie!
By Janet AlJunaidi on January 23, 2021 at 9:31 pm
These are great tips. I love the idea of using publisher’s wish lists to come up with an idea. Fun ideas.
By Maria Altizer on January 23, 2021 at 9:39 pm
I so agree with you. Great ideas can not be manufactured but come to the writer in unexpected places. Thanks for the tips.
By Meredith Fraser on January 23, 2021 at 9:42 pm
Thanks for these great approaches and congratulations on all of your books! Lynn Street
By streetlynn on January 23, 2021 at 9:43 pm
Thank you, Rosie. A theme, a phrase, or a prompt to spark the story.
By YauMei Chiang on January 23, 2021 at 9:45 pm
Congrats on your new books! I find my best ideas come from writing prompts. Plus, they’re fun and motivating, too.
By Jenny Boyd on January 23, 2021 at 9:51 pm
Rosie, I love how a childhood memory sparked an idea for a book!
By claudine108 on January 23, 2021 at 9:57 pm
Congratulations. I loved hearing about your ideas and their paths.
By Cinzia V. on January 23, 2021 at 9:58 pm
Thanks Rosie. Love the first line. ‘Every story has its own way of sneaking into my subconscious’
By steveheron on January 23, 2021 at 10:01 pm
Rosie, thanks for the great post. Childhood memories are the best!
By kathydoherty1 on January 23, 2021 at 10:02 pm
Rosie, thank you for sharing not one but three different ways to spark ideas. Much success on your books. My senses all interact as a conduit to channel ideas to me.
By Sharon Coffey on January 23, 2021 at 10:06 pm
Fantastic advice, thank you!
By Lindsey Hobson on January 23, 2021 at 10:07 pm
Rosie, thank you for your suggestions. Those assigned prompts are often the things that pull us out of our own way of thinking and allow us to take a new perspective. Thank you!
By writeremmcbride on January 23, 2021 at 10:09 pm
Thanks so much Rosie for sharing your journey! A theme, a phrase, a prompt..Oh My!!! 🙂
By seschipper on January 23, 2021 at 10:09 pm
Your book looks great, and I enjoyed reading about your thought process in writing!
By Becky Ross Michael on January 23, 2021 at 10:10 pm
Three great ideas! Your books look fabulous!
By Linda Schueler on January 23, 2021 at 10:16 pm
Thank you for sharing your journey and work. ❤ I don't really have anything else to say besides you're inspiring!
By Bhandi on January 23, 2021 at 10:22 pm
Your listening tip reinforces the fact that I really, really need to put that pen and paper next to the bed. Interesting phrases often ramble through my head as I try to drift off to sleep,…thank you!
By Alicia Shawn Gagnon on January 23, 2021 at 10:26 pm
Thanks for sharing these ideas, Rosie. I plan to try #1 now. Ideas usually wait for me to awake each morning. I keep my journal handy and quickly jot them down.
By Beatrice Brown on January 23, 2021 at 10:47 pm
Thank you SO MUCH for your three tips for generating ideas and your amazing examples of each them. They are all such a good reminder and so inspiring. I cannot wait to see what pops out of my head when I apply your suggestions. Thank you so much!!
By Sheri Graubert on January 23, 2021 at 10:54 pm
Thank you Rosie. More often than not it is a phrase that captures my attention.
By Trine Grillo on January 23, 2021 at 10:57 pm
I love twisting phrases to create something new. Congratulations on your successes!
By Megan Whitaker on January 23, 2021 at 11:01 pm
Thank you for sharing your process, Rosie!
By Midge Ballou Smith on January 23, 2021 at 11:15 pm
I love hearing about the sparks that fired up your books, even if that ember died in the process. Thanks for the tips and congratulations on your upcoming books!
By Jane Heitman Healy on January 23, 2021 at 11:18 pm
“A theme… a phrase… a prompt” Thanks for sharing these tips on sparking new ideas! 🙂 Jill Dana
By JillDanaBooks on January 23, 2021 at 11:24 pm
I really enjoyed reading your post, Rosie. Thanks for sharing!
By ruthwilson48 on January 23, 2021 at 11:27 pm
Thank you for sharing.
By savannahpalma on January 23, 2021 at 11:35 pm
Fantastic 3 tips–thank you, Rosie!
By Heather Stigall on January 23, 2021 at 11:56 pm
Great tips! Thanks for the inspiration.
By Kathiann Weatherbee (@WeatherbeeBooks) on January 24, 2021 at 12:00 am
ROSIE: THANK YOU for the reminder that story ideas don’t always come all nice and neat and tied-up with a fancy bow. It was enjoyable and TRULY INSPIRING to journey with you through the tools and examples you provided. I especially LOVE seeing how the ideas were first inspired, took shape, and then in many cases, COMPLETELY changed. WONDERFUL reminder to follow those first little kernels of ideas–never knowing where they might lead. THANK YOU!!!
By Natalie Lynn Tanner on January 24, 2021 at 12:10 am
I’m amazed that you write ideas specifically for certain publishers. That’s amazing to me. Thank you for sharing!
By ingridboydston on January 24, 2021 at 12:12 am
What fabulous ideas! Thank you. I’m writing a story now that has a word my dad used to say. I hope my critique partners don’t cut it – lol! I loved reading about how you create stories.
By Renner Writes (@barbararenner) on January 24, 2021 at 12:37 am
Ya never know when/where/how an story idea might come to you and you never know when/where/how it might actually get used. Thanks for your experiences.
By Christine M Irvin on January 24, 2021 at 12:44 am
Very interesting way of targeting certain publishers.
By Annie War on January 24, 2021 at 12:48 am
Writing prompts are the best! They always give me a good kick of creativity, especially if pushed with a deadline. KI guess that’s why I like contests so much! Thank you for sharing a bit of your writing journey with us!
By Michelle S. Kennedy (@MichelleSKenned) on January 24, 2021 at 12:59 am
Love the story of how you wrote Sunday Rain and then found a home for it at another publisher! Thanks for the encouragement!
By carmelamccainsimmons on January 24, 2021 at 1:01 am
Thanks for the inspiration! Great tips!
By Eileen Mayo on January 24, 2021 at 1:20 am
Great ideas to keep in mind! Thank you.
By Lori Gibson on January 24, 2021 at 1:34 am
What warm and friendly stories you have, thank you.
By A Brewer on January 24, 2021 at 1:56 am
Thanks for your reminder that the idea for a story can come from anywhere and that we need to be receptive to it. A recent one for me came from an image I had of a lonely child at a playground. And voila! A new book. Possibilities are endless if we keep our eyes and ears open to them. Thank you!
By Jeannette Suhr on January 24, 2021 at 2:11 am
Thank you for your idea-hatching tips. My ideas often come to me as an image even though I’m not an illustrator, and sometimes that develops into a story.
By Deborah W. Trotter on January 24, 2021 at 2:29 am
Great ideas. Thanks
By Cindy S on January 24, 2021 at 2:58 am
Sunday Rain sounds like a fun read!
By rjtraxel on January 24, 2021 at 3:03 am
Brilliant tips, thank you! Just what I need to get going right now 🙂
By sjreading7 on January 24, 2021 at 3:55 am
Brilliant tips, thank you! Just what I need to get going right now 🙂
By sjreading7 on January 24, 2021 at 3:55 am
Great tips Rosie. Thank you for sharing. A lot of my stories have been inspired the same way as yours, i.e. a theme, a phrase, a prompt. Good luck with the new releases.
By Aly Kenna on January 24, 2021 at 5:04 am
Thanks for your ideas. They have helped me to feel that even a silly idea can produce results. I am finding it easier to jot down those unusual ideas and not feel they are too strange to be used. I do appreciate Storystorm each year. Thank you
By Marge Gower on January 24, 2021 at 5:34 am
Thank you Rosie. I often start with theme- something I want to say or share with the world. Those stories seem to flow because they come from something inside that I feel a deep connection with. I’m also more motivated to sit down and write them. Looking forward to reading your books.
By Jo Martin on January 24, 2021 at 5:45 am
Great post, Rosie. I love how you find your prompts, or…how they find you. Can’t wait to read Sunday Rain. I adore the title and what fun I might find between the covers. I still love to “play” in a warm rain. Thank you for this.
By mona861 on January 24, 2021 at 6:47 am
Thank you! It’s always good to have more ways to brainstorm ideas.
By Sharon E. Langley on January 24, 2021 at 7:26 am
Thank you for the practical advice on brainstorming ideas.
By Freda Lewkowicz on January 24, 2021 at 7:39 am
Great tips! Thank you for sharing!
By Blair Ortman on January 24, 2021 at 7:41 am
Thank you for sharing your process with us!
By Susan Drew on January 24, 2021 at 7:55 am
Thank you for taking the time to share with us.
By Patricia Alcaro on January 24, 2021 at 8:41 am
Thank you so much for these tips and ideas!
By Cristina Raymer on January 24, 2021 at 9:28 am
Thanks for sharing your process and practical ideas!
By Amy Houts on January 24, 2021 at 9:46 am
Lost a day and had to backtrack, thanks for the tips!
By 58chilihed13 on January 24, 2021 at 10:16 am
I often have trouble getting rid of my favorite lines in my drafts…especially the ones that inspired the idea in the first place. I love that you’ve been through this, too. Those lines were needed at that early stage, even if they don’t make it into the final. Thank you for sharing your experience!
By Becky Falkum on January 24, 2021 at 10:24 am
I love the true to life struggle of nixing a favorite line. Thanks for sharing.
By teacherwriteracker on January 24, 2021 at 10:32 am
Ugh, cutting your favorite line. So difficult but true. I had an idea once that came from a dream and revolved around a character who didn’t make it into the finished story. It took LOADS of revisions till I made that choice. It was painful but necessary. Glad I’m not the only one who selfishly holds onto the original ideas.
By iefaber on January 24, 2021 at 10:41 am
I got three ideas with your “theme technique”. Thanks, Rosie. I’ll be on the lookout for phrases now! Much success in this new year.
By Zoraida Rivera on January 24, 2021 at 10:44 am
So many murdered darlings in the writing industry! Congrats on being willing to make the cuts (or wait) when necessary. Great helps here, too. Thanks!
By Laurel Ranveig Abell on January 24, 2021 at 10:44 am
Thanks for sharing your way into stories Rosie! You post is inspiring.
By Mary Warth on January 24, 2021 at 11:00 am
Thanks for the ideas!
Moni
By bookthreader on January 24, 2021 at 11:02 am
Great suggestions, Rosie. Your post shows why we should always have pen and paper nearby. I am counting down the days to be able to read and review Sunday Rain.
By claireannette1 on January 24, 2021 at 11:02 am
Wow. Thank you Rosie. I love that inspiration visits you during task like dishwashing. Me too! Wonderful post!
By Teresa Daffern on January 24, 2021 at 11:07 am
FABULOUS!
By Tania on January 24, 2021 at 11:28 am
I loved playing in the rain! Thanks for the reminder to look in my past for stories.
By Jennifer May on January 24, 2021 at 11:57 am
Rosie, I love that you are working with kids in Dallas — my hometown! I now live in Buffalo, NY but grew up in Dallas and Richardson and wonder what it’s like today. Terrific and inspiring post overall. Thanks!
By lauriekaiserwrites on January 24, 2021 at 11:58 am
Great post, Rosie! Thank you for sharing your brainstorming tips and your story about killing your darlings. I can relate!
By Stephanie Gibeault on January 24, 2021 at 12:08 pm
Thanks for the advice!
By deirdreprischmann on January 24, 2021 at 12:20 pm
Rosie, thank you for sharing specific examples of how several of your stories were sparked and transformed. Very helpful post!
By Brenda Flowers on January 24, 2021 at 12:41 pm
I often will get ideas in my sleep or right when I wake up, a thought will occur. Also, my kids are great sources of inspiration. Great article, thank you!
By Mary Ann Blair on January 24, 2021 at 12:54 pm
Thanks for prompting an idea.
By Julie Augensen-Rand on January 24, 2021 at 1:00 pm
Thank you for your process of getting ideas and turning them into heart felt stories everyone will love!
By Joan Swanson on January 24, 2021 at 1:18 pm
Great tips – thank you!
By claireflewis on January 24, 2021 at 1:26 pm
My Muse is A-Musing, when she does show up from her Tea Party.
By Stephen S. Martin on January 24, 2021 at 1:29 pm
Great strategies!
By Andrew Hacket on January 24, 2021 at 1:48 pm
Really useful tips, thanks. I got three ideas while reading your post!
By FrannyG on January 24, 2021 at 1:49 pm
Thanks for showing how the invisible “idea” is luring us to discovery. Your post prompted me to heighten my awareness when going about my day.
so helpful!
By Kate Carroll on January 24, 2021 at 1:59 pm
Thank you for sharing & the reminder that the initial inspiration may be no where in the final product & that’s ok 🙂
By Marcie Mahuta on January 24, 2021 at 2:00 pm
Thank you for sharing, love finding out the many ways/places a story can start! Also how it often changes from inception to final product!
By Katie Schwartz on January 24, 2021 at 2:13 pm
I loved hearing how your ideas are born and nurtured in different ways. Thanks, Rosie
By Dee Knabb on January 24, 2021 at 2:16 pm
💛Thank you for your words of wisdom.💛
By Dawn Young on January 24, 2021 at 2:17 pm
Having to cut that one special sentence in The School of Failure must have been so hard, but it’s a predicament that resonates and carries a valuable lesson. Thank you for sharing, Rosie, and congrats on your forthcoming books!
By clairebobrow on January 24, 2021 at 2:21 pm
Oh no – that one sentence! I wanted to shout, “Don’t cut it!” But I know you had to. I’ve had to do the same. Cut whole lines, paragraphs, chapters. It hurts. But it’s also freeing — like dancing in the rain! Can’t wait to read it!
By Carolyn Bennett Fraiser on January 24, 2021 at 2:54 pm
Sharing your process for each book is inspiring. Each book has a story behind the story. Thank you for sharing.
By Cassie Bentley on January 24, 2021 at 3:04 pm
Thank you for these great tips, Rosie. Especially I thank you for sharing how cutting those beloved sentences led to making the story what it was meant to be. I sometimes have trouble axing my favorite turns of phrase — I will remind myself of this post next time I know something needs to go.
By Beth Stilborn on January 24, 2021 at 3:24 pm
Thanks for the inspiration!
By womanwifemotherchild on January 24, 2021 at 3:24 pm
Thank you so much. You’ve given me ideas!
By Janet Smart on January 24, 2021 at 3:26 pm
Great post. Thank you for the inspiration!
By Leah Moser on January 24, 2021 at 3:42 pm
Thank you Rosie! What an interesting and inspiring post. I enjoyed reading about your process. Congratulations on your books!
Anna Levin
By rhumba20 on January 24, 2021 at 3:53 pm
Thanks for the wisdom!
By Kathryn Cunningham on January 24, 2021 at 4:11 pm
Thank you for the inspiring post! My grandchildren raise chickens, which have hatched some new ideas for me!
By LAURA BARENS on January 24, 2021 at 4:11 pm
Thank you. I also often think of phrases and themes, and it’s encouraging to hear how you use these to create.
By Kathleen B. on January 24, 2021 at 4:50 pm
Thanks for the great ideas!
By Krista Maxwell on January 24, 2021 at 4:52 pm
A terrific post Rosie! I loved reading about the ‘Mule mulling’ and the importance of sometimes axing the very lines that get us started. Writing is a funny old process.
By Evelyn Bookless on January 24, 2021 at 5:09 pm
Thanks, Rosie. A few of my PB manuscripts have been inspired by a phrase.
By jimchaize1 on January 24, 2021 at 5:10 pm
Phrases and overheard conversations with kids gets me EVERYTIME!
By Monica A. Harris on January 24, 2021 at 5:15 pm
Thanks for the tips and congrats on your upcoming book!
By claudia sloan on January 24, 2021 at 5:16 pm
Thank you for your writing ideas❤️
By EmmieRWerner on January 24, 2021 at 5:21 pm
I’ve written down a few phrases that may be sparks for stories. Thanks for a terrific post, Rosie!
By Jill Lambert (@LJillLambert) on January 24, 2021 at 5:32 pm
Congrats on your picture book successes and thanks for sharing some inspiration!
By Carol Gordon Ekster on January 24, 2021 at 5:43 pm
Thank you for all the advice & tips, Rosie. I’ve been struggling coming up with my StoryStorm ideas this year. I’m going to listen to my muse. 🙂
By Debbie Meyer on January 24, 2021 at 5:48 pm
Thank you for sharing these ideas! I’m looking forward to reading Sunday Rain. Congratulations on your success!
By Sarah Stuart on January 24, 2021 at 5:49 pm
Thank you for sharing your ideas! I also appreciated hearing that although an idea or phrase started a book, it might not always make it to the end revision. It is sometimes hard to let go, and you showed this is part of the process.
By Shannon Fossett on January 24, 2021 at 6:03 pm
It’s true, this month story ideas have come from many different places. Phrases and themes seem to be most prevalent!
By Vera Lisa Smetzer on January 24, 2021 at 6:29 pm
Your blog tickled my imagination and I just added 3 new ideas to my StoryStorm list…thank you!!
By Allison W. on January 24, 2021 at 6:31 pm
Great idea to use a phrase – or animal sound!
By robincurrie1 on January 24, 2021 at 6:32 pm
Thanks for sharing your ideas. Ideas can come from so many different sources.
By Elizabeth Duncan on January 24, 2021 at 7:02 pm
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!
By Joy Pitcairn on January 24, 2021 at 7:07 pm
Thank you for your post–you gave me some different ideas to try!
By andikate on January 24, 2021 at 7:11 pm
Like you, my ideas come from different places. Making myself clear my mind and “let the voices talk” is key. Thanks for prompting us, Rosie!
By Wendy on January 24, 2021 at 7:12 pm
Oh Rosie thank you ever so much for your post! So simple & funnily enough these are the 3 things I do all the time yet I didn’t know I did them. I’ve got so many ideas for stories out of something the children in my class say. I even say to the children ‘Ohhhhh I have to write that down’ when I hear a good one & do it in front of my children. I always put the child’s name next to who said something. What was really exciting for me was that one story idea I wrote down had a little girl go home & write that very story & it was breathtakingly beautiful. This prompted another little girl to write her version too. As a teacher my heart was full! Thanks so much for giving me these beautiful memories from last year!
By Jayne Wilson on January 24, 2021 at 7:18 pm
Great ideas. Thanks for sharing
By Pat Trattles on January 24, 2021 at 7:23 pm
Thanks, Rosie. Your 3 tried-and-true tips helped me generate 3 new ideas.
By Angela De Groot on January 24, 2021 at 7:27 pm
Thank you! I can’t wait to read Sunday Rain.
By rgstones on January 24, 2021 at 7:30 pm
Your three simple top-three-tips will inspire us as we dig in to find our next stories. Thank you, Rosie! I’m revising my YA novel right now and those character voices keep me up at night. LOL. Sending you energy and inspiration for your continued success…
By marshaelyn on January 24, 2021 at 7:36 pm
Rosie, I actually come up with ideas in basically the same way, and this post was a joy to read! I’m VERY curious about what that mule was mulling over 😉
By writersideup on January 24, 2021 at 8:07 pm
I feel your pain on having to cut that line…it’s a great line. Hopefully you’re able to use it (or a version of it) in another story 🙂
By ramonapersaudwrites on January 24, 2021 at 8:23 pm
Thank you for all of the helpful tips!
By kirstenbockblog on January 24, 2021 at 8:32 pm
Congratulations on your books!
Thank you for your three tips. I will try them right now.
By Heather Kelso on January 24, 2021 at 8:42 pm
Hi Rosie! The School of Failure sounds like a terrific concept. Thanks for sharing!
By Manju Beth Howard (@ManjuBeth) on January 24, 2021 at 9:36 pm
Love hearing the journey of your books! Great tips.
By Cheryl Johnson on January 24, 2021 at 9:55 pm
Thank you for the great encouragement–hearing your experience made me feel hopeful.
By Dina Ticas on January 24, 2021 at 10:33 pm
Rosie – thanks for these great tips. And it’s great reinforcement about how important critique partners can be.
By CindyC on January 24, 2021 at 10:36 pm
One of my favourite inspirational ideas is to pick a place (a room, outdoors etc.) which suggests a certain mood and use that as a starting point for story creation. A related method is to ‘limit your colour pallet’ in order to imbue your story with atmosphere.
By Sheri on January 24, 2021 at 10:52 pm
Some of my ideas have come from words or phrases that pop into my mind. Thanks for sharing your experience.
By Julie Reich on January 24, 2021 at 10:53 pm
Thank you for showing us how you got your ideas. Congrats on your books!
By tinamcho on January 24, 2021 at 11:30 pm
Hi Rosie, Congrats on all your books! Love the idea of a story coming from a sentence. Happy writing!
By Rebekah Lowell on January 24, 2021 at 11:37 pm
Love the idea of a phrase or anything, that triggers a new beginning.
By Virginia Rinkel on January 24, 2021 at 11:47 pm
Congratulations on all your writing successes, Rosie. I enjoyed hearing the story behind your recent projects. And 3 cheers for 3 ways to collect story ideas. I’ve been drawn to themes lately, and have been checking multiple books out of the library to study mentor texts that speak to me.
By Joannie Duris on January 25, 2021 at 12:15 am
Thanks for the tips. I love that you pull from different avenues when writing
By Melissa Warren on January 25, 2021 at 12:45 am
Thanks for sharing! Love hearing the various ways you cultivate ideas!
By paulaobering on January 25, 2021 at 12:46 am
Great ideas here. Always so neat to hear how different people find inspiration.
By Renata Wurster on January 25, 2021 at 1:28 am
These tips are great ways to generate story ideas. Thanks for sharing, Rosie!
By angiecal76 on January 25, 2021 at 1:31 am
So neat to hear how prompts and opportunities turned out for you in such an awesome way. Congrats!
By sylviaichen on January 25, 2021 at 5:33 am
Thank you for sharing.
By acottykid on January 25, 2021 at 6:58 am
When you mentioned that voices speak to you while you’re doing dishes, I said to myself, “Me, too!” I call those my “Kitchen Sink Moments.” Thank you for the inspiring tips! 🙂
By M.R. on January 25, 2021 at 7:44 am
I like the idea of finding the theme first. Great tip!
By Lauri Meyers on January 25, 2021 at 7:50 am
Sunday Rain sparked an idea for me! Thank you!
By Deborah Foster on January 25, 2021 at 8:45 am
Ideas always come at funny times! 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
By kaitlinsikeswrites on January 25, 2021 at 8:57 am
Love your work with children and fostering creativity! They will remember what they did with you for the rest of their lives! You are growing readers and writers, thank you for making the world a better, more joyful place!
By syorkeviney on January 25, 2021 at 9:38 am
I loved reading about how your ideas often begin by floating into your subconscious. This often happens to me too, and leads to a story I love! Thanks for all of tips on generating new ideas.
By pbbeckyk on January 25, 2021 at 9:38 am
Thank you, Rosie! All 3 of these methods are truly helpful.
By Melanie Ellsworth on January 25, 2021 at 10:28 am
Thank you! Puddles are pure magic!
By Paige on January 25, 2021 at 10:35 am
Sunday Rain looks so sweet! I’d love a signed copy!
By Jenny Morales on January 25, 2021 at 10:46 am
It is inspiring to read how each idea process led to a published book. Congratulations!
By Jenny House on January 25, 2021 at 10:50 am
Thank you, Rosie! I especially love the insight into your relationships w/ your CPs! It really feels like teamwork.
By ejessmurray on January 25, 2021 at 11:00 am
Hi Rosie! A theme, a catchy phrase, a song, a name, are some of the methods that have sparked story ideas for me. It’s reassuring to know that a successful author such as yourself can fall in love with a sentence that feels like it holds the entire story together, only to realize it just doesn’t work after a zillion revisions. But the end result was sweet success. Congratulations!
Sunday Rain sounds like a sweet story. Looking forward to reading it!
By Nichole Bowers on January 25, 2021 at 11:03 am
Thank you for sharing. Your description of Sunday Rain brought back memories of my children playing in the rain in Hawai’i.
By Susan C. on January 25, 2021 at 11:16 am
I love hearing how stories are generated! Congratulations on all of your books!!!!
By Kelly Conroy on January 25, 2021 at 11:46 am
Very interesting; thanks
By Jennifer Skene on January 25, 2021 at 11:51 am
Thank you Rosie. I love that you shared using a theme or a phrase as a jumping off point for brainstorming — that is definitely how my mind works and your post gave me permission and encouragement. What a great idea to write a story with a particular published/editor in mind–even if someone else ends up acquiring it, or you just write a story you love, t’s a win! Congrats. 🙂
By allyenz on January 25, 2021 at 11:55 am
All your examples of where to find ideas are really helpful – thank you Rosie :o)
By Catherine on January 25, 2021 at 12:04 pm
Thank you Rosie. Love your books and your style.
By Elizabeth Saba on January 25, 2021 at 12:11 pm
Love hearing how other authors mine ideas! Me, I love reading book titles on the spines in the library (of books I’ve never read) to see what story sparks off it for me.
By aidantalkin on January 25, 2021 at 12:22 pm
I’ve never written a story from a prompt before, I’m definitely going to try it!
By Meldaarts on January 25, 2021 at 12:24 pm
Thank you for the three helpful tips!
By Cortney Benvenuto on January 25, 2021 at 12:28 pm
Hard work, dedication and passion never fail. I look forward to reading your books. I wish you more. Happy new year.
By aliciaminor on January 25, 2021 at 1:05 pm
Great brainstorming ideas and methods!
By Penny Merritt on January 25, 2021 at 1:19 pm
Thank you Rosie, this was very helpful!
By JC on January 25, 2021 at 1:28 pm
The perfect post for this cold snowy day! Thank you 🙂
By writeknit on January 25, 2021 at 1:49 pm
These are all great ideas! Thanks for the great post!
By Shawna J. C. Tenney on January 25, 2021 at 2:14 pm
Love the ideas and prompts. Such great ways. Thanks.
By gattodesign on January 25, 2021 at 2:39 pm
I loved your post and your openness and flexibility as to where your ideas might come from. You make writing picture books sound like such an adventure–and it should be!
By manuscriptmechanic on January 25, 2021 at 2:56 pm
Rosie! Thank you and congratulations on your picture books! I can’t wait to read “Sunday Rain”. And I look forward to using your tips to find story ideas.
By Michele Rietz on January 25, 2021 at 3:07 pm
Thank you for sharing your tips! I love hearing your journey of how ideas become your stories. Congratulations!
By Susan Schade on January 25, 2021 at 3:32 pm
Great tips.
By Sarah Tobias on January 25, 2021 at 3:42 pm
Your books sound delightful, Rosie, and I’ll be trying some of your prompts today! Thanks!
By jensubra on January 25, 2021 at 4:12 pm
I like how versatile your suggestion was!
By Kris H on January 25, 2021 at 4:23 pm
Thanks for sharing your ideas!
By Debbi G on January 25, 2021 at 4:26 pm
Love all your ways of letting the muse in.
By Janet Halfmann on January 25, 2021 at 4:34 pm
I loved your tips for creating new ideas and can’t wait to try them all!
By Karen Conley Chun on January 25, 2021 at 4:49 pm
Thanks for sharing! Angie Isaacs
By Angie Isaacs on January 25, 2021 at 6:08 pm
I am always inspired by the silly phrases my kids say but my most successful stories come from prompts. I’d like to work on my theme inspiration.
By Aundra- Writing & Teaching & Parenting (@JasperSammyand) on January 25, 2021 at 6:25 pm
Wonderful tips for getting your imagination going. Thank you!
By susaninez0905 on January 25, 2021 at 6:34 pm
Rosie, thanks for sharing. I have loads of fun alliterative phrases running through my head today.
By Daryl Gottier on January 25, 2021 at 7:08 pm
There’s nothing like summer rain! I got to introduce my nephew to rain and it’s such a good memory!
By Megan M. on January 25, 2021 at 7:42 pm
Great thoughts on where to cultivate ideas & story starts. Thanks! Congrats on your books!
By Marci Whitehurst on January 25, 2021 at 8:08 pm
Thanks for the sharing the ways you generate ideas. I’m going to brainstorm themes now!
By Brinton Culp on January 25, 2021 at 8:14 pm
Thanks for sharing your process!
By Stephanie Lau on January 25, 2021 at 9:19 pm
Sunday Rain sounds delightful and fun. Thanks for sharing your three tips, Rosie!
By Terri Sabol on January 25, 2021 at 9:33 pm
There seem to be so many methods to come up with ideas for a story. I am so fascinated and I willing to try as many to get the best story. Thank you.
By Thelia Hutchinson on January 25, 2021 at 9:57 pm
Story from a prompt out on submission now 🤞I’ve used themes before too. Will have to try phrases. Thanks Rosie and congratulations on your successes both published and not yet 😊
By Artelle Lenthall on January 25, 2021 at 11:02 pm
Very interesting post, thank you.
By susanfilkins on January 25, 2021 at 11:27 pm
Your School of Failure description had ideas floating around my head. I can’t wait to read it! Thanks for sharing your successful tips!
By Lisa Kingsford on January 25, 2021 at 11:50 pm
I just ordered a copy of Sarah’s Song to potentially use as a mentor text for a MS I’m working on! Thanks for all the insight!
By Devin Leatherman on January 26, 2021 at 12:41 am
How clever to refer to the editor’s wish list to develop a customized submission. I think that would be a great way for writers to help find their match–taking a look at dream editors/agents and asking themselves if they have an MS that matches what they’re looking for. And if not, it’s time to write one!
By Jose Cruz on January 26, 2021 at 12:44 am
This is fantastic and I look forward to reading all your books!
By Sensitive and Extraordinary Kids on January 26, 2021 at 3:47 am
Great ideas. Thanks for sharing. You now have me very curious for the School of Failure. 🙂
By Jamie Bills on January 26, 2021 at 7:44 am
Fantastic ideas!
By Anita Banks on January 26, 2021 at 9:24 am
These ideas are great. I really enjoyed the mulling mules.
By Bettie Boswell on January 26, 2021 at 9:34 am
Love your post and love your books.
By Jay on January 26, 2021 at 9:39 am
Thanks for an inspiring post, Rosie! I will keep thinking about a theme . . . a phrase . . . a prompt. You know I LOVE your books and can’t wait to buy your two upcoming picture books! xox
By Melissa Stoller on January 26, 2021 at 9:43 am
I believe the story you long to tell is waiting for any way to pop out. It comes for me with a beginning point, as a prompt or theme, but brainstorming with drawing out freely helps it begin to develop. Thanks for your inspiring process and congrats on your books!
By Laurel Goodluck on January 26, 2021 at 10:22 am
I love thinking of idea storming as a playful challenge. It’s so important to keep it fun.
By suzannepoulterharris on January 26, 2021 at 10:52 am
Thank you for the great tips and inspiring post! Congratulations on your success.
By Elizabeth Curry on January 26, 2021 at 11:15 am
Useful tips! Thanks for sharing.
By cravevsworld on January 26, 2021 at 11:16 am
Thanks, Rosie. Prompts are a goldmine for me. ❤
By Christine @ Goodjelly on January 26, 2021 at 11:38 am
Thanks for the tips and for sharing your experience! Congrats on your upcoming releases,
By Helen Lysicatos on January 26, 2021 at 11:48 am
Thanks for sharing the different ways ideas come to you!
By Naomi Gruer on January 26, 2021 at 2:49 pm
Thanks for these great tips, Rosie. Good luck with Sunday Rain!
By Arlene Schenker on January 26, 2021 at 3:35 pm
I use prompts all the time when I write poetry. I have no idea why it never occurred to me to do that with picture book manuscripts – Duh. Thanks for pointing out that writing is writing and I can use my “hacks” across all my work. 🙂
By Marilyn R Garcia on January 26, 2021 at 6:08 pm
Thanks for sharing your ideas and your journey. It’s good to hear that sometimes we have to give up the very line that prompted our story.
By susanzonca on January 26, 2021 at 6:30 pm
The School of Failure: A Story of Success? Love it! I also love the idea of brainstorming ideas based on a publisher. Thank you!
By Michele Helsel on January 26, 2021 at 7:55 pm
Thank you for sharing
By Kassy Keppol on January 26, 2021 at 8:15 pm
Writing a story with a specific publisher in mind is intriguing. Love your story ideas!
By storiesbythesea on January 26, 2021 at 8:24 pm
One of my favorite ways to start a story is when some phrase pops into my head. I write everything down cuz you never know when you may use it
By nicolesalterbraun on January 26, 2021 at 8:47 pm
Thanks so much for these ideas!! I love how the idea germs sometimes work themselves out if the story- it’s freeing to let ideas evolv.
By Stephanie Jones on January 26, 2021 at 9:15 pm
Thank you for sharing these great brainstorming ideas! Congrats on your latest book and announcement!
By Rebecca Gardyn Levington on January 26, 2021 at 10:55 pm
Thanks for your post!
By Sylvia Mary Grech on January 26, 2021 at 10:59 pm
I’ll be watching for phrases especially because they jump out at me and I need to start mining them for ideas! Thanks, Rosie
By Val McC on January 27, 2021 at 11:12 am
Congratulations, Rosie!
By LenoraBiemans (@BiemansLenora) on January 27, 2021 at 1:29 pm
I loved the insight that initial sparks don’t necessarily survive the editing process!
By annettepimentel on January 27, 2021 at 2:27 pm
What inspiring idea-generating methods! Thank you, Rosie!
By LaurenKerstein on January 27, 2021 at 2:58 pm
Thank you for the inspiration!
By Susan Niemann on January 27, 2021 at 3:00 pm
Great ideas to think about! Congrats on all of your success!
By Karen Greenwald on January 27, 2021 at 3:56 pm
Great insight! Thank you Rosie.
By Laura N. Clement on January 27, 2021 at 4:31 pm
Thanks for the inspiration, Rosie! A theme, a phrase, and a prompt- love these.
By Laura De La Cruz on January 27, 2021 at 4:46 pm
Thank you for sharing examples from your own works, Rosie. Your post was inspiring and started firing my own brain for some new ideas. Thank you for that!
By Robin Bailey on January 27, 2021 at 5:14 pm
Three tips for the price of one! Thanks Rosie!
By amckelle on January 27, 2021 at 5:43 pm
Thanks, Rosie, for the wonderful tips!
By Jennifer on January 27, 2021 at 7:16 pm
Thank you for sharing your tips to spark story ideas!
By Karen Pickrell on January 28, 2021 at 12:02 am
Rosie I am so excited for you. Amariah Rauscher illustrated Sunday Rain! I can’t wait to read it to my kids. She’s one of my favorite illustrators and she’s done some artwork for me in the past (not anything published…yet!). Congratulations on all your successes and collaborations!
By srkckass on January 28, 2021 at 6:54 am
Great ideas, Rosie. I’m glad to know you have trouble dispensing with those oh so brilliant sentences, too! Congrats on the new books!
By Babs Ostapina on January 28, 2021 at 11:30 am
I haven’t tried to come up with an idea for a specific publisher before! I will definitely look into that!
By Brenda Grant Lower on January 28, 2021 at 12:59 pm
Three great tips, Rosie, thank you! Looking forward to reading your books!!
By Judy Bryan on January 28, 2021 at 5:11 pm
Thanks for the back stories on your great stories.
By topangamaria on January 28, 2021 at 5:48 pm
I used to love biking in the rain in the summer when the sun was out. Loved it!
By amyrsinn on January 28, 2021 at 7:29 pm
I love catching snippets of sentences for jump-starting ideas.
By Caren on January 28, 2021 at 8:10 pm
Kids’ actions and conversations or nature experiences inspire many of mine, but your top 3 tips have worked for me as well. In fact, I had a new idea as I was reading this that I might have missed otherwise! Thanks for the inspiration. SUNDAY RAIN looks really lovely! Congrats on all of your success and continuing good luck!
By Tonnye W. Fletcher on January 28, 2021 at 8:28 pm
loved reading the stories behind the stories!
By Masha Sapron on January 28, 2021 at 8:39 pm
Thank you
By Karen L Ledbetter on January 28, 2021 at 10:50 pm
I love that you chop and change your processes of starting and continuing stories. Thank you for sharing your ideas.
By Meaghan Br on January 29, 2021 at 7:52 am
I love the ideas, and it’s great to hear how the different projects came about. Congrats on the new book!
By melissamiles1 on January 29, 2021 at 12:26 pm
Thank you for this! I am walking away with a sizable list of themes, phrases, and prompts to explore.
By jennyb_writes (@jennyb_writes) on January 29, 2021 at 12:50 pm
I love it when little nuggets of stories tug at you! Thanks for sharing your process––I need to try using prompts more often!
By Kimberly Wilson on January 29, 2021 at 4:04 pm
I do like writing from prompts. It’s a different creative process. I’m so glad to hear how it worked for you!
By Judy Palermo on January 29, 2021 at 4:28 pm
It’s so hard to edit out your darlings, your beloved phrases, but sometimes, their soul purpose is to sprout other ideas, rather like a sourdough mother 🙂
By yangmommy on January 29, 2021 at 5:04 pm
This day yielded two story ideas for me. Thanks!
By Patricia Tiffany Morris on January 29, 2021 at 7:03 pm
There’s nothing more wonderful than dancing in the rain! I would love to win a copy!
By Barbara Younger on January 30, 2021 at 7:29 am
Thanks for sharing your process. Getting rid of darlings is so hard and yet I have often found it holding back the story. Thanks for the inspiration.
By Beth Charles on January 30, 2021 at 10:06 am
Such a great post, Rosie! I too wrote a story around a great opening. I thought. I had to scrap it, but I’m hoping to use it somewhere else. 🙂 Thanks!
By Ellen Leventhal on January 30, 2021 at 12:04 pm
Thank you Rosie! Love your suggestions for brainstorming ideas.
By Kathy Berman on January 30, 2021 at 12:12 pm
The mule phrase is great! It’s so interesting how stories start. I love the idea of capturing a moment. Thank you Rosie for putting such wonderful stories out into the world!
By Kristy Nuttall on January 30, 2021 at 2:16 pm
Love these ideas! I tend to use the “Phrase” brainstorming tip the most!
By AlisonMarcotte on January 30, 2021 at 4:02 pm
Lots of helpful ideas! Thank you Rosie.
By jeanjames926 on January 30, 2021 at 4:02 pm
Great brainstorming suggestions!
By colleenrkosinski on January 30, 2021 at 5:19 pm
Very unique look at crafting ideas for picture books. Thanks for the post.
By dlapmandi on January 30, 2021 at 5:23 pm
Love your brainstorming ideas! Thank you.
By Aimee R Larke on January 30, 2021 at 6:55 pm
Rosie, how important is having an open mind, and adapting with new circumstances. Congrats with your book “Sarah’s Song”, the theme is really heartbreaking!!!
By Gaby on January 30, 2021 at 9:14 pm
Thank you for offering three tips to help us with ideas. I appreciate you sharing your journey, too!
By Amy Bradshaw on January 30, 2021 at 10:03 pm
A theme. A phrase. A prompt. Great tips that I plan on using. Thanks!
By Ave Maria Cross on January 30, 2021 at 10:34 pm
Thanks Rosie! Just reading your ideas inspired me and a prompt came to me. I want to remember using a theme or phrase too.
By Yehudit Sarah on January 30, 2021 at 11:47 pm
Great tips! Thank you!
By thedandelionzoo on January 30, 2021 at 11:50 pm
Thanks!
By Rachel S. Hobbs Gunn on January 31, 2021 at 6:27 am
I agree – you never know when the muse will strike. Fun to read about your process and your successes!
By doreenrobinson on January 31, 2021 at 8:56 am
I have also found a way to enter my stories by these great starting points. Thanks, Rosie! Sarah’s Song is a story that speaks to me. I love the premise.
By Lisa L Furness on January 31, 2021 at 9:42 am
Congrats on ALL your success, Rosie, and thanks for sharing these fun backstories!
By Laura Purdie Salas on January 31, 2021 at 9:43 am
Thank you for sharing! Sunday rain looks delightful!
By Kelly Vavala on January 31, 2021 at 9:53 am
Great ideas — I especially love the conversations concept! I’ve heard convos of little ones that I’ve wished I had recorded… that could make a good book! 😂
By Artsybarncat on January 31, 2021 at 11:32 am
Thank you for the great ideas! And it’s a nice reminder that the start of an idea can find its way to an entirely new, and better, story idea.
By Anna Brooks on January 31, 2021 at 1:23 pm
Thank you for the great ideas!
By Michelle Kashinsky on January 31, 2021 at 2:51 pm
Thank you, Rosie!
By Melissa McDaniel on January 31, 2021 at 4:09 pm
Love the prompt ideas. It’s true about things evolving. Happens to me all the time. 🙂 And sometimes the ideas are even good ones. lol.
By sloanejacobs on January 31, 2021 at 4:44 pm
I tend to overthink, so these three, fairly simple, suggestions are a big help. Thank you!
By Mel H. on January 31, 2021 at 4:52 pm
It just shows when you’re open to ideas, they can come from anywhere! Many congrats!
By Laura Renauld on January 31, 2021 at 6:40 pm
Thank you for sharing your journey! It is so helpful to see your own specific examples along with your suggestions for finding ideas!
By Jen Walsh Hawks on January 31, 2021 at 8:39 pm
Thank you for sharing how initial ideas may spark an idea, but the story may outgrow it’s own inspiration, and and become bigger, brighter and better in the process.
By Kay Oh on January 31, 2021 at 8:43 pm
So hard to cut those lines that you love. I almost always begin with the character, but I’m trying to broaden my approach.
By Mary Worley on January 31, 2021 at 10:01 pm
Thank you for sharing some of the ways you’ve developed your ideas, Rosie!
By Jolene Ballard Gutiérrez on January 31, 2021 at 11:50 pm
So honored to be on this writing journey with you, and you should be so proud of the work you have produced here. You’re a great storyteller, and it’s fun to learn more about your process!
By Jennifer Broedel (@JBroedelAuthor) on February 1, 2021 at 1:05 am
Thank you for the ideas and inspiration! Congrats on your success!
By Melissa Trempe is writing (@melissa_trempe) on February 1, 2021 at 7:10 am
Thanks for the prompt!
By Jen (aka RandomlyGenerated) on February 1, 2021 at 1:53 pm
I love how so much of your journey celebrates your critique partners — they are the most wonderful gift for any writer, in my opinion!
By Audrey on February 1, 2021 at 4:50 pm
Thanks for the inspiration and helpful ideas!
By kmshelley on February 1, 2021 at 10:46 pm
Thank you, Rosie! Ideas also seem to come to me while driving or taking a shower. I will try your tips!
By mandyyokim on February 2, 2021 at 9:06 pm
Oh gads- having to cut the phrase that started it all. Good on you. What a journey. Thanks!
By Dea Brayden on February 5, 2021 at 7:19 pm
Fantastic ideas! I can’t wait to read your books!
By Anne LeBlanc Gr 4/5 teacher 🇨🇦📚❤️✍️🖖😃 (@AnneLeBlanc2) on February 5, 2021 at 8:44 pm
Great ideas.
By KASteed on February 5, 2021 at 9:42 pm
Thanks for sharing your process!
By Lindsay Brayden Ellis on February 6, 2021 at 12:35 am