February 3, 2016 Writing Tips from RRR – WHERE DO YOU GET IDEAS? I get a lot of awesome letters from my readers, and I’m always so excited when someone tells me Dork Diaries has inspired them to write their own stories. Often, I get asked for writing tips, and one of the top questions is, “Where do you get ideas??” If you’ve written to me or read any interviews with me, you probably already know this: I get most of my ideas from the hilarious real-life experiences of my two totally dorky daughters, Erin and Nikki. They’re adults now, but when they were in middle school, they had crushes, bullies, BFFs, and all sorts of ups and downs that are now reflected in the pages of the Dork Diaries books. “That’s great for you, Rachel,” you might be thinking. “But, I’m still in middle school! I don’t have two daughters providing me with ideas! I haven’t lived a whole life yet! So, where should I get ideas?” Here’s the thing—ideas are EVERYWHERE! Most experienced writers (like me!) have no shortage of ideas. Usually, they have more ideas than they can ever possibly use. But, it’s not because they’ve had a longer life, or because they have kids supplying them with ideas, or even because they have some special talent that you don’t. Nope! Ideas are everywhere, and the only thing I have that you might not is a bit more practice in noticing ideas when I see them. This is something you can learn to do, too! Soon, you will have more ideas than you know what to do with. But, where are all of these ideas? How do you find them? I’ve got a few hints… ⭐️ Keep a diary… I mean, I obviously had to start with that one, right? Keeping a diary like Nikki’s is great for so many things, and one of them is remembering the funny things that happen to you, the weird things, the sad things—and also the way you felt when these things happened. When you’re trying to come up with an idea for a story, a great place to start is by going through your diary and looking for the past events you have a strong emotional response to—whether that’s tears or laughter. 💡 Wonder what if… A big part of being a storyteller is having an active sense of wonder. If you’re still growing up, you’re ahead of the game—kids are generally better at wonder than adults. If you’re not naturally curious, it’s something you can build. Take the time when you learn new things, meet new people, or see something interesting on the street to wonder. Learn about earthquakes…and wonder what would happen to your family if a major earthquake hit your town. Meet someone who builds model airplanes…and wonder what would happen if their model airplanes suddenly started flying around the room on their own. See a boy and girl having an argument across the street…and wonder if they’re siblings or friends or crushes and what their argument is about and how it will be resolved. Ideas are truly everywhere you turn! 🤓 Observe people… As suggested above, the people around us can provide some of the richest material for our stories. These might be people you already know, like I’ve found inspiration in my kids and the kids they grew up with. There might also be people you never speak to but who pique your interest. Maybe there’s an old man you always see working in his garden when you walk home from school, or a kid on your bus with a super unique sense of style, or a cashier at the grocery store who never stops talking. Notice people, and jot down notes about them. Even if you don’t think of a story the moment you see them, you never know when they might turn into a character in a story down the line. 🙂 Pay attention to current events… I know, “current events” sounds like something teachers go on and on about in school. But world events can really feed your creativity! I’m not just talking about things like wars and politics, either. In the last couple months, you might have read in online news about a) the discovery of water on Mars (which is an indication that living creatures of some sort could possibly live there—and that could lead to a cool sci-fi story!), b) the story of an aquarium coral that when exposed to the air releases a toxic gas that can kill a person who inhales it—a mystery in the making! Or c) the discovery of a South African plant that makes seeds that look and smell exactly like antelope poop in order to fool dung beetles. I don’t even know what kind of story you might write about that, but someone should write something! Those are just some of the ways you can find ideas. The blank page can seem intimidating, but once you get into the habit of noticing ideas, the problem will be finding time to write them all. I hope this helps! Where do you get YOUR ideas, and what type of story would you like to write? Please post your comments below.
dork 2.0 says March 31, 2021 at 2:10 pm I,m making a book called Queen of hearts Reply to this comment
The new wolf pack writer says March 30, 2021 at 4:59 pm Thanks so much my friends and i are working so hard on our book called the new wolf pack!!!! Reply to this comment
wolfiestars_gaming says March 30, 2021 at 4:30 pm im making a book for nikki call not so perfect trip Reply to this comment
Roses_are_red says March 27, 2021 at 4:02 pm OMG! I also wanted to become an author when i grow up! Thanks for the tips, they are very usefull! It’ll help me alot when i’m writing my stories. Thanks again! Roses_are_red Reply to this comment
Zeenah (not my real name) says March 25, 2021 at 10:00 am Hi RRR can you do more writing tips? I’m writing a book and I’d like some more help. (You’re an excellent writer) Reply to this comment
CCP girl says March 25, 2021 at 5:43 am I like the tips that you give they are very helpful Reply to this comment
ElvishFoxcat says March 25, 2021 at 5:42 am Mae g’ovannen, mellon nin! (Mae g’ovannen = well met (it’s elvish) mellon nin = my friend) I’m writing a fantasy book right now, about a girl who accidentally gets transported into a fantasy world not unlike Middle-earth. But… I need ideas!! If you can give me an idea for a place (describe it and maybe suggest a name) I’ll put it in my book! (Pleeease post this comment!!!! Pretty please…:-( ) Novaer ElvishFoxcat P.S. My pen name is Elenore Estara Rune Reply to this comment
ElvishFoxcat says March 25, 2021 at 9:57 am P.P.S. Runë (you pronounce the E separately I think that’s the right accent I’m not sure, so yuo say it like Rune-e)
special friend says March 27, 2021 at 10:34 am Mabe she finds these special rocks and she has a special mission to find them before tea time.and she packs things just before she leaves.
ArtsyGamer says April 16, 2021 at 3:47 am Maybe your character finds a secret portal in her closet or something, and in the fantasy world it can be very beautiful, grand, aesthetic, and everyone can have a superpower (example: one of the girl characters can have strong, long hair in two braids and every time she feels angry her hair can strangle someone lol). There can be unicorns because that’s what you would usually find in fantasy worlds, and yeah. Hope this help!
Dork diaries says March 24, 2021 at 11:56 am I’m the biggest hugest dork darkest fan in the universe Reply to this comment
Cazz ☺️✌️ says March 29, 2021 at 1:04 pm OMG!! Thank you soooo much Rachel! My diary was so boring, but now it’s FUN to read my diary!! So again: THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! And you are my favorite author!! Let your inner dork shine through! Please send this comment!!! Bye bye all Dork Diaries – fans! ❤️❤️ RACHEL ❤️❤️
The biggest hugest dork diarie says March 24, 2021 at 11:54 am I love dork diaries and I love you ❤️ Reply to this comment
The Speaker for Dorks says March 24, 2021 at 9:43 am I am writeting a new book called…uhh….idk. Reply to this comment
Musicalgirl28 says March 24, 2021 at 3:00 am Wow, so many ideas!!!!!!! These ideas are a very helpful You know when the teacher tells you to write a narrative but you aren’t sure what to write?Well you dont have to any more but I do. If I have an idea writing is so much fun!!!! Reply to this comment
diary dork says March 24, 2021 at 2:07 am I’m making a book called rock it drama queens Reply to this comment
Dork fox says March 30, 2021 at 9:30 am Hi I’m writing a series of books right now it’s called dork in the heart dork in the head I love dork diaries there the the best books ever Dork fox
Dorkalicious Friend says March 23, 2021 at 2:54 pm I’m writing 2 books and a play right now! Reply to this comment
ElvishFoxcat says March 25, 2021 at 5:31 am I’ve started about a squillion books and never finished them… And plays… (A lot of my books are fantasy, I’m really into fantasy (it’s my favourite genre)) Novaer, mellon! ElvishFoxcat
Ash Heart says March 23, 2021 at 1:47 pm I’m writing a horror film for school wish me LUCK Reply to this comment
taiga isaka says March 23, 2021 at 10:28 am im writing a book called princess diaries Reply to this comment
Mintylicious Dork says March 23, 2021 at 9:12 am :O These tips actually work, Im going to make an anime book hehe!! 😀 Reply to this comment
xXBoba_Tea^^Xx says March 22, 2021 at 9:45 pm I’m writing a book called Talentless 🙂 thanks RRR!!! Reply to this comment
Pika says March 22, 2021 at 4:11 pm I love the dork books and i say i will make a book about animal drama! Reply to this comment