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Rachel Renée Russell

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February 3, 2016

Writing Tips from RRR – WHERE DO YOU GET IDEAS?

dd_iheartwriting1

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.

5,585 Comments Category: I Heart Writing Tags: writing tipsnikki

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Comments

  1. dork 2.0 says

    March 31, 2021 at 2:10 pm

    I,m making a book called Queen of hearts

    Reply to this comment
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. miss know it all says

    March 29, 2021 at 2:17 pm

    thanks for the tips

    Reply to this comment
  5. 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
  6. dork90 says

    March 26, 2021 at 6:28 pm

    I’m making a book about Niki

    Reply to this comment
  7. AKKU says

    March 26, 2021 at 4:41 am

    THANK U

    Reply to this comment
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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)

    • isabelle says

      March 26, 2021 at 1:40 pm

      niceeeee

    • 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!

  11. Dorkyfan says

    March 25, 2021 at 2:00 am

    Nice

    Reply to this comment
  12. dork friend ❤️ says

    March 24, 2021 at 5:55 pm

    awesome

    Reply to this comment
  13. Dorky Diva says

    March 24, 2021 at 2:50 pm

    Thanks that was really helpful!!

    Reply to this comment
  14. 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
    • Dork Obsessed Diva says

      March 27, 2021 at 1:24 pm

      Even I am a huge fan of the dork diaries series

    • 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 ❤️❤️

  15. 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
    • Ingy dingy says

      March 25, 2021 at 9:58 am

      Aawwwwww thanksss!

  16. 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
  17. 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
    • EMI says

      March 25, 2021 at 4:05 pm

      What is it :0

  18. diary dork says

    March 24, 2021 at 2:07 am

    I’m making a book called rock it drama queens

    Reply to this comment
    • Cazz says

      March 29, 2021 at 1:05 pm

      Wow cool!

    • 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

    • Fellowauthor says

      March 31, 2021 at 3:09 am

      Yaaay cant wait till it’s out!

  19. 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

  20. 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
  21. taiga isaka says

    March 23, 2021 at 10:28 am

    im writing a book called princess diaries

    Reply to this comment
  22. 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
  23. xXBoba_Tea^^Xx says

    March 22, 2021 at 9:45 pm

    I’m writing a book called Talentless 🙂 thanks RRR!!!

    Reply to this comment
  24. Pika says

    March 22, 2021 at 4:13 pm

    plz make a new book!

    Reply to this comment
  25. 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
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