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Rachel Renée Russell

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February 3, 2016

Writing Tips from RRR – WHERE DO YOU GET IDEAS?

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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.

5,581 Comments Category: I Heart Writing Tags: writing tipsnikki

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Comments

  1. OMGSQUEE says

    April 10, 2021 at 5:03 pm

    Thanks! I’ve learned much! Dork Diaries inspired me to write a book! It’s called baby owl. basically about a baby owl.
    DUH!!!

    Reply to this comment
  2. Ibby12710 says

    April 10, 2021 at 4:07 pm

    Thanks for the writing tips, I’m gonna use them to start writing a series called DIARY OF A TOTAL WEIRDO

    Reply to this comment
  3. Isa101LoveWorld says

    April 9, 2021 at 12:25 pm

    After reading Rachel’s books, and the tips Nikki gave me I think It really helped because I wrote a book called
    Queen Gabriella
    A Perfect Family
    Delfina’s Life
    And my teachers loved it they said it was just like a real book, I was glad and the books I wrote are a series and I write more, books having new series and when I become a famous author, I’ll say Rachel Renne Russell was my inspiration. Her books are awesome!! I love Dork Diaries, I fell in love with the first book I read!!! And ever since I let my inner dork shine through, and ever since that I think a boy and a little crush on me! And guess what I like him too!!! thank you Rachel Renne Russell you have helped me, let my inner dork shine through

    Reply to this comment
  4. DORK-ALISIOUS says

    April 9, 2021 at 4:51 am

    Hi,
    i luv all ur books so much that i have actually read them all, well exept i-love-paris but that book isnt out yet.
    i am an artist, i luv drawing. however, i dont get much ideas because of all the school work i have. could u give me some ideas nikki/erin/rachel.
    thx,
    SQUEEE

    Reply to this comment
  5. Dork fan 101 says

    April 8, 2021 at 9:07 pm

    Hi am a big fan I want to say I love reading your books and I look up to you because I want to be a author when I grow up . Stay awesome.

    Reply to this comment
  6. Dorky Doughnut says

    April 8, 2021 at 3:26 am

    Hi!
    OMG!! Sqeeeeeeeeeeee
    I wanna keep a diary but when I keep it, I forget to write in it everyday and also sometimes I feel lazy..
    My parents notice me writing and they ask me to show them.. I love keeping it personal..
    Can you give any tips Nikki/Erin/Rachel??
    Btw, huge fan 🙂 I have all ur books 😉
    Thanks a lot for encouraging us!
    Signed

    Reply to this comment
  7. dorkdiares4eva says

    April 7, 2021 at 11:28 am

    i made my story of a new generation its nikkies niece (ps i love your books i read alllll of them)

    Hi if you’re reading this I have two questions

    Why are you reading my diary

    How did you find this

    But I guess I could tell you how I got this and who I am. I am Lindsay Chang. I got this diary as a birthday gift from my Aunt Nikkie. She said when she was young she had a diary and wrote in it all the time. I don’t understand why someone would Write a diary like this. All the kids at school will think I’m a nerd if they catch me doing this. I have two sisters they are twins one is samantha and one is isabelle i go to the school westchester country day i guess my mom and aunt both went so they want me to go i have some friends there mia,charlotte, ava they are my besties

    Reply to this comment
  8. Chloe Christina Garcia says

    April 6, 2021 at 4:35 pm

    I love these tips!!! I have been writing a book which is inspired by Dork Diaries, its called Rachels Diaries.
    Its about a girl who is writing a diary and tries to impress the Cuties’ team. But Emma tries to get into her way and steal her fame! Its actually suppose to be based on ‘Hobbit’ but it turned to be a diary! NOT based on Hobbit!!! These tips are going to help me so much Rachel your my hero that inspires me! These tips are just amazing!

    Reply to this comment
  9. DORKDIARIESfan says

    April 6, 2021 at 12:05 pm

    WOW theese ideas helps me every day min and second

    Reply to this comment
  10. DorkyDiva says

    April 6, 2021 at 11:44 am

    Thanks i’m making a book named Dorky Diva diaries

    Reply to this comment
  11. MISS.WRITE says

    April 6, 2021 at 9:23 am

    I LOVE WRITING SO MUCH

    Reply to this comment
  12. Sprinke Girl 81 says

    April 6, 2021 at 9:22 am

    Hi rachel!! I love dork diaries and I’ve read double dork diaries and crush catastrophe! I want to be a book write like you!

    Reply to this comment
  13. Start-up says

    April 6, 2021 at 7:46 am

    Hey, I love your books.
    I recently started reading them and totally fell in love with them.
    Just a quick question –
    In which book do we find out Brandon has a crush on Nikki.
    Pls help!
    YOUR BOOKS ARE SOOOOO RELATABLE, I LOVE THEM!

    Reply to this comment
  14. Harmony Starglite says

    April 5, 2021 at 6:11 am

    My stories are called My Fairy Adventures!

    Reply to this comment
  15. Harmony Starglite says

    April 5, 2021 at 6:06 am

    I love reading Dork Diaries! That inspired me to make my own series too! My website is almost DONE! But NOT published yet! Haha! Thanks!

    Reply to this comment
  16. DorkyGirl says

    April 5, 2021 at 5:42 am

    I adore reading dork diaries. I have got other books that I like but I still read dork diaries. When I try and make book, it never works. My Mum says practice makes perfect but it does not do anything. How are you so perfect at writing books. Please tell me.

    Reply to this comment
  17. Zoey girl says

    April 4, 2021 at 6:28 pm

    Thanks!I’m making a book called CRAZY DIARIES.

    Reply to this comment
  18. idkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk says

    April 3, 2021 at 11:58 am

    hi im writing a book its about a girl who goes into her dreams she also deals with normal problems fudeing friends frenemys sibling problems but going into her dreams and nigthmares is quite scary but also fun id rate it like 8-12
    or 9-12 it is going to have some violence but at the end of the series all the events of her come into the real world and so does all her nigthmares.
    idk what i should call the book hears my names so far dreammare,not so sweet dreams,dreamer pls tell me your own suggestions for a name or tell me witch one you pick!

    Reply to this comment
    • Braces Girl says

      April 6, 2021 at 4:39 pm

      When I got my braces I felt insecure, and I had similar stuff of what you said. Maybe you should call your book, ‘ The dreamer in nightmares ‘ Basically she was a happy dreamer, but then she had to deal with her normal problems and had nightmares.

    • 1dork says

      April 7, 2021 at 7:13 am

      I think your book sounds amazing. i don’t really now what you can call it! maybe nightmares ? cant waiot to hear it.

    • idkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk says

      April 10, 2021 at 10:47 am

      hoi guyssss i decided to call it The dreamer in nigthmares.

    • OMGSQUEE says

      April 10, 2021 at 5:06 pm

      I think it should be “stuck in dreamland”

    • ReplytoIdkkkkkkkkkkk says

      April 13, 2021 at 10:15 am

      I have a suggestion that you could use. What about Inner Dreams. I can imagine that at the library on the front cover.

  19. DC ( dorky, cool) girl says

    April 3, 2021 at 11:15 am

    Hi! I’m writing a book named Hybrid High, i got my ideas from bullying, my character gets constantly bullied by her father and people at school. I also got my idea from my kind mother, my characters mother dosnt know about the bullying so she does her regular things, giving pocket money and sweets to the character! I love watching videos about hybrids, so I also got ideas from there

    Thanks for writing amazing books! You are amazing RRR!

    from DC

    Reply to this comment
    • nameless says

      April 10, 2021 at 10:49 am

      what kind of hybrid is she?
      The book sounds like a great idea!!!

  20. Artsy Tastic says

    April 3, 2021 at 5:27 am

    I’M WRITING BRANDON DIARIES !

    Reply to this comment
    • Marvel Nut/I❤️WonderWoman says

      April 6, 2021 at 1:44 pm

      YAY!! You go, girl! WHOO!!!!

    • bronze! :) says

      April 6, 2021 at 3:14 pm

      i want to make a fantasy book on wattpad about aesthetic themed zodiacs, but I have no ideas! help!!

    • OMG says

      April 13, 2021 at 11:29 am

      GREAT IDEA CAN NOT WAIT TO READ THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  21. Anonymous says

    April 3, 2021 at 5:23 am

    I want be a writer. Thank for tip

    Reply to this comment
  22. A girl who loves to read. says

    April 2, 2021 at 3:06 am

    Hi! Mrs Rachel! I love ❤️ reading dork diaries and read them a lot. Thanks so much for writing this series!

    Reply to this comment
    • Ms.dork diaries fan says

      April 7, 2021 at 12:42 pm

      I’m such a big fan of dork diaries

  23. mhhchanee19 says

    April 1, 2021 at 12:32 pm

    I have written a lot of stories, but they’ve gone nowhere. Thanks for this, it’s helped so much!

    Reply to this comment
  24. Dorky girl says

    March 31, 2021 at 3:39 pm

    I,m writing a book called DREAM diaries

    Reply to this comment
    • OMGSQUEE says

      April 10, 2021 at 5:05 pm

      Seems COOLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  25. Writing Gurl says

    March 31, 2021 at 2:22 pm

    YAY!!! Thx SOOOO much RRR!

    Reply to this comment
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