Where do Authors Get Their Great Ideas?
“Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don’t see any.” — Orson Scott
As a writer, I find non-writers are often curious about where I get ideas for my books. Some will come right out and ask. At first this caught me off guard, because I had never stopped to ponder it. Generally, ideas come easily to me. But now that I’m involved in several writer’s groups and am actively engaged in the writing processes, I realize that many of my ideas spring especially from children and their fertile imaginations—and their amazing questions.
My first ideas for Hildie’s Hat Party, my current work-in-progress, are no exception. I still remember when Hildie Hedgehog first became a character on paper (now almost 5 years ago). I sketched her in as a bystander in a cluster of little forest critters in my first story book, Sammy’s New Friends. She wore a little pink hat covered with flowers. As my illustrations for that book developed, I painted her a second time in a comment bubble from Mouse, Sammy Bunny’s sidekick. Mouse likes Hildie Hedgehog and voices his desire that he and Sammy Bunny might bump into her that day.
Much later, as I was reading my newly printed book, Sammy’s New Friends, to some of my grandchildren, they commented about Hildie Hedgehog and her cute hat. That rabbit-trailed us off into one of those lovely conversations Grandmas or Grandpas (Mamas and Papas too!) get into when children jump from the storybook into a ‘what if’ or a ‘how-come’ dialogue. Ours went something like this. . .
Question: “Why is Hildie Hedgehog wearing a hat?
My Answer: “Hildie loves hats! She wears them all the time!”
Child’s Comment: “I like hats, too. Do you want to see my favorite one?
My Answer: “Yes. And Hildie loves parties, too. What if. . .? What if she had a hat party and invited you? You could wear your favorite hat.”
Child’s Comment: “Could I invite a friend?
My answer: “I’m sure Hildie Hedgehog would love that. Shall we write an invitation?
One child runs off to grab her hat, the other to gather writing materials.
So sprouted the seeds of a new story!
In the final draft of Hildie’s Hat Party, Hildie Hedgehog does throw a party in celebration of Spring’s return, inviting everyone she knows–even the Flower Fairies—to come. There’s just one catch–she asks everyone to come wearing their favorite hat! And it was good news. Everyone seemed to be happy.
“The excitement over Hildie’s hat party spread through the Big Woods like a strong March wind. Each forest critter was asking the same question, which hat shall I wear?”
Wow! The excitement was building with us too, as the Grands and I imagined a fun party happening in the Big Woods (same setting as Sammy’s New Friends). Everyone would be invited.
Innocent enough, right?
Wrong.
We soon hit a bump in the road on our journey of make-believe.
Story-writing rule violation!
Every good story must have a conflict—something or someone that hinders the progress and goals of the main character.
Okay. The kids and I talked it through.
What conflict could a bunch of forest animals possibly encounter as they plan and anticipate a party involving wearing hats? Some of their answers were:
- What if they ran into an angry bear on the way to the party?
Nope!
- What if late spring snowstorm covers the meadow making it impassable and impossible for a fun party? (Very possible in Colorado!)
Nope!
What kind of conflict could a bunch of children, ages 4-7, possibly have as they plan and anticipate a certain kind of party (with Mom’s help, of course)? We put on our Thinking Hats, and thought, and thought.
Enter Dori Deer.
“I know,” said one of the children. “Dori Deer can’t come. Because how can she put a hat on her head? She wouldn’t want to come without a hat.”
Bingo! There’s our conflict. That idea blossomed like a spring crocus popping right out of the ground! Here’s a snippet of dialogue from the book that morphed from our discussions that day.
“Savannah Squirrel chatters about the party to Dori Deer. ‘Which hat will you wear, Dori?’”
“Deer don’t wear hats. How can we? Our hooves cannot hold a flower, tie a bow, or even lift a leaf onto our heads.” Dori blinked back her tears and walked into the forest alone.”
Deer don’t wear hats!
Oh, dear! (pun intended!) A new conversation ensued with fresh questions.
- Who else might not be able to come to the party because of reasons we hadn’t even thought about yet?
- What might hinder or limit children in the real world from fully participating in the many things most of us took for granted?
- What could the forest critters do to help? What could they, mere children, do?
Some big words began to emerge in our discussion. Our story seedling was taking root. Those big words became the theme thread for my next illustration project: Hildie’s Hat Party. COMPASSION. CARING. SHARING.
What happens when a good seed-idea germinates beneath one’s hat?
It grows! Hildie’s Hat Party, as a storybook idea, eventually grew into a fully developed, illustrated book. With a conflict worth solving! It involves the wit and winning efforts of, not just Hildie Hedgehog, but all the forest critters–(there’s a whole cast of them!) who learn–in the process that friendship starts with caring and sharing. And that makes all the difference to a friend in need.
Note: Hildie’s Hat Party is nearing completion and will go the printers sometime this Spring. Be among the first to receive exclusive news about the launch of this book and receive some freebies available for you, and the children in your life. Please sign up for my latest news by using the signup form here https://www.lindakbridges.com/hildies-hat-party/ This story has special appeal for children ages 4—7, and will spark some great conversations among parent and child alike.
So. . .Why does Hildie wear a hat?
Hildie Hedgehog might say, “Wearing a hat keeps my ideas warm!”
Thank you for stopping by my blog today. Please drop by again soon.
Linda, tapping out a blog piece for my website.
