Everything sparks ideas. But capturing ideas before they flee is daunting. For me, whimsical and wily inspiration comes from problems, experiences and observations. 1. Problems: When my daughter Sydney was in first grade, she wrote a song in response to a bully. After she sang it to her class, the bully approached her. “Did you write that song about me?” Sydney: “Yes I did.” Bully: “I’m going to be nicer to you. I don’t want you to write another song about me!” Sydney's problem inspired her to write a song that not only solved her first grade bully problem, but also drove the creation of our family band. My childhood problems tend to resurface in my writing. Ultimately all of my main characters figure out a way to overcome doubt and be true to themselves. In Cornelia Funk's The Princess Knight, Princess Violetta wants to do things that are unexpected of her. Strong women who defy stereotypes appear in all of Cornelia Funk's books and I wonder if this was a problem for her. 2. Experiences: Every manuscript we write embodies a little bit of who we were as kids. Childhood memories and experiences inspire wonderful picture books. The clumsy unicorn in one of my stories is definitely a magical version of who I was as a kid. Tara Lazar's The Monstore, depicts a boy who wants to keep his sister away. On the flap of the book, Tara says she would have loved a monstore as a kid to help her spook her little brother. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, is an example of days that we all have experienced as kids--that's why it resonates with everyone. 3. Observations: Every single one of my stories was inspired by observing my five kiddos. I told the story of The Raindrop Who Couldn't Fall on a rainy day to Sydney when she was bored of waiting at Home Depot. Sydney also inspired a story about dragons and intense tantrums. Another of my stories tells about a fashionista who is strangely similar to my 6 year old daughter. My friend Paul Czajak wrote Monster Needs his Sleep, after years of bedtime experience with his kids. Think about your problems and experiences and observe the kids you know. Pay attention to the ideas that are waiting to be held and told and made into a story that will change lives. What are your sources of inspiration? Kirsti Call is a homeschooling mom of five. Her debut picture book, The Raindrop Who Couldn't Fall, came out last December. Her family band, Calling Out, plays songs written by her children. She contributes to Writer's Rumpus, and Kids are Writers. If you visit her house, you might find her attempting to capture ideas! You can find out more about her at www.kirsticall.com.
24 Comments
10/15/2014 03:57:37 am
You're welcome, Paul. I've been trying to really notice those ideas lately :)
Reply
Audrey Couloumbis
10/15/2014 12:32:55 am
so true, kirsti, we have to be alert to the story possibilities as we live our way through them. and a good pointer to some stories i'd like to read.
Reply
10/15/2014 04:05:41 am
I'm glad I introduced you to a couple of new stories...they're a lot of fun:)
Reply
10/15/2014 01:50:23 am
I love this inspiring post! It gave me some great ideas for places and memories from which I can mine for story ideas. Thanks!
Reply
10/15/2014 04:07:13 am
I'm glad you like the movie :) We had a lot of fun with it.
Reply
10/15/2014 04:38:15 pm
Being a mother of three, I could relate to everything you wrote, Kirsti. Thanks for sharing!
Reply
Christa von Zychlin
10/15/2014 06:12:43 pm
Lovely post, gorgeous family, tremendously fun video. One of the things I love most about the process of becoming a children's book writer is the way it is teaching me to listen, learn, and even to remember in new ways. Thanks for your insights, Kirsti. You are one of the inspirations to me from Mira Reisberg's AWESOME just-completed PB course.
Reply
10/17/2014 05:22:59 am
Oh Christa! Thank you! I'm glad you liked the post, video, etc. I adore the loving environment of the Children's Book Academy. I feel like I learn so much from Mira and the other students!
Reply
Carol Higgins-Lawrence
10/15/2014 11:02:26 pm
Kristi, thanks for your great advice and for sharing your daughter's brilliant work! I'm going to share her song with my eight year old daughter who has also been bullied. Thanks again!
Reply
10/17/2014 05:40:42 am
Carol, my Sydney is now 8 also! I'm glad you liked the movie and I hope your daughter enjoys it:)
Reply
Deb Bergerson
10/16/2014 12:07:02 am
LOVE the video and song with your daughter and entire family. Tears filled my eyes-- beautiful !
Reply
10/17/2014 05:41:58 am
Deb, I'm glad you like the song...the family band has been a real blessing in our lives :)
Reply
10/16/2014 02:46:22 am
And be sure to carry SOMETHING with you to capture these ideas at any given moment! Great post, Kirsti!
Reply
10/17/2014 05:43:43 am
Thanks Manju. I'm happy that Sydney chose to solve her problems with words and a song :)
Reply
Maria Oka
10/17/2014 06:35:14 am
Love this post!! So succinct and such a good reminder of where to find inspiration.
Reply
10/19/2014 10:13:54 am
Glad you liked it, Maria. I'm working on paying attention to the millions of possible ideas that I'm surrounded by every day!
Reply
10/19/2014 11:20:44 pm
Great article and video Miss Kirsti. I do indeed draw inspiration from my childhood as well. I also draw inspiration from songs, dreams, things I see on drives, things my daughter says or does. Imagination is endless and so are the ways to find inspiration!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
January 2019
Categories
All
|