How to Develop a Story Idea

Completing something a few times tends to instill a bit of confidence and belief. Before The Body Book, I had successfully published three children’s books. My confidence grew with each one. In addition to those completed books, I also have several drafts waiting for their turn in the spotlight. Trial and error had been replaced with a can-do attitude and some real-life knowledge.

I never force myself to write, especially since writing is simply a fun hobby at this point. Book sales are not paying the bills. I do however try to keep an open mind to potential ideas for future stories. Usually, a new story develops over a series of weeks in which I jot notes, spend time daydreaming about the idea, and occasionally make a few halting and awkward attempts at writing a few lines. Mostly these early lines are ill-conceived and tossed in the bin, but getting the bad out helps to filter the good ideas through.

“Getting the bad out helps to filter the good ideas through.”

The Body Book did not follow this pattern at all. I was focused on promoting my third book, The Oddball, as well as attempting to develop a story around bicycles. As I walked down the hallway at school one day, I noticed a student completing a series of simple exercises in the hallway. We call this a sensory walk, and its basic premise is to help a student get the wiggles out and refocus for class.

Lightning struck.

I skipped all my normal steps, returned to my computer, and immediately began to write. Rhymes came fast and easy. Quickly I got a few lines down before my next class, during which the brainstorming continued to flow as I taught.

Within two or three days the bulk of the story was done. There was still refining to do, words swapped, and lines adjusted, but the main body of the story was complete.

Surely, if I understood this process, I would pop out a book each week, but I do not think that’s how inspiration works. It’s not steady, regular, and predictable. It is also not something that can be forced. As a creative person, if you want your ideas to blossom you must be open to letting your mind wander. You need to be patient, observant, and willing to fail (my bike book is still nothing more than an idea), and if an idea strikes, be willing to pursue it aggressively.

Sometimes writing a book takes weeks, sometimes days. Be open to enjoying the process.