VS Grenier ~ Award-Winning Author, Speaker & Podcaster

There are many different methods to get and collect ideas. Every writer has their way of coming up with ideas, but where do these ideas come from? James Patterson says, "The more you know about, the more likely you are to combine things to make an idea that’s striking." I found this to be a fascinating thought as many of my ideas come from my life as I have moved more times than my age. I have experienced many things for only being 40 years old. Yep, I just told you how old I am. However, my ideas don't only come from my experiences in life. I also talk to and ask questions of loved ones, family members, friends, etc. For example, my first published short story was inspired by my dad's childhood. I took three different stories from his youth to write the short story "Flying Upside Down" for the former Fandangle Magazine (see below), which was later republished in Stories for Children Magazine. Story ideas can come from other sources too like a wr...

I love Halloween. It really is my favorite holiday in the year. I'm not sure if it has something to do with it being my mom's birthday or not. I know it is fun telling people I'm the daughter of a witch. I mean after all all witches are born on Halloween...aren't they. Of course, my mom isn't a mean witch. She is one of the nicest people I know. Sometimes I think her parents got the wrong holiday to have her on. What do I mean? Well when someone asks about my mom, I say, "She is a lot like Mrs. Clause. She loves to give little kids goodies, is round and jolly, and loud. I mean really loud." Of course, when you think about it...a lot of witches are round and loud, and the good ones do like to give out treats to little kids. So I guess maybe her parents did get the right holiday after all. One thing my mom really taught me about Halloween is how to let your inner child come out. She always dressed up each year with me and really got into the whole sp...

Instead of the usual article, here are 31 story sparkers you can try out over the next several days. Have fun! First Lines Use these to start your story. 1. It was a gift her mother gave her on her eighteenth birthday. 2. The door slammed with finality. 3. Alice tried to remember who had given her the key. Cliche Starters Use these cliches to spark a story. 4. burn the midnight oil 5. bed and board 6. an idle mind is the devil's playground 7. the raw end of the deal 8. keep your fingers crossed Random Story Words Use each set of words in your story. 9. lab instructor, computer, garden, spinach 10. painter, cooking oil, hallway, cake 11. prisoner, ruler, stairwell, running shoes 12. flight attendant, torn page, river, cookie jar 13. security guard, broccoli, kitchen, hat Quick Prompts Use these to jumpstart your writing. 14. Write about how a first kiss should feel like. 15. What do you usually do on Sunday? 16. Write about what you'd cook for an enem...