By Melissa Stoller
www.MelissaStoller.com
This February, make a special effort to find as many ideas as you can. If you are wondering where to locate possible topics, try these locations:
www.MelissaStoller.com
This February, make a special effort to find as many ideas as you can. If you are wondering where to locate possible topics, try these locations:
- Look out your window or door. Take note of ten things you see. Birds, cars, neighbors, nature, skyscrapers? Jot down the weather – stormy, sunny, cloudy? What about sounds: sirens, laughing voices, barks? Now choose one notation from each group and craft a story idea.
- Watch five TV commercials and choose a character, location, or selling point from the commercial. Does that spark an idea? Find at least one to work with.
- Pick up your favorite book or magazine, or scroll online. Choose five words that might lead to a few ideas.
- Look through photo albums or scroll through photos on your phone. Capture ideas from the people and places you see first.
- Listen to music. Perhaps the lyrics of a song or a familiar melody will inspire you to find a few new ideas.
I hope these prompts help you find more ideas in February and beyond . . . let me know in the comments.
MELISSA’S BIO:Melissa Stoller writes to bring heartfelt connection and joy to her readers. Her recent picture books include: Hazel and Mabel: Two Hearts Apart, illustrated by Anita Bagdi (Gnome Road Publishing, 2025) and Mojo’s Return: A Story of Resilience and Hope, illustrated by Uzi Binyamin (co-authored with Lishay Miran Lavi and Mary Millman) (Niv Publishing, 2025). Melissa’s next picture book, Stella’s Special Recipe: A Rosh Hashanah Story, illustrated by Valerya Milovanova, will release from Kar-Ben Publishing on August 4, 2026. Melissa is also the author of the chapter book The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Return to Coney Island, and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush; Ready, Set, GOrilla!; Sadie’s Shabbat Stories; Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom; and Building Bridges: Peace, Salaam, Shalom (co-written). Melissa is a Blogger for the Children’s Book Academy, a Rate Your Story Judge, a member of SCBWI, and a Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Trustee. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer/editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and travel.
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