I just finished Sophie Blackall’s gorgeous Caldecott Medal-winning picture book, Hello Lighthouse. On the flyleaf in the back of the book, Ms. Blackwell notes that her inspiration for the book arrived in the form of an old print spotted at a flea market. The print showed a cross section of the rooms in a lighthouse. She was hooked.
Ms. Blackwell researched, visited lighthouses, read lighthouse keeper’s journals and even spent the night in a lighthouse on an island at the tip of NewFoundland. The book Hello Lighthouse is stepped in the kind of details only possible with lots of background research.
Many authors delve into their family history to find writing inspiration. Take L.M. Elliot, whose Under a War Torn Sky finds its heart in the experiences of her father, a bomber pilot shot down in World War II. Or Ruta Septys, whose father shared stories of Lithuania that found a home in her book, Between Shades of Gray.
Loree Griffin Burns, author of several Scientist in the Field books including the gorgeous Life on Surtsey: Iceland’s Upstart Island, says she is a believer in the power of first-hand research. She takes copious notes in a small notebook that she takes everywhere. She also makes audio recordings of interviewees and takes hundreds of photographs.
Author Linda Urban is a notebook fan too. Mingled together in her notebook are shopping lists, notes about her kids, and ideas that may spark a new novel. Here is a comment from Linda Urban along with one of her notebook pages:
This is a page of observations from a trip to the dentist’s office. While I have not written a novel set in a waiting room, I can’t say it won’t happen. And the practice of observing small details has most definitely come in handy. Linda Urban
Ideas are all around us — consider the box you haven’t opened since your last move, a story your mother told when you were young, the deserted house in the neighborhood, or your new interest in beekeeping. Perhaps you want to follow Loree and Linda’s lead and carry a small notebook everywhere. Keen observation can lead to great storytelling.
A Reading Life 
It’s so true we miss so many moments, if we don’t have pencil and paper to hand (I usually don’t!) Thanks for all the wonderful book recommendations too!
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You reminded me to read my copy of Ruth Septys’ books that are on my TBR list. Yes, I do believe in noticing and wondering about what I see. If I don’t have a notebook near me, I use scraps of paper or my iPhone notes page. Have a great weekend.
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Inspirational post – gives ideas and nudges to take action. Thank you!
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I love the ideas suggested at the end here– especially the box not opened since the last move. I know where that box is and am now considering opening it. Also love the pictures of notes you shared– I don’t know why it’s so intriguing to me to see others’ handwritten notes, but it is. Thanks for sharing this!
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I always enjoy seeing notebook pages too. (And I still need to read Life on Surtsey!) I do find that I have more ideas for writing if I’m keeping a notebook regularly.
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I love reading about where authors get their inspiration- whether on the end papers or a note at the end of the story. Great reminder that inspiration is all around us.
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A perfect reminder that our initial story ideas can grow legs and lead us toward powerful stories once we commit to research. Thanks for weaving in so many author examples.
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This post reminds me to use my WNB more. When I was in the classroom, I was good at this. now, not so much!
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As soon as I picked up Hello Lighthouse I knew it’d be a strong contender for a Caldecott because of all the attention to details.
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While I don’t carry a notebook, I do take pictures and use the memo on my phone to leave snippets of information that can be inspirational.
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