ROalD Dahl-Inspired IdeaS BookMaterials: Notebooks or pads; pencils; Roald Dahl’s Process Student Worksheet

Time Required: Three to four 40-minute periods

Essential Question: How do authors inspire themselves to write?

Directions:

1 Explain that Roald Dahl, the author of The BFG, had a special writing process. He kept an Ideas Book—a notebook or pad that he carried with him at all times—and jotted down ideas in it as they came to him or when he observed something interesting. Some ideas were used right away, and others were not revisited for many years. He then drafted and redrafted until he had the perfect story.

2 Distribute Worksheet E and have students read more about Roald Dahl’s process along with an inspiration template to get them started on capturing their own ideas.

3 Have students locate a notebook or pad that they can use to create their own Ideas Book.

4 Encourage students to personalize their Ideas Book with drawings, collages, inspirational words, etc.

5 Have students carry their Ideas Book around for a day or two, writing down things that inspire or interest them.

6 Have students choose one or two ideas from their Ideas Book on which to elaborate. Ask them to write a movie scene, short story, or chapter of a novel based on their chosen ideas.

7 Encourage students to draft and redraft their scenes, stories, or chapters. They’ll write for their first draft, type for their second, and then physically cut and paste their work together for their final draft!

Follow-up Activity: Have students use their Ideas Book throughout the school year—adding ideas over time. Refer back to the Ideas Book and have them explain their thoughts and where their inspiration comes from.

TEACHER INSTRUCTIONS

Roald Dahl at work in his writing hut

This is a real page from one ofRoald Dahl’s Ideas Books, showing the

Idea which later became the story

The BFG.

WORKSHEET

Roald Dahl’s PRocessNAME

Roald Dahl, the author of The BFG and countless other works, such as Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, always carried his “Ideas Book” around with him, jotting down any interesting ideas for his stories. He would keep these books for years, reviewing and revisiting ideas, and sometimes turning them into stories. This would often happen 20 years after he had an original idea!

Roald Dahl’s writing process was as colorful as his finished work. He loved to write his first drafts on yellow American legal paper, which—as seen below—might include quick illustrations. Those pages would then go to his secretary, Wendy, who typed them up. Afterward, Dahl took scissors and chopped up the typed pages, literally cutting and pasting sections to change the order. Other ideas and sections were added in pencil before the pages went back to Wendy. This unique process might be repeated several times!

When Roald Dahl had perfected the story, the final stage was to change its working title. This step always came last, to reflect the changes in the story. For example, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was originally called “Charlie in Another World!”

Find Ideas and Inspiration EverywhereUse the steps below to get your “Ideas Book” started.

STEP 1: Take your Ideas Book with you everywhere you go. Make sure you have a great pen or pencil to write with.

STEP 2: Visit some of your favorite places or go to a place you’ve never been before. Some great places to go for inspiration are libraries, parks, the mall, or a museum.

STEP 3: Sit down and take a really good look around you. What do you notice about the space? Is it outdoors or inside? If you’re inside, is it dark or bright? What is the energy like—calm or exciting? Describe the space in your Ideas Book.

STEP 4: Find a person in the space. Focus on him or her. Is the person young or old? Tall or short? What are his or her clothes like? Describe him or her in your Ideas Book.

STEP 5: Create a backstory for your person. Give the person a name and a reason for

why he or she is in the space. Repeat Steps 2 through 5 for some really great ideas and inspiration for future stories.

Roald Dahl at work in his writing hut

did you know?The BFG first appeared in Roald Dahl’s Danny the Champion of the World as part of a bedtime story that Danny’s father often told him.

BIG IDEas

We can trace Roald Dahl’s original ideas and sketches for The BFG back to the pages of his

notebooks.

Roald Dahl labeled these original ideas for The BFG as “A Ghost Story.”

Roald Dahl started the idea for his story by listing the BFG’s character attributes: “Not many people know about The Big Friendly Giant. He only comes out at night. He moves very slowly. He is careful not to be seen.”

Roald Dahl came back to this idea later, writing “BFG” in pen to identify it as belonging to that final story.

Roald Dahl used sketches to help shape his stories, as seen here with his drawing of a dream blower and a dreaming child.