Every great story begins with a question. At the heart of storytelling lies curiosity, and few questions unlock the imagination quite like "What if?" This simple phrase has sparked countless beloved books, inviting writers to explore possibilities beyond the ordinary.

What if a boy discovered he was a wizard on his eleventh birthday? What if a spider spun words into her web to save a pig? What if a young girl tumbled down a rabbit hole into a world where nothing made sense? These stories exist because their authors asked “What if?”—and followed where the question led.

For children's book writers, “What if?” is a gateway to magic, adventure, and wonder. It allows stories to grow from the smallest spark—an overheard conversation, a fleeting image, a childhood memory. 

After I had written books for my two oldest granddaughters, Eleanor and Virginia, of course I planned to write one for my youngest, Caroline. She was just 18 months old at the time, and I was struggling to come up with an idea that captured her spirit, which I was just getting to know. All I knew is that she was none too sure of me: When I'd walk in the door, she'd throw herself on the ground and scream in protest, having intuitive that Grandma's arrival meant Mommy and Daddy's departure. Then it came to me: What if a toddler was terrified and furious at the sight of her grandmother? How would they find their way to a cosy relationship? The book, Caroline and the Not-Mamma, explores the big feelings of a small child.

Asking “What if?” doesn’t just open doors to plot ideas; it also deepens character development. What if your protagonist made a different choice? What if they had to face their greatest fear? What if they lived in a world where the rules were completely different?

The best stories begin with curiosity and a willingness to explore the unknown. The next time you're staring at a blank page, start with “What if?” and see where it takes you. Somewhere in that question, a story is waiting to be told.