Anyway, I did it. For 30 days and then some I thought up as many ideas as I could for picture books.
Day 1 - Kristi Valiant Lies in a Good Way
Day 2 -Mirs Reisberg Reclaims and Revitalizes her Inner Artist
You reminded me of the Tall Book of Poetry I had as a child. My favorite poem of “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allen Poe.
Day 3- Kelly Bingham Makes Time and Makes it Count
Thanks for the tips. Providing specific exercises like this really helps me find inspiration. I think I’ll give it a whirl!
Day 4 - Karen Henry Clark Gets Derailed but Travels On
Day 5 -Pat Zietlow Miller's 6 Steps to Picture Book Inspiration
I’ve tried lots of processes and eventually get there…still waiting for the “big one” though!
Day 6- Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen's Characters are the Key
Day 7 - Jennifer Arena Uses the George Stanley Idea Generator
Found another idea using the idea generator, Thanks!
Day 8 - Debra Freedman Begins Drawing
So funny. My writing works in a nearly identical fashion!
Day 9 - Sandra Tayler's Future Possible Tense - yes, spending time with children definitely brings inspiration.
Day 10 - Is Molly Idle's Brain Half full or Half empty?
I love that Oprah quote.(Luck is the moment when preparation meets opportunity) And what a coincidence reading you as a guest blogger. I just read “Flora and the Penguin” this weekend so when I saw the cover for Flora and the Pelican I said, “Hey, I know that illustrator!”
Day 11 - Tammi Sauer's How to "How To"
Day 12 - Josh Funk Wants to See [Funky Stuff] Illustrated
Day 13 - Corey Rosen Schwartz Gets Cooking
Day 14 - Barbara Krasner Goes for Truth
I love biographies, and really good ones are being published now. I’ve added this to my list and will search for possible candidates to write about. Thanks.
Day 15 - Floyd Cooper Walks Outside at Midnight
Day 16 - Shelley Moore Thomas Speaks from the PiBoIdMo Trenches
Thanks. I’m trying to do that same thing…write 1,000 words a day for a middle grade and come up with one picture book idea every day, and I’m having the same results. It is gratifying to know that the MG is progressing and that I may end up with a really good picture book idea or two to develop in the upcoming year. Can’t complain about that! It made me think that if I were to continue trying to come up with an idea every day even after PiBoIdMo, I might come up with some other winners.
Day 17 - Here Comes Deborah Underwood
I’m curious whether you included your own doodles with your submission? The illustrator versions are so similar I feel you must have. How does an editor respond to that approach?
Reply: Hi Jennifer! Yes, after mulling the options, my agent submitted my sketches and text together in a pdf file. It helped that I had a relationship with the editor beforehand. If this had been my first picture book submission, I definitely wouldn’t have chosen this path, but since I had several books under my belt, I think it was easier to break the rules.
Day - 18 - Dev Petty Writes...Wait for It...LESS
I would say I do that to some degree, but for me, if I don’t start getting it down on paper I lose ideas. I’ve had the experience of believing I’ve come up with a new angle, and BAM! there it is already in my notes. Although I love the idea of sitting out on the deck all day…
Day 19 -Kelly Light Wants to be the Hardest Working WO-Man in Show Business
Those songs have me dancing in my seat! Reminds me of picture books that you can sing. That’s my idea for the day. Singable books. BTW, your re-write is awesome!
Day 20 - Henry Herz Becomes a Sponge
Day 21 - Girllustrators Draw a Trifecta
I love when books have endpapers that correspond with the story. Those pig snouts are adorable!
Day 22 - Dianna Murray Brews Up a Character-Driven Story
Thanks for such a clear example describing personality trait vs. conflicting goal. I got it!
Day 23 - Ammi Joan Pacquette Chases the Magic
Interesting how one came easy and one was a struggle. Maybe you’re like me and you just don’t want anyone telling you what to write! I mean, it’s one thing if you come up with the idea yourself and can’t do it. You’d probably move on. But since someone is telling you this is what I need written, there’s a lot of added pressure, AND you can’t just move on. Very gratifying in the end, though.
Day 24 - Agents Love Picture Books
Interesting to hear the agent comments. I love picture books because as a Children’s Librarian I was able to use them with all age groups. Some are themed, some have history, some provide hope, some start memories or are nostalgic. From toddlers to seniors, there is a picture book for everyone.
Day 25 - Liz Garton Scanlon Loafes
Love this post. I try to add fun sounding words and odd words, as well as colloquialisms. I like “chortle”.
Day 26 - Ruth McNally Barshaw Makes Affirmations
Thanks for the pep talk!
Day 27 - Mylisa Larson Panics Creatively
Just telling me to play made me think of an idea. Thanks!
Day 28 - Aaron Reynolds Doesn't Judge!
Okay, okay. I won’t dismiss those crazy, ridiculous ideas anymore!
Day 29 -Trinka Hakes Nobel Writes Visually
I hadn’t thought about it in those terms, but I can think of lots of picture books that simply would not make sense without the illustrations. And I’m thinking of those where on the last page the illustration creates a twist to the story. In fact, I just wrote one of those.
Day 30 - Tara Lazar Changes her Perspective
I love the idea of making a fort to get a fresh perspective...maybe I can build an igloo this year when the snow starts again.
Day 31 - Vanessa Brantley-Newton Celebrates Diversity
Thanks for sharing. This reminds me that each story we create might affect a child for the rest of their life, as "Snowy Day" did for you. I'm not an illustrator, but perhaps my words can have the same effect.
Day 32 - Cece Bell Hires Herself
I love "Crankee Doodle," in fact I used it as inspiration for Day 20. I am intrigued by your idea here of creating silly combinations. I also liked the idea posted above of using magnetic words to create them. I will try it! Thanks for the post.
Day 33 - Timothy Young Hates Not Having Time
I’m fitting this in between packing up the last of the Thanksgiving decorations and pulling out the Christmas ones…I consider writing time off my feet! I retired a year ago and do spend more time writing, but the house is cleaner than it’s ever did before too! Love your book trailer and your three tips on how to find more time. I used to get upset about how any famous person could get published, but a publisher once explained that those books make the money that allows them to publish the unknown authors, so I don’t complain about it anymore.
Day 34 - Michele Wells Creates Interactive Picture Books
I have to admit that it was really refreshing to read a post so unexpected. I have included web links, as well as activities to complement the subject in some books, but I have never gotten as far as thinking an e-book might have that same opportunity. Thanks for the post!
Day 35 - Laura Gehl Draws a Diagram
Thanks for providing the next step. The bunny-stabbing unicorn idea is all mine. I can see it now…
Another non-fiction idea I had about coral reefs came to fruition, but so far is not agented.
One idea came on Day 23 about writing a holiday book. It's also singable, inspired by Day 19. That book is in process.
Some ideas I had, like a Kentucky Derby ABC book, I realized after some research had already been written.
In retrospect, PiMoIdMo was a terrific exercise from which I benefited. I wrote three picture books based on ideas I acquired during that month. As well, I have more viable ideas to work on for my next project. Though I didn't participate in the following years, I may try to go back and read those posts to see if more ideas don't come my way.