Clipartpanda.com Uncork the champagne and set the balloons free, I made my November writing commitment! I wasn't sure that I could do it, but I squeaked through it by the skin of my teeth.
This is my third year of joining Tara Lazar's picture book challenge--PiBoldMo. The challenge is to write 30 picture book ideas in 30 days. At first the concept doesn't seem like such a big deal, but I am here to tell you it definitely is. Oh, Tara makes sure you have loads of inspiration through daily blogs from established picture book authors and artists. They share their knowledge, offer encouragement, and give suggestions on where to find inspiration. If you check in through the comments each day, your name is put in the hat for a prize offered by the spotlighted blogger. Great deal, huh?
This year, I decided to add my own tweak to the challenge. Besides just jotting down the idea like I've done for the last two years, I developed a story line, determined the plot and action, and finished a short character synopsis for each one. All of this in hopes that later in the year, when I have time to write another picture book, my foggy brain will be startled into creativity. Yes--my brain needs to be startled, and my daily Grande 4 shots Americano may jump start my heart, but it does nothing to get the creative juices flowing. So, hurray! I now have 32 fully descriptive ideas for picture books.
I have to admit, though, that not all of them are gems. In fact the majority of them are mediocre and a few are even stinkers. But, there are five that I really, really like. For that furious five, I plan on pitching them to my unofficial picture book connoisseurs--four kindergartners and 2 first graders. I will go with which ever one or two ideas they like (fingers crossed it's at least one). Wish me luck! My goal is to have at least one new picture book published in 2016, and you can bet I will be part of Tara's challenge next year too. Thank you Tara!
This is my third year of joining Tara Lazar's picture book challenge--PiBoldMo. The challenge is to write 30 picture book ideas in 30 days. At first the concept doesn't seem like such a big deal, but I am here to tell you it definitely is. Oh, Tara makes sure you have loads of inspiration through daily blogs from established picture book authors and artists. They share their knowledge, offer encouragement, and give suggestions on where to find inspiration. If you check in through the comments each day, your name is put in the hat for a prize offered by the spotlighted blogger. Great deal, huh?
This year, I decided to add my own tweak to the challenge. Besides just jotting down the idea like I've done for the last two years, I developed a story line, determined the plot and action, and finished a short character synopsis for each one. All of this in hopes that later in the year, when I have time to write another picture book, my foggy brain will be startled into creativity. Yes--my brain needs to be startled, and my daily Grande 4 shots Americano may jump start my heart, but it does nothing to get the creative juices flowing. So, hurray! I now have 32 fully descriptive ideas for picture books.
I have to admit, though, that not all of them are gems. In fact the majority of them are mediocre and a few are even stinkers. But, there are five that I really, really like. For that furious five, I plan on pitching them to my unofficial picture book connoisseurs--four kindergartners and 2 first graders. I will go with which ever one or two ideas they like (fingers crossed it's at least one). Wish me luck! My goal is to have at least one new picture book published in 2016, and you can bet I will be part of Tara's challenge next year too. Thank you Tara!
RSS Feed
