This post is party of Patty Wysong's
A to Z meme. This week's letter is "B"
You know, I think most writers would agree that brainstorming for ideas and such is a lot of fun, no matter what you are writing.
But I've got a secret for you. Some brainstorming is more fun than others.
Sure, figuring out where to set your romance can lead you on interesting trails all over the earth (maybe even the universe, if you write that kind of thing). Figuring out what kind of disaster can befall your MC or villain can really get those synapses going.
I'm polishing a picture book right now about an elephant who is trying to join a band - and tries to play a harmonica. I'd like to see you "adult" writers try to fit that little tidbit into your storyline. There is a new book out (by a debut picture book author!) called One Big Pair of Underwear. Ideas literally CAN come from anywhere - including the laundry basket.
But brainstorming for children's books? You can go all out crazy-looney-bonkers: and USE the ideas!
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| Check out the site - join the fun! |
And my favorite time to brainstorm? When I've got friends joining me. In just a couple weeks, I will be participating in my second year of the wonderful Tara Lazar's November challenge PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month) - which encourages/ challenges folks to come up with 30 different picture book ideas during the 30 days of November (I managed 47 last year). There are guest posts, prizes, a Facebook group, and more more MORE! And this year, as an added bonus, my daughter will be joining me - so I'll have a live brainstorming partner, along with hundreds of virtual ones.
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| This is my brain |
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| This is my brain on PiBoIdMo |
Totally looking forward to gearing up for my month-long brainstorming session. Anyone wanna join me? PrePiBo starts Saturday the 25th.
Got any fun brainstorming stories?
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1
Check out more "B" posts here - and add your own if you wish!
Love brainstorming! Coming up with different ways and places to hide the bodies... oh, did I mention I don't write children's books? My wife and I drove past a water park last winter that was closed for the season. My first thought was, "What a great place to stash some victims. Who'd go looking until the spring?" Yeah, I need help. :)
ReplyDeleteSo VERY glad you don't write children's books - with that kind of brainstorming ;) Too funny. Thanks for stopping by, Tom. Always good for a laugh. :)
DeleteI did it last year - lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteI remember :) Hope you're planning on jumping in again!
DeleteThat sounds so cool. I can't imagine writing for children. But it sounds like so much more fun. I love reading books to my grandchildren when I can and enjoy them. You are blessed to have found your passion!
ReplyDeleteIt is TONS of fun - writing and reading. Amazing how creative some of the books are. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteSometimes I think you have to be more creative to write for kids. Some of the ideas they write about these days just blow my historical fictions plots out of the water. Can't wait to see what awesomeness comes out of the writing challenge!
ReplyDeleteThanks, J'nell - I dunno about more creative, but definitely a different kind at least! Looking forward to it too - thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThis is my second year too! Love all the daily advice from seasoned pros!
ReplyDeleteYES - that advice is GOLDEN. The community too - so getting hyped up :) Thanks for stopping by, Juliana!
DeleteI very much want to write children's books and learn more about it. I may join you for PiBoIdMo!
ReplyDeleteOh Karla - I hope you do!! Thanks for stopping by :)
Deletebrainstorming ideas is certainly one good way to generate story drafts. Good luck with piboidmo. Hope you come up with some terrific ideas to polish.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Cecelia! You too! :)
DeleteI think living with kids helps, too. All that possibility right there! :) It sounds like a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteFor my writing, I have an app on my phone where I can log ideas while I'm out & I have a file on my computer where I stash ideas & of course, notebooks in my purse. You just never know when they'll pop into your head. I can't use 2/3 of what I come up with but sometimes it helps me find a general direction to head.
Living with kids definitely helps (even when they aren't little!) - and I can't use 99% of what I come up with - but I only need one idea to write a story :D.
DeleteThanks for stopping, Lynn :D
Fun post, Joanne! One of my best brainstorming sessions
ReplyDeletewas at an Ohio writer's retreat. It changed the main character
focus of one of my stories. I would love to write for the younger
crowd someday. PiBoIdMo sounds like a lot of fun!
It really is fun, Kathy - you ought to give it a try (no cost - all delight LOL).
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
"an elephant who is trying to join a band - and tries to play a harmonica"
ReplyDeleteOh. my. goodness. LOVE IT, JoDear!! =]
Can't wait to read that one!!
I WILL send it - in a while - that's one I'm working on edits on. Want you to see at least one that looks decent LOL.
DeleteYAYAYAY!! =]
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