“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” Mark Twain

Brainstorming Fun

This post is party of Patty Wysong's
A to Z meme. This week's letter is "B"
A to Z blog hop at Patterings.
 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.

But brainstorming for children's books? You can go all out crazy-looney-bonkers: and USE the ideas!
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.
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.

This is my brain
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! 

 

21 comments:

  1. 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. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So 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. :)

      Delete
  2. I did it last year - lots of fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember :) Hope you're planning on jumping in again!

      Delete
  3. That 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is TONS of fun - writing and reading. Amazing how creative some of the books are. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  4. Sometimes 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, J'nell - I dunno about more creative, but definitely a different kind at least! Looking forward to it too - thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  5. This is my second year too! Love all the daily advice from seasoned pros!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YES - that advice is GOLDEN. The community too - so getting hyped up :) Thanks for stopping by, Juliana!

      Delete
  6. I very much want to write children's books and learn more about it. I may join you for PiBoIdMo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Karla - I hope you do!! Thanks for stopping by :)

      Delete
  7. brainstorming ideas is certainly one good way to generate story drafts. Good luck with piboidmo. Hope you come up with some terrific ideas to polish.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think living with kids helps, too. All that possibility right there! :) It sounds like a lot of fun.

    For 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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.

      Thanks for stopping, Lynn :D

      Delete
  9. Fun post, Joanne! One of my best brainstorming sessions
    was 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is fun, Kathy - you ought to give it a try (no cost - all delight LOL).

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  10. "an elephant who is trying to join a band - and tries to play a harmonica"
    Oh. my. goodness. LOVE IT, JoDear!! =]
    Can't wait to read that one!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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.

      Delete

Thanks for stopping by. I would love to hear your thoughts - please share them!

My One Word: 2016 and 2017

Most who know me know I am a very goal-oriented person (in fact, I already shared my goal wrap-up for 2016 and my new ones for 2017 on this...