It's nearly Picture Book Idea Month time! Wahoo!

Do you ever have so many new ideas that you think your head will explode? I don't either...usually. 

That all changed after attending a non-fiction NF4NF workshop for children's writers offered by Pat Miller in September. Now ideas are stampeding like mustangs before a storm. I just need to wrangle the herd and pick one (or three). 

How will I do it? I plan to participate again in PiBoIdMo 2015, an online writing event established by children's author Tara Lazar. (Check out her latest book, Little Red Gliding Hood to be released October 27th.) 

PiBoIdMo is pure writing magic. Every morning in November, no exceptions, I shuffle out of my bedroom in fuzzy bathrobe and slippers with my favorite pen and idea notebook. (See photo) and settle in for an hour before I have to get ready for my day job. With the creative gates open, ideas trot in from the ether. (The first year I participated I was skeptical, but now I KNOW it works.)

Anyway, for those who are stuck for new ideas or have always wanted to write children's books, this is the perfect kickoff to success. 

-Q

2013 PiBoIdMo Success

The magic and muse visited me again in November for PiBoIdMo. I ended the month with 33 new ideas in my notebook and a nearly forgotten spare (written on an scrap of paper and shoved in my purse). It seems unbelievable that in one special month ideas flow like water when other months are dry as the Sahara. But as I commented on one of the PiBoIdMo blog posts, for me it is all about showing up. Nearly every morning in November I woke up a half hour or so before my alarm, made a cup of coffee, sharpened my pencil, grabbed my new eraser/notebook and ...waited. Within 5 to 10 minutes a glimmer of an idea or a title would come to me. I faithfully jotted it down and waited some more... fixing breakfast or making more coffee in the interim. At times the entire idea formed and was outlined, but some fragments came later in the day or even days later. All good.

Then presto chango! November is over and I have successfully completed another Picture Book Idea Month with lots of new ideas to begin 2014. Hurray! - Q

PiBoIdMo 2013 Has Arrived!

I'm so excited that Picture Book Idea Month is here and I'm on target! November 6th and I have 6 pages in my PiBoIdMo 2013 notebook brimming with new ideas. 

This is great news in itself, but PiBoIdMo founder, Tara Lazar offers even more goodies in the form of writing encouragements, give aways, and different guest bloggers every day this month. Barely into the first week and I found Katie Davis's guest blog and picture book infographic particularly helpful. 

With tons of good ways to spark new ideas, I plan to post it above my computer. I've already pinned it to my Writing Resources board on Pinterest if you want to repin it. 

I'll report on my progress throughout the month. Let me know of yours, too. -

Picture Book Idea Month - 2012

 Picture book idea month starts today. It's my first time to participate and I'm ready! I have motivation. I have  chai tea and snacks. I have a new spreadsheet to catch ideas as they spring from the ether.

Check back on November 30. With any luck, I will have captured at least 30 story ideas to polish in 2013. Good luck to all those participating! If you haven't joined yet, there is still time (through Nov. 4). Children's author, Tara Lazar is the contact.