We’re halfway through November. For some writers, you are feverishly striving to complete your 50,000 words in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writers’ Month). I have to say, while I need a swift kick in the butt to get writing as much as anyone from time to time, 50,000 words in one month is more of a kick than I’d ever want.
I much prefer PiBoIdMo, the picture book writer’s alternative for November – Picture Book Idea Month – created by Tara Lazar and in which we are challenged to come up with an idea a day for a picture book. (Though really, this could just as easily apply to ideas for novels, short stories, songs, etc.) I find that the one idea per day happens most of the time, but sometimes the creative juices seem to produce two ideas today, brain too work-slogged for an idea tomorrow, two PB ideas the day following and so on. I just do my best to have a minimum of 30 ideas by the end of the month.
If you are doing PiBoIdMo, I suspect, like me, come Nov. 30 you find some of your ideas are laughably useless, some have a certain amount of potential, and some are actually quite promising. Where do you get your ideas from? Personal experiences past and present can inspire ideas, as well as family, friends, and pets, but also what’s going on in the world – news of all kinds, music, stuff you read. Sometimes, even an old story we’ve already written gives birth to a brand new – and better – idea.
Here’s the best idea – have fun doing it. And if this is the first you’ve heard of PiBoIdMo, join in and challenge yourself!
It is the first I’ve heard of PiBoldMo, but it sounds like great fun – it’s similar to the way I view this time of year – a time of dreams and gathering ideas to be used, or not, come spring 🙂
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While it’s gained popularity over here, PiBoIdMo’s also only been around for 5 or 6 years. I’d link you to Tara’s site, but on each occasion I’ve gone there it’s totally locked up my computer and caused subsequent font issues. So … you can Google Tara Lazar-PiBoIdMo and take your chances – up to you. She’s really grown it with daily encouraging and inspiring writing posts from all kinds of people, established in publishing and not, prizes of idea critiques by an agent who reps PB’s, and so on. You might be interested to know your most recent post gave me a great idea! 🙂
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I’m happy to hear it!
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I hear you: “I have to say, while I need a swift kick in the butt to get writing as much as anyone from time to time, 50,000 words in one month is more of a kick than I’d ever want.”
Wishing you great picture book ideas, Jeanne.
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Thanks, Cynthia. I’m coming up with a few I really like, plus reviewing ideas from previous PiBoIdMo challenges.
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