from the inquiring mind
of children's book author
Barbara Jean Hicks
For all you aspiring picture book authors out there, don't forget that November is Picture Book Idea Month (also known as PiBoIdMo)! Kidlit blogger Tara Lazar, "tired of novelists having all the fun in November with NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)," created PiBoIdMo in 2008 for herself, and the following year hosted it on her blog, Writing for Kids (While Raising Them). Last year more than 750 writers logged in as official participants.
The PiBoIdMo challenge is to create 30 picture book ideas in 30 days. As Tara explains on her blog, "You don't have to write a manuscript (but you can if the mood strikes). You don't need potential best-seller ideas. You might think of a clever title. Or a name for a character. Or just a silly thing like 'purple polka-dot pony.' The object is to heighten your picture-book-idea-generating senses."
Tara provides daily blog posts through November by picture book authors, illustrators, editors and other kidlit professionals to inspire participating writers. And it's easy to participate! Registration is open now and continues through November 7th; simply visit Tara's blog and follow the instructions. You can participate without registering, but registration makes you eligible for prizes including signed picture books, original art, critiques and feedback from one of five picture book agents.
I find that looking at art is a major inspiration and idea generator for me. In fact, my picture book MONSTERS DON'T EAT BROCCOLI was inspired by a book dummy by British illustrator Sue Hendra that actually became the final artwork for the book! As a tie-in to PiBoIdMo, I'll be posting images of classic works of art here on the blog with the hope they will help inspire picture book ideas for you. Check back every day in November.
Good luck and happy writing!
Comments