In my day-to-day life I’m a dreary, straight-laced stickler for rules. I’m obsessively punctual with my rent. I always wear my seatbelt. And I’d never dream of going through the Express Lane at the grocery store with more than fifteen items in my cart.
But when it comes to writing picture books, I’m proud to be a rule-breaking outlaw.
Who says a picture book needs to be told from start to finish? My fairy tale The End is told in reverse chronological order, from end to middle to beginning.
In fact, who says a picture book needs a traditional beginning, middle, and end at all? My latest book, 1 + 1 = 5 And Other Unlikely Additions, is simply a collection of surprising (but plausible) math facts. 1 + 1 = 3? 1 unicorn + 1 goat = 3 horns! 1 + 1 = 6? 1 duet + 1 quartet = 6 musicians! Who would have guessed that a list of equations could make a successful children’s book, but it works.
Which brings me to my writing tip for today: forget about the rule that says a good book needs a plot with a character and problem and solution. Today, just make a list. The Top Ten Ways to Avoid Doing the Dishes. Reasons Why I Should Have a Horse. My Favorite Things to Do with Peas Instead of Eating Them. You decide on the topic.
Come to think of it, maybe I’m not such a rule-breaker after all. There are plenty of wonderful picture books which are, at their hearts, simply lists:
Jane Yolen’s humorous How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?
Lauren Stringer’s clever and beautiful Winter is the Warmest Season
Judith Viorst’s classic Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Of course successful list books like these are more than a recitation of boring items. They resonate with a child’s emotions, shine with beautiful language, explode with humor, or invite the reader to look at the world in a new way.
And you can write a memorable children’s book, too! Just pick up your pencil and start making a list.
David LaRochelle has been creating books for young people since 1988. His next picture book, The Haunted Hamburger and Other Ghostly Stories, illustrated by Paul Meisel, will be released by Dutton in 2011. He lives in White Bear Lake, Minnesota and is currently catching his breath after a busy month of carving pumpkins, some of which can be viewed at his website www.davidlarochelle.net.
41 comments
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November 2, 2010 at 9:56 am
Dana Carey
I love this post. It reminds me to have some fun and stray a little from the confines.
“The End” and “1 + 1 = 5 And Other Unlikely Additions” sound like great books.
Thanks for the inspiration.
November 2, 2010 at 10:01 am
Laura
Ha! I just had a pb rejected because it is a list book… maybe I will amp it up and find it a home somewhere else!
Thanks!
November 2, 2010 at 10:10 am
Beth Coulton
Love this! I love the freedom you extend to us aspiring pb writers to break a rule or two here or there- very refreshing. Thanks!
November 2, 2010 at 10:35 am
Christie Wild
You have freed our minds. Some writers still advise to at least have our FIRST book have a character with a problem to solve, etc. But, I’m getting new ideas thanks to your post today. And I found your “pets” book in my local library. Checking it out next time I go.
November 2, 2010 at 10:39 am
Michael Sussman
Loved “The End.” Brilliant concept!
November 2, 2010 at 10:48 am
Angela Matteson
I love this inspirational idea! You got the gears in my mind rotating today! thanks so much!
Now, I’ve got to go check out ‘1+1=5’. Superb concept!
November 2, 2010 at 10:54 am
Diana Murray
Great idea. I love list poems. Why haven’t I tried turning one into a pb yet? *smacks forehead*
Thanks for the inspiration!
November 2, 2010 at 11:12 am
laurasalas
Great post, David! I was just thinking yesterday about different formats and concepts for pbs, so this is a perfect prompt for me. Off to make some lists:>)
November 2, 2010 at 11:16 am
Heather Kephart
I keep getting told that concept books are out, and character-driven books are in. Concept books are so much fun to write, I hope it’s still possible to write them and get published!
Like you, I like to think outside the box. If only there were a way to work outside the box while still being in the box. Hmmm…
I really enjoyed your post. What a creative you are. Thanks!
November 2, 2010 at 11:22 am
Beth MacKinney
Love those ideas, Dave. Thanks for sharing with us!
November 2, 2010 at 11:27 am
Donna Earnhardt
You’ve given me permission to be the outlaw that I’ve always wanted to be…but in picture book format! 🙂
Great post!
November 2, 2010 at 11:39 am
Rachel
Great post! There ARE a lot of great PB’s that “break the rules.” I can’t wait to get started on my list. Thanks, David.
November 2, 2010 at 11:58 am
Shannon O'Donnell
I love this! Some of my favorite PBs are rule breakers. 🙂
November 2, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Megan K. Bickel
Awesome! I love this idea. I’m going to be making lists all day now. So, I blame you for the index card storm that is about to hit my office! And as a side note, I adore 1 +1 = 5. Fantastic book. It is on my Christmas list for my five year old!
November 2, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Melissa Liban
Very inspiring, now I’m gonna go and wright!
November 2, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Melissa Liban
I totally spelled wright wrong, I meant write, but maybe I’m just being a rule breaker.
November 2, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Loni Edwards
Excellent post and great advice! Thank you!
November 2, 2010 at 1:57 pm
ccgevry
Wow! This is a superb and inspiring post. I’m not known for break the rules, but your advice sounds like a lot of fun. Maybe this will be my excuse to break free.
November 2, 2010 at 3:05 pm
M. G. King
David, thanks for the post — you’ve certainly redefined forumula writing, with 1 + 1 = 5. Good luck on your NaNoWriMo WIP!
November 2, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Valerie Larson-Howard
David has a great message for picture books and for life. We all need to break the rules sometimes. It seems like his rule-breaking spirit has created some great books. Now, I am off the write my own Top Ten lists, and we will see what happens.
November 2, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Kelly H-Y
What fantastic advice! Love it! Thanks David (and Tara too!!). 🙂
November 2, 2010 at 3:22 pm
LadyJai
I love this advice! I love all of this! It is so inspirational….now I just have to figure out what my List will be! 😀
Thank you so much, to both David and Tara!
November 2, 2010 at 3:23 pm
JonnyB
funny, the other day i lamented about my current project, ‘it’s not a story – it’s just a list!’ but, hey, lists are cool!
November 2, 2010 at 3:40 pm
Lynda Shoup
I laughed at your list of rules you never break – punctual, seat belts and 15 items or under. In addition to your rules, I adhere to the 9 to 9 telephone rule and NEVER phone before or after 9:00.
In addition to the great idea about lists, I’m thinking addressing some rules I’d love to break might give me my inspiration for today.
Thanks, David, for jump starting my mind.
November 2, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Julie
Great post, and so refreshing to get advice outside of character, plot, beginning, middle and end.
LOVE the addition book. I can’t wait to start a list of 10 things I can do with peas instead of eating them (I hate peas!)
November 2, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Pam Jones
A list! Brilliant! And as a child, I would have adored this because I am such a list maker due to my terrible memory! Haha…but such an excellent way to approach a book, I can dig it!
November 2, 2010 at 4:19 pm
katswhiskers
Your maths concept book sounds so cool. Almost liberating for kids who get locked into boxes with numbers. As a teacher, fun/exciting/entertaining/innovative maths/science PBs are hard to find. They’re usually so basic (counting) or… educational. Go the fun/innovative concept books.
I’m off to chase some blurbs on your books. I haven’t seen them yet in Australia – but would like to. 🙂
November 2, 2010 at 5:20 pm
Lynn
This was fun. Thank you for taking the pressure off and making it fun again.
November 2, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Catherine Johnson
Thanks David for widening our perspectives a bit. I’ve been hoping to squeeze in a non-fiction pb idea this month, perhaps I’ll do a list one too.
November 2, 2010 at 5:55 pm
diandramae
Good reminder to think outside the box. I’ll need to consider some non-fiction topics to have fun with.
November 2, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Anne Ylvisaker
Just what I needed today, David. Thank you thank you.
November 2, 2010 at 10:01 pm
David LaRochelle
Thanks for all the positive comments about my post, everyone! I’m looking forward to being inspired by the rest of the month’s ideas. Thanks for organizing such a great event, Tara. I’m grateful you asked me to take part.
November 2, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Michelle Dennis Evans
great post – thank you – I feel I have permission to stray from the guidelines 🙂
November 3, 2010 at 4:23 am
Connie Mustang
David,
Thank you for your words of wisdom. I love to think “out of the box,” and you have just given us permission to do so, although, doing it even though you don’t have permission has it’s appeal. I will definitely look for your book. It sounds fun.
November 3, 2010 at 7:58 am
Linda Lodding
Funny coincidence with this posting, David…my idea yesterday was to write a list book with a fun twist. Thanks for freeing us from the shackles that bind us to the plot format of problem, obstacle, resolution. It’s fun to try something new.
November 3, 2010 at 9:50 am
Hallee Adelman
David,
My family has been reading The End for years!! It is so incredibly clever. Your advice reminds me of the great Ralph Fletcher…I love how he always reminds us to learn all the rules so we can defend what we are doing when we break them!!!
Glad everyone is writing away and having fun!! Thanks, Tara!!
November 3, 2010 at 10:14 am
Pat Miller
Lists help me when I’m trying to figure out a story–lists of possible events, lists of possible names, lists of possible problems. My first book, Substitute Groundhog, came from a list of all the animals that could substitute for a sick groundhog and why they wouldn’t qualify. Thanks for reminding me of this excellent way to get some traction.
November 3, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Ishta Mercurio
I LOVE this post – thank you for this valuable insight, and for the great list-making tip! You’ve really got me thinking outside the box.
November 4, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Lynn Anne Bemis
David that is some fantastic pumpkin art work. Love it! Thanks for the inspiration in PB’s. I can’t wait to get a hold of yours.
Lynn~~
November 9, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Lynne Marie
I just loved this, David! How inspiring! Get the handcuffs ready. I’m going to go out and break some rules (now that I have learned them all LOL). Can’t wait to check out your books! It’s looks like lots of fun is in store 🙂
November 2, 2011 at 8:37 pm
Kerry Aradhya
What a great post!! Tara, thanks for letting me know about it. Actually one of the PB ideas I’ve come up with so far this year is a list, so this post is very timely and confirming for me. David, in case you are still out there, thanks so much for the inspiration!