I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of being little. I am a little sister (my sister is five years older than me). Now that we’re adults and friends that difference is pretty much nonexistent, but when we were young, five years was the Grand Canyon. All I wanted to do was spend time with my big sister, doing the things that she got to do. And all she wanted to do was… anything else. I even wrote a story about it in second grade called “It’s Not Fair!”
That’s where I got the idea for my first picture book The Littlest Pilgrim. Well, truth be told, the title actually popped into my head during a meeting and I thought it was cute and wanted to write a story around it. But it didn’t take long for me to circle back to my memories about being little. So, I wrote a story about Mini who is the littlest pilgrim in her village and she just wants to help. Everyone tells her she’s too little for all the grown-up chores and duties, so she strikes out on her own and finds something she isn’t too little for: making a friend.
After The Littlest Pilgrim came out and hit the New York Times Best Seller list (you still have to pinch me about that one!), I was thrilled to be able to write another “littlest” book. As I started thinking about holiday themes, a picture of me in my first grade Christmas play popped into my mind.
I was one of the stars in the night sky (the yellow star in the green skirt, to be exact) leading Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. I had one line to recite in the play. And I was a very shy kid, so it was kind of terrifying to stand on that big, bright stage and speak my one line. I loved the idea of turning that around and writing about Max (the littlest kid in his class, of course). Max wants nothing more than to be the star of his school Christmas play and have a million lines to recite, but he ends up being the actual star with only one line.
So, as you can see I like to take memories of my own experiences from childhood and turn them slightly to the right or to the left – adjusting the lens a little bit and discovering a different character or story hidden there.
Now it’s your turn. Peruse a class picture from elementary school, dig through that box of handprint turkeys and leaf collages, or just reach back in your mind and find a childhood memory that you can turn to the right or to the left. Who or what is hidden there?
In addition to her two picture books, Brandi Dougherty is the author of three middle grade novels: Miss Fortune (Scholastic, 2010), The Friendship Experiment (Scholastic, 2009), and The Valentine’s Day Disaster (Scholastic, 2008). She worked in publishing in New York for eight years and now resides in San Francisco where she is mom to an adorable and rather spoiled dog. Visit her at www.brandidougherty.com.
28 comments
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November 3, 2010 at 9:44 am
M. G. King
Brandi, Thanks for sharing your childhood memories. Great reminder to unearth those thoughts and feelings from our own childhoods, for stories that ring true.
November 3, 2010 at 10:08 am
Pat Miller
I hadn’t thought about how little moments can be universal–I was trying to find “the big idea”. Thanks, Brandi, for pointing me in another direction.
November 3, 2010 at 10:09 am
Dana
Wow, Brandi. You’ve turned those “little” memories into big success.
Thanks for sharing a point of departure for generating new ideas.
November 3, 2010 at 10:28 am
Stephenie Hovland
Great idea! Time to sort through some early memories. I figure my life is too boring or ordinary, but maybe some little ideas are lurking.
November 3, 2010 at 10:30 am
Heather Kephart
Brandi, I found your post incredibly inspiring! Today’s idea… CHECK! Thank you. 🙂
November 3, 2010 at 11:02 am
Shannon O'Donnell
Yes! Great idea, Brandi. Thanks so much for the inspiration. 🙂
November 3, 2010 at 11:26 am
diandramae
Brandi, thanks for reminding us that our own memories are full of treasures. I think I’m going to move forward w/ a childhood memory that’s been tickling me for a while now.
November 3, 2010 at 11:32 am
Pam Jones
I think after this 30 days of ideas, I will continue with a book of memories and jot down the very things you talk about here. Very cool reminders on how we can grow great stories from our own. 🙂 Thank you.
November 3, 2010 at 11:45 am
Brandi Dougherty
Thank you all so much!
November 3, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Janice Green
Your book, The Littlest Pilgrim, was read over the intercom this morning for out school’s book of the month. What a surprise to find it in my PiBoIdMo email when I got home! I’m searching through my childhood memories looking for a story. I can think of lots of incidents… tweaking them into stories gets a little trickier, but I’m working on it.
November 3, 2010 at 12:54 pm
tara
Oh my gosh! How cool is that? What a fun coincidence!
November 3, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Janice Green
I did come up with one I really like. Thanks for the prodding!
November 3, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Melissa Liban
Thanks for the great post! I have three sisters, I’m sure I have plenty of memories to use, time to rack my brain!
November 3, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Brandi Dougherty
Wow! I can’t believe The Littlest Pilgrim was read at your school this morning, Janice. That’s amazing and so fun!
November 3, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Catherine Johnson
I often make up stories based on routines we used to have (like walking the dog) or places I’ve visited but haven’t thought about sibling issues. Now trying to rake up the memories of youth. Thank you Brandi
November 3, 2010 at 5:57 pm
Christie Wild
Thanks for sharing your childhood memories. I think I’ll have to pull out all my old journals. Surely there will be a good one in there somewhere.
November 3, 2010 at 6:54 pm
melangeofcultures
Hi Brandi,
I love your posting! My first book is about my experience with a stranded sea turtle . My second book due to be published in 2011 is about a half- sister I met for the first time. You have inspired me to dig deeper for more ideas. Thanks for the great inspiration.
Nicole Weaver
http://nicole-weaver.com
November 3, 2010 at 7:06 pm
katswhiskers
Brandi, your books sound so cute. (And the timing for Janice is amazing!) I will spend some time today pondering childhood experiences and draw an idea from there. My challenge. 🙂
November 3, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Donna Earnhardt
Good ideas and good post, Brandi. Thanks for sharing your insight!
November 3, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Ishta Mercurio
Your books sound fabulous – and you make a great point about needing to reach back into our memories for those kernels of an idea.
November 4, 2010 at 12:09 am
Loni Edwards
Thanks for a great post. I had so many ideas when I was done brainstorming after reading it. A couple of memories came to me that I had long forgotten about until today! Thank you!
November 4, 2010 at 12:53 am
Dorina Lazo Gilmore
I love the idea of taking childhood memories and turning them into stories. I think these can be the funniest and most authentic moments for kids to read about. All the crazy adventures I had in elementary school are perfect fodder for pictures books. I can’t wait to check out your books!
November 4, 2010 at 12:56 am
Brandi Dougherty
Thanks everyone for your great comments! And thank you, Tara – it’s so fun to be a part of PiBoIdMo!
November 4, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Lynn Anne Bemis
What an excellent idea for a series of PB’s. Being 5’2″ I was always told by my parents, “Good things come in small packages.”
Lynn~~
November 5, 2010 at 9:35 am
ccgevry
Both of these stories sound wonderful. I am a baby sister too, the youngest of three. My oldest sister is 7 years older than me and the Grand Canyon seemed smaller some days.
I have a scrapbook from when I was a kid that has many momentos. I look through it from time to time, but nothing has struck me yet; though that Scooby Doo type mystery I wrote when I was around 11 is in my hope chest just waiting to be reinvented.
All my best,
Cheryl
November 6, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Diana Murray
I love that you draw from your childhood to come up with ideas. That can make a story feel so personal and real. Thanks for your inspiring story!
November 6, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Connie Mustang
Brandi,
On your suggestion, I revisited my childhood. Thank you for the trip down memory lane. 🙂
November 9, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Lynne Marie
Another inspiring post! And again, I am loving the story behind the story. Thanks so much for sharing, Brandi!