In 2009, I was humming the rejection blues when I spotted Tara’s post on Verla Kay’s Blueboards. PiBoIdMo sounded like just the sort of creative kick in the pants that I needed. And boy, am I glad I took up the challenge, because it started an exciting chain of events.
One of my ideas led to a picture book manuscript for which I was awarded the SCBWI Barbara Karlin Grant in 2010. I’m normally a pretty shy person, but after that, I would often catch myself singing “Zippity doo-da…” in public (much to the dismay of anyone within earshot).
When I emailed Tara to thank her, she invited me to share my story. Another exciting moment! And now, a few years and many revisions later, here I am with a sing-out-loud-worthy update. After signing with Brianne Johnson of Writers House, GRIMELDA, THE VERY MESSY WITCH—the manuscript I based on a 2009 PiBoIdMo idea—sold in a two-book deal to Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins. Plus, another manuscript, NED THE KNITTING PIRATE: A SALTY YARN, sold to Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan. Both are scheduled to be released in 2014. I hope my neighbors have industrial-strength ear plugs.
Speaking of singing, here’s a bit of inspiration to help you begin your own exciting chain of events.
If you’ve ever watched Glee, you’re probably familiar with the concept of the “mash-up”. This is when you take two different songs and smash them together to produce something new.
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Bon Jovi and Usher? Who knew that could work?
And it can work with writing as well. The great thing about mash-ups is that they can give your story an immediate sense of conflict. And when you mix concepts that don’t normally go together, you can potentially create something unexpected and fresh. You can also create something really weird, like “Trucks at the Ballet” or “Pet Rock for President!”. But remember, one person’s weird is another person’s unique, funny, and/or intriguing. It’s all about execution (well, and also personal preference). In order to nail the execution, it helps if the idea is something you relate to. Something you connect with on a personal level. That will give you the passion you need to see it through.
By the way, when I posted on Tara’s blog in 2010, I mentioned one of my “bad” ideas about a do-everything hat. I believe it was called “Mabel’s Amazing Hat”. Well, I ended up giving that idea a sporty twist. The new title is “Automatic Baseball Hat” and I recently sold it as a poem to Highlights magazine. So you can even make your bad ideas work for you! And I’m not so sure there’s such a thing as a bad idea at all.
Now get out there and mash it up!
Diana Murray is a picture book author and poet represented by Brianne Johnson at Writers House. She lives in New York City with her husband, two very messy children, and a goldfish named Pickle. For more information, visit her website or follow her on Twitter @DianaMWrites.
96 comments
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November 10, 2012 at 12:29 am
lisajaynemurray
great post!
November 10, 2012 at 12:36 am
Talynn Lynn
I love mash ups in YA, so why not try out a mash up for my picture book? I’m already thinking of which two I want to mash together. Oh boy am I ready to go write right now. Thanks for sharing!!
November 10, 2012 at 12:40 am
Linda Moore
Thanks for the monster mash of an idea!
November 10, 2012 at 12:46 am
tinamcho
Wonderful PiBoIdMo stories, Diana. I hope I can make all my ideas work, too!
November 10, 2012 at 1:30 am
Rebecca Colby
Congratulations on PB successes, Diana! I love mash ups too and plan to do some major mashing now! Cheers!
November 10, 2012 at 2:09 am
ray hunt
I should have waited to be number 7…
I have a few fun ideas and more coming! Rally caps to you!
November 10, 2012 at 2:49 am
Cath Jones
This is my first year taking part in PiBoldMo (only learned of it on the 3rd of November) and I can so relate to your post. I’ve got 17 new ideas written down already and my brain is humming! It really is the creative kick up the proverbial that I needed. Love the idea of mash ups (a new term for me). Your success is inspirational! 🙂
November 10, 2012 at 2:57 am
Loni Edwards (@LoniEdwards)
Congrats, Diana, on your success with PiBo! Thanks for the idea of using a mash up. You just gave me a couple of ideas. 🙂
November 10, 2012 at 4:56 am
mona
Congratulations, Diana!
Mash up, yes!
Thank you
I hope you’re safe and warm.
November 10, 2012 at 6:03 am
Marcy P.
Wow, I love success stories! Thanks for sharing yours! And the reminder to make things that don’t normally go together… go together 🙂
November 10, 2012 at 7:07 am
lindamartinandersen
Diana,
Congratulations! Love your mash-up suggestions. Gonna try it!
November 10, 2012 at 7:21 am
Kimberly Thompson Strickler
WOW! Congratulations, Diana.
I’m almost finished with a new manuscript that came from a PiBoIdMo idea. I plan to submit it for critique at a conference this January. I never thought about using my notebook for other types of writing. I may need to pull out last year’s list and take another look. Thanks!
November 10, 2012 at 7:23 am
Laura Anne Miller
Thanks, Diana for your story. (My husband is the Crocheting Pastor… 🙂
And Congrats on your books!!
November 10, 2012 at 7:40 am
Diana Murray
Sounds like you have some great inspiration! 🙂
November 10, 2012 at 7:39 am
Diana Murray
Thanks everybody! Sorry I couldn’t get a better video clip in there. I had some technical difficulties. In hindsight, I probably should have just put up a photo of my Run DMC/Aerosmith LP from 1986. Remember “Walk This Way”? That’s the first mash-up type of song I remember hearing. Anyway, I’ll be glad if this post helps spark some ideas. Happy writing!
November 10, 2012 at 7:46 am
laurasalas
Congratulations, Diana! I love mash-ups–Ned the Knitting Pirate: A Salty Yarn sounds fantastic!
November 10, 2012 at 7:49 am
Diana Murray
Thanks, Laura! 🙂
November 10, 2012 at 7:48 am
Carrie Finison
Diana, you really are an inspiration. Congratulations again on your successes! I love the mashup idea. So far most of my PiBoIdMo ideas have just popped into my head, but I think now is about time to actually do some deliberate brainstorming. Thanks!
November 10, 2012 at 11:35 am
Diana Murray
“Deliberate brainstorming”–I like the sound of that!
November 10, 2012 at 7:50 am
Laura Sassi
Another wonderfully inspirational post! Time for a little mash-up for me! =)
November 10, 2012 at 8:00 am
Robyn Campbell
SWEET!!!! What a wonderful post! I am thinking of some mash-ups right now. You have inspired me. Yippee!!! Thank you, thank you!
November 10, 2012 at 8:07 am
Holly Boker
Love it Diana! No such thing as a bad idea and mashups. . . . I’m going to ponder that.
November 10, 2012 at 8:23 am
Sue Poduska
Congrats on the ideas coming to fruition! Mash ups are great places to start.
November 10, 2012 at 8:52 am
Pat Haapaniemi
Wonderful post, Diana! The mash-up idea really gives us a totally different way of looking at things – thanks! And, Ned The Knitting Pirate: A Salty Yarn – what a great title! Can hardly wait to read that one!
November 10, 2012 at 8:54 pm
Diana Murray
Thanks, Pat!
November 10, 2012 at 9:08 am
The Backdoor Artist - Mary Livingston
oh, good thoughts. Thanks.
November 10, 2012 at 9:09 am
Sheri Dillard
Fun post, Diana! Congratulations on your upcoming books! I love a good salty yarn! (And messy witches, too.) 🙂 Oh, and I had to stop this reply mid-way through to jot down a PiBoIdMo idea — so thank you for the inspiration! 🙂
November 10, 2012 at 11:35 am
Diana Murray
Wow! Inspired mid-way through your reply? Wonderful!! Thanks, Sheri. 🙂
November 10, 2012 at 9:29 am
Jarm Del Boccio
What a great idea, Diana! I will keep my eyes and ears open for a “mash-up” opportunity today…
November 10, 2012 at 9:35 am
LA
I love the title of your pirate book. I am challenged to bring forward one solid idea! I might have to let your mashed up stew for a while. 🙂
November 10, 2012 at 10:17 am
Joanne Roberts
Hmm, I’m definitely using this idea on a day when the ideas are slow. Thanks. Mash-ups are often the books I reach for first at the library, so why haven’t I written one before?
November 10, 2012 at 10:23 am
viviankirkfield
Hurray! Another golden nugget for my PiBoIdMo treasure chest! What a smashingly good idea…mash-ups. 🙂
Congratulations, Diana, on your pb successes…this is my first PiBoIdMo…and the value of participating in something like this is priceless…thank you for sharing part of your journey…you are an inspiration!
November 10, 2012 at 11:38 am
Diana Murray
So glad you think my small nugget is treasure-chest-worthy! And I’m happy to hear you’re enjoying PiBoIdmo. Me too! 🙂
November 10, 2012 at 10:42 am
Sharon Calle
“There is no such idea as a bad idea.” I love this! It makes you rethink any idea until you can make it work. Don’t give up!
November 10, 2012 at 11:01 am
Judy Cox
My first picture book, THE WEST TEXAS CHILI MONSTER, was a mash-up sci-fi tall tale. It was rejected several times as being “too strange” before finding a home. The moral of the story: Keep sending your manuscripts out!
November 10, 2012 at 11:41 am
Diana Murray
Thanks for sharing that, Judy. Your book sounds really fun! I love sci-fi. I almost gave up on my idea many times as well. Hurray for stubborn determination!
November 10, 2012 at 11:14 am
Genevieve Petrillo
Mash-up. For sure!
November 10, 2012 at 11:30 am
Sharon Putnam
Congratulations, on your success with PiBoIdMo!! I already have a couple of ideas using the mash up technique.
Can’t wait to read Ned the Knitting Pirate: A Salty Yarn and Grimelda: The Very Messy Witch!
November 10, 2012 at 11:33 am
Debra Shumaker
Love the idea of a mash-up. Maybe I can come up with a good one for Idea #14. . . .
November 10, 2012 at 11:46 am
Diana Murray
Or even a bad one! You never know what it might lead to. Happy idea-making! 🙂
November 10, 2012 at 11:49 am
Elizabeth Rose Stanton
” And I’m not so sure there’s such a thing as a bad idea at all.” What a good idea! 🙂 …and what a great post! Thanks for giving me this little push this morning–now I’m off to go mash it up! 🙂
November 10, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Ashley Bankhead
This was a great post. I,too, watch glee, and I hadn’t thought about the fact that my picture books could be mash-ups, too. What a great idea, and a very good post. It makes me want to get out and write and do a little mashing.
November 10, 2012 at 1:27 pm
B.J. Lee
What a great post, Diana! I love the idea of a mash-up, another tool in my toolbox of pb generators! So happy for your success, my friend! 🙂
November 10, 2012 at 1:52 pm
Jenny Boyd
Congratulations on your accomplishments! I’ll be sure to use the mash-up as one of my November ideas. How fun!
November 10, 2012 at 3:10 pm
Stacy Couch
Love the mash-up, already inspired by the ballet…some things deliciously wrong in tutus
November 10, 2012 at 4:36 pm
Laura Renauld
My kids’ favorite show is Dinosaur Train. Talk about a mash-up! And it really works. My thinking cap is on…
November 10, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Diana Murray
Great example! My kids love that show too.
November 10, 2012 at 4:57 pm
Penny Klostermann
“But remember, one person’s weird is another person’s unique, funny, and/or intriguing.” LOVE this….because I think I tend toward the weird being unique, funny, and intriguing to me! My Barbara Karlin Runner-Up idea was described by one of the judges as a mash-up. I loved those words! She said it reminded her of some of the popular picture books on the market such as “Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site”. When I wrote it, I have to admit that I wasn’t very savvy about the term “mash-up”.
I love the way you have “mashed it up”!!!! As I read your post, I imagined that “I Love Lucy” episode where she is mashing up the grapes…the one on Pretty Woman when Julia Robert was watching TV. Maybe we should all buy a big bucket and fill it full of ideas on strips of paper, stomp around, and then start pulling out our “mash ups” 🙂
Great post, Diane. You have inspired me! Now…off to do some major mashing.
November 10, 2012 at 6:01 pm
Diana Murray
Ha! I love that Lucy episode! I definitely gravitate toward the quirky concepts myself. Sounds like you already have one winning mash-up in your inventory! Let’s hope we can both squash out some more! (Love your bucket idea.) 🙂
November 10, 2012 at 5:20 pm
cekster
Since I don’t watch Glee, I would have never been turned on to this wonderful mash-up concept if I had not read this post. PIBoIdMo rocks for many reasons. Thanks for the inspiration!
November 10, 2012 at 6:06 pm
Dawnyelle
What a grand idea! Thank you for the inspiration!
November 10, 2012 at 6:11 pm
Kristiane Pedersen
I loved your post! It was wonderful to hear you have a shy side. I struggle with the confidence to share my work. I have soooo many stories that are sitting in drawers, under my bed, buried in my closet, or locked safely in my mind. You’ve given me a real boost, I can do this. I don’t have to be perfect and neither do my stories….everyone’s a little quirky! Thanks! How about this for my mash-up story, an opera singing Lion that is too shy and terrified to sing. He’ll have to muster up some courage…and fast!
November 10, 2012 at 7:23 pm
Diana Murray
So glad to hear my post gave you a boost! It’s common to feel shy about sharing your work with others, especially if you tend to be an introvert (like so many writers out there!). But it’s a crucial step in the process. Nobody expects a first draft to be perfect. That’s where revisions come in! Anyway, it sounds like you’re off to a running start. Good thinking to draw on your own experience as a source of inspiration. Best of luck to you! 🙂
November 10, 2012 at 8:10 pm
Linda Graden
Congratulations, Diana! Thanks for the cool ideas! I can’t wait to check out the knitting pirate. Sounds hysterical!
November 10, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Diana Murray
Thanks, Linda!
November 10, 2012 at 8:17 pm
Gayle C. Krause
Hey Diana. Your mash-up stories are like my fractured ones. 🙂 Great post.
November 10, 2012 at 8:51 pm
Diana Murray
You’re right, Gayle! We like to shake things up, don’t we. 🙂
November 10, 2012 at 9:25 pm
C. C. Gevry
Wow! What a great story. Congratulations. Thanks for the inspiration.
November 10, 2012 at 9:37 pm
Jodi Moore
What a great idea…I love everything ELSE mashed! 😉 Thanks for sharing!!!
November 10, 2012 at 9:49 pm
Lynn Anne Carol
What a happy smile you have, Diane. I love the hat story, I seem to wear them often, they’re so defining.
What a great idea to mix things up — kinda like fruity V-8 juice, Who’d a thought it?
Thanks for the great advise. Best to you.
Lynn~~
November 10, 2012 at 10:07 pm
Maria Gianferrari
I love Glee mash-ups, and what a great idea for PBs–thanks for your inspirational post, Diana!
November 11, 2012 at 12:36 am
Angie Breault
LOVE this! Having a blast with the challenge so far, and I’m inspired to try this “mashing” technique for one of my upcoming ideas 🙂
November 11, 2012 at 2:03 am
Rachel Hamby
I love the mash-up idea. Thanks for sharing your story!
November 11, 2012 at 6:52 am
Julie Falatko
Mash-up! What a great idea! It’s making me look at some of my ideas that are maybe 75% good ideas, and think about combining them (to make 150% of a good idea?).
November 11, 2012 at 7:30 am
Diana Murray
Absolutely! Shoot for 150%.
November 11, 2012 at 8:37 am
Lori Mozdzierz
Super news on the book deals, Diana! Mash-up is a fun idea 😀
November 11, 2012 at 9:23 am
Therese nagi
Thanks for sharing the clever mashing idea! Congratulations on your two new books!
November 11, 2012 at 9:40 am
Angela De Groot
I love this – mashing stuff together. What a fun way to generate ideas.
As for Ned the Knitting Pirate – the title has me laughing so I can’t wait to read the book.
November 11, 2012 at 11:44 am
mbeaversillustration
Great post – Love mush-ups of all kinds! -m.
November 11, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Debbie Austin
I love the title Ned the Knitting Pirate: A Salty Yarn. That tickles me funny bone. Arrrr!
November 11, 2012 at 8:11 pm
Diana Murray
Thanks again, PiBoIdMo peeps! And thanks to Tara. 🙂
November 11, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Roelant Dewerse
Thanks Diana. I think about half of my ideas are mash-ups or twists on something familiar. Your song idea made me think of a couple of rock take-offs or spoofs, including “Eat It” (vs Michael Jackson’s “Beat It”). Good tip about keeping it close to something we relate to.
November 11, 2012 at 8:52 pm
Diana Murray
Gotta love Weird Al!
November 11, 2012 at 8:42 pm
thiskidreviewsbooks
Great post! 🙂 I like the title of Ned the Knitting Pirate (does he have a hook?)! 🙂
November 11, 2012 at 9:04 pm
Diana Murray
Thanks, Erik! Well, I haven’t seen illustrations yet, but I’m betting Ned does have a knitting hook. There’s another character in the story that has a pirate hook. Also, I’m hoping the book itself has a good hook. So I guess hooks abound! 🙂
November 12, 2012 at 8:14 am
Donna L Martin
I love the idea of “mashing” things up…and I wonder why I didn’t think of that before? Lol…great post, Diana!
November 12, 2012 at 11:12 am
Carol Nelson
Great post, I love the idea of conflicting concepts.
November 12, 2012 at 11:28 am
Marcie Colleen
Thanks for the great post, Diana! I just returned from the NJ SCBWI Craft Weekend and there was much talk about mash-ups. I am definitely looking forward to experimenting with some.
November 12, 2012 at 3:05 pm
stephseclecticinterests
These success stories are super fantastic. Thanks for sharing yours.
November 12, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Brook Gideon
A fun way to look for a new story! Thanks for sharing!
November 12, 2012 at 6:04 pm
Cathy Ballou Mealey
I would love to know how Pickle the goldfish got her/his name! Thanks for an inspiring post. I know have the oddest craving for mashed potatoes…
November 13, 2012 at 9:14 am
Diana Murray
I’ll have to ask my daughter about that one! Mmmm. Mashed potatoes…
November 12, 2012 at 6:49 pm
Kathryn Ault Noble
I would not have thought that mixing conflicting thoughts would work, but I am willing to give it a try! Thanks, Diana!
November 13, 2012 at 2:28 am
Anjali Amit
Salty yarns as a pirates knitting wool?! Thanks for the great ideas.
Anjali
November 13, 2012 at 10:25 am
susan crites
another fun post – thank you!
November 13, 2012 at 11:24 am
Melanie Ellsworth
Thank you! This was very helpful advice. When I write, I tend to write gentle, theme-based books, and I know that I need to work on developing conflict. Mash-ups should help me by generating that instant conflict.
November 13, 2012 at 11:29 pm
Lori Grusin Degman
Congrats on your s-mashing success!! I love the idea of mash-ups – now I just need to think of one! BTW – I love the knitting pirate – yarn pun 🙂
November 14, 2012 at 7:27 am
Diana Murray
Thanks, Lori! 🙂
November 16, 2012 at 11:34 am
Jill Proctor
You’ve got me thinking. And I look forward to reading your books. I hope there’s plenty of room for pirate books. I love writing them. (My husband is your typical one-eyed pirate…my inspiration.) Thank you!
November 16, 2012 at 11:41 am
Diana Murray
Ha ha! My husband does a great pirate accent too.
November 16, 2012 at 7:48 pm
Debbie Mickelson
Congrats on your successes, Diana. That in itself is inspiring. I too am participating in PiBoIdMo in hopes of finding inspiration and get active in the creative process. I’m already finding that the accountability has opened my mind to ideas in new places, including from your post. Thanks.
November 17, 2012 at 12:14 am
Carrie Ann Brown
This is really helping me produce some good brainstorms! Thanks!
November 17, 2012 at 7:38 pm
Elaine Kearns
Congrats! I can’t wait to buy your books!!
November 18, 2012 at 10:34 am
Laura Hamor (@LauraHamor)
I was stuck ~ now I am going mash-it-up! Thanks!
November 18, 2012 at 4:05 pm
SevenAcreSky
Thanks, such a great strategy for injecting conflict into story. Great post!
November 20, 2012 at 1:50 am
Lisa Olson
Great post!