November 17, 2012 12:01 am
It’s November 17th and I only have four ideas on my PiBo list. You know, little things like “no power for a large chunk of November” got in the way of starting on time. My kids were home from school for two solid weeks and spent a large part of that time crying because Halloween in NJ was canceled for the second year in a row!
But am I worried? No! I’ve been through this before. In fact, this is my fourth time participating in PiBoIdMo so I consider myself quite a pro. I will have no problem getting to 30 ideas by November 30th and here is why… I brainstorm in themes. I pick a topic or concept and run it to ground.
2011 was the year of the MONSTER.
My list looked like this:
I am currently working on #9 and #13.
2010 was the year of the DINOSAUR.
I took at stab at #8, but my real “winner” that year turned out not to be a dinosaur story after all!
2009 was the year of the FAIRY TALE
So far, three of these 2009 ideas have sold.
Then I sold #1.
And… are you ready for this?
Tara sold #10!
Tara had given me the idea for my Ninja Red story and I knew Tara used to skate competitively, so I suggested Little Red Gliding Hood to her one day. She loved it, wrote it and sold it to Heidi Kilgras at Random House.
So, if you’re stuck, pick a subject you love and run with it!
What’s my topic for 2012? Maybe… the year of the BLACK OUT.
Corey Rosen Schwartz is the author of HOP! PLOP! (Walker, 2006), THE THREE NINJA PIGS (Putnam, 2012), GOLDI ROCKS AND THE THREE BEARS (Putnam, forthcoming) and NINJA RED (Putnam, forthcoming). Corey has no formal ninja training, but she sure can kick butt in Scrabble. She lives with three Knuckleheads in Warren, NJ.
Corey is giving away a RHYMING picture book critique to a lucky PiBoIdMo’er who completes the 30-idea challenge. This is a fab opportunity for rhymers—after all, Corey’s one half of The Meter Maids!
Leave a comment to enter. If you also complete the challenge and sign the PiBo-Pledge in early December, you’ll be entered to win.
Good luck!
Posted by Tara Lazar
Categories: PiBoIdMo 2012
Tags: Corey Rosen Schwartz, Hop Plop, The Three Ninja Pigs
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My RHYMING PB MS is just crying to come and visit you. But with so many ideas after reading your post I hope I can polish it up in time!
By Terri on November 17, 2012 at 12:05 am
Hi Terri, we hope to revive Meter Maids really soon, so you can sub a stanza or two to us over there!
By Corey Schwartz on November 17, 2012 at 4:20 pm
I love your thematic ideas, Corey! Congratulations on your sold ideas! I’ll have to try this.
By tinamcho on November 17, 2012 at 12:09 am
I love the idea of brainstorming in themes! Many times I automatically think this way, but have only kept the decisive one on paper. Instead of crumpling up my related ideas, I am on a mission to save them now! Thank you!
By Carrie Ann Brown on November 17, 2012 at 12:09 am
Yes, always keep them all. You never know when one will morph into a winner! I actually ended up combining #3 and #8 on the Fairy Tale list to write TWINDERELLA! Hasn’t sold yet, but i am still hoping 🙂
By Corey Schwartz on November 17, 2012 at 4:21 pm
Thanks for the reminder that an idea doesn’t have to seem like gold from the beginning to have promise.
By Jen Carroll on November 17, 2012 at 12:12 am
Loved seeing your past lists! Thinking in themes right now….
By S.H. Sherlock on November 17, 2012 at 12:29 am
I love the theme idea! And I had no idea I was already kinda doing this. My theme has been heavy on TRAINS and MUSIC. I might just finish the month with this theme.
By Talynn Lynn on November 17, 2012 at 12:33 am
What a great idea–thinking in themes. I’m certainly going to use this to fill out my list
. I love the fact you ran with some ideas and they became great picture books! Thanks for your post!
By Sally Phillips on November 17, 2012 at 12:39 am
This is a fantastic idea. I love the themes you came up with. Have you ever blended any of the ideas into one story? I think that would be one of the strengths in doing this.
By Jennifer Reynolds on November 17, 2012 at 12:40 am
Yes, i did! As a matter of fact, I have a post about it.
http://coreyschwartz.blogspot.com/search?q=twinderella
By Corey Schwartz on November 17, 2012 at 4:23 pm
I often brainstorm in themes also. And have recently swapped PiBoIdMo ideas with a friend. She had one she wasn’t going to use and vice versa. We’ll see what becomes of the other ideas with a new person working on them. I love that Tara was able to use one of your ideas and sell it! Awesome!
By Rebecca Colby on November 17, 2012 at 12:51 am
Best of luck with the rest of PiBoIdMo. I don’t normally focus on a theme but have experienced how it can churn up a lot of different ideas in a short space of time… My most productive day during PiBoIdMo 2011 was 11 ideas in one day… the one day I really did focus on a theme (producing about 6 ideas in am hour).
By Gary Masskin on November 17, 2012 at 12:58 am
Thanks for sharing this post. I’m a second year participant who was starting to feel discouraged at my low numbers of ideas so far. You techniques maye just be the boost I need to get back on track!
By Christine Alemshah on November 17, 2012 at 1:04 am
Theming is a great way to brainstorm when I’m running dry or to stretch myself past the mundane. So I’m wonderin’, are you critiquing a rhyming manuscript, or will you critique it for us in rhyme!
By Joanne Roberts on November 17, 2012 at 1:04 am
Ha! Tara’s wording, not mine 🙂 But now that I am placing the accountability on her, let me also say.. Tara gave me the idea for Ninja Red!
By Corey Schwartz on November 17, 2012 at 4:26 pm
Brainstorming in themes is successful it seems. Thanks Corey, something I never considered, but I will definitely be putting that arrow in my draw-string quiver.
By Boo Stad on November 17, 2012 at 1:15 am
Brain storming is always a great way to get creativity on a roll.
By The Backdoor Artist - Mary Livingston on November 17, 2012 at 1:17 am
I love rhyming picture books and am keeping my fingers crossed that you can critique mine. Loved your brainstorming ideas, and I too find themes a great way to go. Three Ninja Pigs looks delicious!
By Nancy Gow on November 17, 2012 at 1:20 am
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. What a great idea to work in themes! It has unstuck me, or I should say will unstick me tomorrow when the day is new! Wonderful post Corey! Thanks so much for sharing!
By Elizabeth Stevens Omlor on November 17, 2012 at 1:50 am
Wow! Did you write manuscripts for all of your titles or just the ones you felt there was a story in?
By Saba on November 17, 2012 at 2:07 am
Oh my gosh, no! Not nearly all. In 2010, I wrote six PB manuscripts (I think five came directly or indirectly from my PiBo 2009 list) In 2011, I only wrote two. (it’s not that my 2010 list wasn’t good. It’s just.. you never know which ideas will get off the ground) I don’t even want to talk about 2012… I don’t have a single finished draft!
By Corey Schwartz on November 17, 2012 at 4:30 pm
I love “Coldy Locks and the Three Polar Bears” idea… funny! This is good, I was a little nervous because I’m a few days behind, and some nights after the kids get in bed I’ve been too tired to attempt anything. The theme idea is great to help me get a few ideas out fast. Thanks for the opportunity for the critique as well. I’d say that at least half of my picture book ideas are rhyming ones, so I’ll be crossing my fingers 🙂
By Angie Breault on November 17, 2012 at 2:10 am
Thanks, if you want Coldy Locks, it’s yours 🙂
By Corey Schwartz on November 17, 2012 at 4:31 pm
Ha ha, love it!!!!
By Marcy P. on November 17, 2012 at 3:53 am
My expectations of myself were set too high– 30 completely fresh and different ideas. Thinking in terms of themes should make things more manageable, I think. Thanks for the great post!
By Michelle Barnes on November 17, 2012 at 3:57 am
Love the theme idea. As of today, the 17th I have written thirteen story idea and was feeling behind until I read this. Don’t feel behind anymore! I’m getting ready to back through and theme every little thought. I love rhyme and kids love the rhythm of rhyme. Thank you Corey, for being here and for offering to talk rhyme with the winner. I’d love to win your prize, but I’m not ready to think of BiPo…to be over anytime soon.
By mona on November 17, 2012 at 5:19 am
I love your thematic strategy to brainstorming ideas. I think I’ll give it a shot!
By Laura Sassi on November 17, 2012 at 5:46 am
What an inspiring post! Thanks for this. I’m behind on ideas, and thinking in themes will help me run and catch up.
By Susan Halko on November 17, 2012 at 6:02 am
Super idea to theme it out! [i.e. #1, #2, #3, etc.]
Ha! So inspired by your post, Corey, my brainstorming is alive!! 😀
By Lori Mozdzierz on November 17, 2012 at 7:24 am
Thank you! Very helpful suggestions. A great post! 🙂
By rnewman504 on November 17, 2012 at 7:38 am
Great post! It’s very validating to know that a published author follows the same pattern as I do for PiBoIdMo. 🙂 LOVE the ninja stories! Thank you for the inspiration and the wonderful chance to win a critique from you!
By Beth Gallagher on November 17, 2012 at 7:39 am
I love that strategy! I think polar bears must be my theme this year. They seem to show up everywhere right now. Cool that Tara borrowed an idea and got itpublished. Yay for PiBoldMo.
By Catherine Johnson on November 17, 2012 at 7:40 am
Fabulous idea!
By Kathy May on November 17, 2012 at 7:51 am
Great post! I love the theme idea! Congratulations on selling 2 of your PiBoIdMo ideas…actually 3 if you count Tara’s book
By Sharon Putnam on November 17, 2012 at 8:06 am
I love to rhyme! And I love your idea of running a theme down to the ground. I need 10 more ideas, and now I feel like I can see the light at the end of November!
By Cindy Breedlove on November 17, 2012 at 8:12 am
What a great post, Corey! Love this idea! Can’t wait to try it out!
By Pat Haapaniemi on November 17, 2012 at 8:15 am
Corey,
How kind of you to share your lists from several years and your technique. Obviously brainstorming themes is a winner, plus just the right choice of words, characters, rhyme, and on and on. Oops, not too much on and on, the word count is limited. Corey, I wish you much success. I love the Ninja Pigs idea and I’m sure kids do too.
By lindamartinandersen on November 17, 2012 at 8:19 am
It is great hearing how different writers get their ideas!
I have one PB that is in rhyme, and know how hard it is to get just right. It has been revised many times, so maybe I’ll get lucky and get a critique from one of the Meter Maids.
By Rick Starkey on November 17, 2012 at 8:22 am
great idea: writing in themes. I do that too, for a few days at a time.
Black-out theme would be ideal for you, as well as what happened to halloween. 2 years in a row? Lack of power for a couple weeks: been there, done that. No fun. But convinced kids that pencils and hurricane lanterns worked for Lincoln so they could buck up to the challenge, too.
By Sue Heavenrich on November 17, 2012 at 8:28 am
great tip. thanks
By diane kress hower on November 17, 2012 at 8:31 am
Like making lemonade, you really have to squeeze those lemons from every direction!
By Pat on November 17, 2012 at 8:41 am
I worked in advertising. I used to do this sort of brainstorming all the time. Do I use the same technique for generating PB ideas? Duh! No. **smacks heel of palm against forehead** Thanks for the reminder.
By Carol Munro on November 17, 2012 at 8:45 am
Great idea! Thanks!
By Jennifer Faragitakis on November 17, 2012 at 8:46 am
I love that idea! Saving it for next year as I only need 4 more.
By Gail Kamer on November 17, 2012 at 8:46 am
So glad you made it through the storm! Brainstorming! Who’da thunk?? !! Thank you, thank you, for this BODACIOUS post! Those lists are great! Thanks for sharing! Okay! How many more exclamation points can I use?? Sheesh!!!!! *waves peace sign*
By Robyn Campbell on November 17, 2012 at 8:54 am
Love the theme idea. I think I will try this for the next week.
By Daryl Gottier on November 17, 2012 at 8:59 am
LOVE this!! I had to laugh, though. Every idea I honed in on from your list are the ones you did, too. Must be something to them. Keep working on the ones that haven’t sold yet!
By Valarie Giogas on November 17, 2012 at 9:17 am
Great stuff, thank you for the post!
By Kevin J. Doyle on November 17, 2012 at 9:26 am
Loved your post, Corey! And your theme-related idea generator tips! It was great to meet you at the Nat’l Press Club Book Festival in DC- and thank you for introducing me to Three Ninja Pigs – my kids were laughing out loud! I will be sure to pass it along to their school librarians as well :)! Your blog – the meter maids – is a wonderful (and funny) resource for writers of rhyming PBs! Thanks to you and Tiffany for your tips, and again to Tara for hosting this wonderful PB Idea-fest!
By Laura Lowman Murray on November 17, 2012 at 9:30 am
Hope all is well with you and your home. Thanks for the inspiration. I love the theme suggestion and will put it to good use.
By DaNeil Olson on November 17, 2012 at 9:32 am
Phew! This post gave me hope of coming up with 30 ideas. I thought I might be breaking some kind of rule by having so many related ideas! Thank you!
By Jennifer Glahn Reck on November 17, 2012 at 9:34 am
Brainstorming in themes – a very good idea! Especially after I woke up today and thought “I can’t think of anything anymore”.
By Nina Goebel on November 17, 2012 at 9:36 am
I usually just sit and write out random ideas as they come to me. This sounds like a good idea, I never thought to do this. I too, am guilty of feeling that each idea has to be something different altogether when in reality, I can just pick a subject and run with it. I will have to give it a try this month!
By Kelly Parker on November 17, 2012 at 9:45 am
Congrat’s. Love the themed ideas. Thanks for sharing.
By debraaelliott1960 on November 17, 2012 at 9:47 am
Can’t wait to decide what 2013 will be ! The year of the…
Thanks for the inspiration.
By Desiree B. on November 17, 2012 at 9:53 am
Congrats on your successes from using this fun method. I feel better about some of my ideas being variations on a theme, now! Thanks for giving us a peek inside your method.
By Keri Lewis on November 17, 2012 at 9:58 am
Wonderful post, Corey. I like the idea of themes. I did that somewhat last year without really thinking about it until I read your post. I didn’t do all one theme, but I had several themes that had 4-5 ideas each.
Since I absolutely love rhyme, you are a true inspiration! I look forward to your future books!!!
By Penny Klostermann on November 17, 2012 at 10:03 am
You guys are so nice to share ideas with each other.
By aneducationinbooks on November 17, 2012 at 10:05 am
Thanks, Corey. I LOVED your presentation for WriteOnCon. Your work is amazing! (Can you tell I’m a fan?)
By wendy greenley on November 17, 2012 at 10:07 am
I loved seeing your list and getting a peek into your thought process Corey. I also love the idea of sharing ideas you know you’re not going to use. I worked the fairy tale theme in 2010 too, but I’m still working on it. I’ll let you know if it sells someday – LOL.
Congratulations again on Three Ninja Pigs! We sure are in love with it here at our house.
By Julie on November 17, 2012 at 10:11 am
Corey…it was a happy day for me when we connected! I didn’t send you the ‘revised’ Boots of Dylan McGee…I know you’ve been overwhelmed with book launch/hurricane and all other matter of craziness. But I thank you so very much for this ‘golden nugget’ of creative writing genius that I will add to my 2012 PiBoIdMo treasure chest…brainstorm in themes…definitely an ‘ah-ha’ moment for me. 🙂 I’m going to be submitting a couple of rhyming pb’s (yes, Dylan is one of them) in the next month…and I’m grateful that you mentioned Heidi Kilgras…I’m happy to know she is still at Random House…I had kind of connected with her almost ten years ago…perhaps she’ll remember me…I’ll definitely send one to her. 🙂
By viviankirkfield on November 17, 2012 at 10:15 am
Congrats on your books and thanks for sharing your brain. Love how it works…. HiYa!!
By Deb on November 17, 2012 at 10:16 am
Theme of the year! I like this idea. You are brilliant!
By Genevieve Petrillo on November 17, 2012 at 10:17 am
Brainstorm in themes…Corey is a genius!!
By Carla on November 17, 2012 at 10:18 am
I like the theme idea. I had 35 ideas by Nov. 13, and then hit a small slump. I’ll try the themes to see if that helps. Thanks!
By Judy Cox on November 17, 2012 at 10:19 am
Yeah, for themes!
By Sue Frye on November 17, 2012 at 10:22 am
What a great idea. It’s kinda like relaxing your eyes and letting them cross. The world becomes fractured. And funny. Hmmmm, that gives me an idea. Thanks!
By Jill Proctor on November 17, 2012 at 10:28 am
Hiya, Corey!
What a great way to see your thoughts unfold. Thanks for this.
By Caroline Starr Rose on November 17, 2012 at 10:28 am
Great ideas! Thanks for the inspiration.
By Denise Richter on November 17, 2012 at 10:36 am
I love the idea of creating themed lists. gives the theme a good workabout.
Anjali
By Anjali Amit on November 17, 2012 at 10:41 am
Your post really resonated with me, Corey, because I tend to brainstorm in themes, too. But not always. Sometimes ideas, completely unrelated, come to me in waves… And sometimes they just dribble in, one drop at a time. I love that about the creative process… How random it is! And another thing– I also tend to write with rhyme… Can’t seem to help it. Oh to be able to complete something in pure prose!!
By Kim MacPherson on November 17, 2012 at 10:53 am
Bravo, Corey. Love those lists!
By Kristin Gray on November 17, 2012 at 10:59 am
To echo what others have said I appreciate you sharing your process. I will remove my mental filter and write all my ideas down instead of just the strongest. Thanks!
By Quinn Cole on November 17, 2012 at 11:11 am
Wow, so many amazing comments and I’d love to reply to each and every one, but I am off to a THREE NINJA PIGS event at Cesar- Kai Karate! i will check back later and try to give some individual responses!
By Corey Schwartz on November 17, 2012 at 11:02 am
Great idea. Now I just need to think of a good theme 🙂 PS. My kids love NINJA PIGS!
By Lori Alexander on November 17, 2012 at 11:03 am
Yesterday I sat in an empty conference room between meetings. I decided to put the time to good use and work on my ideas. I looked around for inspiration. Nothing but blank walls, a table, six chairs, and a door. So I picked a theme and ran with it. I was still writing when my next meeting started.
Great post.
By Bill Bibo on November 17, 2012 at 11:10 am
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing the way your ideas flow.
By Lisa Stauffer on November 17, 2012 at 11:14 am
Your helpful idea came at a perfect time!! (Getting a little stalled out around here…) THANK YOU!!
By michelleol on November 17, 2012 at 11:14 am
I’m a list-maker for everything else, but I never thought about theme-lists! What a great idea! Thank you for sharing your process!
By Maria Gianferrari on November 17, 2012 at 11:15 am
This sounds like a great system, but tell me this is not what happens with family meals! lol!
By julie rowan zoch on November 17, 2012 at 11:47 am
THANK YOU, Thank You THANK YOU! I was a couple ideas behind and worried (this is my first year). But after reading your themes and lists it niggled a memory in the deep childhood recesses of my brain and now I have a story idea w/so many notes I think it could make 2 stories.
By Laura Anne Miller on November 17, 2012 at 11:49 am
I love your idea of brainstorming in themes! What a power-packed way to go about it!
By B.J. Lee on November 17, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Thanks so much for sharing — loved reading about some of your past PiBoIdMo ideas. And, like you, I tend to think in themes AND titles. Sometimes a good title is all that you need to get you rollin’ (and glidin’)!
By Linda Lodding on November 17, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Thank you for sharing the idea of going with themes. I try so hard to come up with different ideas for each one, that it can be frustrating. I like the idea of themes.
By Ashley Bankhead on November 17, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Thanks for giving us insight into your brainstorming process. I too am way behind on generating ideas and now feel comfortable that I’ll be able to finish my 30 ideas in 30 days! Your ideas all had potential — how do you pick which one to work on?
By Margaret Greanias on November 17, 2012 at 12:50 pm
This is a great strategy. Most people I know would just keep thinking of the topic and only write down the one they liked the best. Way to go! And congratulations to both of you!
By Deb Lund on November 17, 2012 at 1:14 pm
Ooh great idea ! Now what will be hot in 2013?
By laurimeyers on November 17, 2012 at 1:51 pm
Great way to fill up your PiBoIdMo list!
By Lauri on November 17, 2012 at 1:52 pm
Love the idea of a theme list. Congrats on the upcoming books.
By Jennifer Rumberger on November 17, 2012 at 2:01 pm
it is nice to see that so many ideas from this has sold..
By Kimberly on November 17, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Corey, you wrote just what I needed. Thank you. And my heart goes out to you and others in NJ —- I hope all is better soon.
By Stephanie Shaw on November 17, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Thanks for the theme idea Corey, half way through it’s good to look at things from a different angle. Congratulations on getting your ideas into print.
By Catherine on November 17, 2012 at 2:18 pm
Cool idea!! Really have to give this one a try!
By mbeaversillustration on November 17, 2012 at 2:56 pm
great idea to run with a theme, so far i’m all over the place but we’ll see what happens!
By Rebecca Walton Evans on November 17, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Oh – thank you for this! I like getting what feels like an illicit peek into someone else’s list. And to take a particular theme and run with it is a great idea.
By Melanie Ellsworth on November 17, 2012 at 3:47 pm
Great ideas. For some reason, I thought I had to have completely separate ideas. But why not have them all linked by theme? I’ll definitely try it!
By Cindy on November 17, 2012 at 3:53 pm
thanks, corey! my mind kind of works this ways, so thanks for the tips to help me run with those thoughts!
By susan crites on November 17, 2012 at 4:02 pm
Love your idea # 9 for monsters–looking forward to seeing the result! Have fun. Thanks for sharing your brain-storming method.
Sallie Wolf
By Sallie Wolf on November 17, 2012 at 4:07 pm
Thanks so much for such a fabulous tip! I have 17 ideas and thought the “idea well” was sure to dry up soon. You gave me a great strategy for creating a passel of new ideas!
By bucherwurm65 on November 17, 2012 at 4:11 pm
Great post, I could really use a rhyming picture book critique!
By theitaliancob on November 17, 2012 at 4:19 pm
That’s what I call Organized Thinking! Thanks for sharing this Corey, it makes sense. Congratulations on your new book.
By Kathy Cornell Berman on November 17, 2012 at 4:19 pm
I like the idea of using a theme. I’m not doing PiBoIdMo this year, but you’ve sparked some ideas.
By Brianna Soloski on November 17, 2012 at 4:26 pm
Great post – and great ideas. Congrats on selling the stories.
By Angela Padron on November 17, 2012 at 4:52 pm
Ha! That’s great! My 2010 list (the only year I participated before this one) was the year of the dragon. I had at least 10 dragon ideas that year. I love the way you brainstorm, taking it so much farther than I’ve gone. Thanks, Corey! And glad your power’s back on. Big sob for canceling Halloween, though. Hey, there’s an idea there somewhere…
By JoanneRFritz on November 17, 2012 at 4:54 pm
I do the same thing with dragons too…don’t know why that particular obsession…glad to find its not cheating to have 28 dragons on a 30-idea list
By Stacy Couch on November 17, 2012 at 5:26 pm
I LOVE the theme idea! Your post inspired a good one right off the bat–thank you!
By LeslieG on November 17, 2012 at 5:27 pm
What a great idea! Themes! Thanks for the tip!
By Dawnyelle on November 17, 2012 at 6:03 pm
What a great idea, and thank you for sharing your lists. They helped me feel more confident about my ideas that only have 2 or 3 words to describe them. I always feel I need to outline the idea for it to count…
Now I’m off to try brainstorming a theme.
By Kim Mounsey on November 17, 2012 at 6:11 pm
Corey- I would love to win a rhyming PB critique with you!
By Natasha on November 17, 2012 at 6:34 pm
You have a lot of great ideas. My favorite is the monster who is ready to “graduate” from under a crib to under a bed. Very clever!
By Jenny Boyd on November 17, 2012 at 6:37 pm
Themes–what a great idea. I think I can get several ideas out of some of the ones already on the list. Thanks Corey!
By Carol Nelson on November 17, 2012 at 7:31 pm
Thanks for sharing. It’s fun to see other people’s idea lists- and even better- what came out of them!
By Kerri Kokias on November 17, 2012 at 8:05 pm
That is a wonderful idea for brainstorming. This is something that I’m going to try. Thank you.
By Mary Flynn on November 17, 2012 at 8:19 pm
Love this idea! Not doing PiBoIdMo this year, but I plan on keeping this idea handy!
By Joanna on November 17, 2012 at 8:56 pm
LOVE your new ninja book. Our public library final got a copy and I snatched it right off the shelf! It has been a re-read every night for the last several nights! Theme idea…LOVE IT! Can’t wait to try it! Thanks for a great post!
By h1jackson on November 17, 2012 at 8:57 pm
Great idea! I’ll definitely be giving this a try!
By Laura Renauld on November 17, 2012 at 9:17 pm
Thank you for these examples. I really appreciate your humor and down-to-earth-ness!
By Laura Thieman on November 17, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Thanks for sharing your thought process for PiBoIdMo. And congrats on all your success! 🙂 I laughed out loud at several of your ideas. I especially liked the dinosaur who isn’t ready to move from under the crib to under a bed. So funny! And also the poor bumblesauras tumblesauras. Best of luck to you as you work on your future PiBoIdMo success stories! 🙂
By Sheri Dillard on November 17, 2012 at 9:36 pm
Great post Corey. Always interesting to see into a writer’s process. I love the idea of brainstorming in theme batches.
By Tim McCanna on November 17, 2012 at 9:38 pm
This is a great method, Corey! I’m definitely going to try this. Also, I have to say I really like reading other people’s lists of ideas — it seems to spark my own. I think it would be fun to have an “idea vat” where we all toss in one idea we don’t think we’ll use.
By Carrie Finison on November 17, 2012 at 9:57 pm
I love this idea! Maybe you can start it in our 12×12 Facebook group!
By Corey Schwartz on November 18, 2012 at 12:52 am
Very helpful post! I’m going to go back through my list I’ve acquired so far and see where there are more ideas waiting to come out. 30 here I come!
By Deb B. on November 17, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Thank you for sharing your method of brainstorming in themes – it should be very helpful as I finish my list of 30 ideas!
By Rachel Smoka-Richardson on November 17, 2012 at 10:43 pm
What great ideas you have, Corey! Thanks for sharing. And congrats on your books. I hope I win your critique, because I like to write rhyming pbs.
By evelynchristensen on November 17, 2012 at 10:47 pm
I love this idea! I usually flock toward holidays.
By C. C. Gevry on November 17, 2012 at 10:58 pm
Corey, this is an interesting approach. I usually work via comparisons (I now realize, since you have me examining my thinking patterns). I also appreciate your ‘confession’ of how many ideas you have so far. I was soooo on-target last year and even in the year before in Picture Book Marathon, but this year – not so. I’ll get there and I’m numbering as I go, getting up earlier than early to add one more, and using my lunch hours, etc. I’d love to be included in the critique. I have a non-fiction manuscript in rhyme that I would like to move forward, but perhaps it needs another look and a few more facts…
By Elizabeth McBride on November 17, 2012 at 11:08 pm
Corey, you KNOW how much I love my copy of the Three Ninja Pigs and I, too, went with a theme this year…although sometimes a stray idea jumps in here and there. While I do have some stories in prose, I do find myself drifting toward rhyme quite often so a critique from you would be just the thing I need to sharpen my rhyming skills!
Donna L Martin
By Donna Martin on November 17, 2012 at 11:37 pm
Great post! You know, last year most of my ideas were theme-based and I almost felt like I was cheating a little bit. Now I see the value of doing things that way. This year, my ideas are all over the place. Perhaps I’ll try something a bit more themey too.
By Diana Murray on November 18, 2012 at 7:53 am
Great post – I love your theme-based technique.
By Angela De Groot on November 18, 2012 at 9:11 am
Creativity rubs off onto others. What fun ideas.
By Carolyn on November 18, 2012 at 9:41 am
Thanks! I love this technique!
By Laura Hamor (@LauraHamor) on November 18, 2012 at 10:18 am
I think you like pirates… 😉 Great titles!
By thiskidreviewsbooks on November 18, 2012 at 10:20 am
More great advice. I didn’t realize I was working in themes until I looked over my ideas for the month. For me family and cats seem to predominate.
By Bev Baird on November 18, 2012 at 10:29 am
I particularly like your monster ideas–I’m in the year of dragon right now. And what rhymes with dragon (other than flagon and wagon?). And I’m saggin’ and laggin’ on the idea front this year.
By Ellen L. Ramsey on November 18, 2012 at 10:43 am
Great interview! I really liked seeing your lists from the past few years.
By anniebailey7 on November 18, 2012 at 11:03 am
Brainstorming in themes makes sense. I’ve hit a dry spell so I need to give this a try! Thanks for a great post!
By Debra Shumaker on November 18, 2012 at 11:18 am
Oh, I just love the theme idea! Terrific! Thanks again for more inspiration.
By cekster on November 18, 2012 at 11:49 am
I’ve never tried a theme list but that sounds like a great idea. I’ll try it!
By Sally Matheny on November 18, 2012 at 11:57 am
Yes! Just let your mind go and write it all down, stream-of-consciousness really. Every thought has merit! Thx for the post!
By kirabigwood on November 18, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Themed brainstorming, such a great idea! It fits in with the way we taught kids to brinstorm when writing; we just called it webbing from a topic. I’m off to theme-storm!
By Gail Handler on November 18, 2012 at 12:58 pm
Happy to hear you’re having success with your sales, Corey! Congrats!!
(No rhyming stories for me, so you can leave me out of the drawing, Tara.)
By Rachel Hamby on November 18, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Brilliant! Thinking in themes opened up some new possibilities on some of my current ideas, thanks! You rock!
By sharann on November 18, 2012 at 2:06 pm
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! It is so great to see how your bright ideas during PiBoIdMo were made into picture books. I have been trying to come up with an idea a day to make the 30 day goal – so thinking about doing it in batches instead is a great idea!
By Kerry Mazengia on November 18, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Some great ideas and encouraging to see how well they turned out for you. This could take me in some new directions! Thanks 🙂
By cat jones on November 18, 2012 at 6:54 pm
I already have several themes to run with, so thanks!
By Larissa on November 18, 2012 at 8:31 pm
Thanks for the great post Corey! Congrats on all of your success!
By Loni Edwards (@LoniEdwards) on November 18, 2012 at 9:10 pm
Such an encouraging post! Love the 1 theme and run it into the ground. Will try this when I get to the end of the month and start to panic!
By lisajaynemurray on November 18, 2012 at 9:41 pm
Great post–and giveaway!–thank you, Corey!
By Jessica Shaw on November 18, 2012 at 11:28 pm
This “theme” approach totally rocks. Rocks in socks. Rocks in socks who pick locks. Rocks on a beach. Rocks who can’t roll. Rock-a-doodle-do. Big rocks. Little rocks. Pet rocks…Well now look what you’ve done. You’ve gone and inspired me 🙂 You rocks.
By Catherine on November 19, 2012 at 12:40 am
What a great idea, Corey! And apparently it works!! Look at all your success. Thanks for sharing.
By Marcie Colleen on November 19, 2012 at 6:50 am
Great ideas and congratulations on the success you’ve had with them. I’ve sometimes found that I overuse a them when I’m coming up with ideas, too.
By Janet Smart on November 19, 2012 at 8:35 am
Thank you for also showing us how a theme can progress and become more playful.Sometimes I get stuck at the first idea. It’s good to see the thought process,and how playing with a theme can conjure up some silliness!
By Amanda Smith on November 19, 2012 at 9:51 am
Hi Corey,
I love the idea of #9 and #13. Best of luck on those two.
Interesting advise to tear open one idea and concentrate on multiple fractured parts. What a way to focus. Thanks for the idea.
Lynn~~
By Lynn Anne Carol on November 19, 2012 at 10:18 am
This message is to say I seek
A rhyming picture book critique.
If Corey would only take a peek
To say if it’s good or could use a tweak.
By Rebecca Van Slyke on November 19, 2012 at 10:57 am
That is SO cool! I love the idea of doing themed ideas. Thank you so much.
By Christie Wright Wild on November 19, 2012 at 12:02 pm
this concept of doing the ideas by themes is so brilliant and such a good illustration of how to work a stream of thoughts… thank you for the inspiration! i see you were so close to mo willem’s new book too! great minds think alike!
By daniela weil on November 19, 2012 at 2:53 pm
I was feeling behind on ideas, too, so it was great to read the comments and see I wasn’t alone! Think I’ll start a theme, too!
By Michelle Proper on November 19, 2012 at 5:07 pm
Thanks Corey. When I think of themed ideas I try to list them all under one day, but if it gets near the end of the month I might start taking your track. I like it.
By Hannah Holt on November 19, 2012 at 5:22 pm
Thanks for the tip of working with Themes. I honestly hadn’t thought of that and I can see potential. Rhyming is a tough one for me, but who knows what I can come up with. Thanks!
By Debbie Mickelson on November 19, 2012 at 5:24 pm
I love reading this blog…when I get to it. Thanks! Happy T-Day.
By Kathy on November 19, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Corey, thanks for expanding our brains! The theme approach will help me tremendously with this challenge. – Damon Dean
By SevenAcreSky on November 19, 2012 at 8:38 pm
What a smart idea to brainstorm in themes! Thank you, Corey, for a great post!
By Lois Sepahban on November 19, 2012 at 9:56 pm
This is a great idea. I’m starting to run out of ideas so thinking in themes might help me.
By Lisa Olson on November 20, 2012 at 1:46 am
Thinking in themes is a brilliant idea!
By renajtraxel on November 20, 2012 at 3:07 am
Are we allowed to leave more than one comment? Winning your rhyming critique would be so helpful! (and generally awesome) Go Meter Maids!
By Natasha on November 20, 2012 at 10:45 am
Love it!
By janelle on November 21, 2012 at 12:43 am
I was actually thinking along these lines when at 5 in the morning, I read this post (I live in the UK). And then I went to a museum over the weekend and saw the perfect opportunity to use this technique – and now I have a central idea with different set of characters, all written to theme.
Thank you for sharing your secrets with us.
By csoundar on November 21, 2012 at 1:50 am
Love that you shared your process with such detail. I’d love a rhyming picture book critique!
By Frizz on November 21, 2012 at 9:39 am
It is encouraging to see your success stories from your process, and helps me realize to choose subject I REALLY like and play with the possibilities!
By Heather Soodak on November 21, 2012 at 5:13 pm
I’ve fallen behind the last couple of days, and this is just what I needed to get me back on track. There’s still hope! 🙂 Thanks for the peak inside your process, Corey!!!
By Laurie Ann Thompson on November 21, 2012 at 7:11 pm
Thanks so much for sharing your strategies and your lists. I take all the advice I can get so I will use your theme strategy as well. Love it!
By Kim Murray on November 22, 2012 at 7:07 am
Thanks for your post, Corey. I’m way behind on the challenge this year, but you have inspired me to keep coming up with ideas!
By karadhya on November 25, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Awesome post, Corey!! I love the idea of picking a theme and running with it. Just one problem – which theme?
By Lori Degman (@LoriDegman) on November 25, 2012 at 6:55 pm
Love the Theme Idea! I have several picture book dummies completed but was hesitant on sending them out since they are rhyming. Glad to hear that rhyming is back! Thanks for the ideas! Here’s one for you….Halloween On Hold!
By marylouisealucurto on November 26, 2012 at 3:52 pm
great post…i’ll make the toast..i can not boast…my rhyming not even clost.
By diane kress hower on November 26, 2012 at 5:12 pm
Great post! I hadn’t considered theme brainstorming. It makes so much sense! 😉
By diandramae on November 28, 2012 at 12:24 am
Oh, I definitely get stuck on themes! I haven’t been quite as successful with them as you–yet. 😉
By Cathy C. Hall on November 28, 2012 at 10:40 pm
Corey, I came back to say your theme brainstorming has really stuck in my head. I have been looking for too many random ideas, instead of chewing on one.
By Kathryn Ault Noble on November 30, 2012 at 2:35 am
I look forward to seeing #9 (from 2011) sold and published soon. Sounds great.
By Brian Humek on November 30, 2012 at 11:50 pm
Wonderful post! I love the theme idea. Tried it today and it totally worked for me! Thanks!!!!
By Kristiane Pedersen on December 12, 2012 at 12:49 am
Wonderful! I’m also loving the theme idea!
By kdveiten on November 25, 2014 at 11:09 am
I LOVE this idea…. it fits the way my brain works so well! Thanks, Corey
By Cindy Williams Schrauben on November 26, 2014 at 12:00 am
Corey, your dreaming up ideas thru theme-ing seems to be some handy scheme-ing. Great approach…and evidently a productive one. Thanks for sharing your story birthing process.
By SevenAcreSky on November 29, 2014 at 10:12 am
Again….Ha! Thought this was a 2014 post I had missed. A twitter post got me here. Still great.
By SevenAcreSky on November 29, 2014 at 10:16 am