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:
- Monster – Mistaken identity?
- Monster Mash (Monster Math?)
- Midnight Monster
- Monster in the Middle
- Mister Monster
- Monster who really wants a brother
- Attention Hog (yes, other things creep in! ☺)
- Monster who has bad dreams?
- Monster who is not ready for something? To move from under a crib to under a bed?
- Mini Monster
- Mini Me
- Monster who eats vowels
- Piwate Twouble
- Monster who is over-scheduled
I am currently working on #9 and #13.
2010 was the year of the DINOSAUR.
- Piratosaur – or Pira-saurus? Plundersaurus?
- Pizza-saurus or pasta-saurus – picky eater?
- Diapersaurus – toilet training?
- Tumblesaurus – dino who is the worst in her gymnastics class (Pike-a-saurus, stretch-a-saurus, bend-a-saurus, tuck-a-saurus) – handsprings, somersaults, cartwheels, splits- they nickname her bumblesaurus
- The Drama Queen
- Add-a-saurus, Minus-saurus
- Dino-snores
- Tyrannosaurus Specs – dinosaur who wears glasses
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
- Three Ninja Pigs sequel with Little red Riding Hood? Ninja Red?
- Technology- twisted tale with email, cell phone, digital camera. Goldilocks? Goes to three bears’ house and fixes all their gadgets?
- Fractured fairy tale with a surprise twin? Goldilocks has a twin sister, or Little red? Little Pink? Tawnylocks?
- Princess who is the bad guy? Could she be the villain in a surprise twist? A princess who is a pathological liar or something?
- Goldilocks and the Three Pirate Bears
- Goldi Rocks and the Three Bear Band
- Goldilocks shows her daughter an album of the three bears and daughter decides to pay them a visit? (tied to #24?)
- Using fairy tales to teach fractions. Goldilocks and the three and a half bears? How can you have half a bear? Bear in Mommy’s tummy? Could mama bear deliver right in the middle of the story?
- Coldylocks and the Three Polar Bears
- Little Red Gliding Hood
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!
185 comments
Comments feed for this article
November 17, 2012 at 12:05 am
Terri
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!
November 17, 2012 at 4:20 pm
Corey Schwartz
Hi Terri, we hope to revive Meter Maids really soon, so you can sub a stanza or two to us over there!
November 17, 2012 at 12:09 am
tinamcho
I love your thematic ideas, Corey! Congratulations on your sold ideas! I’ll have to try this.
November 17, 2012 at 12:09 am
Carrie Ann Brown
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!
November 17, 2012 at 4:21 pm
Corey Schwartz
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 🙂
November 17, 2012 at 12:12 am
Jen Carroll
Thanks for the reminder that an idea doesn’t have to seem like gold from the beginning to have promise.
November 17, 2012 at 12:29 am
S.H. Sherlock
Loved seeing your past lists! Thinking in themes right now….
November 17, 2012 at 12:33 am
Talynn Lynn
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.
November 17, 2012 at 12:39 am
Sally Phillips
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!
November 17, 2012 at 12:40 am
Jennifer Reynolds
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.
November 17, 2012 at 4:23 pm
Corey Schwartz
Yes, i did! As a matter of fact, I have a post about it.
http://coreyschwartz.blogspot.com/search?q=twinderella
November 17, 2012 at 12:51 am
Rebecca Colby
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!
November 17, 2012 at 12:58 am
Gary Masskin
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).
November 17, 2012 at 1:04 am
Christine Alemshah
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!
November 17, 2012 at 1:04 am
Joanne Roberts
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!
November 17, 2012 at 4:26 pm
Corey Schwartz
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!
November 17, 2012 at 1:15 am
Boo Stad
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.
November 17, 2012 at 1:17 am
The Backdoor Artist - Mary Livingston
Brain storming is always a great way to get creativity on a roll.
November 17, 2012 at 1:20 am
Nancy Gow
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!
November 17, 2012 at 1:50 am
Elizabeth Stevens Omlor
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!
November 17, 2012 at 2:07 am
Saba
Wow! Did you write manuscripts for all of your titles or just the ones you felt there was a story in?
November 17, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Corey Schwartz
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!
November 17, 2012 at 2:10 am
Angie Breault
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 🙂
November 17, 2012 at 4:31 pm
Corey Schwartz
Thanks, if you want Coldy Locks, it’s yours 🙂
November 17, 2012 at 3:53 am
Marcy P.
Ha ha, love it!!!!
November 17, 2012 at 3:57 am
Michelle Barnes
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!
November 17, 2012 at 5:19 am
mona
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.
November 17, 2012 at 5:46 am
Laura Sassi
I love your thematic strategy to brainstorming ideas. I think I’ll give it a shot!
November 17, 2012 at 6:02 am
Susan Halko
What an inspiring post! Thanks for this. I’m behind on ideas, and thinking in themes will help me run and catch up.
November 17, 2012 at 7:24 am
Lori Mozdzierz
Super idea to theme it out! [i.e. #1, #2, #3, etc.]
Ha! So inspired by your post, Corey, my brainstorming is alive!! 😀
November 17, 2012 at 7:38 am
rnewman504
Thank you! Very helpful suggestions. A great post! 🙂
November 17, 2012 at 7:39 am
Beth Gallagher
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!
November 17, 2012 at 7:40 am
Catherine Johnson
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.
November 17, 2012 at 7:51 am
Kathy May
Fabulous idea!
November 17, 2012 at 8:06 am
Sharon Putnam
Great post! I love the theme idea! Congratulations on selling 2 of your PiBoIdMo ideas…actually 3 if you count Tara’s book
November 17, 2012 at 8:12 am
Cindy Breedlove
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!
November 17, 2012 at 8:15 am
Pat Haapaniemi
What a great post, Corey! Love this idea! Can’t wait to try it out!
November 17, 2012 at 8:19 am
lindamartinandersen
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.
November 17, 2012 at 8:22 am
Rick Starkey
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.
November 17, 2012 at 8:28 am
Sue Heavenrich
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.
November 17, 2012 at 8:31 am
diane kress hower
great tip. thanks
November 17, 2012 at 8:41 am
Pat
Like making lemonade, you really have to squeeze those lemons from every direction!
November 17, 2012 at 8:45 am
Carol Munro
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.
November 17, 2012 at 8:46 am
Jennifer Faragitakis
Great idea! Thanks!
November 17, 2012 at 8:46 am
Gail Kamer
I love that idea! Saving it for next year as I only need 4 more.
November 17, 2012 at 8:54 am
Robyn Campbell
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*
November 17, 2012 at 8:59 am
Daryl Gottier
Love the theme idea. I think I will try this for the next week.
November 17, 2012 at 9:17 am
Valarie Giogas
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!
November 17, 2012 at 9:26 am
Kevin J. Doyle
Great stuff, thank you for the post!
November 17, 2012 at 9:30 am
Laura Lowman Murray
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!
November 17, 2012 at 9:32 am
DaNeil Olson
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.
November 17, 2012 at 9:34 am
Jennifer Glahn Reck
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!
November 17, 2012 at 9:36 am
Nina Goebel
Brainstorming in themes – a very good idea! Especially after I woke up today and thought “I can’t think of anything anymore”.
November 17, 2012 at 9:45 am
Kelly Parker
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!
November 17, 2012 at 9:47 am
debraaelliott1960
Congrat’s. Love the themed ideas. Thanks for sharing.
November 17, 2012 at 9:53 am
Desiree B.
Can’t wait to decide what 2013 will be ! The year of the…
Thanks for the inspiration.
November 17, 2012 at 9:58 am
Keri Lewis
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.
November 17, 2012 at 10:03 am
Penny Klostermann
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!!!
November 17, 2012 at 10:05 am
aneducationinbooks
You guys are so nice to share ideas with each other.
November 17, 2012 at 10:07 am
wendy greenley
Thanks, Corey. I LOVED your presentation for WriteOnCon. Your work is amazing! (Can you tell I’m a fan?)
November 17, 2012 at 10:11 am
Julie
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.
November 17, 2012 at 10:15 am
viviankirkfield
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. 🙂
November 17, 2012 at 10:16 am
Deb
Congrats on your books and thanks for sharing your brain. Love how it works…. HiYa!!
November 17, 2012 at 10:17 am
Genevieve Petrillo
Theme of the year! I like this idea. You are brilliant!
November 17, 2012 at 10:18 am
Carla
Brainstorm in themes…Corey is a genius!!
November 17, 2012 at 10:19 am
Judy Cox
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!
November 17, 2012 at 10:22 am
Sue Frye
Yeah, for themes!
November 17, 2012 at 10:28 am
Jill Proctor
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!
November 17, 2012 at 10:28 am
Caroline Starr Rose
Hiya, Corey!
What a great way to see your thoughts unfold. Thanks for this.
November 17, 2012 at 10:36 am
Denise Richter
Great ideas! Thanks for the inspiration.
November 17, 2012 at 10:41 am
Anjali Amit
I love the idea of creating themed lists. gives the theme a good workabout.
Anjali
November 17, 2012 at 10:53 am
Kim MacPherson
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!!
November 17, 2012 at 10:59 am
Kristin Gray
Bravo, Corey. Love those lists!
November 17, 2012 at 11:11 am
Quinn Cole
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!
November 17, 2012 at 11:02 am
Corey Schwartz
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!
November 17, 2012 at 11:03 am
Lori Alexander
Great idea. Now I just need to think of a good theme 🙂 PS. My kids love NINJA PIGS!
November 17, 2012 at 11:10 am
Bill Bibo
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.
November 17, 2012 at 11:14 am
Lisa Stauffer
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing the way your ideas flow.
November 17, 2012 at 11:14 am
michelleol
Your helpful idea came at a perfect time!! (Getting a little stalled out around here…) THANK YOU!!
November 17, 2012 at 11:15 am
Maria Gianferrari
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!
November 17, 2012 at 11:47 am
julie rowan zoch
This sounds like a great system, but tell me this is not what happens with family meals! lol!
November 17, 2012 at 11:49 am
Laura Anne Miller
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.
November 17, 2012 at 12:12 pm
B.J. Lee
I love your idea of brainstorming in themes! What a power-packed way to go about it!
November 17, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Linda Lodding
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’)!
November 17, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Ashley Bankhead
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.
November 17, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Margaret Greanias
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?
November 17, 2012 at 1:14 pm
Deb Lund
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!
November 17, 2012 at 1:51 pm
laurimeyers
Ooh great idea ! Now what will be hot in 2013?
November 17, 2012 at 1:52 pm
Lauri
Great way to fill up your PiBoIdMo list!
November 17, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Jennifer Rumberger
Love the idea of a theme list. Congrats on the upcoming books.
November 17, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Kimberly
it is nice to see that so many ideas from this has sold..
November 17, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Stephanie Shaw
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.
November 17, 2012 at 2:18 pm
Catherine
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.
November 17, 2012 at 2:56 pm
mbeaversillustration
Cool idea!! Really have to give this one a try!
November 17, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Rebecca Walton Evans
great idea to run with a theme, so far i’m all over the place but we’ll see what happens!
November 17, 2012 at 3:47 pm
Melanie Ellsworth
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.
November 17, 2012 at 3:53 pm
Cindy
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!
November 17, 2012 at 4:02 pm
susan crites
thanks, corey! my mind kind of works this ways, so thanks for the tips to help me run with those thoughts!
November 17, 2012 at 4:07 pm
Sallie Wolf
Love your idea # 9 for monsters–looking forward to seeing the result! Have fun. Thanks for sharing your brain-storming method.
Sallie Wolf
November 17, 2012 at 4:11 pm
bucherwurm65
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!
November 17, 2012 at 4:19 pm
theitaliancob
Great post, I could really use a rhyming picture book critique!
November 17, 2012 at 4:19 pm
Kathy Cornell Berman
That’s what I call Organized Thinking! Thanks for sharing this Corey, it makes sense. Congratulations on your new book.
November 17, 2012 at 4:26 pm
Brianna Soloski
I like the idea of using a theme. I’m not doing PiBoIdMo this year, but you’ve sparked some ideas.
November 17, 2012 at 4:52 pm
Angela Padron
Great post – and great ideas. Congrats on selling the stories.
November 17, 2012 at 4:54 pm
JoanneRFritz
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…
November 17, 2012 at 5:26 pm
Stacy Couch
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
November 17, 2012 at 5:27 pm
LeslieG
I LOVE the theme idea! Your post inspired a good one right off the bat–thank you!
November 17, 2012 at 6:03 pm
Dawnyelle
What a great idea! Themes! Thanks for the tip!
November 17, 2012 at 6:11 pm
Kim Mounsey
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.
November 17, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Natasha
Corey- I would love to win a rhyming PB critique with you!
November 17, 2012 at 6:37 pm
Jenny Boyd
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!
November 17, 2012 at 7:31 pm
Carol Nelson
Themes–what a great idea. I think I can get several ideas out of some of the ones already on the list. Thanks Corey!
November 17, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Kerri Kokias
Thanks for sharing. It’s fun to see other people’s idea lists- and even better- what came out of them!
November 17, 2012 at 8:19 pm
Mary Flynn
That is a wonderful idea for brainstorming. This is something that I’m going to try. Thank you.
November 17, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Joanna
Love this idea! Not doing PiBoIdMo this year, but I plan on keeping this idea handy!
November 17, 2012 at 8:57 pm
h1jackson
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!
November 17, 2012 at 9:17 pm
Laura Renauld
Great idea! I’ll definitely be giving this a try!
November 17, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Laura Thieman
Thank you for these examples. I really appreciate your humor and down-to-earth-ness!
November 17, 2012 at 9:36 pm
Sheri Dillard
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! 🙂
November 17, 2012 at 9:38 pm
Tim McCanna
Great post Corey. Always interesting to see into a writer’s process. I love the idea of brainstorming in theme batches.
November 17, 2012 at 9:57 pm
Carrie Finison
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.
November 18, 2012 at 12:52 am
Corey Schwartz
I love this idea! Maybe you can start it in our 12×12 Facebook group!
November 17, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Deb B.
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!
November 17, 2012 at 10:43 pm
Rachel Smoka-Richardson
Thank you for sharing your method of brainstorming in themes – it should be very helpful as I finish my list of 30 ideas!
November 17, 2012 at 10:47 pm
evelynchristensen
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.
November 17, 2012 at 10:58 pm
C. C. Gevry
I love this idea! I usually flock toward holidays.
November 17, 2012 at 11:08 pm
Elizabeth McBride
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…
November 17, 2012 at 11:37 pm
Donna Martin
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
November 18, 2012 at 7:53 am
Diana Murray
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.
November 18, 2012 at 9:11 am
Angela De Groot
Great post – I love your theme-based technique.
November 18, 2012 at 9:41 am
Carolyn
Creativity rubs off onto others. What fun ideas.
November 18, 2012 at 10:18 am
Laura Hamor (@LauraHamor)
Thanks! I love this technique!
November 18, 2012 at 10:20 am
thiskidreviewsbooks
I think you like pirates… 😉 Great titles!
November 18, 2012 at 10:29 am
Bev Baird
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.
November 18, 2012 at 10:43 am
Ellen L. Ramsey
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.
November 18, 2012 at 11:03 am
anniebailey7
Great interview! I really liked seeing your lists from the past few years.
November 18, 2012 at 11:18 am
Debra Shumaker
Brainstorming in themes makes sense. I’ve hit a dry spell so I need to give this a try! Thanks for a great post!
November 18, 2012 at 11:49 am
cekster
Oh, I just love the theme idea! Terrific! Thanks again for more inspiration.
November 18, 2012 at 11:57 am
Sally Matheny
I’ve never tried a theme list but that sounds like a great idea. I’ll try it!
November 18, 2012 at 12:47 pm
kirabigwood
Yes! Just let your mind go and write it all down, stream-of-consciousness really. Every thought has merit! Thx for the post!
November 18, 2012 at 12:58 pm
Gail Handler
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!
November 18, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Rachel Hamby
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.)
November 18, 2012 at 2:06 pm
sharann
Brilliant! Thinking in themes opened up some new possibilities on some of my current ideas, thanks! You rock!
November 18, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Kerry Mazengia
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!
November 18, 2012 at 6:54 pm
cat jones
Some great ideas and encouraging to see how well they turned out for you. This could take me in some new directions! Thanks 🙂
November 18, 2012 at 8:31 pm
Larissa
I already have several themes to run with, so thanks!
November 18, 2012 at 9:10 pm
Loni Edwards (@LoniEdwards)
Thanks for the great post Corey! Congrats on all of your success!
November 18, 2012 at 9:41 pm
lisajaynemurray
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!
November 18, 2012 at 11:28 pm
Jessica Shaw
Great post–and giveaway!–thank you, Corey!
November 19, 2012 at 12:40 am
Catherine
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.
November 19, 2012 at 6:50 am
Marcie Colleen
What a great idea, Corey! And apparently it works!! Look at all your success. Thanks for sharing.
November 19, 2012 at 8:35 am
Janet Smart
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.
November 19, 2012 at 9:51 am
Amanda Smith
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!
November 19, 2012 at 10:18 am
Lynn Anne Carol
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~~
November 19, 2012 at 10:57 am
Rebecca Van Slyke
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.
November 19, 2012 at 12:02 pm
Christie Wright Wild
That is SO cool! I love the idea of doing themed ideas. Thank you so much.
November 19, 2012 at 2:53 pm
daniela weil
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!
November 19, 2012 at 5:07 pm
Michelle Proper
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!
November 19, 2012 at 5:22 pm
Hannah Holt
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.
November 19, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Debbie Mickelson
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!
November 19, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Kathy
I love reading this blog…when I get to it. Thanks! Happy T-Day.
November 19, 2012 at 8:38 pm
SevenAcreSky
Corey, thanks for expanding our brains! The theme approach will help me tremendously with this challenge. – Damon Dean
November 19, 2012 at 9:56 pm
Lois Sepahban
What a smart idea to brainstorm in themes! Thank you, Corey, for a great post!
November 20, 2012 at 1:46 am
Lisa Olson
This is a great idea. I’m starting to run out of ideas so thinking in themes might help me.
November 20, 2012 at 3:07 am
renajtraxel
Thinking in themes is a brilliant idea!
November 20, 2012 at 10:45 am
Natasha
Are we allowed to leave more than one comment? Winning your rhyming critique would be so helpful! (and generally awesome) Go Meter Maids!
November 21, 2012 at 12:43 am
janelle
Love it!
November 21, 2012 at 1:50 am
csoundar
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.
November 21, 2012 at 9:39 am
Frizz
Love that you shared your process with such detail. I’d love a rhyming picture book critique!
November 21, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Heather Soodak
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!
November 21, 2012 at 7:11 pm
Laurie Ann Thompson
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!!!
November 22, 2012 at 7:07 am
Kim Murray
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!
November 25, 2012 at 2:47 pm
karadhya
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!
November 25, 2012 at 6:55 pm
Lori Degman (@LoriDegman)
Awesome post, Corey!! I love the idea of picking a theme and running with it. Just one problem – which theme?
November 26, 2012 at 3:52 pm
marylouisealucurto
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!
November 26, 2012 at 5:12 pm
diane kress hower
great post…i’ll make the toast..i can not boast…my rhyming not even clost.
November 28, 2012 at 12:24 am
diandramae
Great post! I hadn’t considered theme brainstorming. It makes so much sense! 😉
November 28, 2012 at 10:40 pm
Cathy C. Hall
Oh, I definitely get stuck on themes! I haven’t been quite as successful with them as you–yet. 😉
November 30, 2012 at 2:35 am
Kathryn Ault Noble
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.
November 30, 2012 at 11:50 pm
Brian Humek
I look forward to seeing #9 (from 2011) sold and published soon. Sounds great.
December 12, 2012 at 12:49 am
Kristiane Pedersen
Wonderful post! I love the theme idea. Tried it today and it totally worked for me! Thanks!!!!
November 25, 2014 at 11:09 am
kdveiten
Wonderful! I’m also loving the theme idea!
November 26, 2014 at 12:00 am
Cindy Williams Schrauben
I LOVE this idea…. it fits the way my brain works so well! Thanks, Corey
November 29, 2014 at 10:12 am
SevenAcreSky
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.
November 29, 2014 at 10:16 am
SevenAcreSky
Again….Ha! Thought this was a 2014 post I had missed. A twitter post got me here. Still great.