by Sudipta Bardhan-QuallenNovember 2, 2013 6:30 am
It’s Picture Book Idea Month, and I’m going to give you a math lesson.
Who remembers high school math? A long time ago, we may have learned about combinations of variables. As we go through PiBoIdMo, we need to explore different combinations to discern the optimal result.
Now, you’re thinking, well, no kidding. How does that help me?
Aren’t you lucky? I’m going to tell you.
If you are like me, you try to come up with picture book ideas as complete entities: a character with a specific problem/resolution. But just like in your manuscript drafts, your first idea isn’t necessarily your best idea, and it definitely doesn’t need to be your last idea. If you allow yourself the freedom to separate your idea into it’s entities, you might end up with something better.
Think of it this way: if you come up with 30 characters over the next month (let’s call this variable C) with 30 definite story outcomes (this variable will be O), all you have is 30 ideas to work with. On the other hand, if you have 30 characters, each of whom has 30 story outcomes, you have many more possible ideas to develop. Mathematically, the total number of combinations is represented by this formula:
Number of combinations = C x O
In this case, you end up with 30 x 30 = 900 story ideas at the end of PiBoIdMo. That’s accomplishing a lot, isn’t it?
Basically, separating your ideas into building blocks—into variables—allows you to have useful partial ideas. How many times have you realized that there really needs to be a book about a certain topic? Or come up with an adorable character for whom you can’t think up a story?
Write these down. Add them to your C and O lists. Every once in a while, look over the lists and see if there is a combination you see that resonates with you that was different than what you originally imagined. Allowing these partial ideas to have value takes a lot of pressure off you as a writer and creator. It is very hard to have a good idea every day! But just because something isn’t the perfect idea doesn’t mean you can’t make it work for you.
A good book has a main character and a primary plot. Many books, however, have secondary characters. Some books have secondary plots.
What if some of your PiBoIdMo ideas don’t work as stories because you came up with a secondary character or a plot?
Some books even have a pair of main characters (mash-up, anyone?) What if one of your character ideas would be four times as strong if you combine it with another character?
If you combine even more variables, you make your work go even further:
Number of story ideas with 2 characters = C x (C-1) x O = 30 x 29 x 30 = 26,100 ideas!
(and a secondary plot on top of this…you get the idea…)
Again, allowing yourself to have incomplete ideas gives you the freedom to pursue many more possibilities.
Obviously, some of the combinations that come out of this process are not going to work. So you really won’t have tens of thousands of ideas to sort through. But hopefully, you’ve picked up on the fact that I’m trying to encourage you to look at your work over this month in a different way.
Whenever you can have a complete story idea, that’s fabulous. Run with it. But don’t get frustrated if inspiration comes in drips and drops instead of a flowing stream. It’s all going to be valuable in the end.
I want to leave you with something fun. I’ve asked you to take your building block story variables and consider them in various combinations. You could create a spreadsheet and be very orderly about it, but what I really want you do to is have fun with it and let the random ideas percolate through your brains. So I’m inviting you to create your own Idea Wheels.
There’s a great site called WheelDecide.com, where you can create your own wheels of fortune, if you will. You can create one wheel for your character ideas and another for your story outcomes. Then, spin away until the wheels hit upon something that really works for you. It’s visual and fun, and if nothing else, there’s a winner every time!
You are all just beginning your PiBoIdMo journey, and it will be a long month ahead. But I hope you stick with it—I bet you’ll come out on the other side with valuable starting points for writing. Good luck!
BONUS!
Last week, this blog hosted a double cover reveal for two of my upcoming picture books. In honor of the reveals, I held a book cover caption contest. It was not easy to pick the winner because there were so many captions that were great! But after careful consideration, on the basis that this caption works so well for BOTH covers, here is the winner:
“Is this as awkward for you as it is for me?”
Everyone, please put your hands together for Dawn Young! Dawn wins her choice of a signed copy of ORANGUTANGLED or SNORING BEAUTY! Yay!
And one more bonus…
BONUS: If you’d like more PiBoIdMo tips, pop over to my blog at NerdyChicksRule.com for a great post about knowing what your character wants.
Posted by Tara Lazar
Categories: PiBoIdMo 2013, Picture Books
Tags: Orangutangled, Snoring Beauty, Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
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This is a different way to think about my ideas! Thank you for the post.
By kirsticall on November 2, 2013 at 6:39 am
The ideas that I jot down are often pretty vague. So I liked the way you talked about the story outcome. I’m going to try to think about that when I write down my ideas.
Thanks for sharing the link to Wheel Decide — looks like fun!
By Andrea on November 2, 2013 at 6:50 am
Love these equations!
By Joanna on November 2, 2013 at 7:00 am
I think I can apply the Idea wheel to all aspects of my life…what to make for dinner, what to wear for the day, what should I get people for christmas…the possibilities are endless!
By Amanda Sorenson (@AmandaDSorenson) on November 2, 2013 at 7:01 am
I know, right? I have been having a ball with it.
By sudiptabq on November 2, 2013 at 3:02 pm
Some great ideas. Thanks!
By Sue Poduska on November 2, 2013 at 7:01 am
I just spent 30 minutes playing with the wheel. Thanks for sharing this information. This was a good post. Since, I am a math person, I can process what you were saying. The thirty characters and the outcome is the Probability concept and anything is possible. Thanks for sharing this article. I enjoyed it.
By jackiewellington21 on November 2, 2013 at 7:09 am
Thanks, Jackie — it makes me feel better when I think I have more options to work with than ust thinking, “Wow, non of there 7 ideas is any good…”
By sudiptabq on November 2, 2013 at 3:02 pm
Well, I just sat down and after reading your post and wrote a 467 word draft. Thanks for the input, it is appreciated.
By jackiewellington21 on November 2, 2013 at 4:34 pm
Interesting post! What a unique way to look at an idea. “… just because something isn’t the perfect idea doesn’t mean you can’t make it work for you”
I’m interested if you used this method for your books and if so, which ones?
By saputnam on November 2, 2013 at 7:15 am
In HAMPIRE, I started with the Hampire as the main character but it didn’t get acquired until I shifted him to being a secondary character…
By sudiptabq on November 2, 2013 at 3:44 pm
Thanks, Sudipta!
Your advice always rocks, and your new books look awesome as always.
I had not yet discovered Wheel Decide. As Amanda suggests, I plan to use this in all aspects of my life.
By Betsy Devany on November 2, 2013 at 7:17 am
Betsy, you Rock!
By sudiptabq on November 2, 2013 at 3:07 pm
Thank you, Sudipta. It’s funny, I had an experience like the one you describe with a manuscript yesterday. It had a character I loved, but the story didn’t seem to be working. I realized I had him in the wrong story and when I changed the story, it felt just right. Thank you for making me think about looking at other characters and stories in this fresh way.
By Nancy Churnin on November 2, 2013 at 7:23 am
I have done that many times. It actually took a while for me to mentally be ok letting go of one idea to replace it with something better
By sudiptabq on November 2, 2013 at 3:06 pm
So good! Love the fresh approach. Audrey
By Audrey on November 2, 2013 at 7:26 am
Math rules!
26,100 ideas!
Who knew?
By Dee Almond on November 2, 2013 at 7:28 am
Love, love, love, The Wheel Decides concept. Your equations are spot and invigorating!
By Jane R Cooper on November 2, 2013 at 7:38 am
Here’s a secret: I hope they are spot on. I actually don’t remember that much math!
By sudiptabq on November 2, 2013 at 3:13 pm
Thanks for letting me “like” math a little. Love the idea wheel.
By Valarie Giogas on November 2, 2013 at 7:43 am
Sudipta, Many helpful tips. Thank you!
By rnewman504 on November 2, 2013 at 7:46 am
Never liked math…until NOW! Great suggestions. Thank you!
By RaChelle Lisiecki on November 2, 2013 at 7:54 am
What a GREAT idea! LOVE this – and will definitely be using it! Thanks, Sudipta!
By Joanne Sher on November 2, 2013 at 7:54 am
Talk about a wheel of fortune! Great ideas. I might actually learn to like math.
By teresamis on November 2, 2013 at 8:02 am
Thank you for the new way of looking at generating ideas– should help me exponentially!
By Michelle Heidenrich Barnes on November 2, 2013 at 8:04 am
Love math puns!
By sudiptabq on November 2, 2013 at 3:14 pm
A way to keep the ideas flowing. The combinations may turn out to be something unique. Thanks Sudipta!
By Kathy Cornell Berman on November 2, 2013 at 8:04 am
Love the WheelDecide idea! Definitely going to check that out. Great post!
By Mary Kate O'Keefe on November 2, 2013 at 8:07 am
Thanks for the wheel suggestion…
By cat jones on November 2, 2013 at 8:08 am
Great advice and that wheel is FUN! Love it! Thanks so much for sharing it.
By danacarey1 on November 2, 2013 at 8:12 am
After reading this, all of a sudden I now like word problems! 😀
By Pam Jones on November 2, 2013 at 8:15 am
Thanks Sudipta. You always have a different “spin” on things. I had the privilege of meeting you once and I recall how generous you were. Wishing you much continued success.
By lindamartinandersen on November 2, 2013 at 8:15 am
You are so sweet – thank you!
By sudiptabq on November 2, 2013 at 3:14 pm
Love the mash up of language arts and math!
By DaNeil Olson on November 2, 2013 at 8:18 am
Love the wheel!
By Susan Nicholas on November 2, 2013 at 8:22 am
Great way to think about all the possibilities for story ideas by the end of the month. Thanks!
By Maggie Webb on November 2, 2013 at 8:34 am
My head is spinning!
By Kathy Mazurowski on November 2, 2013 at 8:43 am
Oh, that wheel is so fun! I love story starters like that.
By Diana Murray on November 2, 2013 at 8:46 am
What an interesting, clever, fun and challeging way to look at it! I love the wheel website. Thanks for sharing!
By taracreel on November 2, 2013 at 8:57 am
Thank you! Glad you like it!
By sudiptabq on November 2, 2013 at 3:19 pm
Hi Sudipta! Thanks for the tips and the link to the wheel. That is cool! Thank you for your post!
By Loni Edwards (@LoniEdwards) on November 2, 2013 at 8:57 am
Thank you Sudipta you provided a fun and clever writing exercise. Got entranced with the spinning wheel and came up with new characters.
By Therese Nagi on November 2, 2013 at 8:58 am
That’s my favorite thing — when you can relax and let the inspiration come, it works so much better!
By sudiptabq on November 2, 2013 at 3:19 pm
I knew I should have paid more attention in Math class! Thanks!
By Anne Bielby on November 2, 2013 at 9:04 am
Haha, I know!
By sudiptabq on November 2, 2013 at 3:20 pm
Love your spin on exploring different combinations. I can see how you have applied them to your amazingly catchy titles!
By Emily Lim-Leh on November 2, 2013 at 9:05 am
Always great to have a fun new approach!
By Noel Csermak on November 2, 2013 at 9:06 am
One of the best (certainly most useful!) maths lessons Ive ever had, thank you .
By Clare welsh on November 2, 2013 at 9:17 am
I have always hated math but I think the wheel of fortune I can definitely try what a great idea!!!
By Wafa on November 2, 2013 at 9:26 am
wonderful story game…helps stir up the combination of character possibilities and outcomes. thank you
By Jewel Sample on November 2, 2013 at 9:36 am
I’m rethinking my previous hate of math story problems!
By writeknit on November 2, 2013 at 9:37 am
Great suggestions. Thanks for the inspiring post!
By Debbie Smart on November 2, 2013 at 9:38 am
Sudipta, you are blowing my mind with your mathematically genius! Just be careful not to combine your MG ideas with your PB ideas because that would cause their paths to cross which would obviously tear a whole in the space time continuum!!!! (I could really use another coffee this morning)
By laurimeyers on November 2, 2013 at 9:39 am
Maths RAWKS!
Love the ideas wheel. It made me wasn’t to say, “Can I buy a vowel?” Heehee.
With one story that was rejected, the editor gave me a tip to add an extra layer & have several suggestions. I toyed around with it. It was accepted earlier this year by a different publisher! So I totally gets the variables part. 🙂
Thanks for your post. Off I go to play with the ideas wheel.
By Tracey M. Cox on November 2, 2013 at 9:42 am
Congrats, Tracey!
By sudiptabq on November 2, 2013 at 3:44 pm
What great ideas! I often come up with characters that I really love, but I don’t know what to do with them.
By kpbock on November 2, 2013 at 9:43 am
Sudipta is genius. She proves this over and over! Thanks for sharing the wheel.
By kamikinard on November 2, 2013 at 9:47 am
Hello Kami, Takes one to know one! Happy Holidaze!
By bookseedstudio on November 30, 2014 at 7:55 pm
I love it! It’s like a choose-your-own adventure writing tool. Very cool.
By culinarycam on November 2, 2013 at 9:53 am
If you get 2 or 3 wheels spinning at the same time — you could randomize your Character, Setting, and Story Problem all at once!
By sudiptabq on November 2, 2013 at 3:47 pm
I love the idea of variables! I’ve noticed that some great stories seem to combine unlikely variables, and it makes for a really fun read. I’m off to check out the “wheels” on the website you recommend. Thanks for a great post!
By Sandy Perlic on November 2, 2013 at 9:57 am
Thanks for the fresh perspective.
By Manju Howard (@ManjuBeth) on November 2, 2013 at 10:04 am
I’m clinging to the advice to think of my ideas as drafts and to separate even my decent ideas into entities. Thank-you!
By Joanne Roberts on November 2, 2013 at 10:07 am
Your tiles really reflect the mash-up combinations you can get by spinning the wheel. Here I go–whee!!
By Susan Cabael on November 2, 2013 at 10:19 am
This is great advice! I like the idea of coming up with a character or a story outcome and not the entire picture book plot right away. The idea wheels look like fun. Thank you!
By cherylsec on November 2, 2013 at 10:22 am
Wow, I never thought about it mathematically. But it sure does make sense. And come to think of it, one of my characters that was not working in one story could probably fit into another of my stories.
By lindaschueler on November 2, 2013 at 10:29 am
Excellent. Anytime I come across a name I like I scribble it down. Or setting I like.
By renajtraxel on November 2, 2013 at 10:32 am
Thank you for the post, you have me thinking of more and more possibilities!
By Deirdre Sheridan Englehart on November 2, 2013 at 10:35 am
Oh, my goodness! Wheel Decide is a blast. I find I usually go through about 20 variations on a story before I come up with my favorite character/plot/subplot/voice/setting/stakes/etc combination. But sometimes I lose interest in an idea before I get to that magical 20 number. That helps me weed out the weaker ideas. I haven’t thought about combination and probability in a while. Thanks for the trip down mathematical memory lane. 🙂
By Hannah Holt on November 2, 2013 at 10:36 am
I agree with you! Plus, the more stranger a name the better I love it. Especially if it makes you giggle when you say it! I homeschool and so math is in my head right now but I never thought of writing picture books as math. (WOWEE, I can now say I’m a mathematician!) Great reading here! 🙂 I gotta go spin my idea wheel now.
By Robyn Campbell on November 2, 2013 at 10:37 am
Math has never been my forte, but I like your equation to get even more out of PiBoIdMo! Love the spin the wheel link, too. As a former 7th grade English teacher, know kids would enjoy using this idea to generate stories. Cheers to Writing!
By kathalsey on November 2, 2013 at 10:40 am
Never liked math, but I like the numbers here. Thanks Sudipta. (for those that don’t know, she’s on my “heroes” list!)
By mona861 on November 2, 2013 at 10:47 am
Love the idea wheel. Thanks, Sudipta.
By Kristin Gray on November 2, 2013 at 10:50 am
Sudipta, thank you for the great post. Going to make a wheel right now!
By Janie Reinart on November 2, 2013 at 10:51 am
I love playing with variables! Often times I jokingly come up with a combination of elements for an illustration or story that sound absolutely ridiculous but I slowly realize “wait, why not?!” and end up with a more interesting final product. I’m steering clear of the wheel though because I know it will consume my life for at least half an hour! Thanks for the tips.
By abrianc on November 2, 2013 at 10:56 am
Okay. I’ll admit it. Usually anything math-relate makes my eyes glaze over. But, you’ve convinced me that these combinations make the odds of creating more story ideas much greater. And I love the idea wheel!
By Stephanie Shaw on November 2, 2013 at 10:58 am
Thanks for the great ideas! Story cubes (you can buy or make yourself) are a fun low-tech version of the idea wheel. So many combinations!
By amievc on November 2, 2013 at 10:58 am
I’m going to give this a try. Thanks for the encouragement that our “incomplete ideas” still might be gems!
By Lori Alexander on November 2, 2013 at 10:58 am
Great strategies. Thanks for sharing!
By Eileen on November 2, 2013 at 11:10 am
Thanks, Sudipta! I’m going to draw wheels in my PiBo journal and see what combinations it inspires!!
By Tracy Molitors on November 2, 2013 at 11:14 am
Thank you Sudipta, I love the wheel idea, can’t wait to try it
By Mary Flynn on November 2, 2013 at 11:15 am
Math does rule! What great ideas for expanding those story/character ideas we have this month! The idea wheel looks like a fun writing tool!
By Bev Baird on November 2, 2013 at 11:22 am
Nobody told me there was going to be MATH! (Although with Sudipta’s science background, it shouldn’t be a shocker!!) Great post.
By Kelly Ramsdell Fineman on November 2, 2013 at 11:25 am
This is so left-brained thinking for the side of my brain that doesn’t get much use. Thanks for the inspiring concept!
By LovableLobo on November 2, 2013 at 11:29 am
Great post, Sudipta – love the wheel!
By Pat Haapaniemi on November 2, 2013 at 11:31 am
I’m taking an online PB class from Joyce Sweeney and one of the exercises we did was similar. We wrote 15 characters on 15 cards and then 15 unrelated story ideas on 15 other cards. For example, the character might be a grump giraffe and the story idea might be all the toys go missing all over town.
Then we’d randomly pair the up and see what stores came. Some of the combination were odd and didn’t seem to work at first, but then after thinking for a while, funny, off the wall story ideas started to come. So I’m a fan of this idea and I love that wheel.
By Johnell on November 2, 2013 at 11:38 am
That wheel is amazing! Thank you for this post, Sudipta. Math was never my strong suit, but this gets me to flex different muscles.
By Anne Bromley on November 2, 2013 at 11:44 am
What a wonderful gift you have given all of us with this fabulous wheel idea.
Thank you so much and wishing you continued success!
By danielledufayet on November 2, 2013 at 11:48 am
Great suggestions to someone like me because I need to learn how to think outside of the box. The possibilities are almost infinite, at least extremely numerous. Love it!
By Pat Holloway on November 2, 2013 at 11:51 am
Great advice, as always, Sudipta! Thanks so much! 🙂
By Michelle @ Fitztopia on November 2, 2013 at 11:59 am
Math? PiBoIdMo started with math? Ok, I promise to sit down and figure out the cipherin’. And I love the idea wheel. Thanks Sudipta!
By Kathryn Ault Noble on November 2, 2013 at 12:01 pm
No, no, Tammi Sauer started with titles….THEN, I brought the math!
By sudiptabq on November 2, 2013 at 3:23 pm
Thanks Sudipta for the idea wheel. Just playing with the wheel right now gave me a story idea and a setting.
By Naana on November 2, 2013 at 12:03 pm
Great ideas, Sudipta! Thanks for sharing them with us. I’ll definitely check out WheelDecide.com and your blog at NerdyChicksRule.com.
By Sherry Walz on November 2, 2013 at 12:07 pm
Thanks!
By sudiptabq on November 2, 2013 at 3:23 pm
Great post. Love the wheel!
Donna L Martin
By Donna L Martin on November 2, 2013 at 12:10 pm
Can’t wait to try these idea wheels! Such an inspirational post. Thanks for sharing!
By Janet Halfmann on November 2, 2013 at 12:18 pm
Wow! When you put it like that, ideas shouldn’t be so hard to find. I can’t wait to try Wheel Decide!
By Laura Renauld on November 2, 2013 at 12:36 pm
Such a fun idea! I’m going to start keeping these on index cards and scatter them around/random pick from each pile when looking for new idea. And, I’ll use the wheel because it reminds me of the boardwalk where I grew up! Thanks for a great post.
By wendymyersart on November 2, 2013 at 1:00 pm
Wow! Over 26,000 total ideas. So amazing. Thank you for the inspiration.
By throughtheprairiegardengate on November 2, 2013 at 1:07 pm
Math, my favorite subject in school (except for maybe English)! I don’t think I will ever think of story ideas the same way. Thanks!!!
By Christine M. Irvin on November 2, 2013 at 1:12 pm
Your wheel suggestion has my own wheels turning!
By MSackman on November 2, 2013 at 1:20 pm
Thanks for sharing the Wheel Decide tool. I could get sucked in for hours! And I love the wordplay – “Wheel Decide for you!”
By City Sights for Kids on November 2, 2013 at 1:30 pm
Invariably we now have many more possibilities for characters and ideas! Thank you, Sudipta 😀
By Kim Pfennigwerth on November 2, 2013 at 1:42 pm
I love Wheel Decide! And I love your Math because you gave us the answers and I liked them. Thanks so much for the great post with wonderful ideas to expand our PiBoIdMo ideas into endless possibilities 🙂
By Penny Parker Klostermann on November 2, 2013 at 1:56 pm
Now I have another way to put ideas together when one standing alone does not inspire me.
Thank you for a different approach.
By Lynn A. Davidson on November 2, 2013 at 2:04 pm
great post. Just remember that with 3 characters you can have combinations AND permutations!
By Sue Heavenrich on November 2, 2013 at 2:13 pm
I actually started with Combinations and Permutations…but then i realized the permutation analogy is better for plotting (how to create the correct order of obstacles to provide logical character growth) than for ideas…But I like the idea of using permutations to mix up which is the main character and which is the secondary…..good suggestion!
By sudiptabq on November 2, 2013 at 3:22 pm
Wheely good idea! Sudipta. Thanks!
By Catherine Johnson on November 2, 2013 at 2:16 pm
So simple yet so complex! Now I really have some work to do!
By Juliana Lee on November 2, 2013 at 2:17 pm
I love the Wheel of Fortune! Ha! Thanks for sharing that!
By Marcy P. on November 2, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Thank you for the great ideas. Love the wheel! So many possibilities!
By Theanna on November 2, 2013 at 2:33 pm
Thank you for this framework!
By Jennifer Kaplan on November 2, 2013 at 2:34 pm
Oh dear, you mentioned math and I broke out in a cold sweat straight away. I see what your saying though and makes a lot of sense 🙂 I might have a play on a smaller scale with some characters, plot outcomes and the wheel. Thanks.
By Yvonne Mes on November 2, 2013 at 2:36 pm
I just created my own “wheels” and I can’t wait to use them. Seems like just the tool I need when I’m stuck for ideas. Thank you!
By Susie Sawyer on November 2, 2013 at 2:48 pm
How fun! I never thought to mix it up. 🙂 Thanks!
By littledbl on November 2, 2013 at 2:59 pm
Thanks so much!!!!!
By Laurie Young on November 2, 2013 at 3:03 pm
Thanks Sudipta! You’re always sharing great ideas.
By Barbara Messinger on November 2, 2013 at 3:15 pm
Thank you ever so much, Sudipta! I love the variables idea. It’s like a template to extend what you have already and multiplying more. Love it. The Idea Wheel is another helpful vehicle when I am totally dumbfounded. You are fab!
By Sandie Sing on November 2, 2013 at 3:17 pm
can’t wait to check out the wheel…thanks!
By Kari Twedt on November 2, 2013 at 3:23 pm
Thank you so much Sudipta, I do love the idea of an Idea Wheel – makes writing even more fun!
By Heather Gale on November 2, 2013 at 3:37 pm
Thanks for a great post!! The wheel is a terrific, fun idea!
By schriscoe on November 2, 2013 at 3:45 pm
This is a smart way to take all those random ideas and thoughts and make them go to work for you. Creative genius…………..tnanks for the inspiration today.
By Marty McCormick on November 2, 2013 at 3:56 pm
Wow! What a wonderful day- a post from one of my all time favorite PB authors, some math (yay!) and…best of all, I win a signed copy of your book! Thank you Sudipta for being such an inspiration and for raising the bar on rhyme! Your stories are the best!
By Dawn Young on November 2, 2013 at 3:56 pm
You’re so sweet — hey, make sure you email me so we can work out how to get you a book!
By sudiptabq on November 2, 2013 at 4:13 pm
Math, picture books, and a spinny wheel–what could be better? Off to equate sum (ha!) ideas:>) Thanks!
By Laura Purdie Salas on November 2, 2013 at 4:01 pm
Did not know about Wheel Decide (where have I been)…so thank you so much, Sudipta. And also for the ‘math’ lesson…it’s important for me to think outside the box more…interchanging main characters/plots/settings/etc. will definitely help!
BTW, I went to your blog and LOVED Kami’s post…knowing what your mc wants is soooo important.:)
By viviankirkfield on November 2, 2013 at 4:19 pm
This was great. im writing up a second grid for PiBo. one with C &O categories
By kelmcdonald on November 2, 2013 at 4:35 pm
Brilliant math, pal! What a hysterical and at-the-same-time inspirational way to approach our picture book ideas!
My brain immediately started considering what the OPPOSITE of my character ideas would be, which I realized shortly thereafter would result in 2C x 2(C-1) x O = 60 x 58 x 30 = 104,000 ideas!
Thanks for the terrific wisdom!
By Matthew C. Winner on November 2, 2013 at 4:46 pm
Not to be too geeky, but I think your math is wrong…If you have 30 characters and 30 character-opposites, you have 60 possible choices for main characters (or, 2C as you’ve done). But then your possibilities for secondary character are all but one of the 2C. Thus, your equation should have been:
2C x (2C – 1) x O = 60 x 59 x 30 = 106,200
Right?
(Sorry, I couldn’t help myself) 🙂
By sudiptabq on November 2, 2013 at 6:24 pm
Wheel Decide is a hoot! Oh the possibilities 😀 Sudipta, thanks for the intro to it!
By Lori Mozdzierz on November 2, 2013 at 5:13 pm
That scientist in you really shown through here! Love the math equations. Love your inspiration.
By Carol Gordon Ekster on November 2, 2013 at 5:23 pm
Great ideas…A totally new perspective! I love that!
By Carrie Brown on November 2, 2013 at 5:39 pm
Thinking of Os without Cs proved to be a bit brain and hair twisting for me at first, but I finally got it going. Thanks for the insight! Now hopefully these lists will lead to piboidmo idea #2.
By Jenifer Heidorn on November 2, 2013 at 5:40 pm
Great post. Such a fantastic way of looking at ideas. And I love Wheeldecide.com!
And congrats Dawn Young!!!! Great caption for the books. 🙂
By Mandy Yates on November 2, 2013 at 6:01 pm
And who said we wouldn’t use math after high school? Excellent post! Now I need a new notebook for that concept! Happy creating!
By Freckled Daisy Creations on November 2, 2013 at 6:06 pm
Fun post! Love the math concept.
By Alison Hertz on November 2, 2013 at 6:17 pm
Thanks for getting both sides of our brains working! I really enjoyed this post. Can’t wait to try The Wheel.
By Susan Halko on November 2, 2013 at 6:18 pm
Thanks for opening up another way to approach picture book ideas/writing! Happy PiBoIdMo Day 2 everyone! 🙂
By Rene Diane Aube on November 2, 2013 at 6:25 pm
I hate math, but I had fun with the wheel!
By Laurie L. Young on November 2, 2013 at 6:43 pm
What a great way to look at ideas. There are so many possibilities.
By Ashley Bankhead on November 2, 2013 at 6:58 pm
Tonight’s episode of Wheel of Picture Book Ideas features prizes of agents, children’s laughter, and illustrations of dragons. Stay tuned after these messages…
By June Smalls on November 2, 2013 at 7:13 pm
Bookmark this one under, “Best Picture Book,” prompts.
Thank you!
By Stella Jane Stauffer on November 2, 2013 at 7:22 pm
Love the math. It adds up.
By Rick Starkey on November 2, 2013 at 8:00 pm
What a great strategy! Thank you!
By erin on November 2, 2013 at 8:05 pm
Thank you! I love the idea.
By Gaye Kick on November 2, 2013 at 8:18 pm
Like “expanding the combinations”! Good way to look at brainstorming.
By Alicia van Thiel on November 2, 2013 at 8:23 pm
Thank you, great information.
By Evie Hjartarson on November 2, 2013 at 9:06 pm
Love the post’s concepts even if the math is making me want to sprint the other direction. Think I’ll re-read after we fall back and get an extra hour sleep. 🙂
By Wendy Greenley on November 2, 2013 at 9:14 pm
I love your view point about incomplete ideas. Great advise.
Congratulations, Dawn.
Lynn
By Lynn Ann Carol on November 2, 2013 at 11:12 pm
Thanks for reminding us that ideas can be broken up and re-combined with others. I often think in a very linear and connected way, so I need to remember that ideas don’t always come in a complete package, tied up with a bow. I’m going to allow myself to get a little ‘messier’.
-Teresa Daffern
By Teresa Daffern on November 2, 2013 at 11:54 pm
Had to share your math facts with my STEM kid! Another great post and on to your nerdy chicks, next!
By Linda on November 3, 2013 at 12:04 am
I will have to check out wheeldecide.com. Thank you for sharing.
By klmcmorranmaus on November 3, 2013 at 12:40 am
Loved the post and your math analogies. Thanks for the tips on the wheel. I did a similar exercise where I took my favorite words from Tara 500+ list binned them into categories, put them each on their own index card, laid them out and randomly picked from each pile. My kids even enjoyed playing “the game”.
By Darshana on November 3, 2013 at 12:59 am
Great reminder that a story includes a lot of factors and an infinite number of combinations. It may take several tries to find the best combo and it’s OK.
By Perfecting Motherhood on November 3, 2013 at 2:01 am
Those are mind-boggling numbers, Sudipta! Thanks for sharing about the Wheel Decide. That’s very cool! Can’t wait to try it. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom!
By tinamcho on November 3, 2013 at 2:07 am
thanks for sharing your innovative, unique ideas!
By dee win on November 3, 2013 at 2:51 am
Love wheeldecide.com! I can use it in class when writing with my students, too. Thank you!
By bucherwurm65 on November 3, 2013 at 3:11 am
Nice. I will try your s pinning wheel, too. It’s too early in the morn to say more. Where’s my coffee? 😉
By Brenda Harris on November 3, 2013 at 8:28 am
Thank you for the thoughtful gifts you shared. I plan to check them out today.
By Gail Kamer on November 3, 2013 at 8:44 am
I am blown away with this idea! Who knew? I can’t wait to visit the wheel decide and your blog. I also can’t wait to read your books!
Thanks so much, Sudipta! And thanks, Tara for sharing her ideas with us. 🙂
By clarbojahn on November 3, 2013 at 8:51 am
Love that mathematical mind of yours, Sudipta. Such a great way of thinking of ideas. And, love the caption winner!
By Pam Brunskill (@PamBrunskill) on November 3, 2013 at 8:59 am
Wow! I came up with 14 ideas using Wheel Decide! I love it!
By storyfairy on November 3, 2013 at 9:22 am
Thanks for pointing out that ideas and characters aren’t “married” to the story they start out with. It is very freeing and my creative juices are more free flowing by using your math theory. You ought to call it the “Theory of Re-creativity!” 🙂
By Lori Dubbin on November 3, 2013 at 9:55 am
I’ve heard of putting parts of ideas into a hat (or paper bag) then pulling an idea from each hat and mashing them together into a story idea. I like how you focus on each part of the idea is independent. If I come up with just one I idea I like, I could go back to the hat (or the wheel) and find more ideas for that character. This is worth a try.
By kitumscheid on November 3, 2013 at 10:18 am
As an art person, I seriously appreciate that the math is math even I can do! Love this way of looking at the process. Thanks!
By Kathy Moncrief on November 3, 2013 at 10:22 am
The idea/plot wheels have been around for centuries. I’m glad someone made a virtual one since so much of the writing process is on computers now a days.
By Jessica on November 3, 2013 at 10:58 am
I find pairing incongruous ideas does stimulate creativity. Thanks for the wheel!
By Laurie J. Edwards on November 3, 2013 at 10:59 am
This has opened my eyes to the many combinations that I can make not only for this 2013 PIBoIdMo month, but for previous PiBoIdMo ideas waiting to be joined!
Thanks!
Tia Svardahl
By The Ink Pond on November 3, 2013 at 11:08 am
Sudipta: Your technique sounds like a great way to shake things up. I’m going to try it right now!
By Micki Ginsberg on November 3, 2013 at 11:24 am
Lost me with the math equations, but left me with some new sites to peruse and a decision maker wheel. I can’t wait to look into the ideas site. Thanks Sudipta.
By Sheri Radovich on November 3, 2013 at 12:43 pm
I love math! This is a great idea! Thanks!
By LeeAnn Jensen on November 3, 2013 at 12:47 pm
Cool! I like it! Congrats to Ms. Young! 🙂
By thiskidreviewsbooks on November 3, 2013 at 12:59 pm
Love this. Thanks!
By Debra Shumaker on November 3, 2013 at 2:36 pm
Great post now onto making list
By Suzanne kaufman on November 3, 2013 at 4:57 pm
Cool activities!! Thanks!
By Jill Siegel on November 3, 2013 at 5:07 pm
Loved your post, Sudipta! And I can’t wait to get my hands on your books – they look so funny, and humorous PBs are my weak spot :). I also loved the wheel decide.com. I have been trying to come up with ideas for a young writers workshop, and I think that one is great place for us to start! Thank you!
By Laura Lowman Murray on November 3, 2013 at 7:15 pm
Love your books, Sudipta. Thanks for contributing great tips!
By Angie Jones on November 3, 2013 at 8:00 pm
I like the idea of having an outside force (chance) mix together pieces to get new possibilities, it feels like a way to get past stuck points! Thank you for sharing your valuable thoughts .
Diana
By dzipeto on November 3, 2013 at 8:20 pm
I love the mash up idea of combining various parts of stories and different characters. It is freeing and creative. Thanks for a great post.
By Quinn Cole on November 3, 2013 at 8:34 pm
In my house, we love your rhyming prowess, Sudipta! Thanks for the introduction to wheeldecide.com. I tried it out, and I think what I discovered was that I need to do more work in the “story outcome” department. I’m going to have fun creating random characters and story outcomes and matching them up in creative ways this month.
By melaniebellsworth3 on November 3, 2013 at 8:37 pm
Love the idea of variables and thanks for introducing me to Wheeldecide. Fun!
By jheitman22 on November 3, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Sudipta,
just before I read your post yesterday, I had kinda decided to attempt to focus my PiBoIdMo ideas this year on a 30-idea ‘series’ for a certain character in my stories…working on some early-readers using this character. Now I’m realizing I might be limiting my ideas, so I’m rethinking that.
Great insight, great post, exponential advice. PiBoIdMo multiplies our skills to the n-th power, and you’ve really taught me a vital lesson. Thanks squared!
By SevenAcreSky on November 3, 2013 at 8:57 pm
Some great ideas and tips! Thanks!!!
By blanchebaxter on November 4, 2013 at 1:37 am
This was terrific — so many combinations that was a great reminder that sometimes the most unlikely ideas end up forming one special story when we let the ideas flow freely (an my engineer hubby liked this math application!)
By Val McCammon on November 4, 2013 at 7:33 am
Fantastic post, Sudipta! Anything math related usually terrifies me, but this is wonderful! Thank you!
By jenniferkirkeby on November 4, 2013 at 10:50 am
I never liked math in high school (HUGE understatement!!), but THIS math makes sense to me! Great post!
-Michele Katz/Creations By Mit
By creationsbymit on November 4, 2013 at 11:21 am
This is a smart idea. Thanks for sharing it!
By miki on November 4, 2013 at 12:30 pm
Thank you! I love maths!
By Juliet Clare Bell on November 4, 2013 at 4:59 pm
thank you
By Priya Gopal on November 4, 2013 at 5:34 pm
Priya, I am thankful to find you here!
By bookseedstudio on November 30, 2014 at 7:56 pm
Off to set up my wheel of fortune ’cause girl, I’m gonna be rich with PB ideas! 🙂
By Cathy C. Hall on November 4, 2013 at 8:20 pm
Boy, I hate math but you made it bearable because it has to do with PBs. I never thought just thinking of a character or a storyline would work for me, but I’m going to give it a try. Thanks, Ann Magee
By ammwrite on November 5, 2013 at 8:12 am
Wow! My mind is blown. That’s a lot of ideas! Can’t wait to spin the wheel and see what comes up for my writing today. Thanks, Sudipta.
By Debbie Austin on November 5, 2013 at 11:38 am
Loving the mathematical approach!
By Shannon Abercrombie on November 5, 2013 at 2:03 pm
Once we come up with a story idea we often limit ourselves to it instead of playing around wtih different plots or resolutions or details. It’s so easy to fall into that trap. Thanks for the reminder.
By Linda E.H. on November 5, 2013 at 6:09 pm
Brilliant, as always! Leave it to Sudipta to devise actual mathematic formulas for pb writing!
By marciecolleen on November 5, 2013 at 11:51 pm
Thank you for the post — love the wheel decide!
By vijikc on November 6, 2013 at 7:11 pm
Mix and match thinking. Nice way to expand thoughts. Thank you Sudipta.
By Kaye Baillie on November 6, 2013 at 8:23 pm
What a neat idea for idea generation. I love it! Thanks Sudipta!
By megmillerwrites on November 6, 2013 at 10:52 pm
Thanks for a great post Sudipta. Love the idea wheel – lots of fun.
By Liz Miller on November 7, 2013 at 7:48 am
Great, logical way to make a case for opening your mind to unexpected combinations. Wheel link is super helpful too. Thanks!
By Lena Podesta on November 7, 2013 at 5:22 pm
Hey Sudipta! Thanks for the great piboidmo post! : )
By Beth MacKinney on November 8, 2013 at 6:15 pm
Do the math: Sudipta + blog post = super cool idea.
By vinvogel on November 9, 2013 at 6:15 pm
Thank you for the great post, Sudipta! And thank you for introducing us to the wheel–such a clever concept.
By Lisa Morlock on November 11, 2013 at 11:46 pm
Very fun post. And that is coming from a non-math person.
By MichelleLynn on November 13, 2013 at 10:48 pm
Breaking it down into variables makes the process seem less daunting since you can wind up with an exponential number of possibilities.
By cindymbell on November 17, 2013 at 1:15 pm
Great idea on combining parts to make a story or mulitple stories. I love math anyway, so this was great.
By Debbie Faith Mickelson on November 24, 2013 at 4:15 pm
Love the way your mind works. It kinda blows my mind. I sat in on two of your workshops at NESCBWI in May. Loved them both.
By carolmunrojww on November 24, 2013 at 7:18 pm
Even though this posting is from last year, it still works for me in 2014 as I start my 30 days of inspiration. Love you Sudipta!
By Matt Tesoriero on November 1, 2014 at 12:50 pm
This post really made me think of idea generation differently. Thank you!
By Nancy Kotkin on November 26, 2014 at 9:58 pm
Dear Sudipta,
Brava! to Dawn Young – luv the caption. And the covers are too much fun.
And always, appreciations to you for uplifting us, your colleagues.
Happy Holidaze,
j a n
By bookseedstudio on November 30, 2014 at 7:53 pm
[…] (you can find some examples of my tendency to go all science nerd on my literature here and here). So when it came to writing this post about plotting, I found myself thinking about a similar […]
By Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen: Recipe for a Nerdy Chick Plot Pie and GIVEAWAY « Nerdy Chicks Write on July 21, 2015 at 7:58 am