It looks as though you’re almost to the end of PiBoIdMo—CONGRATULATIONS! It’s impressive that you signed on for that big undertaking. I’d like to try it myself some time!
I’ve read through many of the previous PiBoIdMo posts and they’re all so inspiring and helpful. I’ve been trying to think of what I could possibly add to all the great writing tips and personal experiences people have shared and the one thing that comes to mind is to TRUST YOUR OWN INSTINCTS with your ideas and writing. It seems like such an obvious thing to say but of all the things I’ve learned over the years about writing, learning to trust my own instincts might be the most important.
I have a massive collection of books and they are a constant source of inspiration. There are certain authors and illustrators I can’t get enough of and their styles have had a huge influence on my own work.
There have been times when I’d be working on a story or illustration and it just wasn’t working and I’d realize days or weeks later that the reason was because I was unconsciously trying to emulate someone else’s style. After working and reworking it again and again, eventually there would come a day when I’d be in just the right mood and my own “voice” would “speak up” and things would finally gel. I’ve learned the hard way that when I try to draw or write like people I admire it only ends up being, at best, a poor man’s version of their style.
When I do school visits, I talk to kids about writing and we draw together, too. I show them how I draw an otter (based on my book, Do Unto Otters) and then I encourage them to turn it into a character—a pirate, a rock star, a scientist or whatever—and then hopefully later write a story about it.
I let them know that even though we’re all drawing an otter, each one will be unique and different from anyone else’s. I love that about drawing and it’s the same with writing. We could all write a story about a banjo-playing pelican (don’t you dare though—that one’s MINE—I just thought of it!) and there’s not one of them that would be alike. You have your own unique way of telling a story so do all you can to develop that.
Lots of people have asked me to review their manuscripts over the years and I’m still surprised at how many try to write just like well-known authors—namely Dr. Seuss. Editors aren’t looking for another Dr. Seuss. There was and always will be only ONE Dr. Seuss. They want to hear fresh, NEW ways of telling a story. What if Dr. Seuss had tried to write like William Shakespeare? “Would thou liketh them in a box? Would thou liketh them with a fox? Those are the questions!” Doesn’t have quite the same ring to it, does it? With all due props to Mr. Shakes, thankfully, Dr. Seuss trusted his own instincts. To any Dr. Seuss wannabe’s—yes, he is a wonderful source of inspiration but take the qualities you like in his work and DO YOUR OWN THING with them. We can’t wait to see it!
As far as book ideas, they can come from anywhere, as you know, and there’s no one right way to get them. There will be times when you know what you want to write about and other times an idea may just pop into your head. When you can’t think of what to write about there are lots of techniques for generating ideas and to get your brain thinking in unexpected ways (you must know many of those exercises by now). As a writer, there aren’t many things that make me happier than when I get a book idea I’m excited about. There’s no way of knowing which ideas will be popular with readers so I’ve learned that the most satisfying thing you can do as a writer is to write what YOU like and tell it in YOUR voice. The rest will fall into place.
I heard a saying once and I’m paraphrasing here:
That really resonated with me and I think it’s spot on when it comes to writing. HOWEVER you come up with your book ideas, trust that gut feeling—your writing road map.
CONGRATULATIONS, AGAIN on completing your challenge. I wish you all the best with your writing. HAVE FUN and DON’T QUIT!!!
Laurie Keller is the author-illustrator of many picture books including The Scrambled States of America, Do Unto Otters, Open Wide: Tooth School Inside and Arnie the Doughnut. She has a new early chapter books series, The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut, and the second book in the series will be published in February 2014. Laurie lives in Michigan, deep in the woods along the shores of Lake Michigan. Visit all her characters at LaurieKeller.com and like her on Facebook.
Laurie is giving away an ARNIE THE DOUGHNUT PRIZE PACKAGE! It includes: Arnie the Doughnut picture book (one of Tara’s all-time favorites!), Book 1 in The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut series: Bowling Alley Bandit and “Arnie the Doughnut and 4 Other Fantastic Adventure Stories” Weston Woods/Scholastic DVD.
This prize pack will be given away at the conclusion of PiBoIdMo. You are eligible for these prizes if:
- You have registered for PiBoIdMo.
- You have commented ONCE ONLY on today’s post.
- You have completed the PiBoIdMo challenge. (You will have to sign the PiBoIdMo Pledge at the end of the event.)
Good luck, everyone!
329 comments
Comments feed for this article
November 30, 2013 at 6:12 am
nicole snitselaar
I am so glad you believe we have to trust our instincts… 🙂
In a way, writing to please the child in us, is in the same range of thoughts !
Thank you for your great article !
November 30, 2013 at 6:14 am
Gary Masskin
Thanks. Great way of demonstrating how we all have our own unique voice.
November 30, 2013 at 6:16 am
lindamartinandersen
Laurie,
Thanks for reminding us to trust our gut and to find our own voice! Great advice.
November 30, 2013 at 6:25 am
Lori Mozdzierz
“TRUST YOUR OWN INSTINCTS”
Yep, popping this quote up in my office!
Thanks, Laurie 😀
November 30, 2013 at 6:28 am
Malena Fuentes
I love your books and this post explains why
November 30, 2013 at 6:35 am
John Cooper
On the last day of PiBoIdMo my local Art Gallery in Rockhampton, Queensland opened an exhibition of Lynley Dodd’s original artwork for the Hairy McLairy books, and a lot of her other artwork too! Very inspiring to see the drawings up close, and hear the little kids speaking with wonder and joy at seeing Hairy!
November 30, 2013 at 6:39 am
tinamcho
Great message–to trust our gut feelings and not to write like others.
November 30, 2013 at 6:42 am
Alicia van Thiel
Love the instinctual road map! Thank you!
November 30, 2013 at 7:02 am
Susan Nicholas
Great post for our final day of piboidmo. I like the gut feeling quote. I’m going to go with mine and follow through with several of the ideas I came up with this month.
November 30, 2013 at 7:07 am
Sandie Sing
I have never thought about going with my gut feelings and going with my voice. Thank you for the delightful share.
November 30, 2013 at 7:17 am
lindaschueler
Thank you. I will keep telling myself to trust my instincts.
November 30, 2013 at 7:18 am
kirsticall
Thank you for a great post! Trusting your gut is really important when you get feedback that is diametrically opposed! Thanks again.
November 30, 2013 at 7:25 am
bnkupetz
A wonderful message, Laurie. Thanks for reminding us not to question our instincts but to go with them.
November 30, 2013 at 7:31 am
heatherj
Arnie the Donut is one of my favorite picture books. Thank you!
November 30, 2013 at 7:31 am
Daryl Gottier
Thanks for a wonderful message. We often second guess our get instincts.
November 30, 2013 at 7:32 am
Emi Howe
Great post, guts spoke, off to make ideas float… thanks Laurie xx
November 30, 2013 at 7:37 am
lmconnors
I’m told often to write what the market wants. This post is refreshing and mirrors what my gut tells me. Thanks!
November 30, 2013 at 7:42 am
Hana
“There’s no way of knowing which ideas will be popular with readers so I’ve learned that the most satisfying thing you can do as a writer is to write what YOU like and tell it in YOUR voice. The rest will fall into place.” Yes. Thank you! As an aspiring (i.e. unpublished) writer, I worry about this issue all the time. Wonderful post. I’m really going to miss these posts when, starting tomorrow, they are no more…
November 30, 2013 at 7:42 am
Sue Poduska
Great wrap up to a great month. Yes, we should all trust that we know when we’re producing something good.
November 30, 2013 at 7:45 am
happyidiots
Thanks Laurie! Great contribution!
November 30, 2013 at 7:48 am
mona861
Yes, we should all trust our gut! Thanks Laurie, for the confirmation of that.
Great last post. Waaaahhhhhhhh, last post for this year!!! Thank you Tara.
November 30, 2013 at 7:48 am
agsawan
Thanks! what great advice!
November 30, 2013 at 7:56 am
laura516
I’ve been trying to find that perfect balance of using favorites as inspiration and finding my own voice. Thanks for the encouragement!
November 30, 2013 at 7:56 am
janenorton
Thank you for the reminder that we all have a unique way of expressing ourselves (especially when my inner censor often says, “Oh, there’s so much out there already so why try”… It’s so important to do something because you love it and trust your gut to show you the way… 🙂
November 30, 2013 at 8:06 am
rlkurstedt
It’s hard to trust your instincts but always good to remember. Thanks for the reminder.
November 30, 2013 at 8:07 am
Betsy Devany
Gut feelings. Yes. I always listen to them. Love your illustrations! Thanks for the inspiring post!
November 30, 2013 at 8:08 am
Eileen
Thanks for sharing
November 30, 2013 at 8:15 am
patientdreamer
Love the artwork. Thanks.
November 30, 2013 at 8:17 am
Melanie Vickers
Your quote on gut feelings and advice to write what I like in my own voice are authentic. That’s what I need as a writer struggling to get published. Thanks
November 30, 2013 at 8:21 am
Joanne Sher
We are BIG Laurie Keller fans here (she came to my kids’ school a few years back and we have a signed copy of Scrambled States of America that is WELL-TREASURED), and now even more. Loved and needed this reminder! Hard to trust my gut sometimes, but if Laurie Keller says so, I guess I’d better! 😉
November 30, 2013 at 8:26 am
Kim
I really like the “road map” quote. The funny thing is when I ignore my gut about something in a story — it is usually the first thing my critique partners bring up as something that doesn’t work.
November 30, 2013 at 8:27 am
jheitman22
Thank you, Laurie. This post is a great way to close out a great month and send us on our way, ideas popping and stories hopping up and down, waiting to be told.
November 30, 2013 at 8:29 am
Dee Almond
Love your otter ideas–a great way to teach kid about individuality.
November 30, 2013 at 8:31 am
Anne Bielby
Great advice!
November 30, 2013 at 8:31 am
Cheryl Mansfield
Great post Laurie, it’s something I should every so often to remind myself to write like me. Thanks!
November 30, 2013 at 8:33 am
Laura Purdie Salas
Love that road map. And your otter school visit anecdote just gave me an idea for my own visits–thank you!
November 30, 2013 at 8:34 am
dzipeto
Laurie,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts (and conjuring the bill plucking banjo image!) Our guts are amazing things, it’s easy to forget them sometimes. Thank you thank you for endorsing them 🙂
Can’t wait to check out your books!
Best,
Diana Zipeto
November 30, 2013 at 8:37 am
ptnozell
Trust my own instincts – wonderful advice. Thank you, Laurie. And what was that about a banjo-playing pelican: to strum or not to strum that is the question!
November 30, 2013 at 8:41 am
Jessie Miller (@pigknit)
Great advice 🙂
November 30, 2013 at 8:45 am
Mary Kate O'Keefe
Such a terrific way to round out this month! Thank you to Laurie and thank you to all of the posters. Most importantly, thank you Tara!!! 🙂
November 30, 2013 at 8:46 am
Kathy Moncrief
What a perfect ending to a wonderful month! Thanks, Laurie. And THANKS TARA!!!
November 30, 2013 at 8:48 am
Kathy Doherty
Great advice–trust your instincts. That’s works for everything in life, not just writing.
November 30, 2013 at 8:48 am
teresa m.i. schaefer (@TMISchaefer)
Trust your gut. Does Arnie fit in here in any way? Thanks, Laurie.
November 30, 2013 at 8:50 am
julie rowan zoch
I am glad your post comes today, Laura, as I often have too much space between my fingers holding on to such truths! Especially when it comes to illustrating for others – it’s tough to remember to please yourself first! Thank you!
November 30, 2013 at 8:51 am
Shanda McCloskey
Great post! Your characters are awesome!… A donut! Amazing!
November 30, 2013 at 8:52 am
marciecolleen
I needed to hear this. Take inspiration from others then do your own thing with it. Thank you! Onward!
November 30, 2013 at 8:53 am
cindyjohnson2013
I have done that, too – unconsciously tried to write in someone else’s voice. -Thank you for reminding me to be myself!
November 30, 2013 at 8:57 am
msmo1958
Thank you Laurie! I love reminders about following your heart .
November 30, 2013 at 8:58 am
Kelly Parker
Thank you for the advice. It is very important for us to stay true to who we are instead of trying to be someone else. When you are yourself, you are at your best, everything sounds natural. Will do my best to trust my gut.
November 30, 2013 at 8:59 am
gpatmiller
Your road map quote sounds like the quote on canvas I bought last week and hung over my writing desk, “When your heart speaks, take good notes.” Thanks for the inspiration.
November 30, 2013 at 9:00 am
skeerswriter
Excellent and important post — thanks for the reminder to trust our own instincts!
November 30, 2013 at 9:02 am
deborahholtwilliams
Thanks, Laurie, for reminding us that trusting our gut can help us find our voice.
November 30, 2013 at 9:04 am
Lauren Greenberg
Love your illustrations, Laurie! Thanks for the great post.
November 30, 2013 at 9:07 am
Mary Warth
Thanks Laurie,
I love the lightbulb!
November 30, 2013 at 9:08 am
Elaine Kiely Kearns
Thanks for a great post, Laurie! Trusting your gut instinct is very important, and I need to listen to mine a little bit more. 🙂
November 30, 2013 at 9:11 am
Laura Zimmermann
Great post!
November 30, 2013 at 9:14 am
Lynn A. Davidson
Thanks, Laurie. Your post had me laughing out loud. 🙂
You have helped me see what makes the difference in my pb ideas writing – the ones that work the best are the ones I ‘feel’ – that gut instinct. Now I will pay more attention to that.
Great post to end this marvellous challenge. Thanks! (And thanks again, Tara!)
November 30, 2013 at 9:14 am
S.H. Sherlock
Love the encouragement to stay true to oneself. (And perfect example- “Would thou liketh them in a box?” ha!) Arnie the Doughnut is on my to-read list now.
November 30, 2013 at 9:17 am
Carolyn Rohrbaugh
This has been an inspiring month and you topped it off with a great post
November 30, 2013 at 9:18 am
Susan Cabael
I can certainly see & hear your own style in DO UNTO OTTERS–a classroom favorite! Good advice to follow your gut, which I was trying to explain as a life lesson to my 9-year-old the other day. Works for so much.
November 30, 2013 at 9:20 am
storyfairy
Oh, wow, Laurie, what a small world! I saw “Do Unto Otters” just last night while looking at books on Amazon.
And Dr. Seuss writing like Shakespeare had me in stitches! Great post! 🙂
November 30, 2013 at 9:24 am
Therese Nagi
Laurie you are so right with our craft that often we emulate others work. Liked your quote about listening to our gut. Can’t wait to check out your book DO UNTO OTTERS.
November 30, 2013 at 9:35 am
Courtenay Schurman
I LOVE your stuff and appreciate your advice. “gut” or “instincts” — paying attention to what’s most important to us and putting it in our voice is perhaps the perfect way to round out PiBoIdMo advice. Thanks!
November 30, 2013 at 9:35 am
Mary Crockett
Loved seeing the sketches. Your otter title made me laugh out loud! it’s one of those “wish I had thought of it!” kind of things!
November 30, 2013 at 9:37 am
sueheaven
Thanks for the gut-map check… I love maps – even if you hold them upside down you’ll get somewhere. And I can’t wait to read Do Unto Otters – it sounds really cute.
November 30, 2013 at 9:39 am
kristivaliant
That’s such a great point to make about not trying to mimic someone else’s writing style. It’s the same way with illustrating. In art school, we try painting the same painting as our favorite painters and illustrators to see what we can learn from them, but then we need to work out our own way of illustrating. That’s the hardest step.
November 30, 2013 at 9:42 am
Mary McClellan
I LOVE “Do Unto Otters!” I’ve already made an index card with your paraphrased road-map saying. Thanks.
November 30, 2013 at 9:42 am
aliciaminor
What a way to end PiBiIdMo with trusting our gut feeling, another great post from another successful author because she trusted her gut feeling. Thanks for sharing.
November 30, 2013 at 9:43 am
angelapenadahle
I love that you draw w/ the kids on your school visits. I’m not that brave yet. When I draw in public, nothing turns out. I’m just starting out building a portfolio for illustration. My gut told me to join an illustration critique group.this year, so I found one…and joined! 🙂 Thanks for the post.
November 30, 2013 at 9:48 am
LovableLobo
Last day. : (
Great post reminding us to trust our gut and use our own voice.
Thank you, Tara, for making PiBoIdMo happen! : D
November 30, 2013 at 9:48 am
Jackie Wellington
Thanks for posting this. You want your work to be marketable, salable, and likeable. But what if you are so attached to an idea, but others view it as “not ready for the market”? It seem like those are the ideas I get. I love the comment about Shakespeare and Dr. Seuss. It makes sense. My grandmother always said, “You wouldn’t send a beauty queen to do a job better suited for a cop.” So I get it. Each has its own purpose and does a good job within their own rite. Thanks for posting this; it was great!
November 30, 2013 at 9:48 am
Elisa Robinson (@elisaitw)
Donuts always seize my imagination!!! Thanks for your inspiring post.
November 30, 2013 at 9:49 am
Elizabeth Metz
Woohoo!!! We made it! Thanks for your wise words, Laurie, and your delightful books.
November 30, 2013 at 9:50 am
Kelly Vavala
I love the “Otter”! ! It’s a tough challenge to trust your gut feeling not only in writing but in every day life. Great advice and I love when it happens…when you do trust and everything falls into place! Very inspirational post and thank you for sharing
November 30, 2013 at 9:51 am
Michelle O'Hara Levin
A Donut prize pack?!??!! Yes Please!
November 30, 2013 at 9:53 am
MichelleLynn
My gut is telling me this is EXACTLY what I need to be doing with my life! Thank you for your encouragement.
November 30, 2013 at 9:55 am
Amanda Smith
Laurie, your Shakespeared version of Green Eggs and Ham had me laughing out loud! My boys LOVE The Scrambled States of America. Thank you for writing something educational that is also so much fun! (your book and this post.)
November 30, 2013 at 9:56 am
Kjersten Hayes
Thanks! Great post.
November 30, 2013 at 9:56 am
pathaap
Great post, Laurie! Nice reminder to trust our instincts. After reading your post, I had two more ideas – thanks!
November 30, 2013 at 9:58 am
kathalsey
Yes, Scrambled States went out of my intermediate school library all the time! I will do as you say, be like otter & be unique! Thanks for the final post!
November 30, 2013 at 9:59 am
Laura Lowman Murray
Hi Laurie, I love the visual of the road map. And I really identified with trusting your gut – love this quote – “so I’ve learned that the most satisfying thing you can do as a writer is to write what YOU like and tell it in YOUR voice. The rest will fall into place.” So true!! This is a “print-out, hang above my computer” quote. Thanks – your books are adorable!
November 30, 2013 at 10:00 am
Andrea
Love this post! This is so perfect as I am about to attempt writing a story based on one of my many ideas!
November 30, 2013 at 10:00 am
Kathleen Mazurowski
Thank you for the inspiration. I needed to hear that I need to stay true to my style.
November 30, 2013 at 10:02 am
Mary A Livingston
A wonderful post to wrap up the month. Thank you!
November 30, 2013 at 10:03 am
Joan Waites
Love your illustrations-great post about trusting your instincts!
November 30, 2013 at 10:06 am
Jewel Sample
Indeed our PiBoLdMo 2013 race of completion is upon us…What we do with our collected ideas is up to us. Following our gut, writing with our heart and use our voice will give us the confidence to know our work. Thank you for sharing.
November 30, 2013 at 10:07 am
Theanna
What a great post. I love the fluorescent bulb! I love the quote you referenced as well. Trusting our gut and using our own voice is great advice. Thank you for sharing your story and best of luck to you!
November 30, 2013 at 10:09 am
littledbl
Love your lightbulb!!! When I do school visits, I can’t draw. But I do talk about having someone else do your illustrations. I tell them to close their eyes and give them some simple storyline text. Then have them picture it in their mind and raise their hand. Everyone’s picture is different. 🙂 And it is so much fun to see their creativity. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
November 30, 2013 at 10:14 am
DaNeil Olson
Fabulous, fabulous advice! Not just for writing but for life. We all need to stop trying to be the next Dr. Seuss and be ourselves. Thank you so much for the delightful reminder.
November 30, 2013 at 10:15 am
Carleen Tjader
What a great article to conclude this amazing month of inspiring writers! I think I especially needed to read this one.
November 30, 2013 at 10:20 am
cherylsec
Laurie, your books sound so fun! And I love the Dr. Seuss slant on Shakespeare. 🙂 Your words are encouraging and inspiring. Thank you for sharing with us today!
November 30, 2013 at 10:29 am
mellin4333
I LOOOVE “Do Unto Otters”!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😀
November 30, 2013 at 10:31 am
shiela fuller
Lots of ideas come to me just by listening to people speak.
Now, if I could only remember to always have my notebook in close proximity.
November 30, 2013 at 10:32 am
Michelle @ Fitztopia
All great advice and good parting words to launch us into our stores of ideas into these winter months. Stay warm and carry on… okay, so that’s not terribly original, but points well taken! 😉
November 30, 2013 at 10:34 am
alwaysbedancing
I loved looking for books for my son when he was young. We have kept almost all of them and we both find ourselves looking through them or quoting them. I refer back to them all the time!
November 30, 2013 at 10:36 am
Sylvia Liu
I love your advice, and I love that even your idea bulb is environmentally friendly! And it’ll last a lot longer than a regular idea.
November 30, 2013 at 10:42 am
danielledufayet
What a wonderful last post. Great advice – love your books. The gut always knows….
November 30, 2013 at 10:43 am
Ashley Bohmer
I’m planning on carrying this amazing advice into 2014 and beyond.–Thank you! 🙂
November 30, 2013 at 10:47 am
dorothia
Thank you for the great advice on following your gut. Love your otters!
November 30, 2013 at 10:50 am
LeeAnn Jensen
Thank you so much! I have often tried to do what others have done and flopped on my face because of it. Great advice to be yourself and trust our own instincts!
November 30, 2013 at 10:52 am
Joanna
Go with your Gut is my mantra too; thanks!
November 30, 2013 at 10:54 am
City Sights for Kids
My dog was missing for 7 emotional hours this week. It turned out he was safe all along because my first instinct about his location was correct. The experience made me realize how powerful our instincts and intuition really are, so this post hit home for me. I think the important thing about following instincts as a writer is tuning in to not only the positive rah-rah instincts, but also those nagging ones you may want to tune out. Thanks for the post! – Amanda Sincavage
November 30, 2013 at 10:55 am
Mary Flynn
Thank you Laurie for the great post and advice
November 30, 2013 at 10:56 am
Linda
Thanks! Love Arnie and your illustrations. Your covers are in my top five!
November 30, 2013 at 10:58 am
Pia Garneau
My kids and I love Arnie the Doughnut. That is how they discovered doughnuts and they always try to find one with chocolate and sprinkles. Thanks for the reminder to trust my gut and let my voice come out instead of someone else’s.
November 30, 2013 at 11:01 am
Debra Daugherty
This was a great post to end PIBoIdMO! I’m inspired by others, but want my own voice to be heard. Is anybody listening? LOL
November 30, 2013 at 11:02 am
danacarey1
I love this post. Trust your gut is good simple advice yet not so easy to follow. So important for letting our voice shine through. Thank you for telling as to so! The proof this works is in your wonderful books.
November 30, 2013 at 11:05 am
Sue Frye
Loved reading this post!
November 30, 2013 at 11:05 am
Jacqueline Adams
Great advice about writing what you like in your own voice. This is the perfect post to transition us from collecting ideas to writing the manuscripts.
November 30, 2013 at 11:06 am
pbgirl1a
Ha! Dr. Seuss writing like Shakespeare…that made me giggle! I loved your inspiring post!
November 30, 2013 at 11:06 am
kevanjatt
I like going by my gut feeling, but sometimes it is indigestion.
November 30, 2013 at 11:10 am
Teresa Daffern
What great advice. I’ll admit I have been trying to emulate some of my favourite authors and it never seems to totally fit or work with my ideas. Thank you for your wonderful post on our last day of the challenge!
November 30, 2013 at 11:10 am
Alicia Schwab
Awesome, thanks Laurie. I have been trusting my instincts lately. I am glad you spoke about voice and writing/illustrating in you own style. Hooray for Day 30!
November 30, 2013 at 11:11 am
pbgirl1
Ha! Dr. Seuss writing like Shakespeare…that made me giggle! Loved your inspiring post!
November 30, 2013 at 11:12 am
Gaye kick
Thank you! I needed to hear “trust my own instincts” on the last day.
November 30, 2013 at 11:15 am
Sheri Dillard
Great post! I love the idea of our gut feelings being a road map. I’ll be sure to remember that as I sift through my idea folders. 🙂
And thanks, Tara, for another wonderful month full of inspiration!
November 30, 2013 at 11:20 am
abrianc
This holds especially true for illustration I feel! In the beginning you learn from the artists you love but to become truly amazing you have to be yourself and make your own art. Thank you for the lovely post!
November 30, 2013 at 11:21 am
Suzanne kaufman
So true. Thanks for the post.
November 30, 2013 at 11:22 am
preachteach
go with your gut- great advice thanks!
November 30, 2013 at 11:23 am
cantsing1
So glad for reminders to trust my own voice and story. I usually do that, but occasionally hear another voice in my ear. . . telling me “so and so” won’t like it. Voice be gone!
Thanks!
November 30, 2013 at 11:26 am
Marty McCormick
What a great final message for the month. Thank you so much for bolstering our beliefs in ourselves — sometimes difficult to hold onto as we come face to face with the ‘amazing-ness’ of someone else’s writings/illustrations.
And yes, nothing makes me happier than a book idea I’m excited about.
Can’t wait to get acquainted with all your books. The titles alone are fantastic.
* Proud to see a Michigander closing out the month! *
November 30, 2013 at 11:26 am
Lauri
Write on! Great advice! Thanks for sharing your ideas about trusting your own instincts. So many of us doubt ourselves and that stifles our creativity. I love your illustration style by the way, and your environmentally friendly idea light bulb is awesome (and it will last longer too)!
November 30, 2013 at 11:29 am
robinghoward
Thank you for a great way to wrap up the month!
November 30, 2013 at 11:31 am
Pam Brunskill (@PamBrunskill)
Thanks for the reminder, Laurie! I used to use THE SCRAMBLED STATES OF AMERICA when I taught third grade. Love that book!
November 30, 2013 at 11:37 am
Stephanie Shaw
Thank you, Laurie, for the reminder to do what we ‘otter’ and follow our own instincts. We write to please others and it is tempting to listen to all sorts of things that play off our insecurities. Trusting our instincts will make our work more cohesive —- a single voice rather than the cacophony of many.
November 30, 2013 at 11:41 am
Shirley Ng-Benitez
Wonderful post and a really great saying about your gut. Thank you Laurie for your advice!
November 30, 2013 at 11:42 am
20emeline14
Great job on being the post and wonderful reminder on trusting ourselves, mind and heart.
November 30, 2013 at 11:46 am
lindakcampos
Great advice and I love your illustrations!
November 30, 2013 at 11:54 am
Naana
I love the quote. Great advice. Got an idea while reading your post
November 30, 2013 at 11:58 am
writeknit
Thanks for the great advice, we have to do our own thing because we aren’t someone else! Loved your post.
November 30, 2013 at 12:03 pm
Lori Dubbin
Laurie, thank you for your wise words about following our gut and using it as a road map in life and writing. Your post is the perfect “cherry on top” of a wonderful PiBoIdMo, and I’m going to miss getting these great scoops of inspiration and advice each day. Thank you Tara, thank you writers, thank you illustrators, thank you participants. Now time to get writing and trusting my gut. So…in a chair I’ll put my butt, and I won’t forget to trust my gut!
November 30, 2013 at 12:06 pm
Fashionista Philly
I loved this blog posting so much because your gut feeling is your road map to life in general, and it’s so sad how we often lose sight of this through the journey of getting published. Especially when you get critiques, you get so many people telling you to do diff things its frustrating and sometimes you lose sight of what YOU want to do write. Thanks Laurie for reminding us whose voice matters the most, the author.
November 30, 2013 at 12:11 pm
tpierce
Great advice, Laurie! And a lesson that takes a long time to learn.
November 30, 2013 at 12:12 pm
Angie Jones
Loved this. True words, stay true to yourself. And be yourself, everyone else is taken.
November 30, 2013 at 12:13 pm
Nancy Armo
The whole PIBoldMo month has been a road trip with a map full of truths and advice. Laurie’s directions for trusting your gut is great advice as we begin a new journey into revision and development of our stories.
November 30, 2013 at 12:13 pm
Margaret Greanias
I love the advice about using your own voice for a fresh telling. I will remember this! Thank you!
November 30, 2013 at 12:14 pm
Linda Gammon
Good advice for the last day of PiBoIdMo. Thanks!
November 30, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Janie Reinart
Thank you Laurie. Dr. Seuss using Shakespeare’s voice made me laugh out loud! Thank you for the post. I agree about instincts.
November 30, 2013 at 12:17 pm
Lisa Healy
I appreciate the reminder to follow your gut instincts. This is truly one of the best routes on any road to success!
November 30, 2013 at 12:25 pm
sherry alexander
Love this i know how easy it is to let someone else’s style start to creep in when you admire their work.
November 30, 2013 at 12:26 pm
Pam Jones
more than awesomesauce..incrediblesauce!
November 30, 2013 at 12:31 pm
Buffy Silverman
Great quote…and I think I will be saying, “Do unto otters..” all day! Thanks for the inspiration.
November 30, 2013 at 12:34 pm
mlucero30
Great post! I love the gut feelings/road map quote–so true!
November 30, 2013 at 12:39 pm
klmcmorranmaus
I will take your advice and follow my gut. Thank you for sharing.
November 30, 2013 at 12:41 pm
Cindy Schumerth
Shakespeare and Dr. Seuss what a team that would of been! Thanks for the reminder to trust your gut.
November 30, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Linda Thompson
Thank you for affirming my desire to follow my instincts. I’m lovin’ your illustrations, too!
November 30, 2013 at 12:51 pm
Juliana Lee
Nice to meet you Laurie! Writing this as our UM/OSU family watches the game. Go Blue!
November 30, 2013 at 12:54 pm
Ann Birnie
Thanks Laurie – My biggest challenge is when my gut’s in a rut, and I have to kick its butt! I hope that doesn’t sound nuts.
November 30, 2013 at 12:54 pm
amievc
Thank you for your funny, inspirational post! The reminder to trust our instincts and express our own voices is a great final message for this year’s PiBoIdMo! Also love your illustrations and wit!
November 30, 2013 at 1:10 pm
Ashley Bankhead
Great post. Thank you for sharing. You have a lot of great advice.
November 30, 2013 at 1:22 pm
Donna Black
Gut and guts is what it’s all about.
November 30, 2013 at 1:22 pm
Denise Bowman
Thanks for such honest and practical suggestions! And your Shakespeare Dr. Seuss was priceless!
November 30, 2013 at 1:22 pm
Micah Clarke
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Have a great one!
November 30, 2013 at 1:26 pm
Janny J. Johnson
Sometimes I’ve been nervous, because my ideas are so often, different from others. Maybe I need to listen to myself more.
November 30, 2013 at 1:27 pm
LeslieG
I loved this post even before I realized you wrote Arnie the Doughnut! That just made me love it more :0) Thank you!
November 30, 2013 at 1:36 pm
Rosi Hollinbeck
Lots of good encouragement and tips here. Thanks.
November 30, 2013 at 1:51 pm
wendymyersart
What a great post to end 2013 PiBoIdMo. Very inspirational. I love the road map with quote. So true. Your Dr.Seuss/William Shakespeare mash up gave me some good giggles. Thanks for the post!
November 30, 2013 at 1:54 pm
Robyn Campbell
Follow our own path together. Thanks for helping us to remember this. Loved your advice. I for one am glad that Seuss did NOT try to write like Shakespeare! Giggled at that comparison. *waving*
November 30, 2013 at 1:55 pm
jkir
Thank you. Very good advice.
November 30, 2013 at 1:56 pm
jkirsch118
Thank you. Great advice.
November 30, 2013 at 2:02 pm
Lori Alexander
Thanks for the great advice, Laurie. My kids and I love Arnie!
November 30, 2013 at 2:11 pm
kpbock
I dost thinketh that this was a wonderful post!
November 30, 2013 at 2:19 pm
renajtraxel
Learning to trust oneself is so hard and something I struggle with. Great post.
November 30, 2013 at 2:24 pm
Priya Gopal
So true, trust yourself
November 30, 2013 at 2:24 pm
Ellen Mott
Thank you for your wonderful advice. Love the quote: ‘Our gut feelings are the closest thing we get in life to a roadmap.’ It works.
November 30, 2013 at 2:25 pm
beckyfyfe
Great advice and a very witty post! 🙂
November 30, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Sherry Walz
Laurie, thanks for the advice to stay true to yourself. As Dr. Seuss also reminded us, “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
November 30, 2013 at 2:32 pm
Johnell
I’d love to see Seuss in Shakespeare, so funny. Thanks for the great advice.
November 30, 2013 at 2:33 pm
Meg Miller
I love your road map quote, so true for writing! And I got a story idea reading your post, thank you! (not your pelican idea, promise!)
November 30, 2013 at 2:34 pm
Sharon Nix Jones
I love the quote about your gut feeling being your road map.
November 30, 2013 at 2:38 pm
Angela Padron
I lover your work! Great post – gut feelings are usually the way to go in life and writing!
November 30, 2013 at 2:40 pm
Peyton Leung
Thanks, Laurie, for that final push and nugget of wisdom. My gut says there are important stories that I need to write and that I should be doing that now!
Thanks, Tara, for an amazing month of inspiration and ideas!
November 30, 2013 at 2:45 pm
Jenn DesAutels
Thanks, Laurie, for your encouragement. I bet it’s a lot of fun to see the different otters at the schools. =)
November 30, 2013 at 2:51 pm
Penny Parker Klostermann
“Our gut feelings are the closest thing we get in life to a road map.” Love that. Thanks for the inspiration!
November 30, 2013 at 2:54 pm
Jen Carroll
Guts and instincts are an especially good thing to remember as we venture to the next step of deciding which ideas to develop and how to pursue them. Thank you!
November 30, 2013 at 3:03 pm
Judith Snyder
Your books are deliciously creative. With all these new ideas, it’s now time to start down that road map of life.
November 30, 2013 at 3:03 pm
Beth Stilborn
Thank you so much for this gut-feeling road map as we launch into our post-PiBoIdMo writing/illustrating lives. Onward and upward and all over the place we go!
November 30, 2013 at 3:06 pm
Robb Michael G
’tis truth indeed, a secret to writing well is not to try to be another writer, but to be the writer you are.
November 30, 2013 at 3:06 pm
Jennifer Voigt Kaplan
One does need to be conscious of the different between being inspired by and mimicking the voice of whomever we are reading. Sometimes the line blurs. Thanks for the post!
PS – loved your funny light bulb sketch.
November 30, 2013 at 3:06 pm
Sharon K Mayhew
Trust your instincts…This is so true. I recently submitted a ms to an agent and she said she really connected with it until she got to a certain point in the story. I guessed where it was in the story that lost her. I was exactly right…I knew it was wrong, but didn’t know how to fix it at that point. From now on I will trust my instincts. Thanks for all the encouragement, Laurie!
November 30, 2013 at 3:09 pm
Tracy Molitors
Thanks, Laurie, for that very solid advice that I will attempt to keep with me always. Thank you Tara for an incredible month of inspiration and motivation!
November 30, 2013 at 3:16 pm
Kaye Baillie
Thanks, Laurie for the special last post. I shall miss the daily posts but wow, I have a store of information and inspiration to keep me going. I loved your words and you are so right. Our own voices and characters are what will always shine through. Your books look great.
November 30, 2013 at 3:21 pm
Heather Greene
I agree with Leslie. I loved the post even before I realized you wrote Arnie the Doughnut! That book just cracks me up! Thanks, Laurie,going to find my own voice.
November 30, 2013 at 3:23 pm
Anne Bromley
Thank you, Laurie, for this grand finale of posts. It really resonates with me, Recently, I was awakened in the middle of a deep sleep by a voice screaming, “You’re writing someone else’s story!” I had lost my way in following too much advice. Now, I definitely know better. Thanks for the great reminder!
November 30, 2013 at 3:25 pm
Stella Jane Stauffer
Great post, Laurie. I looked at your website and your illustrations are wonderful! You have indeed found your own style. Your work and words are an inspiration.
November 30, 2013 at 3:29 pm
Melanie Ellsworth
Laurie – I love the saying about gut feelings being the best road map we can have. It’s interesting how much we have to fight to hear our own instincts trying to speak to us! I’ve really enjoyed this month of inspiration. Thanks to Tara and all the guests who took time to write posts.
November 30, 2013 at 3:29 pm
Yvonne Mes
Environmentally friendly ideas are so much more sustainable, thank you!
November 30, 2013 at 3:32 pm
Laura Zarrin
Very good advice, thanks!!!
November 30, 2013 at 3:38 pm
miki
Please donut think I cannot come up with my own ideas. There is a donut shop in my family and it made it onto my PiBoIdMo list this year. I’m looking forward to reading your donut stories!
November 30, 2013 at 3:41 pm
Noel Csermak
Clear the clutter, breathe deeply and put pen to paper. Don’t let the inspiration slip away. Keep at it and we will succeed! Thank you for the validation of “our” voice.
November 30, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Ellen Pridmore
What a great final post! Where did this month go? Thank you for inspiration and confidence.
November 30, 2013 at 3:45 pm
katiemillsgiorgio
Thanks for sharing your insights! I donut know what I’d do without them 🙂
November 30, 2013 at 4:03 pm
Debra Shumaker
Thanks so much for the inspiration!
November 30, 2013 at 4:04 pm
Patrick Waldron
Bravo, everyone! Thank you very much. I look forward to editing my idea list down and helping my readers find my stories. I was surprised at the amount and quality of the ideas I generated this month and how everything coalesced at the end. Thank you Tara.
November 30, 2013 at 4:07 pm
Leslie Colin Tribble
Thank you! The older I get the more I trust my gut and tell others it’s okay if they do too. Our own style is just that, our own. Thanks for that reminder!
November 30, 2013 at 4:12 pm
Tracey Jackson
So many wonderful things in your post, not least your advice of course! The way you use your otter in school visits to remind kids how each of their drawings and therefore stories will be different is excellent. I’m going to do that with my children – and it was a great reminder for me too. I also love your eco-friendly bulb! Thank you for sharing with us, Laurie.
November 30, 2013 at 4:14 pm
Sandie Vaisnoras
Thank you…it’s shard to trust your gut…but since it’s our second brain…makes since.
November 30, 2013 at 4:29 pm
Helen Ross
Thanks Laurie. I have learnt to trust my instincts over the years and think it is great advice pertaining to book ideas. Thank you.
November 30, 2013 at 4:30 pm
janet smart
Hi Laurie, great advice. I love the light bulb!
November 30, 2013 at 4:31 pm
Julene Kinser
My guts are talking turkey right now–no kidding–lots of inspiration after several days of friends, family, turkey and fun! Thanks for the post, Laurie.
November 30, 2013 at 4:32 pm
Erin Kerr
Great inspiratonal advice, Laurie! ^_^ I’m going to pin this next to my laptop, so I always remember to trust what my gut says and not to doubt it at all. I adore the way you draw otters…so adorable.
November 30, 2013 at 4:40 pm
Jennifer Ali
It’s difficult to not emulate favorite illustrators-it’s great that you can break away from it. Thanks!
November 30, 2013 at 4:44 pm
Catherine
Thank you Laurie for a last great post. Sad that PiBoMoId month is over but excited about all my new ideas 🙂
November 30, 2013 at 4:47 pm
Debbie Faith Mickelson
There is only your unique voice and that’s what makes reading and writing fun. Going with my instinct is something I strive for but often detour away from too. Thanks for showing me it’s ok to be me.
November 30, 2013 at 5:02 pm
carolmunrojww
Perfect post for the last day of the month. Thanks, Laurie. Join us next year!
November 30, 2013 at 5:03 pm
Dana Atnip
I absolutely love that quote: Our gut feelings are the closest thing we get in life to a road map. SO TRUE! And always remember to Do Unto Otters! 🙂
November 30, 2013 at 5:05 pm
Christy Mihaly
Laurie, thanks for the encouragement. Looking at my month’s list of scribbled ideas, I see I’m going to need to exercise some of that instinct-trusting to figure out how best to work with them. Onward!!
November 30, 2013 at 5:19 pm
Sandy Perlic
I agree! Those gut feelings are so, so important. It’s when we ignore them that we run into trouble. Thanks for the timely reminder to be ourselves.
November 30, 2013 at 5:20 pm
Laura Gehl
My kids LOVE your books! Thanks for the great advice.
November 30, 2013 at 5:32 pm
Shirley
Great post. Thanks for the advice to find your own voice.
November 30, 2013 at 5:32 pm
Janet Halfmann
Love the advice to follow your own gut. Thanks for sharing.
November 30, 2013 at 5:37 pm
Laurie L. Young
What a great way to end the month! Laurie, I have been a fan of yours for years, (with a small collection of your books to show for it!)
We all know to trust our instincts, but it’s harder than it sounds. I love the road map quote and am putting it on my vision board to remind me to pay attention. Thank you!!
November 30, 2013 at 5:40 pm
emazza1217
Just wanted to say that we LOVE Arnie the Doughnut in our house. My son has a stuffed donut & has named him “Artie” . So cute.
Such creativity!
Yes, trusting your gut has brought you past the finish line. Kudos!!
November 30, 2013 at 5:45 pm
Jim Hill (@heyjimhill)
After a holiday feast and a day of leftovers I have plenty of gut to trust. Thanks for the inspiration!
November 30, 2013 at 5:46 pm
Kim Pfennigwerth
Yay! Fabulous post to end a fantastic month! Thank you Laurie and thank you Tara! The inspiration is never ending!
November 30, 2013 at 5:53 pm
dee win
i think your advice “go with your gut/trust your instincts” is fantastic. thank you!
November 30, 2013 at 6:00 pm
Pamela M. Tuck
I agree. Sometimes you’re the only one who will trust your own gut feelings, but if you believe in yourself . . . others may too! So, I’ll be even more careful not to throw all those rejected stories out the window 😉
November 30, 2013 at 6:12 pm
intheirownwrite
Wonderful post. Thanks for the inspiration.
November 30, 2013 at 6:19 pm
Deirdre Sheridan Englehart
Thank you for your ideas… I especially believe that we have to find our own voice and use it instead of trying to be like others…
November 30, 2013 at 6:50 pm
Romelle Broas
I just discovered Arnie and shared it with my sons and they love him! I love your illustrations style and humor, Lauri. Thanks for sharing.
November 30, 2013 at 6:58 pm
angie karcher
I love that you told us to trust ourselves…Great advice!
November 30, 2013 at 7:07 pm
mooseonearth
I LOVE Do Unto Otters! So wonderful!
November 30, 2013 at 7:13 pm
Genevieve Petrillo
OMG! I have been working on a story about a banjo-playing pelican! Nah. I’m just kidding. But wouldn’t that be crazy?! I love Arnie. Plus I also love donuts. And gingerbread men. Just saying….
November 30, 2013 at 7:16 pm
Amy Cohas
Laurie, thank you for the wonderful advice. I have three daughters and my oldest (almost 15!) was given Arnie the Doughnut as a gift when she was little. All three love it so much that it is literally falling apart. In fact, I can probably recite passages by heart. Thrilled to year that there are now more in the series. It is a privilege to “meet” you 🙂
November 30, 2013 at 7:21 pm
Christine M. Irvin
Great post for wrapping up this great adventure!! Thanks!
November 30, 2013 at 7:23 pm
Kerry Mazengia
Thank you Laurie. This post will be especially helpful in writing and re-writing all my great ideas from this month!
November 30, 2013 at 7:25 pm
Evie Hjartarson
Great post. I loved the quote about the road map. I love the message you send to kids. Yes they all are unique and individual.
November 30, 2013 at 7:32 pm
Stacy S. Jensen
Thanks for the inspiration today and throughout the month. Glad to have all these ideas in my writing toolbox.
November 30, 2013 at 7:33 pm
Michele
What great words of wisdom – trust your gut! And so true! (I will miss the fun and pressure of PiboIdMo and look forward to all these inspiring words to help me through till next year!)
November 30, 2013 at 7:34 pm
Jill Siegel
This post was a great way to end a great writing challenge!! 😉 Thanks!
November 30, 2013 at 7:36 pm
Jacquie
Enjoyed this post, thanks. It was especially interesting to see a glimpse of how you combine story & art in your school presentations.
November 30, 2013 at 7:48 pm
Lynn Anne Carol
Finding our voice is the first step. Perhaps we need to be like a baby, scream it out. Learning to enjoy our voice is the hard part sometime.
Thanks for the positive message,
Lynn
BTW I love ARNIE THE DONUT
November 30, 2013 at 7:51 pm
Debra
Great post for ending the month. I’m looking forward to expanding on some of this month’s ideas.
November 30, 2013 at 7:52 pm
cathy john biggerstaff
Thanks for your advice,Laurie! I have found that when I question myself about whether something I’ve written is really needed in a story, most of the time it isn’t. If we learn to trust our instincts, our writing will improve. Blessings to you!
November 30, 2013 at 8:08 pm
Kathryn Ault Noble
Thanks, Laurie! I enjoy looking at picture books every day, too.
November 30, 2013 at 8:14 pm
Linda E.H.
Great advice.
Your otters are so cute.
November 30, 2013 at 8:27 pm
Carrie Finison
Thanks for this great post, Laurie! I love that you have a chapter book series about a doughnut. 🙂
November 30, 2013 at 8:31 pm
Maura Kay
Wonderful advice! Do Unto Otters is the most adorable idea! Thank you for your post!
November 30, 2013 at 8:31 pm
Laura Hamor (@LauraHamor)
That advice otter help a lot! 🙂
November 30, 2013 at 8:46 pm
Shannon Anderson
So true that we have to be true to ourselves. I bet your author visits are a lot of fun!
November 30, 2013 at 9:05 pm
Cheryl Holsonbake
I always regret it when I don’t trust my gut. I always end up saying, “And I knew better!” Thanks for the reminder!
November 30, 2013 at 9:06 pm
Michelle Church
Thank you for a great post. I just need to remember to trust myself and my stories.
November 30, 2013 at 9:13 pm
Lois Sepahban
Thank you for a great post, Laurie!
November 30, 2013 at 9:29 pm
Joanne Roberts
I never, ever trust my own instincts. I am always worried about what others (editors, peers, crit partners) will think of the story.Thank-you for showing me I should tell my stories in my own way. No more holding back. Thanks.
November 30, 2013 at 9:37 pm
Kristine Gunnell
Thank for the encouraging word.
November 30, 2013 at 9:42 pm
Kerry Aradhya
Thanks for a great post on the last day of PiBoIdMo!!
November 30, 2013 at 9:44 pm
The Ink Pond
Thank you. This is a wonderful reminder!
~Tia Svardahl
November 30, 2013 at 9:50 pm
Matthew C. Winner
I love that you give permission through your words to take inspiration from other authors. That seems so obvious, but I think it’s something many of us are really afraid to admit to ding. Impossible not to be inspired and/or influenced. Thanks for creating awesome books for our awesome kids!
November 30, 2013 at 9:54 pm
Mishka Jaeger
Thank you, Laurie, for sharing with us. Can I do a banjo-playing penguin? (just kidding)
November 30, 2013 at 10:03 pm
orthodoxmom3
Thank you. Great post!
November 30, 2013 at 10:12 pm
Cathy C. Hall
There are lots of things I love about this post but mostly, I love your advice to trust your voice (I mean, MY voice, not yours. Though yours is pretty funny!). And, um… I kinda want to do Green Eggs and Ham a la Shakespeare. 🙂
November 30, 2013 at 10:15 pm
Drew Dyer (@drewdyerauthor)
Your doughnut series looks really fun! That’s good advice on trusting your own instinct. Thanks!
November 30, 2013 at 10:25 pm
Carrie Brown
I love Arnie, and am so excited to see that he is branching out into chapter books! YAY! Scrambled States of America is another awesome book, so I can’t wait to read Do Unto Otters. I believe in trusting your instincts, as well…thanks for the encouragement!
November 30, 2013 at 10:25 pm
Tracey M. Cox
Laurie,
Thank you for your posts. I have been writing for over 10 years and have started drawing again. Haven’t done this in years… seriously at least. I was trying to copy others with my illustrations and then I thought, “why can’t I just draw it like I want instead of the norm?” So I did and guess what!?! I liked it! I think you have to find yourself in your writing and let it come out. Can’t wait to read some of your books. They are very cute!
November 30, 2013 at 10:30 pm
erin
Thanks for the encouragement!
November 30, 2013 at 10:33 pm
Alan Stacy
To me, interacting with kids (and teachers and parents and librarians) is the most satisfying part of writing and illustrating for kids. I take an approach that is very similar to yours Laurie when I visit schools. In what other venue can you get 100% direct and honest feedback from your number one audience?
November 30, 2013 at 10:48 pm
Donna L Martin
Hi Laurie!
I’m happy to say I managed to complete this year’s challenge with more than 30 PB ideas and I KNOW it was because of inspirational posts like yours. To wake up each day and KNOW I will find a motivational blog to help inspire me to seek out the unique story ideas only I can tell. I’m really going to miss these daily posts but since I’ve archived all of them, I can just go back to reread them whenever I want…;~)
Great post!
Take care,
Donna L Martin
November 30, 2013 at 11:01 pm
Jessica
Wonderful advice! I can’t wait to get some of these ideas turned into manuscripts.
November 30, 2013 at 11:15 pm
lauren Kerstein
Terrific advice– particularly for the final day. Finding our own unique voice is really the key to successful manuscripts.
November 30, 2013 at 11:20 pm
Suzy Leopold
I best trust my inner voice, my own unique voice. Thank you for the words of wisdom. ~Suzy Leopold
November 30, 2013 at 11:21 pm
lisajmichaels
Very inspiring and you explained your point (using Dr Seuss) very creatively. :o) Thank you for contributing your thoughts, and I’m so happy we finished up this year with an illustrator!
November 30, 2013 at 11:28 pm
Crystal McIntyre
Great advice! You can never hear to stick with it enough! It’s nice to hear about how you found your own style as well!
November 30, 2013 at 11:28 pm
vijikc
Thanks for the final post! I will trust myself.
November 30, 2013 at 11:28 pm
rgstones
Great advice to trust your instincts! I wrote a MG novel that kept tugging me in one direction, but I fought it, trying to avoid what I considered a trend. An editor critiqued it and said, “I think this would have been really great as a ____ book” (the very thing I was fighting all along).
November 30, 2013 at 11:36 pm
RaChelle Lisiecki
I’ll trust my gut…but only if there’s a doughnut in it. That, more often than not, is the beginning of a damn good day. Thanks, Laurie. Can’t wait to start reading your books.
November 30, 2013 at 11:44 pm
heather sisson
Great final post! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
November 30, 2013 at 11:50 pm
Lacey Gunter
Published or not, the best to love writing is to be true to yourself. Thanks for the advice.
December 1, 2013 at 12:00 am
Miranda Paul
Great advice!
December 1, 2013 at 12:19 am
Rachel Smoka-Richardson
I love otters! Thank you for sharing your story.
December 1, 2013 at 12:58 am
Colleen Jensen
Thanks for reminding me to flavor my books with my own special blend. Better get started.
December 1, 2013 at 12:59 am
Dawn Young
Loved your post. Thanks for sharing.
December 1, 2013 at 1:12 am
viviankirkfield
Yay! It is Day 30 of PiBoIdMo and I wrote down at least one picture book idea for each day!
Boo! It is Day 30 of PiBoIdMo and I will miss these incredible posts!
Thanks so much, Laurie…I used to be the ‘navigator’ when my husband and I took road trips many years ago (pre-GPS days)…so I really appreciated your reference to ‘our feelings are the closest thing we get in life to a road map’…so true!
December 1, 2013 at 1:14 am
Laurie Young
Thank you so much for your inspiring post! Arnie the Doughnut is my fave of all picture books out there! I know … you have probably heard that before but really seriousy it is!!! As a librarian for 2 elementary schools, I read many picuture books to my students. Arnie is their favorite also . I have even sewn a huge stuffed Arnie that I bring with me to woirk!!! The kids are always asking…. Please read us Arnie!!! And don’t forget to bring your big doughnut!!!!””
Thank you so much for bringing such a cute book to the “Picture Book World”. I would absolutely love to win your prize pacikage!!! I am truly an Arnie Fan!!!!!!!
December 1, 2013 at 1:25 am
Dani Duck
Great inspirational post! I can’t believe it’s over! I know I have more than 30 but I have to go count to see how many. 🙂
December 1, 2013 at 2:29 am
Perfecting Motherhood
I’m going to have to check some of these books out. My seven-year old just finished the Bowling Alley Bandit and told me I ABSOLUTELY have to read it. So I guess it’s that good!
December 1, 2013 at 2:48 am
Claire Annette Noland
Thanks for the great advice!
December 1, 2013 at 5:31 am
Susan Halko
Huge fan! Arnie was my go-to read aloud at my kids’ school when they were younger. Thanks for your advice about listening to our instincts. I will keep an ear out for what my gut says. (And now that catchy YouTube song will have different lyrics inside my head!)
December 1, 2013 at 7:12 am
helen dening
What a great way to end our month of inspirations… trust your gut. Thank you!
December 1, 2013 at 8:15 am
Carol Gordon Ekster
Thanks, Laurie. I love that you show children we would all draw the same character differently. What a cool lesson for them on our uniqueness. And I never really thought about how true that is for writing as well. (I may just use that in a future school visit!) But I still wish I could draw…it proves the point in a more fun way for kids. And I love the gut feelings are the closest thing to life’s road map. I’ll be using both of your words of wisdom for sure. Wishing you continued success.
December 1, 2013 at 8:47 am
Gail Kamer
I bet kids love your show
December 1, 2013 at 8:57 am
Erin Fennell
Thank you for the post. I can’t wait to read Arnie the Doughnut!
December 1, 2013 at 8:58 am
Jan Milusich
Insightful. Thanks, J
December 1, 2013 at 9:22 am
blanchebaxter
Thanks Laurie for this post. Trusting our gut instincts when writing is so important, inappreciate your post about it. I love reading current best selling PBs to see that is going on in the market, as well as what is fresh craft and idea wise. But , I think that one it comes down to it, you have to write what you feel and trust that someone else in this wide varied world will feel it to. Thank you for the inspiration!
December 1, 2013 at 11:48 am
blanchebaxter
Ugh, just realized why I shouldn’t use my auto correcting cell phone to post comments (especially without proofreading what I wrote before I click post). Sorry for the typos. 🙂
December 1, 2013 at 9:37 am
Angela De Groot
Write what you like and tell it in your own voice is definitely the way to go. Thanks, Laurie.
December 1, 2013 at 9:48 am
RadSheri
Thanks for your encouragement to find our own voice and I hope to find that soon after years of writing different ways. Voice is always challenging for me.
December 1, 2013 at 10:16 am
Jane R Cooper
Instincts as our roadmap…simply put! Thank you!
December 1, 2013 at 10:36 am
Micki Ginsberg
Laurie, I think it is so important that you bring us back to our own intuition and gut feelings.
December 1, 2013 at 10:52 am
Lauri Meyers
The kids and I enjoyed Do Unto Otters, but I love Doughnuts!!
Is it weird that I’m feeling guilty about a blog post about ideas where my image was an old lightbulb not a CFL bulb? How much did that blog post negatively impact the environment??
December 1, 2013 at 10:52 am
Marcia Berneger
I do tend to follow my gut feelings. Sometimes it’s hard to “stand up” to fellow critiquers whose suggestions pull your story in a different direction. Thanks for the encouragement to trust my own instincts!
What a great month this has been for inspiration and new ideas!
December 1, 2013 at 11:06 am
marylouisealucurto
Thanks for your insightful post!
December 1, 2013 at 11:41 am
artsyandi
Great advice as we start transforming this ideas into books. Thanks for the reminder to follow my own instincts!
December 1, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Debbie Austin
Thank you, Laurie. What a great post to finish out our month as we get ready to make something of the ideas we’ve generated.
December 1, 2013 at 12:22 pm
Karen Mae Zoccoli
Thanks Laurie for reminding us much of what we need is already here within ourselves if we would only trust our instincts! I love your fluorescent light bulb, too 🙂
December 1, 2013 at 12:46 pm
MSackman
Great way to wrap up the month. We should never forget to listen to our own instincts. Thanks for sharing.
December 1, 2013 at 1:17 pm
Holly Gatrell
A great posting, thanks for the inspiration
December 1, 2013 at 2:00 pm
Kathy Cornell Berman
Love the quote about trusting your gut. Sooo important. I am putting this quote above my computer. Thanks for a great post.
December 1, 2013 at 2:11 pm
Corey Schwartz
Fabulous advice to trust your instincts!
December 1, 2013 at 2:48 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Trusting our instincts is definitely the right place to start–thanks, Laurie!
BTW, I love your art and especially the Scrambled States–such a fun & creative book.
December 1, 2013 at 2:56 pm
thiskidreviewsbooks
I LOVED “Do Unto Otters” (mostly because I love otters and manners, and bunnies that mess up (they’re so cute – they have GOT to be imperfect somehow!))! Great advice and I really like the lightbulb image! 😉
December 1, 2013 at 2:59 pm
Stacy Couch
Will try to trust my gut…when it’s not full of doughnuts.
Fave doughnut-dog line: “You’re so sticky, yes you are!”
December 1, 2013 at 3:06 pm
sjctenney
Trust your own instincts, such wise words of wisdom! Great post!
December 1, 2013 at 3:16 pm
Susanne Whitehouse
Love your website and love your post!
December 1, 2013 at 4:20 pm
Catherine Johnson
Super advice, thanks Laurie!
December 1, 2013 at 5:24 pm
Brenda Harris
great post. So sad it’s the final post for PiBoldMo! There were lots of wonderful entertaining guests. 🙂
December 1, 2013 at 5:49 pm
mbeaversillustration
Wonderful advice, thanks so much!
December 1, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Holly Bliss
Good advice 😀
December 1, 2013 at 6:04 pm
SevenAcreSky
Your advice is a treasure…I’m sure most of our instincts are deep in us. Sometimes so deep they are ignored or pushed down by what we see around us. Thanks for encouraging us to dig ’em up when needed. Thanks Laurie!
December 1, 2013 at 6:53 pm
Quinn Cole
Laurie, Thanks for the solid encouragement to trust our instincts (i.e. gut) It seems obvious when talking to family, but coming from a successful author/illustrator means much more.
December 1, 2013 at 8:55 pm
creationsbymit
“Trust your own instincts”…..sage advice & so fitting for the finale! Thanks so much! Love your quirky characters!!!!
Michele Katz/Creations By Mit
December 1, 2013 at 9:45 pm
writeforapples
I love the energy-efficient light bulb for ideas. 🙂
December 1, 2013 at 10:26 pm
cnparch
Thanks for a great post! My gut tells me I will love your books 🙂
December 1, 2013 at 10:34 pm
DianeKHower
GO for the gut, always! Great Post 🙂
December 1, 2013 at 11:45 pm
Iris Diamond
Thank you Laurie, what a fitting end of the month.”Trust yourself” 🙂
December 2, 2013 at 7:17 am
Juliet Clare Bell
Thank you, Laurie!
December 2, 2013 at 7:21 am
Russ Hogle
Great advice! Thank you!
December 2, 2013 at 7:44 am
Donna L. Sadd
I printed out the GUT blurb and will refer to it for inspiration. Oh, and I recently submitted a light bulb story! Woot woot! :0)
December 2, 2013 at 12:09 pm
Daniela Weil (@Daniela_Weil)
Laurie, I love your post, and your otter book too. Thanks for shining an energy saving light on following your gut. One needs to be reminded of that every so often!
December 2, 2013 at 1:46 pm
Jane
How inspiring! Thanks for helping me shine a bit brighter through writing, whether published or not — it’s such a fun path to take!
December 2, 2013 at 3:06 pm
Kirsten Carlson (@kirstencarlson)
Your post is a great way to finish up PiBoIdMo. Love the otter-drawing-create-a-story with kids. I’ve often thought a fun postcard mailer would be to collaborate with several other illustrators on the same ‘subject’ and sending out the end results to showcase each person’s Voice. Thank you for the inspiration!
December 2, 2013 at 10:23 pm
Tonya Lippert
After seeing the number of books you use for inspiration, I’ve decided to add to my few on hand, without trying to imitate another’s voice. Thanks for contributing to the challenge.
December 3, 2013 at 12:49 am
Laurie J. Edwards
Great advice to trust our instincts and be ourselves.
December 3, 2013 at 10:19 am
elisehyldenillustration
Your Seuss-Shakespeare mash-up made my morning, Laurie. Thanks for the great post!
December 3, 2013 at 11:56 am
Cindy Cornwall
Thank you Laurie for your words of inspiration. As an illustrator and wannabe writer, I have an easier time writing in my voice. Trying to draw “with my voice” (or is it eyes?) is harder. Finding a unique drawing style is my ongoing quest. Glad you were able to focus and tune-in to your authentic art.
December 3, 2013 at 12:22 pm
Lindsay Bonilla
I love the way that you let kids know that even though everyone is drawing an otter they will all look different! That is what is so wonderful about the creative arts! There is not just one right way to do things — and the more we compare ourselves to others, the harder it will be to find our own unique voice!
December 3, 2013 at 6:04 pm
Sue Rankin
You know, I’ve got a MASSIVE rolling pin that I call Old Persuasive. Maybe I should repurpose it for picture Book brain storming. 🙂
Love the message that everyone brings something different to the table. It’s an absolutely valid point. So much has been done before, but there’s going to be different ways to do it.
December 3, 2013 at 6:20 pm
Kayleen West - Children's Author/Illustrator
Laurie, for someone scrambling for a topic you did good girl!
Learning from others and not mimicking them is a great tip. It is the same in the art world; many artist trying to paint like another and not developing their true self in what they create. The freedom and enjoyment is in being authentically creative. Originality can get lost in the pursue of publication.
Arnie looks awesome…and delicious!
December 4, 2013 at 11:29 am
gail maki wilson
Great way to wrap things up. Love your “light-bulb” Laurie!
December 5, 2013 at 12:25 am
Caroline
How inspiring! Thank you for helping us remember we all have unique stories to share.