It’s still early in Picture Book Idea Month, and hopefully you’re all still overflowing with ideas that you can put down on paper. It does get tougher as the month continues, but bravo to you for taking up the challenge!
You’re going to come up with a lot of different kinds of ideas. You’ll think of titles, puns, and images that you see in your mind’s eye. You’ll imagine complicated scenarios and Holy Grails. You’ll draft punchlines and scenes that tug at the heart. All of these varied things can eventually grow into a beautiful, successful picture book.
But no matter what you start with, character is almost always the key to crafting a book that will be published.
POPPYCOCK! you say. CODSWALLOP! BUNK! After all, there are so many other things we hear about that make editors want to publish a manuscript. Compelling plots. Flawless writing. Powerful marketing hooks. And those are all vital things! Your plot has to be gripping and unique. The writing must be impeccable and beautiful to read. There has to be hooks to help the book sell.
But all of those things pale in comparison to the character.
It is the character that the reader will fall in love with. It is the character who he will root for. It is the character he will draw on his fan mail to you. It is the character who will live on in his imagination for week, months, years to come.
It is the character you have to get right.
Let’s talk about some ways to do that.
Character is Like the Salt
Every once in a while when I’m cooking dinner, I totally forget to add salt. The meal I end up with is nothing short of disgusting and inedible. Salvageable, yes—as long as I add some salt to it. But without that one ingredient, dinner is nothing like what it is supposed to be.
Character is the salt in your picture book idea.
Some meals use a lot of salt. Others, just a sprinkling. But salt is essential. The same holds true for character.
Even in a high concept idea (which is becoming increasingly popular in picture books), you still need that sprinkling of salt, errrr, character. Here’s an example: I have a book coming out soon called RUTABAGA BOO (which will be illustrated by the uber-talented Bonnie Adamson). The entire book is about the unbreakable bond between a son and his mother. Whenever the son needs his mother, he says, “Rutabaga!” To show that she is there, she answers, “Boo!”
On the surface, it may not seem like there is a lot of character in this idea. (I mean, how much character development can you show in 22 words?) But while the heart of this story is the mother/son bond, what draws the reader in is what you learn about the characters—and how much those details endear the characters to the reader. Every spread tells you something more about the characters—what they like to do, what scares them, what makes them feel better. The characters in this case may just be a sprinkling of salt—but without them, the story doesn’t mean nearly as much to the reader.
Think Wedding Cake, Not Cupcake
Let’s belabor the cooking theme some more.
As you are thinking of you PiBoIdMo ideas (and you are focusing on character because you, like me, believe character is the key), make sure you incorporate layers from the beginning. Just like a wedding cake is more impressive because of its tiered layers, you want to create a character that has, well, tiers and layers. Don’t let your idea stand at “Cindy wants a new puppy.” Push it to the limit (even at the idea stage):
- Can you enhance the theme? “Cindy wants a puppy so she can join the kids who walk their dogs afterschool and make some new friends” or “Cindy wants a puppy so she isn’t so lonely”
- Can you ratchet up the conflict? “Cindy wants a puppy but her father hates dogs” or “Cindy wants a puppy – but she only wants responsibility for the top half (the bottom half – and anything that comes out of the bottom – should be her brother’s responsibility!)”
- Can you make your character a study in contradictions? “Cindy wants a new puppy—and yet, she is allergic to dog hair!” or “Cindy wants a puppy but she already has a kitten who is deathly afraid of dogs”
Every time you add a layer to the idea, you make your story inherently more interesting. And no matter where you add the layer, try to leverage into making the character more complex.
To go back to the RUTABAGA BOO example, layers were very important to make that story meaty enough to merit a hardcover picture book. It wasn’t enough to say that the son wanted to be with his mother in a whole bunch of different scenarios. When I wrote the story, I thought about all the different reasons that children want their parents. Would he look for her when he was hungry? When he was scared? How would those look different? How about when the boy was excited – how would he look for his mother then? When he was lonely? When he was tired? What kinds of scenes would show all these diverse interactions that create a relationship?
I started with the cupcake model of “sons like having their mothers nearby” and added tiers to make the story mouthwatering. In 24 words (and Bonnie’s beautiful illustrations, the reader is left with a full depiction of the mother / son bond – and meets characters that they can identify with.
Envision Your Character
After I’ve lectured you on the importance of character, I’m sure you’re all committed to brainstorming great characters every day of PiBoIdMo 2014. So now I’d like to give you a tool to help you with that.
When I teach kids at author visits about developing characters, I give them a graphic organizer to help them get their thoughts down on paper. As it turns out, that organizer works really well for picture book authors, too. (I know. I use it!) So here you go, PiBo-ers! Your own Character Graphic Organizer to help you develop your ideas…
Sudipta is an award-winning author of over 40 books and the co-founder of both Kidlit Writing School and Kidlit Summer School. Her books include DUCK DUCK MOOSE, TYRANNOSAURUS WRECKS, ORANGUTANGLED, and over thirty more books that have been acclaimed by the Junior Library Guild, the California Reader’s Collection, the Bank Street Books Reading Committe, the Amelia Bloomer list, and many more. Find out more about her by visiting SUDIPTA.COM or her blogs NERDYCHICKSRULE.COM and NERDYCHICKSWRITE.COM.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SudiptaBardhanQuallen
Twitter: @SudiptaBQ
One lucky commenter will receive a free picture book course at Kidlit Writing School! Our next picture book course will be on character development in picture books. The winner can opt to take that course or any other picture book course offered in 2015.
This prize will be given away at the conclusion of PiBoIdMo. You are eligible for this prize 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, and happy brainstorming!
As a bonus, ALL PiBoIdMo participants who register for a class during PiBoIdMo can get a discount on picture book courses at Kidlit Writing School by going to the secret PiBoIdMo page: http://www.kidlitwritingschool.com/piboidmo-special-registration.html. Find the coupon code to get your discount—just make sure you register before November 30!
565 comments
Comments feed for this article
November 6, 2014 at 6:37 am
Kathy Johnson
Thank you for the valuable information.
November 6, 2014 at 6:50 am
Penny Morrison
Creating a memorable character is the hardest bit for me. Thanks for making me think about it.
November 6, 2014 at 6:55 am
janejpark
Thank you for this emphasis on creating not just any character.
November 6, 2014 at 6:56 am
Andrea
Creating memorable characters is fun…and challenging! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on using layers to give a character more depth.
November 6, 2014 at 6:57 am
Rebekah Hoeft
Thank you! I usully approach a story without much of a plan; just a glimmer of an idea and wonder why the end product is not quifte what i want it to be. Already, using some of your tips, the notes for one of my PiBoIdMo stories are better! Cannot wait to write it!
November 6, 2014 at 7:09 am
Barbara Cairns
Thanks Sudipta for your important tips on character building with salt and layers. I feel like i’m in a continuation of KitLit Summer School and loving it.:-)
November 6, 2014 at 7:15 am
Sharon Giltrow
Thanks Sudipta great to see and hear from you again loving your “teaching” and words of wisdom 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 7:16 am
Mary Zychowicz
I love the graphic organizer. Thanks for sharing. These are great tips and suggestions.
November 6, 2014 at 7:25 am
Doris Stone
Sudipta, your post was very helpful and I can’t wait to read “Rutabaga Boo.” I love all your books! Thanks for being an inspiration
November 6, 2014 at 7:29 am
Julie
I love the salt analogy! Thank you Sudipta for an inspiring post!
November 6, 2014 at 7:29 am
Dee Knabb
Wonderful insight about how to make compelling characters. Great graphic organizer for this process.
November 6, 2014 at 7:33 am
Eva Folks
Great info regarding characters. Can’t wait to use the graphic organizer!
November 6, 2014 at 7:40 am
thestoryladyva
Such helpful information. As a children’s storyteller, my characters and their “tiers” come to me naturally when I’m performing, but as I try to turn these tales into books, I sometimes struggle with getting the characers to come to life on paper. Thanks for the insight.
November 6, 2014 at 7:41 am
Erin O'Brien
Wedding cake not cupcake–that is such a great tip for working in layers! Thanks for a great post!
November 6, 2014 at 7:47 am
Chana Stiefel
Woke up to your wonderful post! Thanks so much! Going over my ideas & building characters. Now I’m hungry for (salty) cake! 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 7:51 am
Deborah Cuneo
Great analogies! Always enjoy reading your character development lessons. You make some great points and I love that you tie it all in to food…after all, who doesn’t love cake! Thanks again for the insight!
November 6, 2014 at 7:53 am
Janet Smart
I love character driven books. thanks on the advice on how to write one.
November 6, 2014 at 7:58 am
3011mileswestofvt
Thanks for this great reminder to develop the character well. That it is important to have a rich and developed sense of who they are in my mind and heart to better drive the story, even when the words are fewer.
November 6, 2014 at 8:00 am
Hayley B
Characters take the cake! Thanks, Sudipta!
November 6, 2014 at 8:01 am
cat jones
Thanks for your post. It’s always good to be reminded about the importance of character!
November 6, 2014 at 8:02 am
Louann Brown
I love the graphic organizer….visual thinker here.
November 6, 2014 at 8:04 am
msmo1958
Great graphic!
November 6, 2014 at 8:12 am
lmconnors
Lisa Connors
Building a strong character after my initial idea is always hard. Thank you for your insight.
November 6, 2014 at 8:15 am
Laura Purdie Salas
Characterization is my weak point–thanks for the tips:>)
November 6, 2014 at 8:18 am
Heather Pierce Stigall
I love hands-on and visuals, so your graphic organizer is great! Thanks for the tips.
November 6, 2014 at 8:18 am
Jim Chaize
Very helpful post, and I love the graphic organizer. Thank you Sudipta. I know this is going to help me throughout PiBoIdMo, and in developing characters in my writing.
November 6, 2014 at 8:19 am
Loni Edwards (@LoniEdwards)
Thanks for a great post! I love the template. Thank you for sharing it with us! 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 8:19 am
Lenora Riegel
Sudipta, you must have been hungry when you were writing this! Ha! Great relateable advise. Thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 8:21 am
ManjuBeth
Characters come first in all my PBs. Thanks for sharing your Character Graphic Organizer.
November 6, 2014 at 8:21 am
jodimckay
Can’t stop thinking about cake now, but I will try hard to set it aside so I can put your advice to use when building my characters. Your Nerdy Chicks Summer School posts talked about making multidimensional characters as well and those processes have been invaluable to my writing. Thanks!!
November 6, 2014 at 8:29 am
writing4children
Awesome post! Thanks for the organizer!
November 6, 2014 at 8:29 am
Elizabeth Davis
Thanks for the character development steps! My characters will be much more interesting.
November 6, 2014 at 8:31 am
Daryl Gottier
Thanks so much. I’m off to bake some wedding cake!
November 6, 2014 at 8:32 am
cindyjohnson2013
Just printed out the character organizer! What a great idea! Thank you for sharing.
November 6, 2014 at 8:32 am
Linda Baie
Solid ideas! When I read, if I’m not in love with the character, I don’t like the book. Thanks for the analogies too. Love the layers!
November 6, 2014 at 8:34 am
anitanolan
Love the article, love the character organizer. Thanks for sharing!
November 6, 2014 at 8:35 am
Karen Calloway
Such a wonderful gift! I’ve run off several copies of the diagram and can’t wait to use it this evening when I settle down to write. Many thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 8:41 am
Sherri Jones Rivers
Good morning all. Sudipta, you continue to produce fun and innovative books. Would love to bump into you again at a conference one day. The layering idea works for lots of stuff–cakes, changing weather, and Mexican dip!
November 6, 2014 at 8:44 am
Shena Ashcraft
Thank you! This is so helpful as a nonfiction writer with a desire to show the reader the what makes a person special!
November 6, 2014 at 8:48 am
Rebecca Colby
Very helpful and I love the Character Graphic Organizer!
November 6, 2014 at 8:49 am
Laurie Theurer
Wonderful blog, thank you!
November 6, 2014 at 8:51 am
Jan Milusich
Layering, thanks for the advice, now I have to get back to my character.
November 6, 2014 at 8:51 am
Margaret Flint Suter
Thanks for the character development chart that is something I am wrestling with!
November 6, 2014 at 8:53 am
Andria
Thanks for showing us how character is key.
November 6, 2014 at 8:54 am
marcimcadam
Love the wedding cake analogy (mmm, caaake), and the character dev. tool. Delving into my characters was one of my favourite activities as a kid writer, and I’m galvanized to do it more now too!
November 6, 2014 at 8:55 am
Jennysha Patel
Wow, thank you for a really helpful post! There are some really useful tips there and in fact I had to pause mid-post to start furiously jotting down ideas to develop my character 🙂 from one of my pre-PiBo ideas! Such a practical post, with lots of food for thought (pun intended, sorry!)
November 6, 2014 at 9:00 am
Pj McIlvaine
Character building is like a kid playing with blocks. It’s just not blocks of wood or plastic to him/her. It’s a tower! A mountain! A skyscraper! Think outside of box and let your imagination roam free.
November 6, 2014 at 9:00 am
Sarah Frances Hardy
I love the brainstorming worksheet!!!
November 6, 2014 at 9:01 am
Valarie Giogas
OOO. A new tool to try. Thanks, Sudipta. Can’t wait to get my hands on Rutabaga Boo.
November 6, 2014 at 9:03 am
Lauri Meyers
I sauntered into PiBo today all glowing because a dreamy idea poured out 10 spreads this morning. Now I realize it’s codswollop without better characters. Thanks for the gentle reminder and the tools to improve it!
November 6, 2014 at 9:04 am
Kelly Russell Jaques
Thanks for the great post and the character graphic organizer, Suditpa! It’s given me a great idea for revising one of my stories!
November 6, 2014 at 9:05 am
Karen Lawler
You had me at “FOOD” !! Thanks for helping me think in a little bit different way. I am now having yummy thoughts and writing tem down. 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 9:07 am
alikotanko
Very helpful post! I love the salt analogy, and I am actually going back through my notes for this week to add details about the characters, who I have definitely overlooked. Thank you!
November 6, 2014 at 9:08 am
Becky P. Hurd
When you think of your favorite picture books, it’s always the character that makes you fall in love with the book. Thanks Sudipta!
November 6, 2014 at 9:12 am
Alexa Kaufhold
Very helpful. Thnaks, Sudipta!
November 6, 2014 at 9:12 am
Heather Thurmeier
Love the graphic organizer you included! A perfect tool for helping to develop any ideas that stand out this month.
November 6, 2014 at 9:13 am
Kelly Campbell
I’m working on a book with two brothers as the main characters. Conflict (and resolution) between siblings can make for powerful connections with a reader!
November 6, 2014 at 9:18 am
Kenda Henthorn
PB genius as always, Sudipta! Thanks so much!
November 6, 2014 at 9:18 am
pathaap
So very helpful – thanks, Sudpita. And I love the cake not cupcake idea!
November 6, 2014 at 9:18 am
hmmmmm
Thanks Sudipta. Great input and advice as always. And great picture up top too — it almost looks like you’re writing to us from the BEACH…
November 6, 2014 at 9:19 am
Talitha Shipman
This will definitely help me flesh out some characters I’m working on right now! Thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 9:19 am
Rita Zobayan
Great cooking analogies. Thanks for the insight.
November 6, 2014 at 9:23 am
danielle hammelef
I found this post extremely useful and inspirational. I printed out the pdf and will post it to remind me of character and to use for my ideas. The giveaway is something I can use very much–thank you!
November 6, 2014 at 9:25 am
deborahholtwilliams
That creaking sound you hear is me, shifting gears. Just finished your class in plotting, but it makes sense to focus on character first. Thanks for the graphic organizer, too!
November 6, 2014 at 9:27 am
nancydrewit
Thank you, Sudipta–I am struggling‘to make one of my characters more “indelible” and this was a great pep talk (also made me a little hungry)!
November 6, 2014 at 9:29 am
Nadine Gamble
Love the chart! You have a great way of simplifying concepts and deed signing usable tools. Thanks again!
November 6, 2014 at 9:31 am
rgstones
Thanks, Sudipta. And thanks for the Character Graphic Organizer. I love “she only wants responsibility for the top half.” If I could pull that off, I might actually consider getting my kids a dog. Great examples to get us thinking about character layers.
November 6, 2014 at 9:31 am
Cathy Ballou Mealey
Reminded of the Italian fairy tale “Water and Salt”!
Did you know a rutabaga is also called a swede?
Thanks for the graphic organizer and great tips!
November 6, 2014 at 9:33 am
Kim Erickson
I love the chart. I am already rethinking some of my works in progress.
November 6, 2014 at 9:34 am
Lorraine Donohue Bonzelet
I used your chart this morning. Simple, yet effective. It is going to help! Thanks!!
November 6, 2014 at 9:34 am
Melanie Ellsworth
Sudipta – I needed the reminder to ratchet up the conflict for my characters – makes the story a lot more fun to read!
November 6, 2014 at 9:37 am
Viki Woodworth
OOH. Great advice and great organizer!
November 6, 2014 at 9:38 am
Lill Pluta
Thank you! That graphic organizer is great!
November 6, 2014 at 9:40 am
michelenorman2014
The salt analogy is terrific! Thanks for sharing Sudipta.
November 6, 2014 at 9:42 am
StephWJ
I would love to take that course!
November 6, 2014 at 9:42 am
rowenarae
Thanks, Sudipta, for the advice and inspiration! The graphic organizer is great, too.
November 6, 2014 at 9:43 am
sudiptabq
I just logged in and there are already so many comments! Thank you all for reading and I’m happy to hear this helped you!
November 6, 2014 at 9:43 am
Nancy Armo
The character graphic organizer is GOLD! Easy to use and everything is all in one place. Brilliant! Thank you!!
November 6, 2014 at 9:43 am
Anita Banks
Thanks, Sudipta!
November 6, 2014 at 9:45 am
kirsticall
I love this reminder, Sudipta! And I’m impressed that you have yet another nearly wordless story! Thanks for the chart 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 9:46 am
Michelle Fandrich
Thanks for this post – very inspiring!
November 6, 2014 at 9:49 am
Jennette Mutolo
Thanks Sudipta! Salty layered cake! Yum, yum, yum! Great food for thought 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 9:50 am
Jane Heitman Healy
Thank you, Sudipta, for the tips and the graphic organizer. I love your title _Rutabaga Boo_! Though I don’t much care for rutabagas, it is such a fun word to say.
November 6, 2014 at 9:50 am
Jennifer Cheng DesAutels
Thank you, Sudipta! It’s great to get your insight and you’re right, the most compelling characters do stay with us for life.
November 6, 2014 at 9:54 am
Kimberly Sprinkles Cowger
Even though summer school is over there’s still so much to learn from Sudipta! Thank you!!
November 6, 2014 at 9:56 am
Priya
Wonderful explanation of layering characters. Cindy is a great example. I visited your webpage. I love the beautiful family picture at the bottom of your about page. (Priya Gopal)
November 6, 2014 at 9:56 am
Lauren Greenberg
Seasoning as we speak!
November 6, 2014 at 9:59 am
Tina Cho
I like your analogies, Sudipta. Thanks for the lesson on characters and the handy graphic organizer! I’m interested in seeing your Rutabaga Boo book!
November 6, 2014 at 10:00 am
Debra Shumaker
This is a great tool! I’ve fallen behind on ideas, but will catch up. . .
November 6, 2014 at 10:01 am
Linda Norman-Lyman
Thanks for the wonderful explanation on how to make characters more interesting.
November 6, 2014 at 10:01 am
Elizabeth Brown
Thank you for the post. Such great info on characters, Sudipta!
November 6, 2014 at 10:01 am
Tracey M. Cox
Thanks Sudipta! I agree. Our characters are the salt of our stories. Everything is better with a little spice. Thanks also for your diagram. I use something similar. I talk to talk about an onion too, when talking about characters. They both have many layers.
November 6, 2014 at 10:02 am
beckylevine
Great ideas! And the new book sounds wonderful!
November 6, 2014 at 10:03 am
AlenaT
Thanks for the graphic organizer. It looks helpful.
November 6, 2014 at 10:06 am
Linda Tripp
Always a good reminder to keep characters front and center and the graphic organizer is a definite bonus.
November 6, 2014 at 10:06 am
Nancy Furstinger
I’m intrigued by RUTABAGA BOO and with only 24 words–can’t wait to read it!
November 6, 2014 at 10:09 am
bonzerb
Thanks for the excellent information and organizer!
November 6, 2014 at 10:12 am
stephseclecticinterests
I absolutely love the titles of your books. 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 10:12 am
Nancy Tandon
Thanks for the simple, perfect chart. I’ve learned a lot from you about how to “do” picture books, Sudipta. Thanks for adding another layer. ; )
November 6, 2014 at 10:12 am
Kathleen
I like cake, the more layers the better. Good way to make this “sticky” in my mind in terms of character development. Thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 10:13 am
Stephanie Fitzpatrick
Thanks for the graphic organizer! I’m going to start using it right away! Can’t wait to see who they will become!
November 6, 2014 at 10:13 am
Lisa Kahn Schnell
Thanks for the great post, Sudipta. I’m working on my first character-based pb now, and it’s really fun! I appreciate all the tips you shared, and I look forward to reading RUTABAGA ROO.
November 6, 2014 at 10:14 am
Kathleen
I like cake, the more layers the better. Good way to make this “sticky” in my mind in terms of character development.
November 6, 2014 at 10:15 am
Marla
I’m also curious about Rutabaga Boo, it must have been a challenge to write in only 24 words.
November 6, 2014 at 10:16 am
Jacqueline
I will certainly remember the salt and wedding cake analogies when I’m working on characters! Thanks for the graphic organizer.
November 6, 2014 at 10:17 am
tphumiruk
I’m loving the layered wedding cake analogy. Thank you so much!!
November 6, 2014 at 10:20 am
Shirley Timberlake Fadden
Pick me! Pick me! With a please on top.
November 6, 2014 at 10:22 am
Debbie Lubbert
This is very helpful. Thank you!
November 6, 2014 at 10:26 am
Deirdre Englehart
I love the graphic organizer… it is very helpful in considering the obstacles. Thanks a bunch!
November 6, 2014 at 10:28 am
Dinah Miller
I would love to win this prize.
November 6, 2014 at 10:31 am
KatyD
Thank you, Sudipta. I just wanted to ell you that I am a great TYRANNOSAURUS WRECKS! fan. Anyone who hasn’t read it, you NEED to pick it up. 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 10:33 am
Sharon Nix Jones
Let’s see…salt and cake. I’ll keep the those visual reminders with me. Plus, it gives me an excuse to enjoy a good slice of cake as I brainstorm for ideas. 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 10:35 am
Janie Reinart
Sudipta, love the graphic organizer! Thinking wedding cake layers instead of cupcakes! Just took your A-Z plotting PB class and you rock!
November 6, 2014 at 10:35 am
MaryAnn Clark
Thank you for digging in a little deeper into character and conflict and for sharing your Character Graphic Organizer!
November 6, 2014 at 10:39 am
Becky Hohensee
The graphic organizer is a most helpful tool. Will definately use in the future. I’ve been working on a pb for about 2 yrs (same story) (I’m a perfectionist 😦 ). Still getting to know my character so. This post is validation that his “layers” are key. Thank you for this.
November 6, 2014 at 10:39 am
Jodi Moore
Perfect metaphors! Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂 Now I want cake. 😉
November 6, 2014 at 10:40 am
holly mclaughlin
Really valuable info! Character building is difficult for me, so I definitely appreciate this.
November 6, 2014 at 10:41 am
BLAHM
Pat Zietlow’s organic, pesticide-free process + Sudipta’s layer cake = one delicious and healthy picture book!
November 6, 2014 at 10:41 am
vijikc
Wonderful post. I especially like that you say that all stories need a different amount of salt!
November 6, 2014 at 10:42 am
brigidoco
Heading straight to my printer so I can begin using your chart. Thank you for the advice!
November 6, 2014 at 10:42 am
Lisa Ventrella
Sudipta – I have always loved your workshops and perspectives on writing pictures books. Thank you!
November 6, 2014 at 10:47 am
Robyn Campbell
So very helpful. Thank you very much!
November 6, 2014 at 10:48 am
Kathy Cornell Berman
I love this Sudipta!! It’s all about the layers and how they make your character delicious and irresistible! Thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 10:50 am
Linda Ford
Love the handout. Thanks.
November 6, 2014 at 10:51 am
Mishka Jaeger
Thank you for this post and also for providing the worksheet. I was thining about how to make one myself. 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 10:51 am
Lois Peterson
Thanks for some fresh insights into ensuring character is at the Herat of every story.
November 6, 2014 at 10:52 am
Erin Nowak
Thanks so much for the chart. Every agent or editor I’ve heard speak stressed character as the most important part of a story!
November 6, 2014 at 10:54 am
lindaschueler
Good analogy. I will think more carefully about my characters. Thanks for the post.
November 6, 2014 at 10:56 am
Cheryl Michael
The cake picture made my mouth water. 🙂 enjoyed
November 6, 2014 at 10:57 am
loriannlevyholm
I love salt… My in-person critique group told me I need more fat and sugar!
November 6, 2014 at 10:58 am
Ashley Bohmer
What a savory post!–Now to get cooking on a new character driven idea for today. 😉
November 6, 2014 at 11:00 am
Amy
This was just what I needed today! Thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 11:01 am
Celeste Elbert
I have been stewing and stewing about what my book is missing. SALT! Thank you so much!
November 6, 2014 at 11:01 am
kathalsey
Very, very usable info, Sudipta! I love the layering and the questions you asked for a simple concept to make it tons more interesting.The graphic is fab, too. TY.
November 6, 2014 at 11:01 am
colleen kosinski
I like the graphic organizer.
November 6, 2014 at 11:01 am
Stacey Shubitz
I’ve had a manuscript I THOUGHT was ready to go out, but I realize now that it doesn’t have enough salt. That analogy was SO helpful for me. I have some ideas (NOW) about layering it to make the character (and thereby the plot) more complex. Thank you for this great advice.
November 6, 2014 at 11:02 am
Sita Singh
For the foodie in me, there’s no better way to understand this concept of character development! Thanks for putting this all on one plate, Sudipta:)
November 6, 2014 at 11:04 am
Anna Totten
I find I frequently need to add more salt. Thank you Sudipta.
November 6, 2014 at 11:04 am
Sandi Lawson
Thank you for your insight. I’d love to be the lucky winner of one of your classes!
November 6, 2014 at 11:06 am
Dana Murphy
Great post – I especially love the 3 ways to develop a character. You have me thinking about a character I found yesterday — going to work in my writer’s notebook!
November 6, 2014 at 11:08 am
Cindy Williams Schrauben
Thanks for the specific examples, Sudipta. While we all know that character development is important, it is often difficult to get it out of our head and onto the paper. 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 11:10 am
Erin Bellingham
Now I’m inspired and hungry! 😉
November 6, 2014 at 11:10 am
Debbie Wagenbach
Thank you for the helpful post, Sudipta! Looking forward “Rutabaga Boo.” Sounds adorable!
November 6, 2014 at 11:10 am
Dawn
Thanks for sharing the Character Graphic Organizer. I can’t wait to put it to use.
November 6, 2014 at 11:14 am
Angie Jones
The best books are character based. Thank you for Sharing Sudipta! Always great to hear your insight.
November 6, 2014 at 11:16 am
Alayne Kay Christian
Excellent points regarding characters. Thank you for sharing your worksheet. It will come in handy.
November 6, 2014 at 11:17 am
Joan Waites
Wonderful graphic. I’ve printed out several to use-thank you!
November 6, 2014 at 11:18 am
Aimee Bissonette
Excellent writing tips and I love the graphic organizer. Character development is challenging. The food analogies really help 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 11:19 am
katmaz2012
Thanks Sudipta! I will be using the chart and of course all your words.
Tara, loving this PiBoMo group!
November 6, 2014 at 11:19 am
hummingbird13
Every guest blogger ha given me sound advice and you’re no exception. Thank you.
November 6, 2014 at 11:20 am
Tom Barrett
All great tips, esp the layering. Will get me thinking more deeply about my ideas. Thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 11:22 am
Emmeline Hall
Thank you! Great tips and a very handy worksheet. Except now I’m hungry for cake….
November 6, 2014 at 11:22 am
tanjabauerle
Thank you for your splendid post. The character graphic is a wonderful tool and love your thoughts on layering and adding more depth to your character. Can’t wait to get going with these pointers. Have a splendid week.
T
November 6, 2014 at 11:23 am
Lori Alexander
Thanks for the reminder that a PB starts with a memorable main character. Great graphic organizer, too. Thanks, Sudipta!
November 6, 2014 at 11:25 am
Susan Schade
Thank you Sudipta! I love that this post made me feel like I was still taking your class! Very helpful.
November 6, 2014 at 11:26 am
Nicole turner
Love the graphic organizer!
November 6, 2014 at 11:26 am
Maria Oka
Thank you for the post and I love the organizer! Thank you!
November 6, 2014 at 11:27 am
Rita Allmon
Thanks Sudipta for this delicious “C”haracter recipe! I plan on adding more “C”-salt to my PBs.
November 6, 2014 at 11:27 am
jngallaher
Love the chart! Also, I think I’m going to treat myself to a character cake each time I write a new manuscript 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 11:28 am
Nancy Ramsey
Great post! Thank you for the character graphic organizer!
November 6, 2014 at 11:28 am
Kim Sebastian
Thanks, Sudipta for the reminder that we are, in a sense, creating best friends for kids and that they need to be as dimensional as the real ones who love them!!! Kim Sebastian
November 6, 2014 at 11:29 am
Dara Dokas
Ooh, I love the graphic organizer. Thanks for your post!
November 6, 2014 at 11:35 am
Kathryn Ault Noble
Looking forward to reading your new book! Like you, I tend to start with character dev first, then build a story for it to “act” in. This opens the door for another story or two. Thanks for the character building graphic, Sudipta, I’ll use it today!
November 6, 2014 at 11:35 am
tanyakonerman
I have a character who is a study in contradictions, so I’m glad to see this as a suggestion…thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 11:36 am
Maple and Baobab
Love the graphic organizer. Thank you.
November 6, 2014 at 11:37 am
Margaret Greanias
Thanks for the easy to understand explanation of character! I am determined to brainstorm a character for PiBoIdMo today!
November 6, 2014 at 11:40 am
Karen
Thank you so much for this post. I’m writing a PB about a little boy whose mother has breast cancer. Of course, this subject has an inherent tenderness, but I want to truly push my little guy to a higher level. I will definitely use your words of wisdom.
November 6, 2014 at 11:42 am
Sue Heavenrich
Thanks for the great graphic organizer! And I love the image of character as salt. not as glamorous as, say, chocolate, but necessary. Discovered that while making bread – just a pinch, but needed.
November 6, 2014 at 11:42 am
Debbie Austin
Thanks for the great tool, Sudipta. Off to find a knockout character for my next pb idea.
November 6, 2014 at 11:47 am
Penny Parker Klostermann
Thanks so much for the graphic organizer and for your examples for creating memorable characters!
November 6, 2014 at 11:48 am
Pamela M. Tuck
Thanks so much for the post. And for giving us another “layer” to think about. I’ve also heard in cooking that a pinch of salt will bring out the sweetness!
November 6, 2014 at 11:48 am
cantsing1
Love you idea of salt, rooting for character, and tiers. I know which of my books I going right back to. Thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 11:50 am
Susanne
I’ve been mulling over a Thanksgiving story for a couple days. This morning, out of the blue, my son said, “I’m thinking about a shy, easily confused squirrell.” I think she’ll fit in perfectly!
November 6, 2014 at 11:53 am
Lori Dubbin
Thanks for reminding us what the key ingredients are when we are cooking up stories and characters. Measuring and layering are challenging but essential. Thanks for explaining that so well. Just took your Picture Book Plotting class and got so much out of it, Sudipta!
November 6, 2014 at 11:53 am
Rachel H
Always enjoy your tips and lessons on PB writing, Sudipta. And what a generous prize! I’ll have to find a way to keep my fingers crossed while still writing my ideas down for the rest of the month!
November 6, 2014 at 11:53 am
JEN Garrett
I think I remember you talking about that concept book! Can’t wait to see it on the bookshelf.
November 6, 2014 at 11:54 am
danielledufayet
Love the salt analogy and thank you for the graphic organizer too. Heard great things about your class. Wishing you continued success!
November 6, 2014 at 11:58 am
Marty McCormick
Great advice. Thanks! Marty McCormick
November 6, 2014 at 11:59 am
cartwomey
I love your salt analogy! Thank you for your advice, a picture always helps the info stick!!
November 6, 2014 at 11:59 am
Teresa Daffern
Thanks for the reminder about character being the heart of a story. The graphic organizer will be a great tool.
November 6, 2014 at 12:00 pm
Nina Haines
Great information. Helpful Character Graphic Organizer.
November 6, 2014 at 12:06 pm
Michele Prestininzi
Thanks for the great character information. I love the graphic organizer.
November 6, 2014 at 12:07 pm
Alison Goldberg
Terrific post. Thanks for the resource.
November 6, 2014 at 12:10 pm
carolynscombs
Thanks for the insightful post, Sudipta. My husband is from India, and he taught me the importance of salt in cooking. We talk about how a dish sings with just the right amount of salt. Now I’ll work more on salting and layering flavors in my narrative nonfiction. Thank you!
November 6, 2014 at 12:11 pm
Sian Mole
I don’t like salt in any of my cooking!! But I still see what you’re saying, character is definitely key. Great post.
November 6, 2014 at 12:14 pm
Stephen S. Martin
This has always been my challenge. I have these wonderful situations, write them out to fruition and kind of just drop any old character into them. Thanx for the reminder to spend more time with them.
November 6, 2014 at 12:15 pm
Sandy Jones
I’m printing off my character organizer now. Thanks for the great post!
November 6, 2014 at 12:15 pm
csschwarz
Thanks for showing us specific examples of how to add layers to characters! Great info!
November 6, 2014 at 12:16 pm
Janet Halfmann
Definitely going to try your graphic organizer. Thanks for the tips on making characters memorable!
November 6, 2014 at 12:19 pm
mkokeefe
It’s always a pleasure to read what you have to say, Sudipta! This was an extremely helpful post to me. Thank you! -MK O’Keefe
November 6, 2014 at 12:25 pm
mariagianferrari
Time to get the salt shaker 🙂 And the character graphic organizer is so helpful! Thanks for sharing it!
November 6, 2014 at 12:26 pm
Sharalyn A. Edgeberg
Thanks for helping us to take a good look at our characters. Of course, we want a character that the readers love, so thanks for the tips to help us to analyze that. Also congratulations on am amazing career of over 40 picture books. Your course sounds wonderful.
November 6, 2014 at 12:31 pm
LauraHB
Brilliant!! Thank you so much!
November 6, 2014 at 12:31 pm
Amanda Banks
I love the character graphic organizer. Thank you! I can’t wait to use it.
November 6, 2014 at 12:34 pm
Lynn A. Davidson
Thank you for these words of wisdom and experience, and for sharing your Character Graphic Organizer with us. I appreciate being able to print it off.
The person who wins the prize you’ve offered will be so fortunate!
November 6, 2014 at 12:34 pm
Ellen Wrin
The graphic organizer looks like a great tool, thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 12:35 pm
Amy
Really helpful graphic – and great post. Thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 12:36 pm
Stephanie Geckle (@SPGeckle)
A dash here, a dash there. Thanks for sharing tips on making a character sweet AND salty! Delicious 😉
November 6, 2014 at 12:37 pm
Judy Cox
Great post. Character is KEY right now. The graphic organizer looks useful.Thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 12:41 pm
Cat Clerkin
Thanks for this post! I totally agree that character is key! I will try out this graphic organizer in the future!
November 6, 2014 at 12:45 pm
telainamuir
This was fun and very helpful. I love the cooking comparisons. Layers, think layers. Thank you for sharing Sudipta!
November 6, 2014 at 12:47 pm
Mary Worley
Like the idea of layering for character. Reminds me of the circle of “why?” questions from kids. After explaining why for the tenth time, you get to some interesting tidbits.
November 6, 2014 at 12:57 pm
Heather Erquiaga
Thank you! When I look at the picture books that I love to read, I realize they all have well-thought out characters. Now, to find mine. 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 12:57 pm
Sandy Powell
Sudipta, I agree that characters are very important to a story. For example, I read and reread Olivia and all the Olivia books because she is such a great character. The character is what makes you come back for more. Also, thank you for the Character Graphic Organizer. It looks like a great tool to use to really get to know your character.
November 6, 2014 at 1:00 pm
Joyce Tucker
Thank you for the great organizer! The analogies helped me to really see more clearly about characters.
November 6, 2014 at 1:00 pm
gabisnyder
Thanks for this helpful post, Sudipta! Character is queen (or king)!
November 6, 2014 at 1:04 pm
kmshelley
Thanks Sudipta! For the great ideas and the character organizer.
November 6, 2014 at 1:08 pm
Bonnie
This is one area I really would to work on. This course sounds awesome!
November 6, 2014 at 1:09 pm
Carol Jones
What a treat to have such an accomplished guest blogger!
November 6, 2014 at 1:12 pm
Ashley Bankhead
This post is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Character is so important. I love the graph you created. I need to use this. I also love the idea of layers. It is the layers that make is fall in love with characters. No one wants a one-dimensional character. We need layers. Thanks again for all the insight.
November 6, 2014 at 1:13 pm
Jarm Del Boccio
Sudipta, your post was incredibly helpful. I have bookmarked it and will use your handy printout. Thanks for your generosity!
November 6, 2014 at 1:15 pm
June Smalls
Cooking analogies always work for me! Great advice!
November 6, 2014 at 1:15 pm
katrinamoorebooks
Love the sweet and salty references! I’m excited for Rutabaga Boo…it’s my world right now 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 1:16 pm
Donna Earnhardt
GREAT article. I especially like the wedding cake analogy!
November 6, 2014 at 1:19 pm
girlwrites29
I love character development! Getting to know an existing character leads me to new characters and ideas. Your wedding cake metaphor is a great visual tool to help me remember that my characters are not one dimensional.
Thank you!
November 6, 2014 at 1:19 pm
Josh Alves
Great post! Great characters are like onions – peel back layers until they make you cry. I mean laugh… laugh until you cry. Er… let’s just stick with cake 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 1:19 pm
Kelly Ramsdell Fineman
Great post. Looking forward to seeing RUTABAGA BOO!
November 6, 2014 at 1:20 pm
Danielle Heitmuller
Thanks so much for the organizer! I’ll be using that for sure! I really appreciate the wedding cake analogy too, I often get stuck between cupcake and wedding cake (birthday cake?). I will try to add more layers.
November 6, 2014 at 1:24 pm
DianeKHower
Thanks for the organizer on character development. I would love to take a class from you. Great post!
November 6, 2014 at 1:29 pm
Claire Lordon (@ClaireLordon)
Great blogpost about character development. Thanks for your wonderful printable worksheet too!
November 6, 2014 at 1:31 pm
LovableLobo
Stupendous post, Sudipta! Thanks for sharing a winning recipe!
November 6, 2014 at 1:33 pm
Julene Kinser
Great info, a helpful tool (Organizer on Character Development) and a fabulous prize opportunity. Thank you, Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen!
November 6, 2014 at 1:33 pm
kpbock
Awesome information, as always, Sudipta!
November 6, 2014 at 1:34 pm
Virginia Law Manning
I’ll start thinking of some strong characters to anchor some PiBoIdMo ideas. Thank you for the graphic organizer! Always great to have another tool in the shed!
November 6, 2014 at 1:36 pm
Anne Lei-Yeung So
Character, character, and oh yeah, Character!
November 6, 2014 at 1:46 pm
melinda beavers
Wonderful post!! So inspiring and motivational—thanks for sharing and I look forward to learning more about the Kidlit Writing School.
November 6, 2014 at 1:48 pm
Nancy Colle
Thank you for the character worksheet, I’m sure it’ll come in handy. Enjoyed your post.
November 6, 2014 at 1:49 pm
Sydney O'Neill
I really like the Character Graphic Organizer, which leaves room to elaborate on areas that will add layers to the story. For me, it is also important to know the MC’s name early in the story because I find myself writing to the name. Will be watching for RUTABAGA BOO. 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 1:51 pm
Charlotte Gunnufson
Thanks for the delicious advice. I can’t tell you how many times my super smart, insightful, wonderful agent has sent back a manuscript asking for more character in my characters. And not because character sells. Because, as you point out, kids connect to character.
November 6, 2014 at 1:51 pm
Naana Kyereboah
Thank you, Sudipta, for the visuals- the worksheet and the image of a tiered cake to use in building character.
November 6, 2014 at 1:57 pm
Gail Maki Wilson
Great advice Sudipta!
November 6, 2014 at 1:57 pm
Anneke Swanson
I am booking-marking this blog post – very insightful!
November 6, 2014 at 2:02 pm
Maria Marshall
Thank you Sudipta for the advice and the wonderful character graphic.
November 6, 2014 at 2:03 pm
Aimee Isaac
I tend to be a bit plot-driven. Thank you for reminding me to love my characters too!
November 6, 2014 at 2:06 pm
Sherry Walz
Sudipta, thanks for the great post and for sharing your graphic organizer! I’m one of your students from A to Z: Plotting in Picture Books class, and I’m hoping to be the lucky one who wins your prize for A to Z: Character Building in Picture Books. But even if I don’t win, I’ll be happy that another PiBo-er will benefit from such a fantastic prize.
November 6, 2014 at 2:11 pm
Kelly Vavala
Thank you for this wonderful post! Love the Character graph organizer too! Character development is so important and your thoughts on doing this are wonderful. Thank you for sharing your time with us!
November 6, 2014 at 2:13 pm
Heidi Yates
Sudipta, Thank you for the wonderful advice on how to develop a layered character.
November 6, 2014 at 2:13 pm
cravevsworld
Just as the cool fall winds arrive, I’m reminded of the importance of layers. Not just in clothing but in characters as well. Brilliant. Thank you for sharing and teaching us! #learning
November 6, 2014 at 2:28 pm
Beth Blee
Sudipta, thank you for your post and the reminder how important characterization is. I’ll be using the Character Graphic Organizer! Thanks. Love your layers idea.
November 6, 2014 at 2:29 pm
KurlGurl
Great reminder. I’ve been putting too much emphasis into the title. Character focus is now… in focus!
November 6, 2014 at 2:29 pm
Anna Redding
Thank you
November 6, 2014 at 2:29 pm
Shel LeDrew
Mmmmmm Cake. Even better, layered cake…. Thank you for the icing on the cake! It really takes the cake! Now it will be as easy as pie!
November 6, 2014 at 2:39 pm
Erin Fennell
Thanks, Sudipta! I look forward to reading Rutabaga Boo! And I will think about character every time I shake the salt!
November 6, 2014 at 2:40 pm
claireannette1
Your graphic organizer is just what I need. Thanks.
November 6, 2014 at 2:40 pm
Carolyn Rohrbaugh
Your blog has a lot of CHARACTER in it. Thank you
November 6, 2014 at 2:42 pm
tpierce
Love the salt analogy. What a great way to illustrate the importance of character. And layered cake notion is also terrific. I’m hungry to write now! Thanks, Sudipta~
November 6, 2014 at 2:42 pm
Mary Jane
Sudipta, Many thanks for sharing this wisdom and providing us with your outline page. It’s going to be such a help to me this month especially as I work PiBo through each day thinking up character possibilities. That cake is such a good image for layers. Something to be remembered.
November 6, 2014 at 2:46 pm
kdveiten
Excellent tips on making your idea more meaty, your characters deeper! Thanks for the help!
November 6, 2014 at 2:46 pm
Carrie Charley Brown
Thanks, Sudipta! You are so right… characters are the emotional connection to our hearts. As always, I appreciate your picture book wisdom and experience. 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 2:48 pm
marylouisealucurto
Thank You Sudipta! Great information and Graphic Organizer!
November 6, 2014 at 2:49 pm
oyjojo
Thank you! Useful reminder that writing needs a dash of science as well as a heart of art!
November 6, 2014 at 2:52 pm
Andrea Allen
Great post (love the salt and wedding cake analogies) and thank you for the Character Graphic Organizer – I’m going to use it this afternoon.
November 6, 2014 at 2:53 pm
Kim Chaffee
More great information from you, Sudipta! I loved Kidlit Summer School and I love this post, too. Especially the wedding cake analogy. Not only does it make so much sense, it also makes me think about cake. I love cake! 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 2:55 pm
Jessica Maria
The majority of my PB ideas are concept books, and I have always struggled with character development. Thanks for a highly relevant post!
November 6, 2014 at 2:56 pm
Juliana Lee
Hi Sudipta! Love Duck, Duck, Goose and all your fractured fairy tails too. Will be looking for Rutabaga Boo, sounds darling. Thanks for the graphic organizer too! Will be using that myself.
November 6, 2014 at 2:57 pm
Ali Pichardo
Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, I enjoyed your post. My characters always tell me they are the most important part of the story. Now I see how important it is to give them layers. I will use your Character Graphic Organizer all the time. Thank you for including it in your post.
November 6, 2014 at 3:00 pm
Maria Bostian
Thanks so much for the graphic. It will certainly come in handy. I’m thinking of using it to go back through some old manuscripts that need some tidying up!
November 6, 2014 at 3:04 pm
Carol Nelson
I love the graphic organizer. Thanks for the great tips for character development.
November 6, 2014 at 3:04 pm
Suzanne Dameron
Sudipta, super reminder for us all. Season up our dishes er..characters. Hoping the PB muse is sitting on your shoulder this month.
November 6, 2014 at 3:06 pm
Shawna JC Tenney
I love the character graphic organizer! And great reminders about adding layers. Great article!
November 6, 2014 at 3:07 pm
Pam Miller
Like your character graph – visual aids help when I’m having an unorganized-mind-day. Congratulations on 40+ books-WOW!
November 6, 2014 at 3:08 pm
Jill Siegel
Excellent tips and thanks for the graphic organizer!
BTW, I love ‘Duck, Duck, Moose’! 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 3:10 pm
Jabeen
Great post! I always forget the salt when cooking, loved the analogy. Thank you for your tips and the graphic organizer!
November 6, 2014 at 3:11 pm
Elizabeth Saba
Perfect examples and a chart! Those are prizes already! Thank you.
November 6, 2014 at 3:11 pm
Anne Bromley
Thank you, Sudipta! The reminder that character is “the salt” of a story really hit home, and I do appreciate that visual aid.
November 6, 2014 at 3:13 pm
Carol Federoff
You are right! The character is KEY! I love the graphic organizer. Thank you.
November 6, 2014 at 3:18 pm
kckass
It always seems like I end up with spicier side characters than main ones. Adding ‘salt’ to my main characters seems like it’s my biggest challenge. Thank you so much for the post.
November 6, 2014 at 3:20 pm
Kaye Baillie
Love the salt analogy, thanks Sudipta and your new book sounds great.
November 6, 2014 at 3:21 pm
Laura Rackham
You appeal to the chef in me! Thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 3:23 pm
Leslie Raith
So, so helpful!! I feel inspired to finish a story that has been simmering for years.
November 6, 2014 at 3:26 pm
Didi Wood
A wonderful reminder – and thanks for the graphic organizer! 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 3:32 pm
M Lapointe Malchik (@imartytweet)
Sudipta, I appreciate this post and its reminder of the importance of character as well as layers that make a character have depth even when very few words tell the story. We do fall in love with character. We don’t want stories to end because of character. The graphic organizer is a generous bonus from you as is the discount and prize you offer.
November 6, 2014 at 3:33 pm
Michelle O'Hara Levin
I love cupcakes and wedding cake and think of them often. Thanks for making all that food dreamin’ applicable to my writing life too! 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 3:35 pm
Nicole Popel
Where’s my salt shaker? You’ve really got me thinking, Sudipta!
November 6, 2014 at 3:36 pm
Tracy
Great tips about layering and adding some “flavour”. Thanks for the organizer as well. I can’t wait to get back to a story that has been tugging at me for a while but I keep putting off.
November 6, 2014 at 3:37 pm
supermario6
Thanks for these great pointers. 40 books and counting!
November 6, 2014 at 3:40 pm
Paulette
Love the diagram! Excellent. Brilliant advice about deepening character. Thank you!!
November 6, 2014 at 3:41 pm
Prairie Garden Girl
Sudipta: Your words of wisdom are always helpful and valuable. The analogy of writing lucious characters and comparing them to the layers of a wedding cake is outstanding. Thank you for sharing the graphic organizer. I look forward to reading and owning a copy of Rutabaga Boo! The character sounds delightful with many delicious layers. ~Suzy Leopold
November 6, 2014 at 3:41 pm
teresarobeson
The layer concept is a great way to dream up interesting elements for a story that would otherwise be flat. Thanks for the tips and the graphics, Sudipta!
November 6, 2014 at 3:45 pm
poppy wrote
It would be fab to take a pb course from Sudipta. I have heard her live at conferences and she is fun and full of knowledge. Good post too!
November 6, 2014 at 3:47 pm
Aidan Cassie
And for author-illustrators there is extra delight to be found working with the icing layers the imagery can add.
November 6, 2014 at 3:51 pm
Sheri Roloff
I like the salt analogy! I’ve been known to add salt to food before even tasting it…which probably isn’t the best choice! Hopefully I can sprinkle the “salt” into my stories more effectively. 🙂 I really enjoyed your post. Thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 3:52 pm
Mike Karg
Thanks, Sudipta! Now I need to go marinate a 5-layer cake in a vat of brine and since I feeling rather saucy today, I might even flambe it. Who wants to join me for Thanksgiving?
November 6, 2014 at 4:01 pm
Sandy Perlic
Thanks, Sudipta – you’ve really made character development easy to understand with your examples. Love the graphic organizer, too.
November 6, 2014 at 4:07 pm
Kerrie
Helpful! Thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 4:08 pm
Cassandra Federman
Great organization tool! Thanks for this 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 4:08 pm
Amelia Gossman
Fantastic! This was an important lesson I learned at MICA and it’s always good to get reinforcement of this concept. I’m also definitely going to check out Rutabaga Boo from my work (aka, the library!)
November 6, 2014 at 4:10 pm
Cat
Thanks Sudipta, I’m intrigued about a picture book with just 24 words!
November 6, 2014 at 4:19 pm
Annie Cronin Romano
Enjoyed your post, Sudipta! Going to work on my picture book cake now!
November 6, 2014 at 4:20 pm
Diana Delosh
Thanks Sudipta. Yummy Layer cake imagery. Love the character organization chart -just used it for aPB dummy I’m working on.
November 6, 2014 at 4:20 pm
Jessie
That cake picture made me hungry! You’re so right about the salt. I’ll keep that in mind with my characters 😀
November 6, 2014 at 4:22 pm
suzannepoulterharris
Love the salt analogy and the title of your new book. Thanks for sharing.
November 6, 2014 at 4:23 pm
kathydoherty1
Sudipta is a fabulous teacher! Consider taking one of her courses. Upping the stakes and adding layers is so important–but sometimes hard to do.
November 6, 2014 at 4:28 pm
Janny J Johnson
Thanks! I’m going to try and re-think a couple of my good PiBoIdMo ideas from last year!
November 6, 2014 at 4:30 pm
gweddle
Thank you for sharing these great strategies for character development! I will use them.😊
November 6, 2014 at 4:38 pm
Shirley Menendez
I love your character graph. Thanks for this helpful post.
November 6, 2014 at 4:42 pm
mona861
Wow, Sudipta! You’re full of prizes and surprises! The Character Graphic Organizer is the first big one. Thanks so much!!! and just a PS to the rest of you… If you ever see one of Sudipta’s workshops offered at a conference, sign up for it. She’s a wonderful teacher!
November 6, 2014 at 4:44 pm
bangersnmashdesign
I agree with you about the importance of character development. And I’m excited to try out this Character Graphic Organizer tool. Many thanks for sharing it.
November 6, 2014 at 4:49 pm
marciecolleen
Brilliant as always! Thanks, Sudipta!
November 6, 2014 at 4:53 pm
dsi1nyu
Great examples and images! thank you!
November 6, 2014 at 5:00 pm
Christine M. Irvin
Thanks or the post and the chart!!
November 6, 2014 at 5:04 pm
seschipper
Great suggestions! Happy to see I’m using the correct “ingredients” by utilizing the graphic organizers from my 1st grade classroom! 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 5:04 pm
Donna L. Sadd
Hi Sudipta, great post! I’ve got Tyrannosaurus Wrecks on my desk right now. Of course, it’s wonderful! :0)
November 6, 2014 at 5:09 pm
Lynn Becker
I especially loved the paragraph on specifically how you searched for layers to add character depth in your story. And the chart. Very helpful.
November 6, 2014 at 5:10 pm
jdewdropsofink
The character form is great. Thank you for so many great tips.
November 6, 2014 at 5:14 pm
Marcy P.
Fantastic! Loved the connection with salt. I love salt… so that makes a LOT of sense to me! My characters are the salt of my story. THANK YOU!
November 6, 2014 at 5:22 pm
thelogonauts
Great analogy! We read the story of Caporushes every year with the third graders and always spend time talking about why she loves her father “like meat loves salt!” Thanks for the graphic organizer too!
November 6, 2014 at 5:29 pm
Laura Bellina
Can’t wait to use your graphic organizer to further explore my picture book ideas.
November 6, 2014 at 5:37 pm
Laurie L Young
Sudipta is extremely awesome and a seemingly endless source of great info on writing picture books. I am now going to apply my new mantra (theme-conflict-contradition) to my ideas. Thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 5:41 pm
Jennifer Huls
Thank you for the reminder that character building is so important – the organizer will keep thoughts on track great idea
Thank you!
November 6, 2014 at 5:46 pm
Buffy Silverman
Thanks for the sprinkling of salt! Great organizer–I’m saving it.
November 6, 2014 at 5:47 pm
Kari D Allen
Thanks for the great advice as always!
November 6, 2014 at 5:49 pm
Holly Ruppel
Thanks, Sudipta! I’m always looking for tips to help write stronger characters!
November 6, 2014 at 5:51 pm
Darshana
That was a fantastic post. You are such a good instructor. Hopefully will get a chance to take one of your courses in the coming year.
November 6, 2014 at 5:54 pm
Dorothy Wiese
Thank you, Sudipta, for your words and diagram. I will try using the diagram before beginning to write my next picture book. It looks great!
November 6, 2014 at 5:55 pm
Karen A
Love today’s post! All of my idea’s so far have been centered around a character I came up with first. I get this character in my head that won’t quit and eventually, I just have to write a story for them 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 5:57 pm
Linda E.H.
thank you for the great advice. Also, I like the salt/characrer analogy.
November 6, 2014 at 6:00 pm
Jamie Deenihan
Thank you for the advice about developing our characters and for the outline. Congratulations on your success in the PB world and your Rutabaga Boo (awesome title and concept!) book coming out soon.
November 6, 2014 at 6:01 pm
Jeanine Potter
Thank you for a great post and a recipie to follow! It certainly helps to have a good guide…
November 6, 2014 at 6:02 pm
jshaklan
Such a smart way to really get into the characters and make them three-dimensional! Thanks for the suggestions!
November 6, 2014 at 6:04 pm
pattywaymedic
As always, such wonderful tools to write by. Thanks, Sudipta!!
November 6, 2014 at 6:04 pm
Christy Mihaly
Sudipta, I really like your characters Duck, Duck and Moose! Thanks for the reminder that characters count. Your pointers about characters can work for nonfiction writers too. To make those cranky old historical figures believable, you gotta have motivation, details and emotions . . . .
November 6, 2014 at 6:06 pm
Stephan Stuecklin
Thanks for the diagram. I’l try it out when fleshing out some PiBoIdMo ideas!
November 6, 2014 at 6:17 pm
l8k8
Thanks for the great graphic. I will try putting it to use with my next picture book ideas!
November 6, 2014 at 6:21 pm
Bonnie Adamson
Thank you for the shout-out, Sudipta. RUTABAGA BOO has been a joy! You know I’m your biggest fan. :-DD
November 6, 2014 at 6:22 pm
Wendy Greenley
Rutabaga, Sudipta! (I am happy and excited with that tinge of writer’s anxiety). Great graphic prompt for our writing.
November 6, 2014 at 6:26 pm
Carol Gordon Ekster
Love, love, love the salt analogy. Good luck on your new title, Sudipta. Can’t wait to read the many more picture books that you will have published.
November 6, 2014 at 6:42 pm
Matt Tesoriero
Tasty blog. Thanks for adding some flavor to November!
November 6, 2014 at 6:57 pm
Sally R. Flannery
Way to get through using the cooking theme, Sudipta! – Food and writing, the perfect combination. I’ll start working up some delicious characters. (Sorry, just had to do that). But really, thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 7:02 pm
jessicacanwrite
Thank you for the great post
!
November 6, 2014 at 7:03 pm
Kara Stewart
Love that graphic organizer, Sudipta! It will be very helpful for my students and for my own writing. Thank you!
November 6, 2014 at 7:04 pm
lgalaske
Thank you for the great character-development tool! I’ll look forward to its guidance for many PBs to come!
November 6, 2014 at 7:09 pm
Maria J Cuesta
Love the scheme! Thanks a lot!!
November 6, 2014 at 7:11 pm
natalie15
I improvise in Chicago and it never fails that if the character is flat the scene follows. Even though I know this on stage, I still forget it on paper. Thanks for the reminder!
November 6, 2014 at 7:13 pm
Karen Casale
Great writing advice thanks. I’m making a cake.
November 6, 2014 at 7:21 pm
shirley johnson
Thanks for sharing the graphic organizer. Enjoyed this post!
November 6, 2014 at 7:22 pm
Patricia Toht
Great tips!
November 6, 2014 at 7:28 pm
writeknit
No more cupcakes for me – I will work to create a multilayered cake of wonderful wild colors held to together with lots of sweet frosting sprinkled with nuts. Thanks for the inspiration!
November 6, 2014 at 7:29 pm
jennyrusks
Thank you for the tips and graphic organiser.
November 6, 2014 at 7:32 pm
kateywrites
Thank you Sudipta and Tara for a wonderful post. I like to use my theater-crazy 9 yr old as a character sounding board. If she can’t “act like” the character after reading the story – then there’s not enough character there. Now I can ask my baking-crazy 7 year-old to chime in, too!
November 6, 2014 at 7:33 pm
Therese Nagi
Thank you for sharing your great tips! Loved the salt analogy!thth
November 6, 2014 at 7:39 pm
thislittlebirdie
Wow! This post is full of helpful info! Thanks Tara and Sudipta!
November 6, 2014 at 7:47 pm
Mary McClellan
Did someone say CAKE?! Thanks for a great post and worksheet!
November 6, 2014 at 7:47 pm
Gretchen McLellan
Love your wordplayful titles!
Sent from my iPhone
November 6, 2014 at 7:48 pm
erikammon
I love that graphic organizer Sudipta! Thank you for your post 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 7:54 pm
Mary Warth
This was such a fun post. I love the organizer and will put it to good use…now!
November 6, 2014 at 7:56 pm
darlenebeckjacobson
Great post Sudipta, even for those of us who aren’t currently working on a PB.
November 6, 2014 at 7:59 pm
sardyhar
Write layered, salty, meaty wedding cakes. Got it! 😉 I’ve wanted to take your class. Whoever wins the free course will be a lucky PiBoIdMo-er, indeed.
November 6, 2014 at 8:02 pm
Jenifer Heidorn
342 (and counting) grateful pibo-ers. Our Hoosiers are going to be quite happy come March!
November 6, 2014 at 8:02 pm
tinawissner
Great advice. I’m a Southern girl, so I LOVE the salt analogy.
November 6, 2014 at 8:08 pm
trobinsondaly
My first PB manuscript is very character driven, so I appreciated this post a lot. Thank you!
November 6, 2014 at 8:11 pm
Ronna Mandel
Was on a low salt diet, but am going to be sprinkling more thanks to this super helpful post. Love your suggestion to look at the construction in terms of layers.
November 6, 2014 at 8:14 pm
Hope Lim
A great article! I’m mostly writing character-driven stories so this post is very helpful. Thank you!
November 6, 2014 at 8:16 pm
Janine Johns
Thank you so much for an informative post. The graphic organizer is great!
I’m focusing on quality – not quantity. It takes a lot of brainstorming to develop a great character.
November 6, 2014 at 8:17 pm
pearlz
Reblogged this on Pearlz Dreaming and commented:
Don’t forget to add the salt – of character to your stories, a great blog rom Sudipta.
November 6, 2014 at 8:17 pm
carolmunrojww
Great advice, as usual, Sudipta. And that cheat sheet at the close of the post? Very cool swag. Thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 8:18 pm
pearlz
Love the analogy and focus on characters, sometimes my characters take over stories and have a mind of their own!
November 6, 2014 at 8:19 pm
Claire O'Brien
Characters! My nemesis, great post and tool, thanks Sudipta !
November 6, 2014 at 8:22 pm
Charlotte
The layers idea along with your graphic organizer are just what I need right now to get one of my PB ideas out of the side yard and back on track!
Thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 8:28 pm
apserione
I don’t know why but this post made me hungry
November 6, 2014 at 8:30 pm
Doreen E. Lepore
Great graphic and post, as always, thanks Sudipta!
November 6, 2014 at 8:32 pm
lindamartinandersen
Sudipta,
Now to add some more cake layers and conflict to my WIP. Thanks for the tips.
November 6, 2014 at 8:36 pm
Natasha
Rutabaga Boo is so much fun to say- can’t wait to read it.
November 6, 2014 at 8:38 pm
Pia Garneau
24 words? Wow! Can’t wait to read it. Always great words of wisdom from you, Sudipta. Thank you for this post.
November 6, 2014 at 8:41 pm
Lori Mozdzierz
Thanks for the organizer! I’m going to take it for a spin 😀
November 6, 2014 at 8:51 pm
Hélène Sabourin
To create a character who becomes a part of someone else’s childhood must be one of life’ s biggest accomplishment.
November 6, 2014 at 8:59 pm
Ann Bentley
I really loved you article.
November 6, 2014 at 9:03 pm
Tarryn Lean (@TarrynLean)
Loved the wedding cake visual, it made me hungry..to ramp up a character I’m writing on that is 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 9:06 pm
Brittany Mercer
And they say novelists get to have all the fun with character development! This was a great read and I am going to apply it to my PB idea for today! Thank you!
November 6, 2014 at 9:07 pm
Freckled Daisy Creations
So inspiring!
November 6, 2014 at 9:09 pm
wendymyersart
Great post! Thanks for the tips on building characters with more depth/tiers. And now I’m hungry for cake, too. 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 9:25 pm
Lauri Fortino
Sudipta, aren’t you far too young to have authored 40 books!?
November 6, 2014 at 9:31 pm
laura516
I love tangible try-it’s. Thanks for the handout!
November 6, 2014 at 9:31 pm
angiekarcher
Great post on how important our characters are! I really appreciate the graphic organizer as well. You are such a generous and classy lady!!!
November 6, 2014 at 9:45 pm
Deborah Patz
Thx! I’ll try out the graphic organizer and see where my characters go.
November 6, 2014 at 10:09 pm
MJ Marston
Great post, I LOVE building characters!
November 6, 2014 at 10:16 pm
Zainab
Great post! Thanks for the information.
November 6, 2014 at 10:20 pm
Genevieve Petrillo
Cupcake / Wedding Cake. Great way to look at it. I’m not usually a big planner, but your graphic organizer and explanation make it seem like maybe I can be. Layers. Yup. I get it!
November 6, 2014 at 10:28 pm
Laura J
Thank you. You’ve definitely left me with lots to think about.
November 6, 2014 at 10:35 pm
Meghan Daniels
I want to read RUTABAGA BOO! Can’t wait to see how you conveyed so much with so little.
November 6, 2014 at 10:47 pm
mwebb32
Love your post. Can’t wait to use the graphic organizer!
November 6, 2014 at 10:48 pm
barbara kupetz
Thanks, Sudipta, for your tips on character development.
November 6, 2014 at 10:51 pm
Kara Newhouse
Great questions for thinking about how to add layers. Thank you!
November 6, 2014 at 10:54 pm
Cindy Greene
Love the framework. Thanks!
November 6, 2014 at 10:59 pm
Zach Roush
Thanks for the character chart!
November 6, 2014 at 11:03 pm
lbouck09
Thank you so much for the great advice. Can’t wait to try out your character graphic organizer! 🙂
November 6, 2014 at 11:05 pm
Jenifer McNamara
Good insightful post, Now if only I could stay on the same page as my character.
November 6, 2014 at 11:07 pm
Cindy S
Thanks for the post. It really started me thinking about character development in a new way.
November 6, 2014 at 11:24 pm
Cindy Jolley
Great thoughts on creating a memorable character!
November 6, 2014 at 11:25 pm
Brian Yanish
Thank you Sudipta! Love it when you share exercises & worksheets.
November 6, 2014 at 11:27 pm
Sue Matzke
Thank you
November 6, 2014 at 11:37 pm
Meg Miller
RUTABAGA BOO sounds very cute! Excellent ideas on amping up your character, thank you! And thank you Tara! 😀
November 6, 2014 at 11:45 pm
Caroline
Thanks for leading us through your characterization tips with those examples! That’s very helpful.
November 6, 2014 at 11:48 pm
Heather Kelso
Thank you for the great tips on character and layering the story. The template will come in handy. I am excited to read your new book.
November 6, 2014 at 11:49 pm
Hayley Gudgin
just had my character develop while reading your post after a comment by a friend on facebook……thankyou
November 6, 2014 at 11:49 pm
Ann K
Thanks, Sudipta for reminding us to delve deeper into our characters’ wedding cake layers and sharing your knowledge!
November 6, 2014 at 11:51 pm
Joan Kassmann
Lots to think about … I really love your diagram. Thank you!
November 7, 2014 at 12:01 am
apmartin2014
Thank you, Rudipta, for an important reminder. Sometimes one is tempted to think visually, come up with a strong storyline and evocative settings and overlook character development. But that layering is so vital!
November 7, 2014 at 12:04 am
Anne Neidinger
The wedding cake analogy is a great help, as is the graphic organizer. Thanks a bunch for helping us get to know our characters better, and helping them know themselves!
November 7, 2014 at 12:10 am
Vicki Wilke
Looking forward to Rutabaga Boo! The title itself is irresistible! And I love the graphic organizer – after 33 years of teaching, I welcome the structure. Thank you Rudipta.
November 7, 2014 at 12:11 am
Zachary Ratcliffe
Great post! -Zach Ratcliffe
November 7, 2014 at 12:20 am
Alyssa Wejebe
Thanks, this was interesting, especially the comparison of character to salt, and the layered cake model. May I ask, what does “high concept” mean in the picture book world?
November 7, 2014 at 12:25 am
peter
After reading thus, I went back and sprinkled some salt on some developing characters. Im falling in live with them all over again. Thanks!
November 7, 2014 at 12:44 am
Dani Duck
Good stuff! I like the chart you gave us. It will be very helpful as I create my books!
November 7, 2014 at 12:44 am
Patricia A Miller
Thank you for the post and the organizer!
November 7, 2014 at 12:50 am
Susie Sawyer
GREAT post about character devel……..ooooooooohhhh….she said cake.
November 7, 2014 at 12:52 am
Leah
Wonderful post & the organizer chart looks like a very helpful tool! Thank you so much for sharing!
November 7, 2014 at 12:52 am
viviankirkfield
Thank you, Sudipta! The template will be very helpful for me. 😉
November 7, 2014 at 1:05 am
Carrie Tillotson
Thank you! The salt metaphor is great. Rutabaga Boo sounds adorable, and also sounds a lot like one of the ideas I had for PiBoIdMo already. I guess I’ll have to make sure mine’s different!
November 7, 2014 at 1:06 am
debra daugherty
Adding tiers to a story, I like the cake analogy. Thanks, too, for the organizer. Super way to plan the story at a glance!
November 7, 2014 at 1:08 am
Theresa Love
Yummy food for thought! Thanks for the delightful delicacies – It’s all about the character…and I’m a sucker for templates – it’s the educator in me 🙂
November 7, 2014 at 1:08 am
Tina Hoggatt
Loving the template! Thank you!
November 7, 2014 at 1:20 am
Jenna Woloshyn
I love having something concrete to try. Thanks!
November 7, 2014 at 1:20 am
Kira Kia Fruit Nims
Thank you Sudipta, very helpful 🙂
November 7, 2014 at 1:29 am
Bethany Roberts
Thanks- I have been brainstorming a character and that Character Graphic Organizer is going to come in handy!
November 7, 2014 at 1:33 am
Marge Gower
I like your character Graphic. Thanks for the information. I see quite a few names I recognize among the thousands.
November 7, 2014 at 1:39 am
Dawn Young
Brilliant advice…as always 🙂 Thank you !
November 7, 2014 at 1:58 am
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting & Writing
Thanks for your detailed layers on character!
November 7, 2014 at 2:41 am
Angela Turner
Character is something I struggle with so I really appreciate your advice today. Thank you for the organizer as well.
November 7, 2014 at 3:30 am
Pauline Johnson
The character writes the story! Thanks for this!
November 7, 2014 at 3:48 am
Carrie O'Neill
I’m in love with the character organizer! Thank you for the great post!
November 7, 2014 at 5:27 am
Marina Cid
The wedding cake idea is just what I needed. I need to consciously think about the layering. Thank you.
November 7, 2014 at 8:19 am
August Washington
I’ve never considered the importance of character in a picture book before. Thank you.
November 7, 2014 at 8:39 am
Lauren Soloy
Thanks Sudipta – you’ve given us lots to think about. I took the Plot class at KidLit Writing School, and would definitely recommend it – Sudipta is amazing, and so insightful!
November 7, 2014 at 8:52 am
storyfairy
Characters are very important. I look forward to using that graphic organizer 🙂 -Lily Stejskal
November 7, 2014 at 9:01 am
nicolezoltack
Love the idea of layering. It’s the details that make each PB different.
November 7, 2014 at 9:18 am
lmquraishi
I love the idea of layer cake character development and love the premise of Rutabaga Boo even more! Can’t wait to see it, and plan to check your blog for more backstory on the development of that manuscript. Thanks!
November 7, 2014 at 9:44 am
Jill Edmonds
I love the takeaway you provided that is usable today. Thank you. 😉
November 7, 2014 at 9:48 am
Corey Finkle
This is great advice to keep in mind no matter what book I’m writing. Thanks so much for sharing.
November 7, 2014 at 9:52 am
angela de groot
Brilliant concrete advice, Sudipta.
November 7, 2014 at 10:01 am
Rebecca
Thanks for the inspiration!
November 7, 2014 at 10:01 am
Shari Della Penna
Thank you for your practical advise and the reasons why it works.
November 7, 2014 at 10:16 am
Charla Yingling
Upping the character ante so to speak. Kind of like real life.
November 7, 2014 at 10:19 am
Susan Cabael
Thanks for the salty character lecture! I think I’ll use the graphic organizer for all my ideas this month.
November 7, 2014 at 10:28 am
Donna Rossman
Loved your post! Thank you for the graphic organizer and the inspiration! 🙂
November 7, 2014 at 10:39 am
becki
Loved the recipe reminders: salt, layers, complexity of combinations of flavor all have me eager to get into my kitchen and cook up some great characters! Or season some up a bit with the unexpected… Yum, and thank you!
November 7, 2014 at 10:41 am
tammi sauer
Love this. Plus, now I need cake. 🙂
November 7, 2014 at 10:45 am
Corey Schwartz
Love the specific examples. So helpful! (And funny, my upcoming post has a cooking analogy too)
November 7, 2014 at 11:12 am
Pat
SAlt is one of the most overlooked seasonings in cooking so your analogy to character building is so on-point! As a food writer I love your analogies and I’ll be thinking about salt and wedding cakes every time I write. Thank you!
November 7, 2014 at 11:40 am
SMHS
Thanks for the organizer! It will help me summarize some messy ideas.
November 7, 2014 at 12:04 pm
Amy Houts
Love the graphic organizer! Thanks!
November 7, 2014 at 12:35 pm
Hey, Jim Hill!
Great idea generation advice, and I love the organizer. That would definitely help me. Cheers!
November 7, 2014 at 12:45 pm
Bri Davey
Love the Graphic Character Organizer! Thank you for the great post Sudipta!
November 7, 2014 at 12:45 pm
Donna L Martin
The more I learn about writing picture books, the more I realize there is still much more I need to learn…;~)
Thanks Tara and Sudipta for a great post!
November 7, 2014 at 12:51 pm
redtiesof90
Thanks for sharing the graphic organizer!
November 7, 2014 at 1:00 pm
katiemillsgiorgio
Thanks for the reminder to focus on character!
November 7, 2014 at 1:09 pm
Emily Goldstein
Thanks for the graphic organizer!
November 7, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Kathleen Wilson
Thank you for your fantastic post, Sudipta! The focus on character, the salt and layer cake analogies, and the graphic print-out are all so, so helpful.
November 7, 2014 at 2:00 pm
Laurie J. Edwards
Character’s definitely the key to the whole book. Looking forward to see how you developed it in Rutabaga Boo. And I can’t wait to see Bonnie Adamson’s fabulous pictures!
November 7, 2014 at 2:13 pm
MickiGinsberg
Awesome, Sudipta! You’ve got it down to a science.
November 7, 2014 at 2:37 pm
rmcg14
Finally some solid guidance on character development! THank you, thank you, thank you!
November 7, 2014 at 2:54 pm
Sheri Rad
Thank you for the graphic organizer, I will use it on some of my revisions and see what happens.
November 7, 2014 at 3:42 pm
Rebecca E. Guzinski
You’ve really accentuated an important element for me. The character is the most important ingredient in a story book recipe. Kidlit Writing School
looks like a great opportunity. Glad to have learned about it on PiBoIdMo.
November 7, 2014 at 4:10 pm
Frances Brown
Thanks, Sudipta, for that generous advice. Who says salt isn’t good for you? I’ve printed out the character graphic organizer and crossing my fingers for some much needed good luck. 🙂
November 7, 2014 at 4:33 pm
svaisnoras
Great idea…love the organizer…look forward to Rutabaga Boo.you just drip with ideas.
November 7, 2014 at 4:46 pm
Laura
Excellent advice, Sudipta! Thanks you so much!
November 7, 2014 at 5:32 pm
Sue Poduska
Great ideas to keep in mind. Thanks!
November 7, 2014 at 5:59 pm
Henry Herz
Terrific post, Sudipta!
November 7, 2014 at 6:13 pm
Romelle Broas
Great post, Sudipta! And timely too. Thanks for the Character Graph Organizer. Very helpful!
November 7, 2014 at 6:19 pm
Deb Dunn
Thank you for the graphic organizer, Sudipta – very simple and useful! This is a terrific post for me, as one of my personal goals this year is to focus so much more on character development. I’m a great plotter, but need to drive my stories with great characters. You’re suggestions will help!
November 7, 2014 at 7:01 pm
melsul09
Your advice is one of the best advices so far. thank you so much.
November 7, 2014 at 7:43 pm
Claire Vita
Thanks Sudipta! I’ll think cake now for sure. The character graphic organizer will be helpful.
November 7, 2014 at 8:31 pm
kathyerskine
Thanks, Sudipta, for your always wise advice frosted with humor!
Kathy Erskine
November 7, 2014 at 9:42 pm
Carrie Finison
I just finished up Sudipta’s Plotting in Picture Books class, and it was fantastic – thorough and well organized. I’m sure the character class will be the same!
November 7, 2014 at 10:14 pm
Joanne Sher
GREAT stuff, Sudipta! Love the graphic organizer – AND the reminder of the importance of characters AND layering.
November 7, 2014 at 10:36 pm
Ellen Sirianni
Great post! Love the Character Graphic Organizer.
November 7, 2014 at 10:41 pm
angelapadron
Thanks for this post Sudipta. Great info
November 7, 2014 at 11:06 pm
Sadee Schilling
Sudipta, I think you are a creative powerhouse! Thanks for this post today–I’m working on creating a dummy for my manuscript and I’m realizing HOW MUCH characterization is coming through in the illustrations! Can’t wait to see how you’ve handled this in Rutabaga Boo! Oh, and now I want cake :).
November 7, 2014 at 11:54 pm
Joanne Roberts
Thanks for the graphic organizer. I loved the worksheets during summer school! I look forward to racheting up the stakes for my characters, and salting all my manuscripts. Thanks, Tara and Sudipta!
November 8, 2014 at 12:29 am
bitsykemper
I like the challenge to go deeper. More layers are more compelling! Easy to think, harder to do. Thanks Sudipta!
November 8, 2014 at 12:36 am
jhayslett
I must get my hooks on a character worth her salt! Thank you for emphasizing this, Sudipta.
November 8, 2014 at 1:54 am
klmcmorranmaus
Thank you for sharing your Character Graphic Organizer. I will try it out!
November 8, 2014 at 3:30 am
Darlene Gaston
Your recipe for character development is salt to my own process. Thanks so much, Sudipta!!
November 8, 2014 at 3:39 am
dgaston0420
Your recipe for character development is salt to my own process. Thanks so much Sudipta!
November 8, 2014 at 5:45 am
The Styling Librarian
Fabulous approach and wonderful graphic organizer, thank you so much!
November 8, 2014 at 7:52 am
Barbara Webb Sinopoli
Even just the titles make me want to read your books, thank you!
November 8, 2014 at 9:06 am
kroberts24
Thanks, Sudipta! So helpful!
November 8, 2014 at 9:08 am
Cindy C.
Thank you Sudipta for the cooking analogy and the Character Graphic Organizer. BTW, this Cindy also wants a puppy!
November 8, 2014 at 10:55 am
topangamaria
SALTY advice = LOVE it (and loved your summer school too)
November 8, 2014 at 11:22 am
Jessica Miller-Nims
So true! If you don’t like or believe the character, you won’t care about what happens to him/her. That’s when you stop reading…
November 8, 2014 at 11:22 am
Andi
I’ll be able to incorporate these suggestions into my illustrations too! Thanks so much! a : )
November 8, 2014 at 11:26 am
Lynn Alpert
Great advice for creating characters worth their salt!
November 8, 2014 at 11:27 am
Pat Miller
Thanks, Sudipta, for the template (I printed off several copies) and for the coupon to KidLit Writing School. I was unaware of this resource.
November 8, 2014 at 11:29 am
artistadonna
thank you Sudipta 🙂
November 8, 2014 at 12:13 pm
angelapenadahle
My favorite part of a book is building the character up and getting to know them layer by layer no matter how hard it can be. BTW, what a cool prize!
November 8, 2014 at 3:00 pm
Meridth Gimbel
Wonderful advice! I can totally see how this would make my characters more interesting!
November 8, 2014 at 4:17 pm
Sarah Maynard (@SarahDMaynard)
More wonderful advice Sudipta! Thank you so much!
November 8, 2014 at 4:26 pm
SevenAcreSky
Sudipta, another great tool! My toolbox is always improved during PiBoIdMo. Your tips on character development are awesome. Thanks for the post.
November 8, 2014 at 5:44 pm
Mary Jo Wagner
The salt analogy is brilliant! Particularly as I have Mom/daughter unconditional love MS that is need of more seasoning. 🙂
November 8, 2014 at 7:34 pm
Jennifer Rumberger
I loved this post, especially the handout. Thanks!
November 8, 2014 at 9:20 pm
Sallye O'Rourke
Great post! I’m looking forward to reading RUTABAGA BOO and using the graphic organizer!
November 8, 2014 at 9:37 pm
Cathy Breisacher
Congratulations on your success and thank you for sharing this graphic organizer. The cake layer analogy will also be useful when I’m developing my characters. Thank you so much!
November 9, 2014 at 2:55 am
Jenny Blum
Ideas, inspiration and crafting your story are all important but it is so helpful to have some tools! The salt and the layering analogies are so powerful and easy to understand. Thank you Sudipta.
November 9, 2014 at 3:37 am
Mindy Alyse Weiss
Thanks for the great post, Sudipta. I love the graphic organizer! I usually use a Plot Clock before starting a first draft, but love having another way to play around with my ideas before turning them into manuscripts.
November 9, 2014 at 8:57 am
Elizabeth Martin
Terrific post as usual, you hit the nail on the head. I can’t wait for your class on character!
November 9, 2014 at 11:20 am
Nat Keller
Thanks Sudipta- great advice on the layering of characters- I have ideas already!
November 9, 2014 at 2:40 pm
Laura
Rutabaga Boo sounds so cute! Thank you also for the graphic organizer.
November 9, 2014 at 3:41 pm
saputnam
Thank you, Sudipta, for such an inspiring post! Love it when you said, “Character is the salt in your picture book idea” and to think “Wedding cake not cupcake” when adding layers to your characters.
November 9, 2014 at 5:45 pm
Karen Shipman
This was another wonderful post in this series! I am getting so many ideas and thoughts from reading them all!
November 9, 2014 at 7:19 pm
julie rowan zoch
Dunno what happened but I had four ideas before I got to the part about the wedding cake! Thanks, Sudipta!
November 10, 2014 at 1:40 am
Yvonne Mes
Thanks for sharing your story sheet and your wise words!
November 10, 2014 at 2:44 pm
Tracy Molitors
Thanks, Sudipta. Such helpful advice and techniques!
November 10, 2014 at 3:19 pm
Julie Durr
Thank you for the graphic organizer. It is the perfect next step in developing the ideas I have been writing down for PiBoIdMo. Thank you! Thank you!
November 10, 2014 at 3:22 pm
kirsten percival
Character is key – I learned this the hard way (by writing some rubbishy stuff!) Wish I’d read this long ago! Thanks for the reminder – always useful! And thank you for the organizer!
November 10, 2014 at 4:41 pm
laurazarrin
This post was really helpful AND it gave me another idea to scribble in my notebook. Thank you!
November 10, 2014 at 7:37 pm
Alberto Martín - NiñoCactus
I love the charismatic characters. I always try to take care of my main characters, making them unrepeatable. Thanks for your post.
November 10, 2014 at 8:42 pm
Karen Brueggeman
great post, but now I want cake…lol 🙂
November 10, 2014 at 9:17 pm
angiewredhen
thank you, thank you for your advise on character development, aaand in using food symbolism, it connects with my inner baker. I also love the creative names of your books…. i.e. Duck duck moose…. I so desperately want to take your writing course, it looks awesome.
November 10, 2014 at 9:43 pm
billiesgirl
This is a great tool! Thanks
November 10, 2014 at 10:28 pm
Megan Freeman
Thank you!
November 10, 2014 at 11:26 pm
Jeanette Bradley
Love the layers metaphor. I can’t wait to see how you do that in so few words. I’m trying to be less wordy and have richer characters at the same time. Struggling with that! Thanks for the thoughts!
November 10, 2014 at 11:35 pm
Nat Keller
Thanks Sudipta!! I have ideas for further developing my characters !
November 11, 2014 at 12:17 am
Meagan Moore Jensen
I love the idea of racheting up the conflict! Thanks for the thoughts and the organizer. 🙂
November 11, 2014 at 12:38 am
Liz Steffenson
Wow…developing character in 22 words! Honestly, sometimes I think it would be easier to write Gone With the Wind than to write a compelling, character rich picture book!! Thank goodness there are such talented artists to help us out! Liz Steffenson
November 11, 2014 at 11:14 am
Lindsay Bonilla
Thank you so much for this! It’s true that it’s the characters we fall in love with, but sometimes when we sit down to write we forget that! I needed the reminder! I really appreciate you sharing your graphic organizer tool too. Thanks again. As the mom of a son, I’m excited to check out Rutabaga Boo! Will it be out in time for Christmas?
November 11, 2014 at 11:58 am
City Sights for Kids
I found the layer cake comparison to be really useful – for developing character and building conflict.
November 11, 2014 at 12:02 pm
Michelle Cusolito
Sudipta, thank you for the planning sheet. You’re always so generous. I still have a worksheet you shared with me MANY years ago when I participated in Paula Yoo’s PB writing challenge.
November 11, 2014 at 12:04 pm
kariail2013
Thank you for the graphic organizer! You are so right, we connect with the characters and feel compassion or sympathy, etc. for them and that is why we connect with their story.
November 11, 2014 at 1:17 pm
blbachmann
Thank you for the wonderful advice/reminder about character and for the Character Graphic Organizer! That is very helpful! I’m using it now! I also enjoyed learning more about you on your website 🙂
November 11, 2014 at 9:32 pm
gasamie
As a teacher I am learning that those graphic organizers we give kids to make sense of stories are also helpful to the author to begin one. So cool!
November 11, 2014 at 11:08 pm
Author Ashley Howland
Graphic organisers can be great for kids and adults – thanks
November 12, 2014 at 10:58 am
Lisa
Thank you so so much Sudipta. This was such an excellent post. Too often we get hung up on a pun or a punch line or a quirky plot twist and forget the importance of our characters. This was an excellent reminder. Thank you!
November 12, 2014 at 5:16 pm
Christine Kornylak
The layer cake principle is so important, even at the idea stage. Thanks for the reminder.
November 13, 2014 at 1:52 am
writersideup
Such a great post, Sudipta, and I LOVE the graph!!! Thank you 🙂
November 13, 2014 at 3:07 am
Gloria Amescua
Thank you for a great post. I love the examples you gave to make it clear that we need a layered cake not a cupcake.
November 13, 2014 at 10:40 am
Jennifer Ali
Thank you for the graphic. It’s interesting to see so many different approaches to story and character development.
November 13, 2014 at 1:52 pm
Rosie Pova
Another excellent post and advice from Sudipta, as usual 🙂 Thanks!
November 14, 2014 at 8:14 am
elle kwan
Oh wow! This post was so helpful I feel like I just took a class. And it comes with a free giveaway that I’m about to put to good use. Thanks for your words and your generosity
November 14, 2014 at 11:20 am
Kelly Parker
Great post. So many times I think “oh great idea for a character” then think “well shoot, now what do I do with them”. Those fine details are always so tricky.
November 14, 2014 at 11:29 am
McCourt
The graphic and layering suggestions are great. Thanks for sharing!
November 14, 2014 at 1:27 pm
QuinnC
I greatly appreciate your character focus and cooking/cake analogy really hit the mark for me. Thanks!
November 14, 2014 at 6:04 pm
writingcygnet
Thanks for the great post! When I worked as a teen librarian and had a teen writers’ group, I always started the teens on character for all the reasons you mentioned above. Readers want a character(s) they can love and identify with.
Susan Swan
November 14, 2014 at 8:56 pm
donnacangelosi
Great post, Sudipta! Thank you for the writing tips and chart. I can’t wait to read Rutabaga Boo!
November 16, 2014 at 2:36 am
RaChelle Lisiecki
OMG, I want this prize! I loved your post but I WANT THIS PRIZE! Can’t wait to read more from you, Sudipta. You were so inspiring in the other CBA course I took.
November 16, 2014 at 4:28 pm
bucherwurm65
Thanks for the graphic organizer and the challenge to create compelling characters every day this month! Yay!
November 16, 2014 at 5:11 pm
Franziska
Great advice!
November 16, 2014 at 6:41 pm
Dianne Burch
Can’t wait to start using the graph and I look forward to seeing your newest book Rutabaga Boo. Sounds wonderful!
November 16, 2014 at 9:14 pm
Mary Zychowicz
I love the graphic organizer. I love the ideas for creating compelling characters.
November 16, 2014 at 11:01 pm
Anna Levin
Very helpful post. Thank you Sudipta!
November 17, 2014 at 6:55 am
Jay Polowski
What a great graphic character organizer…thanks. What great books you have….It’s an explosion of ideas…
November 17, 2014 at 1:59 pm
zebrakitchens
Oh man, when it came to pets and clean up we had a house full of Cindy’s! That should be in a dictionary.
Seriously though, thanks for the chart. For me it extremely timely. This year I’m concentrating on characters more than on story lines.
Again, thanks.
Lynn
November 18, 2014 at 10:27 am
Michelle Heidenrich Barnes
Lots useful information here. Thanks so much!
November 18, 2014 at 1:39 pm
teresa m.i. schaefer (@TMISchaefer)
“Some meals use a lot of salt. Others, just a sprinkling. But salt is essential. The same holds true for character.” — Love this line.
November 21, 2014 at 8:43 am
goodfish78
Thank you, Sudipta. Your tips on character development helped me this very morning. Cheers to you and your success!
November 22, 2014 at 10:15 am
Betsy Devany
As always, your advice rocks. Thank you, Sudipta!!
November 24, 2014 at 9:43 pm
Victoria Thomas
Thanks for Sharing 🙂
November 24, 2014 at 11:01 pm
Rick Starkey
Sometimes I think we get so into the action, we forget to build the character. Thanks for your post.
November 25, 2014 at 11:30 am
Sheri Dillard
Very helpful! Thanks, Sudipta! 🙂
November 25, 2014 at 3:05 pm
lisakwillard
Thank you, Sudipta! I came back to reread your post. Now I see why I’ve been craving cake all month!
November 26, 2014 at 3:23 am
Jessica @ Play Trains!
I loved the suggestions for different ways to expand — or layer — an idea…so helpful.
November 28, 2014 at 2:43 pm
KASteed
The layering idea was very helpful. Thank you!
November 28, 2014 at 10:01 pm
gksipps
I always thought cupcakes were great, but the wedding cake concept is awesome! Love, love, love it!!
November 28, 2014 at 10:17 pm
LL
We teach the kids to use the graphic organizers, it only makes sense that the authors use them too. You are a force to be reckoned with! 40+ books and a blog that makes sense. Thanks for being available to the newbies!
November 29, 2014 at 9:28 pm
Patricia Saunders
Lots of ideas from your post. thank you !
November 30, 2014 at 12:12 am
majanecka
Thank you for all the tips on developing characters.
November 30, 2014 at 10:39 am
Brook Gideon
Thanks Sudipta! As always, wonderful ideas for character development out of simple ideas!
November 30, 2014 at 8:30 pm
Nancy Kotkin
Some great tips to remember. Thanks!
November 30, 2014 at 10:41 pm
anniebailey7
Great post! Love the graphic!
November 30, 2014 at 10:42 pm
John Strong
Great advice!!! Thanks for sharing!
November 30, 2014 at 11:57 pm
Colleen Kelley
Thanks for the visuals, especially the idea of layering. That was so helpful to have an image to anchor the idea.
December 1, 2014 at 12:54 am
Jason Perkins
All I kept thinking was about Shrek and how Ogres have layers lol Great chart I plan on using it when I flesh out some of these ideas.
December 1, 2014 at 5:42 am
Andrea J Loney
Love the idea of thinking of the story as a layer cake! Thanks.
December 2, 2014 at 4:53 am
angelcat2014
Thank you for the wonderful description on how to build a character that will stand out and appeal to our reader’s ‘taste.’
July 21, 2015 at 7:58 am
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[…] and protocols (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 […]
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