by Aaron ReynoldsNovember 28, 2014 10:25 am
“Where do you get your ideas?”
This is the question that kids and aspiring writers ask me the most. And the answer is kinda lame: I have absolutely no idea.
I recognize that many people think about ideas as elusive endangered species that love to play hide-and-go-seek with us writers. But I disagree. I think ideas are everywhere! They fill the air around us like hyperactive dragonflies, just waiting to be snatched out of the air, captured, and put to work. Our job is to collect them. The problem is…we don’t always.
Instead…
We JUDGE our ideas. And then we DISMISS them.
How many times have you done it? An idea buzzes your way at the most unexpected time. Maybe during breakfast. You’re happily eating away on your raisin-crunch oatmeal, not thinking about picture books at all, and suddenly you find yourself thinking,
“I wonder what would happen if this spoon….ATTACKED ME???!!!”
It’s just a blip on your imagination, and in the micro-second that it takes you to think “That’s stupid.”, you dismiss it and continue chomping.
HELLO? THAT’S A PICTURE BOOK!
(Not yours though. Hands off…that one’s mine.)
That little dragonfly of a idea buzzed into your head for a reason…it wants to be used. It wants to be put to work, to be brought into being. Your job was to capture that little sucker, but instead, you judged it and dismissed it as inconsequential. And then, horror of horrors, you forgot about it.
And the idea dies. Unused. And unwritten.
When I first got the idea for a story about a bunny being stalked by evil root vegetables, don’t you think my first thought was “Dumb idea”? It totally was. But that didn’t stop me from capturing the idea that later became CREEPY CARROTS.
A lion, a wolf, and a shark all feel terrible about their meat-eating ways. Until they get some great advice from a wise old owl…who then meets a grisly death at their hands. What a TERRIBLE IDEA for a picture book! But when that idea showed up in my brain, I was on it like a fat kid on Cinnabon (and being less-than-svelte myself, you’d be surprised how quickly we can move when frosting-drenched cinnimon is around). That idea became my book CARNIVORES.
I am a collector of ideas. And so are you. Every idea you can get your grubby little mitts on.
How you keep them is up to you. I don’t keep my dragonflies in a cage. Or even a journal. I put them under a rock. Literally. (I know…weird. Maybe it’s a boy thing.)
I have something in my office called an Idea Rock.
And EVERY idea that flits my way gets captured, no matter where I am, no matter what I’m doing. You can see in the picture…there are ideas captured on 1000-Island-Dressing-stained-napkins that I got while eating rueben sandwiches. There are post-it-note ideas. There’s even a wedding program with an idea on it under there (man, that wedding was boring). I go through life with the assumption that every idea holds book-worthy potential, that no idea is inconsequential, therefore, they all get captured. They get put under the rock, and from there, they’re going nowhere (that rock is really heavy). And so, even if they do get momentarily judged (as ideas and dragonflies will), they never get dismissed, so they never get forgotten.
I have hundreds of ideas under there…more than I’ll ever be able to write in ten lifetimes. They’re not all gold. They won’t all become books. But they are all CAUGHT.
So put your judgement away and get your net ready. Because that buzzing you hear may just become your next book.
Aaron Reynolds is a New York Times Bestselling Author and has written many highly acclaimed books for kids, including Here Comes Destructosaurus!, Carnivores, the Joey Fly – Private Eye graphic novel series, and the Caldecott Honor Winning Creepy Carrots! He has a passion for kids’ books and seeing kids reading them. He regularly makes time to visit schools where his hilarious hands-on presentations keep kids spellbound. Aaron lives in Chicago with his wife, 2 kids, 4 cats, and anywhere between zero and ten goldfish, depending on the day.
You can visit him at www.aaron-reynolds.com.
Aaron is giving away one signed copy each of CREEPY CARROTS, CARNIVORES and HERE COMES DESTRUCTOSAURUS!
These prizes will be given away at the conclusion of PiBoIdMo. You are eligible for these prizes if:
Good luck, everyone!
Posted by Tara Lazar
Categories: PiBoIdMo 2014, Picture Books
Tags: Aaron Reynolds, Carnivores, CREEPY CARROTS, Here Comes Destructosaurus, Joey Fly
Mobile Site | Full Site
Get a free blog at WordPress.com Theme: WordPress Mobile Edition by Alex King.
Wishing thousands of hyperactive dragonflies for all PiBoIdMo participants!
By Laurie Theurer on November 28, 2014 at 10:30 am
Great post! Love the idea of an “idea rock” and never letting those ideas go!
By Susan Latta on November 28, 2014 at 10:30 am
Those books look so cool
By Christine Michaela Sharpe on November 28, 2014 at 10:31 am
That idea rock is fun, and I love the photo! I’m guilty of judging myself a lot both at the beginning and throughout the process, so your post is a really helpful reminder!
By mkokeefe on November 28, 2014 at 10:32 am
I love your idea rock! Thanks for reminding me to write every idea down, no matter how silly it seems at the time.
By Andrea on November 28, 2014 at 10:35 am
Ha, Creepy Carrots is totally awesome! We love it. But you’re right, stalking root vegetables sounds lame. You have some serious talent to turn it into such a rockin book.
By Marla on November 28, 2014 at 10:36 am
Ideas rock. Great -thanks for the reminder. And I still think Creepy Carrots has got to be one of the best ever titles for a picture book. Inspired…
By julietclarebell on November 28, 2014 at 10:36 am
I love that even the best writers have a pile of ideas on tiny scraps of paper!
By kroberts24 on November 28, 2014 at 10:38 am
Rock on, Aaron! Thanks!
By Hayley B on November 28, 2014 at 10:38 am
Thanks for the great suggestion, off to add to my idea collection, hopefully!
By Daryl Gottier on November 28, 2014 at 10:39 am
An idea rock? Wait…that sounds like an idea for a picture book! Thanks, Aaron!
By Pat Miller on November 28, 2014 at 10:40 am
Aaron, I like your idea rock. My method for keeping ideas is similar to Tara. I have a Story Ideas file on my computer. Whatever works!
By ManjuBeth on November 28, 2014 at 10:40 am
Great post. I love your idea about ideas. So you write them on everything too. At least I’m headed in the right direction. Thanks bunches!!!
By Robyn Campbell on November 28, 2014 at 10:41 am
Love your post! I also think I need to go find an idea rock!
By mwebb32 on November 28, 2014 at 10:43 am
I love the idea rock. Indeed ideas are like racing dragonflies waiting to be captured…Dragonflies are the natural transformation of a waterbug…thank you for sharing and jarring this distant memory.
By Jewel Sample on November 28, 2014 at 10:45 am
I LOVE this post!!!! We are collectors of ideas, capture them and put them….under a rock! That is great!!! You captured them and put them under a rock so they cannot get away(judged). The fact that you used something heavy so they can’t escape is really wonderful!! Thank you for sharing this post and your time with us! I’m going to find my ROCK right now!
By Kelly Vavala on November 28, 2014 at 10:45 am
I am totally getting a rock!
By Amy Harding on November 28, 2014 at 10:46 am
I agree! We definitely need to stop dismissing ideas and capture all of them. Looks like you’ll be needing a bigger rock soon!
By Rebecca Colby on November 28, 2014 at 10:48 am
Fab idea, the rock. I have just the right one in the garden waiting…to catch all my ideas this month. Great post.
By Frances Brown on November 28, 2014 at 10:48 am
Love the rock. Looks like soon you may need a larger one. Thank you for this post.
By A. G. Tan on November 28, 2014 at 10:49 am
What a great post! Like many others, I keep ideas on my computer; but the tangible “rock formation” feels so concrete. Maybe I will ask Santa for a cinder block. 😉 Thanks a ton! 🙂
By Jodi Moore on November 28, 2014 at 10:51 am
LMAO! Creepy Carrots and Carnivores are both awesome and now I can see why after peering into Aaron’s mind (figuratively; I only play a neurosurgeon in my daydreams). It’s so great he gets ideas at boring weddings. I only fall asleep. 🙂
By teresarobeson on November 28, 2014 at 10:51 am
I love the concept of an “idea rock!” 🙂 -Lily Stejskal
By storyfairy on November 28, 2014 at 10:52 am
Great post. Ideas are everywhere if we stop dismissing them. I love the rock. 🙂
By rgstones on November 28, 2014 at 10:52 am
Lots of things lurk under rocks, so love that your ‘ideas’ lurk there waiting too. Thanks for the nudge to collect ALL ideas!
By Linda Baie on November 28, 2014 at 10:54 am
Thanks for the very inspirational post! Your rock is Awesome!!!!
I use an idea big blue diamond paper weight (tres girly) Think I’ll get a rock as well to help balance things out LOL 🙂
By Donna Rossman on November 28, 2014 at 10:55 am
You Rock Aaron!
By Jennette Mutolo on November 28, 2014 at 10:55 am
I keep my dragonfly handy, then press the ideas like flower petals in a small spiral notepad in my back pocket.
Thanks for sharing your rock.
By Rick Starkey on November 28, 2014 at 10:57 am
Aaron loved your Creepy Carrots book. Thanls for sharing your sharing your humor and creative ways to capture ideas.
By theresenagi on November 28, 2014 at 10:57 am
Creepy Carrots is one of my favorites!! So clever and funny- Great advice about working with ideas! Thank you for your post!
By Nancy Ramsey on November 28, 2014 at 10:58 am
Great advice! I think you’ve hit on what makes PiBoIdMo so great– being aware and open to the ideas that are everywhere! 🙂
By StephWJ on November 28, 2014 at 11:00 am
Oh my goodness! I adore both Creepy Carrots and Carnivores, and I never realized they were written by the same author… I came at both from the illustrator side, since Peter Brown and Dan Santat are favorites of mine. Clearly, Aaron is brilliant. As if the “idea rock” didn’t make that abundantly clear.
By Elizabeth Metz on November 28, 2014 at 11:04 am
Creepy Carrots looks like a book I will check out. thank you for your post.
By M.A. Bentz on November 28, 2014 at 11:05 am
I am going to get my own idea rock today! 🙂
By Lisa Robinson on November 28, 2014 at 11:08 am
Thanks Aaron for this “solid rock” advice. Gotta run…. an idea is buzzing by, and I need to catch it!
By Rita Allmon on November 28, 2014 at 11:09 am
great idea!
By Hélène Sabourin on November 28, 2014 at 11:09 am
I have a journal myself, but I like your idea rock.
By lindaschueler on November 28, 2014 at 11:10 am
I believe that some of my weirdest, creepiest, grossest ideas are going to eventually find their way into picture books. If the pile doesn’t fall on me and bury me first! Thanks Aaron!
By Margaret Flint Suter on November 28, 2014 at 11:11 am
Got it, Aaron, capture those ideas and don’t judge! I do have those ones that just flit in and out of my brain so fast and I say, “Nah.” Now I’m gonna say “YES.”
By kathalsey on November 28, 2014 at 11:12 am
Love the idea of an idea rock.
By AlenaT on November 28, 2014 at 11:15 am
Rock, Paper, Ideas! Is that the way it goes?
By Nina Haines on November 28, 2014 at 11:16 am
Rock solid advice! Keep the ideas from drifting away, love it!
By Jennifer Huls on November 28, 2014 at 11:19 am
I use my spiffy PiBoIdMo journal instead of a rock, but I agree that it’s important to hang on to ideas, no matter how stoned they may seem! (It’s OK, I’m in Colorado.)
By deborahholtwilliams on November 28, 2014 at 11:20 am
Believe me, I haven’t dismissed my lame ideas this year. I’m hoping they’ll mix up under my “rock” to transform into a captivating dragonfly.
By Susan Cabael on November 28, 2014 at 11:23 am
The rock is a lovely, tangible way of keeping ideas around… unjudged.
By Deborah Patz on November 28, 2014 at 11:23 am
Aaron thanks for your time and suggestions!
By William Keating on November 28, 2014 at 11:24 am
Thanks for your great ideas!
By Alice Fulgione on November 28, 2014 at 11:25 am
I see Rock, Paper, Scissors here. Ideas are put on Paper, Paper is put under Rock, Scissors cut Paper. Ideas pasted together and turn into book. Brilliant!
By Stephen S. Martin on November 28, 2014 at 11:25 am
Wow, you really DO use a rock! HA! Love it! And… good point. You’re right, I think I would have judged and dismissed your ideas too (hee hee) and I KNOW I’ve done the same to mine. I’m going to try being more mindful of those today… Thanks!
By Marcy P. on November 28, 2014 at 11:27 am
Lisa Connors
Love the idea of catching dragonflies–I think I’ll put mine in a jar. Thanks!
By lmconnors on November 28, 2014 at 11:28 am
Okay, okay. I won’t dismiss those crazy, ridiculous ideas anymore!
By Jennifer Sommer on November 28, 2014 at 11:30 am
Thanks for the humor and great ideas!
By Sandy Jones on November 28, 2014 at 11:32 am
So the rock you show is my kind of organizing! Maybe it’s not a guy thing after all. It’s good it is a heavy rock because of those 4 cats and those 2 kids. I loved your post and might have to find a spot for a rock in my own workspace. I certainly have the bits of paper to begin a pile of ideas that I will now be certain I capture. Best to you in developing what’s under your rock. May we see many more of your ideas in the hands of teachers, parents. And especially kids!
By imartypoet on November 28, 2014 at 11:32 am
You really do rock, Aaron. I’ve got a basket and a folder and lots if idea notebooks, but the rock just screams, “You rock for capturing that idea.” I think I’ll paint one today.
By Carrie Charley Brown on November 28, 2014 at 11:33 am
Thanks for your post. Love the rock idea for capturing those fleeting ideas.
By daynesislendesign on November 28, 2014 at 11:35 am
Oh how true about judging and dismissing ideas! I’ve done that far too many times. During PiBoIdMo I’ve been trying to capture more of those illusive ones, the ones that almost beg to be dismissed, but I think they might combine with other ones to round out an interesting story, some day. This morning a phrase, maybe a potential title, came to me while I was walking my dog – a really bizarre combination of words that had nothing to do with anything around me – but it has been captured anyway. Who knows, it may turn out to be something wonderful. Thanks, Aaron, for encouraging us to pin down our ideas no matter how absurd they may be.
– Lynn A. Davidson
By Lynn on November 28, 2014 at 11:36 am
Putting judgement away and keeping my net ready. Your advice is “rock” solid, Aaron. LOVE CREEPY CARROTS!
By Lori Dubbin on November 28, 2014 at 11:41 am
I like your ideas on ideas. Thanks, Aaron
By Jan Milusich on November 28, 2014 at 11:41 am
I go by the assumption that there are no bad ideas. I’ve covered my butt.
By Pj McIlvaine on November 28, 2014 at 11:44 am
So ALL ideas “rock” in one way or another? Sounds good to me!
By Stephanie Geckle (@SPGeckle) on November 28, 2014 at 11:45 am
Your ideas rock! Thank you for this awesome post!
By ajschildrensbooks on November 28, 2014 at 11:46 am
I’m so glad you went with the creepy carrots idea–love that book!
By beckylevine on November 28, 2014 at 11:47 am
I wonder how many ideas I’ve let slip away. Your post was great – I’m going to take each idea I get more seriously.
By Debra Daugherty on November 28, 2014 at 11:50 am
Love your thoughts. Thanks!
By Shirley Timberlake Fadden on November 28, 2014 at 11:51 am
Hmmm… an idea rock. I need one of those.
By JEN Garrett on November 28, 2014 at 11:51 am
Aaron, I think Idea Rock is your way of channeling the latent potential of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. Or, maybe you work in gusty high rise with open windows and are worried your ideas will sail away. Either way, thanks! Time to make some stone soup from the leftovers of the month.
By Mike Karg on November 28, 2014 at 11:51 am
LOVE the idea rock! 🙂 Fantastic book that Creepy Carrots, one of my students’ favorites!
By The Styling Librarian on November 28, 2014 at 11:53 am
Capturing is the name of the game and your post is inspirational.
We love “Creepy Carrots” so it was a real treat to read this post!
By Mary Warth on November 28, 2014 at 11:53 am
Creepy Carrots was one of the books mentioned that had excellent pacing. I photocopied my library copy so I could study it. Love the idea of capturing all those fleeting thoughts……some day they may lie between the pages of a picture book.
By Sherri Jones Rivers on November 28, 2014 at 11:54 am
Oh, how I love the Idea Rock! Thanks, Aaron!
By KatyD on November 28, 2014 at 11:56 am
Sorry, no time for commenting today, too much buzzing and I’ve got to catch those ideas flitting around!
By Janny J Johnson on November 28, 2014 at 12:03 pm
PiBoIdMo has taught me the wisdom of this post. I used to not write an idea down until I had an outline of the story in my mind, and then worry that I wasn’t creative enough because I didn’t have many story ideas. This month, I’ve written 46 ideas down without knowing what I would do with them, and as I review the ideas, the stories begin to take shape. Thanks, Tara, and all your guest bloggers!
By Sydney O'Neill on November 28, 2014 at 12:03 pm
This is great, Aaron. I like how your ideas are out in the open, right in front of you, instead of buried in a file on your computer. Thanks for sharing!
By Lori Alexander on November 28, 2014 at 12:05 pm
I love the inspiration. I do not have idea rock yet, just pages on notes on,y iPad and regular notebooks. I have plenty of crazy ideas, BUT have a very difficult time with the story arc. Aaron if you are ever going to teach a class on how to put
By katmaz2012 on November 28, 2014 at 12:08 pm
Everything together, I will be the first to sign up. Thank you! ( sorry, I still have trouble with this iPad:)
By katmaz2012 on November 28, 2014 at 12:09 pm
Love this post! I’m constantly judging my ideas when I just need to collect them. Thank you.
By DaNeil Olson on November 28, 2014 at 12:09 pm
LOVE this!
By LauraHB on November 28, 2014 at 12:10 pm
Love that rock. Great advice too!
By Donna Gwinnell Lambo-Weidner on November 28, 2014 at 12:11 pm
Little scraps of paper and post-its with ideas were at the bottom of my purse, around my computer, etc. written down, but easy to lose. A rock is good, but my cat sends everything flying off my desk as he walks across it scattering all those ideas. Now I staple, tape, or even write directly in one notebook. The “what if” of Creepy Carrots is hysterical and reminds me not to dismiss anything!
By Donna on November 28, 2014 at 12:12 pm
Loved this post so much. Thanks for the wisdom and inspiration!
By Megan Freeman on November 28, 2014 at 12:16 pm
Terrific post – don’t discard dumb ideas. Creativity is messy!
By Dee Knabb on November 28, 2014 at 12:18 pm
Aaron, great post! I agree, ideas are everywhere. I tend to dismiss them as stupid.
But not now. Like this idea of a poor post-it note stuck under a rock. I’m writing that one down.
Thanks!
Dana Edwards
By momslifeponderings on November 28, 2014 at 12:20 pm
The idea rock. That’s funny! Great post. Thanks for the advice!
By Debra Shumaker on November 28, 2014 at 12:22 pm
Thanks for the inspiration! Never again will I dismiss an idea!
By kdveiten on November 28, 2014 at 12:24 pm
Capture don’t judge–great advice! Thanks 🙂
By Carol Nelson on November 28, 2014 at 12:26 pm
I love Aaron’s work! I am also a fan of not judging ideas… but it’s hard!
By Donna Earnhardt on November 28, 2014 at 12:27 pm
Leave it to a guy to collect a rock to cover his collection of ideas. Thanks for your rock-solid advice o:)
By Janet Smart on November 28, 2014 at 12:27 pm
I just love the idea rock! Of course, mine will need to be very colorful, sparkly, and may have to have some jewels glued to it. 😉 Thanks for a great inspirational post!
By Beth Gallagher on November 28, 2014 at 12:29 pm
Zero to ten goldfish? Now THAT’s an idea. Where’s my rock…
By Cathy Ballou Mealey on November 28, 2014 at 12:30 pm
Great idea, the idea rock!!! I have way more ideas from this month than I thought I would–it’s been fun and it’s not over yet!
By Pattie on November 28, 2014 at 12:33 pm
My critique buddy let me borrow CARNIVORES. “Use this as a mentor text” she demanded. I read the book and decided to share it with my students.I still have the book after five months. I promised to give it back to her by Christmas. The idea of an idea rock is the best. While cooking Thanksgiving Dinner I came up with (what I knew to be) a brilliant pb idea. I failed to write it down. I fear it’s lost forever. No more forgetting or devaluing my pb ideas. It ends NOW!
By Pamela Courtney on November 28, 2014 at 12:33 pm
That’s a wonderful idea! We always tend to let our inner editor creep in before even putting something down on paper. Let loose and see where your imaginations take you. Thank you for the great advice.
By Meena on November 28, 2014 at 12:34 pm
I love the whole notion that no idea is worthless and all should be written down.
By jngallaher on November 28, 2014 at 12:34 pm
I love your books and I love this post. I don’t think I’ll be so quick to dismiss ideas anymore. Love the idea of “capturing them”.
By Cathy Breisacher on November 28, 2014 at 12:37 pm
Hooray for not dismissing ideas! I adore Creepy Carrots!! Thank you for sharing today.
By tphumiruk on November 28, 2014 at 12:42 pm
Yeah, judging those ideas, that’s the problem. A scientist friend once told me that scientists are trained not to ignore any observation or idea . . . because you don’t want to pre-judge, and you never know what’s going to be important. SO idea rock, here I come! Thanks!
By Christy Mihaly on November 28, 2014 at 12:44 pm
Thank you for your time and your post.
By August Washington on November 28, 2014 at 12:44 pm
Thank you! My family has been teasing me that lately I’ve been saying everything is a picture book idea — looking for my own rock right now 🙂
By Leslie Raith on November 28, 2014 at 12:45 pm
Okay, I just wrote down an idea that started buzzing around yesterday but seemed pretty lame. And you know what? It’s not so bad after all.
By Jacqueline on November 28, 2014 at 12:51 pm
Aaron, your idea rock has morphed into my idea BOX! A mini-notebook that I “usually” carry with me has served well as an idea net…but then there are those times when the soiled napkin has had to suffice….only sometimes it’s been discarded as, what else, the soiled napkin that it is! Thanks for the encouraging post….
By Charlotte on November 28, 2014 at 12:52 pm
Thanks Aaron!
By Lisa Ventrella on November 28, 2014 at 12:52 pm
Love dragonflies Aaron – have photos and books about them and thus far have written poetry about them – thanks for the new flit of ideas!!
By Vicki Wilke on November 28, 2014 at 12:57 pm
Carnivores looks awesome! I aspire to gather all the little slips under one rock…
By Mary Worley on November 28, 2014 at 12:59 pm
My stomach is feeling a little like a rock the day after Thanksgiving. A rock is not such a bad thing, for capturing ideas. Maybe I should put my stomach to work!
By Juliana Lee on November 28, 2014 at 12:59 pm
Thanks for reminding me to accept all ideas!
By Elizabeth Lim on November 28, 2014 at 1:00 pm
We ADORE creepy carrots at our house and I love the ideas under the rock!
By kirsticall on November 28, 2014 at 1:01 pm
Great post, thank you! Save the editing for later—get those ideas CAPTURED and they will be yours forever. I’m an illustrator as well and I keep an idea book/sketchbook of drawings that would be fun to do but that aren’t necessarily tied to a manuscript. Thank you!
By Emmeline Hall on November 28, 2014 at 1:02 pm
Aaron, love your crazy ideas. (And your sense of humor) Keep them coming.
By Lauri Fortino on November 28, 2014 at 1:14 pm
Here’s to capturing all ideas! I am going to have to pick up “Carnivores”. Looks like a good read!
By Tom Barrett on November 28, 2014 at 1:17 pm
Under a rock literally. Yup. That’s a boy thing. It’s also a thing for people who use actual paper and pencil. I save my ideas in my phone, and I’m pretty sure a rock would scratch the screen. But yes. Saving before judging is wise. Ya never know. Hey! Get off me you crazy spoon!!!
By Genevieve Petrillo on November 28, 2014 at 1:17 pm
Agreed – an idea-catching adventure is to haul ’em in… we can examine them more closely later, when we’ve spread them out, let ’em dry, and had another cup of coffee and slice of pie.
By Sue Heavenrich on November 28, 2014 at 1:18 pm
Thanks for the encouraging post!
By Doreen E. Lepore on November 28, 2014 at 1:18 pm
A truly rocking’ blog post. Thanks!
By Chana Stiefel on November 28, 2014 at 1:19 pm
This post was so needed for me. I totally judge my ideas. It is terrible. But after reading your post I am going to now capture all of my ideas without being judgmental. Thank you for the post. It was definitely needed.
By Ashley Bankhead on November 28, 2014 at 1:23 pm
I’m going to go look for my idea rock right now. Thanks.
By Linda Tripp on November 28, 2014 at 1:25 pm
Will have to grab a rock and be sure to capture every idea! gRAT POST!
By bevbaird on November 28, 2014 at 1:26 pm
Love your idea rock — I’m going to copy that when I get home!
By jshaklan on November 28, 2014 at 1:30 pm
Thanks for encouraging us to save ALL of our book ideas, without judgement. This was a fun post to read!
By gweddle on November 28, 2014 at 1:30 pm
I really enjoyed this post. The Idea Rock is very creative. Very encouraging post!
By shirley johnson on November 28, 2014 at 1:31 pm
Idea Rock for the win!
I think it’s great when we – as artists and creatives – get literal with our metaphors. Something like a literal Idea Rock is so clever and fun, it would be a joy to work with, instead of a chore.
Thanks for the fun!
By marcusewert on November 28, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Love the story rock idea! Thanks
By anitanolan on November 28, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Aaron you made me laugh out loud! Getting my net to pin done those pesky ideas!
By Janie Reinart on November 28, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Great post about capturing ideas! Thank you Aaron. 🙂
By Heidi Yates on November 28, 2014 at 1:33 pm
Coffee stained post it notes are my modus operaendi ! Thanks for the funny post.
By loriannlevyholm on November 28, 2014 at 1:35 pm
“Creepy Carrots” is a favorite spooky read at my library storytimes, “Carnivores” was a recent hit, and “Destructosaurus” is in the planning pipe for a Spring read. Your soiled napkin ideas are working great in Burlington, Iowa. Thank you, Aaron!
By Debbie Wagenbach on November 28, 2014 at 1:35 pm
That is exactly the same way I look at the ideas always floating around each of us.
By Donna B on November 28, 2014 at 1:35 pm
Thanks, Aaron. I love the carnivore idea! That was the laugh I needed this morning:)
By Tracy Molitors on November 28, 2014 at 1:37 pm
Love your idea of where to put all those random ideas…under a rock! I have scraps and scratches of paper, notecards, stickies, everywhere. Now as I gather them, they’ll go under the rock!!! Thank you, Aaron.
By mona861 on November 28, 2014 at 1:40 pm
Very helpful post. It’s too easy to dismiss ideas.
By cindyluhu on November 28, 2014 at 1:41 pm
Rock on, Aaron!
By Lynn Alpert on November 28, 2014 at 1:42 pm
I love the organizational simplicity of an idea rock
By Celeste on November 28, 2014 at 1:45 pm
Guilty! Going to catch my ideas with a net without judging them.
By Priya on November 28, 2014 at 1:45 pm
Thank you for the reminder to capture all the ideas. Sometimes they merge and form an awesome super idea. Love your books!
By Maria Marshall on November 28, 2014 at 1:46 pm
Another great use for a good rock!
By julie rowan zoch on November 28, 2014 at 1:47 pm
Love this reminder (almost as much as Cinnabon!). Thanks:)
By Laura Purdie Salas on November 28, 2014 at 1:57 pm
Loved, loved, loved this post… and the idea of all ideas being created equal, in a sense. From now on, I’ll treat all my ideas as worthy of being recorded… even if they seem crazy or dumb. Because, as you said, you just never know. Thanks!
By Sandy Perlic on November 28, 2014 at 1:58 pm
Wonderful post! Thanks!
By Elizabeth Brown on November 28, 2014 at 1:59 pm
Excellent reminder not to dismiss ideas, no matter how dumb or silly they seem. It’s what we do with them that matters. I like the rock! Marty McCormick
By Marty McCormick on November 28, 2014 at 2:00 pm
Rock solid idea for rock solid (and occasionally, squishy) ideas!
By Kristen Yakubisin on November 28, 2014 at 2:00 pm
You rock, Aaron Reynolds!
By Patricia Toht on November 28, 2014 at 2:03 pm
I love the idea rock!
By Deirdre Englehart on November 28, 2014 at 2:08 pm
Ideas are everywhere 😉
By Anne Lei-Yeung So on November 28, 2014 at 2:09 pm
I’ve thought of stringing up an “Order Up” line in my studio, like the kind they have in restaurants, but I think the short order story cook in my brain might quickly become overwhelmed. The “Idea Rock” is much tidier–great place for composting ideas!
By amomnextdoor on November 28, 2014 at 2:11 pm
Oh Aaron you are one of my favorite authors. Your stories are so wonderfully quirky and strange. I can totally see how you follow your strange ideas down the rabbit hole. Thanks for the post and all your fabulous stories!
By Meridth Gimbel (@Meridth_Gimbel) on November 28, 2014 at 2:12 pm
Thanks so much for the inspiration! I love your work and the idea-rock concept. 🙂
By Sheri Roloff on November 28, 2014 at 2:13 pm
I loved this post. One of the things I enjoyed was the surprise/shock that the carnivores ate the owl. So ‘out there’. I’m going to hunt down this book. I’m also going to practise being more open to the ways in which ideas may come to me.
By The World Is My Cuttlefish on November 28, 2014 at 2:14 pm
Awesome advice, Aaron! Thank you!!
By Betsy Devany on November 28, 2014 at 2:14 pm
Love this. I will have to show my wife as she doesn’t like all my scrap pieces of paper everywhere 😛 I do a creepy carrot project every year with kindergarteners and the parents are constantly telling me the students won’t stop talking about it 🙂
By Zach Roush on November 28, 2014 at 2:18 pm
Aaron,
Great post. I love your idea rock and will have to get one too! I’m not sure where to get a rock as pretty as yours but I’ll try my best to find one like it at the rock store. Thank you!
By Zainab Khan on November 28, 2014 at 2:27 pm
Awesome post! I like the idea rock 😉
By Joseph Miller on November 28, 2014 at 2:28 pm
I have ideas scratched out on everything-cereal boxes, napkins, the corner of a paper plate, my arm when no paper is available, and I’ve even been known to write one in the dust on my car. Loved to hear about another idea catcher.
By sherry alexander on November 28, 2014 at 2:28 pm
why did you have to mention Cinnabun! Great ideas! Thanks!
By dsi1nyu on November 28, 2014 at 2:33 pm
Aaron’s rock! There’s a story. The best thing about PiBoIdMo is that everything around me is a story. Ahhhh!
By Keila Dawson on November 28, 2014 at 2:38 pm
The rock idea really rocks! Many thanks for that golden nugget. And, I love CREEPY CARROTS!
By Anne Bromley on November 28, 2014 at 2:41 pm
Thank you! It is amazing that it’s so easy (and quick) to discard ideas.
By jessicacanwrite on November 28, 2014 at 2:45 pm
I love your rock for hold all your ideas down!
By Laura Bellina on November 28, 2014 at 2:47 pm
I love your hyperactive dragonfly analogy. Ah, the idea for another picture book has just flitted by. Excuse me while I catch it.
By Norma on November 28, 2014 at 2:48 pm
I’ll make an idea rock too! Thanks for the idea!
By KASteed on November 28, 2014 at 2:50 pm
Thanks, Aaron. I’ll never throw an idea away again.
By Doris Stone on November 28, 2014 at 2:59 pm
Fun post, Aaron. Now I’m off to capture ideas, even the ones that seem silly. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
By Sherry Walz on November 28, 2014 at 3:05 pm
I’ve always been of the belief that there are ideas floating around out there. When I snatch one, I write it down as fast as I can-in the note section of my phone, on a post-it, or in one of my notebooks.
By MaryAnne Locher on November 28, 2014 at 3:07 pm
So when I was thinking everything around me is looking at me… that’s an idea… and not so stupid? It is everywhere, all the time. I also need to have a piece of paper with me and I jot down…. Thanks Aaron.
By Isabelle Barth on November 28, 2014 at 3:12 pm
Fabulous post! I love your idea rock!
By kpbock on November 28, 2014 at 3:31 pm
Ideas are around us 24/7. We just gotta jot them down Your ideas are vibrant ideas. Love it! Like you, I jot them all over. I record mine from napkins, business cards, etc. onto my my notebook app. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and tips.
By Sandie Sing on November 28, 2014 at 3:33 pm
I love this post. Also the rock.
By Tina Hoggatt on November 28, 2014 at 3:36 pm
Thanks, Aaron, for this fun post! Your Idea Rock rocks. Being able to see your collection of ideas whenever you sit down to work must be encouraging.
By gabisnyder on November 28, 2014 at 3:37 pm
You’re rock looks like my desk sometimes. All kinds of paper (sometimes even toilet paper) filled with story ideas. Fortunately for me I eventually put them on my computer in my “Story Ideas” file. Funny, I just read Carnivores two days ago. Great book. I feel for the carnivores. I love my cow too. Thanks for your post.
By Sandy Powell on November 28, 2014 at 3:39 pm
Aaron, I needed that reminder – had gotten back to waiting until I sat down and had all the perfect conditions. Then….you know where the ideas went. Anyway, I thank you for the reminder. Pay attention – that’s it! And write it down!
By Elizabeth McBride on November 28, 2014 at 3:39 pm
I kept admiring this really pretty rock in my backyard. And now it is my idea rock. To help me remember not to judge or evaluate the dragonflies that flit my way. Great post!
By Nancy Kotkin on November 28, 2014 at 3:43 pm
I love your idea rock! And, your advice…
By Jessica Miller-Nims on November 28, 2014 at 3:52 pm
Hmm. I’m going to have to write down my half-baked ideas. Love Creepy Carrots. I’m working on a story now and have a (non-creepy) carrot in a supporting role. 🙂
By Mary McClellan on November 28, 2014 at 4:08 pm
Thank, Aaron! I loved Creepy Carrots (still do) and your advice of catching dragonfly ideas. I have plenty of rocks sitting around my house. Why didn’t I think of that?
By tpierce on November 28, 2014 at 4:09 pm
Love the rock! Thanks for the inspiring post.
By Michele Prestininzi on November 28, 2014 at 4:18 pm
Wow Aaron. Great insight and I am indeed guilty of idea-judging. As guilty also of losing them in the fray of everyday life. You’ve tagged me on both counts. Thanks for your post.
By SevenAcreSky on November 28, 2014 at 4:22 pm
Your post made me realize that I have been looking under rocks for a long time. Thanks.
By Carolyn Rohrbaugh on November 28, 2014 at 4:34 pm
Thank you for the advice. I’ve dismissed lots of ideas, but not anymore! Maybe some of them will come back to be captured again.
By Janine Johns on November 28, 2014 at 4:43 pm
Great post, I also have a rock, but so far it only collects receipts ;0)
By bangersnmashdesign on November 28, 2014 at 4:44 pm
Thanks for the tips.
By Julie Murphy on November 28, 2014 at 4:44 pm
Great advice. Self-censoring is NOT good at the brainstorming stage! (Later on, absolutely.)
By Judy Cox on November 28, 2014 at 4:46 pm
When I was a teen librarian I taught a class on painting on rocks. I’ll have to paint one as a dragonfly for my desk and what ideas I’ll be catching!
Susan Swan
By writingcygnet on November 28, 2014 at 5:01 pm
I believe this to be my favorite of all the PiBoIdMo posts. (Although I don’t have an “idea rock”, just a lowly notebook). -thanks!
By Nancy Colle on November 28, 2014 at 5:06 pm
I agree that ideas are everywhere! Silly as some seem, you should never completely dismiss them! Thanks for the inspiration!!!
By vickireinhardt2014 on November 28, 2014 at 5:08 pm
Going to make my rock right now! Rock on PiBoIdMo members and thanks for a great post-what will I do when the month is over? Always November! Feels like an idea!
By Freckled Daisy Creations on November 28, 2014 at 5:12 pm
Thanks for the wonderful post! I love your image of the hyperactive dragonflies. I’m going to be catching more of them. Notebook, snotebook – perhaps they’ll be captured under one of the fossils I collect.
By carolynscombs on November 28, 2014 at 5:13 pm
Great words of wisdom. Thanks!
By Cindy Greene on November 28, 2014 at 5:17 pm
An Idea Rock? Ingenious!
By Nadine Gamble on November 28, 2014 at 5:18 pm
Fantastic post, Aaron! I always try to have my “net” at the ready. Having three kids has made me immune to thinking anything is a stupid idea! 🙂
By Annie Cronin Romano on November 28, 2014 at 5:19 pm
“what if this spoon attacked me???” haha, brilliant. 🙂
By LL on November 28, 2014 at 5:20 pm
Rock on, ideas!
By Stephan Stuecklin on November 28, 2014 at 5:42 pm
I love the idea of an Idea Rock. Thanks for the post and great books!
By rowenarae on November 28, 2014 at 5:53 pm
Creepy Carrots! My kind of book – thanks for sharing 🙂
By writeknit on November 28, 2014 at 6:01 pm
Aaron, thanks for the reminder to stop “judging” our ideas. Ideas really are everywhere! We just need to “capture” each one. Like your sense of humor.Thanks for your time and encouragement.
By Beth Blee on November 28, 2014 at 6:03 pm
Dear Aaron, Needless to say : You Rock! Thank you. Great Post.
By Jeanine Potter on November 28, 2014 at 6:03 pm
Great post! I have definitely been judging my ideas. Thank you.
By Leigh van der Veen on November 28, 2014 at 6:05 pm
Love this post! Very inspiring. Now I have to go find myself a rock.
By Ellen Sirianni on November 28, 2014 at 6:12 pm
Your idea rock is hilarious 🙂 Judgement is the enemy of creativity!
By Cassandra Federman on November 28, 2014 at 6:15 pm
I will be paying more attention to how I judge my ideas!
By Kim Erickson on November 28, 2014 at 6:24 pm
Love your idea rock. Maybe I’m not so crazy after all.
By Sharon Nix Jones on November 28, 2014 at 6:25 pm
What a great post, Aaron. I love your message to not judge our ideas. And I like your idea rock. Fabulous! Thanks so much!
By Tina Cho on November 28, 2014 at 6:53 pm
I love Creepy Carrots! Thanks for your encouraging post!
By Ann K on November 28, 2014 at 7:12 pm
Collect, don’t judge. Love it. My daughter and I (and our librarian) are big fans of CARNIVORES!
By Melanie Ellsworth on November 28, 2014 at 7:14 pm
We never know what crazy small bits of an idea could grow into a PB. Always a good reminder to not judge. Stick it under a rock! Thanks for the post.
By Heather Kelso on November 28, 2014 at 7:17 pm
Some of my favorite books. I like the rock idea.
By jdewdropsofink on November 28, 2014 at 7:26 pm
Great post! It made my day! 😀
By thiskidreviewsbooks on November 28, 2014 at 7:29 pm
I love the idea that Reynolds thought his idea for Creepy Carrots, which became a huge success, was stupid at first!
By Carol Jones on November 28, 2014 at 7:32 pm
Hmm…Hyperactive dragonflies? Now that sounds like a book idea!
By Laurie J. Edwards on November 28, 2014 at 7:51 pm
Thanks for reminding me not to be judgmental about my ideas.
By Janet Halfmann on November 28, 2014 at 8:01 pm
Yes, I love this post. Thank you for sharing. Judgement ends creativity before it barely begins. All ideas welcome 🙂
By Theresa Love on November 28, 2014 at 8:02 pm
It’s always so interesting to hear how each writer gets their ideas.
By Andrea K. Lawson on November 28, 2014 at 8:03 pm
This girl will no longer be judging her ideas.–Thanks a million! 🙂
By Ashley Bohmer on November 28, 2014 at 8:06 pm
Judging an idea is murder. Either love it, like it, set it free or use it for later…
By danielledufayet on November 28, 2014 at 8:07 pm
I like the rock. Thanks for sharing.
By Cindy S on November 28, 2014 at 8:16 pm
That’s why I’ve been writing pretty much everything down. I want the idea to be there so I can judge it later with some time and thought later on. Maybe it needs to be combined with something else, maybe it’s good on its own, maybe it isn’t, but I need a record of it at least.
By Meghan Daniels on November 28, 2014 at 8:21 pm
Oh how I love the idea rock!!
By Sarah Frances Hardy on November 28, 2014 at 8:29 pm
Neat post, Aaron . I like how your gave your pet rock a second job
. LOL
By shiela fuller on November 28, 2014 at 8:29 pm
wow – this was watching live – impressive and creative theme – I am out of words. Bravo! You amazed me:)
By mihrank on November 28, 2014 at 8:39 pm
Throw nothing away!! I keep everything…if I don’t forget to write it down, type it or record it on my phone…my memory is my own worst…something, I forget…
By erikammon on November 28, 2014 at 8:47 pm
I like the idea of saving all ideas even if they seem too ridiculous at the time. Thank you for your post. We love CREEPY CARROTS!
By Virginia Law Manning on November 28, 2014 at 8:59 pm
Great post! I love your idea rock. 🙂 What a wonderful reminder to write down our ideas and hold onto them… Thanks!!
By Jill Siegel on November 28, 2014 at 9:06 pm
I, too, love your idea rock! Thank you for this idea of keeping everything.
By Debbie Austin on November 28, 2014 at 9:30 pm
This is great! Sometimes I make the excuse (after judging the idea) …aw well, I don’t have my notebook with me. Not a good excuse is it? There’s usually something around and I can stuff it under a rock (or write it in the notebook) later. Thanks!
By orthodoxmom3 on November 28, 2014 at 9:35 pm
I loved our post the most. Thanks
By Ann Bentley on November 28, 2014 at 9:35 pm
“Don’t judge”. Now that is good advice in so many ways. I also adore Creepy Carrots. I’d love to see you a Peter Brown do another book together!!
By Kathy Cornell Berman on November 28, 2014 at 9:37 pm
Thanks, Aaron! I’ve been guilty of judging and dismissing my ideas. I need to get a rock of my own!
By Kelly Hochbein on November 28, 2014 at 9:45 pm
The idea rock is brilliant! Thanks for giving us all permission to stick with the crappy ideas!
By Kim Chaffee on November 28, 2014 at 9:45 pm
Fantastic! Glad to know I’m not the only one who doodles and daydreams during weddings:)
By Amanda Hopper on November 28, 2014 at 9:52 pm
Aaron, thanks for showing us your idea rock. It’s priceless! …And it makes idea gathering feel totally down to earth.
By hethfeth on November 28, 2014 at 9:59 pm
I’m out to capture every idea I can. I jot them on scraps of everything, but then I transfer them to my computer. I love your rock so much that I’m going to paste a photo of a rock in my idea word doc. Love your sense of humor in your books!!! Thanks for an inspiring post.
By Penny Parker Klostermann on November 28, 2014 at 10:05 pm
I’m listening for the buzzing, Aaron. I will capture the idea now and place it under the idea rock. Thank you. ~Suzy Leopold
By Prairie Garden Girl on November 28, 2014 at 10:15 pm
I had so much fun reading this post and I would love to win the amazing prizes you’re giving away. Your idea rock is fantastic. Congrats on all your success and outlandish, wonderful ideas for PB!
By Jamie Deenihan on November 28, 2014 at 10:20 pm
Surely, ideas are everywhere. We just don’t see, hear, smell, taste and touch it. Hey, there’s ideas in the five senses. There you go…
By aliciaminor on November 28, 2014 at 10:26 pm
Amen for hyperactive dragonflies. And hibernating lady bugs.
By hmmmmm on November 28, 2014 at 10:30 pm
Hi Aaron, Thanks for the inspiration – that’s the word inscribed on my rock. Now I know what to put under it. Also, I too, used the word “evil” in a PB manuscript. Couldn’t quite get why it was a word not used, because it came from the funny mouth of a grandson. Then, I remembered that this grandson has an eighteen year old brother who probably, first, used the word.
By Pam Miller on November 28, 2014 at 10:32 pm
I saw a patootie under your rock and found an idea! Thanks for the encouraging post.
By Buffy Silverman on November 28, 2014 at 10:40 pm
I wonder how many ideas I have lost because I don’t write them down quick enough. While I hold the thought it my head, waiting to be seated with my notebook, I judge the idea and then I let it go. Damn it, not any more! Thanks for the great post!
By Dana Murphy on November 28, 2014 at 10:47 pm
Your comments today have me rethinking some of my ideas. Thank you for this helpful post!
By Angela Turner on November 28, 2014 at 10:49 pm
I like your “idea rock.” Thank you for encouraging me not to judge my ideas but just to write them down.
By Amy Houts on November 28, 2014 at 11:01 pm
Have the rock…now will use it to put my ideas under. Gotta remember them all 😉
By Joyce Tucker on November 28, 2014 at 11:06 pm
That was great advice. I find that I am always dismissing ideas as silly thoughts but, now I am starting to think through my thoughts instead of dismissing them and what a difference that makes for me! I really liked your idea rock and may have to use that, thanks!
By Jabeen on November 28, 2014 at 11:15 pm
I have a bunch of post its, napkins, etc too! Thanks for your tips
By Heather Pierce Stigall on November 28, 2014 at 11:25 pm
Poor ideas 😦 I promise not to be so judgy, and maybe they’ll come out to play more often… Or I’ll notice them hanging around the corner waiting for me to come out to play.
By marcimcadam on November 28, 2014 at 11:28 pm
I am so guilty of doing that to my ideas! I dismiss them almost immediately. I’m going to take a page out of your book…well not literally…and start keeping those ideas close at hand. I love your idea rock. Very cool. Thanks for the inspiration.
By Mary Zychowicz on November 28, 2014 at 11:31 pm
Great advice, Aaron. My ideas sometimes start out seemingly stupid, but then blossom into something more interesting after they’ve had time to marinate. Thank you!
By mariagianferrari on November 28, 2014 at 11:36 pm
Great advice not to judge. You never know how an idea from one day might mesh with one from another day to create something really good! Thanks for the advice and encouragement, Aaron, and much continued success to you!
By Jane Heitman Healy on November 28, 2014 at 11:41 pm
Aaron I love your idea rock. That should keep ideas from escaping. I look forward to reading your books to my grandsons.
By Ali Pichardo on November 29, 2014 at 12:08 am
Excellent advice, Aaron! I admit, I do dismiss many of my ideas. Your rock idea is a wonderful! From now on, no idea is a bad idea. thanks.
By Romelle Broas on November 29, 2014 at 12:18 am
So it’s safe to say Aaron, that all of your best ideas crawled out from under a rock, eh? 🙂
Beyond the sketch/notebook, I seem to be using the Flat Surface method. I draw or write something, I set it down someplace, I might lose/forget about it, then I rediscover it with a fresh view next time I tidy up the studio. If I like it and it blossoms, it gets a project drawer. If not, back to a Flat Surface with you, idea! At least until the next Tidy-nado hits.
Happy dragonfly wranglin’, y’all!
By Sue Rankin on November 29, 2014 at 12:23 am
You’re so right…we’re so quick to dismiss and ignore that buzzing we hear. You have an idea rock – I have an idea box (kind of a treasure chest, really), that I use to “capture” my ideas. My napkins, sticky notes, scraps of paper are piled in there – like yours, not forgotten. 🙂
By Susie Sawyer on November 29, 2014 at 12:34 am
Thanks for this great blog ! I love your choices for titles!
By artsfusionmethod on November 29, 2014 at 12:35 am
I have an idea chicken, but she doesn’t seem quite as effective at holding down my ideas as your rock. Thanks!
By Selena on November 29, 2014 at 12:43 am
Hilarious. And great advice! I love to write on napkins too. ☺
By John Strong on November 29, 2014 at 12:46 am
Idea rock! What a great idea for a place to put your ideas … And what a great thought for a picture book idea!!! My wheels are turning! Thanks for your post!
By Joan Kassmann on November 29, 2014 at 12:54 am
I think you’ve inspired a whole bunch of writers to have their very own idea rock!
By Carrie Tillotson on November 29, 2014 at 12:57 am
Now I feel boring for writing my ideas in a journal.
By Jenna Woloshyn on November 29, 2014 at 12:58 am
Thanks for sharing your idea process. Gotta have an idea rock!
By calisue on November 29, 2014 at 1:00 am
Love your post! I will make sure to capture every idea. Thank you for sharing.
By klmcmorranmaus on November 29, 2014 at 1:04 am
Yes, yes, and YES! Thank you!
By Judy Y on November 29, 2014 at 1:13 am
I had dismissed some ideas and others I thought I’d write them down later. I don’t think they were all good ideas, but who knows what they could have been worked into. Lately I have been jotting down each idea. Thanks for the encouragement.
By Marge Gower on November 29, 2014 at 1:24 am
I guess I need to be less judgmental of what I sometimes consider as “dumb” ideas and just go with the flow. Thanks for the input!
By Christine M. Irvin on November 29, 2014 at 1:29 am
I love the rock idea. It’s freeing to just write the idea down, no matter how outlandish–tornado toilet, anyone?
By Carrie O'Neill on November 29, 2014 at 1:35 am
Thank you for a great post. Very fun. Very inspirational. I like your rock. Love your books.
By wendymyersart on November 29, 2014 at 1:41 am
Thanks for sharing about your idea rock. For PiBoIdMo, I found myself turning away ideas the first year or two. Now, I keep notebook tally of fleshed out ideas and fragments that can be a title, character, or just a tiny piece of an idea that may never work but I don’t want it to fly away just in case it can morph into something great.
I’m glad you didn’t ignore your ideas–they’ve turned into amazing books!
By Mindy Alyse Weiss on November 29, 2014 at 2:07 am
How appropriate to see this post today. Had kids visiting and Creepy Carrots was the first book they pulled from the shelves for me to read. We loved it as much during this 3,000th reading as we did the first time. Great post. Thank you!
By Stephanie Shaw on November 29, 2014 at 2:18 am
I love dragonflies and there are just not enough stories written about them. I love how your ideas remain visible I fear some of my ideas get trapped in my notebooks never to see the light of day. Hey there’s an idea
By Sharon Giltrow on November 29, 2014 at 2:24 am
p.s I am off to find me a rock
By Sharon Giltrow on November 29, 2014 at 2:25 am
Ha, love the thought of not censoring your ideas and hiding them under a rock!
By Yvonne Mes on November 29, 2014 at 3:03 am
This is why PiBoIdMo is such a brilliant idea (thanks, Tara!) It’s a 30-day reminder to capture and hold those ideas that are in the air all around us, getting away. It’s good to develop the habit.
On a side note, CREEPY CARROTS and CARNIVORES are genius stories. Love them both.
By Laurie L Young on November 29, 2014 at 3:29 am
By the way Creepy Carrots is a great book and your rock is awesome also.
Ok let those ideas flow like lava or faster…
By Jay Polowski on November 29, 2014 at 4:01 am
I’ve got my ideas, now I’m off to find a really BIG ROCK! Thanks!
By bucherwurm65 on November 29, 2014 at 4:02 am
Thanks Aaron for reminding us that ideas are everywhere. I’m glad to know there are others who scribble on napkins and programs too.
By nabinava on November 29, 2014 at 4:26 am
Great advice, thank you
By Tarryn Lean (@TarrynLean) on November 29, 2014 at 4:40 am
Had a kind of weird idea for a story but maybe I’ll give it a shot.
By Kaye Baillie on November 29, 2014 at 6:36 am
Very helpful advice. And I already have a nice rock sitting there all by itself on my dresser. Thanks.
By Jim Chaize on November 29, 2014 at 7:57 am
“Hyperactive dragonflies” is the best phrase ever. And I think I need an idea rock. Thanks!
By marlainagray on November 29, 2014 at 8:24 am
Nice! I’m gonna go get me a rock. Thanks so much.
By jkirsch118 on November 29, 2014 at 8:47 am
Thanks for this! Can’t wait to check out your books for inspiration…now about that attacking spoon idea…on a scale of 1 to 10, just how attached to it are you?! (:
By Rebekah Hoeft on November 29, 2014 at 9:03 am
Great post Aaron! Your idea rock rocks, great illustration of how to “pinning down” those elusive ideas. {Love creepy carrots.}
By Louann Brown on November 29, 2014 at 9:03 am
Too many times the ideas have escaped. Thanks for the tips!
By Lauren Greenberg on November 29, 2014 at 9:06 am
Love the idea rock. I do the same thing, except my rock is painted!
By Nicole Popel on November 29, 2014 at 9:12 am
I love your idea of an “idea rock.” I need something like that to keep all of my ideas in one place instead of on slips of paper all through the house. 🙂
By gayleckrause on November 29, 2014 at 9:20 am
Thank you for the tips Aaron! Your “idea rock” made me laugh! Your books look hilarious too!
By Jenny Seiger on November 29, 2014 at 9:31 am
Creepy Carrots was my family’s Halloween read-aloud of choice this year. Thanks for the reminder to take even outrageous ideas seriously.
By laura516 on November 29, 2014 at 9:32 am
Hi, Aaron! First, let me say that CREEPY CARROTS is one of my all-time favorites. Second, I love your idea rock. That is priceless! Finally, thanks for your idea-catching advice!
By Holly Ruppel on November 29, 2014 at 9:50 am
Aaron – I didn’t read Creepy Carrots until my son brought it home from his school’s book fair this November. When we read it together that night, I was of course going through this PiBoIdMo challenge and felt this wave of relief come over me, thinking, “Wow! Here’s an example of a crazy idea that might be easily dismissed in the brain, but somebody went with it and created something pretty darn fun!!” Looking forward to checking out your other books!
By wfedan on November 29, 2014 at 9:59 am
I read Creepy Carrots to my students before the book fair came to our school. Wouldn’t you know it? Half of them bought it at the fair! They love that book! What a simple, awesome, rockin’ (pun fully intended) idea for the Idea Rock. I’m starting that TODAY! I need to print out my PiBoIdMo doc. and slide it under. I do believe there are some gems in there. Cheers!
By RaChelle Lisiecki on November 29, 2014 at 10:37 am
Heading out to local park to search for large idea rock now! Thanks!
By Jill Tadros (@PopTheWall) on November 29, 2014 at 10:40 am
I’ll be sending my kids rock hunting this afternoon!
By Lizabeth Pirstl on November 29, 2014 at 11:08 am
My brain attacks me with ideas in the wee hours of the night. It’s amazing I get any sleep at all. Maybe I need a rock for my head so it stays on the pillow until morning when I’m conscious enough to write the ideas down. 😉
By Wendy Martin Art on November 29, 2014 at 11:18 am
You make a great point. It’s so easy to dismiss this silly ideas that glitter by and szometimes. We have to respect and nurture them and not poo poo them. Happy creating to you. T
By tanjabauerle on November 29, 2014 at 11:18 am
What’s odd or weird to one is genius to another.
Aaron, your books and advice in this post are awe inspiring!
By Lori Mozdzierz on November 29, 2014 at 11:47 am
But they’re all CAPTURED — gonna remember that.
By Lill Pluta on November 29, 2014 at 12:14 pm
LOVE Creepy Carrots – great post. I need my pet rock back 🙂 Thanks!
By angelapadron on November 29, 2014 at 12:21 pm
Fantastic post… very validating for those of us with bag notebooks, kitchen pads, bedside notebooks, car paper and desk sketchbooks all at the ready to trap them ideas as they flutter by. Occasionally mashing them together can create some delightful concoctions!
By Aidan Cassie on November 29, 2014 at 12:23 pm
Such a great post. Thanks for encouraging us to embrace what we’ve been judging “Because that buzzing you hear may just become your next book.”
🙂
By Dawn Young on November 29, 2014 at 12:48 pm
Love the Idea Rock. After it sits a while, you can lift it to see what creatures are stirring around in the dirt!
By Susan Halko on November 29, 2014 at 1:27 pm
First, let me congratulate you on the Caldecott Honor Award. I love CREEPY CARROTS. I love the non-creepy ones too.
The rock is a hit with me. Why is it things seem to scamper into hiding in a drawer. And, pfft, forget the computer. That’s about as mysterious as the dryer and socks.
Great pep talk.
Lynn
By zebrakitchens on November 29, 2014 at 1:37 pm
Thanks, Aaron. As one who still writes on scraps and keeps them, I appreciate your Idea Rock!
By Natasha on November 29, 2014 at 1:59 pm
I love the illustration of the carnivores and your insights for generating ideas and keeping them in one place under a rock!
By rdvanhorn on November 29, 2014 at 1:59 pm
As a complete rock hound, I adore this creative advice. Definitely a new use for all the rocks in my house and in my brain. Thanks!
By QuinnC on November 29, 2014 at 2:11 pm
Awesome post! I have had a few ideas flit into my brain this week and thought, “I better go write that down.” And then I don’t. And then I forget. Sigh. I do write down most of the silly thoughts that flit into my head, but sometimes I miss them, assuming I’ll remember and then forgetting right away. I will do better! Thank you for the inspiring post.
By Maria Oka on November 29, 2014 at 2:21 pm
I only have one additional thought to your solid advice: perhaps the rock has a story to tell!
By Matt Tesoriero on November 29, 2014 at 2:33 pm
I love the imagery of hyperactive dragonflies filling the air around us, Aaron! I also love this post. And your books. Thank you!
By donnacangelosi on November 29, 2014 at 2:35 pm
Thanks Aaron the ideas are flowing. I loved Creepy Carrots and put it on my list of favorite picture books.
By Sheri Rad on November 29, 2014 at 2:35 pm
Love your books! Great post, thanks for sharing!!
By mbeaversillustration on November 29, 2014 at 2:41 pm
I need to get me a rock! Thanks for the inspiration, I was starting to run low on ideas, until you reminded me that they are EVERYWHERE!
By Danielle Heitmuller on November 29, 2014 at 2:45 pm
Here’s to the terrible and seemingly inconsequential! Thanks. We could all use a litlle less inner censorship.
By Joanne Roberts on November 29, 2014 at 2:46 pm
This was such a great post. I love creepy carrots and I want to run out right now and get carnivores.
By oceanis723 on November 29, 2014 at 2:58 pm
Thanks for the reminder! I dismissed a few ideas on Thanksgiving- too busy enjoying the meal! But it just takes a minute to write thoughts down and decide later if they will work…
By Bethany Roberts on November 29, 2014 at 3:09 pm
So so so true!!!! Thanks a Lot! I catch a Lot of them but I judge many too. Thank u!!!
By Maria J Cuesta on November 29, 2014 at 3:52 pm
Loved Creepy Carrots!. A rock is a nice idea…my ideas tend to migrate from pile to pile to an abyss.
By Jennifer Ali on November 29, 2014 at 4:02 pm
A rock!! What a great idea! MUCH better than stuffing them in a drawer where they are likely to be forgotten, let alone written about. Thank you!
By Judith Wright Aplin on November 29, 2014 at 4:08 pm
Tara has us generating so many ideas I may need the idea boulder. And a bigger desk. I wish all my ideas were Creepy Carrots and Carnivores worthy. 🙂
By Wendy on November 29, 2014 at 4:27 pm
Also, a great way to showcase my favorite rocks! Thanks so much for your super idea and for reminding us not to judge our own ideas so harshly.
And… many thanks to Tara for bringing us a month (almost) of superb, inspirational commentators. You are the best!
By MickiGinsberg (I'm from NJ too!) on November 29, 2014 at 5:14 pm
I am totally getting a rock immediately!
By Mari on November 29, 2014 at 5:16 pm
You are hilarious! I love the idea rock–my snippets are all bunched together in a hanging file folder, but I think I need my own version of an idea rock. Thanks for the smiles.
By danielle hammelef on November 29, 2014 at 5:23 pm
Love your idea of the Idea Rock! Thanks for sharing. I have a rock titled Hugs that i might tuck some ideas under…:-).
By Barbara Cairns on November 29, 2014 at 5:27 pm
Great post and wonderful idea about not dismissing ideas. I tend to do this a lot. Thanks for the insight.
By Karen Brueggeman on November 29, 2014 at 5:29 pm
Oh do I EVER need this reminder! I know at least a dozen idea have floated into oblivion within the last 48 hours – shame on me! Gonna stop judging, and start jotting!!
By Joanne Sher on November 29, 2014 at 5:30 pm
Rock solid advice. Thanks.
By Shirley Menendez on November 29, 2014 at 5:42 pm
I am going to ask my niece to paint me a rock for Christmas. The rock is a neat idea. It is so important for me to stop dismissing ideas. Thank you for the reminder.
By melsul09 on November 29, 2014 at 6:23 pm
So glad that Aaron’s ideas crawled out from under that rock and made their way into such fabulous PBs. Super inspiring post!
By LovableLobo on November 29, 2014 at 7:30 pm
I love your idea rock! Thanks for the great advice!! 😀
By megmillerwrites on November 29, 2014 at 8:21 pm
One of the most inspiring posts … Thank you!
By Jen Carroll on November 29, 2014 at 8:23 pm
27 — now 28 dragon flies flitted by. All captured on paper. Thanks for the great imagery!
By jhayslett on November 29, 2014 at 8:26 pm
I write my ideas on anything, anywhere. I like the rock Idea for these scraps of inspiration! 🙂
By Cheryl Michael on November 29, 2014 at 8:31 pm
okay, there you go! I won’t dismiss no mo’ :>) thank you—this was great!
By Patricia Saunders on November 29, 2014 at 8:39 pm
I totally agree, Aaron, though I do admit I’ve dismissed ideas. The ones that actually “brighten the idea light” are the ones I write down.They don’t typically get fleshed out ’cause I’m always doing other things, but I do try to write down—on anything—ideas 🙂 Thanks for encouraging us to write ALL of them down 😀
By writersideup on November 29, 2014 at 8:40 pm
Great post! I have my net ready to catch those ideas.
By Dawn on November 29, 2014 at 8:52 pm
I also have notes jotted on random things. The rock idea is brilliant!
By Karen A on November 29, 2014 at 9:22 pm
Love the rock, Aaron! I do write most of my ideas…on scraps of paper or whatever is handy…but unfortunately, I didn’t have a rock so many of them blew away or got lost or something and some other pb writer is probably using them. 🙂 🙂 (Note to self: go out in the morning and shovel off the snow from those rocks out in the garden and pick a heavy one)
Great advice about refraining from judging our ideas…you are right…most of us do that and again, some other writer is probably writing (or has written) that pb. (Note to self: write down EVERY idea and put it under the rock that will be on my workspace tomorrow morning).
By viviankirkfield on November 29, 2014 at 9:51 pm
good to know even dumb ideas of mine may be useful someday
By Hayley Gudgin on November 29, 2014 at 9:56 pm
Always put pressure on myself to have not only great ideas, but a neat and tidy notebook to put them in. Think I will start an Idea’s pile under my gargoyle figure from Paris, and I will start with my idea written on the barf bag from the airplane.
By Elizabeth Davis on November 29, 2014 at 9:57 pm
Great post. I love the idea of capturing every idea no matter how lame it seems at the time. Thank you!
By laurazarrin on November 29, 2014 at 9:58 pm
This post is friigin’ awesome! Maybe you ought to sell “idea rocks”?
By Corey Schwartz on November 29, 2014 at 10:02 pm
Every idea deserves to get written down! Great advice! Thank you!
By Susan Schade on November 29, 2014 at 10:20 pm
I love this post so much! And I agree: I write them all down – on whatever I have at hand (I don’t judge that. :D) I do however find myself playing the comparison game way too often as in: wow that was a fantastic idea, how come I never come up with great ideas like that! And then doubt sets in so this post hit home.
I especially liked this: “That little dragonfly of a idea buzzed into your head for a reason…it wants to be used. It wants to be put to work, to be brought into being. Your job was to capture that little sucker, but instead, you judged it and dismissed it as inconsequential. And then, horror of horrors, you forgot about it.” (and not just because dragonflies are my fave!!! …And there is also a lion and an owl was mentioned – I think I just got “told”. 😀 )
Fantastic post ~ thanks so much! 😀
By Tracy on November 29, 2014 at 10:24 pm
I love your work, Aaron, and I’m jealous of your idea rock! It doesn’t discriminate. I don’t have such rock … But I do have a heavy wax Nixon bust wearing a clown nose. Maybe he’d guard my ideas? To the office!
By BLAHM on November 29, 2014 at 10:49 pm
I have to knock Brat Girl, my self-censoring critic, off my shoulder. Thanks for the reminder.
By Karen Calloway on November 29, 2014 at 10:56 pm
Ideas hidden under a rock, just brilliant! Thanks a bunch for the inspiration, I’m off to find a gathering place for my baby dragonflies.
By Kathryn Ault Noble on November 29, 2014 at 10:57 pm
Very inspirational post, thank you very much! 🙂
By lbouck09 on November 29, 2014 at 11:50 pm
Wonderful post! Thank you!
By vijikc on November 29, 2014 at 11:59 pm
I would love to see one of your school presentations! And I will now stop listening to those dismissive judgements and just roll with my ideas.
By Teresa Daffern on November 30, 2014 at 12:02 am
Love the idea rock! Thanks so much.
By Kathryn Cunningham on November 30, 2014 at 12:18 am
fantastic post
By Suzanne Kaufman on November 30, 2014 at 12:20 am
Thanks for the post.
By l8k8 on November 30, 2014 at 12:26 am
Definitely good advice. Write it all down!
By Eric Adler on November 30, 2014 at 12:39 am
Love the idea of the idea rock! Thanks for sharing! ps…my kiddos love your books!
By katiemillsgiorgio on November 30, 2014 at 12:39 am
Thanks so much for sharing about your own journey. Love the idea rock, and you have offered me renewed inspiration to SAVE THE DRAGONFLIES.
By Caroline Lee Webster (@uncoverthepearl) on November 30, 2014 at 12:43 am
I’m not near any paper or don’t have a pencil……. I am getting better about that. Now I have receipts, napkins, and tissues with silly little notes that might not be so silly some day. Or they will stay silly and children will love them! Thank you for the encouragement!
By Celeste Elbert on November 30, 2014 at 12:57 am
Ha! Love the idea rock!
By Hannah Holt on November 30, 2014 at 2:08 am
I love the idea rock! And I think kids are intrigued by any book with the word creepy in the title.
By majanecka on November 30, 2014 at 2:37 am
I really need to remember to stop judging. I wonder how many ideas I’ve let slip away unheeded?
By Veronica Bartles on November 30, 2014 at 2:56 am
I’M STEALING YOUR SPOON IDEA! You know, in 5-10 years or so. Once I’ve done everything else. I’ll probably forget about it by then, or you’ll have already published it, but still stealing.
Love the rock. I’m stealing that too.
By Dani Duck on November 30, 2014 at 4:30 am
Mine is an idea jar…but I use it just like the rock cuz the jar is filled with sand 🙂
By Kira Kia Fruit Nims on November 30, 2014 at 5:15 am
Great post – every idea certainly has merit, I have a book full of ideas. Hopefully I will one day get the time to write some of them.
By Author Ashley Howland on November 30, 2014 at 5:25 am
Idea rock. Awesome.
By Michelle Cusolito on November 30, 2014 at 9:30 am
Wonderful advice Aaron. I just had an idea the other day that I dismissed as too gruesome for a picture book and let fly away. Now I’m going to have to grab my firefly jar and recapture it!
By cindyjohnson2013 on November 30, 2014 at 9:32 am
Thanks, Aaron. I love Creepy Carrots and will be checking out Carnivores. How about a pet rock that generates ideas? The best pet ever!!
By Cindy C. on November 30, 2014 at 9:54 am
Love the idea of the idea rock. Great advice about holding on to every idea.
By Sylvia Liu on November 30, 2014 at 10:39 am
Thank you. I’ve just started keeping my ideas in one place because of PiBoIdMo and I do feel less likely to dismiss than before.
By natalie15 on November 30, 2014 at 11:19 am
love it!!
By anita banks on November 30, 2014 at 11:22 am
Great advice to save every idea no matter how absurd-you never know!
By Joan Waites on November 30, 2014 at 11:35 am
Love your dragonflies! I’m capturing some right now ; ) Some of my dragonflies meet each other and help me write. Thanks so much.
By cantsing1 on November 30, 2014 at 11:49 am
Wow! Thank you for that post!
By rmcg14 on November 30, 2014 at 12:08 pm
I love the pet rock pic. Creepy Carrots is a great story. Thanks for sharing some great advice!
By Loni Edwards (@LoniEdwards) on November 30, 2014 at 12:08 pm
Your post really spoke to me today. My story ideas resonate at the most inopportune times…while driving, walking, or even food shopping. Some of my best ideas have been recorded on my hand, arm, or the back of my food shopping list. Luckily, I’ve learned to keep a pen and paper close at hand or in my back pocket. Thanks for your hilarious post!
By Rebecca E. Guzinski on November 30, 2014 at 12:24 pm
Love this post!
By anniebailey7 on November 30, 2014 at 12:33 pm
Fantastic advice! Creepy Carrots is a huge hit with the kids at the library where I work – so I’m definitely taking some detailed notes from this!
By Amelia Gossman on November 30, 2014 at 12:40 pm
Ahh! From now on I hold on to every idea! Thanks!
By kathydoherty1 on November 30, 2014 at 12:43 pm
Hmm, all my PiBoIdMo ideas are on my phone so I’m not sure if an idea rock is the best idea!
By Kimberly Cowger on November 30, 2014 at 12:54 pm
Funny as always, Aaron. It was nice seeing you at the conference in Dallas.
Thanks for the post.
By Rosie Pova on November 30, 2014 at 1:21 pm
One of the best things about this month was being in constant “capture” mode–I hope to continue that post-November. Thank you for sharing your method!
By Marissa Walsh on November 30, 2014 at 1:43 pm
I REALLY need to watch for that. There’s an idea I had for PiBoIdMo that I wasn’t sure I’d notate it, not because I don’t like the idea, but didn’t fear it would come off well, but Aaron’s post just reaffirms I NEED to note this idea.
On the other hand, I was doggedly persistent with my upcoming debut novel “Gabriel” (learn more at: http://www.gabrielandrum.com, my only shameless plug here today), no matter how many other writers (many of them parents or teachers, I’m neither BTW) said that readers past the picture book age didn’t read the animal stories I write anymore, I knew they were wrong.
I’m still a bit concerned if I’ll reach the boys who I hope (of course, girls are welcome, too!) but as I slogged through the trenches with this book, essentially writing 4 different versions of this book before I sold it, and I had
emotional support from some really fab people who are stronger in many areas than I am that helped immensely.
We can be so aware of what our respective weaknesses are as a writer and/or illustrator (versus being semi-oblivious of them) we dismiss ideas not essentially because you think their not good or even GREAT, but because you don’t feel your current skill level can execute it.
Sometimes, it’s just our nerves supporting a “negativity bias” but sometimes it is the case, but even if it’s the latter, we should still note the idea or ideas because as our skills improve-we CAN tackle it/them better.
Finally, if you liked “Carnivores” then you’ve GOT to check out “I, Crocodile” by the late and great Fred Marcelino, who mostly illustrated other author’s work (including two of my favorite books of all time “A Rat’s Tale” and “The Wainscott Weasel” (both written by Tor Seidler) the latter happily back in print and I reviewed at “Talking Animal Addicts.”
http://www.talkinganimaladdicts.com/weekly-readings-12
I also reviewed “I, Crocodile” in my very first “Weekly Readings”
http://www.talkinganimaladdicts.com/weekly-readings
By Taurean J. Watkins (@Taurean_Watkins) on November 30, 2014 at 2:04 pm
Terrific post, Aaron! I love your “Idea Rock” concept. I keep a “Story Idea” file on my computer which currently has close to 300 stories in it, but after reading this I may use one of my big white rocks, instead. Thank you for reminding us that no idea is too silly to capture.
By saputnam on November 30, 2014 at 2:44 pm
I just read your article and it’s a good thing I did too. On the last day of the challenge I still had about 10 ideas to go. So what did I do. I got my idea ‘net’ and started collecting. By no means are they all good nor even promising but a word or idea or title collected might just lead to another spark. Thank you.
By Irene on November 30, 2014 at 2:48 pm
I LOVE the “idea rock”! I’m trying not to dismiss any ideas coming my way no matter how silly they may be. I just write them down and let them ferment. When I come back to them in January, I’m sure the good ones will rise to the top and *wave* at me…;~)
Great post!
By Donna L Martin on November 30, 2014 at 3:30 pm
Your rock rocks. I always try to have a piece of paper in my back pocket to scribble random ideas on. Great post.
By Jason Perkins on November 30, 2014 at 3:45 pm
I love your Idea Rock! I’m going to have to get one of my own! I also really want to check out your Carnivores book! 🙂 Looks so interesting.
By Lindsay Bonilla on November 30, 2014 at 3:52 pm
I write ideas down, and I often lose them. Your fashionable rock will help me out.
By Dorothy Wiese on November 30, 2014 at 4:31 pm
Thanks, Aaron. Now I know what to do with all those shnibbles of paper *and* my rock collection.
By Shari Della Penna on November 30, 2014 at 4:49 pm
Putting rocks and ideas to work – I like it.
By angeladegroot8 on November 30, 2014 at 5:45 pm
Thanks for the write-up and the smile it gave me!
By Heather Hatch on November 30, 2014 at 6:16 pm
This was me…a terrible dismisser! But this PiBoIdMo changed that. I wrote down every single one…the good, bad, and ugly. Who knows…maybe good idea + ugly idea…could combine to make a super awesome idea. Regardless, I am going to keep catching all the ideas…because like you said, that little dragonfly buzzed on by for a reason! Thanks!!
By Erin Nowak on November 30, 2014 at 6:27 pm
Thank you Aaron. This was perfect for Friday after Thanksgiving. After a hectic holiday it was great to not worry about sorting and judging ideas. Just stuff them all under that rock and see what comes from them later.
By lisakwillard on November 30, 2014 at 6:38 pm
Love your Idea Rock!
By Jennifer Rumberger on November 30, 2014 at 6:38 pm
No idea is too outlandish! Love this post for an end of the month boost.
By Jewannna Carver on November 30, 2014 at 7:15 pm
I’ll never hear Charlie Brown’s “I got a rock” the same way again! Thanks for a terrific post! a : )
By Andi on November 30, 2014 at 7:17 pm
I love your work. I think I’m going to have to get an idea rock!
By Sandi Lawson on November 30, 2014 at 7:42 pm
Really liked your post. And you made me think that I should not throw away some of the ideas I’ve thought about. Even if they at first they make no more sense than a piece of paper.
By Jenifer McNamara on November 30, 2014 at 7:45 pm
I love that rock! Every idea counts. Yes! Thank you.
By Alberto Martín "NiñoCactus" on November 30, 2014 at 7:47 pm
Aaron, I love your writing style and sense of humor(which is one in the same)! Thanks for your inspiration!
By acceptchicago on November 30, 2014 at 8:31 pm
Patricia Mided forgot to leave her name after spewing words of admiration for Aaron Reynolds-oops!
By acceptchicago on November 30, 2014 at 8:34 pm
I want an idea rock! No offense, but yours could use a little color. 🙂
By Becky P. Hurd on November 30, 2014 at 8:47 pm
I do get those quick ideas and then if I don’t write them down …they fly away. I love your ROCK !! I have a little writers journal that I started the first year I taught and I used to share it with my students… I have now retired and still have that journal… BUT still not published !! UGH!!!! 🙂
By Karen Lawler on November 30, 2014 at 8:47 pm
I so need an idea rock. My idea “pile of scraps of paper that slides across and under the desk” is not working so well. Time to upgrade!
By Jeanette Bradley on November 30, 2014 at 8:51 pm
Great tips!
By littledbl on November 30, 2014 at 8:56 pm
You are AWESOME! Love your ideas and hope we see that ‘my spoon is attacking me’ story sometime soon. The three carnivores? That shark with a water filled bubble helmet is priceless. I can see why kids love your books. Like many others, I find I can be a little too serious about my ideas or whether they will ever see the light of day. If I feel that way again I am definitely going to go back and read your message here. Thanks for this!
By Pauline Johnson on November 30, 2014 at 9:21 pm
I’ve been using a digital idea rock lately, but having a real one is pretty cool!
By Nini Engel on November 30, 2014 at 9:27 pm
Love the rock. PiBoIdMo has helped cure my inner critic. Anything and everything goes on paper now after reading your blog.
By Claire Vita on November 30, 2014 at 9:42 pm
That rock is a great idea. I am always having trouble keeping my little idea papers rounded up.
By Colleen Kelley on November 30, 2014 at 9:54 pm
Exactly what I needed to hear – thanks! I just need a big fat rock …
By Didi Wood on November 30, 2014 at 9:56 pm
I use a folder, but a rock sounds more fun.Love thinking of ideas as dragonflies. I actually think I almost unconsciously judge and dismiss ideas. Must work on that. Thanks for the great post!
By Charlotte Gunnufson on November 30, 2014 at 10:21 pm
I love the Idea Rock – now THAT almost sounds like a PB concept!
By Carrie Finison on November 30, 2014 at 10:34 pm
What an excellent use for a rock!
By Lauren Soloy on November 30, 2014 at 10:39 pm
Loved Creepy Carrots and was stoked to read inspiration advice from the author. Your idea collecting mentality and execution made me smile. Thank you!
By sardyhar on November 30, 2014 at 10:46 pm
This was such a fun post to read, loved your ideas…and your rock.
By jeanjames on November 30, 2014 at 11:14 pm
This month has really made me see the importance of capturing EVERY idea… the good, the bad, and the ugly! I was struggling to find time to fit them all into my fancy Excel sheet. The Idea Rock sounds like a much better idea for me. I’m a blingy girl, though. Think I’ll hunt down one of those tacky, fake diamond paperweights! PERFECT!
Thanks for the inspiration!
By Maria Bostian on November 30, 2014 at 11:38 pm
Thanks Aaron! Excellent advice in a great post.
By kmshelley on November 30, 2014 at 11:38 pm
wow love this post! Thank you for sharing your thoughts about catching and collecting ideas and not judging them. Powerful, inspiring post!
By Anna Levin on December 1, 2014 at 12:00 am
Dear Aaron,
Hooked on your idea.
And glad we weren’t at that wedding.
Or, rather, maybe wish we were & had caught that idea that you did!
Bravo!
And thanks for creeping us out with the carrots book.
Appreciations.
~ j a n annino
By bookseedstudio on December 1, 2014 at 12:04 am
Finally, a filing system that might work for all those little scraps of paper. The idea rock is genius. Thank you!
By Tanya Finestone on December 1, 2014 at 12:31 am
My office is full of rocks, but they’re all busy with other tasks. So my ideas are safe and sound in a word doc, and a printout is tucked into my current writing journal. However, as organized as this seems, a net would be nice to have.
By carolmunrojww on December 1, 2014 at 12:35 am
Great advice. Thank you!
By Amy on December 1, 2014 at 12:40 am
Totally agree. The way I think about it is that the story signals are always transmitting, everywhere you go, and as soon as you TUNE INTO them, you quickly start to get them. Sometimes so much so that you have to switch it off… Thanks for the thoughtful post!
By lymartinez on December 1, 2014 at 12:46 am
Thanks for the great advice and inspiration!
By McCourt on December 1, 2014 at 12:49 am
Darn! Time to scratch “Ferocious Flatware” off my list! 🙂 Loved this, thanks!
By Kelly Parker on December 1, 2014 at 1:35 am
Love the Idea Rock! 🙂
By Laura Wynkoop on December 1, 2014 at 3:00 am
I won a beautiful painted and lacquered rock at a writing conference recently and it will officially now be my idea catcher!!! Thank you for a splendid way to keep hold of those flitty ideas.
By Rosie Taylor on December 1, 2014 at 5:17 am
Aaron,
So every idea is note-worthy. I like the rock idea.
By lindamartinandersen on December 1, 2014 at 6:47 am
Great idea to write down our ideas judgement-free. This really helped me the last few days. Also I love the Idea Rock.
By Claire Lordon (@ClaireLordon) on December 1, 2014 at 8:10 am
I love your idea rock! Hey, isn’t that a picture book idea?
By Alexa Kaufhold on December 1, 2014 at 8:57 am
Great inspiration to keep my PiBoIdMo notebook rolling when November is finished. Thank you, Aaron!
By Erin O'Brien on December 1, 2014 at 9:00 am
Thanks Aaron. I’m afraid I’m guilty of dismissing ideas too. Those that I have caught have gone into an ideas folder… which usually means forgotten. 😦 I like your idea rock! Now I’m going to go back through my ideas and get them out into the open, where they can be seen and heard. 😉
By Tracey M. Cox on December 1, 2014 at 9:28 am
The idea rock is being instituted in my house IMMEDIATELY! Thanks!
Corey
By Corey Finkle on December 1, 2014 at 9:55 am
Love the idea rock and the dragonflies! Thanks.
By teresa m.i. schaefer (@TMISchaefer) on December 1, 2014 at 10:03 am
SUCH helpful advice! Off to find a huge rock (to knock my internal editor in the head)! Thank you for sharing!
By Julie Segal Walters on December 1, 2014 at 10:36 am
There is no idea too stupid to not put under a rock. Thanks for the inspiration, Aaron.
By eliseparsley on December 1, 2014 at 11:42 am
i love it. you described the ideas coming and our dismissal perfectly, and the grabbing and placing it under a rock, THAT my friend, is a book right there!
By Daniela Weil on December 1, 2014 at 11:45 am
Love the idea rock!
By winemama on December 1, 2014 at 12:16 pm
Loved this! Almost hit the eject button on one of last week’s ideas but now it’s my favorite! Thanks bunches for the reminder!
By pattywaymedic on December 1, 2014 at 1:15 pm
Great! Because I have a folder of ideas which are right on that line between terrible and brilliant.
By Lauri Meyers on December 1, 2014 at 1:22 pm
And Idea Rock … I love it! Thanks for sharing your insights and for participating in PiBoIdMo 2015.
By stephseclecticinterests on December 1, 2014 at 3:10 pm
I love your books and love, love, love the idea rock! I’m passing that one on to my critique group. Thanks!!
By jcyoungstrom on December 1, 2014 at 7:32 pm
Love the rock, Aaron. Thanks for the insight and inspiration!
By jessica shaw on December 1, 2014 at 7:52 pm
I love Creepy Carrots!! Thanks for this post!
By Pia Garneau on December 1, 2014 at 8:47 pm
I bought Creepy Carrots last November and it’s a total favourite with the kids on the community allotment where I work. And I love it too!
By cat jones on December 2, 2014 at 8:35 am
I love that you keep your ideas under a rock. That’s much cooler than the notebook where I have been keeping track of my ideas.
By Stacey Shubitz on December 2, 2014 at 10:14 am
I love the rock…holder of ideas as well as therapy when you need to throw it:)
By Laura Rackham on December 2, 2014 at 10:24 am
Love the rock! So cool.
By nicolezoltack on December 2, 2014 at 11:17 am
Carnivores! Great fun to read. And I love that rock with all your squiggly notes to self underneath it.
By Wanda Collins Johnson on December 2, 2014 at 1:08 pm
This is a great reminder – I used to stop everything to write down an idea – I lost at least one PiBoIdMo entry because I thought of it at bedtime and then failed to remember it the next day before I could write it down! I will reestablish this habit. (and, I LOVE Creepy Carrots)
By Emily Goldstein on December 2, 2014 at 2:10 pm
The idea rock — because ideas rock! Awesome!
By Andrea J Loney on December 2, 2014 at 7:56 pm
Great perspective Aaron. Your viewpoint is refreshing & hilarious. Thank you.
By Brian Yanish on December 2, 2014 at 9:24 pm
This is great stuff! I need to go out and invest in an idea rock!
By Michael Vogel on December 2, 2014 at 10:32 pm
Wow! All ready to go hunt me some hyperactive dragonflies!
By Michelle Heidenrich Barnes on December 4, 2014 at 9:43 am
Thanks for your post, Aaron. In addition to coming up with new ideas for PiBoIdMo, I sorted through my writing piles and gathered up all the forgotten ideas on scraps of paper (some with scribbling even I couldn’t decipher) which I had filed over the years. What a treasure trove.
By Rachel Anderson on December 4, 2014 at 10:29 am
Thank you for reminding us not to be so dismissive of our ideas. I think I need to get me an ”idea rock”. 😀
By angelcat2014 on December 5, 2014 at 12:22 am
Love the persistent attitude you display. It makes one determined to save all ideas & not feel silly about it.
By Nina Johnson on December 5, 2014 at 9:32 am
All the kids in the kindergarten where I work love the Creepy Carrots book! Thanks for the fun post…
By Kelly Russell Jaques on December 5, 2014 at 6:54 pm
Great post Aaron- thanks!
By Nat Keller on December 24, 2014 at 7:40 am
OK, must find space on the desk for an idea rock.
By Kara Laughlin on November 25, 2015 at 10:40 am