by Cece BellDecember 2, 2014 7:43 am
by Cece Bell
Several years ago I was at a really low point in my career as a children’s book author and illustrator. None of my published books seemed to be doing all that well, and every new book I submitted seemed to get rejected. I was stuck. My writing came to a standstill. I didn’t even want to draw anymore! Good grief!
Eventually, I got off my pity pot by realizing that I didn’t have to get a publisher interested in my stories and drawings in order to work. I just needed to start working again—for FUN, not profit. So I decided to hire myself. Here was the assignment: Ask friends and family for adjectives and names of animals. Write adjectives on separate slips of paper. Fold them up and put them in a cup. Write names of animals on other separate slips of paper. Fold them up and put them in a different cup.
Now for the good part: Each day, for over one hundred days (and I didn’t skip any days, not even weekends), I selected a slip of paper from the adjective cup, and I selected a slip of paper from the animal cup. What I selected was what I had to draw—in no more than two hours. I couldn’t put anything back and hope to get a “better” combination—all combinations were good. The more challenging, the better!
I ended up with pairings like “victorious chinchilla” and “lost ocelot.” “Glittery manatee” and “theiving sloth.” “Bashful anteater” and “uncomfortable ostrich.” “Maniacal anemone!” It was great fun to illustrate all these animals I didn’t normally draw; it was especially fun to come up with stories (not written, but implied in the illustration) for why the chinchilla was victorious, for why the ostrich was uncomfortable. And what would the sloth steal?
I was a cheap boss. I didn’t pay myself a cent. But the rewards of my little project were copious. My brain loosened up. I learned some new illustration techniques. I began to love being an illustrator again. I GOT OUT OF THAT FUNK. And guess what? When I decided to submit “mustachioed fly” to my agent to turn into postcards, I got hired to illustrate Diane Mortensen’s picture book Bug Patrol for Clarion. This job led to a relationship with Clarion that made my picture book with Tom Angleberger (Crankee Doodle) possible, and then that helped me loosen up to do El Deafo. Now I’ve got more work than I can shake a stick at!
My little project was focused on illustration—but it could work for writing, too. TOTALLY!
So, my humble two cents (I happen to have those cents because I didn’t pay myself earlier, remember?) is that if you pursue this line of work—or any line of work—do so because you love it. Try not to lose sight of that love. And hopefully, that love, plus a lot of hard work and little bit of luck, will get you where you want to be.
Cece Bell lives in an old church with her husband, author Tom Angleberger, and she works right next door in a new-ish barn. El Deafo, her first graphic novel, is a slightly fictionalized memoir about her childhood, her hearing loss, her first crush, and her quest for a true friend. She has written and illustrated other books for children, including the Geisel Honor book Rabbit & Robot: The Sleepover; Itty Bitty; Bee-Wigged; and the Sock Monkey series. You can read more about her at www.cecebell.com. Follow along on Twitter @cecebellbooks.
Posted by Tara Lazar
Categories: PiBoIdMo 2014, Picture Books
Tags: Bee-Wigged, Bug Patrol, Cece Bell, Crankee Doodle, El Deafo, Itty Bitty, Rabbit and Robot
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I love this idea! I have a HUGE collection of magnetic poetry words and two enormous magnet boards that I shuffle through, has been a while need to dust them off and go again!
By Margaret Flint Suter on December 2, 2014 at 7:50 am
I love the thought of drawing the slips and making yourself work with them. Great practice for assignment work and having a two hour deadline is a bonus.
Thanks for sharing.
By Rick Starkey on December 2, 2014 at 7:52 am
So funny!!! I want to try it!!!
By Maria J Cuesta on December 2, 2014 at 7:54 am
Now that is a great story! How awesome!!! I must try the same one day. Great inspiration.
By ednamole on December 2, 2014 at 7:56 am
Hilarious! I love Rocket Manatee especially! and great advice for how to keep the joy in illustration, thank you I needed that.
By Jo Brown on December 2, 2014 at 7:59 am
I had a similar moment during college as a music major. Long story short: I decided to play for ME, not to please my teacher or any one else’s expectations. As a result? I was happier, and blossomed into the most successful period of my playing “career” (since I wasn’t making any money at it either). If I wasn’t happy, then no one was going to be happy, Taught me huge lessons (no pun intended), and I accomplished great things. Love this story of yours, Cece!
By trkravtin on December 2, 2014 at 8:05 am
Wonderful post, Cece! Thank you!
By Doris Stone on December 2, 2014 at 8:06 am
Great illustrations and great advice. Thank you.
By lindaschueler on December 2, 2014 at 8:06 am
Cece,
What a great idea. Your family and friends got to help with your art and writing–something most have no clue how to do. I wonder if any have asked if their words led to art?
I totally agree that this could lead to projects outside the box for writers and illustrators. Thanks for sharing.
By lindamartinandersen on December 2, 2014 at 8:23 am
Thank you for sharing your journey! I love the message and your ideas.
By Anna Levin on December 2, 2014 at 8:13 am
What a great idea you had! I love inspirational games like this and can’t wait to try it out myself for some new character ideas!
By Rebecca Colby on December 2, 2014 at 8:15 am
Nice job! Remember the love!
By Lenora Riegel on December 2, 2014 at 8:19 am
How neat. I can do this for my ‘writing’, too.
By tinawissner on December 2, 2014 at 8:20 am
From someone a bit stuck, a mega THANK YOU! for a great idea I will try.
By Jeanine Potter on December 2, 2014 at 8:23 am
What a great story. I love how your friends and family were in on the 100 days/rally challenge. Can’t underestimate the importance of a support group for when things get funky!
By Nancy Tandon on December 2, 2014 at 8:26 am
Thanks for a great posting. Love your pics!
By cat jones on December 2, 2014 at 8:29 am
Great advice! I can handle the rejections. It’s the non-responsive silence that drives me bonkers!
By pattywaymedic on December 2, 2014 at 8:32 am
Excellent advice! I wish I’d thought of this on Day 1 of PiBoIdMo! I’ll definitely be using this next year. 🙂
By Laurie Theurer on December 2, 2014 at 8:34 am
Great advice for getting picture book ideas!
By Janet Smart on December 2, 2014 at 8:38 am
Congratulations! And thank you for the shot of inspiration.
By Jennifer Cheng DesAutels on December 2, 2014 at 8:45 am
Cece, Thanks for sharing your art and brainstorming!
By ManjuBeth on December 2, 2014 at 8:49 am
Thank you for a great post, Cece. EL DEAFO is brilliant!
By Hayley B on December 2, 2014 at 9:02 am
How wonderful to involve your friends and family. Great post!
By Karen A on December 2, 2014 at 9:03 am
Really appreciate your idea of sparking creativity and sharing your inspiring journey!
By Ann K on December 2, 2014 at 9:08 am
Terrific post!
By rnewman504 on December 2, 2014 at 9:08 am
What a clever way to get unstuck. I love it! 🙂
By rgstones on December 2, 2014 at 9:11 am
Lisa Connors
I want to learn to illustrate, but I don’t ‘let’ myself practice. I should try this. Thanks!
By lmconnors on December 2, 2014 at 9:11 am
What a great idea for getting unstuck! Thank you for sharing your story, Cece! Inspiring and exciting!
By donnacangelosi on December 2, 2014 at 9:19 am
Great post Cece! Thank you
By Mark A. Bentz on December 2, 2014 at 9:26 am
Thanks for the fun idea!
By Doreen E. Lepore on December 2, 2014 at 9:34 am
Aw! Both your words and your illustrations make me smile. Hiring myself today. 😉 Thank you!
By Jodi Moore on December 2, 2014 at 9:40 am
What a creative idea…I just started reading El Deafo and was intrigued that it stars rabbits!
By Nancy Furstinger on December 2, 2014 at 9:42 am
Love CRANKEE DOODLE, ordering EL DEAFO, love your non-monetary “crowd sourcing” system for getting out of that funk 🙂
By Lori Dubbin on December 2, 2014 at 9:45 am
Such a clever way to loosen that old brain up and shake one’s creativity loose. And it’s great to hear that it worked so well! So happy for Cece that it all turned out. 🙂
By teresarobeson on December 2, 2014 at 9:54 am
What a wonderful idea. Thank you!
By Erin O'Brien on December 2, 2014 at 9:56 am
This was inspiring! thank you :>)
By Patricia Saunders on December 2, 2014 at 9:59 am
What a great idea! Thank you for sharing.
By Amy Houts on December 2, 2014 at 10:01 am
Excellent post and great idea! Confirms the idea of “Do what you love and the rest will follow”.
By Mary McClellan on December 2, 2014 at 10:03 am
Superb! Love the idea of starting with an adjective and then working to figure out why or how.
By Juliana Lee on December 2, 2014 at 10:05 am
This is great! Love your idea and so glad it worked out for you!
By pathaap on December 2, 2014 at 10:08 am
Thanks for the great idea! Your story just shows how you can never give up on your dreams.
By Andrea Mack on December 2, 2014 at 10:11 am
What fun! Your illustrations of adjective-animals are lovely! All best with your books.
By rowenarae on December 2, 2014 at 10:13 am
I love this idea too. Thank you for the inspiration. 🙂
By Christie on December 2, 2014 at 10:18 am
Fabulous idea! Too bad we didn’t have this post BEFORE PiBoIdMo – can get TONS of story ideas this way!! (May have a few dozen to add to my list in December. Woowoo!) Thanks so much Cece!
By Joanne Sher on December 2, 2014 at 10:20 am
This is what I love about all this. Always another great idea or inspiration to keep the creative juices flowing. How about this – Adjectives under one rock, Animals under another, and the resulting drawing under the third.
By Stephen S. Martin on December 2, 2014 at 10:20 am
this was exactly the jolt I needed to move it forward! Merry Christmas to us early!
By Laura Rackham on December 2, 2014 at 10:21 am
Thanks for sharing your story and your great idea for breaking out of the doldrums. Now all I need is drawing lessons! But you’re right, I think I can adapt this idea for writing . . . it’s also a great way to generate ideas for PiBoIdMo . . . And yes, El Deafo is brilliant. Thank you!
By Christy Mihaly on December 2, 2014 at 10:21 am
I love this post. Thank you for sharing.
By dorothia on December 2, 2014 at 10:23 am
Fantastic approach to getting out of a slump!! El Deafo is in my Christmas gift box for my daughter!
By thestoryladyva on December 2, 2014 at 10:24 am
Very cute idea!
By Anita Banks on December 2, 2014 at 10:24 am
Great story and motivational idea, CeCe. All the striving, all the time, can make us forget that this is about the love of our lives – creating things and telling stories.
By Hey, Jim Hill! on December 2, 2014 at 10:24 am
Great idea! I love your illustrations.
By kpbock on December 2, 2014 at 10:28 am
What a great post about not losing the true focus of writing/illustrating! Thanks!
By Jennifer Rumberger on December 2, 2014 at 10:28 am
What a motivational story! It certainly supports the idea that the scaffold of creativity is lots and lots and LOTS of hard work. Congratulations on your success!
By carolegerber on December 2, 2014 at 10:29 am
CeCe, I love the idea that you can hire yourself. The cup of ideas would keep PiBoIdMo going for a long time. I appreciate you sharing your funk and how you go tout of it w/us. We all get there. Find the joy again, that’s it.
By kathalsey on December 2, 2014 at 10:30 am
Thanks so much! Great ideas and a great post.
By Tracy Molitors on December 2, 2014 at 10:30 am
Ooooh, I love this idea. I especially love the cat in the grocery store calling “Mommy.” Patience is a hard virtue to practice, but it pays off–and did for you, CeCe—big time.
By Sherri Jones Rivers on December 2, 2014 at 10:35 am
What great ideas! Thank you, Cece!
By Debbie Wagenbach on December 2, 2014 at 10:43 am
Cool idea! Like a “party game” for authors/illustrators -and hiring yourself takes all the pressure off. -Thanks!
By Nancy Colle on December 2, 2014 at 10:46 am
Thank you for your post! Really enjoyed it.
By vijikc on December 2, 2014 at 10:47 am
Cece, I absolutely loved your post and visiting your web site. Humble, charming, and inspiring–many thanks for contributing!
By nancydrewit on December 2, 2014 at 10:48 am
I can’t wait to read EL DEAFO. I must go out and get it!
By jngallaher on December 2, 2014 at 10:52 am
I liked your idea and think it would work great for writers, too.
By Debra Daugherty on December 2, 2014 at 10:53 am
What a fabulous way to get motivated to write and draw – thanks for the post!
By angelapadron on December 2, 2014 at 10:53 am
What a great idea to shake things loose, Cece! I went through a similar frustrating stage with my writing and adopted a similar attitude of writing for myself, writing for fun. It’s wonderfully freeing.
By Patricia Toht on December 2, 2014 at 10:57 am
Now you’re talkin’! This is just what I needed to read today, thank you. :0)
By Donna L. Sadd on December 2, 2014 at 10:57 am
Wonderful post! I love the idea!
By Elizabeth Brown on December 2, 2014 at 10:57 am
Love love LOVe this post and your fun excercise. Definitely plan on doing it. Animal Cup, Adjective Cup, 2 hours – here I come!
By Diana Delosh on December 2, 2014 at 10:58 am
This is great advice about not losing sight of our love. Thanks for sharing the exercise and your experience.
By Jacqueline on December 2, 2014 at 11:12 am
Thanks for the pep talk and great advice, CeCe!
By LovableLobo on December 2, 2014 at 11:16 am
What fun! A great way to shake things up!
By Julie Hampton on December 2, 2014 at 11:16 am
Thank you Cece for sharing your inspiring story and for the awesome idea generator!
By Dawn Young on December 2, 2014 at 11:17 am
Great inspiration for those of us in a rut!
By Cindy C. on December 2, 2014 at 11:23 am
Good advice and another great idea for generating ideas. Thank you!
By Sydney O'Neill on December 2, 2014 at 11:26 am
Love, love, love, love this idea!!
By kdveiten on December 2, 2014 at 11:32 am
Dear CeCe, As I’ve mentioned on twitter & elsewhere I’m so happy for EL DEAFO, but now to know career catalyst of being your own best cheerleader. You are a zestful zebra, a rocketing lion & a clever inchworm (metaphorically…) Brava!
~ j a n
By bookseedstudio on December 2, 2014 at 11:41 am
Wonderful idea! Thank you so much!
By Shirley Timberlake Fadden on December 2, 2014 at 11:44 am
The idea of enlisting others to come up with adjectives and animals is splendid!
By MaryAnne Locher on December 2, 2014 at 11:49 am
What a wonderful post and idea!!! Love what you do and the rest will come! Thank you for sharing your time with us!
By Kelly Vavala on December 2, 2014 at 11:49 am
Great idea! Maybe I can do something like that with my 30 new ideas.
By Celeste Elbert on December 2, 2014 at 11:55 am
Great advice, and very timely for me right now. Thanks!
By Joan Waites on December 2, 2014 at 11:56 am
What a good idea. Thanks
By Carolyn Rohrbaugh on December 2, 2014 at 12:05 pm
I think that’s why I enjoy entering writing contests–it’s fun to just write with no thought to the market, agents, what’s trending, etc. but just to write for the joy and the challenge of writing!
By deborahholtwilliams on December 2, 2014 at 12:07 pm
Great idea! I am going to start passing those cups around…. It always comes back to loving what you do! Thanks!
By billiesgirl on December 2, 2014 at 12:16 pm
Love this. It’s amazing the inspiration I’ve had during this past month. Thank you, thank you. I can’t wait to read EL DEAFO. It sounds great!
By Robyn Campbell on December 2, 2014 at 12:18 pm
Animals and adjectives…great idea! A great way to get creative and motivated. Thanks!
By Sandy Powell on December 2, 2014 at 12:25 pm
I love your self assignment. What a great idea to unblock. Thank you for sharing.
By daynesislendesign on December 2, 2014 at 12:28 pm
Love this prescription for shaking off a funk. Thanks, Cece!
By Tina Hoggatt on December 2, 2014 at 12:28 pm
You had me at victorious chinchilla. Honey badger don’t care.
By Henry Herz on December 2, 2014 at 12:37 pm
Love El Deafo and cherish your thoughts on finding your creativity. Thank you for sharing your process 🙂
By Diana Zipeto on December 2, 2014 at 12:40 pm
Dear Cece Bell,
Thank you for sharing. Acceptance of whatever comes is a very good way to find new paths for fun projects. I like how it opened up new opportunities for work for you.
Celebrate
Never give Up
Joan
By Joan Y. Edwards on December 2, 2014 at 12:41 pm
What a great idea for myself and my writer friends! Thank you!
By Debbie Austin on December 2, 2014 at 12:45 pm
Very inspirational! Glad you got through the slump!
By creationsbymit on December 2, 2014 at 12:45 pm
What a wonderful idea! Thanks for the inspiration!
By Pia Garneau on December 2, 2014 at 12:47 pm
Thanks, Cece, for sharing this fantastic idea for getting unstuck!
By gabisnyder on December 2, 2014 at 1:03 pm
Genius.
By Michael Karg on December 2, 2014 at 1:05 pm
great post! Love this!
By Suzanne Kaufman on December 2, 2014 at 1:07 pm
Your post makes me wish I was an illustrator too. Thank you for sharing.
By klmcmorranmaus on December 2, 2014 at 1:09 pm
I’m an illustrator but could this work for a writer if they made each pair into a two sentence synopsis a day? El Deafo is a deeply fun read, congratulations Cece Bell! Keep it flowing!
By Mika Song on December 2, 2014 at 1:15 pm
Patience. Play. Passion. Loved Crankee Doodle. Can’t wait to get my eyes on El Deafo.
By Charlotte Gunnufson on December 2, 2014 at 1:22 pm
I love this success story almost as much as I love Itty Bitty and El Deafo! Thanks Cece!
By imartypoet on December 2, 2014 at 1:23 pm
Great inspiration! Even those of us who are “established” can go through droughts. I’m hiring myself to write a sequel to a series of mine that got canceled. I’ll test the indie-pubbed waters with it!
By Judy Cox on December 2, 2014 at 1:28 pm
I started reading a sample of El Deafo a few weeks back but have not finished it since I have not gone to get a copy yet(the holidays, two writing challenges, and family took up all my time). I’m glad for the reminder to finish reading it. 🙂 There are not too many deaf or hard of hearing books out there so it is nice to see a fresh take on it. I’m hearing impaired myself as is my daughter. Someday I’ll write a book about it too. 🙂
By angelapenadahle on December 2, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Cece, I think you got a good deal there, hiring yourself, and what an amazing result. A great story and fab idea for story making. Thank you. 🙂
By Frances Brown on December 2, 2014 at 1:35 pm
This is such a great post! Thank you for sharing it. 🙂
By KatyD on December 2, 2014 at 1:37 pm
Cece, what an inspiration it was to hear your story. I believe in the process of love that you describe. I am living it. We never think from the outside, that such great authors and works like you and El Deafo came from this path. Thank you for reminding us that it’s ok to travel it.
By Daniela Weil on December 2, 2014 at 1:41 pm
Thanks for sharing your struggles as well as your successes!
By Laura Bellina on December 2, 2014 at 1:51 pm
Cece, I look forward to reading your story El Deafo. My daughter is a teacher of deaf children. Her students may see themselves in your story.I often write words to pick out of a box to get me out of a funk. Your idea to have family give adjectives and animals sounds wonderful.I will be trying it soon. Thank you,I enjoyed your post.
By Ali Pichardo on December 2, 2014 at 1:53 pm
Terrific post, Cece! Thank you for an amazing way to get unstuck… I’m even thinking of trying it for a few characters in my other picture books
By saputnam on December 2, 2014 at 1:56 pm
Cece: The fun ideas that you shared are filled with such encouragement for days when I must snap out of the mood of funk! ~Suzy Leopold
By Prairie Garden Girl on December 2, 2014 at 2:04 pm
Be your own boss. Yep, it works. Congrats!
By Keila Dawson on December 2, 2014 at 2:08 pm
We did a similar animal and adjective game in a writing class. It was great!
By Anne Lei-Yeung So on December 2, 2014 at 2:10 pm
Oh wow, what a great inspiration piece. Your illustrations are so much fun to look at!! Congratulations on all the work you’re getting.
By jeanjames on December 2, 2014 at 2:24 pm
I love “Crankee Doodle,” in fact I used it as inspiration for Day 20. I am intrigued by your idea here of creating silly combinations. I also liked the idea posted above of using magnetic words to create them. I will try it! Thanks for the post.
By Jennifer Sommer on December 2, 2014 at 2:27 pm
Good idea. Thanks
By Nina Haines on December 2, 2014 at 2:28 pm
Thanks Cece. I’m here in Washington, loosening up!
By Janny J Johnson on December 2, 2014 at 2:32 pm
Love what you do and a bit of luck. Excellent combination for reality!
By Matt Tesoriero on December 2, 2014 at 2:35 pm
Great post, thanks. And I love the sound of El Deafo. I’m off to check it out…
By julietclarebell on December 2, 2014 at 2:38 pm
Dear Cece: Great post today, thank you. I especially liked that you involved others to inspire you.
By shiela fuller on December 2, 2014 at 2:40 pm
Cece, you are inspiring. This is such a helpful post and I love your idea of adjectives and animal names for story starters. I am going to start asking family members and friends for their offerings. 🙂
Congratulations on the fantastic response to El Deafo.
– Lynn A. Davidson
By Lynn on December 2, 2014 at 2:41 pm
What a brilliant idea. I’m sure my kiddos could come up with some fun adjectives. Thank you.
By jdewdropsofink on December 2, 2014 at 2:57 pm
OMG the Elton John manatee! Can’t stop laughing.
I just put El Deafo on my Goodreads list. It looks superb.
By Nancy Kotkin on December 2, 2014 at 2:57 pm
What a great story. Perseverance pays off. Interestingly, I just read the first few pages of El Deafo last night on Amazon and I want to order it!
By Cathy Breisacher on December 2, 2014 at 3:02 pm
Thanks for the morale booster. I love it when things turn around like that! Thank you for sharing your story and glad you got unstuck!
By danielledufayet on December 2, 2014 at 3:04 pm
What a fun exercise!
By Nancy Armo on December 2, 2014 at 3:15 pm
Thanks! What a great idea! Your animal illustrations are awesome! 🙂
By Jill Siegel on December 2, 2014 at 3:23 pm
What a great way to get out of a funk! I will try this next time I get stuck. Thanks Cece!
By Dani Duck on December 2, 2014 at 3:32 pm
I loved El Deafo! Thanks for the reminder about having fun & persevering!
By mariagianferrari on December 2, 2014 at 3:44 pm
Loosen the brain, I like that, thanks Cece.
By Kaye Baillie on December 2, 2014 at 3:49 pm
I love the random pairing of descriptions with animals. And what dedication – to do 100 days! Thanks for sharing this how-to-get-out-of-a-slump idea!
By Sue Heavenrich on December 2, 2014 at 3:56 pm
A very doable idea, thanks!
By Sandy Perlic on December 2, 2014 at 4:06 pm
It all comes back to perseverence, in the end, but this route sounds like a fun way to stick with it. I LIKE IT!! Plus, couldn’t agree more, about not losing sight of the love of what we’re doing. Thanks much, Cece.
By Marty McCormick on December 2, 2014 at 4:16 pm
Ahhhh! I love this, Cece! Love it, love it, love it! And yes, I squealed all of that outloud before writing this comment. Thanks for the fun, inspiring idea! I ADORE Crankee Doodle and my daughter and I LOOOVE El Deafo! Go Cece!
By Carrie Charley Brown on December 2, 2014 at 4:32 pm
Thank you Cece! The idea of actually physically doing something like this activates another part of the brain! Gets those creative juices flowing even more! Fun, Fun, Fun!
By Vicki Wilke on December 2, 2014 at 5:12 pm
Thank you! What a great idea, I love it. I also love that you were in a funk and got out of one. It’s nice to know I’m normal 🙂
By Marcy P. on December 2, 2014 at 5:18 pm
We write because we love to write, and we NEED to write!!
By Christine M. Irvin on December 2, 2014 at 5:20 pm
Thank you Cece! You are an inspiration to illustrators and writers.
By katmaz2012 on December 2, 2014 at 5:34 pm
Oh, how I wish I could draw! I have the pictures in my head, but… I love the idea of adjectives and animals. Coming up with more ideas! Thanks!
By ssuehler on December 2, 2014 at 5:37 pm
Lovely post! Thanks for sharing!
By Annie Cronin Romano on December 2, 2014 at 5:38 pm
Your post (and illustrations!) made me smile–and do a double-take on Maniacal Anemone. Such fun.
By Wendy Greenley on December 2, 2014 at 6:04 pm
That sounds like fun! Great advice- Thank you for your post!
By Nancy Ramsey on December 2, 2014 at 6:06 pm
That’s a fantastic idea!!!
By laurazarrin on December 2, 2014 at 6:07 pm
What a fun way to get past your block and get the ideas flowing!
By Aunt Alice on December 2, 2014 at 6:46 pm
Thanks for the post, that is fantastic advice, I’m off to complete a piece for my new boss (ME!)
By Tarryn Lean (@TarrynLean) on December 2, 2014 at 6:53 pm
Awe. This was wonderful. Thanks for the advice! And, I love your illustrations.
By Jessica on December 2, 2014 at 7:15 pm
What a fun idea to stir up new ideas!
Thanks for sharing, Cece 😉
By Lori Mozdzierz on December 2, 2014 at 7:20 pm
Great Post! Thanks for sharing.
By shirley johnson on December 2, 2014 at 7:39 pm
Oh, I love it! What fun to help get rid of the “funk”! Thanks for sharing 😃
By Joyce Tucker on December 2, 2014 at 7:51 pm
I love this post. Yes, do what you LOVE!
By Nicole Popel on December 2, 2014 at 7:54 pm
Came up with 2 ideas on the last day, so now have 31 ideas!!!! I have 2 ideas that I’ve started writing and 2 more that I love but am not sure of the story line. I look forward to doing this every year so thank you so much for all your hard work and wonderful info. Now, get to work Jenny!!
By Jennifer Reynolds on December 2, 2014 at 7:55 pm
I had those moments too when nothing seems to work but then, I always find myself back where I left off. Our own time will come. Thanks for sharing.
By aliciaminor on December 2, 2014 at 7:56 pm
What a great idea. We occasionally do something like this in my writing group as a prompt, but doing it on an ongoing basis for a specific period of time is quite tempting!
By carolmunrojww on December 2, 2014 at 8:09 pm
Brilliant. And a nice reminder to keep working no matter what. 😀
By Laurie L Young on December 2, 2014 at 8:34 pm
What a fun idea—definitely going to try it! Love your illustrations!
By Janet Halfmann on December 2, 2014 at 8:44 pm
I’ve done this technique as a writing exercise, but never for illustrations. I may just have to try it out. Thanks for sharing your personal journey outta funkville.
By sardyhar on December 2, 2014 at 8:50 pm
I love your books! Thanks for sharing this terrific idea.
By claireannette1 on December 2, 2014 at 8:52 pm
I like your perspective 🙂 Loving the process is its own reward!
By Theresa Love on December 2, 2014 at 8:57 pm
Congratulations on finding a fun way for solving your problem and finding success.
By anitanolan on December 2, 2014 at 9:01 pm
OH MY GOSH what a wonderful and inspiring post! Thanks, Cece!
By susandilldetwiler on December 2, 2014 at 9:21 pm
I love that idea Cece- of course I’d have to stick with a couple sentences…or I could ask my daughter (ummm, it was while back, but do you remember Booger Boy from the Lititz Literacy Festival? Yup! That’s my girl 🙂 )
By erikammon on December 2, 2014 at 9:33 pm
Love this post, and love your work! Your sloth illustration is brilliant! I cannot tell you how many times I’ve read Bee-Wigged to my daughter. We are big guinea pig fans, and now we’re big bee fans, too.
By Melanie Ellsworth on December 2, 2014 at 9:42 pm
CeCe, thank you for the wonderful idea of how to unblock. I found the PiBoIdMo to help with that, as well. When I didn’t stress about coming up with an idea and just tried to put odd words or characters together, they just seemed to keep coming, I will try yours as well. 🙂
By Maria Marshall on December 2, 2014 at 9:46 pm
Wow! That sounds like a wonderful challenge!
By Deirdre Englehart on December 2, 2014 at 10:21 pm
I am SO ready to do this exercise for writers. Tried something similar once when I was writing a murder mystery in an adult fiction class over a decade ago and the results were fab and motivating. Thanks for the reboot!
By Ronna Mandel on December 2, 2014 at 10:22 pm
Great wisdom that I’ll always keep in mind…do what you love! Thank you!
By Liz Steffenson on December 2, 2014 at 10:44 pm
Love…Work…Luck! Now that is something to smile about. 😀
By Ashley Bohmer on December 2, 2014 at 10:50 pm
I really believe our low points are necessary to take us to the high. Contrast shows growth. Love your drawings. Thanks for you very personal perspective.
By Mary Zychowicz on December 2, 2014 at 11:14 pm
Thank you for your post. I could have used this idea halfway through November!
By Joan Kassmann on December 2, 2014 at 11:27 pm
What a way to get out of a funk! I love that challenge you set yourself, great idea, thanks for sharing it 🙂
By Yvonne Mes on December 2, 2014 at 11:37 pm
Thanks for your post!
By Jabeen on December 2, 2014 at 11:38 pm
Great creativity exercise! Love it!!!!
By Dianne Burch on December 3, 2014 at 12:16 am
Thank you Cece! Your illustrations rock! I do love what I am doing!
By Janie Reinart on December 3, 2014 at 12:17 am
Thank you for this post and for a great idea! Congrats also on your success. Well deserved!
By Deb Beauchamp on December 3, 2014 at 12:43 am
What an inspiring life event! Thanks for sharing, Cece!
By tinamcho on December 3, 2014 at 1:03 am
Wow ! Such a simple way to get creativity stirling – just committing to spending time every day and loving it . This is a five stare recipe
Thanks !
By Jennifer Huls on December 3, 2014 at 1:16 am
Thanks for the post. It was a good reminder to keep going and not give up.
By Ashley Bankhead on December 3, 2014 at 1:29 am
Great idea, CeCe. Thanks for sharing.
By Naana Kyereboah on December 3, 2014 at 2:54 am
wonderful idea! way to take action!
By Cassandra Federman on December 3, 2014 at 6:22 am
Great concept!
By sabrinawrites1 on December 3, 2014 at 6:43 am
I can’t wait to read el deacon with my kids! My nieces and nephew love it!! Also, great idea for getting the creative juices flowing!
By kirsticall on December 3, 2014 at 7:25 am
First: great post! I am going to use this in my art class during Young Author’s month.
Second: I am super duper jealous of your living quarters-just what I want a church AND a barn!
By Freckled Daisy Creations on December 3, 2014 at 7:47 am
Fantastic idea! I love using random outside sources for poetry–would be fun for brainstorming prose ideas, too!
By Laura Purdie Salas on December 3, 2014 at 8:09 am
Fantastic idea. Thank you! And that’s an impressive sampling of animals and adjectives–Well done, friends and family of Cece!
By Susan Halko on December 3, 2014 at 8:09 am
Your dedication for over 100 days to drawing the new ideas was also impressive. Nice!
By QuinnC on December 3, 2014 at 8:56 am
The game that you created for yourself — and your commitment in sticking with it — are both so great. And, in fact, a tiny bit like what we are all doing here, no? This business of setting up a challenge and mixing in a few rules is so helpful — and that much more impressive in that you set it up and did it solo!!
By hmmmmm on December 3, 2014 at 9:09 am
Fun illustrations! Thanks for the inspiring post 🙂
By Stephanie Geckle (@SPGeckle) on December 3, 2014 at 9:37 am
Thanks for giving us ideas to get started when we get stuck or have a notebook full of ideas and just need to sit down and write them into stories.
By Sheri Rad on December 3, 2014 at 9:40 am
Looks like this was another great year for PiBoIdMo. Enjoyed the posts and inspiration.
By darlenebeckjacobson on December 3, 2014 at 9:43 am
Thanks for the inspiration! I love the idea of having to write from random prompts!
By Shari Schwarz on December 3, 2014 at 11:36 am
Arbitrary deadlines and made up rules always work for me. I’m very gullible, so it’s easy to trick myself into writing:)
By Lauri Meyers on December 3, 2014 at 11:50 am
Lovely perspective and creative idea! Thanks!
By Karen on December 3, 2014 at 12:00 pm
Thanks for sharing your activity and your art! Love it!
By Penny Parker Klostermann on December 3, 2014 at 12:49 pm
This was just what I needed to hear today. Thanks!
By Kelly Ramsdell Fineman on December 3, 2014 at 1:06 pm
CeCe, Love your idea! Thanks for sharing your inspiring story.
By Beth Blee on December 3, 2014 at 1:35 pm
Oh, this is phenomenal!! Thank you for sharing. I’m feeling inspired already.
By Maria Oka on December 3, 2014 at 2:32 pm
Thank you for the idea CeCe!
By KASteed on December 3, 2014 at 2:39 pm
Cece, this was a fanTAStic post! I love how you approached the “break from the norm/funk” 🙂 What I’m most impressed with is your steadfastness in doing it consistently for so long. We just never know when THE lift in our path will come. Thanks for the inspiration! 😀
By writersideup on December 3, 2014 at 2:58 pm
An amazing tale of inspiration—I’ve actually tried the words-in-cup project myself… I still have 3 cups full of words actually, even 4+ years later. LOL
I really like the idea of friends providing the words, though! Nice touch. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful story of motivation & success!
By mbeaversillustration on December 3, 2014 at 3:14 pm
Love your illustrations and your Ernst Stavro Blofeld (maniacal anemone) had me rolling. Just watch a James Bond dvd last night. Thanks for the very inspirational post Cece!
By Donna Rossman on December 3, 2014 at 5:13 pm
what a wonderful idea and I love your illustrations.
By Karen Brueggeman on December 3, 2014 at 5:26 pm
Your illustrations are fun! Thanks for the reminder to keep working.
By Zainab Khan on December 3, 2014 at 7:23 pm
Very clever!
By Cindy S on December 3, 2014 at 8:10 pm
I loved the idea of drawing slips of paper and making a story. Loved it
By Ann Bentley on December 3, 2014 at 9:25 pm
Hi Ms. Bell! This is a great post! I love the Victorious Chinchilla picture! We have a chinchilla named Smokey, so I might be biased. 😉
By thiskidreviewsbooks on December 3, 2014 at 10:12 pm
Your advice is spot-on!! Loving what we do is so important! Thank you.
By tphumiruk on December 3, 2014 at 11:04 pm
Great ideas, and I appreciate the time-limit aspect, too. It all works together to encourage playing, not pondering (at least not at first). Thank you!
By Lisa Kahn Schnell on December 3, 2014 at 11:45 pm
Cece, I love this dedication ➕ creativity formula. Thanks for the insight!
By SevenAcreSky on December 4, 2014 at 1:18 am
What a great idea for getting out of a creative slump! Thank you!
By bucherwurm65 on December 4, 2014 at 1:24 am
Excellent funk-breaking creative tool. Thanks!
By Michelle Heidenrich Barnes on December 4, 2014 at 10:05 am
Awesome post. THANK YOU!
By Erin Nowak on December 4, 2014 at 10:56 am
Instead of throwing in the towel, you kept moving forward…FOR FREE!
I guess not getting paid for something you LOVE doing eventually does pay off.
By Rebecca E. Guzinski on December 4, 2014 at 11:11 am
Wonderful illustrations and story of overcoming that sense of defeat.
By teresa m.i. schaefer (@TMISchaefer) on December 4, 2014 at 1:08 pm
Great idea! I am discovering I work best with kick-starters and am stealing the draw-a-slip-that-friends-and-family-did-the-work-on idea! And especially and most seriously, HIRING MYSELF. That’s a great one. Thank you!
By barbswright on December 4, 2014 at 1:13 pm
Thanks for the post. What a great idea and fun way to work on your craft.
By l8k8 on December 4, 2014 at 1:36 pm
What a great way to get reinspired!
By Rebekah Hoeft on December 4, 2014 at 2:15 pm
Great post!
By Sandi Lawson on December 4, 2014 at 2:37 pm
What a great idea to keep oneself focused on writing when feeling despair… I just may use it!
By orthodoxmom3 on December 4, 2014 at 4:06 pm
Cece, you know you absolutely rock, right?! Cuz you do! So glad to know you and to get to say it to your face! Thanks for being awesome and for creating awesome books for our readers!
By mwinne2 on December 4, 2014 at 10:29 pm
Just found your video explaining the story behind El Deafo. I am very excited to give this book to my daughter for Christmas.
By SMHS on December 5, 2014 at 1:48 pm
Great post, thank you!
By Kelly Russell Jaques on December 5, 2014 at 8:34 pm
Cece…I’m just finishing Mira Reisberg’s Illustrating Children’s Picture Books class…I’m no illustrator…nor am I an artist as many of my classmates were. However, I LOVE your idea…I am excited to try it. Thank you for inspiring what I think will be dozens of fun characters who just may end up in a story someday. 🙂
By viviankirkfield on December 5, 2014 at 10:48 pm
Great idea. Thanks Cece!
By kmshelley on December 6, 2014 at 11:28 am
Yes, I do this because I love it. NOT because it pays well. HA!
Also, thank you for the game to play. Might just have to get some of my friends to use as guinea pigs, er I mean help. 😉
By Tracey M. Cox on December 6, 2014 at 1:28 pm
I’m not sure how I missed this but I’m glad I found it – what a fantastic post and I love this idea (and the illustrations – what would a sloth steal? Hmm… 😀 ) I’m inspired to try this ~ thanks so much.
By Tracy on December 7, 2014 at 12:17 am
Such a great tip! I can’t wait to try this method!
By calisue on December 7, 2014 at 11:42 am
I’m going to get myself hired too. Great method.
By Priya on December 8, 2014 at 10:18 am
I admire your drive and unwillingness to give up! My brother and I are brainstorming on idea generators, but sticking to it everyday will be a challenge.
By Kathryn Ault Noble on December 9, 2014 at 1:26 am
I love this, CeCe! So glad you got your mojo back! Your illustrations are great, and your sloth stealing the squirrel’s pompom hat has just made my day. Thanks!
By Holly Ruppel on December 10, 2014 at 11:53 am
[…] Bell describes how she got herself out of a creative funk when her work wasn’t selling: she worked for fun, not profit, and gave herself a daily sketch […]
By Sunday Salon: A Round-Up of Online Reading | the dirigible plum on December 14, 2014 at 5:54 pm
[…] everyone! I have decided to start a weekly drawing challenge for myself. I was inspired by this post by author/illustrator Cece Bell, on author Tara Lazar’s wonderful blog. Cece bell created […]
By Weekly Animal | Margaux Meganck on August 25, 2015 at 3:27 pm