Everyday life is what inspires most of my work. The problem is choosing what interests me enough to spend 6 months to a year working it out. For every good idea there are 50 stinkers.
For that reason, I have boxes full of 4×6 index cards with ideas, phrases, titles, and character descriptions written on them along with scribbled sketches. I keep every idea, because some of the stinkers eventually redeem themselves or lead to a new idea. Every now and then I read through the cards to see if I can find a workable idea. My next book is from the stinker box, inspired by an idea that is at least ten years old.
Sometimes, an idea crawls under my porch. A stray cat gave birth to four kittens under our front porch. We adopted all of them. Three of the kittens did everything mama cat did, but that fourth kitten just napped. This became the basis of the book Mama Cat Has Three Kittens.
In reality there were four kittens, but three kittens made for a better story. Be assured that the fourth kitten was not harmed in the making of the story. The kittens in the book look nothing like the real kittens and, except for the napping kitten, their personalities are different. But the book was inspired by a real situation.
At the time we adopted the kittens we had a dog, Warfy, who had grown up with older cats. Poor Warfy was terrified of the tiny kittens. She wanted nothing to do with them. Warfy morphed into Buster, an only dog who had a perfect life until a small kitten came to share his home. Buster is my canine version of Niles Crane from the TV show Frasier. I always had Niles in mind when writing and drawing Buster.
My sister, Rochelle, needed to find a kennel for her pup, Hershey. She and her husband doted on their dog and she searched high and low to find just the right place for her baby’s first time away from home. She chose a doggy camp which gave me the idea for Buster Goes to Cowboy Camp. Of course I enlarged upon what happened, changed things, added things, and exaggerated. You do not have to stick to the actual facts of the incident that inspires you.
The physical look of Buster was inspired by dogs in a sculptural paper piece I created, titled Green Dogs at Night. That paper piece also led me to to the idea for Pumpkin Eye, which went through a complete transformation before I arrived at the finished story. Ideas evolve—this becomes that, a dog becomes a cat.
When my daughter was very young we would take snacks and a blanket over to the field behind where we live. We would watch the creatures in the tall grasses go about their lives. In the Tall, Tall Grass was the outcome these outings.
Along with the field was a creek and a wood. I spent many hours walking this land. Sadly the land was eventually bought and developed. Where Once There Was a Wood was the story of this loss of open space. I did not want readers to feel hopeless after reading the book so I added back matter that shares how to create habitats with the land you have.
Sometimes a phrase will float through my mind “Cows in the pasture, moo, moo, moo. Roosters in the barnyard, cock a doodle do” and on and on, and before I know it I have a book. Barnyard Banter, Beetle Bop, and underGround all started this way.
The most important thing is to stay open to ideas. Write ALL your ideas down. Review them now and again. You never know when a new idea may pop up that helps you reimagine an old idea.
Even the stinkers may surprise you.
Denise Fleming is the author/illustrator of 25 picture books. Her books are illustrated by pulp painting, a paper making technique. See more of her work at DeniseFleming.com.
Denise is giving away one of her books.
Leave a comment below to enter. One comment per person, please.
This prize will be given away at the conclusion of PiBoIdMo. You are eligible for this prize if:
- You have registered for PiBoIdMo.
- You have commented ONCE ONLY on today’s post.
- You have completed the PiBoIdMo challenge. (You will have to sign the PiBoIdMo Pledge at the end of the event.)
Good luck, everyone!
505 comments
Comments feed for this article
November 12, 2015 at 8:34 am
twirlnextdoor
Thanks for the advice!
November 12, 2015 at 8:38 am
Nadine Gamble
Such great story ideas from everyday life. Enjoyed hearing how you brought them to life.
November 12, 2015 at 8:38 am
Andria Rosenbaum
I LOVE all your books, Denise, for their color, texture and timeless stories. You must be the fairy godmother of stinkers because you’re able to turn any idea into a thing of beauty!
November 12, 2015 at 8:41 am
Mylisa Larsen
I love Denise Fleming’s art and it’s fun to hear some of the stories behind the books.
November 12, 2015 at 8:46 am
Rebecca Colby
I agree–never, ever throw out an idea! You never know when one of those stinkers will spark a real gem. Thanks for the great post!
November 12, 2015 at 8:46 am
lindamartinandersen
I like that even stinker ideas have a shot at getting published. Stinky characters are usually a hit! 😉
November 12, 2015 at 8:47 am
R A Griffin
Great post! I have Lots and lots of stinky ideas. Thank you very much!
November 12, 2015 at 8:50 am
Carolyn
Thank you. Very good advice.
November 12, 2015 at 8:51 am
Lisa Connors
Love your books! And don’t forget to go back to your old ideas list for re-inspiration!
November 12, 2015 at 8:51 am
kathalsey
Denise, love how all these books, such treasures, were inspired by animals, family, the world around you! Have not read BUSTER GOES TO COWBOY CAMP yet. Gonna buy for me!
November 12, 2015 at 8:53 am
writeknit
As the Queen of Stinkdom (or at least the Princess) I am happy to hear there is hope for some of my subjects.
November 12, 2015 at 8:54 am
Jennifer Phillips
I need to be better about this. Great examples of how old and stinky ideas can pay off!
November 12, 2015 at 8:57 am
Louann Brown
This makes 3/4th’s of my list not a total waste. Ha! I think of it as mining. Digging past the “klunkers” to find diamonds.
November 12, 2015 at 8:57 am
Rebecca G. Aguilar
Absolutely love your gorgeous picture books, Denise! IN THE TALL, TALL GRASS… IN THE SMALL, SMALL POND… BUSTER… we read them over and over to our daughter as a preschooler. Thank you for sharing how you keep all your ideas, even the stinkers!
November 12, 2015 at 8:59 am
Daryl Gottier
Thanks for the advice and encouragement!
November 12, 2015 at 9:00 am
Patricia Alcaro
A great reminder to expand one’s imagination. Thank you.
November 12, 2015 at 9:01 am
Brianna Zamborsky
Love the term “stinkers” Thanks!
November 12, 2015 at 9:01 am
Rajani LaRocca
What a great piece! Ideas do come from everywhere, and it’s particularly good to remember this during PiBoIdMo.
November 12, 2015 at 9:03 am
Stephanie Ledyard
I love your art … and the idea of an idea box (boxes)! Thanks for posting.
November 12, 2015 at 9:06 am
Laura K Zimmermann
Thanks for the great advice!
November 12, 2015 at 9:06 am
rgstones
Thanks for this post. I have notebooks full of stinkers. 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 9:07 am
Susan Latta
Never are the “stinkers” really “stinkers!” Thanks for the post!
November 12, 2015 at 9:08 am
Deborah Allmand
Great inspiration for where ideas come from. Normal everyday things generate picture books. Thank you for sharing.
November 12, 2015 at 9:08 am
Val McCammon
Great behind-the-scenes inspiration and reminder to keep even the possible stinkers. Love your art, Denise. Thanks!
November 12, 2015 at 9:08 am
pathaap
Excellent piece! Thanks for the inspiration.
November 12, 2015 at 9:09 am
Michele Blood
I love your advice to keep idea nuggets on index cards. Do they still make Rol-A-Dexes? I may need to go track one down today 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 9:09 am
Katelyn Aronson
No one does picture books like you, Denise! Have always loved your soft, colorful illustrations. Great to read about what inspires you, thanks!
November 12, 2015 at 9:10 am
Lisa Black
Great post to start the day.
November 12, 2015 at 9:10 am
Alice Fulgione
Your art is wonderful and your ideas are great. Thanks, Denise!
November 12, 2015 at 9:12 am
Rebecca Sheraton
I love the idea of index cards. What a great way to organise your ideas. I think I’ll start doing this
November 12, 2015 at 9:13 am
Beth Gallagher
What a great post! Very appropriate for me today as I search high and low for an idea. Needless to say, they’re right in front of me! 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 9:13 am
chrisynthia
This makes all my stinkers happy! Thanks for the post
November 12, 2015 at 9:14 am
Jane Heitman Healy
These are great tips! It’s reassuring to know that stinkers can become winners. I had the pleasure of seeing Denise in action at her presentation at the Plum Creek Literacy Festival in Nebraska this fall. If you have a chance to catch her in person–do!
November 12, 2015 at 9:15 am
okeefemk
Thank you, Denise! I’m happy to be getting more familiar with your work!
November 12, 2015 at 9:19 am
Melissa McDaniel
This is so true! I love the process of putting ideas on index cards, too! Right now mine are on my phone, and I’m always worried something is going to happen to them and I’ll lose them for good. Thanks so much!
November 12, 2015 at 9:20 am
Brook Gideon (@brookgideon)
Excellent post to remind us there are no bad ideas, some only need simmering for a while. Thank you!
November 12, 2015 at 9:20 am
Carolyn Rohrbaugh
I was inspired by your post. Thank you
November 12, 2015 at 9:22 am
Mary Worley
I love Buster! Thanks for sharing where you get your ideas. It’s good to remember we don’t have to stick with the facts even if that’s where we begin.
November 12, 2015 at 9:24 am
dbyatt
I love how you had Niles Crane in mind for your dog character. That gets me thinking about what other TV characters could make great kit lit personalities… Thanks for your great post!
November 12, 2015 at 9:24 am
Hayley Barrett
Thanks for a very un-stinky post, Denise!
November 12, 2015 at 9:26 am
ducks33
I’m inspired by how you kept your eyes and heart open to the world around you, and then had a picture book idea. Thank you!
November 12, 2015 at 9:27 am
Angie
Thanks for your fabulous post, Denise. Guess I’ll hold on to my “stinkers” a while longer.
November 12, 2015 at 9:32 am
Michele Prestininzi
Thanks for sharing your sources of inspiration, Denise. It’s a great reminder.
November 12, 2015 at 9:32 am
Darlene
Such a delightful story! I’ve always liked to capture ideas on index cards. Now I’m going out to purchase some more index cards and increase my idea output.
November 12, 2015 at 9:33 am
Annelouise
Thank you Denise for sharing your wisdom and saving those stinkers!! You have a wonderful way of creating stories and such a gift of turning them into wonderful books. You’re an inspiration.
November 12, 2015 at 9:35 am
Carole Calladine
Stinkers. I have lots of them. You’ve given me hope this a.m. And, I’ll keep writing them done until they either morph (yeah) or decide to rest awhile longer.
November 12, 2015 at 9:37 am
Thornton Blease
Wonderful post! I do something similar- I use post it notes on a board, so I can combine ideas.
November 12, 2015 at 9:39 am
Janice
Here’s to Exciting ideas-and hope for those stinkers!
November 12, 2015 at 9:39 am
studiojcd
Thank you for the interesting stories behind your stories. Thanks also for the gentle advice for idea-making.
November 12, 2015 at 9:42 am
cherylsec
Wonderful advice! Thanks so much for sharing, Denise!
November 12, 2015 at 9:43 am
Judy Sobanski
Thanks for sharing how become inspired to create. Love the Buster books!
November 12, 2015 at 9:44 am
Lori lehman
Thank you, Denise, for sharing your inspiration behind some of your books. I loved reading your post today and now can’t wait to read your books!
November 12, 2015 at 9:46 am
Monique
Thank you Denise. I’m going to look at my stinker ideas now and see what I come up with.
November 12, 2015 at 9:49 am
vickireinhardt2014
I have tons of stinkers, too, thanks to PiBoIdMo! Last year was my 1st as a participant and I continued writing my ideas down in a notebook from then on. You would think we would run out of ideas, but it doesn’t happen, thank goodness. A word, a phrase, an ad… anything can trigger an idea. Thank you for sharing where your story ideas came from, too. Great post!
November 12, 2015 at 9:49 am
Teresa Robeson
Fun stories about Denise’s ideas and how they make it onto the page! I jot my ideas in a notebook but I’m going to try her index card idea because then I can categorize them better!
November 12, 2015 at 9:50 am
Natasha Wing
I still mine old manuscripts from 20 years ago because my writing skills have improved so I now know how to fix them, or the industry pendulum swings and they now want stories that years ago they didn’t!
November 12, 2015 at 9:50 am
Polly Renner
Thank You Denise for my daily inspiration:>
November 12, 2015 at 9:50 am
Jacqueline Adams
Thanks for sharing the stories behind your stories–very interesting!
November 12, 2015 at 9:53 am
Deirdre Englehart
Denise, Great to read about your process. I love the stinkers and holding on to them. In the end they might fit somewhere! Thanks!
November 12, 2015 at 9:53 am
Joan Waites
Good reminder to write anything-even “stinky” ideas down as you never know what they may lead to. Really enjoy your beautiful illustrations!
November 12, 2015 at 9:54 am
Beverly R. Marsh
I’m looking forward to the day when I have so many picture book ideas that I need boxes for them. Participating in more PiBoIdMo will help!
November 12, 2015 at 9:55 am
Barbara Cairns
Denise, i LOVE your books! Such great gems of ideas turned into colorfully illustrated stories for little ones. Thank you for sharing this post.
November 12, 2015 at 9:56 am
aliciaminor
Persistence and hard work always pay and you are gifted with that. I also like the index card idea. Thanks for sharing.
November 12, 2015 at 9:56 am
jeanjames
It never grows old for me hearing about the inspiration behind the story. I loved your post, and your books!!
November 12, 2015 at 9:57 am
Lisa
Thanks for sharing your process!
November 12, 2015 at 9:58 am
Lisa Kahn Schnell
Your work is beautiful. I just love the colors! Thank you for sharing the inspiration behind some of the stories. And using index cards for ideas sounds simple—and so much more organized than my random scraps of paper!
November 12, 2015 at 10:01 am
jdewdropsofink
Oh good, ’cause I’ve got plenty of stinkers. Thanks.
November 12, 2015 at 10:03 am
Mark A. Bentz
Beautiful illustrations Denise….they are so bright and colorful like you.
Thank you for your post.
November 12, 2015 at 10:03 am
Christine
Niles as the prototype for Buster! I laughed out loud! I’ve read and enjoyed several of your books. Thanks for sharing the backstory and for inspiring us to keep or stinkers for future redemption.
November 12, 2015 at 10:04 am
Leslie Helakoski
I love the word ‘stinkers’ for undeveloped ideas! It has a playfulness to it and makes them feel more promising.
November 12, 2015 at 10:05 am
Sue Morris @ KidLitReviews
I love hearing about how a book began. Thank you for sharing yours.
November 12, 2015 at 10:05 am
mariagianferrari
I love your art too, Denise. I’ll be making an idea box–I love the idea of having something tactile and concrete, vs. just a list on my computer 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 10:05 am
Peyton
Thank-you for sharing those insights into your creative process, Denise. It is so down to earth. Love your books!
Also, cheers to Tara for another wonderful PiBoIdMo post.
November 12, 2015 at 10:11 am
Doreen E. Lepore
Thanks for the inspiring post! Love these covers! 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 10:14 am
Anita Banks
Thank you for the sharing your thought process.
November 12, 2015 at 10:15 am
authordeb
This is my first PiBoIdMo, and I’ve started out with a notebook for jotting down all my ideas. But I really like the idea of a box of index cards better. I think that will be easier for me to organize and utilize. Thanks!
November 12, 2015 at 10:15 am
Pat Miller
It’s so helpful to read how small details of your everyday life sparked a number of your titles.
November 12, 2015 at 10:17 am
Kirsten Mah
Thanks for the post. I’ve got a lot of stinkers so far, it’s nice to know that they may still come in handy!
November 12, 2015 at 10:18 am
Ann kronwald
Thanks Denise. I’m inspired to keep my eyes wide open to everyday things. And never throw those ideas away.
November 12, 2015 at 10:18 am
Jill Tadros
My house is filled with stinker ideas all over the place! Perfect for inspiration!
November 12, 2015 at 10:19 am
Susan Cabael
Why does it not surprise me, Denise, that you keep a box of stinkers?! I think everyone should have to watch your incredible process of how you create your art like we did at the WOW Retreat–I’m still in awe of your talent every time I look at one of your books.
November 12, 2015 at 10:20 am
Ann Kelley
Thank you, Denise, for all your ideas! I have plenty of empty photo boxes (because I don’t get my pictures developed anymore) that I can use for my ideas, even the stinky ones.
November 12, 2015 at 10:20 am
Joanne Roberts
Ooo! I like this idea. My stinkers are all in notebooks, written line after line. How restricting. No wonder they’re still stinkers! I’m going to doodle them onto cards and drop them into a fun container. Maybe mixing’ it up together will help the stinkers morph into beautiful stories . . . At the very least, the REAL stinkers will fall to the bottom as compost. Thanks!
November 12, 2015 at 10:22 am
writerjodimoore
My boys and I read In the Tall, Tall Grass so many times, it fell apart. It’s a story I keep in my mind and heart whenever I write. So wonderful to hear of your inspiration for all of your work, including those little stinkers. Thank you and hugs!
November 12, 2015 at 10:22 am
yetteejo
You have your own slush pile of ideas. Good to know even they can be rescued.
November 12, 2015 at 10:22 am
Sylvia Liu
Great tips, thank you! Good idea also to keep all your ideas in one place.
November 12, 2015 at 10:23 am
Donna L Martin
Thank you for sharing your ideas on how to turn things happening in the world around you into lovely stories.
Great post!
November 12, 2015 at 10:23 am
jtmaxwell
Glad I’m not hanging on to those for no reason! Thanks for the tips, Denise – and love your work!
November 12, 2015 at 10:24 am
Kerrie
OK. Sounds like I’m doing it right, then. Loooooooots of stinkers, but writing everything down! Thanks!
November 12, 2015 at 10:25 am
loriannlevyholm
I like the idea of keeping the ideas on index cards. Maybe I need to upgrade! Post-it notes get yucky! Still loving your blue lines lady! Hope all is well. I need to forage in my stinky stack as well!
November 12, 2015 at 10:26 am
Sara Kvols
Great reminder. Love the concept of a box for the ideas.
November 12, 2015 at 10:27 am
Kate Harold
We have Beetle Bop – such a fun book! Thanks for your suggestions here – I definitely have some stinkers in my list but will not cross them off!!
November 12, 2015 at 10:27 am
Erin O'Brien
Loved to hear how your stories came about! Thanks, Denise!
November 12, 2015 at 10:28 am
Cathy Stefanec Ogren
What a great tip to keep all your ideas on 4×6 cards! Thanks, Denise.
November 12, 2015 at 10:29 am
Elizabeth Brown
Thank you, Denise! Wonderful books!
November 12, 2015 at 10:29 am
Lynne Marie
Thanks for your thoughts — so inspirational. LOVE your Art — heading to Amazon to buy some books 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 10:30 am
ritaborg
What great ideas. Yes, will definitly start saving my ideas. Love your books by the way.
November 12, 2015 at 10:32 am
Joan Swanson
Ideas come from the strangest places. I know I can just be walking down a sidewalk or driving down a road and I see something or hear someone say something and the ideas seem to flow for a picture book. Unfortunately I don’t always have that pen readily available. Thanks for the ideas!
November 12, 2015 at 10:33 am
Jessica Nims
I love this. thank you.
November 12, 2015 at 10:36 am
Kristen Schroeder (@KLSchroed)
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best! Just need to find the right angle. Thank you for that reminder!
November 12, 2015 at 10:37 am
lindaschueler
Great advice! I will review all my ideas now and then.
November 12, 2015 at 10:37 am
Dorothy Massey
So interesting to discover where ideas and inspiration comes from.
November 12, 2015 at 10:39 am
sunroksus
Denise, I love you for this. Now I don’t feel like such a pack rat. I’ve been hiding pieces of this and that (even small pieces of junk) all over the place. Because of you I have permission to keep them on index cards. Yum!
November 12, 2015 at 10:39 am
kirsticall
I loved learning how your ideas evolved into books! Thanks for a great post, Denise!
November 12, 2015 at 10:39 am
Rebecca Wise Eklund
Thanks, Denise, for sharing where your stories began! It’s always cool to know how experiences and ideas grow into a story! Much appreciated!
November 12, 2015 at 10:39 am
Li'vee Rehfield
Awesome post Denise…thank you for sharing, and for the great tip…4×6 card box…love it! I think I will call it the Stinker box 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 10:40 am
Ashley Bohmer
From now on all my ideas are welcome to stay; even the stinkers! 😄
November 12, 2015 at 10:40 am
Lori Dubbin
Thanks for reminding us to pull out our stinkers while showing us we don’t need to stick to every part of the true story.
November 12, 2015 at 10:41 am
Ioana Hobai
With PiBoIdMo I started a notebook of ideas. Hope to keep it up. Thanks for the tips!
November 12, 2015 at 10:42 am
Shelly Hawley-Yan
stinkers?!? They are just “fermenting” ideas for now! ;o)
Thanks!
November 12, 2015 at 10:43 am
jennfowler
Wonderful advice. I really enjoyed how you shared the inspiration behind each story and how it came out of everyday life. Those stories from everyday life are the ones that stand the test of time and are read again and again.
November 12, 2015 at 10:46 am
Andrea Mack
Hmmm….now I need to go back and look at some of those scribbles in my writing notebook. Maybe I’ll find a treasure!
November 12, 2015 at 10:46 am
Jan Peck
I love your books, so it was especially interesting to hear how you write them! Thank YOU!
November 12, 2015 at 10:47 am
Laurie Daley
I love the idea of a box of note cards with ideas, phrases, etc. It would help me become better organized about stray thoughts.
November 12, 2015 at 10:49 am
Derick
Thanks for the wonderful post, Denise! And I’m coming up with stinker ideas is one of my strong suits, so this gives me hope… 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 10:50 am
Kim Piddington
Love the idea of using index cards!
November 12, 2015 at 10:50 am
ManjuBeth
Denise, I like your distinct illustration style. Thanks for sharing your idea gathering ways.
November 12, 2015 at 10:53 am
Linda Hofke
I have a few “stinkers” packed away. I hope, like yours, they come to life on day.
November 12, 2015 at 10:54 am
Sue Poduska
Yay for stinkers!
November 12, 2015 at 10:55 am
timcanny
No idea is a bad idea! Except capri shorts for men. That was a bad idea. But as far as story ideas go, I agree with Denise. Keep the stinkers around. They may mellow with age. 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 10:55 am
Penny Parker Klostermann
I’m storing up those stinkers! Thanks for the inspiration!
November 12, 2015 at 10:55 am
triciacandy
Great post! Had an idea while I was reading it…thank you!
November 12, 2015 at 10:57 am
Giavanna
Hooray for the stinkers! This is great advice and I’m working on jotting down every idea that comes to mind, even when I don’t think it’ll go anywhere (just yet). Thank you!
November 12, 2015 at 10:58 am
Zainab
Thank you for your advice. I’m keeping all those stinkers!
November 12, 2015 at 11:01 am
Stephanie Shaw
It is so great to read the inspiration behind your wonderful books. Thank you!
November 12, 2015 at 11:05 am
Carolyn
I like the 3×5 card idea! I’m sure most of my ideas get lost on scraps of paper or the notes section of my phone. Need to get organized..,
November 12, 2015 at 11:06 am
teresa m.i. schaefer (@TMISchaefer)
I am fascinated by your illustration technique! Thanks for the inspiration to hold on to those stinkers–another reminder–what stinks to one may be pleasing to another.
November 12, 2015 at 11:07 am
Debra Shumaker
Thanks for great advice!
November 12, 2015 at 11:10 am
Michelle O'Hara Levin
Denise Flemming wrote a post? *swoon!
November 12, 2015 at 11:11 am
Keesha Steed
Your illustrations are wonderful. Thank you for your post!
November 12, 2015 at 11:12 am
KASteed
Not sure why this post under Keesha Steed. I am registered as K.A.Sted. Thank you!
November 12, 2015 at 11:16 am
Melanie Ellsworth
Denise, you’ve convinced me to save my stinkers. They may not be so stinky after all.
November 12, 2015 at 11:17 am
Stacy S. Jensen
I love hearing about the idea behind your books. My son named a stuffed kitten Betty and has slept many nights with (the book) Buster under his arm.
November 12, 2015 at 11:18 am
Amy Houts
Thanks for sharing how your real-life experiences become ideas for books! Your explanations and illustrations helped me to see the process. Love your artwork!
November 12, 2015 at 11:19 am
Christine Rodenbour
Thanks for sharing great tips!
November 12, 2015 at 11:19 am
Kelly Rice (@ricek0)
Denise, Thank you for this wonderful encouraging post.Those bad ideas sometimes find a way to be the right ones! I love the idea of keeping the ideas on notecards. I may have to ditch my idea list notebook and trade it for a notecard box… p.s. I am also very intrigued by your illustration technique
November 12, 2015 at 11:21 am
Corey Finkle
thank you for this, from a fellow writer and big fan of Buster!
November 12, 2015 at 11:24 am
hmmmmm
Hooray for everyday life! And really: we all live it so why NOT milk it?!
Idea STORAGE is another issue entirely though: I have managed to convince myself that I will be able to re-locate my ideas (buried) in notebooks but in moments of greater clarity I have my doubts. Notecards sound so much more efficient!
November 12, 2015 at 11:25 am
Maria Bostian
Denise, Thanks for the post and for reminding us that even the stinkers can be used later.
November 12, 2015 at 11:26 am
Dayne Sislen, Children's Book Illustrator
Thanks for the background of stories of real life experiences for your books. I love your colorful illustrations also.
November 12, 2015 at 11:27 am
Erin Nowak
I almost shed a tear at the mention of Mama Cat. It was a treasured favorite of my now 10 and 9 year olds when they were in preschool. Your books are beautiful…thanks for showing that even as one’s kids and one’s self get older…our ideas can stay young. Or the stinkers, like a fine wine, can get better with age!
November 12, 2015 at 11:28 am
awflitter
Lovely, encouraging advice. We can always revisit our stinkers with new eyes.
November 12, 2015 at 11:31 am
Jillian Michel
Thanks so much for the advice. I’ll hang onto my stinkers.
November 12, 2015 at 11:33 am
Robyn Campbell
Love this advice. Pay attention. An idea could go floating, zooming or crawling by. Thank you, Denise. 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 11:35 am
sschwartz28
Thanks for the reminder that the stories are all right there in front of us, ever day.
November 12, 2015 at 11:35 am
Juliana Lee
When we’re all scrambling for ideas this month, and many people post about how many wonderful ideas they have and have already drafted into full blown stories, I have to sit back and smile at all the stinkers I’ve accumulated. Maybe one of these will be the basis for a story someday. Thanks, for keeping it real! 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 11:35 am
Linda Baie
Keeping ALL the ideas is good advice. I guess that inside editor rejects too fast. Thanks for all your wonderful books!
November 12, 2015 at 11:36 am
Marty McCormick
Such creativity. Love your art work – colors are wonderful! I am your newest fan. Going to read all your books.
November 12, 2015 at 11:36 am
Helen Kampion
Love your stinky examples!
November 12, 2015 at 11:37 am
danielledufayet
Love your books – the style and colors are so appealing. Thank you for your advice: Never get rid of Stinkos…you never know when one will turn out smelling like a rose!
November 12, 2015 at 11:37 am
Jill Richards Proctor
Thank you for your stinky advice, Denise! Love your books and your artwork!!
November 12, 2015 at 11:38 am
Nancy Colle
It was great to see you at the Northern Ohio SCBWI conference. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us!
November 12, 2015 at 11:38 am
Shoba dewey
Very inspiring post. Thankyou for sharing, Denise.
November 12, 2015 at 11:39 am
Susan Nicholas
I need to take another look at some of my “stinkers!” Thanks for sharing how you create and develop new stories.
November 12, 2015 at 11:44 am
Debbie Austin
Thank you for inspiring me this morning, Denise. I’m going to keep every single idea! It’s fun to hear how your “stinkers” developed and changed into winners! Love the look on Buster’s face at Cowboy Camp. 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 11:47 am
Kelly Vavala
Love it…box of stinkers!! Very inspirational post and thank you for you sharing with us!
November 12, 2015 at 11:49 am
Joan Marie Arbogast
Love, love, love Denise’s comments. Stinkers and all! But then I’ve always loved, loved, loved and still do everyone of her adorable books! 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 11:49 am
Teresa Daffern
Thank you Denise. I will no longer delegate my stinkers to the waste bin. There are a lot of them! Thanks for sharing your process of reworking, revising and reshaping.
November 12, 2015 at 11:50 am
ajschildrensbooks
Great post! Thank you, Denise!
November 12, 2015 at 11:50 am
kpbock
I’ve got plenty of stinkers to look through! Thanks for the great post.
November 12, 2015 at 11:51 am
Stephen S. Martin
Time to pull out the stinkers, get some air freshner, and smell the roses!
November 12, 2015 at 11:54 am
Jill Jeffries
Love the evolution of an idea! Thanks for reminding us that stinkers can be savers!
November 12, 2015 at 11:55 am
Alexia Andoni
Such a helpful post, Denise. It was great hearing the inspiration behind your books and how they evolved into the current stories. I also love the idea of keeping ideas in an index file. That would make so much more sense than strewn across my house! Thank you!
November 12, 2015 at 11:55 am
katmaz2012
I have been a fan of your stories and artwork for many years. In fact I was at your presentation at the Art Institute of Chicago awhile ago. Great advise about the stinkers. I am off to revisit! Thank you for the joy.
November 12, 2015 at 11:56 am
Laurie Cronin
I’m also inspired by everyday life and feel as though I’m always stopping to make note of a new idea!! Great problem to have with the stinker to great idea ratio!!!
November 12, 2015 at 12:00 pm
Christine McDonnell
My favorite stories are the ones based on everyday occurrences. The idea box is such a helpful tip. Thank you
November 12, 2015 at 12:02 pm
storyfairy
I can’t help laughing at your term “stinkers!” I just came up with an idea that could be a sequel to a not-very-good idea of mine, one that’s about smelly, stinky things. 😛 Maybe both that book and its possible sequel will redeem themselves. 😉
November 12, 2015 at 12:03 pm
Santiago Casares
A stinker won’t be one if you see it from a different point of view! 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 12:07 pm
Debbie Meyer
Hurray for stinkers! 🙂 I love the idea of keeping a box of ideas. I have written them down on notebooks, but they seems to get mixed in with other notebooks or sketches. I think I need to start a box! Going to start writing down experiences of my own that would make a good (or stinker) story idea. Thanks, Denise! As always, I absolutely love your artwork. The process is so labor intensive, but the end result is gorgeous. Thank you for all your hard work – the readers & dreamers of the world appreciate you!
November 12, 2015 at 12:07 pm
Kathy Grupe
“For every good idea there are 50 stinkers.'” So true, so true! Thanks for the great tips.
November 12, 2015 at 12:08 pm
Carol Gwin Nelson
Thanks for the inspiration and the reminder that ideas are all around us. We just need to capture them.
November 12, 2015 at 12:11 pm
Kassy Keppol
Thank you
November 12, 2015 at 12:12 pm
Constance Norris Van Hoven
Cheers for stinkers that end up with a sweet smell of success!
November 12, 2015 at 12:13 pm
tpierce
Great advice, Denise! Thank you 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 12:15 pm
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting & Writing
Denise, love your colorful, bold art and stories! Thanks for sharing with us your process and inspiration. I liked hearing about saving your “stinker” ideas, and reminding us to exaggerate and fill stories out.
November 12, 2015 at 12:16 pm
Amy Hansen Harding
I love the idea of a stinker box. I think I’m going to have to start one!
November 12, 2015 at 12:20 pm
Rebecca E. Guzinski
Thanks for the post, Denise!
November 12, 2015 at 12:23 pm
Sandie Sing
Hooray for the stinkers!!!! I have a list of stinkers. They were great ideas when I was jotting them down. I shall make a visit to my pile and shake out the stinkers. Thanks, Denise. I love your creative art work.
November 12, 2015 at 12:25 pm
mermaidrain
Excellent advice. Keep all of the ideas and turn off that internal editor!
November 12, 2015 at 12:34 pm
Lori Alexander
I love your work, Denise. Interesting to hear the stories behind the stories–thanks!
November 12, 2015 at 12:36 pm
Judiith Aplin
I have In the Tall Tall Grass and love it as do my grands…I look forward to reading your other books and yes, a whole box of ideas is a great idea…never throw away what might become useful..a good mantra…thank you!
November 12, 2015 at 12:38 pm
Carinn Michele
Thanks Denise!
November 12, 2015 at 12:41 pm
Leslie Leibhardt Goodman - Writer
A great post that proves ideas for PBs are everywhere if keep our eyes and minds open to them. Thank you.
November 12, 2015 at 12:41 pm
Sandra Jenkins
Thanks for showing how your ideas have morphed into the final form.
November 12, 2015 at 12:42 pm
kayt663
I love the idea of using index cards. I think of shuffling and sorting. I’m thinking of using a recipe box to keep them in since they are the raw ingredients that will hopefully lead to a story (or two, or three…). Thanks for sharing the inspirations behind your stories!!
November 12, 2015 at 12:42 pm
Beth Blee
Denise, thanks for sharing the process behind your books! I’m going to write down every idea. I see stinkers in a new light. Thanks!
November 12, 2015 at 12:47 pm
Dana Murphy
Love the idea of saving the stinkers. I mean, my children are stinkers and I don’t throw them away.
November 12, 2015 at 12:48 pm
Chris Regier (@cmregier)
Every time I go for a walk on the land behind my house I find another idea tucked away in the grass and leaves, just waiting for me to pick it up. Thank you for a wonderful post!
November 12, 2015 at 12:48 pm
Teresa Klepinger
This makes me hopeful. Thank you!
November 12, 2015 at 12:51 pm
Kate Heling
Love what you did with the stinkers! An inspirational post!!!
November 12, 2015 at 12:56 pm
Jenifer
Nice post, and hope to have my idea box overflowing and screaming.
November 12, 2015 at 12:57 pm
Colleen Paeff
Thanks, Denise! It’s fascinating read about how your ideas evolve into books!
November 12, 2015 at 12:59 pm
Sophia Mallonée (@SophiaMallonee)
Beautiful art and beautiful books! Thanks for the fabulous and inspiring post!
November 12, 2015 at 1:04 pm
Andrea K. Lawson
thanks Denise for you practical suggestions.
November 12, 2015 at 1:14 pm
Yvonne Klinksick
“Mama cat has three kittens” is a favorite at our local library story time- thank you!
November 12, 2015 at 1:18 pm
saputnam
Great post, Denise!! Thank you for giving us a peek at some of the ideas behind your books. I completely agree with you… never throw out an idea, no matter how stinky! You just never know what they may turn into later on down the road
November 12, 2015 at 1:22 pm
mkcolling
Are the ants poured?
November 12, 2015 at 1:22 pm
kamikinard
Very inspirational Denise! (Really enjoyed your presentation and meeting you at SCBWINJ)!
November 12, 2015 at 1:22 pm
Gabi Snyder
It’s funny how different an idea can look when you come back to it after a few months or years. Thanks for the reminder to keep them all!
November 12, 2015 at 1:23 pm
Sandi Lawson
Thanks for the inspiration!
November 12, 2015 at 1:28 pm
Pam Miller
Thank you, Denise. I’m a great organizer, but the piles are many now. I love using the PiBoIdMo journal, but over a years time my notes are not as clear. I think shoving some into the 3×5 box is an excellent idea, and I have just the space for it.
November 12, 2015 at 1:29 pm
theresenagi
Thanks for giving us hope that stinker stories can possibly be redeemed and given a whole new life.
November 12, 2015 at 1:31 pm
JEN Garrett
You are right! Some of my most polished manuscripts evolved from real experiences of a child.
November 12, 2015 at 1:31 pm
Anna L. Russell
I just started using index cards and find them helpful. Thanks for you encouraging ideas. Cats, kittens, ponies — ideas.
November 12, 2015 at 1:35 pm
Lorraine Bonzelet
Your illustrations are wonderful. Thanks for sharing! I like the index card idea.
November 12, 2015 at 1:40 pm
Tracy Molitors
What lovely examples! Thanks, Denise.
November 12, 2015 at 1:41 pm
Anne Iverson
Incredible, as always! Thank you, Denise, for sharing your ideas and inspiring so many readers and writers!
November 12, 2015 at 1:42 pm
Jefna M. Cohen
I love it. Thanks, Denise. Some of these ideas this month just sound like crap, but I’m writing them down anyway. Your post was really reassuring! Maybe an idea will crawl out of the slime and become great! Or, maybe the great idea has to do with slime…we’ll just have to see what glops forth!
November 12, 2015 at 1:44 pm
Kathleen Wilcox
Thank you for sharing how your ideas come from everyday life. I’m encouraged because that’s where we spend most of our time. Thanks for reminding us to look and listen for all the treasures hidden in plain sight.
November 12, 2015 at 1:44 pm
Genevieve Petrillo
In my neighborhood, cats hide under cars and I’m pretty sure they’re trying to kill me. If one ever moved in here, GET MY SUITCASE! I’m moving out. Just sayin”. Meanwhile, your books sound like SO much fun.I hope Mom gets them and reads them to me.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
November 12, 2015 at 1:45 pm
Jeanine Potter Lovell
Denise, Brilliant as usual! Thank you for the inspiration.
November 12, 2015 at 1:47 pm
Laurie Swindler
I admire your work and it’s such a treat to hear the backstory of your picture books. I love learning how your stories evolved from real events and how you altered reality to fit your books. Good thing to keep in mind when I’m coming up with my next story idea. Thanks.
November 12, 2015 at 1:49 pm
Michelle Cusolito
Boy, those stinkers turned out pretty well. 😉
November 12, 2015 at 1:50 pm
Brittany Orrico
I love book idea origin stories. Thanks for sharing!
November 12, 2015 at 1:51 pm
LovableLobo
Ahhh…the smell of your success is very sweet, Denise. Thanks for sharing your back stories and reminding us to write down and keep every foul idea. 😀
November 12, 2015 at 1:53 pm
Shennen Bersani
I simply love Denise’s books!
November 12, 2015 at 1:53 pm
Carolyn Cory Scoppettone
Yay! I have lots of stinkers.
November 12, 2015 at 1:54 pm
tphumiruk
Thank you, Denise!
November 12, 2015 at 1:58 pm
carolofparis
Thank you! i will keep my eyes open. 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 2:01 pm
Carrie Finison
Denise, you are an inspiration! I really enjoyed meeting you at the WOW conference this summer. You are such a talented artist, writer, and creator. I can’t wait to see what you do next!
November 12, 2015 at 2:03 pm
Louise Aamodt
My idea file is my security blanket against writer’s block. It’s always there, full of potential.
November 12, 2015 at 2:16 pm
Lois Wickstrom
I just threw out drawers full of these things. New ideas pop up all the time. I am not the person I was decades ago when I thought these old ideas had potential.
November 12, 2015 at 2:18 pm
emilygmoorewriter
Just like your box of ideas, I keep a list of ideas for my freelance articles. I never thought to use the same theory for my PBs. Thank you for the inspiration ideas!
November 12, 2015 at 2:20 pm
ptnozell
Thank you, Denise, for sharing the inspiration for some of your ideas & your strategy for saving stinkers – some of which eventually blossom into frangrant flowers or combine with others to do so (or into picture books, as the case may be!).
November 12, 2015 at 2:23 pm
Bruna De Luca
Thank you. I love hearing background stories. Lovely advice too.
November 12, 2015 at 2:29 pm
Joanne Sher
So thankful that ideas don’t have to be great – cuz I would TOTALLY be in trouble otherwise :). Love this encouragement and inspiration to keep the lousy and see what happens. THANKS
November 12, 2015 at 2:31 pm
lisabilla
Loved this post. Your books are some of our favorites. Maybe I’ll be inspired to organize some of my scraps of ideas- thanks for advocating for the stinkers!
November 12, 2015 at 2:32 pm
renajtraxel
I love your art technique!
November 12, 2015 at 2:35 pm
LeeAnn Rizzuti
Denise, your books have always been on my story time go-to list. Thanks for the peek into their creation. And the encouragement of our own writing.
November 12, 2015 at 2:37 pm
angeladegroot8
Tinker with the stinker. Nope! That stinks worse than before, but perhaps it’ll become fragrant with time.
November 12, 2015 at 2:40 pm
Charlotte Dixon
Thank you for the advice, Denise. Love the look behind your books and what ideas drove the stories. I will pay more attention to my old ideas 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 2:44 pm
Stefanie Hohl
Your books have always been some of my favorites! I love the way you make your art work with paper. It’s amazing!
November 12, 2015 at 2:48 pm
Pascale M.
Great to read about your process, Denise. I love your work!
November 12, 2015 at 2:55 pm
Heather Pierce Stigall
Great tips — thanks!
November 12, 2015 at 2:59 pm
ammwrite3
The pack rat in me would never allow me to throw anything away, let alone my ideas! But I haven’t gone back through them in years–thanks for the advice. Loved meeting you at WOW 🙂 Ann Magee
November 12, 2015 at 3:01 pm
Laura Bellina
Thank you for reminding us to keep the stinkers!
November 12, 2015 at 3:05 pm
Buffy Silverman
Thanks for inspiring us to write those 50 stinker ideas to get the one good one–and to keep the stinkers and let them morph!
November 12, 2015 at 3:09 pm
Elaine Le Sueur
Thanks for the peep into your stinker file
November 12, 2015 at 3:12 pm
Bethanny Parker
I love the idea of using index cards! I think I’m going to try that.
November 12, 2015 at 3:12 pm
Christine M. Irvin
Thanks for the inspiration!
November 12, 2015 at 3:19 pm
Maria Marshall
Excellent inspiration for today. Thank you.
November 12, 2015 at 3:20 pm
leandrajwallace
Aw, Buster is adorable!! These look like great books. And what would any story be w/out a little exaggeration? =)
November 12, 2015 at 3:20 pm
Ali Pfautz
I love your books and thanks for reminding us that some ideas need time to rest before they grow into something wonderful!
November 12, 2015 at 3:24 pm
writeremmcbride
Elizabeth McBride- Thank you, Denise! Not only are your ideas and discussion of their links to experience helpful, but your artwork is luminous! What a joy if color and expression!
Sent from my iPhone
>
November 12, 2015 at 3:24 pm
Stephanie Dreyer
It is so inspiring (and hopeful) to hear how your idea came to life 10 years later. It’s an important reminder to review all of the ideas we write down and return to them for inspiration. Thank you for that – and all of your great books!
November 12, 2015 at 3:29 pm
artsyandi
A great reminder that even our worst ideas this month could become winners with time and thought. Thanks!
November 12, 2015 at 3:30 pm
claireannette1
Love your box of ideas on cards! And, i love your books.
November 12, 2015 at 3:32 pm
Chad Wonsik
Inspiring post! Love the index card idea, thanks!
November 12, 2015 at 3:32 pm
Kelly Parker
Thank for sharing this with us. I often go back to my old lists, I’ve yet to be re-inspired by a dud, but maybe one day!
November 12, 2015 at 3:34 pm
Emily Wayne (@emilywayneart)
Great post Denise!
November 12, 2015 at 3:34 pm
Jessica Burnam
Denise, I love your monster hat, Niles Crane, and the suggestion of using an index box (which I’ll put to use). Who’d have thunk it? YOU did, along with all your fabulous picture books! Wow!
November 12, 2015 at 3:36 pm
Meghan Daniels
Loved reading about how your ideas took shape Denise! This happens with a lot of my stories too. I’m often the real life person in the story, but the story and the characters adapt themselves into something that makes for a good picture book.
November 12, 2015 at 3:49 pm
tinawissner
Love the idea that ‘new ideas’ can help me reimagine old ones.
November 12, 2015 at 3:53 pm
Debra Katz
Another great way to find inspiration.
November 12, 2015 at 3:58 pm
Erin Buhr
Love the idea of keeping them all in a box. My scattered post it technique is not really cutting it. Thanks for the inspiration.
November 12, 2015 at 3:59 pm
Kathryn Kass
Good point! You never know when an old written-down idea can spark new inspiration!
November 12, 2015 at 4:00 pm
Dawn Young
Thanks Denise. Loved this post and loved meeting you this past summer in GA!
November 12, 2015 at 4:01 pm
Ali Earle Pichardo
Stinkers, what a great name for the ideas that aren’t good enough to become a story. They often just need to simmer in my head longer. Thanks Denise, I enjoyed your post.
November 12, 2015 at 4:02 pm
cat jones
thanks for the reminder to keep checking back to those old ideas that lurk. Now I wonder what I’m gonna find and transform…
November 12, 2015 at 4:07 pm
vijikc
Boy, have I got a lot of stinkers! thank you!
November 12, 2015 at 4:10 pm
lisa patten
I love the idea of recycling and transforming ideas. Keeping everything open and malleable. I’ll keep writing my list! Thanks
November 12, 2015 at 4:11 pm
Cela Love
I love that Buster is a version of Niles Crane! I’ve written a pb series on a Broadway-perfoming cat that is a version of Frasier. I hope it will get published one day! 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 4:18 pm
Christine Pinto
Thanks for the great post. I’m enjoying using PiBo to record all of my ideas, not just the ones I think might go somewhere. Great lesson in life in that….
November 12, 2015 at 4:26 pm
Tina Cho
Thank you, Denise. I’ve used a couple of your books in my teaching. Thanks for showing us how you got your wonderful ideas!
November 12, 2015 at 4:30 pm
jeni kocher zerphy
Those stinkers aren’t sinkers. They turn into bobbers, until that big one comes along!
November 12, 2015 at 4:40 pm
Colleen Post
Good reminder to write everything down – thanks!
November 12, 2015 at 5:02 pm
Linda Whalen
I love the card idea (instead of scraps of paper which seem to get lost). I have heard about the idea before but like many things in a hectic life it slipped to the back of my memory base 🙂 Thanks for the reminder and now maybe it will stick!
November 12, 2015 at 5:10 pm
Jamie LB Deenihan
Thank you for the great post Denise! I absolutely love your suggestion of keeping a box of index cards with all your ideas…even the stinkers. Congrats on your success!
November 12, 2015 at 5:13 pm
Sandy Lowe
I have not been putting stinkers on my PiBoIdMo list but I will start today! Thanks!
November 12, 2015 at 5:13 pm
gweddle
I’m going to start a 4×6 file box for “stinkers”. Sounds like a great idea. Thanks!
November 12, 2015 at 5:22 pm
Ken Major
Your index card idea sounds much better than a notebook, which is what I use. I think organizing things would work better too. Thanks for sharing.
November 12, 2015 at 5:25 pm
nycalison
Great advice!
November 12, 2015 at 5:30 pm
Anna Smith
Thank you for the good advice and inspiration!
November 12, 2015 at 5:35 pm
Shirley Menendez
You have the perfect answers for the question I hate: “Where do you get your ideas?” Thanks for your post.
November 12, 2015 at 5:35 pm
Carol Jones
I love the fact that you write so much about animals!
November 12, 2015 at 5:40 pm
Lynette Oxley
I have a Ph.D in stinkers so I should do well. Thanks for the tip, Denise.
November 12, 2015 at 5:49 pm
Barbara Carney
Your ability to find ideas everywhere has helped me to think large and small.
Thank you!
November 12, 2015 at 5:55 pm
Vicky Armstrong
What great advice to choose an idea or a topic that we think will interest us for 6 months to a year–so important because we don’t want to tire of working on our own project! Also important was her encouragement to stay open to ALL ideas. Thank you, Denise!
November 12, 2015 at 5:59 pm
Diane Asyre
Your advice is not at all stinky! I also love reading the comments section. Tonight I’ll be looking through some old ideas that might benefit from a clean-up.
November 12, 2015 at 6:01 pm
anitanolan
Thank you, Denise! this is great, and I enjoyed your talk at NJ SCBWI as well.
November 12, 2015 at 6:02 pm
Naana Kyereboah
Thanks Denise for the reassurance that the stinkers can come to life sometimes. I have to try the index cards. Heard it before, but have not paid attention.
November 12, 2015 at 6:04 pm
Priya Ann Mathew
Thanks, Denise! Heartening to know that my stinkers may come to life someday!
November 12, 2015 at 6:10 pm
McCourt
Thanks for sharing! I love the art in your books!
November 12, 2015 at 6:14 pm
Laura Mulvey
Thanks for sharing! Hopefully one of the “stinker” I’ve written down this month will eventually turn into to something good!
November 12, 2015 at 6:29 pm
Rae McDonald
Denise – You are a rockstar with ideas, paper and color! Love that index card idea…so simple and easy to browse for info and RE-inspiration!
November 12, 2015 at 6:31 pm
Kathy Doherty
Thanks for the encouragement, Denise. I love your sense of humor!
November 12, 2015 at 6:32 pm
erikammon
Oh, I keep everything, too! There may yet be a place for those stinkers!! Thanks for sharing!
November 12, 2015 at 6:51 pm
Cathy Stenquist
You give me hope that some of these ideas I have come up with may turn into something fun someday! Thank you!
November 12, 2015 at 6:53 pm
Janet Halfmann
Thanks for encouraging me to save all those stinkers!
November 12, 2015 at 6:57 pm
Christine Connolly
Great advice – the illustrations are beautiful – we read some of your books when my girls were smaller, but I think we will to revisit!
November 12, 2015 at 7:02 pm
Midge Smith
Thank you! Great advice–
November 12, 2015 at 7:02 pm
Leslie Raith
My kids loved “In the tall, tall grass” and I loved sharing it with them!
November 12, 2015 at 7:13 pm
Jim Chaize
Another inspiring post. I like the index cards idea. Thanks
November 12, 2015 at 7:13 pm
Kaye Baillie
Love hearing how Denise finds things all around.
November 12, 2015 at 7:17 pm
M Lapointe Malchik (@imartytweet)
Denise, I adore your bold colorful paper pulp art technique. Your work is instantly recognizable and I love using it with the youngest kids that I work with. Thank you for your amazing contribution to the field. I feel like your close ups are invitations to readers or listeners to make a new friend, too. Love your stuff! The idea of not forgetting to review your ‘stinkers’ is the primary one I will take away from your post. Thanks for being a guest blogger during PIBOIDMO 2015. Happy Turkey Day!
November 12, 2015 at 7:28 pm
hdmerrill
I love the idea of redeemable “stinker” ideas and the practical idea of putting them on 3×5 cards. Thanks for sharing your ideas and talents!
November 12, 2015 at 7:29 pm
Karen Lawler
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours… Thanks for the blog and I too write a lot about nature it just comes so easy when it’s all around you and you actually notice it !!!!
I love your books
November 12, 2015 at 7:29 pm
Heidi Yates
Thanks for the helpful advice Denise! 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 7:29 pm
amyrosas
thanks
November 12, 2015 at 7:36 pm
Jane hawkins
Denise, thanks for suggesting the stinkers can have a new life -maybe. I like the idea that an idea can change forms over time.
November 12, 2015 at 7:36 pm
Aimee Haburjak
Always great to get pearls from Denise. Glad to hear all ideas have potential…even if they require so time to brew in a box. I love Buster Goes to Cowboy Camp.
November 12, 2015 at 7:46 pm
Ashley Pierson
Thank you for sharing your insight Denise! Your books are all beautiful!
November 12, 2015 at 7:46 pm
DaNeil
Thanks for the reminder that all our ideas have value.
November 12, 2015 at 7:49 pm
mwebb32
I loved your post. I think your books are amazing and you are such an inspiration.
November 12, 2015 at 7:51 pm
Lori Mozdzierz
Stinker = a gem which needs to be polished with kid gloves.
November 12, 2015 at 7:53 pm
Vicky Wirkkala
This is wonderful advice! I needed it today. I have started carrying a notebook with me when PiBoIdMo started, but I tend to wait for a good idea to write it down. From now on I will keep the stinkers too!
November 12, 2015 at 7:59 pm
Lotus Ivak
Will keep the stinkers Denise! 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 8:01 pm
Traci Bold (@1967BoldWriter)
My daughters are grown now and because I do not like to waste paper, I saved all of their notebooks from school (fifth grade on through college years) and use them for my ideas. (Love to upcycle blank paper: a direct homage to your book’ Where Once there Was a Wood’.At first I relabeled each notebook for specific ideas, then I would forget where I placed it, dig out another one and finally, with about sixteen different notebooks with writing ideas scattered in them, I used tiny post it notes to mark what kind of ideas are in each notebook. Then, I just have to look at the post it note tabs and go from there. Eventually I will organize them better, but for now, it works. Maybe someday I will use up the notebooks and use notecards in a tidy photobox instead. 🙂
November 12, 2015 at 8:05 pm
Katie Engen
lemons…lemonade – love this new twist on a classic for inspiration
November 12, 2015 at 8:07 pm
Sarah Harroff
I’ve got files upon files of “stinkers” myself, but you’re right. Sometimes all they need is some time and new associations to freshen up. Good advice.
November 12, 2015 at 8:12 pm
Rosi Hollinbeck
I have notebooks full of stinker ideas and revisit them now and again. Denise is right — we need to keep out minds open to all ideas, even stinkers. Thanks for the fun post.
November 12, 2015 at 8:14 pm
Cindy
I’ve got plenty of those!
November 12, 2015 at 8:32 pm
Marilyn Garica
I just love, love, love Denise Fleming. I read Mama Cat has Three Kittens to my daughters so many times that years later they could still recite the “story of Boris”. It is very encouraging to hear that such beautiful stories can grow out of the ordinary moments of life. Makes you think there is no such thing as “ordinary”.
November 12, 2015 at 8:37 pm
Caren Cantrell
Thanks Denise for that inspiration. This is my first month actually keeping track of all of my ideas, stinkers or not. I hope to have boxes full soon.
November 12, 2015 at 8:39 pm
Caroline
Thanks for sharing how so many pieces of ideas became books! Definitely yes to writing *all* the ideas down.
November 12, 2015 at 8:43 pm
viviankirkfield
I do save my ideas, Denise…but unfortunately, not in such an organized fashion. Index cards? Yes…but also scraps of paper, post-its, backs of envelopes, whatever comes to hand. But I love your idea of putting them in boxes…at least I can corral my papers that way. 🙂
It was wonderful meeting you in July…I’ve put Dylan aside for the moment, but one day that little stinker will surprise me. 😉
November 12, 2015 at 8:45 pm
Akire Bubar
Thanks for letting us get a glimpse of your creative process! I save all my ideas, too. Evernote is a great (free!) program for this because you can word-search all your notes. So if you remember you had a cool idea about a glowworm, but don’t remember anything else, you can search glowworm and get every note it shows up in, with the word highlighted. Very very handy!
November 12, 2015 at 8:46 pm
LJ Laniewski
It’s so great to read about all of the things that inspired your books. Thanks for a great post!
November 12, 2015 at 8:54 pm
Peter Dargatz
I love reading about how others get their ideas. They literally are everywhere!
November 12, 2015 at 8:56 pm
Linda Carpenter
Stinkers stinkers everywhere
Do we toss or do we dare…
Denise,
Many thanks for the great post! Love your books!
November 12, 2015 at 9:11 pm
Mary Warth
Keeping the stinkers as instructed! I loved the origin stories of your books.
November 12, 2015 at 9:12 pm
Candace
love those stinkers!
November 12, 2015 at 9:20 pm
Hélène Sabourin
I agree, the inspiration is everywhere and it is an art to be able to create a story with it
November 12, 2015 at 9:27 pm
melissamiles1
Hoping that someday I will have enough good ideas to outweigh the stinkers! I work with kids all day so I feel as if my life is full of great story fodder. 🙂 Thanks for the advice.
November 12, 2015 at 9:49 pm
sherry
Thank you. This is a great post (and I always keep the stinkers).
November 12, 2015 at 9:51 pm
carolyn farina
Thanks so much for the great advice!
November 12, 2015 at 10:07 pm
Annie Cronin Romano
Thanks for sharing what inspires you!! Yay for stinkers!
November 12, 2015 at 10:12 pm
Brenda Huante
I like your idea of writing them on index cards. They will be in one place instead of scattered all over. Thank you for your post.
Brenda Huante
November 12, 2015 at 10:10 pm
Elizabeth Lim
love the idea of rhythm being the inspiration for a story!
November 12, 2015 at 10:24 pm
Kara
“Even the stinkersay surprise you.”
Yes, you’re right about this. I need to keep all ideas open!
November 12, 2015 at 10:29 pm
Lisa Charlebois
Love the “stinker file” idea! Thank you for sharing!
November 12, 2015 at 10:41 pm
Carleen Shreeve
From now on I’m keeping all my Stinkers. Love the idea. Thanks so much
November 12, 2015 at 10:42 pm
jshaklan
I love your idea of index cards — seems like they’d be fun to go through after they’ve built up for a while and can also be mixed and matched. I usually use a blank book but this sounds much more flexible. Something to think about! Thanks…
November 12, 2015 at 10:50 pm
Trine
Yes, I too have some stinkers stashed away.
November 12, 2015 at 10:50 pm
Joanne Fritz
Whew! So happy to hear the stinkers might surprise us. Thank you for this inspiring post.
November 12, 2015 at 10:58 pm
Laurie L Young
I definitely have my share of stinkers, but I do keep everything for the same reason you stated—you never know when one might be redeemable. Thanks!
November 12, 2015 at 11:08 pm
Susan L. Roberts
You make it sound so easy! But I, too, keep writing down ideas, and occasionally they shout out to be written.
November 12, 2015 at 11:25 pm
MaryLee Flannigan
Thank you for your great “stinker” advice. 😀
November 12, 2015 at 11:53 pm
Mirra Kayne
Oooh–a stinker box! I like that idea. Thanks for a great post. Love your books, Denise.
November 13, 2015 at 12:03 am
Joannie Duris
So true. You never know what “stinky” idea might grow into a beautiful story. Just writing them down and filing them away makes them important enough that your subconscious is still working on them in a dusty corner of your brain. You may just need more years of life experience to suddenly discover the perfect angle for that old idea to make it shiny and new. Great post, Denise. And thanks for sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the original sparks for several of your books.
November 13, 2015 at 12:26 am
Zoraida Rivera Morales
Thanks, Denise. Sometimes a stinker is just a big idea in a small bed or a tiny idea,like for a 32 page book, that we want to stretch just to far off.
November 13, 2015 at 12:30 am
Cindy E. Owens
First of all…I LOVE CATS AND KITTENS. Thank you for telling us about your “writer’s box” as I like to call it. That is a good idea with the 4 x 6 cards and a box to keep them in. I love the way you went back through your ideas and rescued them.
November 13, 2015 at 12:53 am
martylgraham
Denise, Love your work. Love your childlike sensibility! Thanks for writing!
November 13, 2015 at 12:58 am
Nori Underhill
Sorry! I wasn’t able to use this prompt because I’m just getting started writing PBs, and my list of lines, phrases, and book ideas wasn’t built up with PBs in mind. I did use one of them, one day 7, but couldn’t find anything else today. So instead, I wrote a sequel to the story I wrote on the very first day of PiBoIdMo. You can read more about it on my blog.
November 13, 2015 at 1:01 am
Mary Greer
Thanks. You brought a lot of ideas to mind.
November 13, 2015 at 1:04 am
Keila Dawson
So true about stories starting one way and ending up completely transformed. Love your work!
November 13, 2015 at 1:12 am
Kevin Klein
Thanks, Denise!
November 13, 2015 at 1:28 am
L. M. Quraishi
Nice advice to hear when I feel like my little book is full of stinkers…
November 13, 2015 at 1:33 am
Ingrid Boydston
You’ve been PiBoIdMo-ing for years! I am so happy this activity has already become a habit. Hearing a successful author (you!) has been doing it all along is very encouraging. Thank you!
November 13, 2015 at 2:29 am
julie rowan zoch
I must sift through all my random bits of idea snippets again! Thanks, Denise!
November 13, 2015 at 2:38 am
Darlene Gaston
Stinkers, huh? Maybe I have a gold mine. I need to go back and check. Thanks for the advice!
November 13, 2015 at 2:41 am
Sharon Giltrow
Thanks Denise, for reminding me to keep a hold of all my old ideas and now to find a filing system to keep them in 🙂
November 13, 2015 at 2:44 am
deborahholtwilliams
Hanging on to my PiBoIdMo journals every year gives me a great supply of stinkers! Thanks for the reminder to keep going through them.
November 13, 2015 at 3:16 am
Shelley Marshall
Thank you for a new outlook on my pile of post-its and ripped napkin pieces. Recently, I actually started transferring the scribbled ideas onto uniform index cards that I planned to categorize. You put the fire under me to continue and honor the ongoing organization of my ideas, stinkers and all.
November 13, 2015 at 3:34 am
Jill
Thanks for the stinky advice. 🙂 It is good to hear about what neat things grow from composted ideas.
November 13, 2015 at 4:36 am
Natalie Lynn Tanner
Denise: I absolutely ADORE your illustration technique; it is so unique and creative! I can’t wait to explore your books! And thank you for reminding us to keep an eye — or two! — on our own “slush pile” of ideas.
November 13, 2015 at 4:37 am
Artelle Lenthall
LOVE Niles Crane and Buster’s illustration sure does remind me of him. Good to know that rejects can be revisited and resurrected possibly as a new life form, thanks Denise
November 13, 2015 at 7:24 am
Della Ross Ferreri
I keep a file on my computer called Rough Ideas which i peruse from time to time in hopes of sparking something good! Thanks for sharing the origins of your stories. Your books are lovely!
Della
November 13, 2015 at 8:33 am
Kimberly Marcus
So there’s hope in the stinkers! Thank you for your sharing your advice with us. I love your color choices!
November 13, 2015 at 9:17 am
ilovebeansandbooks
It is so nice to be reminded that even stinkers can find themselves a good story-home!! Your post was very hilarious!
November 13, 2015 at 9:28 am
Karen Kane
Wonderful Denise!
November 13, 2015 at 9:53 am
Sheri Rad
Denise you are a great inspiration and make the ideas look so easy but 6 months to a year working on them seems like forever and that is probably less than the long wait till publication. Must pull out my old ideas file an have another look.
November 13, 2015 at 10:00 am
Chana Stiefel
Love your beautiful books! Thanks for the inspiration!
November 13, 2015 at 10:23 am
Linda Norman-Lyman
I think that I better gather up my file that contains snippets of ideas and have another look! Thanks for your post!
November 13, 2015 at 10:33 am
Laura Rackham
You give me hope for those many stinkers in my notebook!
November 13, 2015 at 10:35 am
Tina L. Wheeler
I like to revisit old ideas, too. Recently, I found an old idea I’d forgotten about, but it seems really good to me now! Who knew I was sitting on a good idea?
November 13, 2015 at 10:43 am
cantsing1
Love how your ideas flow – how the become. Thanks for encouraging us to trust!
November 13, 2015 at 10:49 am
Sharon Nix Jones
Wow! Now I want to read all your books.
November 13, 2015 at 10:55 am
Amanda Smith
Thanks for sharing your process with us. “Things change” – I like that thought.
November 13, 2015 at 11:31 am
Cindy Loven
I love it, one of my story setting was inspired by a drive over a bridge.
November 13, 2015 at 11:36 am
Pia Garneau
Hooray for stinkers! Thanks for the reminder that those, too, are valuable.
November 13, 2015 at 11:43 am
Nicole Strangman
Like the index card idea; makes the ideas a bit more tangible than when they exist just on the computer and I can see how you could pull them out and shuffle them around to see how different ideas could work together
November 13, 2015 at 11:52 am
Aunt Sheryl
Your post really helped open me up to letting the ideas flow no matter how stinky they are.
November 13, 2015 at 12:14 pm
Darcee Freier
Thanks for the encouragement! And the reminder to review the “stinkers” periodically
November 13, 2015 at 12:19 pm
David McMullin
Thanks Denise, yes inspiration is all around us.
November 13, 2015 at 1:04 pm
Sandy Powell
Buster is so cute! I love dogs so I had to say that. Thank you for inspiring us with your post. It’s amazing how the smallest thing or event can conjure a picture book idea.
November 13, 2015 at 1:07 pm
nicolepopel
A potpourri of possibilities become picture books!
November 13, 2015 at 1:12 pm
laura516
Love those little stinkers 🙂
November 13, 2015 at 1:22 pm
Gracie Idzal
Your books are beautiful! Thank you for the inspiration and the great advice regarding those “stinkers.”
November 13, 2015 at 1:51 pm
gretchengeser
Wonderful post. Thank you so much!
November 13, 2015 at 2:00 pm
Tim McCanna
Great stuff. Thanks Denise!
November 13, 2015 at 2:18 pm
Patricia Corcoran
I love your illustration on the cover for Buster Goes to Cowboy Camp. That would make me want to read the book, along with the idea of a dog going to camp!
November 13, 2015 at 2:27 pm
Freckled Daisy Creations
I love the idea of the index card box, and hearing about your process!
November 13, 2015 at 2:30 pm
Carrie Moore Chan
Stinker Box made me laugh out loud. I love the part about keeping all of your ideas and revisiting them and then let them morph into other characters and other directions. Thanks!
November 13, 2015 at 2:58 pm
jessicaevans915
Ooh, ooh, ooh!! This is so great! I need a rolodex for my idea cards…. do they even sell rolodexes anymore?
November 13, 2015 at 3:05 pm
Susie Sawyer
I keep all my “stinkers” too. There’s something endearing about calling them “stinkers”. It will be all that much more satisfying when I rescue them from the stinker box and turn them into something “fresh”! Thank you for sharing how your ideas came to you and morphed into the books they became.
November 13, 2015 at 3:06 pm
gayla erickson
Thanks for the idea of a Stinker Idea Box….. that made me laugh and also gave me an organizational challenge I needed.
November 13, 2015 at 3:08 pm
Catherine Friess
One of my stories is a combination of two stinkers 🙂
November 13, 2015 at 3:15 pm
kdveiten
Stinkers can become winners – good motivation! Denise is not only talented, but she’s a really nice lady also. I met her at WOW 2015 retreat, and it was such a pleasure!
November 13, 2015 at 3:24 pm
Traci Sorell
I love the idea of keeping all the stinkers! I also love reading your books to my little guy. Keep up the good work!
November 13, 2015 at 4:18 pm
Sandy Perlic
What great examples of pulling from your stockpile of ideas! Thanks for the wonderful advice.
November 13, 2015 at 4:27 pm
Doris Stone
Great advice, Denise. Thank you.
November 13, 2015 at 4:42 pm
Janet Smart
Thanks for your post. Such wonderful stories come from such small happenings. My manuscripts have evolved, too, from very different beginnings.
November 13, 2015 at 4:43 pm
winemama
Good advice!
November 13, 2015 at 4:56 pm
thduggie
Seems to me that reviewing is the key to much of life – we just don’t take the time to do it. Thanks!
November 13, 2015 at 5:05 pm
Fran Price
Thanks. If those ideas keep on coming back to niggle you, even the stinkers are worth paying attention to.
November 13, 2015 at 5:39 pm
julieamurphy
Your books look gorgeous!
November 13, 2015 at 5:56 pm
Jenna Woloshyn
I really do hope stinkers can become great ideas, because I have a lot of them. Stinkers that is, not great ideas.
November 13, 2015 at 5:57 pm
dfrybarger
Great post! I always love to hear how stories start!
November 13, 2015 at 7:17 pm
Lane Arnold (@lanearnold)
“Sometimes, an idea crawls under my porch.” Such a great line to ponder…at so many levels!
November 13, 2015 at 7:49 pm
Lynn A. Davidson
Well, I have created so many little stinkers I can only hope a few of them develop into lovely-smelling roses. Thanks for this wonderful, inspiring, encouraging post, Denise.
November 13, 2015 at 8:08 pm
fishpatti
Love the idea of keeping the ideas on index cards–so simple, yet so much more manageable than the dozens of notebooks and binders I have!
November 13, 2015 at 9:00 pm
amievc
Thanks so much for sharing with us your beautiful illustrations and insights into how an idea makes its way into those amazing paper pulp paintings!
November 13, 2015 at 10:58 pm
ELJohnsen
Thank you so much, Denise!
November 13, 2015 at 10:59 pm
Mary Jo Tannehill
I love the pulp painting.
November 13, 2015 at 11:02 pm
Carrie Charley Brown
I love the theatrics of fiction! Ideas are like actors… they can transform into anything. I could listen to you talk any day, any time, Denise. Whether in person or on the page, you are fabulous!
November 13, 2015 at 11:49 pm
donnacangelosi
I love the idea of putting ideas in boxes. I have scraps of paper all over my house, car, etc. and they just keep multiplying. I enjoyed reading about the incidents that inspired your books. Your stories and artwork are absolutely beautiful!
November 14, 2015 at 12:31 am
childrensbooksonadime
Awesome post! Thanks
November 14, 2015 at 12:42 am
City Sights for Kids
I knew there was a reason I was hanging on to those stinkers!
-Amanda Sincavage
November 14, 2015 at 1:35 am
Pamela Berkman
Really like the idea of going through old idea rejects. Also the feelng of discovery when you come across forgotten ideas and breathe new life into them. (Love Pumpkin Eye, it was my twins’ first Halloween book.)
November 14, 2015 at 2:21 am
brandimpayne
Great post! Thank you!
November 14, 2015 at 9:18 am
skiffer
Hee hee hee, yes, the title of your post drew me in. I am not really reading all of the posts that are coming up in this challenge (shameless self admission) – to be quite frank, the titles of some of the posts don’t grab my attention, just like the title of some picture book (and adult books for that matter) don’t draw me in. “stinker” is a really cool kids word – and a the post itself lived up to my expectations of a really cool post about PB’s. Now, to get that PB I started sooooo long ago called “Saved by Harry Booger” dusted off and re-worked, because, as I was told by most (well, maybe all, ..) critique mates, the title drew them in, but the story was flat. Yup, another title added to my 30-day challenge, even if it really is recyled
November 14, 2015 at 10:55 am
cindyjohnson2013
Thanks Denise! As someone who is thoroughly scatterbrained, I love how your stories evolve from one thing to another.
November 14, 2015 at 11:13 am
Lee Walker-Brockman
Thanks, Denise! I loved your presentation at the NJSCBWI too! 🙂
November 14, 2015 at 12:04 pm
orthodoxmom3
“Be assured that the fourth kitten was not harmed in the making of the story.” – Hahaha! Love it!
But in seriousness- thanks for the reminder that even the stinking ideas could form into something later. That’s encouraging to those of us who wonder if we should even bother writing down something ridiculous….maybe we need to write it down and let it simmer…maybe for years. And then it may turn into a wonderful story!
November 14, 2015 at 12:25 pm
Priya
“Stay open to ALL ideas” thank you for reminding me that.
November 14, 2015 at 3:35 pm
Mary Zychowicz
Love the post. Observe life!
November 14, 2015 at 4:38 pm
dana wu
there is something about letting things “brew” or “stew” or “marinate” in our brains or stinker files. thanks for encouraging us to rifle through for the ideas that may germinate into something new upon re-examination.
November 14, 2015 at 8:53 pm
mona861
Oooooh! I’m on my way to being a winner. My file is full of stinkers! Thanks Denise.
November 14, 2015 at 10:19 pm
Prairie Garden Girl
Thank you for sharing how you capture ideas and inspiration, Denise. Your stinker box filled with ideas sounds like a treasure box.
~Suzy Leopold
November 14, 2015 at 10:48 pm
Juliann (Juli) Caveny
Great post! Love how you’ve showed us how your inspirations became full-fledged stories. I might be going through my “stinkers” soon and see if there are any jewels hiding among them, waiting to be polished!
November 15, 2015 at 2:14 am
Leah Perlongo
Fantastic! Save all ideas!
November 15, 2015 at 3:28 am
Tony Williams
great story ideas from everyday life. Enjoyed hearing how you brought them to life.
November 15, 2015 at 5:12 am
8catpaws
Stinkers – hmmm… How about a book about a skunk?
November 15, 2015 at 9:24 am
Kim Pfennigwerth
Great background on these books – love the notecard idea and the fact that stinkers may hold a bouquet!
November 15, 2015 at 9:45 am
Anna Levin
Thank you Denise! I will hold on to those stinkers:)
November 15, 2015 at 10:05 am
Susan Schade
Thank you for sharing how your stories were inspired. I also keep a file of ideas, titles, characters, etc. Good advice!
November 15, 2015 at 11:09 am
ellenramsey
I was fascinated to hear the inspiration for Buster–I love Buster!
November 15, 2015 at 11:44 am
Michelle
Love your illustrations and the box of index cards for ideas!😄
November 15, 2015 at 11:57 am
Valarie
I certainly have enough stinker ideas to keep. Thanks for the encouragement. One of these days I’m going to try putting some stinkers together & see if a winner is produced.
November 15, 2015 at 12:33 pm
Marileta Robinson
Bravo, Denise! Thanks for a great post.
November 15, 2015 at 2:34 pm
Darlene Ivy
What fun! There ARE ideas everywhere and they are worth capturing, even if their time for development hasn’t quite arrived.
November 15, 2015 at 2:36 pm
shiela fuller
Thank you Denise, for giving us insight into your creative inspirations!
November 15, 2015 at 4:14 pm
Pat Scruggs
Especially like the index card idea. I’m primarily a piece of paper person. Messy. Think i’m gonna try your idea. Thanks Denise
November 15, 2015 at 5:04 pm
Cinzia
Nice inspiration, as I have lots of stinkers : )
November 15, 2015 at 5:28 pm
LaurenKerstein
Love the idea of a stinker box! Great post. Thank you.
November 15, 2015 at 6:11 pm
andreesantini
Fun to get a glimpse of where your ideas came from, and thanks for the inspiration to file the stinkers.
November 15, 2015 at 6:34 pm
lgalaske
I love the idea of keeping all my ideas on index cards. Thank you! And thank you for the encouragement!
November 15, 2015 at 6:47 pm
Pamela Haskin
Thanks, Denise, for a great post! Love the inspiration you got from Niles Crane. I can really see him in your book.
November 15, 2015 at 7:48 pm
Judy Cox
I have a box of index card ideas, too. I spray painted the box gold and decorated it with stickers and stamped quotes. It’s my Inspiration Box and I dig through it often.
November 15, 2015 at 7:52 pm
Virginia Law Manning
I loved reading about the real life seedlings for your books. Thank you for your post!
November 15, 2015 at 9:18 pm
Angie Cherney
Stinkers vs. an idea that sucks. I’m learning it’s all in how you look at it! Great post that sparked a flurry of ideas.
November 15, 2015 at 10:44 pm
wendymyersart
Thank you for a helpful, fun post. I need to start a box, digging through my sketchbooks hunting past ideas takes too long.
November 16, 2015 at 12:39 am
Joanna Szeto
I will start keeping a box of ideas again. The last time I did that was at least 5 years ago.
November 16, 2015 at 12:59 am
writersideup
I tend to hold on to a lot of things, but certainly words and ideas. I agree completely, Denise! 😀
November 16, 2015 at 4:43 am
Helen Cooper
Oooh, I have so many stinkers in need of refashioning – hope I can work my alchemy as successfully as you! 🙂
November 16, 2015 at 9:13 am
Tracey M. Cox
Denise, You are full of bright ideas. I love the thought of turning those stinkers into great ideas.
November 16, 2015 at 10:56 am
tanjabauerle
Oooh, I love that a stinker turned into a book. Great post, my friend. Your post made me think of some ideas that come from my life with my girls. They definitely are great inspirations. Hugs.T
November 16, 2015 at 1:27 pm
Alison Goldberg
Great post!
November 16, 2015 at 1:37 pm
Wendy
I love your distinctive style. And you. 🙂 New hastag #nostinkers
November 16, 2015 at 4:30 pm
Janet Frenck Sheets
Love your work. Thanks for sharing the background on a few of your books.
November 16, 2015 at 4:49 pm
Rene Aube
“Ideas evolve!” I need to learn to go with it when this happens. AND thank you for permission to NOT stick with the facts that inspire, but to mash things up and play!! Happy PiBoIdMo! 🙂
November 16, 2015 at 5:40 pm
shirley johnson
Enjoyed this post!
November 16, 2015 at 10:49 pm
Sherri Jones Rivers
Wow. 25 books! You are amazing. Darling book titles. And I love knowing where some of your ideas came from.
November 16, 2015 at 11:06 pm
billiesgirl
This sounds like a great way to capture those obsessive thoughts/songs/words that tend to flood my mind and make them work for me! Thanks!
November 16, 2015 at 11:19 pm
Janie Reinart
Thanks for sharing how you created your stories.
November 17, 2015 at 8:30 am
Elisa Karp
I just wanted to say that my daughter and I love your books!! I love the suggestion of keeping a box of ideas on notecards- I may start that practice myself!! Thanks!!
November 17, 2015 at 1:13 pm
Christie Allred (@ChristieAllred)
I am just now catching up on a week’s worth of PiBoIdMo posts. I like your technique of keeping all your ideas on 3×5 cards. I always thought of that as a recipe box sort of thing – and it is! A picture book recipe 😀 Thank you for the chance to win one of your books!
November 17, 2015 at 1:58 pm
Karen Brueggeman
Love your books and great suggestions.
November 17, 2015 at 2:55 pm
Jennifer DuBose
Nothing is wasted! Ideas make great compost for other ideas!
November 17, 2015 at 3:17 pm
Ronna Mandel (@RonnaWriter)
I have lots of the ideas, Denise, but oh how I wish I had your artistic talent to be able to see them to know what works and what doesn’t. I really like where your stories come from – the heart!
November 17, 2015 at 4:12 pm
svaisnoras
Love. love. love all your books and illustrations. Had the pleasure of listening to you at Illinois Reading Council Conference…many years ago.
November 17, 2015 at 5:02 pm
Noel Csermak
I have always felt very grounded after reading your books. Thank you for sharing your inspirations and variations of those ideas.
November 18, 2015 at 11:41 am
Rachel Anderson
I have PB ideas on cards, in notebooks, on the computer. I’m now challenged to find them all and get them in some sort of order so I can revisit them. Out of sight = out of mind. I’m quite sure I’ll find lots of stinker ideas. I’ll be checking out more of your books very soon.
November 18, 2015 at 2:34 pm
Cathy Sledz
Thank you for sharing your stories behind your stories. They feel all the more meaningful as you are a creative hero of mine! Beyond enjoying your many, many wonderful books, I have closely studied them (many are mentor texts), and marvel at your storytelling and artwork, always.
So glad to now have the word ‘stinkers’ in my orbit, too. Thanks for that. Wish mine fit neatly into a box.
November 18, 2015 at 2:38 pm
Shena Ashcraft
I love a good stinker! And I love your books. Thanks.
November 18, 2015 at 6:05 pm
carolmunrojww
Thanks, Denise. I do keep all my ideas, though as lists in a word doc, printed out and kept in my writing journal. I refer to those stinkers often.
Pulp painting sounds fascinating!
November 18, 2015 at 7:13 pm
goodfish78
So, there’s hope for the folder of “stinkers” taking up real estate under my bed? Awesome! Thanks!!!
November 19, 2015 at 12:59 am
Amy Bradshaw
Hi Denise, I visited your web site and enjoyed reading through your books and awards – as well as viewing your art. I also like your cowboy hat – did you get to go to cowboy camp with Buster? I’m thinking I’d like that camp a lot! 🙂
November 19, 2015 at 11:39 am
Gail Hedrick
Thanks so much for jostling some memories loose – who knows where they will lead? And the cards are much more civilized than my torn scraps of paper!
November 20, 2015 at 7:31 am
Dee Knabb
I like the way you take real incidents and weave them into a story, as well as, the way you save ideas, phrases, titles, etc. Thanks!
November 20, 2015 at 3:15 pm
Aimee Isaac
I keep my ideas in a notebook. Sometimes a new one joins up with an old one. 🙂
November 21, 2015 at 9:38 am
Sheila Lynch-Afryl
My son and I have read so many of your books. How fantastic to hear your sources of inspiration!
November 21, 2015 at 2:34 pm
Cassie Bentley
Thanks for sharing your process and giving permission to change characters and stretch the truth.
November 21, 2015 at 4:26 pm
Donna Carey
I have just started a journal where I am blotting down all of my ideas: good, bad, or otherwise
November 21, 2015 at 7:38 pm
Holly Ruppel
Inspiring words, Denise! Thank you so much!
November 22, 2015 at 6:23 pm
Donna Rossman
Love the stinker box! Thanks for the great advice! 🙂
November 22, 2015 at 10:05 pm
bleakx
Alrighty, then. I should probably stop using those balled up notes for starting the fire pit and eating s’mores.
November 23, 2015 at 6:51 am
Catherine Veitch
Fab to call it a stinker box!! I have a box full of notebooks and things I’ve collected, but haven’t looked at it for years – it’s time I got it out!
November 23, 2015 at 7:56 am
Jabeen Chawdhry
I love the idea of having a box filled with ideas that belong in a story. I think I may have to start on of those, thank you.
November 23, 2015 at 9:20 am
Kathy Cornell Berman
I really like your idea for stinky ideas. There’s something about shuffling cards.It gives stinky ideas a new life. Thanks!
November 23, 2015 at 9:31 am
Marie Monteagudo
My everyday life stories have emerged from my walks👣to the local park & pond and yes, those phrases that I think or say have developed into at least two full fledged manuscripts. And PiBoIdMo has helps me come up with more stinkers than I ever could imagine! 😝
November 23, 2015 at 5:14 pm
jan dolby (@jandolby)
I like the box idea. Better than “where did i put that idea?”.
November 23, 2015 at 8:24 pm
rythmicrhyme
I am looking forward to reading your books and organizing and reviewing my stinkers more frequently. Thanks.
November 24, 2015 at 8:40 pm
Janice Brown
I’m going to stop discarding my stinkers. Thank you!
November 26, 2015 at 6:26 pm
Damon Dean, SevenAcreSky
Denise, thanks to showing me how important it is to dig around in the ideas I’ve archived.
November 27, 2015 at 4:25 am
Frannyb
Denise, my stinkers are lurking between paragraphs of current writing as something pops in to my brain, or in any notebook I happen to be using at the mo, but never put into nice, organised form like postcards. Sigh… going out to get some.
November 28, 2015 at 1:01 am
Caroline Lee Webster (@uncoverthepearl)
Thank you for sharing about your process and how many stinkers have redeemed themselves. I loved reading your books In the Tall, Tall Grass and Barnyard Banter with kids when I was a pre-k and k teacher.
November 28, 2015 at 10:28 am
Betsy Devany
Love your boxes of index cards. I have one filled with tiny scraps of paper, which I went back to this month to grow PiBoIdMo ideas.
November 28, 2015 at 9:27 pm
Susanne Whitehouse
I love In the Tall, Tall Grass! Thanks for sharing!
November 29, 2015 at 11:40 am
kmshelley
You have great ideas! Thanks for the reminder about stinkers.
November 29, 2015 at 3:15 pm
shirleyngbenitez
Wonderful post, thank you so much Denise!
November 29, 2015 at 8:10 pm
Rona Shirdan
I have plenty of “stinker” ideas. Now I know there could still be hope for them yet!
November 29, 2015 at 8:23 pm
Heather Greene
A box instead of a notebook. Sounds like a possible treasure chest! Love it!
November 30, 2015 at 11:33 am
tinawissner
I can’t wait to go through my box of stinkers. I have collected ideas along the way this month, thanks to your fantastic post! (I realize I never posted this day-oops!)
November 30, 2015 at 12:37 pm
sallie wolf
I’ve loved your books for a long time. Thanks for a great post, Denise.
Sallie Wolf
November 30, 2015 at 1:40 pm
barbara kupetz
I think you’re right — be a hoarder of those so-so ideas even if one box fills and spills over into two or three. You never know when they’ll be just right or you’ll be just ready to use one.
November 30, 2015 at 2:16 pm
Dee Engle
Oh my, I need not to reject my stinkers. Thank you for empowering me to stop rejecting ideas that don’t seem right. Of course, they are arising from something. It is that something that I need to examine to find the hidden pearl! I’m going to go back to some old ideas. Thanks for sharing with PiBoIdMo!
November 30, 2015 at 7:52 pm
Keeping the Me in Mommy
Alright! I have a ton of stinkers – good to know not to just roll my eyes at them and toss ’em! I will be more open to possibilities they present:)
November 30, 2015 at 8:06 pm
Myrna Foster
Thanks for sharing your process! Buster is adorable.
December 1, 2015 at 12:40 am
Rachel Smoka-Richardson
Thank you for your interesting blog post!
December 2, 2015 at 11:44 am
Lauri Meyers
Love all your no-longer-but-once were -stinkers, Denise!
December 2, 2015 at 4:47 pm
Bethany Mandich
Grabbing onto those lines that roll through our heads with no story attached yet…great advice, thank you!
December 5, 2015 at 5:04 pm
Maria J Cuesta
Thanks for your behind the scenes stories. 🙂
December 5, 2015 at 7:13 pm
Nancy Kotkin
Great to see what is born out of former stinkers. I do keep mine, too. Because you never know.