You’re done! Woohooo! you say to yourself, riffling through the pages of ideas you’ve concocted during Tara’s awesome PiBoIdMo. Rubbing your hands together gleefully (and maybe cackling, too), you can’t wait to start writing the zingy text for the next Caldecott winner, and then you stop. Stop dead, actually. *headdesk* Bewildered, you stare with glazed eyes at each idea you jotted down, some followed by questions you wrote (good), some followed by extraneous comments and ditherings (still good), and others followed by a vast blankness (not so good, but, hey, who said this was easy?).

Good.

Still good.

Not so good.
To prioritize and organize, it can help us to be disciplined *she says, shuffling madly through all the writing tips in search of the shiny ones* and apply some ‘litmus tests’ to see which of these ideas might actually fly. This is not to say that some of our golden ideas that don’t pass these tests won’t eventually spark other ideas, or that they can’t be reworked into something else, but to save time (and agony!), it can help us (our mileage may vary) to concentrate on three or four out of the thirty ideas just to begin with.
Test #1: Our first litmus test is thanks to Jean Reidy, author of fun picture books like TOO PURPLEY and ALL THROUGH MY TOWN. She asks in her Ten Power Premises: Will a kid like it? (Is it part of a kid’s world—real or imaginary? Is it relatable?) Aha! You may have seen this wonderful New York Times cartoon by Grant Snider, The Very Bad Picture Book.
Yes, the last frame in the cartoon can be a wake-up call, can’t it? Does our idea seem didactic? Are we trying to teach children something they “should know”? Once we go through our ideas, one by one, asking that question, a number of ideas get shelved. This isn’t to say that from one or two of them, a connection to a kid’s world couldn’t be made in time, particularly by asking, “What if…?”, but, in the interests of prioritizing and efficient use of time, those can be put aside for now.
Test #2: The next litmus test, if we’re writing a story, not a concept book, is thanks to David Mamet, he of playwriting (Glengarry Glenross, etc.) and screenwriting fame. ‘Who wants what, and why? Why now? What happens if her [sic] don’t [sic] get it?’ To give substance to that framework, a good example would be what Pat Z. Miller, author of the wonderful SOPHIE’S SQUASH said: “Sonia’s love for her squash gave me the initial idea for the book. But by itself it wasn’t enough. If I had written the book exactly the way things happened in real life, it would have been an amusing anecdote, at best. And that’s kind of what my first draft was. It took me a while to build out a full story and figure out the problem (the rotting squash, a long winter apart) and the resolution (baby squash).”
This step of plotting in our prioritizing takes more time, but the fun begins here. The metamorphosis from one of our daughters’ make-your-own pizza birthday parties (the amusing anecdote) to my most recent picture book SPAGHETTI SMILES took years to create, but, asking the right questions finally paid off. From my PiBoIdMo idea, “Click,” one of my written questions to myself generated the character of Little Bunny.
The story idea for TAIL-END BUNNY actually turned out to be the opposite of the thread of my initial questioning, but, that’s what’s exciting and mesmerizing(oh, and frustrating, too! ☺) about writing. We don’t often really know what we’re saying until we see it on the page.
Finally: Once we have a clutch of ideas that have passed our litmus tests of the moment, we can begin spending more time on each. Other good questions to ask about each idea are: (thanks, again, Jean Reidy!) “Is it highly visual? Can you imagine 14+ scenes coming from your story?; and (thank you, Tara!) Does it convey emotional truth? That is the kicker question! Ruminating, musing, writing as we think, taking a walk to clear our heads and letting ideas simmer on the back burners of our minds will end up helping us to cook up a great story.
Without Tara’s PiBoIdMo, though, we wouldn’t have thirty little lumps of coal, jostling each other to catch our attention, to rub and polish, so it’s with much gratitude that I thank Tara for continuing to inspire us and galvanize us as we embark on our own new writing adventures and pick just the right ones!
National Milken Educator Award recipient and author of twenty-nine books, Margo Sorenson’s most recent picture books are SPAGHETTI SMILES (Pelican Publishing) and ALOHA FOR CAROL ANN (Marimba Books/JustUs Books). Among Margo’s awards was being named a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in YA Fiction. She enjoys Skyping and meeting with readers from Minnesota to California, Hawaii, the Philippines and the UK.
You can find Margo on the web at MargoSorenson.com and on Twitter as @ipapaverison.
Margo is giving away two books–one copy each of SPAGHETTI SMILES and ALOHA FOR CAROL ANN.
Leave a comment below to enter. One comment per person, please.
These prizes will be given away at the conclusion of PiBoIdMo. You will be eligible for these prizes if:
- You have registered for PiBoIdMo.
- You have commented ONCE ONLY on today’s post.
- You have completed the PiBoIdMo challenge.
Good luck, everyone!
305 comments
Comments feed for this article
December 3, 2015 at 10:18 am
tphumiruk
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Margot! I love the Snider cartoon!
December 3, 2015 at 10:19 am
Alison Goldberg
Thanks for the post, and sharing the Snider cartoon!
December 3, 2015 at 10:19 am
Shelly Hawley-Yan
Thank you Margo – fab advice!
December 3, 2015 at 10:20 am
Jane Heitman Healy
Thank you, Margo, for great advice with great examples!
December 3, 2015 at 10:22 am
Jennifer Bagan
Thank you! I will start applying these litmus tests to my ideas … and I’ve got to print out that cartoon – love it!
December 3, 2015 at 10:22 am
Leah Perlongo
Hooray! 🙂 More step by step suggestions! Very helpful, thank you!
December 3, 2015 at 10:23 am
Lane Arnold (@lanearnold)
“Without Tara’s PiBoIdMo, though, we wouldn’t have thirty little lumps of coal, jostling each other to catch our attention, to rub and polish,”…a think tank turns into a thanks tank when we see what the possibilities are!
December 3, 2015 at 10:27 am
Debra Shumaker
Great advice as we wade through our ideas! Thanks!
December 3, 2015 at 10:27 am
Margo Sorenson (@ipapaverison)
So much fun to read all your comments, everyone! A “thanks tank,” indeed! Happy writing, all!
December 3, 2015 at 10:27 am
Chris Regier (@cmregier)
Thank you. I am continually amazed at the story that comes out when I finally put pen to page. This is such a great job!
December 3, 2015 at 10:28 am
Sue Poduska
Asking the tough questions to make your ideas the best they can be! Sounds good.
December 3, 2015 at 10:29 am
ducks33
I laughed out loud at the cartoon of the adult writing the book. Plus, I was heartened that one of the PB’s took years to perfect. Thanks
December 3, 2015 at 10:31 am
Laura Rackham
Here’s hoping my lumps of coal blaze into something wonderful:)
December 3, 2015 at 10:33 am
Elizabeth Brown
Great advice! Thank you for this post. It will help as I choose from my ideas.
December 3, 2015 at 10:34 am
Barbara Cairns
One of my favorites is “Sophie’s Squash”. Great to see how each idea needs a lot of thought and tweaking before it can become a publishable picture book. Thanks for the reminders.
December 3, 2015 at 10:35 am
Kelly Schmitt (@ricek0)
Thank you for your insight here. It’s inspiring to hear about your process how you and others transform their ideas to perfection!
December 3, 2015 at 10:35 am
Robyn Campbell
Hahahaha, thanks for a good giggle (which I desperately needed). And thanks for sharing. As I read my ideas list and the notes I scribbled in, I realized I have some great stuff and the not-so-great stuff. Wish us luck. 🙂
December 3, 2015 at 10:37 am
writeknit
Thanks Margo – I am ready to put some of my ideas to the test! 🙂
December 3, 2015 at 10:38 am
Rebecca Colby
Thanks for the litmus tests and a great post! Cheers, Margo!
December 3, 2015 at 10:39 am
gweddle
Thanks for the great advice!
December 3, 2015 at 10:39 am
Sandee Yanke
Though adults are usually the ones buying the books, kids are the ones relating to it. Kid appeal is So important! Thanks for your advice.
December 3, 2015 at 10:39 am
Jill Jeffries
Truly appreciate your post! Thanks for sharing.
December 3, 2015 at 10:41 am
triciacandy
Thank you Margo! So much to take away from this post.
December 3, 2015 at 10:41 am
Rebecca G. Aguilar
Thank you for sharing litmus tests for ideas, Margo! We strive to put so much rigor in our writing activity that we forget about stepping away for awhile. I greatly appreciate your advice: ‘…letting ideas simmer on the back burners of our minds will end up helping us to cook up a great story.’
December 3, 2015 at 10:41 am
Deborah Allmand
Loved all the questions , especially is it highly visual and does it have emotional truth! Thanks for the post.
December 3, 2015 at 10:43 am
Kim Piddington
Hoping to turn one of my lumps of coal into a diamond-with advice from posts like this one.
December 3, 2015 at 10:45 am
tblease
Litmus test questions are useful, especially “what happens if they don’t get it [what they want}.”
December 3, 2015 at 10:46 am
LaurenKerstein
This is great insight! Thank you for all of the litmus tests for ideas. And, yes, so grateful to Tara!
December 3, 2015 at 10:47 am
Bonnie Graves
thanks, Margo!
December 3, 2015 at 10:50 am
vickireinhardt2014
The Very Bad Picture Book is the perfect example of how not to write a children’s PB story! I loved it because it was visual. I sometimes wonder if my brain ever completely developed into an adult’s because I tend to learn best with visual examples! Thanks so much for the great questions-suggestions! =)
December 3, 2015 at 10:52 am
Katie Engen
interesting insights to your successful process. thx.
December 3, 2015 at 10:52 am
kathalsey
Wow, these test question are da bomb! I pulled out 10 that I feel are OK, pretty good – but using this criteria, I can winnow more. TY, Margo!
December 3, 2015 at 10:54 am
Kara
I need to ask more questions with my ideas. Great advice!
December 3, 2015 at 11:00 am
Laurie Daley
Thanks for the question suggestions. These should help me to go through the list and figure out which ideas should go to the top. With the holidays here, maybe some of the answers will take a festive bent!
December 3, 2015 at 11:06 am
Joan McKechnie
Excellent advice, thank you. I’ll be looking at my ideas today!
December 3, 2015 at 11:09 am
authordeb
So many questions, so little time! It’s hard to be patient while considering the answers when you really want everything to come perfectly together NOW! Thanks for the advice!
December 3, 2015 at 11:15 am
Kerrie
Thank you for writing this. Great tips and advice!
December 3, 2015 at 11:16 am
barbara kupetz
Great advice about making those idea nuggets into a great stories. Thank you!
December 3, 2015 at 11:16 am
Trine
Oh, I needed this, this morning!
December 3, 2015 at 11:17 am
timcanny
Good tests, Margo! Thanks!
December 3, 2015 at 11:18 am
Therese Kay
Excellent litmus tests to make a good, make that great, story! You’ve given me lots to think about.
My favorite line: We don’t often really know what we’re saying until we see it on the page.
So true!!
December 3, 2015 at 11:20 am
Christine Rodenbour
Great, specific tips that I will put into practice right away on my lumps of coal!
December 3, 2015 at 11:25 am
writerjodimoore
Great questions and “tests” for our little nuggets of coal. May we all mold them into diamonds! 🙂 Hugs, Jodi
December 3, 2015 at 11:28 am
Fran Price
Such great advice and worth filing away for those moments when I draw a blank.
December 3, 2015 at 11:29 am
Rebecca Wise Eklund
Thanks, thanks, thanks Margo! I’m just blown away from all I am learning from all you amazing people!
December 3, 2015 at 11:29 am
lgalaske
Great advice. Thank you so much!
December 3, 2015 at 11:30 am
danielledufayet
Wonderful, down to earth advice. Thank you!
December 3, 2015 at 11:32 am
mermaidrain
Great advice. I love that image of the back burner in our minds, simmering away.
December 3, 2015 at 11:34 am
Cassie Bentley
What great suggestions. Thank you so much.
December 3, 2015 at 11:34 am
Stephanie Shaw
Love the litmus tests! Thank you, Margo!
December 3, 2015 at 11:34 am
Lori Dubbin
With a mixture of hither, dither, and yon ideas, thanks for your helpful post about what we can do with them next. Today I am asking hard questions, finding emotional truths, and then definitely taking a mind-clearing walk.
December 3, 2015 at 11:38 am
Jill Tadros
30 lumps of coal…exactly! Love it!
December 3, 2015 at 11:40 am
Linda Carpenter
Many thanks for the great post and refreshing points!
It was s great month!
December 3, 2015 at 11:48 am
Linda Baie
More than anything I liked “Will a kid like it?” After watching what my granddaughters love, I know that it’s important to write one that answers, “yes!” Thanks for all the questions!
December 3, 2015 at 11:48 am
Polly Renner
Thanks for the valuable information, Margo!
December 3, 2015 at 11:49 am
Janet Smart
thanks for the advice. We may love our story – but will a kid love it? Something we all need to think about.
December 3, 2015 at 11:51 am
jdewdropsofink
Love the coal analogy. Such great advice. Thank you.
December 3, 2015 at 11:56 am
Poupette Smith
Delicious food for thought finely displayed… who’d have guessed the importance of such questions?
December 3, 2015 at 11:58 am
lindaschueler
Great litmus tests. Thanks so much.
December 3, 2015 at 11:59 am
dbyatt
Thanks for a great post Margo!
December 3, 2015 at 12:01 pm
twirlnextdoor
Love that comic! Thanks for your post.
December 3, 2015 at 12:05 pm
Stephanie Padgett
Love the comic. Thank you
December 3, 2015 at 12:09 pm
Anita Banks
Thanks for the advice!
December 3, 2015 at 12:12 pm
kirsticall
This is a very helpful post, Margo! I can’t wait to try out some of your ideas and to read your books also!
December 3, 2015 at 12:13 pm
JEN Garrett
Great advice on how to prioritize! That’s where I need the most help. 🙂
December 3, 2015 at 12:14 pm
June Smalls
I’m going to put all my manuscripts through these test!
December 3, 2015 at 12:15 pm
tpierce
Thanks, Margo. Perfect post-PiBoIdMo advice!
December 3, 2015 at 12:21 pm
Li'vee Rehfield
Rub Rub Rub shine shine shine hum hum hum hum hum…that’s how we pass the day away in the merry old land of Pi—–Mo… 🙂
December 3, 2015 at 12:21 pm
ManjuBeth
Great advice, Margo! Thanks for sharing Grant Snider’s The Very Bad Picture Book. And your picture book SPAGHETTI SMILES.
December 3, 2015 at 12:23 pm
Anna L. Russell
Writing is work! Thanks for taking some sweat out of it.
December 3, 2015 at 12:24 pm
karadhya
Thanks, Margo, for the good ideas for wading through our ideas. And yes, thank you, Tara, for PiBoIdMo!
December 3, 2015 at 12:31 pm
andreesantini
Great ideas, thanks. Hopefully some of my brilliant nuggets will make it through your filter.
December 3, 2015 at 12:35 pm
Mark A. Bentz
Thank you Margo for your post, very helpful at this point.
December 3, 2015 at 12:41 pm
Amy Houts
Thank you for helping me to know what to do when reviewing my picture book ideas. Nice to “meet” you!
December 3, 2015 at 12:46 pm
Val McCammon
Great post about prioritizing the ideas with litmus tests on our “lumps of coal” that can be polished now. Thanks Margo.
December 3, 2015 at 12:49 pm
Colleen Paeff
Great questions! Thanks. 🙂
December 3, 2015 at 12:49 pm
Meghan Daniels
But all my ideas are perfect and pass the litmus test. (HA,HA,HA,HA) 🙂
December 3, 2015 at 12:52 pm
seekerjules
Thank you! Helpful and insightful.
December 3, 2015 at 12:58 pm
Jillian Michel
Thank you for the advice/direction.
December 3, 2015 at 12:58 pm
Mary Jane Muir
Thanks for this post of great advice. Exactly what I needed this week.
December 3, 2015 at 1:01 pm
Nila Jean Spencer
Thanks for the great ideas of where to begin with our picture book ideas. My Junior League committee (charity group) is collecting books to create free libraries for underserved communities. We would love to receive one or both of your books to add to our collection.
December 3, 2015 at 1:03 pm
Midge Smith
Great advice–thank you!
December 3, 2015 at 1:03 pm
Heather Greene
Great cartoon. Now to pass the litmus test!
December 3, 2015 at 1:05 pm
Carinn Michele
Thanks for all your advice! That cartoon was hilarious!
December 3, 2015 at 1:07 pm
Sherri Jones Rivers
Some great info in this post. Questions we must ask ourselves. And I would be smiling if I could win one of these fabulous books.
December 3, 2015 at 1:12 pm
Kathy Grupe
LOVE the cartoon!!
December 3, 2015 at 1:12 pm
fishpatti
Thanks so much for all of these helpful, practical pointers to develop our ideas!
December 3, 2015 at 1:15 pm
katmaz2012
Great advice! Thank you for sharing.
December 3, 2015 at 1:15 pm
Amy Smith
Great advice and solid examples. Thanks!
December 3, 2015 at 1:17 pm
yangmommy
I feel like I’m in the middle of a classroom, filled not only with children, but animals, talking food, sarcastic plants, and they are all waving their hands in front of my face screaming “pick me, pick me!” 🙂
December 3, 2015 at 1:21 pm
Kristen Schroeder (@KLSchroed)
Well. I now see the wisdom in fleshing out my ideas as I go through PiBoIdMo. Sadly, all 42 of mine fall into the “not so good” category. But I am currently working on movign the most promising 5 or 6 ideas into the “good” category.
December 3, 2015 at 1:21 pm
jhayslett
Thank you! Now to litmus test my thirty 2015 PiBoIdMo ideas!
December 3, 2015 at 1:22 pm
Pamela G. Jones
All this month I have been writing down so many gold nuggets of info…I truly have a wealth of info to create a really great book. Thank you so much!
December 3, 2015 at 1:23 pm
Mariama Ross
The cartoon is great and so is the advice. Thanks!
December 3, 2015 at 1:24 pm
kassy Keppol
Thank you for sharing
December 3, 2015 at 1:26 pm
angeladegroot8
Thanks for sharing the litmus test points.
December 3, 2015 at 1:28 pm
Marcie Rinka Wessels
Great post. I was intrigued by your mention of Jean’s Power Premises. I googled and found the link to Jean Reidy’s Ten Power Permise Question post on Julie Hedlund’s 12×12. http://www.juliehedlund.com/jean-reidy-may-12-x-12-featured-author/ Maybe someone else was wondering about the other questions.
December 3, 2015 at 1:29 pm
pathaap
Love the cartoon and your advice. Will be trying out the litmus test on all of my ideas!
December 3, 2015 at 1:30 pm
ptnozell
Terrific advice, Margo. Thank you for sharing – I, for one, really need to sort through those ideas!
December 3, 2015 at 1:32 pm
Anjali Amit
How to turn your lump of coal into diamonds. Thanks for sharing.
December 3, 2015 at 1:32 pm
Mary Zychowicz
Good advice. There is so much to think about. Thank you for the tips.
December 3, 2015 at 1:33 pm
Ann Kelley
Thanks for your insight! I definitely need to figure out how to sort through my ideas and this gives me a head start.
December 3, 2015 at 1:35 pm
Sharon Nix Jones
Thank you for the advice to apply to my thirty lumps of coal.
December 3, 2015 at 1:38 pm
Judy Cox
Not too many of my ideas made the cut this year, but I am still working on some good ones from last year, so I’m happy!
December 3, 2015 at 1:38 pm
Gabi Snyder
This is fantastic, Margo! These litmus tests come just as we were starting to ask “now what?” I see a clear path forward. Thank you!
December 3, 2015 at 1:40 pm
Caren Cantrell
Thanks for the litmus tests – it definitely will help with the sorting but I particularly like the comic you threw in. That’s a wake up call.
December 3, 2015 at 1:40 pm
Carole Calladine
Great questions to ask our thirty some ideas. And I’m going to start working on . . . getting my butt in the chair and playing around. Thank you for your tips.
December 3, 2015 at 1:40 pm
theresenagi
Margo thanks for shedding light on how to sift through many picture book ideas. I am keeping the questions is it relatable and is it real in mind while I go through my ideas.
December 3, 2015 at 1:47 pm
Cathy Stefanec Ogren
Margo, you’ve given writers many good things to think about. Thanks!
December 3, 2015 at 1:51 pm
Kathleen Wilcox
Margo, thank you for the litmus tests we can use to help sift through our picture book ideas. And thanks for reminding us to present only our best work to such an honored audience.
December 3, 2015 at 1:58 pm
Brianna Zamborsky
Great tests. Just what I needed to read. Thanks!
December 3, 2015 at 1:59 pm
Kathy Doherty
Ahhh . . . such a delicious post! I’m off to read it again!
December 3, 2015 at 2:08 pm
jennfowler
Great advice.
December 3, 2015 at 2:10 pm
Carol Gwin Nelson
Thanks for a great post. I think the test questions will help me move some of my ideas from a cute anecdote to a fully developed story.
December 3, 2015 at 2:11 pm
Lynne Marie
Wonderful post, thank you!
December 3, 2015 at 2:14 pm
Leslie Santamaria (@LSSantamaria)
This is all so helpful, Margo. It’s especially comforting to see that your idea pages are of various lengths, like mine. Thank you!
December 3, 2015 at 2:21 pm
Lynn A. Davidson
I realized awhile ago that I have to be careful not to sound like a grown-up when writing for a child. I didn’t like those books myself, they lost me quickly. Thanks for the reminder to ask the right questions.
December 3, 2015 at 2:24 pm
Nancy Colle
Nifty post.( I think I’ve got the dithering part down pat) Thank you so much:)
December 3, 2015 at 2:26 pm
LeeAnn Rizzuti
Margo, thanks for sharing how to test for the diamonds amongst all our little lumps of coal. Time to switch from hard hats and pickaxes to lab coats and bunsen burners.
December 3, 2015 at 2:27 pm
Darlene
Thanks so much for your helpful tips and detailed information. Love the 30 little bits of coal analogy
December 3, 2015 at 2:27 pm
Jacqueline
Time to start asking questions. Thanks for sharing this advice!
December 3, 2015 at 2:43 pm
nicolepopel
Love this!
December 3, 2015 at 2:47 pm
Elaine Le Sueur
Thank you for such clear advice, Margo.
December 3, 2015 at 2:48 pm
Carolyn Rohrbaugh
The cartoons were great examples. Thanks
December 3, 2015 at 3:18 pm
Sandra Jenkins
Great ideas to get me going. If an idea is highly visual, it seems to take off by itself.
December 3, 2015 at 3:35 pm
Kathryn Kass
Thank you for the great test suggestions!
December 3, 2015 at 3:36 pm
Rosi Hollinbeck
Great stuff here. Thanks for all the tips.
December 3, 2015 at 3:44 pm
mariagianferrari
Thank you for the testing tips, Margo!
December 3, 2015 at 3:45 pm
amievc
Thanks for these great suggestions! I especially enjoyed Grant Snider’s comic!
December 3, 2015 at 3:53 pm
Ali Pfautz
Nice break down of how to test out these ideas. Thanks so much!
December 3, 2015 at 4:04 pm
Daryl Gottier
Great suggestions, thank you!
December 3, 2015 at 4:06 pm
Bruna De Luca
Fab weeding tips, thanks.
December 3, 2015 at 4:11 pm
Ashley Pierson
Margo, thank you! Great inspiration for the post phase of developing ideas.
December 3, 2015 at 4:12 pm
David McMullin
I took notes on this one. Thanks, Margo.
December 3, 2015 at 4:16 pm
KensieCooks
“We don’t often know what we are saying until we see it”. Brilliant!
Margo reminds us there are cycles all writers & their creations must go through to get to a final product anyone wants to read. If we don’t want to go through the process-we don’t want to be a writer bad enough.
December 3, 2015 at 4:17 pm
Barbara Carney
Your litmus test is a very helpful way to critique ideas. Thank you!
December 3, 2015 at 4:17 pm
hdmerrill
Such great check in questions. Thank you!
December 3, 2015 at 4:18 pm
loriannlevyholm
Nice questions! I need to jot those babies down! Thank you for your post.
December 3, 2015 at 4:18 pm
Donna Rossman
Love the litmus tests! Thanks for the great advice I know I will return to it often! 🙂
December 3, 2015 at 4:30 pm
Teresa Daffern
I’m working on a little lump of coal right now. Polish, polish, polish!
December 3, 2015 at 4:33 pm
Tina Cho
Thank you for reminding us to put our ideas to the litmus test. Those are great examples!
December 3, 2015 at 4:38 pm
sschwartz28
Thanks for the suggestions and examples.
December 3, 2015 at 4:40 pm
Sandy Lowe
Practical ideas and a double prize! Thanks!
December 3, 2015 at 4:49 pm
Anna Smith
Great ideas! Thank you so much.
December 3, 2015 at 4:50 pm
Susanne Whitehouse
I like the question, “Can you imagine 14+ scenes coming from your story?” Very helpful. Thank you for the great insight.
December 3, 2015 at 4:54 pm
Candace
time to get out the litmus paper 😊
December 3, 2015 at 5:11 pm
Linda Hofke
I’ve seen the very bad picture book before but every time it makes me smile 🙂
good ideas, especially the 14+ scenes
December 3, 2015 at 5:12 pm
Patricia Corcoran
Most of my ideas start out like Sophie’s Squash with a nice concept but not enough substance. What I have to do now with them is figure out the problem and then the resolution.
December 3, 2015 at 5:13 pm
Katelyn Aronson
GREAT article, concrete advice. Thank you Margo, really appreciate this one in the “aftermath” of PiBoIdMo ;).
December 3, 2015 at 5:13 pm
Rajani LaRocca
Thanks for the great reminder of what makes the best picture books work.
December 3, 2015 at 5:14 pm
MaryLee Flannigan
Thank you – great advice!!!
December 3, 2015 at 5:21 pm
Anne Iverson
What insight and strategic ways to examine your stories! The litmus test is a winner! Thanks, Margo!
December 3, 2015 at 5:34 pm
Charlotte Dixon
Thank you, Margo, for the advice and the litmus test. I’ve got some pieces of coal to put through the tests!
December 3, 2015 at 5:35 pm
mkresk
Thanks for this. It’s a scary time right now trying to shape these mere morsels into delectable delicacies.
December 3, 2015 at 5:40 pm
heidimrogers
This has been the most helpful post for me so far! Thank you!
December 3, 2015 at 5:46 pm
thduggie
Thanks for the “next steps” advice! It’s easy to get lost in a pile of ideas…
December 3, 2015 at 5:54 pm
Juliana Lee
Yes! Now that we have all these little ideas it’s time to put them to the test/s! Hopefully at least one will be the next PB story I’ve been working for!
December 3, 2015 at 6:00 pm
Debbie Austin
This is a keeper! Printing it out to hold up to my ideas. Thank you, Margo!
December 3, 2015 at 6:13 pm
Margo Sorenson (@ipapaverison)
Oh, my goodness! I’ve been away from the keyboard for a number of hours and just returned to your gem-filled comments! Your comments have made me smile and giggle and pause for reflection, too. Obviously, you are all committed writers (not ready to BE committed!) and will prevail! Thank you so much for all your kind words! Aloha and grazie!
December 3, 2015 at 6:19 pm
ann kronwald
Thanks Margo. The questions are helpful.
December 3, 2015 at 6:20 pm
Ashley Bohmer
Awesome! 😎
December 3, 2015 at 6:39 pm
mollywog2015
Thank you for your helpful tests, frameworks & methods! Great post!
December 3, 2015 at 6:59 pm
Artelle Lenthall
Oh boy! Drowning becoming wading now, thanks Margo.
December 3, 2015 at 7:02 pm
Steph Beth Nickel's Blog
I just know I’ll be coming back to these suggestions again and again. Many thanks!
December 3, 2015 at 7:10 pm
mona861
Wow! Thanks for your tips. Oh, I love that PiBoIdMo is still feeding my muse.
December 3, 2015 at 7:17 pm
lmconnors
Great advice! Thank you. Time to tackle all our ideas!
December 3, 2015 at 7:25 pm
Beth Blee
Margo, thanks for your great advice! I’ll be applying the litmus tests.
December 3, 2015 at 7:35 pm
Kelly Parker
Loved this post. Time to make some diamonds outta them lumps of coal. Thank you for the advice!
December 3, 2015 at 7:59 pm
Reena Balding
Thank you for sharing the cartoon and, particularly, the litmus tests to follow. Onwards and upwards!
December 3, 2015 at 7:59 pm
Christine Connolly
Great advice!
December 3, 2015 at 8:27 pm
Heidi Yates
Thank you for sharing the great advice Margo! 🙂
December 3, 2015 at 8:34 pm
Lynette Oxley
Margo, thanks for sharing the litmus test.
December 3, 2015 at 8:44 pm
Stephen S. Martin
Love the cartoon and the advise is priceless😺‼️
December 3, 2015 at 8:50 pm
Brook Gideon (@brookgideon)
Great tips for weeding through all the ideas!! Thank you!!
December 3, 2015 at 9:18 pm
BHandiboe
I’m writing this list down!
December 3, 2015 at 9:19 pm
Marty McCormick
Perfect, pertinent Post PiBo info to digest and use. Thanks so much, Margo!
December 3, 2015 at 9:22 pm
Jill Richards Proctor
Thank you, Margo! Your helpful hints will help me to move forward!
December 3, 2015 at 9:25 pm
erikammon
Does it convey emotional truth?
I LOVE that question!! I think it’s wall worthy 🙂 Of course, I don’t sit at my desk anymore…
December 3, 2015 at 9:39 pm
Shirley Fadden
Good advice and I love the cartoon, thanks!
December 3, 2015 at 9:45 pm
Melanie Ellsworth
Margo – These are terrific questions. Now, getting started on sorting and writing those ideas doesn’t feel so overwhelming!
December 3, 2015 at 9:47 pm
writingtexas
Prioritize and organize! Yes! Love the graphics and the motivation to keep this train moving forward!
December 3, 2015 at 9:49 pm
Dee Engle
Prioritize and organize! Yes! Love the graphics and the motivation to keep this train moving forward! (Please disregard posting from writingtexas – duplicate) Denise Engle
December 3, 2015 at 9:50 pm
Brenda Huante
Thanks for the helpful ideas!
December 3, 2015 at 9:56 pm
Kristen Browning
Thanks for your post–great food for thought! I look forward to applying your advice to my “little lumps of coal.”
December 3, 2015 at 10:02 pm
LJ Laniewski
This post is a keeper! Thank you! I especially love the cartoon. I will display it on my office wall.
December 3, 2015 at 10:19 pm
Hélène Sabourin
There’s still a long way to go.
December 3, 2015 at 10:21 pm
melissamiles1
The cartoon made me laugh out loud! I’m hoping I can polish some coal myself! Thanks so much.
December 3, 2015 at 10:24 pm
Cinzia
Great questions to ask – thanks!
December 3, 2015 at 10:25 pm
saputnam
Great post, Margo! Thank you for allowing us a peek behind the scenes at how our lumps of coal can be turned into publishable picture books
December 3, 2015 at 10:59 pm
Genevieve Petrillo
I love this post. It’s funny how ideas that were so mad brilliant a few weeks ago not only don’t “pass the litmus test” but have actually gone sour and grown moldy and are starting to stink up the place. #thestruggleisreal
December 3, 2015 at 11:20 pm
Paula Yoo
Test
December 3, 2015 at 11:23 pm
Annie Cronin Romano
A helpful post! Thank you!
December 3, 2015 at 11:28 pm
rgstones
Great post! I’m off to see which of my ideas pass the litmus tests. 🙂
December 3, 2015 at 11:32 pm
DaNeil Olson
Wonderful post. I’ll be using your litmus tests. Thank you.
December 3, 2015 at 11:34 pm
Teresa Robeson
Oooh, good litmus tests! Must go through my messy notes now…
December 3, 2015 at 11:54 pm
Carleen Shreeve
Thanks for the great ideas. Loved the cartoon. And ditto – thanks to Tara!
December 4, 2015 at 12:05 am
Christine Pinto
Nice direction here. Thanks. A good way to remind ourselves of what might work best without getting stuck in “that was such a good idea”. Thanks so much!
December 4, 2015 at 12:15 am
Heather Kelso
Thank you for the great questions I need to ask when working on my story. I especially like the emotional truth question. Great post!
December 4, 2015 at 12:23 am
8catpaws
Grant Snider penned the best very bad picture book I have ever seen!
December 4, 2015 at 12:25 am
Donna L Martin
Great post!
December 4, 2015 at 12:28 am
awflitter
I love how each post has given us a focus on one of the many, many steps to successful Picture Book creation. This post was incredibly helpful. Thanks, Margo!
December 4, 2015 at 12:39 am
Christine M. Irvin
So many ideas, now we have to figure out which ones have the best chances. Thanks!
December 4, 2015 at 12:44 am
apmartin2014
Thank you, Margot! That process of prioritising is always a challenge and your suggested tests make it much easier.
December 4, 2015 at 12:49 am
familystufftodo
Thank you for all the “what if” moments.
December 4, 2015 at 12:50 am
Keila Dawson
Printing this now! Those questions are great.
December 4, 2015 at 1:27 am
Julie Murphy
Your post really clicked with me. Such valuable direction! Thank you so much (and to Jean and gang too)!
December 4, 2015 at 1:31 am
Viva Tomlin
I really appreciate this continuation of accompaniment you offer post PiBoIdMo. Thank you!
December 4, 2015 at 1:39 am
Susan Cabael
The big question is how many ideas pass all those tests. What great screeners for developing concepts.
December 4, 2015 at 1:40 am
Cindy E. Owens
Thanks for telling me about the Litmus test! I loved the comic strip!
December 4, 2015 at 1:43 am
Margo Sorenson (@ipapaverison)
Seriously, everyone’s comments have made me smile, lifted my spirits, and encouraged me to keep on applying those litmus tests, myself. We are definitely all writers in this endeavor together and a strong community, thanks to Tara and all the guest posters and participants. Mahalo and grazie mille, everyone!
December 4, 2015 at 1:58 am
kdveiten
Great questions to ask as we try to weed out the less stellar ideas. Thanks!
December 4, 2015 at 2:11 am
Lyn Miller-Lachmann
Great suggestions, Margo. I may have a useful idea or two in my stack of 30.
December 4, 2015 at 2:11 am
Carrie Charley Brown
Thanks, Margo! Onward with tests!
December 4, 2015 at 2:13 am
brandimpayne
Thank you so much! Great post!
December 4, 2015 at 2:19 am
Myrna Foster
Thanks for this! I’ve already written one idea into a manuscript, so I narrowed it down to the top five after that one.
December 4, 2015 at 2:43 am
viviankirkfield
Shame on me, Margo…I don’t know your books…but I will remedy that very quickly! Thank you for a stellar post…you just helped me ask all the right questions of my stories…now I can make sure they pass the tests before I send them out. 🙂
December 4, 2015 at 2:54 am
Jill
Thank you for the continued inspiration of on.
December 4, 2015 at 3:13 am
Shelley Marshall
Kudos to the wonderful Tara Lazar (by now a household name) and her PiBoIdMo efforts. No doubt, the informative and encouraging posts presented by your guests have guided us in generating some ideas worth pursuing. Margo, thank you for such an entertaining narrative which can guide us in selecting ideas we ought to continue working on. Many thanks to you both for the icing on our favorite cake.
December 4, 2015 at 6:59 am
StephMWard
Perfect timing for this advice! And thanks for including the NY Times cartoon…I hadn’t seen it before, it’s fantastic.
December 4, 2015 at 7:52 am
Heather Pierce Stigall
Great ideas — thanks for sharing your litmus tests!
December 4, 2015 at 8:01 am
Zainab
Great post! Thank you. 🙂
I loved the cartoons. 🙂 so clear.
December 4, 2015 at 8:30 am
ammwrite3
Thanks, Margo, for this post. It was helpful and much needed!
December 4, 2015 at 8:43 am
pepb16416
thank you. I’m a former teacher…I love the idea of “tests,” Patty Bennett
December 4, 2015 at 8:47 am
ellenramsey
Woe, alas! What a dreary, dull picture book–and magic doesn’t work! Like the idea of tests and avoiding the “very bad picture book” qualities.
December 4, 2015 at 9:09 am
Nadine Gamble
Great motivation for looking critically and realistically at our 30 ideas.
December 4, 2015 at 9:31 am
shiela fuller
That is what I love about writing picture books. The promise of a good story gets even better with revision.
December 4, 2015 at 9:46 am
aliciaminor
Where do we start or go from all these ideas? The road is long, winding and narrow but with your tips, we will pursue and hopefully, a picture book will come true. Thanks for sharing.
December 4, 2015 at 9:53 am
Dee Knabb
This is so helpful to build/test your story. Thank you for these great tips.
December 4, 2015 at 10:23 am
leandrajwallace
We just read All Though My Town last night before bed (and the night before that too). I am a horrible rhymer, and it’s something I’m working on, but it’s going slowly! And Spaghetti Smiles makes me want spaghetti right now- even though it’s breakfast!
December 4, 2015 at 10:26 am
Lotus Ivak
Thanks for the great post Margo!
December 4, 2015 at 10:42 am
Kelly Vavala
Very helpful tips here! I love reading about the creative process….taking those ideas and asking a lot of questions! The cartoon was awesome…sounds like an adult wrote this lol Thanks for sharing!
December 4, 2015 at 10:47 am
Tracey M. Cox
Great post. Now to put some of these ideas to the test!
December 4, 2015 at 10:51 am
martylgraham
Inspiring? Yes! Thanks Margot! I’ve taken notes!
December 4, 2015 at 10:52 am
Cindy Jolley
Great ideas! And thanks for the reminder of how much an idea can change and grow as we take time with it.
December 4, 2015 at 11:29 am
Joan Waites
Great post-going to print this info out to save!
December 4, 2015 at 11:40 am
Sandy Perlic
Those are great questions to ask before we write… and when we have a story that’s “missing” something. Thank you for the tips!
December 4, 2015 at 11:53 am
hmmmmm
A perfect post-PiBo post — thanks Margo.
December 4, 2015 at 11:55 am
Amanda Smith
Great litmus test. Thank you. It solves the “now what?” feeling I had when I looked at my notebook.
December 4, 2015 at 12:17 pm
kdveiten
Litmus test – feels like I’m back in school, lol! I don’t remember much about chemistry, but I do know that your litmus tests are going to be very useful.
Thanks!
December 4, 2015 at 12:45 pm
Joanne Sher
Fabulous ideas and ways to wheedle though the ideas. A keeper for sure!
December 4, 2015 at 12:54 pm
Pam Miller
Applying who wants what and why and why now. 🙂 thank you.
December 4, 2015 at 1:16 pm
Sheri Radovich
Looking over all my wips and hoping to simplify them and make them fun with the litmus tests and unpredictable endings. Will kids like them? Hmmm, I need to ask some fresh kids.
December 4, 2015 at 1:23 pm
Janet Halfmann
Thanks for helping us get to the next step with our ideas.
December 4, 2015 at 2:14 pm
Joan Swanson
Thanks for all your useful information!
December 4, 2015 at 2:18 pm
Jennifer Phillips
Valuable advice on doing a litmus test. Great questions to use. Thanks!
December 4, 2015 at 2:19 pm
Carrie Finison
Thanks, Margo. I love the idea of the 30 lumps of coal. Let’s get polishing!
December 4, 2015 at 3:00 pm
Pat Miller
I am grateful for these helpful questions. Now off to interrogate my lumps of coal!
December 4, 2015 at 3:31 pm
Kathryn Cunningham
Time to get to work!
December 4, 2015 at 5:16 pm
Margo Sorenson (@ipapaverison)
Thank you, all! I have loved reading all the comments, and here’s another cheer for you: Kjør pǻ! — that is Norwegian for “drive onward” and “go for it” and pronounced “Cheer paw”! We are all in this together. Aloha!
December 4, 2015 at 5:25 pm
Jamie LB Deenihan
Margo, thanks for the great post. I loved the New York Times cartoon. Congrats on your success!
December 4, 2015 at 9:59 pm
Laurie L Young
Never imagined a David Mamet reference for writing children’s books, but some things are universal. Many great points here, thanks!!
December 4, 2015 at 10:12 pm
Peter Dargatz
Looking forward to polishing my lumps of coal. 🙂
December 4, 2015 at 11:07 pm
Traci Sorell
Thanks for the great post, Margo!
December 4, 2015 at 11:09 pm
Maria Marshall
Thank you for the excellent post and two tests. Looking foward to reading Spaghetti smiles.
December 4, 2015 at 11:10 pm
dgaston0420
Thanks for the great questions. Loved the cartoon! Darlene Gaston
December 4, 2015 at 11:39 pm
Laura J. King
Taking it from anecdote to real, meaningful plot–that is the real task. Thank you
December 5, 2015 at 12:01 am
Jenifer McNamara
Nice post, and cartoon.
December 5, 2015 at 2:22 am
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting & Writing
Thanks Margo, loved the litmus tests to put our pb up against. Especially like your graphic image of “The Very Bad Picture Book!”
December 5, 2015 at 7:37 am
Sharon Giltrow
Thanks Margo time to look over those ideas 🙂
December 5, 2015 at 8:56 am
Pascale M.
Thank you for sharing, Margo!
December 5, 2015 at 9:36 am
Sheila Lynch-Afryl
Thanks for the great ideas.
December 5, 2015 at 10:35 am
Annelouise
Thank you Margo for taking the time to post and share such great advice for us.
December 5, 2015 at 11:17 am
carolmunrojww
Great suggestions for prioritizing, Margo. Thanks! During the month, I added a bit of yellow highlight to the ideas that seemed most exciting to me. It will be interesting to look at my list now that some time has passed to see if they still rev me up.
December 5, 2015 at 1:33 pm
Jim Chaize
Time to test my ideas. Thanks, Margo.
December 5, 2015 at 1:49 pm
Maria J Cuesta
Good points! Thank you!
December 5, 2015 at 2:03 pm
ingridboydston
November was the single busiest month-ever! But I have my lumps of coal (thank you Tara!) and time on the near horizon to start playing with them in depth. Thanks for the truly practical “next steps”!
December 5, 2015 at 3:32 pm
Doris Stone
I love this post! Thank you, Margo!
December 5, 2015 at 4:42 pm
Laura Purdie Salas
Love the litmus tests:>)
December 5, 2015 at 4:51 pm
Naana Kyereboah
Thanks Margo, for an all-inclusive post with the litmus tests.
December 5, 2015 at 5:19 pm
Buffy Silverman
Going to test out my ideas!
December 5, 2015 at 5:29 pm
Sue Morris @ KidLitReviews
Good advice.
December 5, 2015 at 6:06 pm
Lisa Riddiough
I love “Aloha and Grazie.” Thank you for your wonderful post. Lisa Riddiough
December 5, 2015 at 6:14 pm
Susan Nicholas
Thanks for sharing how to “test” out our ideas.
December 5, 2015 at 7:06 pm
Shirley Menendez
Thanks for the push to follow-through with our ideas.
December 5, 2015 at 9:48 pm
laura516
Thanks for the litmus tests!
December 5, 2015 at 11:04 pm
Nancy Kotkin
Thanks for the litmus tests!
December 6, 2015 at 1:58 am
Jenna Woloshyn
I’ll put my ideas to the test. Thanks.
December 6, 2015 at 2:20 am
Caroline Lee Webster (@uncoverthepearl)
“Will a kid like it?” I love this simple question . . . for it is the most important one to keep in mind, it seems. Thank you!
December 6, 2015 at 6:13 am
mona861
Testing-Testing! How many of my ideas will past the tests?!?!? Thanks for your post, Margo.
December 6, 2015 at 11:01 am
kmshelley
Such great tips! Thanks for this post, Margo!
December 6, 2015 at 12:28 pm
Erin O'Brien
Thank you, Margo!
December 6, 2015 at 4:28 pm
reluctantspy
It’s fun when the ideas click together.
December 6, 2015 at 5:47 pm
Joannie Duris
Thanks, Margo. What a perfect way to test our ideas as they simmer on the back burner in our minds. We need to discover what ingredients should be stirred together to create a well-told story with the perfect plot. Good cooks and good writers know when to detour from the original recipe and add their own special flavor.
December 6, 2015 at 6:15 pm
Kaye Baillie
I like the Sophie’s Squash example of problem and the resolution. Keeping that in mind focuses the point of the story. Thanks, Margo.
December 6, 2015 at 7:15 pm
mrsbulls2ndgrade
Great advice! I struggle sometimes with the depict-ability of my stories.
December 6, 2015 at 9:54 pm
Rona Shirdan
I like your litmus test tips and will definitely use them!
December 6, 2015 at 11:18 pm
artsyandi
Great tips… look forward to putting them to the test!
December 7, 2015 at 1:36 am
Sandy Powell
It’s a good thing I don’t mind taking tests. Thanks for your very helpful post.
December 7, 2015 at 8:30 am
Lauri Meyers
Great test questions for this notebook of ideas:)
December 7, 2015 at 1:05 pm
Amy Bradshaw
I am proud of my “30 lumps of coal” and can’t wait to take them to the test! Thanks for your time and help!
December 7, 2015 at 4:08 pm
Bethany Mandich
Great litmus tests, and super excited to distill the ideas into stories….especially if they go somewhere unexpected Thanks, Margo!
December 7, 2015 at 4:53 pm
Dee Engle
I love the question, “Does it convey emotional truth?”!!!!
December 7, 2015 at 6:24 pm
shirley johnson
Great advice! Thanks for sharing.
December 7, 2015 at 9:56 pm
Susan L. Roberts
Love the Sophie’s Squash piece. On-
word! (tee hee)
December 8, 2015 at 10:10 am
Sandi Lawson
Thanks for sharing. Now, back to the drawing, I mean writing board!
December 8, 2015 at 12:05 pm
renajtraxel
Love the cartoon (so true!).
December 8, 2015 at 12:42 pm
Christie Allred
Haha! I love that ‘very bad picture book’ cartoon. Thank you for the good advice 🙂
December 9, 2015 at 12:31 pm
Holly Ruppel
Great points, Margo! Thanks! I love that Snider cartoon. Now, to see which of my ideas pass the litmus tests!
December 9, 2015 at 1:08 pm
Prairie Garden Girl
Excellent thoughts and ideas on how to *test* our picture book ideas. Thank you, Margo.
~Suzy Leopold
December 9, 2015 at 7:54 pm
gretchengeser
I was late reading this, but I’m glad I finally did. Thanks for your post! And I love your Hawaiian name!
December 10, 2015 at 9:28 pm
Penny Parker Klostermann
Thanks for the tests. Great food for thought.
December 11, 2015 at 11:58 am
Tracy Molitors
Thanks Margo. A very helpful starting place!
December 12, 2015 at 11:34 pm
goodfish78
Thank you!!
December 15, 2015 at 10:52 pm
Jabeen Chawdhry
Thanks for sharing your post!
May 4, 2017 at 3:56 pm
Ashley
Thank you Margo! Truly magnificent advice!