Here it is, the moment you’ve been waiting for…
SANTA SLAM DUNK!
OK, maybe not what you were expecting. A little holiday humor. Let’s move on…
Those of you who participate in Picture Book Idea Month already know I moved the annual writing challenge to January instead of November. And you also know I changed the name. The new, much-easier-to-pronounce moniker is…
Did that just blow your mind?
I hope so!
The new logo was designed by talented illustrator S.britt (of NORMAL NORMAN fame).
Now, I hear you asking some questions.
WHY THE NAME CHANGE?
The original challenge—to create 30 picture book concepts in 30 days—was named “Picture Book Idea Month” or “PiBoIdMo” for short. Everyone pronounced the awkward acronym a different way. And if you managed to say it, it didn’t make sense to others.
“STORYSTORM” is a portmanteau of story and brainstorm that is more immediately understood.
The new name signals a broader scope—any type of writer interested in being inspired in January can now join the challenge. Novelists, short story writers, non-fiction authors and even teachers and their students are welcomed. Any writer, anyone who wants to brainstorm for a month.
The goal is for STORYSTORM participants to jot down 30 story ideas in January. Then everyone will have thirty new shiny ideas to ponder, flesh out and write in 2017.
WHY THE MONTH CHANGE?
PiBoIdMo was originally held in November because it was modeled after NaNoWriMo, which runs at that time. But November is so busy with the start of the holiday season. Starting fresh in January—a new year, new goals—will hopefully prove to be both inspiring and motivating.
IS IT STILL FREE TO PARTICIPATE?
ABSOLUTELY.
WHEN CAN I REGISTER?
After the slam-dunking of presents down the chimney is over. In other words, Boxing Day. In other, other words, December 26th.
Registration will remain open for the entire first week of January. You do not have to register, but doing so makes you eligible to win prizes—agent consultations, books, critiques, and a whole lotta fabulous stuff that even Santa can’t make possible.
So THANK YOU for being patient while I pondered these changes. More announcements soon—like the guest-blogger line-up!
But in the meantime, join our STORYSTORM Facebook group which is active year-round for friendly support and discussion.
111 comments
Comments feed for this article
December 19, 2016 at 12:45 pm
Rita K.
Sounds great, Tara. Thx!
Sent from my iPhone
December 19, 2016 at 12:45 pm
Joanne Sher
OOOOOH – I HAVE been waiting eagerly! And this sounds wonderful. Will DEFINITELY be sharing this with my friends. Can’t wait for more details!
December 19, 2016 at 12:48 pm
Kidlit Tidbits (@KidlitTidbits)
I’m so excited I can hardly wait! Congrats on the re-branding and focus expansion. It looks great, and I know it will be a phenomenal success. Thanks for all you do,Tara. You’re a true community treasure!
December 19, 2016 at 12:49 pm
Hayley Barrett
I love it. Thanks, Tara!
December 19, 2016 at 12:51 pm
stiefelchana
I had to look up portmanteau but I’m so glad I did because now I have my very first story idea for Storystorm! Tara, you are a genius (and a great wordsmith) and I am so excited to join you and all former PiBo’ers (now Storystormers) on this journey! Congrats on the new name & mission! Best gift of the new year!
December 19, 2016 at 12:52 pm
Polly Renner
Yay! I can’t wait for Storystorm 2017!
December 19, 2016 at 12:52 pm
Yahoo Dorinakailani
So exciting! Thanks for leading this again!
Counting each day a gift, Dorina
http://www.DorinaGilmore.com 559.908.0004 Blogs, recipes, award-winning books, culture & more!
*Sent from my iPhone
>
December 19, 2016 at 12:53 pm
Cynthia Hawthorne
It’s something new (yet, known) and fun to look forward to. Thank you for all your hard work on this, Tara.
December 19, 2016 at 12:54 pm
Lauren Barbieri
Sounds great! Looking forward to it. Last year, I came out of PiBoIdMo with more than 30 ideas…and couldn’t seem to stop brainstorming! Thank you, Tara!
December 19, 2016 at 12:58 pm
Sylvia Mary Grech
Love the new name!!! And it makes sense! Even though I’ve been following you for a couple of years now, I’m participating for the first time and really looking forward to it.
December 19, 2016 at 12:58 pm
wfedan
WOO HOO!!! Can’t wait!!!
December 19, 2016 at 12:59 pm
nicolezoltack
Sounds great!
December 19, 2016 at 12:59 pm
Jenny Bagan
Fantastic! Can’t wait to register!
December 19, 2016 at 1:01 pm
writersideup
Yeah, baby! LOVE this! And no more “HOW do you pronounce this?” 😉 Seriously, this is great, Tara. You’re BRAINstorming and coming up with the new name and premise for how it will work is ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! 🙂 Storystorm is going to expand and expand and inspire even more, and S.Britt’s logo is SO perfect! Yay for Storystorm and hoping that’s the only kind of storm we see in January, though—I think not lol Can’t wait 😀
December 19, 2016 at 1:01 pm
Brittanny Handiboe
Yes! Love the time change, new year bringing new ideas! 😀
December 19, 2016 at 1:05 pm
idzalg
Can’t wait! Thanks for all the time and effort you put into this, Tara!
December 19, 2016 at 1:11 pm
Tim McCanna
Good call, Tara. Here’s hoping lightning will strike each day in January!
December 19, 2016 at 1:12 pm
Lori Alexander
Looking forward to it! Thanks for all the planning you put into these events, Tara. So appreciated!!
December 19, 2016 at 1:12 pm
Lindsay Hanson Metcalf
I can’t wait! What an inspiring way to start 2017.
December 19, 2016 at 1:15 pm
Diane Kress Hower
Yahoo! Great name that I won’t embarrass myself on! Thanks for all you do, Tara.
December 19, 2016 at 1:15 pm
Bethanny Parker
I love the new name! It’s perfect. 🙂
December 19, 2016 at 1:17 pm
writeknit
So excited and happy with the new concept & that we’ll begin in January 🙂
December 19, 2016 at 1:26 pm
Mark Bentz
Storystorm…that’s a great name. Looking forward Tara. Have a great holliday all.
December 19, 2016 at 1:31 pm
Jennette Mutolo
Wooo hoooo! Thanks for everything Tara! You rock!
December 19, 2016 at 1:31 pm
Jane Heitman Healy
oh, my gosh! I don’t think I’ve ever participated in a portmanteau!! It’s genius, Tara! What fun!
December 19, 2016 at 1:49 pm
Ali Pfautz
So great! Looking forward to it!
December 19, 2016 at 1:51 pm
LeeAnn Rizzuti
No offense, but I was one of those who hated trying to pronounce the former name for this terrific month of collecting ideas. But StoryStorm? I love it!!
December 19, 2016 at 1:51 pm
darlene koppel
Like all the new ideas for the 2017 challenge!
December 19, 2016 at 2:08 pm
karammitchell
I’m excited to start 2017 this way. GOALS!!
December 19, 2016 at 2:13 pm
Beth Stilborn
WooHOOOOOOOO! I am so excited to be able to be a part of the challenge once again (after moving toward novels instead of picture books, there was a gap in my imaginative life). Bring on STORYSTORM! Thank you so much, Tara!
December 19, 2016 at 2:44 pm
Juliet Clare Bell
Hooray for Story Storm. I’m really looking forward to it! Thanks, Tara. Clare x
December 19, 2016 at 2:45 pm
mariagianferrari
Get ready for stormy weather!!
December 19, 2016 at 2:48 pm
ingridboydston
I didn’t think this idea could be improved, I was wrong. This sounds fantastic! I can’t wait! Thank you Tara!
December 19, 2016 at 2:57 pm
Nancy Colle
Nifty neato Tara! Can’t wait for January, Just participating will be like getting an extra present.
December 19, 2016 at 3:10 pm
lindaschueler
Great! Can’t wait!
December 19, 2016 at 4:09 pm
setwiggs
So excited to sign up for Storystorm. I love the name! Sue >
December 19, 2016 at 4:26 pm
doriskstone
Love the name change and can’t wait for Storystorm!
December 19, 2016 at 4:56 pm
MD Knabb
Here’s hoping we all have a winter blast of ideas. Thanks, Tara. You’ve generated lots of excitement already.
December 19, 2016 at 4:57 pm
Alyssa Landry
Fantastic new name! Can’t wait to get started again…
December 19, 2016 at 5:04 pm
seschipper
Wow! Although I thought PiBoIdMo was genius, StoryStorm is without a doubt Genius with a capital “G”!!! Looking forward to another great adventure come January 1st!!!! 🙂
December 19, 2016 at 5:09 pm
Maria Marshall
Wahoo! Sounds like a blast. Slam dunking Santa, who knew. Can’t wait and I love the new name! ❤
December 19, 2016 at 5:23 pm
ptnozell
Yeah! Counting down the days to Storystorm!
December 19, 2016 at 6:17 pm
Amanda Sincavage
Yay! Definitely missing PiBoIdMo last month. So excited for the next iteration in January!
December 19, 2016 at 6:17 pm
Sue Gallion
Yay, Tara! Can’t wait to get started and will be sharing STORYSTORM launch details! THANK YOU!
December 19, 2016 at 6:23 pm
Dayne Sislen, Children's Book Illustrator
Tara, I love the new name and logo. Can’t wait. I tend to get 98% of my book ideas during PiBoIdMo. I need another batch to stockpile. I’ve already started thinking.
December 19, 2016 at 8:00 pm
Joanne R Fritz
Excellent news, Tara! Thank you so much. We need something to look forward to in January.
December 19, 2016 at 8:01 pm
Sue Frye
Awesome new name! Very inspiring! Looking forward to January 🙂
December 19, 2016 at 10:23 pm
gweddle
Great new name!
December 19, 2016 at 11:22 pm
nabinava
So excited to start the new year with new writing goals!
December 20, 2016 at 1:09 am
Myrna Foster
Love the new name and logo!
December 20, 2016 at 9:19 am
Carolyn Rohrbaugh
Sounds like a great idea.
December 20, 2016 at 10:37 am
missvidalia
TaKu. That’s ThanK You. Looking forward to January. Always fun!
December 20, 2016 at 10:52 am
Joanne Roberts
Love the name. Kudos on snagging a totally fabulous new logo. See you in January.
December 20, 2016 at 10:59 am
diana delosh
Looking forward to Jan 2017 and doing StoryStorm!
December 20, 2016 at 12:04 pm
teresamis
Excited and ready for this storm!
December 20, 2016 at 4:42 pm
Sheri Radovich
CAn’t wait to get started. Getting my ideas notebooks ready to go. See you in January Tara and the rest of you.
December 20, 2016 at 9:45 pm
Step into 2017 with Storystorm | One Writer's Journey
[…] Needless to say, everyone is a little wound up about 2017. I mean a little worse than the usual year-end angst. I’d like to invite all you writers to step into the New Year with Storystorm. […]
December 20, 2016 at 10:51 pm
ThisKidReviewsBooks
YAY!!! I can’t wait! 😀
December 21, 2016 at 7:01 am
saputnam
Yay! I can’t wait for Storystorm 2017! I will definitely be there!!
December 21, 2016 at 3:23 pm
Janet Smart
Sounds great Tara. I need this to get more stories down on paper.
December 22, 2016 at 7:29 am
Norah
I love the change in name and the logo is awesome. I think having the challenge in January is a great way to start the year. Best wishes to everyone who joins in.
December 22, 2016 at 1:24 pm
Delfina Salimbene
Love the new name and logo–and can’t wait to participate. Thanks so much for all that you do, Tara!
December 23, 2016 at 3:07 am
Are You Up for a Challenge? A Writing Challenge, That Is… – Flubs2Fixes
[…] Follow Tara’s blog for more details as they are released, about how to register, etc., and be sure to follow all the posts in January — even if you don’t “win” the challenge by coming up with an idea every day you will benefit greatly just from reading the posts. […]
December 24, 2016 at 3:20 am
Kerry Aradhya
Thanks for the update. Can’t wait for January!!
December 26, 2016 at 1:24 pm
Stephanie Payne Geckle
Love the new name and looking forward to an inspiring new year! Thanks, Tara 📒📚📝📝📝❤✨
December 26, 2016 at 1:31 pm
Schriscoe
Looking forward to it, Tara!
December 26, 2016 at 1:40 pm
Robyn Campbell
Wonderful, wonderful. Love it, Tara. “Think and wonder, wonder and think.” – Dr. Seuss
December 26, 2016 at 2:30 pm
Dana Atnip
Love the new name and logo! Looking forward to Storystorm!
December 26, 2016 at 6:59 pm
Pauline Tso
Waiting with bated fingers…. !
December 27, 2016 at 11:06 am
aliciaminor
New name, new year, let’s welcome 2017!
December 27, 2016 at 2:02 pm
yangmommy
Jenny Buchet–can’t wait! 🙂
December 27, 2016 at 4:51 pm
bjleepoet
good move, changing it from Nov. to Jan. I’m in. ~B.J. Lee
December 27, 2016 at 5:05 pm
smnelson
Looking for to this! Many thanks!
December 27, 2016 at 7:01 pm
Shari Schwarz
So ready to do this! Thank you! -Shari Schwarz
December 27, 2016 at 11:00 pm
Ali Bovis
So excited for Storystorm! Thank you Tara!
December 27, 2016 at 11:11 pm
Shannon Quinn
Love the new name, new month, and the new format!
I have most recently been writing a middle grade novel, but picture books are still on my radar too.
Am looking forward to it!
December 28, 2016 at 1:17 am
Lill Pluta
So happy to hear it’s not just for picture books any more. Count me in!
December 28, 2016 at 4:46 am
Ann Martin
After three years, I didn’t think that Picture Book Idea Month could get any better. But it just did. Storystorm is going to be fantastic!
December 28, 2016 at 1:29 pm
Leigh DeFreitas
Leigh DeFreitas Can hardly wait!! Thanks!
December 28, 2016 at 3:42 pm
Deborah Lubbert
DebbieLubbert Sounds good.Thanks for this.
December 28, 2016 at 6:48 pm
Kate
Always thinking of creative new way to help everyone, Tara. Your rock! Thank you.
December 29, 2016 at 8:19 am
Susan Eyerman
Looking forward to the challenge!
December 29, 2016 at 12:50 pm
Dea
Excellent! Love everything about the new month and name. You rock Tara!
December 29, 2016 at 1:53 pm
R.M. Rivera Illustrations
Love the new name for the group! I have a whirlwind of ideas that are blowing in! StoryStorm 2017! Let’s do this! 🙂
December 29, 2016 at 1:54 pm
R.M. Rivera Illustrations
Tara thank you for putting together a great month of authors and illustrators and doing this. It’s quite the undertaking! 🙂
December 29, 2016 at 4:56 pm
Linnea Forte-Spearing
Linda Forte-Spearing
December 29, 2016 at 11:23 pm
Deb Lund
Would not, could not ever miss this!
December 30, 2016 at 2:25 pm
Susan C. Willett (@SusanCWillett)
Looking forward to it! Thank you!
Susan C. Willett
December 30, 2016 at 7:04 pm
Sandie Sing
Each year I look forward to this great event. I’m thrilled that it was moved to January. We are fresh with ideas for the new year. Thank you, Tara for creating this sensation for writers.
December 31, 2016 at 9:52 am
Susan Nicholas
Love the new name! I’m looking forward to another great idea prompting challenge. Thanks Tara for putting this together.
December 31, 2016 at 12:08 pm
Barbara W Sinopoli
Barbara Webb Sinopoli, my notebook is ready!
December 31, 2016 at 12:11 pm
ducks33
My notebook is ready!
Barbara Webb Sinopoli
December 31, 2016 at 12:43 pm
BlancheBaxter
Thank you for all that you do! Can’t wait!!!
January 1, 2017 at 10:54 am
Alexi Asano
Ready!
January 1, 2017 at 2:34 pm
Sharon Lillie
Sharon Lillie
January 1, 2017 at 4:52 pm
littleredstoryshed
I’m hopping on board the Storystorm bus! Julie
January 1, 2017 at 8:16 pm
kaziemann
Looking forward to brainstorming some new great ideas. Thanks for moving this to January!
January 2, 2017 at 2:19 am
garyfabbri
Great! I’ll sharpen my pencils 🙂
January 3, 2017 at 1:10 pm
Rachel Anderson
Sign me up. I’m ready for a good challenge.
January 3, 2017 at 2:23 pm
Rachel Critchley
Looking forward to the challenge.
January 3, 2017 at 7:59 pm
Nat Keller
Better late than never- fab new look Tara Lazar!!
January 4, 2017 at 6:52 am
SJBurgess
Hi. Please can you sign me up for Storystorm 2017? Thanks!
January 4, 2017 at 3:32 pm
helenajuhasz
Looking forward to this!! Thanks for organizing!
January 4, 2017 at 4:26 pm
Pam Miller
Please sign me up for STORYSTORM. My previous signup did not take. I have no Day 1-4 in my mailbox. YIKES. catching up. Thanks so much.
January 4, 2017 at 7:03 pm
Prairie Garden Girl
You are appreciated. Thank you, Tara!
~Suzy Leopold
January 5, 2017 at 8:39 am
Russell Hogle
Looking forward to participating this year! The changes are GREAT! Look out 2017 Storm Warnings have been posted!
July 18, 2017 at 9:43 pm
Brainstorming | One Writer's Journey
[…] a 20 minute interview. Guess which quote she used? In January I took part in Tara Lazar’s Storystorm. The point is to come up with one idea each day of the month. I’m not 100% certain how many […]
January 5, 2019 at 2:41 pm
Susan Glick
Off to a good start!
September 23, 2019 at 2:33 pm
Celebrate Picture Book Month in November | NonStop Celebrations
[…] creator) announced changes to the time, scope, and even the name of the month. She renamed it Storystorm, and if she follows last year’s schedule, registration will be in mid-December. So check back […]
November 1, 2019 at 11:46 am
SkADaMo 2019 Day 1 | sketched out
[…] Writing Month), NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) and, what used to be a November challenge PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month), now Storystorm, which now takes place in […]
December 26, 2020 at 8:16 am
Nadia A.
Thanks so much for doing this Tara!