by Dan Moynihan
“DON’T THINK. JUST DRAW.”
That’s what I’ll tell you in one of my collaborative story-making events. That’s our motto as we set forth to create a wild batch of picture book stories in about an hour. There’s no time for self-doubt or self-editing, so just draw, just write, just create. There’s no preparation of ideas, and no plan once we start, but we somehow create amazing stories that are joyful, surprising, and at least partly coherent. We’re not sure where we’re going, but we’ll get there together!
You’ll start off with a blank, 12-page booklet in which to begin a story—just to begin it. It could start with a single sentence or a bit of dialogue. It could start with a character or object in an environment. It doesn’t really matter what it is. The important thing is just to start. Just start moving your pen if you don’t have an idea yet. There’s a lot of power in just starting.
And you don’t need a plan. When you begin the story, you don’t need to know the end of the story yet or even what will happen next. In fact, in this case you can’t know. Because in just a few minutes, you’ll be passing that booklet to the person on the right, who will continue the story that you started.
When you pass that booklet, you let go of your story. It’s in someone else’s hands now, and you have no control over where it will go. But that’s the whole fun of this activity—you get to see the unexpected places that an idea can go. So when you’re working on your own stories, don’t hold on to them too tightly. Don’t be afraid to let them do anything they want to do. Don’t be afraid to explore a possibility just because you don’t know where it will lead.
Just as you passed that booklet to your neighbor, you will receive another booklet. This one already has a story started in it, with characters, setting, and action that someone else created. Now it’s up to you to continue the story.
What will happen next? Again, you don’t need to know the ending or even what happens in two more pages. Just one step in the story.
Despite being limited by the story that someone else started, most people find the second step to be easier and more fun than the first step. With a blank booklet, you had total freedom. But when anything is possible, it might be that nothing feels particularly right. Having something to react against focuses your creativity. That’s why I love writing and drawing prompts. Paradoxically, arbitrary constraints make us more creative.
When I feel stuck on one of my own stories, I imagine that I’m actually in the midst of one of these collaborative picture book events. There is no longer a story that I’m struggling with, but a story that has appeared before me out of nowhere. I’ve got two minutes to come up with the next step in the story—not the whole story, just one step—without thinking at all about where it is leading. I come up with something, and then move on to the next step.
I often find that my imagination will not allow me to see step two until I have taken step one. I try to see the path ahead in my mind, but I can’t. But I don’t get frustrated. I just start drawing, because I know that the story will only take shape through its own process of creation.
Look at that story that you’re stuck on. What would you do if you had to come up with something—anything—for the next step of the story? Forget about plans. Just take one step. Anything is better than nothing. Then repeat. This process might take your story just where it needs to go. Or it might lead you down a cul-de-sac, but it keeps you moving. Just go back and try again. What else could have happened? And then what? Eventually, you’ll find the right path for your story.
Ideas and stories take shape through action. Don’t wait for them to form in your mind. When you don’t know what to do, just keep writing and drawing!
Dan Moynihan is the author-illustrator of HIDING DINOSAURS, which was named a Must-Read Picture Book by the Massachusetts Center for the Book. His comics have appeared in Nickelodeon Magazine and Heeby Jeeby Comix. He also enjoys teaching watercolor painting and illustration classes at Cambridge Center for Adult Education. Dan lives in Boston with his wife Cathy and an orange cat named Butters. Visit him online at danmoynihan.blogspot.com and follow him on Twitter @HelloDanM.
Dan is giving away a signed copy of HIDING DINOSAURS.
Leave ONE COMMENT below to enter. You are eligible to win if you are a registered Storystorm participant and you have commented once on this blog post. Prizes will be given away at the conclusion of the event.
Good luck!
532 comments
Comments feed for this article
January 5, 2017 at 8:14 am
jodimckay
I definitely need to work on not thinking so much. Love the “pass the picture” game! That’s a great way to get the creativity flowing. Thanks, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 8:20 am
Stephanie Geckle (@SPGeckle)
Wow. Great post. Perfect timing. It’s only day 5 and I was starting freak out about ideas. Back to the drawing board. Thank you, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 8:26 am
Red said what?
Liberating, informative and fun post-Thank you, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 8:27 am
julietclarebell
Just about to get on a train. I’ll do some ‘just drawing’ on it. Thanks! Clare.
January 5, 2017 at 8:34 am
meganleewrites
Thank you! So often we are crippled by starting and wanting to wait for a great, fully formed idea. I’ve tried to let go of that and just start every idea, no matter how formed they are.
January 5, 2017 at 8:35 am
Leigh DeFreitas
Great ideas! Thanks, Dan, for sharing!
January 5, 2017 at 8:36 am
Lynn A. Davidson
Thank you, Dan, for this post. As a writer, and a wannabe illustrator lacking that skill, I think this would be freeing and fun. I’ve taken part with a group of writers passing around a story this way, just adding a few lines to each story that comes around the table. The results are usually hilarious. In fact, many years ago I was introduced to a party game similar to the story-only version of this idea. Brainstorming this way on my own had never occurred to me. Thanks again!
January 5, 2017 at 8:37 am
storyfairy
This sounds like a great approach to try.
January 5, 2017 at 8:37 am
cindyjohnson2013
Thanks Dan! This feels like a visual what if. I love that it takes me out of my left brain!
January 5, 2017 at 8:45 am
Diane Kress Hower
Thanks Dan! A great reminder and inspiration.
January 5, 2017 at 8:47 am
Beverly R. Marsh
Dan, thanks for the creative exercise idea – I’ll suggest this activity with my critique group.
January 5, 2017 at 8:47 am
August Washington
What a great post. Definitely will try this. Thanks Dan
January 5, 2017 at 8:50 am
donnacangelosi
Thank you, Dan! This is a fantastic way to get unstuck and to get creative juices flowing.
January 5, 2017 at 8:52 am
Kathy Elstad
Wow!! I love your writing thoughts! I’m a retired first grade teacher and I would have loved the idea of passing the story!! I can’t wait to pass the story! I wonder if I can let go of the control:). Lol. I also like the action idea! So many times I think — I can’t think of any thing so I don’t write! Not anymore:). I will have to check out your books:). Thanks for sharing:)
January 5, 2017 at 8:55 am
JoAnn DiVerdi
Dan, your post is filled with such an exuberance, I’m not surprised kids respond so well to your books! In my mind, I could hear Disney’s Dory paraphrasing you: Just keep drawing! Just keep drawing!
January 5, 2017 at 8:55 am
makz5650
I love this process! I can’t wait to go off and start writing! Thanks Dan.
January 5, 2017 at 8:56 am
Tracy Hora
I will definitely be trying this! Thanks.
January 5, 2017 at 8:57 am
Jane Heitman Healy
Dan, nice to meet you and your book. I love the drawing idea. I have done something similar with students passing notebooks with words, but drawing–even for us non-artists–is fun and fast. Thanks for the inspiration to TAKE STEP ONE!
January 5, 2017 at 9:00 am
rjtraxel
I really like your just one step approach (seems doable).
January 5, 2017 at 9:01 am
Stephanie Oplinger
Great advice! I’ve never thought to do it before, but I think pretending that the story just appeared in front of me and only focusing on the “What next?” one page at a time will help with a lot of my creative writer’s block that I always get to at some point in the rising action.
January 5, 2017 at 9:06 am
Patricia Koelmel
I just so happened to be stuck on where to go with a story idea … then along comes Tara’s blog introducing me to you! Thank you so much for the inspiration.
January 5, 2017 at 9:06 am
Juliann Caveny
A great suggestion to help plow through those “inner demons” that distract and hold us back from having pure fun and playing with our stories!
January 5, 2017 at 9:07 am
pathaap
This is something I’ve never tried, but will definitely be using. Thanks, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 9:07 am
Shirley Fadden
Terrific idea! Thank you.
January 5, 2017 at 9:07 am
Mary Wagley Copp
Wonderful way to get unstuck! Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 9:12 am
kathalsey
Love this line from you, “Ideas and stories take shape through action.” This was a very liberating post! TY, Dan.
January 5, 2017 at 9:12 am
Jeanine Potter Lovell
What a great idea! Thank you ! Thank you!
January 5, 2017 at 9:15 am
meszter24
Thank you Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 9:15 am
Polly Renner
I agree…the most important thing is just to start! And you have inspired a new idea for me to jot down. Thanks, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 9:16 am
Mark Gould
What a great game, I love the sense of improv for creating, takes you right out of your mind and into your heart. I’ll definitely be trying this out. Go Dinosaurs!
January 5, 2017 at 9:17 am
telltalestome
One Comment !!!!
January 5, 2017 at 9:18 am
lmconnors
Played pass the story with my students and for my kid’s birthday parties. I never thought of doing it myself! Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 9:20 am
kirsticall
This is a great idea, Dan! Thank you!
January 5, 2017 at 9:22 am
writeknit
Cool! I never thought of using all of the doodles that happen while on the phone at work, etc to get a book idea going!
I need to look back at my notes from a few long, boring meetings last year. 🙂
January 5, 2017 at 9:25 am
hmmmmm
Wise words — thanks Dan. And akin to the whole idea of morning pages, it seems. I love your line “…stories take shape through action.” True on a bunch of levels…
January 5, 2017 at 9:25 am
MD Knabb
Pass the story sounds so fun and spontaneous. Thanks, Dan
January 5, 2017 at 9:26 am
Alice Fulgione
I’ll certainly give your process a try. Thanks Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 9:27 am
Brenda Maier
Thanks, Dan. In addition to writing, I’m working on ways to help my students to tap their creativity. I think I’ll add this to my teaching toolbox, too!
January 5, 2017 at 9:27 am
Krissy
Hey, I could play “pass the story” with my kids! I bet I could ‘steal’ a few great ideas from them ! thanks Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 9:27 am
Sheri Bylander
Ooh, fun! Can’t wait to try drawing as my first story-step today. But your dino-love story makes me wonder if I need a cookie first…
January 5, 2017 at 9:27 am
moviemommie
The morning alarm went off and I opened my email to this delightful post. This is definitely an activity I think critique groups would love to do!
January 5, 2017 at 9:28 am
ManjuBeth
Thanks for sharing, Dan! I’ve taken part in shared verbal storytelling, but not shared drawn stories. Fun idea.
January 5, 2017 at 9:28 am
Dayne Sislen, Children's Book Illustrator
This sounds like so much fun. I want to try it with some writing friends. Thanks
January 5, 2017 at 9:29 am
Teresa Robeson
We did a similar, but not identical, exercise with Herve Tulle at a NYC SCBWI conference; it was very harried but freeing. Thanks for the reminder to try this again on my own!
January 5, 2017 at 9:29 am
Jess Townes
Thanks Dan- this is fun one, we do this at home with our kids, but I’ve never thought about pretending to be on page two of someone else’s prompt! Also, I’m glad the dinos in your sample story found love- and cookies!
January 5, 2017 at 9:31 am
jeanne
Jumping right into it! Thanks, Dan.
January 5, 2017 at 9:32 am
Melanie Ellsworth
Thanks, Dan. I definitely find that having some kind of constraint helps me too, and your step-by-step approach dovetails nicely with Tammi Sauer’s post about considering the “what ifs” of your story. Asking “what if” can take me to the next step in a story.
January 5, 2017 at 9:32 am
Melissa Stoller
I look forward to reading your work! I love your statement that “ideas and stories take place through action.” Cheers to more ideas, stories, and action in 2017!
January 5, 2017 at 9:33 am
Virginia Law Manning
I really like this idea! I run SCBWI meet & greets in Eastern PA, I’d love to try this exercise with them and have some fun! I recently got a fortune “Begin…the rest is easy.” I thought it was poignant although not completely true : ) Thank you!
January 5, 2017 at 9:34 am
Alex Borns-Weil
I’m not an illustrator, but I’m going to try drawing to get my juices flowing. I can see how this idea could work for writing,too. Thanks.
January 5, 2017 at 9:35 am
Gina Lannen
Love this idea…great tool to get out of your head and just let go. Thanks Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 9:39 am
Nancy Rimar
Love ‘pass the story’ – what a creative way to be creative!
January 5, 2017 at 9:39 am
katmaz2012
Thanks for the inspiration. I’ve got my colored pencils ready.
January 5, 2017 at 9:40 am
Catherine F
This is such a great idea! I’m going to try it with my writing group 🙂
January 5, 2017 at 9:40 am
Ryan Roberts
I struggle with the staring down at the blank page, and (even though I have no plans on illustrating) definitely seethe benefit in drawing my way to getting unstuck. Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 9:40 am
julielacombeauthor
“Ideas and stories take shape through action.” This really jumped out and smacked me in the face! My “theme” for 2017 is to take action. Nothing will ever happen if I don’t take action. Thank you for reinforcing this for me!
January 5, 2017 at 9:42 am
LIsa R.
Drawing now. . .
January 5, 2017 at 9:44 am
Paula Cohen-Martin
I’ll try anything once! 🙂 I like the idea of loosening up and just jumping in to the story. Feeling a little stuck so this excersize might get me out of my slump.
January 5, 2017 at 9:45 am
Rick Starkey
Great post! Thanks.
January 5, 2017 at 9:46 am
Poupette Smith
Gee, maybe writers should take up doodling (!)…
January 5, 2017 at 9:47 am
Heather Merrill
Love this idea! Thank you!
January 5, 2017 at 9:47 am
Nancy Ramsey
Great idea! Can’t wait to give it a try! Thanks, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 9:47 am
PJ
Thanks for sharing one of your strategies, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 9:50 am
Judy Bryan
How fun! Love passing the notebook and letting go. Thank you, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 9:50 am
Sue Poduska
Very cool. Thanks, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 9:51 am
Marlene Rohr
This idea is a stretching one for me; thanks for suggesting it!
January 5, 2017 at 9:52 am
Jacqueline
Thanks, Dan! I have a hard time moving forward with a story if I don’t know where it’s going, so this is just what I need.
January 5, 2017 at 9:52 am
Jim Chaize
I would like to try this. Love the idea of not thinking, just writing and see where the story goes. I have a delete key, so nothing terrible could happen. Thanks.
January 5, 2017 at 9:53 am
Paula Zeller
Dan, thank you! What a fun way to break out of the box and create!
January 5, 2017 at 10:40 am
Paula Zeller
Just wanted to follow up that I put my pencil to paper with no idea what to draw. I made one curved line, which grew into a silly cat. This quickly led to a detailed story idea. It’s amazing what can happen when we say no to self-editing and our inner critic during the creative process. Thanks again, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 9:55 am
Sherri Jones Rivers
Collaborative story-telling. Neat idea. Author/illustrators rock.
January 5, 2017 at 9:55 am
Brianna Zamborsky
Thanks for all the great illustrations and examples!
January 5, 2017 at 9:57 am
Kris
Love this idea!
January 5, 2017 at 9:58 am
Courtenay Schurman
I’ll try this. After nine “wrong paths” on my current MG WIP, I finally scrapped it all and wrote from scratch for NaNoWriMo and have what I think is a MUCH better product now. It required trusting the creative process and not getting hung up on what went before, trying to fit the other 8 versions into the newest one. Just keep going. Loved this.
January 5, 2017 at 9:58 am
Joanne Sher
This is BRILLIANT. I will definitely use this – and totally wanna do one of these stories with some of my kidlit buds. Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 9:59 am
Elizabeth Metz
“Don’t think” is tough advice for me, but really helpful and necessary. These events sound like tons of fun!
January 5, 2017 at 10:00 am
Elizabeth Saba
Thank you Dan! I have tried this with words but not pictures but now I will.
January 5, 2017 at 10:01 am
Miss Debbie
Great idea using illustrations. My small groups do something similar by passing around their journals with a starter sentence and the rest of the group builds on that. Thanks for sharing your idea. 🙂
January 5, 2017 at 10:03 am
Louann Brown
I love this idea. Off to make some little “books” to work on. Bravo Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 10:03 am
terrytalley12
“I know that the story will only take shape through its own process of creation.” Thanks for the reminder that its okay for a story to wander before finding its best path. I feel better about writing the fourth new beginning for my latest project.
January 5, 2017 at 10:04 am
mariagianferrari
Doodling and daydreaming starts today!! Thanks, Dan & your dinos 🙂
January 5, 2017 at 10:05 am
Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudhri
Turning off the inner critic is so hard! I love the idea of pretending that a story is something someone just handed you.
January 5, 2017 at 10:05 am
Shel ledrew
Very helpful. Thank you.
If I follow thru with what you suggest it could take care of my biggest problem.
Me!
January 5, 2017 at 10:07 am
marcimcadam
(In Dory’s sing-song) Just keep drawing, just keep drawing, what do we do, we draw, draw… I love it, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 10:07 am
Elsa Takaoka
I would love to do a drawing/writing prompt with a group and a blank notebook! I usually think up a story and come up with a start, middle and ending before I even start writing it out on paper. Today I will try not having a plan, maybe this is what I have been missing. I don’t want my stories to be safe, I want them to be absurd and hilarious. I’m starting to think that writing picture books requires a bit of insanity. I got that covered 😀
January 5, 2017 at 10:08 am
Kenda Henthorn
What a great prompt! Thank you, Dan!!
January 5, 2017 at 10:09 am
kiwijenny
It’s just as I suspected creating picture books is a game
January 5, 2017 at 10:16 am
Tina Cho
I should try that game with my students using one of my story ideas. Thank you!
January 5, 2017 at 10:18 am
Katy Duffield
You had me at “Anything is better than nothing.” 🙂
January 5, 2017 at 10:19 am
Debra Shumaker
Interesting approach. Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 10:19 am
Joan Marie Arbogast
It sounds like a fun activity for a group of writers & illustrators. The twists and turns could be hilarious. And perhaps lead to some plausible plot lines, too!
January 5, 2017 at 10:22 am
Shirin
I am inspired Dan! Thank you! I have many incomplete stories which I shall pick up and just take a step forward with them. First though, I shall doodle to my heart’s content, to unlock the creativity 🙂
January 5, 2017 at 10:25 am
Barbara Cairns
Thanks, Dan for reminding me to doodle some ideas for StoryStorm! Should be fun!
January 5, 2017 at 10:27 am
Melissa Koosmann
Thank you!
January 5, 2017 at 10:27 am
Darshana
Great advice! Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 10:28 am
loriannlevyholm
I do this activity with my students! So much fun. Thanks for the post!
January 5, 2017 at 10:29 am
laura516
I will have to try tricking myself into thinking that I’m just adding on to a story that was imagined by another. Great way to get unstuck!
January 5, 2017 at 10:30 am
Rachel Critchley
Loved the pass the book idea! It sounds like a great activity. Maybe my writing group could try it.
Thanks
January 5, 2017 at 10:30 am
gayleckrause
Great idea…just draw. I’m finding that drawing what I see in my head is fun and possibly a new venture for this writer. 🙂
January 5, 2017 at 10:34 am
Andrea Mack
This is exactly the advice I need! And what a fun idea for a writer’s group to play with! I’m going to suggest this next time I’m hanging out with writing friends (or even a group of kids at a workshop). Thanks, Dan!!
January 5, 2017 at 10:34 am
Daryl Gottier
Thanks for the great post and the fun group activity suggestion. I’m off to draw!
January 5, 2017 at 10:35 am
Kara kramer
great post! Love the exercise of just moving your hand one step at a time, thanks for sharing!
January 5, 2017 at 10:38 am
Nina Haines
I hope, I can tell what I drew.
January 5, 2017 at 10:38 am
Shelly Hawley-Yan
THANK YOU! I agree that the blank page is intimidating. Sometimes I’ll stay with a picture in the middle of a dummy and try to write or draw my way out in both directions! Lol
January 5, 2017 at 10:38 am
Marie Manley Tucker
One comment:) heehee – Marie Manley Tucker
January 5, 2017 at 10:40 am
Sharon Nix Jones
Yay! I have an excuse to not think. At least for today.
January 5, 2017 at 10:41 am
rowenarae
Excellent post and fabulous idea!
January 5, 2017 at 10:43 am
Carrie Pearson (@carrieapearson)
What? Getting my brain out of the way of my creativity? What a splendid idea! I’m on it.
January 5, 2017 at 10:44 am
Susan Schade
Such good advice! Just Start and Next Step are my inspirations for the day. Thank you.
January 5, 2017 at 10:46 am
Mary
Is it wrong to wish for writing amnesia? My brain clings to the plan and I need to loosen up and let creativity flow. That’s when things get fun over frustrating! Thank you for the great post!
January 5, 2017 at 10:46 am
Carolyn Rohrbaugh
Hard to believe something so simply drawn is so adorable
January 5, 2017 at 10:47 am
Meli Glickman
This inspirational piece inspires my ink to flow much like a sparked match sets flame to a fire. I don’t “think” I like this wisdom: I “know” I do!
January 5, 2017 at 10:50 am
Sharon Langley
I’ll try it. Most of my figures are stick figures, but it could jumpstart my imagination! Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 10:51 am
debmeyercreative
Such simple advice, but so brilliant!! I am definitely overthinking things. Thanks, Dan!! 🙂 And congratulations on your success.
January 5, 2017 at 10:52 am
C.L. Murphy
How freeingly fun, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 10:54 am
Lori Dubbin
Oh, the places that an idea can go…if I just let go of the self-doubt and over thinking! Thank you for sharing your pass the story exercise!
January 5, 2017 at 10:54 am
Anna Gateley-Stanton
I love this idea. Can’t draw more than stick figures, but I can definitely start writing and pass it off to someone else and see where it goes from there. Thanks, Dan.
January 5, 2017 at 10:55 am
Nancy Armo
Fun strategies to put into our toolbox. Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 10:56 am
Cathy Stenquist
Thank you Dan… I LOVE this idea. Sort of like the old game ‘Operator” I played as a kid. The story morphs and changes as it is passed form one to another. Want to see if I can get a group to do this exercise!
January 5, 2017 at 10:56 am
Carleen M. Tjader
Boy, I needed this! I’m loving this! And I love getting PB titles to read as mentor texts, like this one.
January 5, 2017 at 10:56 am
Mary Worley
This reminded me of doing one-sentence stories on long road trips and gave me a new idea! Thanks! I’m going to try out the two-minute tip…
January 5, 2017 at 10:58 am
David McMullin
Thanks, Dan. I do tend to get a bit thinky. Great advice.
January 5, 2017 at 10:59 am
Rebecca E. Guzinski
Your advice is simple yet allows one to take the risk to move forward and just draw/write without over thinking things.
January 5, 2017 at 11:09 am
Darcie Durr
Great tips. Thanks Dan and Tara!
January 5, 2017 at 11:14 am
Meghan Burch
Thanks for some freeing ideas, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 11:16 am
JEN Garrett
I love the idea of that game! I’ll have to try it with my critique group. And I love how freewriting frees the mind.
January 5, 2017 at 11:17 am
Cortney Benvenuto
I love don’t think just draw. The concept is applicable to writing as well :)! Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 11:18 am
Kerrie
Needed this today. Thank you.
January 5, 2017 at 11:18 am
artfulu
Reminds me of the “exquisite corpse” drawings we did as a kid. So much fun. Great prompt idea!
January 5, 2017 at 11:20 am
Michele Meleen
Sounds like a super fun activity – perhaps I could get my online critique group to try a virtual version using Google Slides!
January 5, 2017 at 11:23 am
susanhaderlie
I needed this post this morning. Thanks Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 11:24 am
aliciaminor
No wonder you are successful for this is a great approach into finding a story. I wish you more books to come!
January 5, 2017 at 11:24 am
Carolyn
What a fun idea to do with creative friends!
January 5, 2017 at 11:27 am
craigpines
How liberating! Thanks for input. I’m going to give it a try. Overthinking is creative constipation!
January 5, 2017 at 11:28 am
Penny Parker Klostermann
Thinking can get me bogged down…I try not to think, but it’s hard not to. Thanks for the reminder that “not thinking” can help me move a story along!
January 5, 2017 at 11:28 am
catcarole
Very good, and somewhat scary, advice for people like me who tend to be perfectionists. I need to remember that at the play stage, it doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to keep moving.
Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 11:29 am
Vanessa Roeder
Over thinking is one of my biggest hindrances when attempting to write a story. Great advice!
January 5, 2017 at 11:29 am
Michele Helsel
This perfectly pertains to a writer friend in my critique group. I’m forwarding the article immediately. Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 11:30 am
Monica A. Harris
While I’m not an illustrator, I find this idea appealing for writing also. When I teach creative writing in schools, we often do this sort of “building block” story creation. No pressure to complete a story as it is passed on to the next student who ‘builds onto’ the existing story. Very cool idea! Thanks for sharing
January 5, 2017 at 11:31 am
Ali Earle Pichardo
Dan, thank you for this great idea. I can’t wait to try this activity with my critique group.
January 5, 2017 at 11:32 am
karammitchell
Thanks, Dan! One upon a time, a long time ago, I taught high school art. We did a similar exercise where we drew for five minutes then passed the drawing to the right. We still play this as a family some game nights. I think we can get in a rut of looking at/reading other people’s work and not just doing. Great post. Now, I have to get to work, huh?!
January 5, 2017 at 11:34 am
angie9091
What a fun exercise!
January 5, 2017 at 11:36 am
Anne Bielby
Great Advice! “Look at that story that you’re stuck on. What would you do if you had to come up with something—anything—for the next step of the story? Forget about plans. Just take one step. Anything is better than nothing. Then repeat. This process might take your story just where it needs to go.”
January 5, 2017 at 11:36 am
Teresa Daffern
Dan – thank you. This is such great advice. I definitely stew my ideas too much and would do better to just get in there and stir the pot.
January 5, 2017 at 11:37 am
Jessie Oliveros
What an amazing writing exercise! Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 11:37 am
Darlene Ivy
I had the pleasure of being in one of your workshops. The process is wonderfully freeing and productive. Thank you!
January 5, 2017 at 11:41 am
authordebradaugherty
“Don’t think, just draw” brought to mind Nike’s slogan, “Just do it!” I tend to overthink. I loved your exercise! What fun!
January 5, 2017 at 11:44 am
Kim Pfennigwerth
Love this advice! I am stuck on a certain section right now and will be using this today!
January 5, 2017 at 11:45 am
Megan
Following the “What If…?” advice from yesterday with “Just Take the Next Step” today is inspired! I’m going to use the ideas I generated yesterday and build on them a bit today. Thank you!
January 5, 2017 at 11:45 am
Susan Nicholas
Thanks for the great writing tip. I love to doodle. Now you’ve given me ways to take those random marks and let them lead me to the next step of my stories.
January 5, 2017 at 11:45 am
Heather Elizabeth
Thanks Dan! This is a fun exercise….I do it with my kids at school while sitting in a circle. They love it, as do I!
January 5, 2017 at 11:46 am
Laurie Lascos
Thanks for sharing this. 🙂 Makes me wish I could draw better. lol
January 5, 2017 at 11:47 am
Mary Warth
Thanks Dan, today will be a day of -just doing!
January 5, 2017 at 11:50 am
lololaffan
I want to do this now! And pass it on to our kids librarians, teachers, everyone!
January 5, 2017 at 11:53 am
Sue Heavenrich
Love this, Dan. Reminds me of Yoda wisdom: there is no try – just do. Thanks for another way to shake loose some ideas.
January 5, 2017 at 11:53 am
CindyC
Thanks Dan! I hope my critique group will try this activity soon.
January 5, 2017 at 11:54 am
tanjabauerle
I love the idea of giving up the control to create the story. Gotta try this exercise! Thank you.
January 5, 2017 at 11:54 am
Mark Bentz
Great post Dan. Love the idea of passing the drawing to the next person. You never know what will happen. Awesome.
January 5, 2017 at 11:56 am
Heather Stinnett
That sounds like a fun idea. I do that with my friends sometimes, except it’s not a picture book, it’s just writing. Maybe we’ll do a picture book next. 🙂 your book looks very cute!
January 5, 2017 at 11:57 am
booksbygee
Thanks, Dan! Such a great tactic to get the brain going!!
January 5, 2017 at 12:00 pm
Steve Schwartz
What a fun (and productive) approach! Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 12:01 pm
Gretchen Brandenburg McLellan
I like the playful looseness in this approach. I bet kids love it too!
January 5, 2017 at 12:02 pm
teresa.mi.schaefer
Love the encouragement to just do it — draw, write, write, draw.
January 5, 2017 at 12:05 pm
Victoria Wirkkala
I love this idea! How fun to compile a story made from multiple creators! Thank you for the inspiration!
January 5, 2017 at 12:05 pm
Sharalyn Edgeberg
I love this idea, and think I’ll see if my writing group would be willing to try it. The other phrase that I love is: “Ideas and stories take shape through action.”Thanks for sharing.
January 5, 2017 at 12:09 pm
Vanessa
Thank you for the pass the story drawing idea
January 5, 2017 at 12:09 pm
Tina Barbour
This was so helpful!! “Having something to react against focuses your creativity.” That was a aha moment for me when I read that. And I’ve been trying to work out stories in my mind. I love the idea of just starting to write and draw. Thank you!
January 5, 2017 at 12:12 pm
danielledufayet
Love this reminder: Just dive in and stay open to what comes.:)
January 5, 2017 at 12:12 pm
Gayle Veitenheimer
Thanks, Dan. The just-one-step idea helps make the process manageable.
January 5, 2017 at 12:13 pm
Stephanie Shaw
Thank you, Dan! You touched on the most difficult part of the writing process: starting! Your advice and encouragement will help.
January 5, 2017 at 12:13 pm
DaNeil Olson
I’ve used progressive stories with my students but never thought of using them myself. Thank you!
January 5, 2017 at 12:13 pm
colleen kosinski
Sounds fun!
January 5, 2017 at 12:14 pm
Robin Brett Wechsler
I appreciate the Yoda-like advice: just do, don’t think! (Which I tend to overdo.) Thank you, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 12:15 pm
Karen Henry Clark
Thanks for helping us connect to the fun of not knowing every last detail. We’re explorers without a map.
January 5, 2017 at 12:15 pm
Kristi Veitenheimer
I’m reminded of one of the songs from a Christmas cartoon – “just put one foot in front of the other, and soon you’ll be walking out the door…”
Just one step. Don’t think, just draw/write. I think I can do that!
January 5, 2017 at 12:15 pm
Meena
When you have a writer’s block, just keep drawing! Thanks for the great idea.
January 5, 2017 at 12:16 pm
Laura Rackham
excellent motto for the new year-don’t overthink!
January 5, 2017 at 12:20 pm
Stephen S. Martin
Everything you do and write and draw, no matter how good or bad is a stepping stone to success!
January 5, 2017 at 12:21 pm
Susanne
After Thursday’s What If? Squirrel activities, I can only imagine how crazy this could turn out. We’ll have to wait and see though- we had a surprise Snow Day!
January 5, 2017 at 12:31 pm
Sarah Lynne Reul
Hooray Dan! Your collaborative comics workshops are the best. So fun to see toona legs up there!
January 5, 2017 at 12:32 pm
Cathy C. Hall
Well, this is great–for once, someone telling me to do pretty much what I do every day! 🙂
January 5, 2017 at 12:34 pm
jeanjames926
I love your idea of passing around the story. It reminds me a bit of the game telephone…the outcome is always a fun surprise.
January 5, 2017 at 12:35 pm
Dawn Young
Thanks Dan
January 5, 2017 at 12:37 pm
Pam Miller
Can’t wait to try this exercise, Dan. Thanks for freeing up our minds.
January 5, 2017 at 12:38 pm
Aimee Haburjak
What a great idea to not over think or to move past being stuck. Thanks for sharing this post. Hiding Dinosaurs looks Aweeome!
January 5, 2017 at 12:42 pm
dbyatt
I love this advice. It would also be so fun to see all the variations in where a story could go, depending on the person it’s passed to next.
January 5, 2017 at 12:44 pm
evelynchristensen
Great idea for when a writer is bogged down and doesn’t know where to go next. Thanks for the tip.
January 5, 2017 at 12:45 pm
LaurenKerstein
I love this idea! Yes, ideas and stories take place through action. Excellent point!
January 5, 2017 at 12:46 pm
KatieFrey
This is great. Drawing always helps me be creative!
January 5, 2017 at 12:48 pm
theresenagi
I’m going to follow your creative steps to keep my ideas coming. Thank you Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 12:50 pm
Nicki Jacobsmeyer
I can’t wait to try this exercise with my writing group;) Thank you, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 12:53 pm
Michelle Andersen
I’m going to give this a try. Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 12:56 pm
Sally Spratt (@SallySpratt)
Love this idea. Going to try it and see what I come up with.
January 5, 2017 at 12:59 pm
Gregory E Bray
I recently started drawing again. And lucky the not thinking part comes easy for me. 😉
January 5, 2017 at 1:00 pm
Caren L Cantrell
I’m trying this at my next critique group. I’m by nature a “thinker” so this will definitely get me out of my comfort zone!
January 5, 2017 at 1:04 pm
ajschildrensbooks
Great activity! Thank you, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 1:05 pm
Patricia Kreiser
Thanks so much for this, Dan! I have done this before with kids, but frankly, never really considered the benefits of having this much fun myself! What a trip! It’s a great way to eliminate the instant filter that comes out when I’m creating and just let the ideas flow. Happy New Year!
January 5, 2017 at 1:08 pm
DebbieLubbert
I can draw stick people. Hahahaha. Thank you for the post!
January 5, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Alicia
Love this idea! Thank you.
January 5, 2017 at 1:12 pm
Carolyn Kraft
Love this idea! We did really fun doodling exercises at our local SCBWI mingle last night. This post confirms that drawing needs to be a much bigger part of my creative process – thanks Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 1:13 pm
Nicole Turner
Great way to get the creative juices flowing
January 5, 2017 at 1:16 pm
Leslie Leibhardt Goodman - Writer
I’ve found that making thumbnail drawings helps me visualize scenes. I often keep a sketchbook next to my laptop. Thanks for a great post!
January 5, 2017 at 1:21 pm
Brittanny Handiboe
Don’t think, just draw. I like it!
January 5, 2017 at 1:22 pm
Sara Matson
I love this: “Just take one step. Anything is better than nothing. Then repeat. This process might take your story just where it needs to go. Or it might lead you down a cul-de-sac, but it keeps you moving. Just go back and try again. What else could have happened? And then what? Eventually, you’ll find the right path for your story.” Thank you!
January 5, 2017 at 1:26 pm
ingridboydston
No wonder my best stories were written in response to prompts! Thank you for sharing Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 1:26 pm
Elizabeth Brown
Thank you for the great post!
January 5, 2017 at 1:27 pm
bamauthor
Fun idea to try some new ideas…because I am artistically challenged this is something I would not have come up with myself.
January 5, 2017 at 1:34 pm
Wendy Greenley
Going to try this at my next in person critique group ! (with words–but no art) Thanks, Dan.
January 5, 2017 at 1:37 pm
Sandie Sing
I forgot the “pass the picture” book idea. I used to do this with my second graders and it was the greatest laugh project. I love the “take one step” thinking. Thanks for sharing your “thinking process”.
January 5, 2017 at 1:40 pm
Robyn McGrath
Don’t think just draw! Great advice!
January 5, 2017 at 1:45 pm
Lynne Marie
What a dino-mite post — thanks, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 1:46 pm
Maria Marshall
Great post Dan. My Mom used to do this with me and my kids, especially when we were stuck somewhere “boring.” She would start a doodle and ask us to add to it (then pass it around) or finish it (if there were only the two of us). It produced some really funny looking characters and scenes. But it was freeing and lots of fun. Thanks for reminding me of these fun times. 🙂
January 5, 2017 at 1:47 pm
Katelyn Aronson
My favorite line was “There’s a lot of power in just starting.” Such a great reminder and such a fun article! Thank you, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 1:47 pm
Shari Della Penna
Often, the first step is the hardest. Thanks for reminding us to just get started!
January 5, 2017 at 1:48 pm
mariaordish
This is a fantastic way of looking at a piece when you are stuck on it. I’m going to try this with myself. Maybe make an actual book and write a new page each day! Thanks Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 1:50 pm
Rene` Diane Aube
Thanks Dan! Due to a glitch in my DNA, I cannot “just draw,” 😖*well, at least not without giving all of those very talented illustrators out there ulcers*. 😨 So I’ll go and just write, instead…That works, right?? 😏 Happy Storystorm day 5!
January 5, 2017 at 1:51 pm
Rebecca Colby
Fun idea that I’ve used before, but not not in a book form. Will have to try it now!. Thanks for the inspiration!
January 5, 2017 at 1:53 pm
Cassandra Federman (@CassFederman)
My whole life is over-thinking! Even my drawing… 🙂
January 5, 2017 at 1:55 pm
Antje
Fantastic post. I love the idea and advice, Dan. Will try it out right away 🙂
January 5, 2017 at 1:58 pm
Angie
Oh, those story circles sound fun! The important thing is to just take the next step! Thank you!
January 5, 2017 at 2:01 pm
Debra
I am not much of an artist, but I fully support the idea of just putting pen to paper and seeing where it will lead.
January 5, 2017 at 2:02 pm
Johnell DeWitt
This would be fun to do with my critique group. Thanks.
January 5, 2017 at 2:02 pm
Anne Bromley
Thank you, Dan and Tara. This is just what the doctor ordered for today! I took your advice and can’t wait to see what happens tomorrow.
January 5, 2017 at 2:14 pm
Natalie Rompella
Great idea! I’ll definitely be using it!
January 5, 2017 at 2:18 pm
Kay Deans
I’ll give it a try, but I’m not a good artist. In fact, I’m not an artist at all – drawing seems to stifle me. I’ll give it a go anyway. Who knows??
January 5, 2017 at 2:21 pm
triciacandy
Thanks so much for this great advice! I’m stuck stuck stuck on one section of my story and this is perfect timing!
January 5, 2017 at 2:21 pm
pattywaymedic
Great article. I seldom have a definite idea of where I’m going and try to avoid the first (and thus predictable) idea that comes. Such a fun way to look at it. Thanks for the insights!!
January 5, 2017 at 2:21 pm
jenabenton
Ohhh! I too like story prompts. I have whole boards on Pinterest dedicated to visual or verbal writing prompts. Thanks for sharing.
January 5, 2017 at 2:26 pm
kylemstoneart
Very inspiring!
Thank you
January 5, 2017 at 2:26 pm
Joyce Allan
Thanks for the great post, Dan. It is so easy to get bogged down with too much thought. It can take all the fun out of writing.
January 5, 2017 at 2:27 pm
Janie Reinart
Dan great words of wisdom to keep the pen moving.
January 5, 2017 at 2:31 pm
Brenda Huante
That very first step is always the hardest. Thank you for your advice.
January 5, 2017 at 2:31 pm
Pat Miller
You gave us so much to draw upon! Thanks, Dan.
January 5, 2017 at 2:31 pm
matthewlasley
I would think that by allowing yourself to “just do”, you are less critical when you go back because you know you are not done.
I found that when I first started writing in a more professional manner that I had trouble with being “done”. I saw my work as “finished since my ideas were there on the paper.
As I write, I am finding it important to just get stuff down. It does not need to be perfect, or complete, it just needs to be. That is what revisions are for.
January 5, 2017 at 2:32 pm
Amanda
Stick people here we go! Doodle, sketch, draw.
January 5, 2017 at 2:33 pm
Charlotte Dixon
I’ve never attended a collaborative-story-making-event! What fun! Thank you, Dan, for sharing this process. You’ve given me a new way to think about my writing projects 🙂
January 5, 2017 at 2:34 pm
rgstones
Thank you! I think drawing will unclog my brain. 🙂
January 5, 2017 at 2:36 pm
judyrubin13
Thank you, Dan. I plan to sketch today’s idea.
January 5, 2017 at 2:38 pm
Maria Bostian
Love the concept of passing on the story to a new person! Would love to do that exercise in person. Thanks, Dan, for the great ideas.
January 5, 2017 at 2:43 pm
Cassie Bentley
This would be a fun activity in a critique group.
January 5, 2017 at 2:48 pm
Annaliese Arnold
I love this idea, as sometimes I struggle to think where the story will lead. I just need to have faith in my pen or drawings and something will be created. Thanks for the tips.
January 5, 2017 at 2:50 pm
Sharon Cowley
I’ll try, even though I CAN”T draw!
January 5, 2017 at 2:51 pm
Kathryn Hagen
Love the idea of just starting and moving one step at a time. Good way to free up the ideas!
January 5, 2017 at 2:53 pm
megcason1
I agree Dan, sometimes we need to get out of our heads! Thank you for this post!
January 5, 2017 at 2:54 pm
kathydoherty1
What an interesting approach! Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 2:58 pm
Cindi Handley Goodeaux
This is terrifying and fun rolled up into one!! I have to try it!!!
January 5, 2017 at 3:03 pm
lydialukidis
Yes, as much as I’m scared to draw out my ideas, I think it would help…
January 5, 2017 at 3:07 pm
kjfoote
Even for non-illustrators, your advice is so helpful! Thank you!!
January 5, 2017 at 3:08 pm
Kate (@KateGiard)
I love the idea of passing a story. I need to set a machine in my office to duplicate myself. Oh, the places we could go!
January 5, 2017 at 3:12 pm
reluctantspy
Whatever works for you — go with it!
January 5, 2017 at 3:14 pm
danielle hammelef
I know I always think too much and have a difficult time quieting my inner editor. Thanks for the reminder–maybe one day it will sink in to my brain.
January 5, 2017 at 3:16 pm
uraniasmith
I loved this post! I used to have an English professor that would have our class do the same thing, but with writing a story. The stories we’d end up with were wacky and funny. I never thought about applying it as a strategy for fleshing out my own stories.
January 5, 2017 at 3:16 pm
Mavis Penney
THANK YOU: for “there’s no time for self-doubt or self-editing… there’s a lot of power in just starting.” Thank you for this encouragement! 🙂
January 5, 2017 at 3:18 pm
Lisa Freund
This is exactly what I needed to read right now. Thank you!
January 5, 2017 at 3:18 pm
Mary Jane Muir
This was fun to read. I hope I can loosen up now. Thanks Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 3:26 pm
Gabi Snyder
Your collaborative story-making events sound super fun! Sometimes looking at the “big picture” is too overwhelming and so moving forward just one step at a time sounds like a great way to get “un-stuck”! Thanks, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 3:36 pm
Sheri Radovich
I love this in theory but the pressure to draw something that makes sense is hard. I used to do this with kids where they wrote a sentence and passed it to the next person and each wrote something new until we finished the row. It works better for the non-artistic kids.
January 5, 2017 at 3:37 pm
Jessie Burnam
Oh my gosh – I love your drawing how they “tied the knot” … so incredibly cute! Perfect timing for your post … I can be too in my head and the thought process sometimes. Thanks! 😀
January 5, 2017 at 3:41 pm
Sandy Brown Lowe
This is the hardest thing for me: letting go and letting the story lead the way. Thanks for the encouragement!
January 5, 2017 at 3:46 pm
artsyandi
Great advice Dan! Some of our local illustrators have actually done this with canvas and paint before… 10 minutes then pass. It really gets you to loosen up and is so much fun! Getting back to drawing now…
January 5, 2017 at 3:49 pm
Anna Smith
Great idea! I’ll have to get some friends together and try this out. Thank you
January 5, 2017 at 3:54 pm
Cathy Ogren
Loved the post, Dan. It’s a great way to approach writing when you get stuck.
January 5, 2017 at 4:01 pm
Genevieve Petrillo
As a fellow pants-er, I love this post. I wrote the first sentence of a story and passed it to my dog Cupcake. She sniffed it and licked it, but didn’t move it forward AT ALL. Apparently, I’m on my own here…
January 5, 2017 at 4:02 pm
Heidi Yates
Thank you for the advice Dan! I am off to doodle some PB ideas in my Storystorm notebook now. 🙂
January 5, 2017 at 4:04 pm
Beth Blee
Great post! Thanks for helping me to see new possibilities!
January 5, 2017 at 4:10 pm
katharinederrick
Love this idea – I have used it more than once in writing circles myself 🙂
January 5, 2017 at 4:11 pm
Jilanne Hoffmann
I love the idea of entering a story as if it came to you from someone else. It relieves the burden of history, the thing that weighs us down. Thanks for this insight!
January 5, 2017 at 4:16 pm
Helen Matthews
Brilliant! And so true. Thanks for reminding. JDI – just do it!
January 5, 2017 at 4:22 pm
Kathleen Wilcox
“Ideas and stories take shape through action,” so true! Thank you for encouraging us to stay active in the process.
January 5, 2017 at 4:24 pm
ellenleventhal
What a great idea! I do something like this with my students, but with words,not sketches. Need to try this!! Thanks.
January 5, 2017 at 4:34 pm
Jen G.
I love this, Dan! I get so stuck in over-thinking my drafting. I need to just write! Even if it’s down a cul-de-sac, I’ll keep moving. Thanks for that advice!!
January 5, 2017 at 4:43 pm
Linda Staszak
Fun ideas! Thanks for sharing.
January 5, 2017 at 4:43 pm
R.J. Koehn
I used to do something similar to this with writing in my 8th grade classrooms (could get a little scary now and then), but I never considered doing it with drawing. What an awesome idea! Thank you for the great post!
January 5, 2017 at 4:45 pm
Ashley
Great idea Dan! Sounds like a fun way to keep a story going. Thanks for the post.
January 5, 2017 at 4:46 pm
Joana Pastro
These collaborative events sound like a lot of fun.
I’ll try this right now! Thanks, Dan.
January 5, 2017 at 4:47 pm
sunwalker2013
Doodle -doodle-doo! I’ve done it for years ans never applied it to story content. SO excited now!
January 5, 2017 at 4:52 pm
carolmunrojww
Thanks for this, Dan. My writing group often uses this practice. One person begins a story, writes for 5 or 10 minutes, then we pass to the left, and continue until the stories land back in the laps of the originators. It’s fun, but I hadn’t thought to use the same theory in writing PBs. Until you made it clear.
January 5, 2017 at 4:52 pm
Rita D. Russell
Thank you, Dan, for these incredible words to create by: “Ideas and stories take shape through action. Don’t wait for them to form in your mind. When you don’t know what to do, just keep writing and drawing!” I’m taping this quote to my computer.
January 5, 2017 at 5:06 pm
Kaye Baillie
I love the fish on legs! And how action moves the story along. Thanks, Dan.
January 5, 2017 at 5:11 pm
Ann Kelley
Very inspiring, Dan!! My imagination is sparked! So true to just do and giving yourself permission to draw especially with a two minute time limit helps to focus creativity.
January 5, 2017 at 5:14 pm
Zainab Khan
Thanks for sharing. I did this exercise at a conference once and it was a great way to open the story gates. I may do this again for today’s idea.
January 5, 2017 at 5:18 pm
writingcygnet
I must admit to being jealous of folks who can not only write but also illustrate. How I wish I had some artistic talent! Stick figures are about all I can manage–and my family laughs at those. Still and all, I intend to give this a try. Who knows what could happen?!
January 5, 2017 at 5:31 pm
Karen Dean
What a great way to loosen up! I agree. When you get an idea, no matter how small, just take that first step so your next step has a place to land. Then keep repeating. We don’t need to know the end and everything in between to start. It is exciting to watch a story evolve before my eyes as I’m writing. I try to come up with some basic concepts in advance but give my story room to develop without me bringing confinement. Every story is different.
January 5, 2017 at 5:38 pm
Marty Bellis
Getting started is tough. Finishing is even tougher! This just might be the answer. Thanks for a great post.
January 5, 2017 at 5:50 pm
Candy
Not thinking!! 🙂
January 5, 2017 at 5:54 pm
fspoesy
“Arbitrary constraints make us more creative” is a very important paradox for writers (and all artists) to consider. Thanks for the post, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 5:59 pm
Sandy Perlic
Ooh… so much potential here! Instead of staring at the page trying to figure out the best way for my story to evolve, I could let my subconscious take the reins.
January 5, 2017 at 6:00 pm
shanah salter
My stick figure characters are excited! An unknown journey awaits…
January 5, 2017 at 6:12 pm
Gail Hedrick
Hmm, action must be the one thing I have not thought about-get it? Stop thinking, and move something-an arm, a leg, a pickle-thanks so much for this really cool post!
January 5, 2017 at 6:12 pm
Martin Segal
Thanks for the great advice, Dan! Excited to try drawing to come up with an idea!
January 5, 2017 at 6:12 pm
Deb Lund
I had a great time doing this activity with illustrator friends this fall, and it was okay that my doodles weren’t the “best.” It’s so amazing to allow myself to be vulnerable and courageous enough to play anyway—something I had to overcome (over and over) and still struggle with it. But that’s what this is all about, isn’t it? Thanks for the inspiration. I’m going to ignore the rest of my to-do list for now and doodle!
January 5, 2017 at 6:12 pm
Christine Irvin
Hmmmm….sounds like it just might work. Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 6:15 pm
anitajjones
What a great way to approach illustrating…I always get stuck staring at a blank piece of paper..sometimes for hours, or days. I definately have to try this method. I’m excited to see where it goes! Thanks Dan for some good tips and advice!
January 5, 2017 at 6:26 pm
mona861
Thank you…What a fun way to turn the page and embrace the detours!!!
January 5, 2017 at 6:27 pm
Erika Schnatz
This is great advice! I’ve done a similar activity with friends to make a 9-panel comic, and the results were absolutely delightful. I also like flipping back through old sketchbooks to find inspiration for new stories (though I mostly doodle cats so it’s a fairly limited well of inspiration). 🙂
January 5, 2017 at 6:49 pm
barbd43
Huh! That sounds very cool Dan. Thank you for contributing,
January 5, 2017 at 6:51 pm
Carolyn
Wonderful! Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 6:57 pm
kari
Going to do try this. Also I love a 5 minute writing brainstorm where you you write anything that comes to mind.
January 5, 2017 at 6:58 pm
htbeers
Thank you, Dan! I needed this today. I especially liked this bit of encouragement: “I imagine that I’m actually in the midst of one of these collaborative picture book events….I’ve got two minutes to come up with the next step in the story—not the whole story, just one step—without thinking at all about where it is leading. I come up with something, and then move on to the next step.” I’m posting this next to my desk. 🙂
January 5, 2017 at 7:02 pm
Martti Maguet
My stick people are happy to be let free. Thank you Dan.
January 5, 2017 at 7:08 pm
lindaschueler
I love those collaborative story exercises. The suggestion to use them as a basis to continue your story is one I’ve never heard, but it’s worth exploring.
January 5, 2017 at 7:14 pm
billiesgirl
I used to play a drawing game like this with my kids when we were on a long car trip. I still have some of the drawings we came up with! Thank you for this idea!
January 5, 2017 at 7:31 pm
sheistheteacher
🙋🏼I never thought of this strategy as a way to actually create something good myself! I did it with my students in school but I really think it it’s great for writers and illustrators. At the end “two heads really think better than one” 🙅🏼🙆🏻I’m so giving this one a chance! Thanks for sharing the wisdom Dan! 💁🏼
Kim
January 5, 2017 at 7:42 pm
wyszguy
You make it sound so easy… 😛
January 5, 2017 at 7:45 pm
Jane Norton
Great idea…Don’t think – just draw!
(And have fun)
January 5, 2017 at 7:59 pm
Carol Gwin Nelson
I’m not an illustrator, but I think I try to just draw and see what happens!
January 5, 2017 at 8:00 pm
bookthreader
I will try this. Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 8:09 pm
Liz Garcia
How fun! Thanks for sharing.
January 5, 2017 at 8:19 pm
Sherry Howard
I love the collaboration exercise! It’s fun to hear how the brain works when the pictures flow. (This from an advanced stick figure artist. Oh, and I can draw a house and tree.)
January 5, 2017 at 8:23 pm
kmajor2013
Dan, excellent approach! I like the free-wheeling way you are suggesting we do things. Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 8:25 pm
denarose
Thanks for the inspirational post! I’m going to try to write without overthinking!
January 5, 2017 at 8:26 pm
Jennifer Larson Hunt
What a great technique to get unstuck! Looking forward to trying it and seeing where my imagination takes my stories.
January 5, 2017 at 8:29 pm
Peter
When I taught 4th grade, I called these “story rounds.” They were wacky and confusing times, but always creative. Now, my kindergarten class gives me the story elements and I write a story based on what they gave me. Challenging, but definitely helpful for my creativity.
January 5, 2017 at 8:37 pm
Saba Negash
This is a great tactic for writers block! Thank you!
January 5, 2017 at 8:40 pm
Claire O'Brien
Ah I can’t wait to try this!
January 5, 2017 at 8:49 pm
Lucy Staugler
Dan, what a fun, freeing romp to charge up the creative gray matter!!
January 5, 2017 at 8:52 pm
yangmommy
I think I may try the “passing the picture” with my students! A good lesson in creativity and accepting whimsy. Thx!
January 5, 2017 at 8:57 pm
Jeanette Koscheski
This sounds like such a fun and creative activity. I’d like to try it.
January 5, 2017 at 8:58 pm
Cathy Breisacher
I love this idea! Can’t wait to try it. Thank you!
January 5, 2017 at 9:20 pm
harmonee2014
Just what I needed to hear at this moment. Can’t wait to get started! Thanks for the motivation!
January 5, 2017 at 9:26 pm
Patricia Alcaro
Thanks, Dan, for reminding me to stop overthinking…
January 5, 2017 at 9:31 pm
Maria Barbella
Thank you for showing us such a freeing way to creating fun art.
January 5, 2017 at 9:43 pm
Heather Pierce Stigall
Great ideas! I had a character name and nothing else, so I let my kids help me create a story about her. It’s a start . . . .
January 5, 2017 at 9:44 pm
LJ Laniewski
Thanks for the inspirational post! It’s funny…I’ve tried this as a strategy when working with young students, but I’ve never tried it for one of my own stories. I just had an ah-ha moment!
January 5, 2017 at 9:56 pm
Erik Ammon
I love doing stories like that with my class! Each doing a sentence at a time. They come up with some interesting stories! I may try it this way having them each draw and write for a part of the story, then pass it to the next kid…hmmm…
January 5, 2017 at 9:57 pm
Buffy Silverman
We used to play the pass the story game with our kids when they were young. Love the advice to just start and see where each step leads.
January 5, 2017 at 10:04 pm
Rona Shirdan
Fun article! Thanks for sharing!
January 5, 2017 at 10:07 pm
Artelle Lenthall
‘But when anything is possible, it might be that nothing feels particularly right.’ This line spoke to me for some reason which is odd because I tend to find it harder when I have to fit to a theme. Maybe if I take it just one step at a time it might become clearer. Thanks Dan, what a great post!
January 5, 2017 at 10:10 pm
carol calladine
Fun post. A good one to get the juices flowing.
January 5, 2017 at 10:12 pm
Brenda Huante
Thanks for the fun activity!
January 5, 2017 at 10:15 pm
Tracey M. Cox
I’ve done something similar with my writing group. It was interesting to see where someone else will take your story. Great post, Dan.
January 5, 2017 at 10:17 pm
Elise
Thanks, Dan! Great advice: Next step!
January 5, 2017 at 10:27 pm
Jaclyn Crawford
Thank you
January 5, 2017 at 10:27 pm
amievc
My kids love to play exquisite corpse and Scribblish together…thanks for this great way to weave those interests into collaborative storytelling!
January 5, 2017 at 10:30 pm
Sharon
Thanks, Dan. So true! I am the world’s worst at overthinking things. Thanks for reminding us to give it a rest.
January 5, 2017 at 10:34 pm
Becky Scharnhorst
I’m a planner so the idea of starting to write without an end point in mind terrifies me! 😳 However, I think this would be the perfect activity to push me out of my comfort zone! I’m going to try it tomorrow. Thanks, Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 10:37 pm
saputnam
Great post, Dan! Thank you for giving us the excuse not to think!! As a doodler I am definitely going to try this!!
I loved it when you said that, “Ideas and stories take shape through action. Don’t wait for them to form in your mind. When you don’t know what to do, just keep writing and drawing.”
January 5, 2017 at 10:45 pm
Danielle
Such a fun approach!
January 5, 2017 at 10:49 pm
Christine
Love it – I like the idea of just thinking about the current step and not overthinking
January 5, 2017 at 11:02 pm
Rebekah Lowell
What a fun idea! This sounds like it could also work for older kids who might not think they can write…give them blank booklets, pass them around and see what happens! I may try this with some students!
January 5, 2017 at 11:05 pm
Debbie Austin
“Ideas and stories take shape through action.” Such a simple but profound truth! Thank you!
January 5, 2017 at 11:08 pm
Carrie Harvey
I really like this idea!
January 5, 2017 at 11:09 pm
Ed Biggs
Can’t draw…but i like the idea…Thanks.
January 5, 2017 at 11:10 pm
Carrie Charley Brown
Creativity NEEDS the impulse of just doing it! 🙂 I love to draw, but I think about what I am doing and how to do it right way too much when I do. Thanks for the inspiration to JUST DRAW!
January 5, 2017 at 11:16 pm
Cinzia
Great ideas, Dan. Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 11:18 pm
Nadine Poper
Hiding Dinosaurs looks adorable!!
January 5, 2017 at 11:22 pm
Tracy Molitors
I love the ‘passing ideas along’ game. We call it paper telephone. Some amazing things usually come out of it, but I have never applied it to story creation. Thanks for the inspiration!
January 5, 2017 at 11:25 pm
Stella Jane Stauffer (Lopez)
I absolutely love to illustrate. But sometimes “tapping the right-side of the brain” for ideas is hard when the left-side of the brain is being practical, intrusive and judgmental. This exercise idea is great and lets the imagination flow without allowing the bothersome left-side of the brain to interfere. Fun exercise! Thank, Dan
January 5, 2017 at 11:26 pm
Ali Pfautz
“Ideas and stories take shape through action…” Love that! Thanks!
January 5, 2017 at 11:31 pm
Alexandra Hinrichs
This is a great strategy and activity! Thank you for sharing.
January 5, 2017 at 11:33 pm
Keila Dawson
How timely. I’m stuck in the middle of a story and will certainly give this a try. Thanks for the tip Dan!
January 5, 2017 at 11:36 pm
Liz Goulet Dubois
There’s a lot of wisdom in just going, without bogging yourself down in expectations. It’s something I’m doing daily now.
January 5, 2017 at 11:36 pm
Nori Underhill
Thanks for this post and the suggestion to just find a prompt and start writing from it. I ended up with a half finished draft of a story about a girl who catches the moon.
January 5, 2017 at 11:38 pm
Judy Sobanski
I love writing prompts, too! Guess I’ll try just drawing and see what happens!
January 5, 2017 at 11:49 pm
Kristen Browning
Thanks for the fun idea. I think this will be hard for me, as I usually plan out everything first–but I’ll give it a go!
January 5, 2017 at 11:50 pm
Annie Cronin Romano
Great post! Thanks for sharing a great approach to creating stories!
January 5, 2017 at 11:54 pm
Heather Kelso
Thank you for reminding me “don’t be afraid”. Just write.
January 6, 2017 at 12:06 am
carmelamccainsimmons
Thanks for pushing me into just doing and not overthinkkng my story. I can paralize myself from overthinking. I have been telling myself “Just breathe.” Maybe I should “just draw.”
January 6, 2017 at 12:10 am
Prairie Garden Girl
The idea to pass the booklet to share a story or even an illustration is outstanding. As a writer, I look forward to doing so. As an educator, my students are sure to learn and grow from this lesson.
Thank you, Dan.
~Suzy Leopold
January 6, 2017 at 12:14 am
Leslie Santamaria
“Ideas and stories take shape through action.” Excellent! Thank you, Dan!
January 6, 2017 at 12:17 am
Susan Cabael
How freeing the idea of no limitations can be! Thanks for the fun brainstorming activity. I will try it soon!
January 6, 2017 at 12:17 am
8catpaws
I rarely know more than two steps ahead in my stories. My eyes glaze over in workshops about outlines, and post-it notes for each scene in each chapter, and different color post-it notes for each character. Thank you for legitimizing my unchartered waters approach. Even though I secretly envy writers who have an iron-clad outline, alas (or maybe, hooray!) that is not me.
January 6, 2017 at 12:20 am
Kristi Romo
“Having something to react against focuses your creativity.” So true. I’ve come to believe some restrictions force us to be more creative. Great advice. Thanks for sharing.
January 6, 2017 at 12:35 am
viviankirkfield
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I love the idea of the round robin story writing..what a fabulous team building exercise. I’ve got a new inperson critique group with 3 new writers…I think this would be so much fun for them…and me. I also need to learn to ‘just keep writing and drawing’. 😉 😉 Great post, Dan!
January 6, 2017 at 12:40 am
Ashley Bankhead
Great post! Thanks for sharing!
January 6, 2017 at 12:41 am
Adriane Pirro
Thank you Dan! Great idea. Sometimes I’m so focused on the final art that I forget to just draw!
January 6, 2017 at 12:46 am
Amanda Sincavage
“There’s a lot of power in just starting.” Love this, so true! Thanks Dan.
January 6, 2017 at 12:50 am
betlw
What a great idea, Dan, for trying at critique groups to get everyone thinking and creating from something others came up with. Sounds like fun.
January 6, 2017 at 12:59 am
Pamela Courtney
Another wonderful exercise for my critique group. I certainly drag myself down trying to think too much, fix too much, say too much. Let go and just create? Hmm . . . can I really do this? YES, I CAN! YES, I WILL!
January 6, 2017 at 12:59 am
Lori Alexander
This looks like a lot of fun, Dan. Thanks for the tip!
January 6, 2017 at 12:59 am
Midge Ballou Smith
Great post!
January 6, 2017 at 1:08 am
nabinava
Thanks Dan, I am just going to free myself and just write today without over thinking. A great activity for a critique group.
January 6, 2017 at 1:10 am
slowsly
I am not an illustrator, but love the idea of pass the story. Thank you for sharing.
January 6, 2017 at 1:24 am
Ann Martin
Thank you, Dan! I’m so grateful for a whole new writing and creating strategy to explore. Never a dull moment in Storystorm!
January 6, 2017 at 2:10 am
Natalie Lynn Tanner
DAN: I LOVE the idea you drive home here, of just taking ONE STEP. Simple, yet SO POWERFUL! I also LOVE the idea of your story sessions with others, taking turns to continue someone else’s story. I’ve been doing something similar lately. Last month, my 12-year-old nephew emailed me the first line of a story and asked me to send the next line. We keep going back-and-forth, adding one simple sentence at a time, but forming a story together in the end. SO MUCH FUN!!! I HIGHLY recommend it!
January 6, 2017 at 2:16 am
Jenna Woloshyn
Fun exercise!
January 6, 2017 at 2:40 am
Jill Giesbrecht
Dan – so true! One step at a time. Great advice. Thank you.
January 6, 2017 at 2:44 am
Sandy
The next step is always do-able.
January 6, 2017 at 7:35 am
lahewson
Loved your comment, “Ideas and stories take shape through action”. Next time I get stuck, I’ll draw–even if it’s a doodle. Thanks, Dan
January 6, 2017 at 8:31 am
Joy Main
Thanks Dan, I”m definitely going to do this!
January 6, 2017 at 9:38 am
lorigravley
Thanks for this. So hard not to overthink things.
January 6, 2017 at 9:39 am
Kristin Wauson
This sounds like so much fun. I love the idea that constraints help focus creativity. Never considered that!
January 6, 2017 at 10:03 am
Betsy Devany
Love this post and your suggestions! Thank you, Dan!
January 6, 2017 at 10:05 am
Sarita F.
Love when play becomes a way to breakthrough frustrations.
January 6, 2017 at 10:06 am
Kelsey
I gave this process a quick try yesterday, and it almost had the same results as the “brain dump” exercise I do with my to-do list. They were silly results, but it did help clear a bit of the mental clutter out!
January 6, 2017 at 10:14 am
Kaitlin Hedberg
“There is a lot of power in just starting,” may be my writing slogan of 2017. Thank you for the great post!
January 6, 2017 at 10:38 am
topangamaria
Thank you for the liberating advice
January 6, 2017 at 10:48 am
darlene koppel
Love it – Don’t Think – Just Draw! I’m printing this inspirational post out right now.
January 6, 2017 at 10:49 am
kpbock
What a fun idea! I think I might try this with my kids.
January 6, 2017 at 10:59 am
Janet Smart
Neat idea. This would be a fun thing to do in a writing group.
January 6, 2017 at 11:13 am
Ali Bovis
Thanks so much for this amazing advice!
January 6, 2017 at 11:16 am
Nicole Strangman
Getting stuck before I get started is a big problem for me – thanks for the ideas
January 6, 2017 at 11:22 am
Melissa
This would be fun to do at a writing group with words, too!
January 6, 2017 at 11:33 am
Jason Perkins
We used to tell stories like this around the campfire. Thank you for your post.
January 6, 2017 at 11:42 am
Darcee Freier
Sounds like such fun. My brother and I used to do something like this when we were bored – tell a story one sentence at a time. Thanks, Dan!
January 6, 2017 at 11:57 am
Damon Dean, SevenAcreSky
Nothing is as therapeutic, to life AND writing, as a subconscious wander. Especially with friends.
January 6, 2017 at 12:05 pm
Donna L Martin
I really like this idea! My summer camp students know I am a children’s book author so I might try out this challenge for them to learn to appreciate how difficult a picture book writing can be.
Great post!
January 6, 2017 at 12:05 pm
cravevsworld
Eye-opening approach. Thank you for the advice!
January 6, 2017 at 12:11 pm
cantsing1
I want to do this with my critique group – and only one of us is an artist!!! thnx. We used to draw like this as kids, but just draw, no story.
January 6, 2017 at 12:34 pm
Anita Banks
What a fun idea!
January 6, 2017 at 12:41 pm
ptnozell
What a liberating way to work – not stuck on the whole, but acting only to reach the next step. Thank you, Dan, for sharing this creative approach.
January 6, 2017 at 1:03 pm
shirleyngbenitez
So fun! Thanks for these great tips Dan!
January 6, 2017 at 1:10 pm
Traci Sorell
Great advice, Dan!
January 6, 2017 at 1:20 pm
Matt Leitzen
Thanks for sharing this post. Some great motivation.
January 6, 2017 at 1:41 pm
Larissa Marantz
Such a great way to overcome that fear of starting a drawing! Thanks!
January 6, 2017 at 1:43 pm
Anne Appert
Usually I try to think a whole story out before putting pen to paper. I like this approach though! I will definitely be trying this. Thank you for your post, I am feeling very motivated to write (or draw) now!
January 6, 2017 at 1:51 pm
Tracey Brown
“No time for self-doubt and self-editing” truer words were never spoken. Thanks, Dan!
January 6, 2017 at 2:57 pm
SarahLuAnn
I seriously want to play that game! What a great idea.
January 6, 2017 at 3:13 pm
setwiggs
dan,
yes, yes yes! I need to make my mind out of it and just draw and write and repeat repeat, repeat! thanks for a great column.
January 6, 2017 at 3:19 pm
wendymyersart
I really enjoyed your post. I start stories easily but often get stuck somewhere enroute. What a fun way to get unstuck, and could be fun within a critique group too! Thank you.
January 6, 2017 at 3:35 pm
Megan Whitaker
This feels similar to a game I used to play with my kids. They’d draw a line and then tell me what to make from it. We had all sorts of wacky drawings from those doodles.
January 6, 2017 at 3:42 pm
Sandra S. Jenkins
This sounds so freeing! I’ll just keep going without having to see the end. Thanks, Dan.
January 6, 2017 at 4:08 pm
Stephan Stuecklin
Thanks for the inspiration!
January 6, 2017 at 4:09 pm
Erin Pearson
I love the pass the picture game. Your post made me realize it’s a bit like how I write picture books. I write a small chunk and then pass it along to tomorrow me. And on and on. Great post!
January 6, 2017 at 4:33 pm
Joannie Duris
Thanks, Dan. I love evil, two-minute timers. They give imagination the freedom to explode in creativity.
January 6, 2017 at 4:44 pm
Jennifer Laughlin
This is a great idea! I’m going to try it!
January 6, 2017 at 4:58 pm
tara8910
We love doing stuff like this at our house with our siblings too! We’ve done it using paper airplanes to pass the stories.
January 6, 2017 at 5:14 pm
Jennifer Phillips
This is a helpful way to let go a bit and learn from others. And to reframe how we’re tackling our own stories. Thanks for the advice!
January 6, 2017 at 5:17 pm
Anne Iverson
A very entertaining and enlightening post packed with great ideas and suggestions. Thanks, Dan!
January 6, 2017 at 5:35 pm
Julie Beturne
Love the idea to take one step at a time. Thanks!
January 6, 2017 at 5:53 pm
Janet Halfmann
Can’t wait to try your suggestions of just moving along. Thanks for the tips!
January 6, 2017 at 7:13 pm
mcdonaldrae
Dan, thank you for the JUST DRAW advice. It seems that sometimes we see something in our head or on paper, but when trying to draw a character or the action of a scene something very different appears…which just might be the ticket to moving along.
January 6, 2017 at 9:11 pm
F. G. M. Kalavritinos
Do stick figures count?
January 6, 2017 at 10:16 pm
Emily Robinson Goldstein
Thank you Dan!
January 6, 2017 at 10:33 pm
Andrew Lefebvre
I love it. Sometimes I end up with little slivers of an idea and I draw just to see where It’ll go. Sometimes I like to see if I can take the one page picture and expand it into a full length book idea. It’s fun to play with pictures and ideas and just drawing and seeing where it takes you. Thanks for the great post.
January 6, 2017 at 11:28 pm
Patricia Toht
What a fun idea, Dan! I was part of a crit group that once wrote a novel this way – it was a blast.
January 6, 2017 at 11:30 pm
Susan Howard
I like how you liken the process to a game. I too often plan and plot without writing organically and seeing where it takes me. I need to learn to let go and let it flow. Thanks!
January 6, 2017 at 11:59 pm
Aida Radu
Passionate and informative; a great post!
January 7, 2017 at 1:43 am
Peggy Janousky
Excellent advice. Similar to “writing for the trash can.” No pressure. Just fun.
January 7, 2017 at 2:03 am
LeeAnn Rizzuti
It’s so easy to getted bogged down by over-thinking a story. The fun and freedom exercises like this encourage are a great antidote. Thanks, Dan.
January 7, 2017 at 4:56 am
Bethanny Parker
I love the idea of writing in booklets with other writers! This sounds like so much fun.
January 7, 2017 at 8:11 am
junesmalls
It is nice to give our selves permission to just create, even if it isn’t perfect. Eventually we’ll get there as long as we keep moving.
January 7, 2017 at 8:27 am
authoraileenstewart
Love your style!
January 7, 2017 at 9:59 am
kimmcculley7
Thank you for the great tips!
January 7, 2017 at 10:32 am
Michelle Heidenrich Barnes
This is a post I needed for sure! I think I need to stop taking this “job” so seriously.
January 7, 2017 at 10:48 am
Emily Lavoo Johnsen
Thank you Dan. Great post!
January 7, 2017 at 11:39 am
Joanna Sabal
Thank you !
January 7, 2017 at 12:23 pm
Barbara Senenman
Love this idea. As a teacher, I’m thinking students would have fun with the swap and continuing someone else’s story.
January 7, 2017 at 3:58 pm
DB Cote
I liked your statement that “there’s a lot of power in just starting.” Thank you, Dan.
January 7, 2017 at 4:14 pm
desertattitude
I LOVE this idea. I’m going to modify this so that I can take a dozen ideas and start them, and then rotate through them doing the “next page” to each, without being committed to the original story and see what I come up with. Thank you SO much!
January 7, 2017 at 4:19 pm
Kathy Cornell Berman
Thanks for reminding us that the story is not just in our head, we’ve got to take action and draw, and possibly dance. LOL.
January 7, 2017 at 5:22 pm
Margaret Gerhardstein
Great advice! I just have to remember to “Keep calm…and write on!”
January 7, 2017 at 5:44 pm
ccmalandrinos (@ccmalandrinos)
I overthink way too much. Thanks for this great post.
January 7, 2017 at 6:05 pm
Christine
Love this idea! I’m going
to try it out at our next writer’s group meeting!
January 7, 2017 at 6:25 pm
Laura Bellina
I also like to draw to see where a story is going. Thanks!
January 7, 2017 at 7:09 pm
Melanie Lucero
Love this–thank you!!
January 7, 2017 at 7:41 pm
K.A.Steed
Thanks for sharing
January 7, 2017 at 11:28 pm
lorisherritt
Love the idea of a 12 page interactive book! I’ll try it myself and with my students. I often get stuck on the first page, or on a treadmill of modifying the first chapter…I’m a stick people artist, but your post gives me the bones to barrel through writer’s block and give them some renaissance attire, or cowboy hats or big goggly eyes…whatever comes to mind.
January 8, 2017 at 12:22 am
Zoraida Rivera Morales
No plan! No critic! Just walk! Isn’t that what we must do in life, sometimes?
January 8, 2017 at 9:16 am
Rachelle
I also had the thought that this is often the way life goes, one step at a time.
January 8, 2017 at 12:23 am
seschipper
Great advice!!!!! Love it! 🙂
January 8, 2017 at 1:46 am
Bonnie Ferrante
I used to do something like this with my students. They each drew a third of a character without seeing what the others drew. Then the three students would have to profile their character. It was always great fun and it freed up their imaginations.
January 8, 2017 at 12:07 pm
Dawnyelle
Such a great idea! I think I may try this activity with my art students.
January 8, 2017 at 12:36 pm
aidantalkin
Great advice (must run, I should be drawing right now!)
January 8, 2017 at 12:42 pm
christinerodenbour
Thinking less, it’s hard to do! But oh so important for creativity. Thank you for the excellent post.
January 8, 2017 at 1:10 pm
Kathy Farr
Love this advice!
January 8, 2017 at 1:36 pm
Kim Ball
What an awesome technique! So often when we set out to tell a story, we write. And when we set out to illustrate, we are illustrating something that already exists. I love flipping them over and pursuing storytelling as an artist first.
January 8, 2017 at 1:53 pm
Carleen Shreeve
Great advise! Love it!
January 8, 2017 at 1:59 pm
Alison Goldberg
Great post. Thank you!
January 8, 2017 at 2:52 pm
Linda Hofke
When I was still teaching, I did this with my fourth grade class. The kids loved it. Such fun! But I never thought of doing it as an adult/writer. Thanks for the idea.
January 8, 2017 at 3:41 pm
Lynne Pisano
Dear Tara:
For some reason I have not been getting e-mail since after 1/5.
Please let me know how I can correct this. Thank you!
On Thu, Jan 5, 2017 at 7:03 AM, Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) wrote:
> Tara Lazar posted: “by Dan Moynihan “DON’T THINK. JUST DRAW.” That’s what > I’ll tell you in one of my collaborative story-making events. That’s our > motto as we set forth to create a wild batch of picture book stories in > about an hour. There’s no time for self-doubt ” >
January 8, 2017 at 3:41 pm
Lynne Marie
What a fun book! thank you so very much for sharing!
January 8, 2017 at 4:17 pm
Doreen E. Lepore
Great fun idea! Thanks!
January 8, 2017 at 5:24 pm
Lynn Alpert
Sounds like a great idea for a writers meeting! Love it.
January 8, 2017 at 5:39 pm
Fran Price
Thanks for the advice, just the sort of technique I need to try for moving some of my picture book ideas along as well as my middle grade story.
January 8, 2017 at 6:18 pm
Dana Atnip
Thank you for the great insight, Dan! I’d love to see how the story with the fish with legs turned out! 😀
January 8, 2017 at 6:24 pm
Viviane LB
What a great idea! I have to see if any of my writing friends would be up for the exercise.
January 8, 2017 at 6:46 pm
Dani Duck
This is really great. I often get stuck when I use words. Sometimes drawing helps to get the words flowing.
January 8, 2017 at 7:43 pm
Sara Gentry
Pass the book and draw – this sounds like so much fun. What a great way to add spontaneity as well!
January 8, 2017 at 9:53 pm
Helen Dening
Great suggestion for getting unstuck. Thanks, Dan.
January 8, 2017 at 10:00 pm
Bethany Roberts
Although I’m not an illustrator, I’m intrigued by trying to brainstorm with drawings. Sounds fun- will give it a try!
January 9, 2017 at 2:00 am
Emily Wayne (@emilywayneart)
Great post Dan! I love doing this exercise at the NESCBWI conferences, it’s always such a fun time!
January 9, 2017 at 7:11 am
Jessica Smith Loupos
I love how freeing this idea is! Three quick sketches and a sentence idea emerged – Boom! I’m going to try the pass the book activity in my 4th grade classroom. Thank you!
January 9, 2017 at 7:53 am
Loni Edwards (@LoniEdwards)
“When you don’t know what to do, just keep writing and drawing!” Great advice! Thanks, Dan!
January 9, 2017 at 9:27 am
Deborah Allmand
Interesting idea! Not sure my stick figures would help guide someone else’s story but perhaps the idea might. Thanks for your post.
January 9, 2017 at 12:27 pm
Wendy Wahman
Excellent advice, Dan, thank you!
January 9, 2017 at 1:08 pm
Laurie Swinder
Great way to help us visualize where are story is going and to keep us moving. Thanks.
January 9, 2017 at 1:20 pm
Jabeen
This message hits home with me. I took an art class last year and the teacher gave me the same advice! He told me to stop thinking, stop planning, just start! Great advice, thanks for the reminder!
January 9, 2017 at 3:18 pm
Kara Cargill
There’s no time for self-doubt or self-editing, so just draw, just write, just create.
Love this advice. Also I don’t plan when I write 😉
January 9, 2017 at 4:23 pm
ammwrite3
“Know that the story will only take shape through its own process of creation.” LOVE THIS! Thanks, Dan.
January 9, 2017 at 4:24 pm
kristivaliant
What a fun idea to create a story together with others by sending multiple dummies around in a circle. Sounds like something I should try with my kids. Maybe they’ll create my next book for me.
January 9, 2017 at 5:51 pm
claireannette1
Such a fun idea! I think I’ll suggest doing this with my writing group.
January 9, 2017 at 7:16 pm
writingtexas
Such a great way to get started! I love the idea of passing on my idea, and then picking it back up myself!
January 9, 2017 at 7:16 pm
Kristen Schroeder (@KLSchroed)
That sounds like a fun writing exercise — the collaborative story events. Great advice to push through with anything, it doesn’t have to be perfect! Thank you.
January 9, 2017 at 7:42 pm
christinefmc6
I want to do ones of these collaborative story-making events! What a good reminder to let go and let the story happen. Just draw… Or write! Thanks for the inspiration!
January 9, 2017 at 7:53 pm
rebulleri
Great ideas to get going – thanks!
January 9, 2017 at 8:08 pm
mentortexts
Well, that was fun! I might try playing at dinner and see what we come up with too!
January 10, 2017 at 5:59 am
Michelle Cusolito
I know your workshops are so much fun- I hear it from all of our illustrator friends at NESCBWI. But I think this is extra hard for non-artists to do.
January 10, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Kassy Keppol
Thank you
January 10, 2017 at 4:31 pm
Joan Swanson
What a great idea, thanks!
January 10, 2017 at 4:49 pm
Lane M Arnold
A “collaborative picture book events” alone or with others…fabulous. Here I go…heading off into the horizon of possibilities.
January 10, 2017 at 9:07 pm
Lorraine
Sounds like fun. Thanks!
January 10, 2017 at 10:37 pm
Lucretia
Great advice for when one is staring at the blank page in frustration!
January 11, 2017 at 12:59 am
Mary Crockett
Cool idea!
January 11, 2017 at 4:39 am
Maria J Cuesta
Great idea! I really need to try this. Thank you!
January 11, 2017 at 10:19 am
Donna Rossman
Looking forward to giving “just draw” a try! Many thanks! 😄
January 11, 2017 at 11:41 am
Lucky Jo Boscarino
Freedom through constraint! Thanks, Dan, I’m going to free-associate now (funny, that looks like “free asshole”) here we goooo….
January 11, 2017 at 12:10 pm
Natasha Garnett
I’d love to win a copy of your book, Dan. The dinosaurs are adorable.
January 11, 2017 at 12:49 pm
Nadine Gamble
What a great idea for getting un-stuck, thanks, Dan!
January 11, 2017 at 9:11 pm
susanbruck
This sounds like fun, Dan! Thanks–I get stuck when I take myself too seriously (which makes it hard to write something fun) or when I feel like I have to know where I’m going before I start. It’s a great reminder to just do it.
January 11, 2017 at 10:46 pm
Marge Gower
An intriguing idea to be used with a group of writers. With so many imaginations, what a story you could end up with. Thanks for the idea.
January 12, 2017 at 3:14 am
Sharon Giltrow
Hi Dan thanks for the great idea of playing the pass the picture game. I am definitely going to do this and I have the perfect group – my children.
January 12, 2017 at 9:42 am
Kelly Schmitt
I haven’t played this game in a story writing scenario, but it reminds me of the board game telestrations. I love this idea and what it teaches you — get something on the page and move on– you can always fix it later! Keep moving forward! Thank you for this great post.
January 12, 2017 at 12:05 pm
Kim MacPherson
Loved this post, Dan… thank you!
January 12, 2017 at 3:13 pm
Kelly Vavala
Thanks for the very inspiring post! I’m going to make my 12 page booklet now and see where it leads me…! It makes me wonder if someone were to pick up one of my uncompleted stories, what would they write…hmmm!
January 12, 2017 at 4:02 pm
Jamie LB Deenihan
So much to love here, Dan! The exercise you did at your workshop sounds like a great way to generate ideas. The samples you shared are awesome! It’s so true that you just have to keep moving because ideas and stories take shape through action. Thanks for the inspiration!
January 13, 2017 at 12:24 am
Christine Pinto
How fun to find that your collaborative drawing exercise is so like what I do with kids in my writing classes – passing a page with a vague outline on it around the room, they come up with collaborative stories! And usually laugh a lot! Thanks!
January 14, 2017 at 2:46 am
angelcat2014
I love the game of starting a story with one line, passing it to the next person and waiting to see what happens. We often use this as a prompt when we get stuck in my writing group. I wish I were a better illustrator though – that way sounds fun too. Your advice to ‘not overthink’ is very helpful. Thank you.
January 14, 2017 at 3:53 pm
sandiejaarsma
🖍💭
January 14, 2017 at 4:28 pm
angiecal76
I bet kids love this activity of passing along a “story.” Fun idea.
January 14, 2017 at 9:29 pm
Myrna Foster
I think passing a story along would be way fun! Thanks for sharing your process!
January 15, 2017 at 2:47 pm
Laura Purdie Salas
This sounds like the BEST party game ever!
January 15, 2017 at 5:03 pm
Susan Niemann
Thanks for the fun idea!
January 15, 2017 at 6:07 pm
@luvthatword / Angela Dale
Reminds me of an activity I did with my siblings as a kid – one would draw a head, then cover it, and the other would attach a body to the visible neck. Your process is a great solution to feeling stuck or confined.
January 16, 2017 at 12:57 pm
gingermeurer
I know comic artists who do a version of this in frame-a-day websites, but I love the immediacy of what you are suggesting. Too fun.
January 16, 2017 at 1:20 pm
Sydney O'Neill
I haven’t tried the ‘pass the story’ exercise in a while, but remember how it encouraged flexible thinking. Need to do it more! Thank you.
January 19, 2017 at 6:53 am
Elaine Cline
A fabulous idea of drawing on spreads to tell the story. Thank you.
January 21, 2017 at 5:40 am
Laura
I like the idea of collaborative drawing, bouncing ideas of another. My mother and I had two sketchbooks going at the same time. She would draw a line or squiggle in one and I would do the same in another, and then we would swap books and continue in that vein until we came up with some weird and wonderful and daft stuff. There was always a bit of a thrill to be handed the book and discover what was next. I like ‘Don’t think, just draw’, thank you.
January 22, 2017 at 8:56 pm
Susanne Whitehouse
I might try this with my critique group as a fun way to get ideas going! Thank you!
January 23, 2017 at 12:00 am
blanchebaxter
Can’t wait to try this! Thank you!
January 23, 2017 at 12:10 pm
rosiepova
I’ve never tried that, but I will 🙂 Thanks!
January 23, 2017 at 3:10 pm
Sarah Maynard (@SarahDMaynard)
Don’t think just X, needs to be my motto sometimes. Thanks for the great post!
January 24, 2017 at 2:52 pm
Jill Tadros
Now I want to form a group to do this activity weekly! What a wonderful way to generate ideas!
January 24, 2017 at 9:25 pm
Bethany Mandich
Favorite takeaway from your post: “I often find that my imagination will not allow me to see step two until I have taken step one.” Thank you, Dan!
January 26, 2017 at 4:19 pm
Cindy Jolley
Thank you, Dan, for the charge to just get started and let the ideas flow and build on each other.
January 27, 2017 at 12:16 pm
Kelly Parker
Love this. It reminds me of Baby Steps from What About Bob 🙂
January 29, 2017 at 6:43 pm
Shirley
What a fun approach. Thanks for your post.
January 30, 2017 at 3:25 am
Cindy E. Owens
I just might have to try your idea of the blank booklet. I know it would be a solo project in my case, but I bet it would help move a story along. 🙂
January 30, 2017 at 6:38 am
Melanie
This is also a great idea to do with kids! they love it and the results are very inspirational
January 30, 2017 at 2:31 pm
Alena Telford
Great advice! I may need to play this game with my kids.
January 30, 2017 at 11:33 pm
April Scott
Getting started is sometimes half the battle. Thanks for the reminder to do it anyway.
February 1, 2017 at 10:48 am
Lauri Meyers
This was great! I love passing stories where everyone adds a sentence while we are camping – why not try it with picture books!?