Inspiration is a slippery thing, impossible to catch when you’re trying and ironically, easiest to catch when you’re really, really busy doing something else. About a year after CLICK CLACK MOO was published, I decided it was time to take a leap of faith. I was an attorney at the time working long days and plenty of weekends to boot. I wanted to pursue writing as my career, so I finally quit my day job and shortly thereafter, we moved out of the city and out (well, up, actually) to the suburbs. I was going to write all day. All night if I wanted to! I had my own office in the house, I had plenty of writing time. No day job to get in my way! I sat and I sat and I sat—and I thought and I thought and I thought and I waited and waited and waited. You know what never showed up? INSPIRATION. I didn’t write a thing for almost a year. DIDN’T WRITE A THING. I had written so much more when I was working long hours and always pressed for time. Oddly, inspiration struck when I had no time for it back then. WHAT? NOW? A story about a worm?? It’s 1:00 a.m. and I have a brief due tomorrow! But when your brain is working, its working overtime. The harder I worked at my day job, the more my brain was spinning with ideas.
What I learned in The Year of Not Writing (besides that we really should move back to the city), was that more often than not, inspiration shows up in the work. I write every single day. I absolutely do not write well every single day. In fact, I rarely do. Ninety percent of what I write is unusable. Horrible. Hideous. Embarrassingly bad. Boring. Unoriginal. Most of it will never see the light of day. But if I wait for inspiration, they will find my rotting corpse hunched over my desk and a blank screen on my computer. Which came first—the inspiration or the work? Very rarely, for me at least, it’s the inspiration. Usually, the uninspired work comes first and somewhere in the first draft or third draft or 18th draft, something from that work stands out, pops out, screams for attention. That’s the inspiration. Only you have to write it first. So frustrating!!
Where to start? Anywhere. I’m an introvert—so I’m listening way more than I’m talking—which is helpful. If you are chatting on your cell phone, or sitting near me on the F train, or at the next table in a restaurant… I’m eavesdropping. Bits of things, pieces of things are the best. Almost anything taken out of context can be a great story starter, title, or dialogue. I’m also partially deaf, so I mishear things all the time —which also makes for strange word pairings in my brain (and plenty of awkward conversations, which is okay, because of the introvert thing—I’m used to it.). Mistakes are great inspirations. Embarrassment is great inspiration. Fear excels at the art of inspiration. If you are not lucky enough to be a hard-of-hearing introvert, re-write an old idea. Write about a time you were deeply embarrassed or scared to death. Write about what you wished you had said in a recent awkward conversation, instead of what actually came out of your mouth (maybe that’s just me).
In the heart of every story is conflict—or a problem. Find yours. Use yours. Give your problems away to your characters. See what they do with them. If you can’t come up with a character, use a stand-in. Here, squirrel, here’s my problem. I’m afraid of ________. Just start writing the story about the squirrel afraid of public speaking—even though this would seem to fall into the category of a problem with little consequence for a squirrel. Just write it. Ninety percent of it will be unusable, hideous, boring, nonsensical. But it will start you down a path where you don’t know what’s coming. That’s where you want to be. That’s where inspiration likes to hang out.
When I die, some poor soul will come along and have to dig through my office. If I was alive, I’d be mortified at how many bad ideas, bad writing, and manuscripts completely lacking in originality will be unearthed. That’s the work. Maybe it will inspire somebody…
Doreen Cronin grew up in Merrick, New York, with her parents, two brothers and a sister. They lived in a red house with a big backyard and a neighborhood full of kids. Her dad was a police officer and he was very, very funny! Doreen decided that she wanted to be a police officer when she grew up, too. Or maybe even an FBI agent! When she actually did grow up, she realized she wasn’t actually brave enough to do those jobs!
It was her first-grade teacher, Mrs. Cooper, who first told Doreen that she was a writer. Mrs. Cooper gave her extra writing assignments to encourage Doreen. It was extra homework, but she loved it! She also loved the library—it was one of her favorite places to spend time.
Doreen graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1988 and St. John’s Law School in 1998. After practicing law for a few years in downtown Manhattan, she left my job and decided to write full time. She’s been writing ever since!
Visit her online at DoreenCronin.com.
Doreen is giving away a set of signed CLICK, CLACK, MOO books (Click Clack Moo, Giggle Giggle Quack, Duck for President, Click Clack Boo)!
Leave ONE COMMENT on this blog post to enter. You are eligible to win if you are a registered Storystorm participant and you have commented once below. Prizes will be given away at the conclusion of the event.
Good luck!
531 comments
Comments feed for this article
January 31, 2018 at 10:10 am
Linda Mitchell
Thank you Doreen Cronin! I’m simply Snoopy Dancing that I’ve successfully completed Storystorm ’18. Your post was a delightful finish to a very productive month…..fortunately with some incredibly juicy mistakes 😉
January 31, 2018 at 10:11 am
michelle gajda
Yes! yes! Yes! Some of my BEST ideas have come when I mishear something or only have part of the information I need and get to throw my own interpretation into the mix! Thanks Doreen for letting me know I am not the only one who uses these nuggets of ideas!!!
January 31, 2018 at 10:11 am
supermario6
One of my all-time favorite authors!
January 31, 2018 at 10:12 am
Lindsay Maeve
Thank you for the encouragement and inspiration! It is helpful to know where/how other writers get ideas.
January 31, 2018 at 10:13 am
Tonya Calvert
My kids and I adore these books!
January 31, 2018 at 10:13 am
Kathy Mazurowski
Great inspiration! Thank you.
January 31, 2018 at 10:13 am
Kerry Ariail
Thank you, this is a great post and very helpful! I love how you says you write every day and 90% of it is bad. That really is easy to relate to!
January 31, 2018 at 10:14 am
Rebecca Colby
A good reminder to always show up to our writing even if the inspiration doesn’t Thank you for a great post, Doreen!
January 31, 2018 at 10:14 am
Christine Evans
Everyone in my house adores Click, Clack, Moo. Thank you for a wonderful post, Doreen. And thank you for a fabulous month of Storystorming, Tara!
January 31, 2018 at 10:14 am
Avery Elizabeth Hurt
excellent and inspirational advice. Thanks for the post–and all the great books!
January 31, 2018 at 10:15 am
Barbara Senenman
You grew up in Merrick? I live in the town next door now. N.Bellmore.
Anyway, I love the idea of just writing anything. I could become something. It could stay a nothing. Just write.
January 31, 2018 at 10:15 am
Jane Hawkins
I have plenty of embarrassing times to use. Thank you.
January 31, 2018 at 10:16 am
Frances Tosdevin
Such a fascinating post. I agree that ideas tend to flood into an already busy brain! Cows That Type is genius; how I wish I had dreamt story that up!
January 31, 2018 at 10:17 am
Marianne Kuzujanakis
Bad ideas are good because they show us that we’re working.
So keep working! THX for the inspiration.
January 31, 2018 at 10:18 am
Paulette Sharkey
I’m an introverted eavesdropper, too! Thanks for a great post.
January 31, 2018 at 10:19 am
Carolyn Rohrbaugh
I agree sometimes we do need a rest from writing, but suddenly I find the story and I’m right back at it again.
January 31, 2018 at 10:19 am
Ryan Roberts
I’m sure 90 % of use dream of leaving our jobs to move to an old farmhouse in the country to write all day. Nice to hear that we might be right were we need to be! Thanks. 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 10:20 am
Lynne Marie
What I miss about living in New York is not running into Doreen Cronin out and about town (along with my little one) — you probably don’t remember as it was so long ago, but I do 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration and the wonderful books.
January 31, 2018 at 10:21 am
jessicaevans915
This is very good to know. I keep thinking that when all my kids are out of the house (and I don’t have to drive everyone to/watch them play/perform basketball, Irish step, volleyball, piano, drama, wrestling, etc.) then, THEN I’ll really be inspired! THEN I will have time and energy to paint and write… Better do it now while I’m dead busy! 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 10:21 am
Carol Gwin Nelson
Yep, there it is again. The key to writing is simply doing it. Then, in my case, revising — over and over and over again! Thanks for the reminder. Love your books!
January 31, 2018 at 10:21 am
Joanna Rowland
I find that I write my best too when my plate is beyond full. Thanks for inspiring.
January 31, 2018 at 10:21 am
sherilyncook
I love when other introverts share their stories. Thank you for sharing. Loved your post!
January 31, 2018 at 10:22 am
Pat Miller
I loved this post! It really resonates and gives me a good place to get beyond just the idea. Thanks, Doreen!
January 31, 2018 at 10:22 am
Laura Hancock
It’s great to hear your writing history as I’ve been a huge fan of your books! Your books were used in the classroom for all levels, and for nieces, nephews and great nieces. Thanks!
January 31, 2018 at 10:24 am
Lori Dubbin
Yes, “the uninspired work comes first and somewhere in the first draft or third draft or 18th draft, something from that work stands out, pops out, screams for attention.” Thank you for saying this. It’s me sometimes around draft 38… I read all your books to my early childhood students! They are the best!
January 31, 2018 at 10:24 am
Lisa Freund
Great advice. Thank you.
January 31, 2018 at 10:24 am
Krista Maxwell
Thank you for the inspiration!
January 31, 2018 at 10:25 am
Mary Worley
I keep hoping that I won’t have to write my way through the hideous versions before I have something worth sharing. Love your books. Click, Clack, Moo has moved around the country with us.
January 31, 2018 at 10:26 am
Brianna Zamborsky
Hard of hearing introvert. That’s funny. I’ve got one half down–maybe I need to start carrying cotton balls in my purse and pop ’em in when I’m out and about. Thanks for the lovely post, Doreen!
January 31, 2018 at 10:26 am
Linda Staszak
Absolutely love your books. Thanks for sharing your story.
January 31, 2018 at 10:26 am
Paula Cohen Martin
Thank you for your hilarious and inspiring post. Hmmm… give away my problems and fears….I am picturing many books about slovenly characters who procrastinate and are incredibly addicted to rainbow cookies. I’m going to make that work!
January 31, 2018 at 10:27 am
Shelly Becker
Great post!
January 31, 2018 at 10:27 am
Gisi
splendiferous, warm and funny post to add to all the other great storystormers so far
January 31, 2018 at 10:28 am
Cathy Ballou Mealey
“Here, squirrel, here’s my problem. I’m afraid of ________. ” Great prompt!
January 31, 2018 at 10:28 am
Andria Rosenbaum
If we got paid for every bad idea we had we’d all be rich. Nice to know we’re in such AWESOME company. Click. Clack. Thanks!
January 31, 2018 at 10:29 am
Jane Serpa
Your story reminds me of myself. I always plan to write more on my summer vacation or winter break. But usually I get caught up in something else. I feel I get more accomplished during the school year. But do I? I just need to remember I am happy when I am creating and writing. So I should do what makes me happy.
January 31, 2018 at 10:30 am
Mary York
Easy to see where your hilarious book ideas come from! Thanks for sharing your hearing-impaired, introverted journey! It’s beautiful. BTW, “Click, Clack, Moo . . .” is one of my all-time favorites!
January 31, 2018 at 10:30 am
illustratorm
Thank you Doreen for posting. A great post.
Looking forward to reading your books.
January 31, 2018 at 10:30 am
chattytcp
Love your books and your advice, especially the introvert thing. I can relate. To err is human. Go ahead fail every once in a while and make those mistakes.Thank you for sharing!!
January 31, 2018 at 10:31 am
Author Yvona Fast
Thank you for sharing your story.
January 31, 2018 at 10:31 am
Joan Longstaff
Reassuring to hear that it’s not just me who can wrote and write and most of it stinks! But sometimes something does indeed click and takes me off in a different direction and a light bulb goes on for what the story really needs to be! Thanks for the great post. Now, what problem can I give that poor squirrel!
January 31, 2018 at 10:32 am
Deborah McGarvey
Thank you! This is such a good reminder to just start writing and trust that something useful will come out of it at some point – and that it doesn’t have to be the perfect, inspired idea when we begin.
January 31, 2018 at 10:32 am
angelamaba
Thanks for this post. It is so relatable. 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 10:33 am
Li’vee Rehfield
Doreen you are such a wonderful encourager I can see the ideas clearer…YAY thank you so much…
January 31, 2018 at 10:34 am
Lindsay Metcalf
It’s always helpful to hear that even well-published authors have to wade through a lot of bad writing to get to the good stuff. Onward, writer friends!
January 31, 2018 at 10:34 am
marlainawrites
Thanks for this smart post, Doreen, from one introvert to another. 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 10:35 am
Brittanny Handiboe
I get more done with a day job than I do without! Extra work with a physical day job like I have now (production, I move around thousands of pounds every day lol) I need to be physically moving to get inspiration and that’s just how it is. Thank you for the post and laugh. ( “ When I die some poor soul with have to dig through my office” LOL)
January 31, 2018 at 10:36 am
Joana Pastro
I can totally relate to this post. Ideas are everywhere and eager to play. They love hide and seek, when we’re on the lookout. But if we have no time for play, they might just fall on our laps. Also, I’m convinced I need to eavesdrop more. Thanks, Doreen!
January 31, 2018 at 10:36 am
Shell leDrew
Awesome awesome awesome.
January 31, 2018 at 10:37 am
Gabi Snyder
Yes! I love taking things out of context (for story inspiration). This advice also resonates with me: “Give your problems away to your characters.” Thank you, Doreen, for a fantastic final StoryStorm post! And CLICK CLACK MOO COWS THAT TYPE is one of my favorites.
January 31, 2018 at 10:38 am
Janice Woods
This is so great to hear. Wading through the bad ideas and drafts is important!
January 31, 2018 at 10:38 am
julielacombeauthor
What a great ending to StoryStorm 2018! Mistakes make the funniest stories (at least MY mistakes!)
January 31, 2018 at 10:39 am
Judith Wright Aplin
Your books are VERY popular…I volunteered in a school library and your books were taken out over and over again. It’s SO great to see kids want to read! Thank you for YOUR inspiration…..:)
January 31, 2018 at 10:39 am
Carolyn Currier
Obsessing on the way a conversation could have gone… not just you. Thanks for sharing!
January 31, 2018 at 10:39 am
Sally Spratt 🎉🍾🎇 (@SallySpratt)
Thanks, Doreen. Needed these reminders. Click Clack Moo – is one of my all-time favorites.
January 31, 2018 at 10:40 am
angeliquepacheco1
Love it. Ideas ARE everywhere! Thanks to everyone who contributed this month and especially thanks to Tara! My brain has woken up! Time to take 2018 and run with her 😉
January 31, 2018 at 10:42 am
Joan Swanson
I have rewritten parts of my book so many times, that sometimes I have to walk away for a few days. Then one day, out of the blue, I have that aha moment that brings it all together. Thank you for your post! PS…I wish I could quit my day job too…..
January 31, 2018 at 10:43 am
Sherri Jones Rivers
What a grand array of books you have. Thank goodness your one non-writing year didn’t last. I like your statement “But it will start you down a path where you don’t know what’s coming. That’s where you want to be. There’s where inspiration likes to hang out.” Well said! And a good Click, Clack, Moo day to you.
January 31, 2018 at 10:43 am
Wendi Silvano
Love your books! And it is so true that you can’t force inspiration. It has to come on its own terms.
January 31, 2018 at 10:44 am
Carolyn
Thanks for the inspiration to keep writing!
January 31, 2018 at 10:44 am
rnewman504
I love writing/reading/observing on public transportation. Such a great way to get work done. Wonderful post! Signed, your #1 fan!!!
January 31, 2018 at 10:44 am
Charlotte Offsay
Thank you for the encouragement to just keep writing even when inspiration doesn’t seem to be there. Something wonderful can’t come from nothing but something wonderful can emerge from terrible writing!
January 31, 2018 at 10:46 am
C.L. Murphy
Yes! I’m most productive when there’s a lot going on in my life. I adore CLICK CLACK MOO (who doesn’t?)! Thanks for the inspiring advice, Doreen.
January 31, 2018 at 10:46 am
loriannlevyholm
What I found most inspiring is that you were encouraged by a teacher. I just love that. Congratulations on finding your passion.
January 31, 2018 at 10:46 am
Jen Bagan
Brilliant end to StoryStorm! Thanks so much Doreen!
January 31, 2018 at 10:46 am
Carmela McCain Simmons
Thank you for sharing your story. We recently moved and my writing production plummeted.
I am going to take your much needed advice. No more waiting around for inspiration for me!
Time to start cranking out unusable writing. The inspiration will follow.
January 31, 2018 at 10:46 am
jessicadunnagan
Thank you, Doreen, for this great post. I used to think that if I could just find more time, I would write more and better. But I’ve found, as you said, that great ideas show up amid the busyness of everyday life. I also love the idea of giving your problems to your characters to see what they do with them. Happy writing!
January 31, 2018 at 10:47 am
rimna
Great post – one that I can definitely relate to, thanks Doreen.
January 31, 2018 at 10:47 am
Kathy j brown
Thank you. Your blog is very helpful with writing stories
January 31, 2018 at 10:47 am
gingermeurer
Wow, Doreen, that’s a powerful “be careful what you wish for. I think a lot of us dream that we could be so much more productive with distractions removed, but inspiration doesn’t strike without activities to stoke it. Thank you for sharing.
January 31, 2018 at 10:47 am
Paula Cohen Martin
Thank you for the hilarious and inspiring post! Hmmm…give my fears and problems away. I predict a pile of manuscripts about slovenly procrastinating characters with an addiction to rainbow cookies. LOVE your books.
January 31, 2018 at 10:48 am
junesmalls
Amazing how when our minds are busy the ideas can come, but sometimes when we have ‘free’ time to write there is nothing but crickets. Glad I’m not the only one 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 10:50 am
megcason1
I appreciate your honesty in this post. The ideas can’t be forced out. I too eavesdrop for inspiration. Thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 10:50 am
Doreen E. Lepore
Thanks for the encouraging and inspiring words!
January 31, 2018 at 10:50 am
Polly Renner
Ahhh…Thanks Doreen! I’m glad you quit your day job… you are a great writer, even if you have an office full of “bad ideas.”
January 31, 2018 at 10:53 am
Anne Bromley
Thank you, Doreen! This is just what I needed to read today. Your post is very inspiring and I love your books!
January 31, 2018 at 10:54 am
Laura Purdie Salas
My favorite post of the month. Thank you, Doreen! (And it’s not just you.)
January 31, 2018 at 10:54 am
judyrubin13
Thank you, Doreen, for your inspiring post. You are right. Some of those ideas are best found at work.
January 31, 2018 at 10:56 am
.CAROLE CALLADINE
Click Clack Moo is one of my top ten favorite picture books. Thank you for writing it. And, thanks for your inspiring post. Do the work. The ideas will come.
January 31, 2018 at 10:56 am
deniseaengle
Click, Clack, Moo! Cows That Type. As an administrator, I randomly picked up that book, hoping to corral a room full of kindergarten students in a hallway. As soon as I started reading, the room became silent. That was years ago, but the memory is clear. Ahhh. The power of words.
January 31, 2018 at 10:56 am
ptnozell
Such great nuggets of wisdom! I’m an introverted former Wall St attorney, too, and I so agree that I’m much more productive when I have too many things to juggle. Thankfully, that’s most of the time for me!
January 31, 2018 at 10:57 am
willowwrites
Thank you Doreen for sharing your writing habits with us. I write stream of consciousness. Lots of good nuggets, as you say. I’ve also cut up those horrible ideas and used them in collage work. There they become beautiful once again.
January 31, 2018 at 10:58 am
authoraileenstewart
Even as a stay at home mom, I agree that many ideas come when I’m busy like driving my daughter somewhere or grocery shopping.
January 31, 2018 at 10:58 am
Stephanie G.
Thank you for sharing! And for Chicken Squad 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 10:59 am
vijikc
Yes, my inspiration comes when I am working too!
Thank you for your post!
January 31, 2018 at 10:59 am
Krista Harrington
Doreen, thank you for these wonderful suggestions. And thank you so much for writing Click, Clack, Moo…a book my two sons, 10 & 6, still love for me to read to them before bed:)
January 31, 2018 at 11:00 am
David McMullin
I’ve had the freedom to just write, and I’ve had busy jobs and I found that my writing out put didn’t change much. Thank you for the encouragement, Doreen.
January 31, 2018 at 11:02 am
julietclarebell
Timely advice to show up even if the inspiration hasn’t (yet). Thanks!
January 31, 2018 at 11:03 am
Kimberly Hutmacher
Wow! I feel like it’s serendipity that you posted today. This morning at breakfast, we were talking about books that we loved when we were little, and my seventeen year old son brought up Click Clack Moo, and how that was one of his favorites. Thank you for sharing some inspiration today and for writing books that we never get tired of reading.
January 31, 2018 at 11:03 am
Anita
Thank you for the inspiration!
January 31, 2018 at 11:06 am
Patricia Alcaro
Inspiration might be down a path, and you won’t know it’s coming unless you take the path…unless you write!
Thank you
January 31, 2018 at 11:07 am
michelemeleen
Great perspective, thanks for sharing!
January 31, 2018 at 11:09 am
Shelley
Thank you for sharing!
January 31, 2018 at 11:10 am
Delfina Salimbene
Ha! This is so true: “Inspiration is a slippery thing, impossible to catch when you’re trying and ironically, easiest to catch when you’re really, really busy doing something else.” Thanks, Doreen, for your encouraging words–and for giving hope to us awkward attorneys out here!
January 31, 2018 at 11:10 am
Nadine Gamble
It’s so inspiring to hear that you believe 90% of your writing sucks!
January 31, 2018 at 11:11 am
seschipper
My first graders loved Click, Clack Moo and Duck for President!!
Loved this post, thanks for reinforcing the fact that it is okay to have a drought, just keep “click, clacking” away!!!!! 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 11:12 am
Claire Wrenn Bobrow
You’re absolutely right about inspiration. It always seems to strike when I’m not looking for it – driving or walking the dogs! Thanks for a great post, Doreen. I love your work 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 11:15 am
Lori Alexander
CLICK CLACK MOO is the PB that made me want to write for children. I love, love that story. Thanks so much for the practical advice!
January 31, 2018 at 11:15 am
Jen Kraar
Thanks for the post and your delightful books. Kids love reading Click Clack Moo they also love typing on the old Olivetti typewriter I bring it in the library. I, too find that inspiration comes from the work.
January 31, 2018 at 11:16 am
stiefelchana
Love this post…and your books! Thanks Doreen!
January 31, 2018 at 11:16 am
Elizabeth Saxton
What a great post. She makes it look so easy it’s nice to know it’s still hard for beloved authors.
January 31, 2018 at 11:17 am
Tina Barbour
“Give your problems away to your characters.” Love it! It brings up so many possibilities. Thank you.
January 31, 2018 at 11:17 am
storyfairy
I also find it easiest to get myself writing when I have places to go and other things to do. I knew exactly what you meant when you talked about that.
January 31, 2018 at 11:18 am
Maria Oka
Wow, this is so honest and encouraging. Thank you!!!
January 31, 2018 at 11:18 am
Karen Turner
I can so relate to everything you have said. Ideas/inspiration comes when we least expect it and when we are the least available to write them down. I write a lot of “trash,” and I think knowing this stops me from even putting words on the page. Being an inspiring writer, I am also an introvert, and I find myself listening more than talking… Seeing you as a writer gives me hope! This daily blog has my heart full of ideas not only for me but for the teachers/students I support. It gives me permission to say writing is messy, that some days our writing isn’t any good, but we keep writing because one idea will come along that sparks more and more writing. Thank you for posting this. You are an inspiration!
January 31, 2018 at 11:19 am
LaTonya Richardson
A perfect end to a perfect month of gathering ideas! I’ve also found that being busy, and having a crazy busy life has been the best thing for ideas. I see them everywhere.
January 31, 2018 at 11:21 am
poppywrote
It’s a lesson you should heed,
Try, try again.
If at first you don’t succeed,
Try, try again.
Then your ideas should appear,
For if you will persevere,
You will conquer, never fear,
Try, try again.
by William Hickson (with one small adjustment)
It is great hearing that an author of books I love, works at her craft (and it doesn’t magically just roll from the pen). That is inspiration.
January 31, 2018 at 11:22 am
katrinamoorebooks
I love this post! Thanks for inspiring us, Doreen 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 11:23 am
fspoesy
Ooh, ooh, I am a hard-of-hearing introvert! Comment high-five, Doreen! Another inspiring Storystorm post. Nice job batting clean-up! Another Storystorm enters the record books. I hope it was productive for everyone. A big thank you to you Doreen, all the contributors, and of course, Tara!
January 31, 2018 at 11:23 am
Deborah Beauchamp
Thank you for the post! It’s a great reminder that if we work hard enough inspiration will show up, even if it’s not till draft #18!
January 31, 2018 at 11:24 am
Daryl Gottier
So true, I would be mortified if anyone looked through my word documents! Thanks, and I adore your books.
January 31, 2018 at 11:25 am
Michelle Howell
SO helpful to hear that 90% of our work can be trash and that’s okay! We love your books!!! 😀
January 31, 2018 at 11:25 am
nancy armo
DOREEN CRONIN!! LOVE your work. Your books are a joy to read and so much fun. Thanks for a great post!
January 31, 2018 at 11:26 am
kirsticall
I loved learning about your inspiration, Doreen. We adore your books at our house!
January 31, 2018 at 11:26 am
Debbi Michiko Florence
Thank you for this important reminder to “just write” without harsh self-judgement. And the importance of eavesdropping! I need to do more of that! 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 11:27 am
Beth Stilborn
Thank you for the encouragement to just write, whether or not it’s good, and let the inspiration sneak up on us when we least expect it. Thank you, too, for the opinion that being a hard-of-hearing introvert is an advantage! (Yes, I’m a member of the h-o-h introvert club.)
January 31, 2018 at 11:27 am
Carrie Fannin
“Mistakes are great inspirations. Embarrassment is great inspiration. Fear excels at the art of inspiration.” –great thought. Thank you for your posting.
January 31, 2018 at 11:27 am
matthewlasley
I like the fact that we can admit our work is not good as long as we keep doing it and looking for what is good. It is dredging through the pile of rubbish that we can find the nuggets.
January 31, 2018 at 11:27 am
Erin Bylund
love her books! I have a pile of uninspired writing.
January 31, 2018 at 11:29 am
Cotton Wright
I love everything about this post! Especially the idea of mining our own awkward moments. It reminds me of Gladwell’s book David and Goliath and the ideas of turning your “weaknesses” into strengths. Thanks so much for this!
January 31, 2018 at 11:33 am
Cheryl Kula
Click, Clack, Moo – one of the favorites of my daughters!
January 31, 2018 at 11:33 am
Darlene Koppel
Such an inspiring post. Doreen – Thank you so much for the encouragement.
January 31, 2018 at 11:33 am
Rita Antoinette Borg
wow a month a whole month of ideas. will anyone of them hatch?
January 31, 2018 at 11:33 am
Rebekah Lowell
Thank you for closing out an amazing story storm, Doreen! You gave us some fabulous advice. I’m a firm believer that inspiration doesn’t just arrive, you have to work hard everyday. My favorite line in your post is “Give your problems away to your characters. See what they do with them.” That would be interesting to try…I think I will.
Thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 11:34 am
Marcy P.
I loved this post so much. Your humor, your honesty, and the ways you’ve kept at it. THANK you for sharing!!!!
January 31, 2018 at 11:35 am
Kelly Reeves
You must be doing something right! My kids adore Click Clack Moo.
January 31, 2018 at 11:35 am
Meli Glickman
It’s wonderful to read words of wisdom from a fellow introverted ‘listener’ who had a similar ‘first year’ of writing (or not writing) experiences! You’re a true inspiration. Many thanks for sharing!
January 31, 2018 at 11:35 am
dhigbee
Took me two years after quitting my day job to actually be productive again. It’s amazing how the mind works.
January 31, 2018 at 11:36 am
Elizabeth Tracy
Thank you Doreen. Aren’t we lucky that we work in a business where mistakes, embarrassment, and fear are our friends. I guess I will never run out of inspiration! 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 11:37 am
Carolyne Ruck
It is an irony of life that the more you are doing, the more ideas come for what you could write if you only had time, but when there is time, then . . . Thanks for sharing!
January 31, 2018 at 11:40 am
Laura Jean Watters
I laughed ! I cried! I laughed again! Thank you.
January 31, 2018 at 11:41 am
elisainnyc
Ha! I love this post! So true the ideas come when I’m super busy… and when I’m writing. Thank you also for the idea of “giving your problems away to your characters.” Love this concept!!
January 31, 2018 at 11:43 am
Deborah Allmand
Doreen,
Thanks for making it okay to not write every day. I have so many embarrassing moments I would have a lifetime of work. Thanks for the post.
January 31, 2018 at 11:43 am
Loralee Petersen
Doreen, my children and I love your books! When my daughter recently had her first baby, the one book she knew she absolutely wanted for my granddaughter was Click, Clack, Moo.
January 31, 2018 at 11:44 am
Darcee Freier
Yay Storystorm 2018! 30+ ideas. Many not great, but, maybe, hopefully a few that will stand out. Thanks Doreen Cronin! Thanks Tara!
January 31, 2018 at 11:45 am
laura516
This needs to go on my bulletin board: “Ninety percent of it will be unusable, hideous, boring, nonsensical. But it will start you down a path where you don’t know what’s coming. That’s where you want to be. That’s where inspiration likes to hang out.” Thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 11:46 am
Mary E. Cronin
Wonderful reminder that not all ideas start out shiny and beautiful! Thank you.
Mary Cronin
January 31, 2018 at 11:51 am
Linda Hofke
True. The more busy I am with other things, the more ideas I get and the more I write. The downside…the less sleep I get. 😦
January 31, 2018 at 11:51 am
Laura Rackham
I’m still laughing at the visual of the corpse over the blank screen! I will carry that to my notebook and easel and just get on with the business of creating!
January 31, 2018 at 11:52 am
Marie Sanderson
Thank you, thank you! And hurray for partially deaf introverts an elite club to which I belong! I really like your idea of giving your problems to your characters to see what they will do with them.
Hmmm….
January 31, 2018 at 11:53 am
JEN Garrett
Nope, not just you – if I could rewrite every conversation of my life I’d be a whole lot cooler.
January 31, 2018 at 11:56 am
sunwalker2013
Geez, that was inspiring! It was honest, refreshing, and (of course after the fact, for you!) funny! Shucks, back to the inow nfamous SFDs ( I recently learned a new word for these drafts, craptastic). I’m now happier to join you in that endeavor…
January 31, 2018 at 11:57 am
Cortney Benvenuto
Miscommunication makes great inspiration, same with being super busy! Thanks for the great post!
January 31, 2018 at 11:57 am
Kirsten W. Larson
Yes! “Inspiration shows up in the work.” That should be my new mantra.
January 31, 2018 at 12:00 pm
Dayne Sislen, Children's Book Illustrator
I agree, I always come up with the best ideas when I’m too busy to work on them. So I write them down for those rare times I am free to write. Loved your post.
January 31, 2018 at 12:02 pm
Katie Giorgio
Thanks so much for sharing!
January 31, 2018 at 12:02 pm
authormissymack
Thanks Doreen! So many great suggestions!
January 31, 2018 at 12:02 pm
Debra Daugherty
Doreen, your post hit home. Many times I sit and sit and sit, and my mind is a blank. When I’m busy and not looking for ideas, they come. Thanks for reminding me that I’m not the only one who has this problem.
January 31, 2018 at 12:02 pm
Danielle Dufayet
Wow, I can so relate. Sometimes having too much time to write is not such a good thing. Having deadlines and other work obligations is conducive to generating ideas – for me!
January 31, 2018 at 12:04 pm
kmajor2013
I enjoyed reading about your writing journey. Thanks for sharing.
January 31, 2018 at 12:06 pm
Paula Young
All ideas seem good at the time, but it is inspiring to learn that some might actually make it to a published book.
January 31, 2018 at 12:08 pm
Krissy
What a perfect last post to Storystorm! I just happen to be partially deaf and an introvert myself so I can totally relate to all those embarrassing moments! I haven’t thought of using them for a story though – great advice! Thanks so much for this inspiring post!
January 31, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Leslie Santamaria
It’s so encouraging to hear that a fabulously successful author also produces a lot of unusable material in the process. It’s normal and I’m not alone! Thank you, Doreen!
January 31, 2018 at 12:11 pm
Susan Macartney
Doreen – so interesting to hear your journey and love your advice – just adopted a pet “squirrel”:)
January 31, 2018 at 12:13 pm
Kassy Keppol
Thank you for sharing
January 31, 2018 at 12:16 pm
Gabriele
Love, love, love this! Thank you, Doreen. My best ideas come when I’m at work, in the middle of something, or just snuggled comfortably into bed… Thanks for an energizing mid-morning break!
January 31, 2018 at 12:17 pm
Jill Giesbrecht
So fun! Thanks for sharing!
January 31, 2018 at 12:17 pm
McCourt Thomas
Your books are so clever and funny! Thanks for taking us through the process.
January 31, 2018 at 12:18 pm
Sue Heavenrich
Thanks, Doreen! I’ve always felt that 90% of my scribbles are just to get me to those 10% of usable ideas. Good to know I’m not the only one.
January 31, 2018 at 12:19 pm
Jo Jo Harder
This is great for a final post! Very authentic! Thank you for sharing, Doreen!
January 31, 2018 at 12:20 pm
Cathy Ogren
It’s so good to hear that sometimes ideas just don’t come easily. Note to self: Keep eyes and ears open at all times. Thanks, Doreen, for your post.
January 31, 2018 at 12:20 pm
Mary Jane Muir
Loved reading this post. Makes me want to keep on keeping on with this crazy writing thing. Thank you so much.
January 31, 2018 at 12:21 pm
angiecal76
Thanks, Doreen. Click, Clack, Moo is one of my all time favorite picture books. So glad your first grade teacher encouraged you to write because it’s apparent you do it amazingly well! She would be proud of you.
January 31, 2018 at 12:21 pm
Cathy C. Hall
Isn’t that weird? I’m the say way–a busy Cathy is a productive Cathy. Give me plenty of time and I will sit around, piddling and la-ti-daa-ing. I suppose it’s good I figured that out, but yeah…I still waste a lot of time when I’m not running around like a chicken with her head cut off!
January 31, 2018 at 12:22 pm
saputnam
Great post, Doreen!! I totally agree that the key to writing is simply sitting BIC and doing it. Then, it’s on to revising, and revising, and revising!
And as for inspiration, this post reminds me of something that Shel Silverstein said:
“Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”
January 31, 2018 at 12:24 pm
Traci Bold
Quitting your day job was really brave Doreen! And it paid off in you living your dream career.
January 31, 2018 at 12:28 pm
mona861
Thanks for sharing your writing journey….going back to 1st grade!
January 31, 2018 at 12:30 pm
annjex
I was relieved to hear you spent a year writing nothing after taking the official plunge into full-time writing, having recently done so myself and fearing it was a huge mistake! Thank you for your perspective and tips on getting the work of writing done in order to find that inspired nugget. Good luck to you!
January 31, 2018 at 12:30 pm
kathalsey
I love this piece of wisdom from you, today, Doreen – “…inspiration shows up in the work.” Thank you. I’ll be working and maybe that inspiration will find me. Great post to end this month! TY all.
January 31, 2018 at 12:31 pm
sarita f
Excellent post! Thank you
January 31, 2018 at 12:38 pm
Earl @ The Chronicles Of A Children's Book Writer
I definitely to show up to let all kinds of ideas come to me.
January 31, 2018 at 12:38 pm
Susan Johnston
Speaking of mishearing things, my dad used to call that creative hearing disorder. I loved Clack, Clack, Moo, so I can’t wait to read Duck for President.
January 31, 2018 at 12:40 pm
Debbie Day (@debbiedayauthor)
I really appreciate this post because sometimes I am tempted to feel robbed of writing time, but the thing is, most of my inspiration comes just by living and enjoying the business of my (blessed) life. Thank you for that reminder, it makes me want to just enjoy the journey and let the ideas come as I go!
January 31, 2018 at 12:41 pm
Cheryl Malandrinos
What a wonderful way to close out this year’s event. Your books filled our house when the kids were little and we even used them to inspire our own “Click, Clack, Moo…” writing event in preschool.
Thanks for letting us know even the great authors have bad ideas.
Cheryl
January 31, 2018 at 12:43 pm
writersideup
Doreen, I loved learning all this about you. SO glad you shared 😀 Thank you for YOUR inspiration ❤
January 31, 2018 at 12:43 pm
Lynn A. Davidson
Thank you, Doreen, for the reminder that waiting for inspiration to show up isn’t always what works.
January 31, 2018 at 12:47 pm
Michelle Kashinsky
Thank you!! That mishearing problem/inspiration … yeah, I have that too!! It’s remarkable the things we think we hear.
January 31, 2018 at 12:49 pm
Tracey Brown
Words impact children (people) in ways we may never know – so say something positive! Glad your first grade teacher nurtured your writing talent. Love CLICK CLACK MOO. Thanks for your encouraging post, Doreen
January 31, 2018 at 12:50 pm
nrompella
Great to “meet” you Doreen. I have been having too much writing time myself. But need to keep on truckin’.
January 31, 2018 at 12:51 pm
Gayle Veitenheimer
Love your story. You’re right. Sometimes a tight schedule helps. I’m working on my masters which severely cuts my writing time. Consequently, I buckle down when it’s time to write. Thanks for sharing.
January 31, 2018 at 12:53 pm
Kim Pfennigwerth
It’s wonderful to have one last reminder to put our butt in a chair and write to find some inspiration! Thank you Doreen, what a fabulous finish!
January 31, 2018 at 12:55 pm
Marlene Farrell
Yay. Love your work, Doreen. And love the idea of mistakes and rubbish turning, eventually, through work and attention, to gold.
January 31, 2018 at 12:56 pm
yangmommy
Just like your books, your post for us was amazing! I can’t believe you didn’t write for an entire year! Oh wait…sure I can because that was pretty much me last year. Revised a lot, but very little fresh juice being made. Anyway, thank you for sharing your thoughts 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 12:57 pm
Donna L Martin
What an inspirational post! Makes me want to dig through all my WIP ideas and celebrate all the wacky, wonky, wonderful mistakes I’VE made along the way…lol…
Donna L Martin
January 31, 2018 at 12:59 pm
Lu Fiskin-Ross
I love this! So glad to hear you have bad story ideas, writing days, inspiration problems, like all of us. Thank you for sharing!
January 31, 2018 at 12:59 pm
rosecappelli
Thanks for the wonderful inspiration! I love hearing that much of what we write may be unusable, but that every once in awhile a truly great idea will pop up if we keep writing. I need to remind myself of that every day.
January 31, 2018 at 12:59 pm
Annette Whipple
Doreen, even your bio is awesome. We’ve been long fans of yours but would still love to win a set of books. (And here I am procrastinating instead of writing…)
January 31, 2018 at 1:00 pm
Pamela Harrison
Thank you for the reminder that it’s common to write bad stories. Like you, I am an introvert but I’m also a perfectionist. I tend to procrastinate because I’m afraid my writing will be bad. You have inspired me to write anyway. By the way, I love your books and so do my grandchildren. Thank you for not giving up! You have given children a special gift.
January 31, 2018 at 1:01 pm
Amy Wilkinson
I have spent months and months waiting for inspiration to strike. It doesn’t seem to work that way. You have to make your own inspiration! That is what Storystorm has taught me!!
January 31, 2018 at 1:02 pm
Margaret Greanias
I loved learning about Doreen Cronin. I love her writing and it was good to hear that. like mine, her inspiration does not come easily. There’s hope for me!
January 31, 2018 at 1:02 pm
Ashley Bankhead
I loved this post! Thank you for sharing with us about your writing. It’s so true that we cannot wait for inspiration, we have to work for it. I really enjoyed this post. Thank you.
January 31, 2018 at 1:03 pm
tanjabauerle
Thank you for sharing your journey. T
January 31, 2018 at 1:08 pm
hmmmmm
Lovely ending to a great month, and a good reminder for the months ahead; thanks, Doreen, for a great post and for your fantastic books!!!
January 31, 2018 at 1:09 pm
paulajbecker
Thank you for the push to just keep going, Doreen! I echo the need to push through perfectionism, etc.!
January 31, 2018 at 1:11 pm
Alice Carty Fulgione
I related to your post, Doreen, because I know that much of what I write is unusable but I now feel inspired to keep on keeping on. In addition, listening to other people’s conversations often gives me ideas for future or current stories. Thanks for the inspiration!
January 31, 2018 at 1:11 pm
Brian Yanish
You’re an inspiration Doreen. Thank you for your honesty and humor.
January 31, 2018 at 1:15 pm
carolmunrojww
You get a Bravery sticker, Doreen, for quitting that day job and persevering. I’m so happy you did! I love your books.
January 31, 2018 at 1:20 pm
aidantalkin
Fantastic!! So important to leave the blank paper and silence of the studio, get busy in our lives; find the inspiration in the world. Thanks for the reminder!
January 31, 2018 at 1:20 pm
KASteed
Doreen, that was brave. Thank you for the inspiration.
January 31, 2018 at 1:24 pm
blbachmann
I love the question of which came first, the inspiration or the work? Good reminder that most often inspiration comes from doing the work. Also I’m a big fan of the CLICK, CLACK, MOO books!!! Thank you Doreen for a wonderful post.
January 31, 2018 at 1:26 pm
Danielle Hammelef
This post was wonderful for me to read today as I’ve decided enough sitting and waiting, just do. I think I’m going to start dropping eaves too.
January 31, 2018 at 1:26 pm
June Sengpiehl
Interesting post. I enjoyed reading it.
January 31, 2018 at 1:28 pm
Kathy Manchip
I *love* the idea of giving away my problem to my characters, thank you! Also, I love Farmer Brown and those cows 🙂 thank you for writing that story ❤
January 31, 2018 at 1:32 pm
Jean Richardson
Oh my goodness. I loved Duck for President! Doreen. And I often give my problems to my characters. Glad you found your inspiration even if from an awkward or embarrassing source. Thanks.
January 31, 2018 at 1:35 pm
Poupette Smith
Sounds like you don’t miss lawyering for inspiration, Doreen. Great post, and I love your books and red-sneaker blog prompt too. And Tara, thanks for another fabulous Storystorm month!
January 31, 2018 at 1:38 pm
Sarah Maynard (@SarahDMaynard)
This post is just what I needed today! Thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 1:39 pm
Connie Colon
Thanks, Doreen! I love her writing and loved this post. (and one of my favorite characters in my PRINCIPAL KIDD book is Mrs. Huggswell – the hard of hearing guidance counselor!) Time to pawn off my problems to the squirrels (or maybe a gator since I’m in Florida now!!)
January 31, 2018 at 1:39 pm
rgstones
“Almost anything taken out of context can be a great story starter, title, or dialogue.” I love this so much! Thanks for the great post.
January 31, 2018 at 1:40 pm
Debra Shumaker
“I write every day. I just don’t write well every day.” LOVE that! Thanks for the inspirational post! Great way to end Storystorm!
January 31, 2018 at 1:42 pm
Peg e. Monley
Thanks Doreen!
What a great post!
I am looking forward to quitting my day job. And you have made that much more frightening for me. Think of the inspiration I can gleen from that!
🙂
January 31, 2018 at 1:44 pm
chardixon47
“Give your problems away to your characters.” Doreen, I never thought about this. Thank you for sharing your path to writing. You are an with inspiration for all of us 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 1:44 pm
Jennifer Broedel (@JBroedelAuthor)
What a fun idea! I’m gonna have to revisit some old embarrassments and see what I can lend to a new character. 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 1:46 pm
Jacquie McGregor
Love this author— love these books!
January 31, 2018 at 1:47 pm
Marlene Rohr
As a former school library manager, I recall that your books were always in high demand! I enjoyed your helpful advice and reflections on finding inspiration. Thanks for your post.
January 31, 2018 at 1:48 pm
lmconnors
Love your books and this post. Thank you Doreen.
January 31, 2018 at 1:52 pm
Melanie Ellsworth
I don’t have to look far for inspiration today – found it your post! Thanks, Doreen!
January 31, 2018 at 1:52 pm
Genevieve Petrillo
A recurring theme here seems to be your rotting corpse. Should we worry? Send help?? Die and rot at our own computers??? Aargh.
January 31, 2018 at 1:53 pm
Joanne Sher
This is one of my VERY favorite posts of StoryStorm 2018. What GREAT stuff! Printing this baby out! Thanks SO much, Doreen, for ending StoryStorm with a bang – and TARA, for a fabulous month!!
January 31, 2018 at 1:54 pm
Crystal Lamb
I’m sitting at my desk during lunch period…hiding…and eating goat yogurt…and reading this post and smiling. What a *perfect* way to end a *perfect* month of ideas\inspiration\butt kicking! You’re right: I teach in a kid laboratory, and all day I go “that would make a great book!” I’m EXHAUSTED at night but…yeah…that’s me in the shower with ideas percolating. It’s a great post with so much to digest. THANKS!
January 31, 2018 at 1:59 pm
Sandra Salsbury
Thanks for this post! I would not be surprised if there were a number of forest critters that were plagued with the same issues that I am!
January 31, 2018 at 1:59 pm
Melissa Stoller
Thanks for a great post, Doreen! I love your line, “almost anything taken out of context can be a great story starter.” PS I grew up in Merrick too! Hooray for the Merrick Library!
January 31, 2018 at 2:05 pm
J. D. Silverwood
Greatness so often seems so simple in its execution. The perfect rhyme, hilariously true observations, even an effortless shot in a basketball game, all these things are the result of hard work. Thanks for sharing your process. It stands as a testament to the hard work we all must put in to achieve our dreams.
January 31, 2018 at 2:10 pm
theclandestinemuse
I love Doreen Cronin books because they are as fun to read as an adult as to the child . . . .probably more! 🙂 Thank you for the great reads!
January 31, 2018 at 2:10 pm
Sharon Nix Jones
Thank you for your words of wisdom.
January 31, 2018 at 2:11 pm
Brenda Huante
This is great advice. Thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 2:11 pm
Jeanine Fondacaro Brown
Man, you hit the nail on the head! (Sorry…Mam…) When I was on my feet and running around waiting tables in a restaurant for 10 years, I had ideas galore, written on every type of scrap paper I could fit in my apron… now that I am only teaching art a few days a month, seems I got nothin’. Funny how the busy brings out the creativity. Thanks for sharing!
January 31, 2018 at 2:12 pm
Robin Brett Wechsler
I really enjoyed learning from you about your back story. Thanks for sharing it with us, Doreen! And for reminding us just to keep on writing, but that it’s okay to have long breaks too. I love your books!!
January 31, 2018 at 2:15 pm
Kimberly
Thank you for sharing your real life with us. It’s good to know published or iunpublished, the work is work. Thank you!!
January 31, 2018 at 2:18 pm
anitajjones
What an inspiring life story Doreen…and you’re just beginning! I enjoyed reading about that first year in the country and how the inspiration was slow to come. I retired four years ago, and except for that first enthusiastic year, I’ve had to overcome many slumps! This was supposed to be my second career…..I hope I’m on my way up…we’ll see. Thanks for sharing your story!
January 31, 2018 at 2:19 pm
Chad Allen Wonsik
I, too, have found that I’m flooded with ideas when I’m at my busiest “doing something else” at work. Thanks for sharing, Doreen!
January 31, 2018 at 2:20 pm
lisabilla
Yes, ideas never show up when it’s convenient! Thank you for the encouragement that somewhere in the piles of mistakes are worthwhile ideas. And thank you for all the enjoyment your books have brought to us!
January 31, 2018 at 2:21 pm
sjctenney
Wonderful advice. Just get to work! Start writing. This is so true. The hard thing is making myself do it sometimes!
January 31, 2018 at 2:22 pm
Meena
What a great idea! Give your problems to your character and go on a quest solving for them.
Thanks for the inspiration and giving us a tool to turn our mistakes into masterpieces!
January 31, 2018 at 2:23 pm
Gregory E Bray
Great post. Thank you, Doreen.
January 31, 2018 at 2:25 pm
Darlene Ivy
If you keep your mind on words, the words that you need to hear will be there!
January 31, 2018 at 2:26 pm
karammitchell
I’ve written a lot of really bad work. Hooray!! Sounds like in on my way! Thanks, Doreen!!
January 31, 2018 at 2:28 pm
Nancy Ferguson
Thanks, I have loads of crummy ideas written, but there is hope!
January 31, 2018 at 2:28 pm
ManjuBeth
Doreen, I love the humor in your picture books. And your post rings true for me. Now, I just need to borrow your stand-in-squirrel. Thanks!
January 31, 2018 at 2:29 pm
Michal
Doreen, your hilarious writing is my inspiration mentor! I often flip through your books to remind myself how to pace out stories or use humor properly (or improperly). Thank you for sharing your ways to stay inspired!
January 31, 2018 at 2:30 pm
Jilanne Hoffmann
Yes, I agree. Inspiration comes through the work. At least, that’s my experience. Thanks for the post!
January 31, 2018 at 2:31 pm
Jen
Thank you for all your stories. My student’s and I love them.
January 31, 2018 at 2:31 pm
Sara Matson
What an encouraging post. It’s so nice to know I’m not the only one who writes “unusable, horrible, hideous, embarrassingly bad” stuff 90% of the time. 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 2:33 pm
moviemommie
Thank you for TYPING up such an encouraging post.
Jenna feldman
January 31, 2018 at 2:34 pm
Jenna W
As a union member, I made sure to introduce my kids to Click Clack Moo early! I love hearing how brilliant writers write a lot of nothing before the amazingness. This is definitely inspiration for someone who has drafted a lot of bad ideas. Thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 2:36 pm
mamabalza
Oh, how true that 90% of what I write is trash, but oh how exciting it is when inspiration comes.
January 31, 2018 at 2:36 pm
mcdonaldrae
Doreen, I have a feeling that first year was well spent thinking deeply. Writing is both skill and inspiration. Your words ring so true about a worthy idea rising from the heap of words that just go in circles. Thanks for the great books over the years! As a school librarian, I was delighted with kids chasing after them. Keep it coming…all in good time.
January 31, 2018 at 2:38 pm
Diana Calio
Super loved this post! (Here, squirrel, squirrel…I have a long list for you…hee-hee!) Thanks, Doreen 🙂 -from a fellow-hard-of-hearing introvert
January 31, 2018 at 2:39 pm
Darlene Ivy
Ears open, butt in chair and fingers on keys
. We’ve got this. Thanks for a great post.
January 31, 2018 at 2:41 pm
marty
Doreen, how I’d love to win a set of your books! All favorites of mine! And I love your advice, as well. It’s encouraging to read that you, too, feel much of what you write is boring or awful. And that bits and pieces taken out of context can be great idea starters. Thanks for the much-needed encouragement and inspiration.
January 31, 2018 at 2:42 pm
tiffanydickinson
Doreen, thanks for sharing. This is so true – ideas just fly right in when I’m busy doing other things. And a whole year of not writing! That’s dedication.
January 31, 2018 at 2:43 pm
mlflannigan
Thank you Doreen – I love your stories!
January 31, 2018 at 2:43 pm
Red said what?
Love-love-love your books! So much fun! And thank you for this great post.
January 31, 2018 at 2:46 pm
Maria Bostian
Huge take-away today: Inspiration shows up in the work!
Thanks, Doreen, for that nugget and for closing out Storystorm ’18!
January 31, 2018 at 2:47 pm
Sylvia Mary Grech
Excellent post! Ideas never show up for me when I’m sitting at the computer…it’s always in the most inconvenient places!
January 31, 2018 at 2:49 pm
writeknit
Doreen – thank you for sharing your angst trying to think of an idea when your head is empty. I love refilling it by eavesdropping. That is one of my favorite past times. LOL
January 31, 2018 at 2:51 pm
Jennifer B Bower
Sit and think! That is all I do when I have time to write. I want everything to be perfect and ready to submit. Thank you for encouraging me to write even when the words are not the greatest. Thanks for a great post Doreen!
January 31, 2018 at 2:56 pm
Kathy Doherty
I have followed Doreen’s book journey from her very first publication. Thanks for the wonderful post! I like learning that successful authors also struggle at times with inspiration.
January 31, 2018 at 3:03 pm
setwiggs
I’m from Wisconsin and Click Clack Moo is one of my grandchildren’s favorite books. Fleet Farm sold it next to The Farmers Almanac in our small town. I’d love to have a set or your other books.
January 31, 2018 at 3:08 pm
Garnett Natasha
It was so much fun to read your post, Doreen. You are clearly a writer!
I’d be thrilled right out of the barnyard to win your set of books.
January 31, 2018 at 3:08 pm
Jeanine Potter
Thank you for a golden ticket to inspiration!
January 31, 2018 at 3:11 pm
Tracy Hora
Thank you for this post. It really resonated with me. The way you put it, they all seem like new ideas for me to draw from!
January 31, 2018 at 3:12 pm
Amy
Every time I need writing inspiration, I read my son’s copy of Click Clack Moo. It still sits in his bookcase, and he is 18. I always wonder how you came up with this creative idea! Thank you for being real and acknowledging that we all write bad stuff – but that we have to keep on writing.
January 31, 2018 at 3:13 pm
Christine M Irvin
Great advice! Thanks for sharing!
January 31, 2018 at 3:16 pm
Suzanne LaLiberte Lewis
“What if I fall? Oh, my darling, what if you fly?” Your post captures this completely! Thanks for a wonderful, encouraging post!
January 31, 2018 at 3:19 pm
Kathy Shanahan
Laugh out loud funny and inspiring! Thank you Doreen.
January 31, 2018 at 3:24 pm
Shaye Wardrop
So inspiring! Thank you Doreen
January 31, 2018 at 3:31 pm
barbarakeevilparker
Thanks, Doreen. What a fun article. I went directly from your article to my list of ideas. You inspired me.
January 31, 2018 at 3:32 pm
Kathleen Wilcox
I can’t thank you enough for reminding me to write the trash as I search for the treasure. It’s true, they often hang out together. And that gives me a idea for a story, not a good one but an idea. Thank you, Doreen!
January 31, 2018 at 3:33 pm
Rachel Hamby
Thanks for this advice, Doreen! You are one of my heroes.
January 31, 2018 at 3:35 pm
writersideup
Click, Clack, OOooooo—what a post! What an author! Doreen, thank you SO much for sharing this. Learning more about successful writers’ processes is incredibly helpful and inspirational. Thank you! 😀
January 31, 2018 at 3:37 pm
Anne Appert
Thank you! Sometimes it’s hard to remember to keep working even when inspiration isn’t striking. Or I get discouraged when my first draft is trash. Thanks for the reminder to just keep at it!
January 31, 2018 at 3:38 pm
lindaschueler
I think I’ll start with rewriting what I wished I had said during all those awkward conversations!
January 31, 2018 at 3:41 pm
Sue
Thanks for the reassurance and the inspiration! Yes, work often comes before that great idea.
Love your sense of humor, Doreen!
January 31, 2018 at 3:44 pm
Amy Harding
I LOVE to hear that someone as talented as Doreen has piles of “junk writing” laying around! It is indeed an inspiration!
January 31, 2018 at 3:44 pm
Megan Whitaker
I too tend to have more ideas when I’m busy working than when I have a week off from school. Good thing I can usually wake up early before my alarm goes off to get some of that writing done.
January 31, 2018 at 3:45 pm
Heather Pierce Stigall
Great ideas. Thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 3:51 pm
Kaye Baillie
I love Click Clack Moo, and look at that fab duck! I can relate to what Doreen says, and I love that squirrel. Thanks for the advice!
January 31, 2018 at 4:00 pm
Catherine F
It is so true about the uninspired work coming first! Often it’s only after several drafts that the real inspiration strikes :o)
January 31, 2018 at 4:07 pm
pathaap
What an inspiring blog to end on, Doreen! This is just what I needed. Thanks so much!
January 31, 2018 at 4:08 pm
Susan Schade
I love this! Mistakes and embarrassment are great inspiration. And I love the exercise of giving your problems away to your characters. Thank you…thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 4:09 pm
Bev Taylor
Hi Click Clack Moo, was a great story. If a cow can type then anything is possible in picture books. Thanks for sharing your story and for the chance to win your books. A Duck for President sounds like a wonderful story to read too.
January 31, 2018 at 4:11 pm
christinerodenbour
Love this post!!
January 31, 2018 at 4:12 pm
darshanakhiani
Thanks! Yes work first. So hard when work feels like drudgery until you find the inspiration.
January 31, 2018 at 4:15 pm
Julie Rand
Hi Doreen. I LOVE your books. I read them to my son over and over so many times he could read them to me. I can’t even tell you how many times I Moo’d. Thank you for sharing your embarrassing story. But I know you’re right about being busy and having ideas. That’s so weird. isn’t it? Best of luck in your writing. We need more of your stories.
January 31, 2018 at 4:20 pm
M Lapointe Malchik (@imartytweet)
Hi Doreen, I’ve been amazed at the poor timing of inspiration, too! When I can’t possibly take the time to write down what’s in my head is when I have a brain full of text that I don’t want to forget. It never fails. Thank you for posting that writing a lot that is useless leads you to a place you could never get to without writing, writing, writing, yourself to that point. There are likely quite a few of us who would be happy to see all of the ideas that you claim to be unusable! I mean Click, Clack, MOO? What an amazing story! The art with your words is pure perfection, a classic. Thank you for the generous giveaway.
January 31, 2018 at 4:22 pm
Colleen Dabney
Writer’s write it’s just the way it is! Cool that you left your lawyer job to write. We enjoy reading your books.
January 31, 2018 at 4:23 pm
susankorchak
Such an encouraging post. Thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 4:28 pm
triciacandy
Oh, I really loved this entry. Thank you thank you thank you.
January 31, 2018 at 4:30 pm
wendymyersart
Way to end another great year of Storystorm, Doreen! Loved your post. It’s always so helpful to be reminded of the realities of creating. I love knowing how successful writers (and illustrators) have learned to use their own personal self realizations and life experiences to help them succeed. Love your books!
January 31, 2018 at 4:31 pm
Nicole Turner
Thank you, It does seem that every time I carve out a moment of time for writing nothing seems to flow but when I am hustling and hurry ideas are much easier to come by.
January 31, 2018 at 4:32 pm
gayleckrause
Click! Clack! Done! What a wonderful way to end Storystorm. Thanks for your inspiration. 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 4:38 pm
Judy Y
Yes, yes, and yes! Thank you, Doreen!
January 31, 2018 at 4:39 pm
mariagianferrari
Thanks so much, Doreen!! Click Clack Moo is one of my favorite books. I remember how much my daughter laughed at it as a young child. 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 4:42 pm
Pat
I love your story. It’s so honest and inspiring to me, the regular person who wants to write brilliant stories. I’ll try writing so so stories until I hit upon the brilliant one!
January 31, 2018 at 4:45 pm
L. Michelle Quraishi
Thanks for the concrete and usable inspiration – now, to work!
January 31, 2018 at 4:51 pm
Lisa
I used to read Clack, Clack Moo to my day care kids. What a blast!
January 31, 2018 at 4:56 pm
Karin Larson
Thanks for sharing your story. I so relate!
January 31, 2018 at 4:57 pm
jhkmomx4
Thank you. It is refreshing and inspiring to hear your experience.
January 31, 2018 at 4:58 pm
Lorraine Bonzelet
The first time I read Diary of a Worm, I giggled for days. It is still one of my favs. Thanks for telling your story. It is encouraging! A great way to end Storystorm.
January 31, 2018 at 4:58 pm
Jacqueline Adams
I have a hard time starting to write if I don’t feel that I have a good handle on where I’m going with it. Next time, I’ll tell myself that Doreen Cronin gave me permission!
January 31, 2018 at 5:01 pm
Janet Halfmann
Finding your inspiration while you’re writing–will definitely have to think more about that! Thanks for sharing your story!
January 31, 2018 at 5:03 pm
Hannah Tuohy (@hannahlollman)
Finding inspiration when I’ve set aside time for it is definitely a challenge. Thank you for your post!
January 31, 2018 at 5:03 pm
Tammy Rainey
Loved you inspiration! Totally agree with you on inspiration comes when you are the busiest. I guess I need to keep my day job! Lol Thanks for the tips!
January 31, 2018 at 5:04 pm
Monica Chessmore
Thanks for sharing.
January 31, 2018 at 5:05 pm
Rick Starkey
Thanks for being here, Doreen Cronin!
Click, Clack, Moo, Cows that Type Is one of my all time favorites!
January 31, 2018 at 5:07 pm
kirstenbockblog
Great advice, Doreen! I love your books, especially The Chicken Squad series, which I have been using as mentor text.
January 31, 2018 at 5:09 pm
juliannlaw
I’m giving all my problems to my characters from now on! It will be like therapy! ❤
January 31, 2018 at 5:10 pm
F. G. M. Kalavritinos
Love the idea of giving our problems to a character! I’m tired of carrying them around anyway. Might as well put them to good use!
January 31, 2018 at 5:12 pm
Tina Cho
Love this, Doreen: “Mistakes are great inspirations. Embarrassment is great inspiration. Fear excels at the art of inspiration.” Thank you for sharing with us!
January 31, 2018 at 5:13 pm
Latasha Vernon
Thanks for the inspiration. Your leap of faith didn’t seem to work out in the beginning but it surely paid off. Glad that it did.
January 31, 2018 at 5:20 pm
Stephan Stuecklin
Thanks for throwing down the gauntlet and challenging me to work, work, work!
January 31, 2018 at 5:22 pm
Brenda Maier
I just wrote down something you said on a post-it note for inspiration. Thank you for sharing that if we work another job, too, it doesn’t always have to be the death knell of one’s writing. I need that reminder.
January 31, 2018 at 5:25 pm
Juliana Lee
But you ARE brave! You gave up a lucrative day job to pursue your dream, even when you didn’t write a thing for a year you didn’t tuck your tail between your legs and go back lawyering… and we all thank you for that!
January 31, 2018 at 5:32 pm
Zoë Collins
The last day brings the post that spoke directly to my soul. Thank you, Doreen. Good luck eith the awkward misheard conversation. On another note, I still remember the day a young woman in my favourite bookstore (Avid reader in Brisbane, Australia) handed me ‘Click clack Moo…’ and said ‘this is my newest favourite… buy it.’ I am very obedient. 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 5:34 pm
Sandy Perlic
Love this post, because it is so true that we are surrounded by little snippets of conversation and things like that that could make good story-starters. And also true that we have to write so much that’s unpublishable to get to the heart of our stories. Thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 5:41 pm
Lyn Miller-Lachmann
These books look wonderful! And I used to write with day jobs that gave me structure and routine. Then I was laid off and had no choice but to write full time. Piling up the manuscripts!
January 31, 2018 at 5:44 pm
Sheri Radovich
Thank you for the permission to write junk before you actually find a gem and write about that. Writing everyday is hard and sometimes I find something I really like at the end. Thanks for the support.
January 31, 2018 at 5:45 pm
Nancy Riley
Thanks so much for your wise words. Inspiration is like love, it happened when you aren’t looking. The more you try, the more elusive it becomes.
January 31, 2018 at 5:46 pm
Sherry Howard
I love this idea that in busyness comes inspiration! It’s amazing to me how many of us, like Doreen, had that itch to write for a while before we did it. Great story about a writer’s curvy path!
January 31, 2018 at 5:52 pm
Jonathan Schkade (@JonathanSchkade)
Thanks, Doreen. I look forward to making some amazingly awful and wonderful mistakes in the year to come. 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 5:53 pm
Aimee
Great story starter ideas:) glad you started and published some of yours…we adore them at our house.
Thanks for the excellent post to end the month.
January 31, 2018 at 5:55 pm
Deslie English
That sneaky old inspiration! Thank you for your post, Doreen.
January 31, 2018 at 5:57 pm
Cynthia Harmony
Mistakes and embarrassment, love it! Thank you Doreen!
January 31, 2018 at 5:59 pm
Denise Wilson
Thanks for the encouragement! Experienced an awkward overheard conversation just today, in fact, so maybe it will sprout some inspiration sometime. 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 6:00 pm
heidikyates
I love Click Clack Moo. You have some terrific ideas Doreen. Thank you for sharing this helpful post. 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 6:04 pm
theresenagi
I enjoyed reading a Diary of a Worm. Also, thanks for the tip to use fear and embarrassment for writing inspiration.
January 31, 2018 at 6:10 pm
Candy
Hmmm… I think I just got an idea! gotta go scribble it somewhere.
January 31, 2018 at 6:13 pm
Gretchen McLellan
Hear hear! Thanks for the idea to use the mash up of what I thought I heard and my brain’s sense of what I thought I heard for a story idea.
Did that server really offer us fresh squeezed oysters for a breakfast beverage? Not bad if we are crabs.
Hmmmm….
January 31, 2018 at 6:18 pm
Trish Kreiser
Dear Ms. Cronin, I love your stories! I read Click Clack Moo to my kids more times than I can count. Thank you for this inspirational post.
January 31, 2018 at 6:20 pm
8catpaws
Title for your next book? Quack, Quack President. Boo!
Like your advice: Don’t give up–there may be a nugget of gold in the pile of trash.
January 31, 2018 at 6:28 pm
Midge Ballou Smith
Loved this! Thank you, Doreen!
January 31, 2018 at 6:28 pm
Kelly Vavala
Such an enjoyable post! So real and so funny!! Thank you for the inspiration!
January 31, 2018 at 6:40 pm
sallie wolf
Thanks for the reminder that the inspiration comes through the work. When I was working on a truck book, I was floundering until I wrote the words “Big truck.” That gave me the rhythm and the idea for a terse verse book about a truck that I already knew was stuck under a viaduct.
January 31, 2018 at 6:41 pm
Martin Segal
Thank you for the wonderful post, Doreen. Both my girls love Click, Clack, Moo! Thank you for the reassurance – I wish my younger self knew how many things I thought about writing were misconceptions!
January 31, 2018 at 6:41 pm
celticsea
Thanks Doreen! I am trying to get in the habit of just writing whether it is good or bad or somewhere in between. You have inspired me to continue in that effort. I like your suggestions as to where to find ideas and I will be listening and looking everywhere!
January 31, 2018 at 6:44 pm
Angie
Writing is kind of like working and money. If you work full time, you have money but no time to shop. If you don’t work, then no money for shopping but plenty of time to shop. If you are working, then no time to really focus but tons of ideas…not working? Plenty of time and sometimes less inspiration (or more ways to procrastinate?). Great post! Thanks!
January 31, 2018 at 6:47 pm
Aryn Kennedy
what a great post to end the month!
January 31, 2018 at 6:49 pm
Keila Dawson
Somebody’s trash may be another’s treasure. You are inspiring. Thanks for sharing your story and your talent.
January 31, 2018 at 6:51 pm
Bronte Colbert
Great words, thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 6:52 pm
curryelizabeth
This was wonderful! And so relatable. Thank you for the encouragement to allow myself to just write those bad first drafts until the real inspiration hits! Oh, and I have definitely worried about what happens to all of those bad drafts after I die. My husband has instructions to burn them! lol. Thank you Doreen and Tara for the great post.
January 31, 2018 at 6:55 pm
shanah salter
wonderful advice! love your books 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 6:57 pm
Christine Fleming McIsaac
Thank you for the post and sharing that you write bad stuff, too. But we LOVE what comes out of your process. (Now I’m going to gush.) Click, Clack, Moo is my favorite children’s book. It was one of the first I featured on my blog (http://readingeveryday.com/reading/click-clack-moo-whats-a-typewriter/). I’ve bought all your books (and give them as gifts whenever I can). The Valentine’s one is waiting to be given to my boys for Valentine’s Day. You are such an inspiration to me, and I hope I can one day come up with something as creative and fun as your books. Thank you!!! (Gush over.)
January 31, 2018 at 7:01 pm
Brooke Hollon
Doreen,
What a treat to read your guest blog today about finding inspiration. It is so helpful to know we all find inspiration at the time we are least prepared to find it! I have embarrassed myself by sneaking out of pilates and pulling my phone out of my purse to jot notes on story ideas, all because I knew that moment and idea might escape me if I did not jot it down right that moment!
It also is incredibly generous of you to share about the year you spent not writing. Wow. Isn’t it interesting how our brains and creative spirits work?
Glad you kept at it. My five year old, husband and I all love your books. 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 7:02 pm
Mark
I needed this so much. Thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 7:10 pm
Mindy Alyse Weiss
Thank you so much for your inspiring post, Doreen. I always feel like my severe hearing loss gets in the way of good eavesdropping, but I love the way you see it as a way to possibly enrich your writing. Now that I think about it, one of my favorite ideas came from thinking my daughter called something the wrong name. It turned into a really funny PB manuscript. It’s nice to find a positive in my disability. 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 7:13 pm
Virginia Law Manning
If you’re brave enough to send manuscripts out on submission, then I’d say, you’re brave enough to be a policeman : ). I loved your story! Thank you for sharing!
January 31, 2018 at 7:15 pm
Pam Miller
Thank you, Doreen. BLOOM was my all-time favorite and it got cheers at my dinner table from the grown women. My granddaughters have a copy. The youngest three grandsons have heard CLICK CLACK MOO many times. I like the way your writing comes to you, now and then, but with fun-to-say words and rhythm. Oh, to tell a story so well. Many thanks.
January 31, 2018 at 7:17 pm
Carolyn Kraft
It’s so true, some of the best ideas come when the brain is working overtime. Thank you for the inspiration!
January 31, 2018 at 7:18 pm
awritersdream41
Thanks Doreen for reminding us to take advantage of embarrassing moments and turning them into stories.
January 31, 2018 at 7:20 pm
Sarah Momo Romero
Thanks for the inspiring post, Doreen! Sometimes it’s tough to squeeze in the writing with a full time job, but maybe these are the time when ideas aren’t afraid to come over.. when we’re not just sitting around waiting for them!
January 31, 2018 at 7:20 pm
Lisa Springer
Thank you for such an inspiring post. I enjoyed this month of ideas, even when the idea well ran dry for a few days I was still motivated and encouraged by these daily posts. I’ll definitely be back next year.
January 31, 2018 at 7:20 pm
Andrew Lefebvre
Thank you! Love your books.
January 31, 2018 at 7:26 pm
kidlitgail
What a way to cap off an incredible month! I thought of 3 ideas whiloe reading Doreen’s post. Thanks for inspiring us, Doreen!!!
January 31, 2018 at 7:33 pm
Janie Reinart
Doreen, Love your books❤️ Thanks for the pep talk.
January 31, 2018 at 7:34 pm
Vasilia Graboski
Thank you for your realistic inspiration! Love the idea of using your fears and giving them to your characters. I’ve got lots of those to choose from!!
January 31, 2018 at 7:37 pm
Andrea Mack
Thanks for the awesome post! I love the idea of giving problems away to your characters!
January 31, 2018 at 7:40 pm
topangamaria
I so appreciate the idea of mining fear and mistakes and embarrassing moments . What an inspirational grand finale to a great month.
January 31, 2018 at 7:40 pm
Mary Kate
Thank you for sharing!
January 31, 2018 at 7:43 pm
Shauna Woodall
Love your post — I find I’m in the same predicament! Kids out of the house, moved to the middle of nowhere, no more excuses, except … I just have to do it. There is no try, only DO or DO NOT!
January 31, 2018 at 7:44 pm
Jenifer McNamara
Enjoyed the post. Now I think I have too many ideas and don’t know where not to get started! But I’m sure a prompt will take care of that problem since that is the part of a PB idea.
January 31, 2018 at 7:46 pm
Nadine Poper
Thank you Doreen! Click, Clack, Moo is an all-time favorite of mine!
January 31, 2018 at 7:50 pm
Susie Sawyer
What a wonderful way to close out Storystorm 2018! Doreen, I hear ya – I took some time off from work to write full time. It was the most unproductive two years of my writing career! Thank you for reminding us that it’s ok to scribble out whatever ideas come to us – no obligation to use them, but we have to honor them by writing them down! 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 7:53 pm
singebinge
Thanks for the inspiration!
January 31, 2018 at 7:55 pm
Artelle Lenthall
Thank you Doreen, it explains why I’ve written so much less this holiday than I’d hoped. Bring on the work 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 7:58 pm
Dee Barragry
I can’t wait to try talking to my squirrel 😊 Thank you for this inspiring post.
January 31, 2018 at 8:19 pm
Maria J Cuesta
Se love Your books and I love Your post. Thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 8:23 pm
Teresa Traver
I really like the idea of starting with fear: what is this character afraid of? I’ll have to think about some of my characters who don’t yet have stories that way.
January 31, 2018 at 8:25 pm
Lucretia Schafroth
Thanks for an inspirational end to Storystorm 2018, Doreen–and for sharing so many ideas about how to turn mistakes, fears, etc. into stories. I’m looking forward to giving my problems to the first squirrel (or chipmunk) that I see in the morning!
THANK YOU, Tara, for organizing a fabulous month of inspirational, motivational posts.
January 31, 2018 at 8:25 pm
Janet Smart
Thanks for the post. Great books!
January 31, 2018 at 8:29 pm
Bethany M. Edwards| Biracial Bookworms
Embarrassment is DEFINITELY an inspiration! Thank you so much for this!! We ADORE your books!
January 31, 2018 at 8:37 pm
deborahholtwilliams
Doreen, I’m so glad you left the law world behind to become a full-time children’s writer, It’s fun to see that even kids who have never seen a typewriter get such a kick out of your books!
January 31, 2018 at 8:39 pm
Natalie Lynn Tanner
Doreen: THANK YOU for the inspiration, and for permission to make embarrassing mistakes! It’s good to know we’re NEVER alone on this journey!
January 31, 2018 at 8:44 pm
jessica shaw
Thank you for sharing your wonderful wit and wisdom, Doreen!
January 31, 2018 at 8:46 pm
wpdrey
Great way to wrap up this inspiring month! Doreen, your books are great fun, and I cannot hear enough that it’s ok to make ridiculous and embarrassing mistakes.
January 31, 2018 at 8:57 pm
Helen Lysicatos
Appreciated you sharing your transition from non-writer to professional writer (with all the bumps in between). Thank you.
January 31, 2018 at 8:59 pm
Laurie Bouck
Oh my goodness, I LOVE your books!! Thank you for such a great post! 😀
January 31, 2018 at 9:00 pm
Johnell DeWitt
This was so refreshing to hear. Click Clack Moo is brilliant, so I feel so much better to know that even you have your writerly struggles. It’s hopeful.
January 31, 2018 at 9:02 pm
@luvthatword
This is great, thank you so much for the reminder to keep doing the work, no matter how crappy it might seem at the time, the gems will come. And thanks for the reminder to purge my hard drive of the stinkers before it’s too late.
January 31, 2018 at 9:03 pm
Linda J Thomas
I love your PB Click Clack Moo, Doreen! Cow empowerment! Thank you for the good advice…just write and the inspiration will come.
January 31, 2018 at 9:04 pm
Jim Chaize
Post after post gives me ideas for finding ideas. Making mistakes never sounded so good. Thanks, Doreen.
January 31, 2018 at 9:06 pm
ingridboydston
This just might be my favorite post this year! Wow! Thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 9:19 pm
Nancy Ramsey
I love your advice and your books are wonderful! Thank you for your inspiration! Great post!
January 31, 2018 at 9:20 pm
Carleen M. Tjader
What a great post to end the month! And your books are delightful. I can identify with much of what you wrote in this post. Inspiration is in the work, thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 9:20 pm
Susan Tuggy
Your advice is so freeing, Doreen. I feel the big burden of perfection floating away. Yay!
January 31, 2018 at 9:23 pm
Sheri Dillard
What a fun way to end our month! Thank you! And I even got a few PB ideas from a couple of my own embarrassing moments. (Maybe the next time I’m embarrassed, I won’t actually BE embarrassed because I’ll be too busy thinking of how to turn it into a picture book! 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 9:24 pm
Carol Gordon Ekster
Great post, Doreen. And you made the right-write move leaving your law practice. You’re an inspiration!
January 31, 2018 at 9:25 pm
bevbaird
Thanks for such an inspiring post! loved your story.
January 31, 2018 at 9:30 pm
Ann Cronin Romano
Wonderful post!!! And I love your books! Thanks for sharing!
January 31, 2018 at 9:33 pm
Jennifer Phillips
Embarrassment is a great inspiration. Oh yeah, that. Thanks for the great post!
January 31, 2018 at 9:35 pm
Kate Carroll
Thanks for validating some of what i face as a writer, Doreen!
This has been quite a storm of inspiration, invigoration and motivation. Tara, thanks for the gift of StoryStorm 2018!
January 31, 2018 at 9:39 pm
Louann Mattes Brown
I laughed out loud reading your post. So true. When I absolutely do not have time to write, can not possibly use a pen and pencil, I come up with my best ideas. Go figure.
January 31, 2018 at 9:39 pm
suzannepoulterharris
Hilariously inspirational… just like your books. Thank you, Doreen.
January 31, 2018 at 9:44 pm
Maria Marshall
Doreen, those misheard snippets of conversation hold so much treasure. Not all for a PB, but definitely for a much needed belly laugh. There are days when it seems everyone in my house is hard of hearing. I’ve gotten 2 decent stories out it, but still waiting for inspiration to strike them. Great post, thanks.
January 31, 2018 at 9:44 pm
betlw
Thanks for the input, Doreen. I’m also an introvert and do a lot of listening. It’s a great relief to me that much of what I write isn’t for publication, because it’s pure crap! It’s the rest that I have to work on to find that nugget of gold or spark of fire. Thanks for your encouragement.
January 31, 2018 at 9:51 pm
Lori Mozdzierz
So much inspiration!
January 31, 2018 at 9:54 pm
Cassie Bentley
I love Click, Clack, Moo. No wonder Duck ran for president, he’s a great mediator. Thank you for reminding us that mistakes, goofs, and embarrassments are fodder for stories.
January 31, 2018 at 9:54 pm
Sharon
Doreen, thank you for your sheer honesty. Face it, we need the brutal truth and when we find out a successful author such as yourself experiences our same frustrations, it soothes those wounds and gives us hope.
January 31, 2018 at 9:55 pm
Elizabeth Brown
Thank you Doreen for this fabulous and inspiring post!
January 31, 2018 at 10:00 pm
Annemarie Guertin
2 years between my 1st book (coming out in 3 weeks) to my 2nd manuscript draft. No inspiration and I can’t force my ideas. They have to hit my like a train. Now I have all these ideas in my head but getting them down on paper is harder than ever. Why is that? Ugh.. the struggle is real whether it is finding inspiration or getting it from brain to paper.
January 31, 2018 at 10:00 pm
Patricia Toht
Nice to know that there’s an inspirational lightbulb somewhere at the end of a non-writing tunnel – it’s just a matter of working through it! Thanks, Doreen.
January 31, 2018 at 10:03 pm
annettepimentel
“Usually the uninspired work comes first”–yes!
January 31, 2018 at 10:05 pm
Julie Pepper
A few more ideas came out of this post. Thank you 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 10:11 pm
Sharon Mayhew
It’s nice to know successful writers write cruddy too.
January 31, 2018 at 10:12 pm
Christine Blaisdell
Wow, Doreen, your own struggles inspire me to forge ahead! (BTW, I remember when Click, Clack, Moo came out…I was a volunteer at my kids’ school library. I listened to their librarian read your book out loud. I loved it!)
January 31, 2018 at 10:16 pm
Lori Williams
this was great, Doreen! thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 10:16 pm
Doris k Stone
I love this post! Thank you so much for sharing your story-generating ideas. “Click, Clack, Moo” is a favorite book of mine.
January 31, 2018 at 10:23 pm
denarose
Thanks for sharing all your great ideas! I really like the idea of giving your problems to your characters. Thanks!
January 31, 2018 at 10:24 pm
annabrookswriter
I love this, thank you! And is there something about us introverts that makes us feel the embarrassment so acutely? It seems I have a wealth of options if that’s going to be my story fodder. Also, thank you for your wonderful books!
January 31, 2018 at 10:31 pm
RebeccaTheWriter
This is EXACTLY how I feel pretty much every day.. thanks for the reminder that we can’t expect to find inspiration, but if we keep showing up, eventually inspiration will find US!
January 31, 2018 at 10:33 pm
Hilda Burgos
Thanks for sharing a great post! Also, Click Clack Moo is one of my family’s favorite books. My husband (a labor lawyer) especially loves it.
January 31, 2018 at 10:35 pm
Rene` Diane Aube
I think I got lost in the storm cuz I don’t remember if I commented today..or yesterday..geesh! And both were wonderful posts. Thank you, Doreen, I sure appreciate your encouragement and transparency.
Thank you, Tara, for a great month of idea gathering during #StoryStorm!
January 31, 2018 at 10:41 pm
Mirka
Thank you for sharing. I’m a big introvert too and always wonder how I can put those characters in a book. I just need to take your advice, write a whole bunch and one of them will end up working out.
January 31, 2018 at 10:42 pm
Alessandra Doyle
Eavesdropping is the best for story ideas!
January 31, 2018 at 10:45 pm
Mary Warth
Thanks Doreen. A great way to wrap up a month of ideas!
January 31, 2018 at 10:51 pm
Trine Grillo
I, too, have become an eavesdropper. And I write down an idea everyday.
January 31, 2018 at 10:55 pm
Kathy Farr
A very helpful post, especially for introverts like me.
January 31, 2018 at 10:58 pm
Cinzia V.
Fabulous post. Thanks so much!!!
January 31, 2018 at 10:58 pm
Ashley Pierson
Fabulous post Doreen! I love the squirrel suggestion. I’m going to follow that and see where it goes!
January 31, 2018 at 11:09 pm
Prairie Garden Girl
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on inspiration, Doreen. I love CLICK, CLACK, MOO COWS THAT TYPE. It’s a beloved story read over and over again to the grands.
Suzy Leopold
January 31, 2018 at 11:10 pm
Juliana Jones
Thanks, Doreen for reminding me to mine by childhood for embarrassing moments… 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 11:11 pm
Zoraida Rivera Morales
Inspiration comes from writing, so true! Loved that idea of using our mistakes and conflicts. So interesting! Reading inspires, too. Mentioning introverts, I’m reading Susan’s Cain book, Quiet. What a jewel!
January 31, 2018 at 11:17 pm
Kaitlin Hedberg
This was a wonderful post. I love the suggestion of giving a character your problems. Thank you for your wisdom and encouragement!
January 31, 2018 at 11:18 pm
Alexandra Hinrichs
You might not have been brave enough to be a police officer or FBI agent, but I’m so glad you were brave enough to share your voice with the world, bad ideas with your office, and your advice here with us. Thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 11:24 pm
Stephen S. Martin
Oh so inspired. Maybe I need to get a Real job!
January 31, 2018 at 11:25 pm
CeCeLibrarian
This was certainly a great way to end Storytstorm. Write and the inspiration will come. Thank you because while I’ve been very productive these past 31 days, I don’t know how many of the ideas are fabulous ones but I do know that the practice and habit of writing daily has been so beneficial.
January 31, 2018 at 11:29 pm
donnacangelosi
So true that inspiration comes when we’re super busy or trying to sleep! Such a great post! Thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 11:35 pm
Debbie Austin
You have inspired me to just keep writing! Thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 11:40 pm
Kristen Browning
I love this post–a great way to end a great month! Thanks for the encouragement.
January 31, 2018 at 11:43 pm
Jane Heitman Healy
It’s comforting to know that even seasoned pros write junk sometimes. Thank you for this very motivating post!
January 31, 2018 at 11:45 pm
Barb Ostapina
“Ninety percent of what I write is unusable.” That is so comforting, Doreen. Thank you for sharing it!
January 31, 2018 at 11:48 pm
Tara Tegard
Oh I just love this! I too am an eavesdropping introvert. I need to practice more bad writing in the hopes of finding more inspiration.
January 31, 2018 at 11:49 pm
DaNeil Olson
Excellent post! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
January 31, 2018 at 11:55 pm
Amanda Herron
I loved this post – thank you for the insight and the honesty!
January 31, 2018 at 11:55 pm
Linda Chavez
Thanks! Great advice!
February 1, 2018 at 12:01 am
kimgjolly
Interesting background! Thank you so much!
February 1, 2018 at 12:02 am
Rhonda Whitaker
Thanks for showing us how to push through the doubts and human moments as we write Doreen! Will focus on problems…
February 1, 2018 at 12:06 am
Becky Scharnhorst
I often wait too long for inspiration to strike. Thanks for the reminder to do the work and to search for inspiration along the way.
February 1, 2018 at 12:12 am
Adriane Pirro
Thanks to Story Storm I have 31 ideas! (a few I really like).
February 1, 2018 at 12:13 am
saritarich
I love this! It’s so true. Thanks for sharing!
February 1, 2018 at 12:17 am
Reenu Jerath
I enjoyed reading this post Doreen! I like your idea of using a stand-in for character. I realize I waste a lot of time thinking of what kind of character, and tire my brain out. This is a great tip.
February 1, 2018 at 12:21 am
Elizabeth McBride
Oh, THANK YOU Doreen! Once we have the space to write and create, it seems like the ideas leave! I do find that it is in the corrections and revisions that I find my ideas raising their heads. Therefore, the secret is to write/draw anything, and keep moving forward from there.
February 1, 2018 at 12:28 am
viviankirkfield
My takeaway? In the heart of every story is a problem…find your problems…and give them away to your characters! Oh my gosh…I absolutely love this, Doreen. I’ve…I mean my characters…have enough problems to keep me busy writing for another whole lifetime. GREAT POST! What a way to end StoryStorm 2018!
February 1, 2018 at 12:28 am
writingcygnet
Thanks for your post, Doreen. I’m going to try very hard this year to give myself the freedom and permission to write badly. I get stuck because I feel like if I can’t do it well (read “perfect”) then it’s not worth the time or the effort. BTW-my BFF also gave up practicing law to write full time and experienced the same thing you write about in this post. (She also refers to herself as a “recovering lawyer”!) Susan Swan
February 1, 2018 at 12:36 am
denitajohnson
Love your books, thanks for the inspiration.
February 1, 2018 at 12:44 am
Steve Schwartz
I enjoyed your honesty, your insight and, of course, your books! Thanks for a great post.
February 1, 2018 at 12:48 am
Heather
Thank you, Doreen!
February 1, 2018 at 12:55 am
Amanda Sincavage
Yes! When I was trying to write something every day last year, I found myself so much more inspired. Not necessarily by the daily writings but what resulted from them – working through MS problems, revision ah-has, character interrogations, and more. Love the idea of drilling down an idea to find that useable nugget. Your “Diary” books were one of my favorite teaching tools! Thanks for a wonderful post!
February 1, 2018 at 12:57 am
Sandy
I love your stories, Doreen! Click, Clack, Moo is one of my favorites! Thank you for your post!
February 1, 2018 at 12:58 am
Cheryl T.
Love this and love your books. Thank you for the fun.
February 1, 2018 at 12:58 am
Bethany Roberts
Such great inspiration to end this amazing month of idea-gathering. Thank you!
February 1, 2018 at 1:10 am
Lucy Staugler
Doreen, love your books! Thanks for the inspiration to keep pecking, clacking, and mooing away!!
February 1, 2018 at 1:25 am
Sherry Alexander
Thank you for granting permission to eavesdrop. Great post.
February 1, 2018 at 1:38 am
sharonkdal
Thank you thank you thank you, Doreen! I now feel fantastic about all my embarrassingly bad ideas, notes and drafts. I’m in awesome company! What a great way to end this month. And a huge thank you to Tara, also. This whole month has been brilliant.
February 1, 2018 at 1:41 am
Brenda Bokenyi
I also love eavesdropping for ideas. :-).
February 1, 2018 at 1:41 am
Nancy Whitesides
Thank you, Doreen! This inspires me to write more and get myself unstuck. I love your books also. They make me laugh so much.
February 1, 2018 at 1:46 am
Mary Miller
Click Clack Moo is one of the first books that inspired me to write picture books. Loved her style, sense of humor, and my kids, who were little things at the time, adored it too. What N inspiration!
February 1, 2018 at 2:21 am
Mary Ann Cortez
Ah, Doreen, I understand completely. I wrote my first novel while I was working three jobs. Three years later with only a part time work from home job , I find it hard to make myself sit down and write. The struggle is real. Love your books!
February 1, 2018 at 2:40 am
Robin Bailey
Doreen Cronin, you have always been one of my favorites. Thank you for your work and your wisdom. I truly appreciate the inspiration. -Robin
February 1, 2018 at 2:40 am
Heather Kinser
This is an awesome post. And I totally AM a hard-of-hearing introvert who’d rather take one snip of an overheard conversation and invent a story, than engage in a conversation and find out, you know, real stuff about people. There’s hope for me.
February 1, 2018 at 2:47 am
Laurie L Young
It’s ironic that the busier you are, the better able to juggle everything. I’ve found that to be true, myself.
February 1, 2018 at 6:39 am
Ann
Doreen, lovely article. I particularly like the bit about being partially deaf and mishearing things. That’s me, it can be very embarrassing but also quite funny. Will try to incorporate some of my embarrassing moments in my writing. Could be fun.
February 1, 2018 at 6:45 am
Bruna De Luca
Thank you. It’s reasurring that we all need to write write write in order to produce something good!
February 1, 2018 at 6:52 am
Melanie
Hi Doreen! I LOVE Click Clack Moo!! I was a shy child in my younger days and just about everything embarrassed me. Great idea for inspiration!!! Just give it to your characters…love it. Thank you so much!
February 1, 2018 at 7:08 am
swimwarrior60
Thank you Doreen for making me laugh during a sleepless night with a bad cold. I can totally relate to your experience of having the time to write and waiting for the inspiration! Thanks for the inspiration!
February 1, 2018 at 7:50 am
Cathy Breisacher
This is fantastic and made me smile! I am always on the go and my mind is always swirling with ideas. I adore your books and it is so encouraging to hear your thoughts about generating ideas. I always feel like I write more when I’m pressed for time, too.
February 1, 2018 at 8:05 am
Jennifer Hunt
Ha! Best line ever-“Which came first—the inspiration or the work?” Thanks for the uplifting post. I’m off to find a squirrel that might lead me somewhere unexpected on my search for inspiration.
February 1, 2018 at 8:08 am
Erin Prichett
Your post has arrived at the perfect moment – I’ve been struggling with inspiration and feel like some of my ideas/first drafts are unsuitable (aka Hideous.) I will work on sticking with it and finding inspiration along the way. THANK YOU! Also, “anything taken out of context can be a great story starter….” LOVE THIS!
February 1, 2018 at 8:17 am
sharongiltrow
Great post and so true you have to do the work to get the inspiration. And it is okay have some stinky drafts that don’w work you would never know that unless you do the writing.
February 1, 2018 at 8:44 am
maryzychowicz
I can so relate to what you’re saying about time. When I was working I had ideas and inspirations galore but no time to sit down and actually write. Then I retired and I had time and I had no inspiration! I have to make myself write down those “hideous” drafts just to get myself primed. Thank you for the reminder and the inspiration! And by the way, I love Click, Clack, Moo, Cows that Type. I grew up on a farm and I always love farm animal humor. You are a very funny lady!
February 1, 2018 at 8:49 am
Monica Stoltzfus
Doreen,
I am in awe of this post. Such words I needed to hear. These, in particular, are about to be printed out and mounted to the wall.
“Just write it. Ninety percent of it will be unusable, hideous, boring, nonsensical. But it will start you down a path where you don’t know what’s coming. That’s where you want to be. That’s where inspiration likes to hang out.”
Thank you x a million!
February 1, 2018 at 9:03 am
Elizabeth Metz
This is such a great final day of Storystorm post, an encouragement for all the non-Storystorm (but still inspiration-filled) days to come the rest of the year. And from the author of CLICK CLACK MOO, at that? Perfect. Thank you, Doreen.
February 1, 2018 at 9:03 am
terrabee
I am currently using Click, Clack, Moo as a tool for teaching my youngest how to read. Thank you, Doreen, for that opportunity.
February 1, 2018 at 9:38 am
Sara A
Great post!
February 1, 2018 at 9:41 am
Amy B.
Hmmm… a rotting corpse hunched over her writing desk – there’s some inspiration for a cozy mystery! : ) What a great post – thank you!
February 1, 2018 at 9:42 am
Judy Bryan
So many bad ideas and mis-starts lead to the one good idea. Just keep writing, just keep writing… Thank you, Doreen!
February 1, 2018 at 9:46 am
bgonsar
Great and inspiring post to end Storystorm. Thanks!
February 1, 2018 at 10:14 am
DB Cote
I liked your suggestion to take something out of context for a “great story starter, title, or dialogue.” Thank you, Doreen.
February 1, 2018 at 10:17 am
Ink Bottle Studio
Thanks for the advice! My kindergartners love your books!
February 1, 2018 at 10:28 am
CindyC
Thanks for a great post! And for some of my favorite books- especially the Trouble with Chickens. (Love those laugh-out-loud moments!)
February 1, 2018 at 10:33 am
Lori Steel
Love the reality check on having lots of free time v. busy time and looking for ideas in the everyday!
February 1, 2018 at 10:44 am
Michelle Mullen
Doreen, I don’t know if so many of us writers are drawn to “C,C,M, Cow’s That Type”, is because of your hilarity of typing cows, the lyrical repetition, or the fact that the cows do get off the hook from the farmer’s ire, but this is one of my ALL TIME FAV PB’s! Your style is so funny and easy to love.Thank you for admitting you write “nonsensical” stuff too, and horrible ideas…I feel so much better just being in your company! Delightful post.
February 1, 2018 at 11:51 am
Deb O'Brien
Thank you, Doreen. I, too, work full time and find myself up early in the morning working on that idea that was poking at my dream and woke me up. Still, I think I would love a little free time…Any way, big fan of Click Clack Moo and your other great stories. Keep on writing!
February 1, 2018 at 11:57 am
Michele Helsel
My brethren! Good to know there are other hard-of-hearing introverts out there always rewriting our lives in our minds. Should be a facebook group. Thanks for the encouragement!
February 1, 2018 at 12:04 pm
Val McCammon
“Inspiration shows up in the work” is an ideal point — thanks, Doreen!
February 1, 2018 at 12:09 pm
claireannette1
Thanks for your encouragement and suggestions. I’m giving my problems to my character.They can deal with them!
February 1, 2018 at 12:20 pm
Lauri Meyers
Great post Doreen, which resulted in some beautifully terrible free writing which was part therapy and part chipmunk chaos.
February 1, 2018 at 12:35 pm
mginsberg10
Doreen, I have always been a member of your fan club! It is inspiring for me to know that you, too, write unusable copy. I will take your suggestions to heart.
February 1, 2018 at 12:36 pm
Janet Frenck Sheets
Mistakes, embarrassment, fear — yep, I should have plenty of reasons to be inspired! Thank you for showing that negatives can be turned to positives. (By the way, I loved your bio. Your first-grade teacher was amazing!)
February 1, 2018 at 12:51 pm
Kelly
The Click Clack Moo books are among my favorites, kids can’t help but participate! Thank you for contributing!
February 1, 2018 at 1:07 pm
Angela De Groot
Love Click, Clack, Moo! Thanks, Doreen
February 1, 2018 at 1:50 pm
Judy Sobanski (@jkspburg)
You’ve probably explained the best reason to write everyday. That’s where inspiration is often revealed…in the crappy first drafts! Thanks for sharing your journey as a writer!
February 1, 2018 at 1:58 pm
Wendy
I’m doing this in reverse order–reading the post after the end of the month (I have to admit to a bit of slacking once I got past 31 ideas!). I have done a few horribly embarrassing things that perhaps warrant exploration. Thanks, Doreen!
February 1, 2018 at 2:13 pm
Louise Aamodt
So funny to hear about all the 99% of unusable garbage. And so glad you persevered anyway. My classes adore DUCK FOR PRESIDENT each year!
February 1, 2018 at 2:35 pm
jeanjames926
Thanks Doreen for a wonderful grand finale. My kids loved Click Clack Moo, and I loved reading it to them. I was reading your bio and I am from NY as well, and my dad was a police officer too. I however became a nurse. Not sure it was the safer of the two professions 🙂
February 1, 2018 at 3:10 pm
JenFW
Well, this post is certainly inspiring. Love the Click, Clack, Moo series!
February 1, 2018 at 3:30 pm
Anna Levin
So true….just waiting around for inspiration to stop by may never work. Thanks for the great post!
February 1, 2018 at 3:36 pm
Debbie Meyer
I have always thought that Click Clack Moo was a brilliant story. I can totally relate to your post here today. However, at the moment I’m at work wishing I could stay home and write & draw full time, so thanks for the update that it’s not all roses at home either. haha 🙂
February 1, 2018 at 3:39 pm
Cathy Biggerstaff
You’ve got my wheels turning about using my problems/fears for a story. Thanks!
February 1, 2018 at 4:14 pm
Dianne
Thanks for some great ideas, Doreen. I got plenty of problems to share. Now to just find some stand-in characters. Squirrel said she would help me recruit some.
February 1, 2018 at 5:20 pm
58chilihed13
Think knowing what you did before you began writing picture books gives me the most hope ’cause you sure have the gift of all that knowledge and accomplishment and the ability to create typing cows…astonishing!
February 1, 2018 at 5:51 pm
Melanie Lucero
I love the idea of giving my problems away to my characters and seeing what they do with them. Thank you!
February 1, 2018 at 5:55 pm
Anna Smith
Great post. Thank you!
February 1, 2018 at 7:52 pm
Rebecca Van Slyke
Doreen! Our second grade class just finished reading CLICK, CLACK, MOO! in our Journey’s reading book. What a great story full of deep concepts, yet making the kids laugh at the same time. Keep those wonderful stories coming, and thanks for the inspiration!
February 1, 2018 at 9:05 pm
Julie M. Evans
Inspiring!
February 1, 2018 at 9:12 pm
Angie Isaacs
Yes! You have to write a lot of coal to make a diamond.
February 1, 2018 at 9:58 pm
Vicki Wilke
“Inspiration shows up in the work!” Love it!
February 1, 2018 at 10:47 pm
Terri Sabol
“Give your problems away to your characters. See what they do with them.” Thank you!
February 1, 2018 at 10:52 pm
Buffy Silverman
Thank goodness for Mrs. Cooper–love, love love Click, Clack, Moo!
February 2, 2018 at 1:50 am
Allison Alley
Great advice. I love your idea of giving your problems to the character.
February 2, 2018 at 2:43 am
nabinava
Just write it! I like that advice, Doreen and the idea of giving the problems to the characters.Thanks for sharing.
(Naana)
February 2, 2018 at 8:28 am
aliciaminor
I never thought of that and hopefully, when I give my problems away it will not come back. God bless and more books to come.
February 2, 2018 at 3:04 pm
Janet AlJunaidi
Thank you Doreen! My kids loved your books!
February 2, 2018 at 3:23 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
What fun to read such an inspiring post from an author I’ve admired since my kids were little. Thanks much!
February 2, 2018 at 4:51 pm
kjerstenhayes
I love your books. Thanks Doreen!
February 2, 2018 at 5:40 pm
Geralyn Underwood
What a great idea to give a charater a problem that you experience and see what they do to solve ti! Thanks for the idea!!!
February 2, 2018 at 6:47 pm
Tasha Hilderman
Ah, so the inspiration shows up much later. I have some ideas that nag at me, and I think ‘I don’t know what you want! I don’t know how to turn you into something!” Hopefully one day they will reveal the inspiration and something worthwhile will appear. Thanks for the post!
February 2, 2018 at 8:27 pm
LeeAnn Rizzuti
Giving my problems away to my characters–that’s so therapeutic on so many levels. Thanks for sharing some fun advice, Doreen.
February 2, 2018 at 8:28 pm
Erik Ammon
I love giving up writing 🙂 I started giving upwriting for a month in 2016 (really looong time) and it helps reinvigorate me. If you haven’t done it, it’s worth a try!
February 2, 2018 at 9:18 pm
Lynn Becker
Terrific! Thanks. Love Click, Clack, Moo and so do my almost 90-year-old parents!
February 3, 2018 at 12:56 am
Joannie Duris
Thank you, Doreen, for sharing your inspirational journey toward writing some of the kidlit world’s picture book classics. Yes, sometimes it takes digging through a bazillion drafts before those perfect gems see the light of day. And eavesdropping truly is a writer’s best friend!
February 3, 2018 at 9:06 pm
Nat Keller
Thank you for sharing Doreen! Wonderful inspiring post!
February 3, 2018 at 11:15 pm
jud ward
Why is it that the best inspiration strikes when you have a deadline for something else? Your advice about giving your problems away to your character sounds like a great idea. I’m afraid of going down a path where I don’t know what’s coming but that’s exactly what I need to do. Thanks
February 3, 2018 at 11:44 pm
Priya Gopal
Needed this one. I had been waiting for inspiration – like forever – just have to glue my ass to the chair and keep my fingers moving – writing one shitty draft after another
February 4, 2018 at 8:24 am
Rachelle
Thanks for wrapping up the month, Doreen.
February 4, 2018 at 8:36 am
Reena Balding
Thanks Doreen! I’m having to work more this year than before so your post actually made me feel better about knowing I can fit in writing if I really want to.
February 4, 2018 at 5:49 pm
Susanne Whitehouse
I love your books and this post! Thank you!
February 4, 2018 at 11:58 pm
Heather Hatch
My favorite are The diaries of. Id never have thought worms would speak louder in the city than the suburbs, makes me second think what I think I need to work.
February 6, 2018 at 10:01 am
Teresa Robeson
Click, Clack Moo! is one of my all time favorite books! I’m glad to hear that even Doreen has unproductive times. I feel better now! 😉
February 6, 2018 at 1:54 pm
Kathy Cornell Berman
Thanks for this fabulous post! I love, love your books!!
February 7, 2018 at 10:13 pm
Christine pinto
Hope it’s not to late to comment but i loved this post! Give your problem to a squirrel – love it! Thanks for the great post and your wonderful books we have loved so much at our house!
February 9, 2018 at 12:10 pm
Kari Lavelle
This was great! Pinning it to my pinterest board of inspiration!