January 5, 2019 8:00 am
by Mike Allegra
Please forgive me for what I’m about to do. I am going reference a Christmas cartoon while we’re all still trying to recover from the lunacy of the holiday season.
I can’t help it, though. Sometimes inspiration comes from odd places.
My muse is the stop-motion holiday staple Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer—specifically the Island of Misfit Toys. From a narrative standpoint, the Misfit Toys part of the story is a lull in an already overlong cartoon, yet the Charlie-in-the-Box, the square wheeled train, and the doll whose misfitishness is never fully explained, have all aided my creative process.
Behold the Journal of Misfit Ideas! It’s never far from my side. It patiently sits there ready to record any and all of my brainstorms. Much more often, it records my brain drizzles.
Nothing is too stupid for the Journal. Nothing.
Will I ever write a picture book with the title The Sluttiest Mennonite? Nope, but it’s in the Journal.
Will I ever find a home for my parody lyrics of “The Candy Man?” Nuh-uh. (My version, by the way, is called “The Pickle Man” and it’s terrible. First line: “Who can make the sun shiiiine with cucumbers and briiiine.”)
Will any of my characters live in a 1/16th-wide trailer, a home designed only for people who weigh 130 lbs or less? Not likely, no.
And will I ever write a story about a Robo-Dragon Pie, a character who’s part robot, part dragon, and part pirate? No, sir-ee Bob! Never!
Oh, wait. I mean YES! I will write about a Robo-Dragon Pie! Because I did write about a Robo-Dragon Pie! A Robo-Dragon Pie is featured in my new picture book, EVERYBODY’S FAVORITE BOOK!
And that right there is why The Journal of Misfit Ideas is worthwhile.
The Robo-Dragon Pie isn’t the only idea I cribbed from my Journal. It’s not even the only dragon idea I cribbed from my Journal. My PRINCE NOT-SO CHARMING chapter book series features a dragon who knits. The Journal was the genesis of that idea, too.
Sometimes the Journal records things people say. I once overheard my grandmother describe a fretful mother: “She takes those kids to the doctor if they fart crooked.” And here’s how she described Grandpa: “He talks out of his butt so much, he ChapSticks his crack.”
Grandma’s comments are not picture book ready, of course, but they deserve to be remembered, so into the Journal they go. (And you can bet your bottom dollar that both of these quotes will end up in my writing somewhere someday.)
My Journal entries vary in length. Sometimes an entire entry is a single (made-up) word like “underqualidate.” Other Journal entries go on for pages, not only offering a basic book premise or title, but also a detailed synopsis with character details, swatches of dialogue, and cartoons in the margins. It all depends on my mood and, of course, the scope of the Misfit Idea.
I peruse my Journal often. I’ll thumb the pages when I’m looking for an idea or when I’m too tired to write, but still want to be in a writerly frame of mind. Doing so is always good for a chuckle and the Journal never fails to shove my brain in weird and unexpected directions.
The Journal of Misfit Ideas is always there for me. More importantly, The Journal of Misfit Ideas is there for only me. The Journal is a private document that allows me to get a little crazy without fear—and Fearless Crazy is sometimes where the best ideas come from.
I don’t pre-edit my thoughts. I don’t let the Journal decide what’s a bad idea or an inappropriate idea. The goodness and the badness will be sorted out at another time, after I’ve written it all down. The Journal’s only goal is to safely take in every stray without judgment—much like The Island of Misfit Toys does.
And, with a little luck, those ideas might someday find a proper home that will fully appreciate their unique, misfitty charms.
Mike Allegra is the author of the picture books Everybody’s Favorite Book (the home of Corky, the Robo-Dragon Pie), Sarah Gives Thanks, and Scampers Thinks Like a Scientist. He also writes the Prince Not-So Charming chapter book series under the pen name Roy L. Hinuss.
Stop by his blog at mikeallegra.com and say hi! He’s friendly!
Mike is giving away copies of two of his books! There will be one winner for each title.
Simply leave ONE COMMENT below to enter.
You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm participant and you have commented once below. Prizes will be given away at the conclusion of the event.
Good luck!
Posted by Tara Lazar
Categories: STORYSTORM
Tags: Everybody's Favorite Book, Mike Allegra, Prince Not-So Charming
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Your Grandma is a hoot! I do love the journal of misfit ideas. It’s great. Sometimes, when I need to make myself start writing I title the page…”The crappiest idea ever” and keep going. It helps me give myself permission to just get something on the page to work with later. Great post! Thanks for being part of Story Storm. I’m having a blast.
By Linda Mitchell on January 5, 2019 at 8:08 am
I love your idea of a journal of misfit ideas!
By lindaschueler on January 5, 2019 at 8:08 am
I love this idea. I would be able to fill a journal immediately with all of my Dad’s and my grandmother’s little sayings – most of them not fit to publish here though. But they’re seeds, right! Thank you, Mike.
By Kellie on January 5, 2019 at 8:14 am
I love flipping back through my Ideas Folder! Never fails to get the brain running!
By junesmalls on January 5, 2019 at 8:16 am
Great idea! I am going to try this, Thank you Mike
By Mark MacKay on January 5, 2019 at 8:17 am
Thank you for reminding me not to edit ideas — just hold onto them. Something interesting and fun could become of them.
Gail Hartman
By thecrowsmap on January 5, 2019 at 8:18 am
What a great idea! “Fearless crazy is sometimes where the best ideas come from.” Yes!!
By mbhmaine on January 5, 2019 at 8:19 am
What a fun grandma you have!
I usually take notes of my ideas on notes for iPhone but a Journal of Misfit Ideas seem like inspiration in itself!
Thanks for sharing!
By Joana Pastro on January 5, 2019 at 8:20 am
Love this close-up and personal sharing of your journal inspired story evolution process–complete with a picture of your own journal! After reading this post, I feel like I’m on the right track! Thanks, Mike!
By Suzanne LaLiberte Lewis on January 5, 2019 at 8:22 am
I will have to check out the chapter book series with a dragon who knits — sounds really funny. 🙂 I carry a journal with me wherever I go, because if I don’t write an idea down it disappears later.
By Poppy P on January 5, 2019 at 8:27 am
I just had to laugh at some of your entries. Love your grandma! I keep my list of misfit ideas on my phone. But I wonder if it would be better to have a physical journal.
By R.J. Koehn on January 5, 2019 at 8:29 am
Awesome post! I’m always writing down my unedited nonesense ideas. I love that Mike Allegra has been able to incorporate so many of his misfit ideas and I have hopes for mine too!
By Lenora Biemans on January 5, 2019 at 8:30 am
Rudi-mentory! ; ) Thanks for leading us back to the basics with this inspiration.
By hmkingman on January 5, 2019 at 8:31 am
This is a great way to allow yourself to keep those “this-would-never-work” ideas. I’ll have to add a “misfits” journal to my collection. 🙂
By Joy Pitcairn on January 5, 2019 at 8:33 am
For me the key here is not to censor yourself but to remember to record the idea as it is. Such good advice!
By Andrea Mack on January 5, 2019 at 8:36 am
Nice work. Some ideas work – and others, not so well, but you never know… Your grandma sounds pretty neat.
By authoryvonafast on January 5, 2019 at 8:37 am
I too have a Journal of Misfit Ideas, however it’s not nearly as cute (it’s the Notes section on my phone). Truly amazing what I find when I go back through it from time to time…great inspiration!
By tanyakonerman on January 5, 2019 at 8:38 am
Oh how fun to read this and know my standing on the Island of Misfits is golden opportunity! So many times I have edited my thoughts, words etc, knowing that my misfit journal is there saves my sanity…inappropriate is as inappropriate does…somewhere there will be a place for some of these gems. Perhaps a picture book for adults…Kindred spirit Mike, I leave you with the reflection I wrote for my work gang for the New year…”Be an asset! Not an ass hat!” Thanks once more!
By Margaret Flint Suter on January 5, 2019 at 8:39 am
Love the word misfitty!! Thanks for this post!! I just watched Judy Blume’s MasterClass and she has a brainstorm notebook for each book she works on. I thought that was great. How do you deal with side notes/random thoughts when you don’t have your notebook? I often write notes in my phone’s note section but I have so many of them. I find that if I dont use an idea right away, I often dont go back to it. You’re inspiring me to read through them for today’s idea. Thanks.
By hallee2012 on January 5, 2019 at 8:40 am
Thanks Hallee! When I don’t have the notebook handy, I’ll scribble the misfitty idea on whatever’s handy—a napkin, the margin of a magazine page, etc.—and shove it deep in my pants pocket to wait for proper transcription in the journal. Sometimes the time between napkin writing an journal writing allows me to better flesh out the misfit idea.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 2:44 pm
Thanks, Mike!!
By hallee2012 on January 6, 2019 at 9:02 am
Other people’s comments can be the best inspiration. Thanks.
By learningtobemomsite on January 5, 2019 at 8:42 am
I’m still laughing at the idea of Grandma talking about someone farting crooked 😂
By jennysarawrites on January 5, 2019 at 8:50 am
I ran to my journal with that one.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 2:44 pm
Great suggestion here–to make a place for those ideas that don’t seem to fit anywhere else. They need a place to morph into whatever it might be that they want to become. Plus, it encouraged me to revisit another idea that I had discarded, because another popped in to keep it company. Thank you!
By paulabpuckett on January 5, 2019 at 8:51 am
I think we often sensor ourselves from writing down all our ideas because they may not be well received. That’s such a great idea to keep handy when you need to add an extra kick to a story! Thanks for the inspiration.
By Ashley Congdon on January 5, 2019 at 8:52 am
Hi Mike! Your Grandma sounds hilarious! I like that you call it the journal of misfit ideas and give yourself creative permission to freely explore your thoughts without judgment. I think that’s so important in the early stages of writing a story. I like your advice to give yourself permission to have fearlessly crazy ideas. Thanks!
By Lindsay Fiore on January 5, 2019 at 8:59 am
We can be our own biggest obstacles sometimes.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 7:40 pm
Love that crazy ideas can find a home where they aren’t considered crazy!
By Kimberly on January 5, 2019 at 9:00 am
I like the idea of not rejecting any ideas.
By Amy Houts on January 5, 2019 at 9:04 am
Wacky, weird, and wonderful – thanks for sharing your creative mind with us.
By Dee Knabb on January 5, 2019 at 9:05 am
A journal of misfit thoughts and ideas. I love it. Thanks for an inspiring post Mike!
By Jennifer Bower on January 5, 2019 at 9:07 am
OMG, thanks for the belly laugh so early in the morning. Your grandma sounds like a hoot. Her words sound perfect for a middle grade book for boys.
I’m going to start carrying around my own notebook of misfit ideas, to snatch things my grandson says.
By Juliana Jones on January 5, 2019 at 9:10 am
When I read today’s post I couldn’t believe it. Mike has an Island of Misfits journal and I have a file called Island of Misfit Manuscripts. But instead of ideas, it’s a place where my unwanted or incomplete manuscripts that I’m stuck on go until I’m able to shine some light on them like Rudolph. I have another file with ideas. Mike gave me my 151st idea after reading his post. I realize I have been pre-editing my ideas and not just writing them with fearless abandon. I’m sure my list will grow exponentially now! Thanks, Mike!
By Aimee Satterlee on January 5, 2019 at 9:10 am
Love the journal of misfit thoughts and ideas. Perfect for picture books!
By Kathryn E Kass on January 5, 2019 at 9:11 am
Crazy can be good. Thanks for sharing.
By authoraileenstewart on January 5, 2019 at 9:15 am
Mike, I think your Grandmother’s musing are PRICELESS. The Journal of Misfit ideas is pure gold. I think weird like this often and have a laugh w/my hubs, BUT I don’t write them down. I need to do this. TY.
By Kathy Halsey on January 5, 2019 at 9:18 am
Mike, thank you for sharing. I have a journal like this but after reading your post I am inspired to remove the chains and unleash the mind more. Thank you for that!
By Robin L Bailey on January 5, 2019 at 9:21 am
I love your “misfit ideas” journal. It makes me think that my idea box is more of an outside the box of ideas now.
By Lisa L Furness on January 5, 2019 at 9:26 am
https://www.google.com/amp/s/boston.cbslocal.com/2010/10/01/curious-why-rag-doll-is-a-misfit-toy/amp/
I always thought she was created to look sad and why would anyone want a doll like that ?
Thanks for your post!!
By Kimberly Marcus on January 5, 2019 at 9:26 am
Great post! I’d like to have a coffee with Grandma! She’s a riot. Everything in life is fodder for the gristmill. Thanks!
By rndkathryn on January 5, 2019 at 9:27 am
Thanks for he inspiration! So important never to edit or discard ideas – just get them down.
By rosecappelli on January 5, 2019 at 9:27 am
Love the idea of a misfit ideas journal. I’ve learned that I have to put enough into a journal entry, though, so I remember what I was thinking. Once I just wrote the phrase, “Nick smokes a cigar” into my journal and thought I had a super idea for PB, but when I came back to it later, I couldn’t remember what was so super about that phrase. I’m still wondering…
By Suzanne Lieurance on January 5, 2019 at 9:28 am
I know exactly what you mean. It’s important to scribble down every detail of your misfit idea or it’ll vanish before you know it. I learned this the hard way.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 2:51 pm
Oh, I like your way of tracking these misfit thoughts. I usually just laugh and wonder if we should write picture books for adults.
By Mary Worley on January 5, 2019 at 9:29 am
I’m loving your grandma! And appreciate the nudge to write anything and everything down!
By Jennifer Phillips on January 5, 2019 at 9:30 am
This is great. I have many misfit ideas. I’m curious, is this journal separate from one you write first drafts, and longer thoughts in or are they all mixed together? I have loads of misfit ideas mixed with more fully explored ideas and drawings.
By Sarah Tobias on January 5, 2019 at 9:35 am
This is a separate journal. Ideas for a specific manuscript are grouped together in a notebook or on a legal pad.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 2:54 pm
I love rereading my journals (if I could read my handwriting). Especially when the word or sentence brings back the moment that created the entry.
By Barbara Senenman on January 5, 2019 at 9:36 am
I love the idea of a place that’s completely unjudgemental. Brainstoming between covers. Thanks for sharing this.
By Ginny Neil on January 5, 2019 at 9:40 am
It is a hoot looking through jotted down ideas from days gone by … or indeed Storystorms gone by … but they definitely spark the creative juices. Thanks for sharing some of your misfit ideas and especially your grandma’s turns of phrase – a hoot!
By Joan Longstaff on January 5, 2019 at 9:43 am
Mike, I LOVE the way your mind works! I’ll have to splint my abdomen before I can read your comments again. Great suggestion – to journal any and all thoughts/ideas!
By Mary York on January 5, 2019 at 9:43 am
Goodness! I hope I didn’t rupture something!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 2:55 pm
Love your Grandma’s sayings! Thanks for the look into your journal of misfit ideas!
By Tracy Hora on January 5, 2019 at 9:46 am
A journal of misfit ideas? I’m in!
By Jess Hoffman on January 5, 2019 at 9:47 am
Cool idea, naming your journal and giving it a specific purpose. Much better than scraps of idea notes scattered everywhere. 😉
By gayleckrause on January 5, 2019 at 9:49 am
Love that Mike keeps such “misfit” ideas! It’s so important to capture those things and get them in writing. And Gran sounds like a southern gran! We say outrageous things! 🤪
By Sherry Howard on January 5, 2019 at 9:53 am
I like Mike’s style and I would put in those outrageous things gran said in a book. Kids would love it. Mike must have been or still is a mischievous, daring and funny character. I can tell by the look in his eye. Congrats!
By eleanorannpeterson on January 5, 2019 at 10:20 am
Shh! Don’t tell nobody!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 2:58 pm
Nope, she was a German Granny. They have a very caustic sesnse of humor.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 2:57 pm
Do you ever read your journal and wonder what a note or entry means?! This happens to me. 😉 Thanks for sharing your journal process!
By Jane Dippold on January 5, 2019 at 9:53 am
Not usually, because I try to write down as much as possible as the misfit idea begins to take shape. It can be a pain in the butt to do this sometimes, but the upside is I rarely end up forgetting what I was talking about.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:01 pm
The island of misfit toys has always been my favorite part of Rudolph. I wonder who else lives there?
By Liz Steinglass on January 5, 2019 at 9:57 am
Hopefully Barney the Dinosaur.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:02 pm
Thanks for your post. Love the misfit ideas concept. And your grandmother sounds hilarious! Happy New Year!
By curryelizabeth on January 5, 2019 at 9:57 am
Sure would be fun to meet your Grandma! She sounds like quite a “character.”
By Margie Markarian on January 5, 2019 at 9:58 am
Hi Mike! Love your analogy. Personally, I love the Island of Misfit Toys, and the fact that Herbie and Rudolph were misfits themselves. So the idea of a journal for misfit ideas is perfect! I have several journals, mostly because I tend to leave them lying about in odd places and I need to have one within arm’s reach, but I’ve never named them. So my first task for today is to pour through them for ideas, and to name each one.
By Juliana Lee on January 5, 2019 at 9:59 am
Bob is a nice name for a journal. Or Corky.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:03 pm
Thank you for sharing your Journal of Misfit Ideas. Like its craziness to ignite the imagination.
By Carole Calladine on January 5, 2019 at 9:59 am
Great post! I love the line, “Fearless Crazy is sometimes where the best ideas come from.” Thank you!!
By ranessadoucet on January 5, 2019 at 9:59 am
Excellent idea for capturing ideas!
By Cindy Faughnan on January 5, 2019 at 10:05 am
I had been considering journaling and your post solidified my resolve. Thank you.
By Dottie Lee on January 5, 2019 at 10:07 am
Awesome! Enjoy letting your mind go nutty!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:04 pm
Timely [ and fun! ] post about keep a place for book ideas. Thank you!
By lizricewrites on January 5, 2019 at 10:09 am
I needed this laugh – and I love the Misfit journal. And I want to hug your grandma (and maybe drink a beer with her). You say her quotes will make it into something you write one day, but they just did… and they fit perfectly into this blog. Thank you!
By shannonstocker on January 5, 2019 at 10:10 am
See how the Misfit Journal inspires me?
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:05 pm
Love laughing and learning about something new. Thanks for both of those, Mike!
By pathaap on January 5, 2019 at 10:12 am
Your grandma sounds hilarious! Your post has inspired me to treat my idea book with a little more Fearless Crazy. Thanks for the inspiration!
By candicemarleyconner on January 5, 2019 at 10:12 am
My Journal of Misfit Ideas is my StoryStorm journal and it is a treasure to me to see the whacky ideas that cross my mind! I feel a little less foolish knowing this playground is a place other adults like to play!
By Laurel Ranveig Abell on January 5, 2019 at 10:13 am
Love this! Your grandmother sounds hilarious. Thanks for sharing!
By https://katiewalsh.blog/ on January 5, 2019 at 10:14 am
You misfit journal is a great idea. You can write any crazy idea and keep it private. No one will see it but you so you can write anything you can think of-the crazier the better. I love Grandma!
By Pamela Harrison on January 5, 2019 at 10:16 am
Thanks for the advice, Mike. Capture ALL ideas-no judgement. Your humorous voice comes through strong in this post too. Love it!
By Amanda Davis on January 5, 2019 at 10:16 am
Your grandma is hilarious! Great reminder to capture everything! Even if it’s only for our own amusement.
By rachelnrosenthal on January 5, 2019 at 10:18 am
I’m going to try this idea. Starting the journal today. Thank you!
By Lisa Freund on January 5, 2019 at 10:21 am
Phew! And here I thought I was the only other life-form who is part pie.
By JenniferShelby on January 5, 2019 at 10:21 am
I’m one quarter snack cake on my father’s side.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:06 pm
Imagine sending that in to Ancestry DNA. #goals
By JenniferShelby on January 5, 2019 at 9:37 pm
You know when people ask what 3 people living or dead would you like to eat lunch with? Your grandma is now on my list. Great post!
By Michele Helsel on January 5, 2019 at 10:22 am
She’ll feed you well, that’s for sure.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:07 pm
I love this idea. It is a great way to get past the ever present inner critic.
By Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudhri on January 5, 2019 at 10:22 am
Thanks Mike. Now I know that I judge my ideas way too much and they run away….without ever entering any notebook.
By Akula Harish on January 5, 2019 at 10:24 am
Kick that inner critic to the curb! It shouldn’t be found anywhere near the ideation process.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:09 pm
More picture books need slutty Mennonites!
Thanks!
By jodieparachini on January 5, 2019 at 10:27 am
I concur.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:10 pm
I really like your Granny Mike…she is my kinda gal. “She takes those kids to the doctor if they fart crooked.” Kids love to laugh, and so do adults who read to them. Thanks for your post.
By Mark Bentz on January 5, 2019 at 10:29 am
I am excited to try this idea!
By wingedtrish on January 5, 2019 at 10:29 am
Still laughing about grandma’s comment😂
By Laura Rackham on January 5, 2019 at 10:30 am
I love this idea! The stream of consciousness journey to great ideas!
By kirsticall on January 5, 2019 at 10:31 am
Great reminder to not self-edit ANY “idea.” Thanks!
By beckylevine on January 5, 2019 at 10:32 am
How liberating to know that nothing is too stupid for the journal – I’m in! Fabulous tip, thanks for sharing.
By Deb Sullivan on January 5, 2019 at 10:37 am
What a great tool to let go of all inhibitions and find the zaniest ideas! I’ll definitely be doing this. Thank you!
By Kelly Conroy on January 5, 2019 at 10:39 am
Ha Ha HA! Very funny post, Mike:> Thank you!
By polly renner on January 5, 2019 at 10:39 am
I love the misfit ideas idea. I need to turn off my inner censor, let my mind play, and record all of those goofy things that pass through my mind.
By Carol Gwin Nelson on January 5, 2019 at 10:41 am
Inner critics pee on too many parades.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:11 pm
Great idea to keep a misfit journal! Thanks.
By Susan Nicholas Korstanje on January 5, 2019 at 10:41 am
Thank you! I am going to pick up a journal today for all those little gems I don’t want to forget!
By Julie Mondi on January 5, 2019 at 10:45 am
Thanks for sharing your misfit ideas and inspiring post, Mike. I especially love your made-up word! Congrats on your books, which seem charming to me. I can’t wait to read them.
By Robin Brett Wechsler on January 5, 2019 at 10:47 am
This quote is my take-away, and one I’m copying into my own journal: “I don’t pre-edit my thoughts. I don’t let the Journal decide what’s a bad idea or an inappropriate idea. The goodness and the badness will be sorted out at another time.” And your Grandma is a hoot!! Thanks for the LOLs this dreary morning, Mike!
By yangmommy on January 5, 2019 at 10:47 am
And thanks for your kind words!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 7:42 pm
I see where you got your hilarity genes from, Mike! Thanks for sharing the importance of journaling your thoughts, no matter how wacky they may seem at the time.
By C.L. Murphy on January 5, 2019 at 10:51 am
Everything goes in, no editing. Thanks so much, Mike!
By David McMullin on January 5, 2019 at 10:52 am
Fun post, Mike. I don’t have a journal, but keep my misfit ideas in a word.doc. file. And sometimes I find a story in them. Sometimes the wackiest ideas turn into the best picture books.
By Debra Daugherty on January 5, 2019 at 10:53 am
Great journal, and your grandma is the coolest. Thanks, Mike!
By marlainawrites on January 5, 2019 at 10:54 am
Ha! This just gave me permission to do what I always really wanted to do—-all ideas unedited. Just for my eyes. Thank you, Mike!
By deniseaengle on January 5, 2019 at 10:54 am
Who knew??? I have been self-editing some of my misfit ideas. No more. They go in the journal. God bless Grandma!
By Sally Lotz Spratt - Badass 2019🦋 (@SallyLotzSpratt) on January 5, 2019 at 10:55 am
I laughed all the way through this post! I have a problem with shooting down ideas before they make it into the journal, but I think The Sluttiest Mennonite just cured that. Thanks!
By Jacqueline Adams on January 5, 2019 at 10:55 am
You can use that slutty Mennonite idea if you wanna.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:20 pm
Wouldn’t my editor be surprised! :))
By Jacqueline Adams on January 7, 2019 at 10:33 am
Great day 5
By Lisa Black on January 5, 2019 at 11:02 am
My son would love to read these! (Me too 😉)
By Aimee Isaac on January 5, 2019 at 11:03 am
Groovy!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:21 pm
Journal of misfit ideas! Love it! Thanks, Mike!
By mariaordish on January 5, 2019 at 11:05 am
Nonsrjss is one of the many things I’m full of! I need a journal of misfit ideas to sort all this out. Thanks, Mike!
By Mary Miller on January 5, 2019 at 11:10 am
Granny sounds like a hoot! Bet she has some great stories!
By Roz Malin on January 5, 2019 at 11:13 am
Love the comparison of uncensored ideas to misfit toys. Congrats on the books!
By Aimee on January 5, 2019 at 11:17 am
THE CROOKED FART could definitely be a winning PB. I say go for it! 🙂
By GP Bell on January 5, 2019 at 11:18 am
Maybe I will…
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:22 pm
I love the idea of collecting my zany ideas and thoughts that would never be picture books to inspire me to write more zany ideas and thoughts that just might make the cut. Thanks!
By writeknit on January 5, 2019 at 11:19 am
I keep more of a digital journal using Evernote. I jot notes in a “story idea” file or take pictures and add them to the file.
By Kirsten W. Larson on January 5, 2019 at 11:23 am
I love the advice to not self edit and to just write inappropriate and random and all. Thank you!
By Charlotte Offsay on January 5, 2019 at 11:26 am
Great advice, thanks!
By Charlotte Offsay on January 5, 2019 at 11:26 am
Love the notebook idea! I definitely get my share of misfit ideas!
By maryshorgan on January 5, 2019 at 11:28 am
Sony characters, that are out of place, seem to find ways into my stories, too. And? Your post helped bring out a couple more ideas. Thanks Mike!
By Erik Ammon on January 5, 2019 at 11:29 am
Love Grandma!
By Joyce on January 5, 2019 at 11:34 am
Bahaha!! What a great idea with your misfit journal and your Granny is the best! Thank you for sharing!!
By thelmakat on January 5, 2019 at 11:37 am
This post had me laughing out loud! Thank you for that, and for permission to write down all the bad ideas that regularly pass through my head.
By Laura Perdew on January 5, 2019 at 11:38 am
Those ideas aren’t bad, just misfitty.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:25 pm
Yes! I treat my Storystorm journal like this. Nothing is too small, too wacky, too “wait, what does that even mean?” to get written down and counted. I’ve combined ideas, built on old ideas, just grabbed words that I like. Love it!
By Elizabeth Metz on January 5, 2019 at 11:38 am
Thank you for the idea that not everything has to be so perfect but everything can lead to something.
By Kath McGreechan on January 5, 2019 at 11:38 am
Mike, I love your idea of a journal of misfit ideas. Truly creative and the process often leads to great inventions. Look how many technologies we have today that even a decade ago we thought could never be done. Wouldn’t it be great to have our children start journals when they are young with their ideas!
By Peggy Jaegly on January 5, 2019 at 11:39 am
Mike, I love your idea of a journal of misfit ideas. Truly creative and the process often leads to great inventions. Look how many technologies we have today that even a decade ago we thought could never be done. Wouldn’t it be great to have our children start journals when they are young with their ideas!
By Peggy Jaegly on January 5, 2019 at 11:39 am
Thank you for sharing your idea about the journal. I love it and would definitely try it out. I liked the analogy with the island of the missfits. 😊
By Mariana on January 5, 2019 at 11:39 am
Thank you for your advice on keeping a misfit journal!
By Mary Boehmer on January 5, 2019 at 11:43 am
Thanks for a hilarious post and a great suggestion re: the Misfit Journal, Mike! I look forward to your book (and I’d really like to meet your grandma!).
By Claire W Bobrow on January 5, 2019 at 11:44 am
You’re a hoot! Or, as my grandpa would have said, “we’ll aren’t you slicker than snot on a brass door knob!” Apparently a trait passed down from you grandma. Thanks fun the fun post and the permission to steal silly even when it’s not necessarily picture book appropriate.
By ingridboydston on January 5, 2019 at 11:44 am
“Slicker than snot on a brass doorknob” is brilliant.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:26 pm
I thought you’d like that one…😉
By ingridboydston on January 6, 2019 at 3:59 pm
You were right!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 6, 2019 at 9:07 pm
I like the idea of a journal that nobody reads, where one can allow oneself to be crazy or boring or whatever one is.
By Catrine Kyster on January 5, 2019 at 11:47 am
That was pretty funny. Great post!
By Sylvia Grech on January 5, 2019 at 11:48 am
Awesome idea and your book titles really call out to me and beg me to read the book! Thank you for sharing your creative misfit ideas!
By Emily Bertholf on January 5, 2019 at 11:48 am
Thank you for sharing this part of your process. I needed the reminder not to censor ideas but to just let them live on a line or a page and that their future can be determined later.
By Jessica Kulekjian on January 5, 2019 at 11:48 am
LOL. Very true that we do censor ourselves way too much and miss a lot of the creative process that way. Thanks for the reminder!
By nrompella on January 5, 2019 at 11:49 am
Love the idea of a misfits journal. Lots of inspiration here! Thanks Mike.
By bevbaird on January 5, 2019 at 11:50 am
Perfect! Thanks for reminding me to not hold back in my idea journal! Now I’ve got to go chapstick my…oh never mind.
By Linda Chavez on January 5, 2019 at 11:53 am
I would so love to peek at your journal for misfit ideas! But, I’ll start my own instead. Thank you!
By Teresa Daffern on January 5, 2019 at 11:56 am
Bahahaha! I loved this post — so many wacky ideas and I fully appreciate your full throttle permission to be completely off the wall when jotting down ideas! (PS Is dragon pie sweet or spicy?)
By kcareywrites on January 5, 2019 at 11:57 am
The robo-dragon pie is sweet AND spicy. I don’t write one-dimensional characters.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:29 pm
I almost spit out my tea when I read your Sluttiest Mennonite idea that thankfully will never be a PB! Hilarious! I do have a journal, but apparently I need to get a little fearless. Thanks!!
By Anita Palmeri Overgaard on January 5, 2019 at 11:58 am
But admit it, you’d totally buy a PB titled The Sluttiest Mennonite.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 7:46 pm
These are hysterical and brilliant. We all should have Grandmas with genius quotes for life’s situations:)
By Krista Harrington on January 5, 2019 at 11:59 am
Finally, affirmation of that little book I’ve tucked away!
By Lori Williams on January 5, 2019 at 12:01 pm
OMG, your grandma is a hoot! “He talks out of his butt so much, he ChapSticks his crack,” Love it!
By Lynn Alpert on January 5, 2019 at 12:03 pm
I call my idea file “the parking lot,” and it’s always a fun place to visit. Glad you could give life to so many ideas.
By Paisley Schade on January 5, 2019 at 12:04 pm
I too, have journals for ideas. Way too many of them. But I agree that writing down ideas good and bad can lead to the one. Happy writing.
By Joanna Rowland on January 5, 2019 at 12:07 pm
Thank you, Mike. Sometimes those off-the-wall ideas are the perfect start of a great story.
By judyrubin13 on January 5, 2019 at 12:10 pm
So funny! Love your grandmother and your journal of misfit ideas!
By Kim Pfennigwerth on January 5, 2019 at 12:10 pm
Thank you, Mike. Cleverness has never been my strength and I am going to LISTEN to the oddities and misfits and write them down to increase my “cleverness”. I, too, laughed aloud at the Sluttiest Mennonite.
By Nancy Ferguson on January 5, 2019 at 12:11 pm
Thanks for the weird, misfit ideas, Mike. One that just popped up for me is – “Mike the Truthful Microphone”. – He can switch volume, talk, tell truths from lies, reveal secrets, all on his own. So, beware, any who pick him up in public.
By photojaq on January 5, 2019 at 12:13 pm
Ooh! I’m a muse!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 7:53 pm
Fearless crazy ideas sounds like a good plan. Sometimes I’m in such a wild and crazy mood that this will definitely help me accept all nutty ideas.
By Kathleen Cornell-Berman on January 5, 2019 at 12:14 pm
Fun! That is not my OLW this year, but your journal sounds like so much fun. Cathartic, too! Thanks
By Kathy Mazurowski on January 5, 2019 at 12:20 pm
Thanks, Mike! Sometimes I feel like all of my ideas are Misfits. I love the notion that they still worthy of recording because you never know what they’ll become!
By annabrookswriter on January 5, 2019 at 12:21 pm
I love this post, thank you. I have some very crazy ideas, so it is always nice to read of others who do as well. And your grandmother’s comments are awesome!
By Karin Larson on January 5, 2019 at 12:22 pm
Thank you for sharing your journal of misfit ideas Mike. This was a fun post!
By heidikyates on January 5, 2019 at 12:23 pm
I want to live in a world where even The Sluttiest Mennonite feels included and heard.
By Lucky Jo Boscarino on January 5, 2019 at 12:25 pm
I concur.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 7:54 pm
Great idea to keep a journal of those ideas that dont make sense, and great grandma quotes!
By rimna on January 5, 2019 at 12:25 pm
First chuckle and real laugh out loud of the day! I won the silver bell! I can’t wait to read your books, Mike! Here’s to Fearless Crazy all around and Misfit Authors too!
By Gretchen McLellan on January 5, 2019 at 12:25 pm
I can’t wait for you to read ‘em! Thanks for the kind words, Gretchen.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 7:55 pm
I really want to meet your grandma! Thank you for celebrating misfit ideas and the freedom to brainstorm so crazily!
-chelsea
By chelsealin79 on January 5, 2019 at 12:27 pm
Let’s hear it for misfits! Thanks
By ryanrobertsauthor on January 5, 2019 at 12:29 pm
Love it! Everyone needs a misfit journal!
By Kelly Ohlert on January 5, 2019 at 12:30 pm
Love this idea. I am such a misfit!
By James Arthur on January 5, 2019 at 12:32 pm
From one misfit to another, nice to meet’cha!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 7:57 pm
Thanks for another great post of inspiration! I was just rereading some notes I made from yesterday’s to add to my list of ideas. I’m at 11 and it’s only 1/5/19. Please excuse me while I go and do a happy dance.
By authorlaurablog on January 5, 2019 at 12:32 pm
Thank you Mike. I have too many ideas scattered. I need to have one misfit journal.
By Carolyn Lucas on January 5, 2019 at 12:32 pm
Umm…I totally want to read The Pickle Man. Just saying. This is great. Thanks!
By lchardesty on January 5, 2019 at 12:35 pm
I adore made-up words. Fun examples of other uses, too.
Also…this begs the question – Which would you rescue first, family photo albums or this journal?
By Katie Engen on January 5, 2019 at 12:36 pm
Photos. More misfit ideas will arrive to replace the old ones eventually.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 7:59 pm
Love it!
By Alicia on January 5, 2019 at 12:38 pm
OMG, love this and love your grandma. I have a journal of sorts, but probably “edit” it before I jot things down. This post has convinced me NOT to do that. 🙂
By Debra K Shumaker on January 5, 2019 at 12:39 pm
Fearless Crazy and no edits! Awesome sauce 😊
By Janie Reinart on January 5, 2019 at 12:40 pm
I guess there’s hope for my irreverent thoughts and comments. Thank you, sir.
By Sharon Langley on January 5, 2019 at 12:40 pm
Okay so now the Candyman parody is stuck in my head! Thanks for sharing.
By Diana Murrell on January 5, 2019 at 12:44 pm
You poor bugger.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:32 pm
Great ideas!
By juliannahelt on January 5, 2019 at 12:44 pm
Your grandma is a hoot! Which reminds me that I should scribble down quotes from some of my more *ahem* colorful relatives.
By angie9091 on January 5, 2019 at 12:46 pm
Hi, Mike. Great idea! And I just got an idea looking at your Robo-Dragon Pie.
By Janet Smart on January 5, 2019 at 12:49 pm
“Nothing is too stupid for the journal.”
Thank you for that. 😀 I wrote down a bunch of misfit ideas today and I think there just might be one idea I can work with.
By Cindy on January 5, 2019 at 12:49 pm
You’ll be surprised just how many misfit ideas become useful if you let them marinate long enough!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 8:01 pm
Fearless crazy is a great mantra to remember when brainstorming picture book characters and conflicts. Thank you for sharing how you use your journal for misfit ideas. Love it!
By Brooke Hollon on January 5, 2019 at 12:51 pm
This has literally been my focus for this storystorm. Just jotting down everything and anything that pops into my head that might make a good story. It might not, but the idea might morph into something else. I’m LOVING this challenge. Thanks for the insight!
By Debbie Huard on January 5, 2019 at 12:53 pm
Your grandma is a funny lady! Love that you embrace your weirdness!
By rjtraxel on January 5, 2019 at 12:53 pm
Terrific — calling them “misfit” ideas gives us permission to make a note and know the “goodness and the badness will be sorted out at another time,” as you say. Thanks, Mike!
By Val McCammon on January 5, 2019 at 12:54 pm
So awesome. Yesterday I was pondering whether or not to do a picture book about bag hair days. It at least deserves a notation I guess.
By leslievanzee on January 5, 2019 at 12:55 pm
Absolutely!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 8:02 pm
I need to go fearless and create a journal as fun as yours. Great suggestion.
By marty bellis on January 5, 2019 at 12:55 pm
Ha ha ha! Thank you, Mike. Great post.
By Susan Halko on January 5, 2019 at 12:55 pm
Thank you for letting me feel free about quirky ideas. They go into my computer right now but I like the idea of a small journal!
By Heather Crespin on January 5, 2019 at 12:56 pm
Ha! Need another journal now to round up odds and ends- an idea junk drawer. Thanks for a good reminder not to censor too soon.
By Lisa Billa on January 5, 2019 at 12:58 pm
Great post! Thank you for sharing!
By Janice Woods on January 5, 2019 at 1:00 pm
These posts give different approaches and it is so interesting to see how other people work.
By June Sengpiehl on January 5, 2019 at 1:00 pm
We’re all misfits – so great!!!
By Danna York on January 5, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Love it! I too, have a journal w/ crazy, bad ideas in it!
By nicolesalterbraun on January 5, 2019 at 1:02 pm
Thank you Mike. The Island of Misfit Toys is one of my favorite haunts. Who isn’t one at one time or another! So much more interesting than all those perfect toys.
By Louann Brown on January 5, 2019 at 1:03 pm
I love the idea of an entire journal devoted to misfit ideas… mine are on scraps of paper tucked hither and yon. would be great to put them all in one easy-to-find place.
By Sue Heavenrich on January 5, 2019 at 1:08 pm
Thanks Mike! Great post. I am going to look through my journal for a few goofy ideas. I’m certain they are in there.
By Mary Jane Muir on January 5, 2019 at 1:09 pm
Thank you for sharing, Mike. I agree, the imagination is wide open and we need to let things fly -crazy or not!
By Danielle Dufayet on January 5, 2019 at 1:13 pm
Thanks for shoving me to write my weird ideas down. The ideas turn out to be precious and your grandma is, too.
By Lori Dubbin on January 5, 2019 at 1:17 pm
Thanks for the chuckle. I like having a private place with no fear of criticism or reprisals. Purity of thought in a safe place: the journal.
By Martha on January 5, 2019 at 1:17 pm
Great post Mike. Love the idea of mining for gems within the journal.
By Brian Yanish on January 5, 2019 at 1:18 pm
I, too, keep journals with all types of ideas. Some have led to manuscripts based on them but most often serve as a way to keep my mind thinking about writing, just like you mentioned. Thanks!
By Jill on January 5, 2019 at 1:18 pm
YES! I have about a hundred little notes squirreled away with these crazy misfit ideas. Now I have an excuse to create a home for them all to live. Thanks!
By Moon Bishop on January 5, 2019 at 1:18 pm
I have such trouble stopping myself from pre-screening my ideas. Thanks for permission to let the quirky fly!
By Heather Erquiaga on January 5, 2019 at 1:21 pm
what a fab idea!!!
By Shelly Hawley-Yan on January 5, 2019 at 1:23 pm
The Journal may be private today but how cool for someone (your child, your best friend, your fan) to peruse some day. Thanks for the post.
By Garnett Natasha on January 5, 2019 at 1:24 pm
Working on this already.
By saralakron on January 5, 2019 at 1:25 pm
Every writer needs a journal, or two or more! Thank you for sharing a humorous, fun post filled with inspiration, Mike.
Suzy Leopold
By Prairie Garden Girl on January 5, 2019 at 1:27 pm
A very FIT idea!
By Anjali Amit on January 5, 2019 at 1:29 pm
No judgement here, but I love the idea of the misfit journal. Thanks!
By Rinda Beach on January 5, 2019 at 1:29 pm
I think you might be the first person to ever use the word “sluttiest” in a blog post about children’s books and now I want to read everything you’ve ever written. Thanks for the great post! Off to find a blank journal to brain dump all my misfit ideas into. 😂
By Kristin Wauson on January 5, 2019 at 1:30 pm
Nothing “slutty” in my published works— but I hope you’ll like them regardless!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:36 pm
“The Journal of Misfit Ideas” – Love it!
By Judy Cooper on January 5, 2019 at 1:31 pm
My collection of pb ideas currently reside in a box. Maybe I should corral them into a journal. Can’t wait to check out Mike’s books. He’s hilarious 🙂 thank you
By Nancy Colle on January 5, 2019 at 1:31 pm
Writing unfiltered, misfit thoughts sounds like an excellent exercise!
By Emily Patriquin on January 5, 2019 at 1:31 pm
I love your idea! And I’m anxious to read your misfit dragon stories.
By Manju B. Howard (@ManjuBeth) on January 5, 2019 at 1:36 pm
Thanks for the information. I have always loved the land of misfit toys and I love how you tied that into a journal for crazy ideas. Good stuff. It makes me think about having a journal for ideas and then a journal for those ideas which I try to make into a story.
By bookfish1 on January 5, 2019 at 1:39 pm
Oh my gosh, your grandma rocks! Great post, thanks for sharing your journal ideas.
By Jodi Mckay on January 5, 2019 at 1:42 pm
Love when a peek in someone else’s mind is as wacky as mine.
By teacherwriteracker on January 5, 2019 at 1:43 pm
Wacky minds are fun, aren’t they?
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:37 pm
Since you are friendly, I’d like to say “hi” and thank you for your post and journal idea.
By Antje on January 5, 2019 at 1:46 pm
Oh, hi, right back atcha!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:38 pm
Great idea! I am going to get a journal going myself! (hmm…excuse to go spend time in that aisle at Target…) A non-writer friend of mine keeps a small journal on hand wherever he goes and it has become an amazing diary of thought. Thanks for the post:)
By karengreenwald2985 on January 5, 2019 at 1:46 pm
You know, because I don’t carry a cumbersome pocketbook, I need to make a habit of keeping a tiny spiral notebook on me at all times because I will jot ideas on anything that’s within reach. I have all the ideas in one spot, but I do think book form might be more useful, so THANK you, Misfit Mike, for at least making that more obvious to me, enough that I will actually DO it lol
And a BIG thank you for a LITERALLY tear-inducing laugh on a morning I needed it! It’s apparent you inherited your very ticklish funny bone from your grandmother 😀 And I’ll bet YOUR “bottom” dollar that both of those quotes will end up in your writing somewhere someday, even if just here or on your blog. Miss you! oxox
By writersideup on January 5, 2019 at 1:48 pm
Glad I gotcha laughing, Donna! Don’t be a stranger, now!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 8:05 pm
This was a great article!!!! Now I know my family isn’t the only one with quirky sayings and comments about each other. Thanks so much for the idea of a misfit journal and the laughs!
By leeanimator on January 5, 2019 at 1:52 pm
I often feel like I live on the land of misfit writers. I love the idea of misfit ideas. It completely takes away any judgment on an idea and serves as a perfect free space. One never knows when one of those misfit ideas will become famous. Thank you for your post!!
By jamhartman on January 5, 2019 at 1:52 pm
All writers are slightly misfitty, I think.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 8:05 pm
haha! I text myself odd ideas (sometimes in the middle of the night) and later can’t make heads or tails of them. I think a notebook is a much better idea 😉
By wpdrey on January 5, 2019 at 1:53 pm
Great post! I love any story or idea that has to do with misfits. 🙂
By storyfairy on January 5, 2019 at 1:56 pm
Thanks for the laughs and the insights!
By Cinzia V. on January 5, 2019 at 1:59 pm
I love the ideas in this post and your grandmother’s sense of humor. I wish I had written down my grandparents funny comments. I only remember a few.
These help with wild crazy ideas which only come occasionally. Thank you for making me laugh while I think of a new idea.
By Sheri Radovich on January 5, 2019 at 2:03 pm
Love this post, and love your grandma, too! My mother-in-law commented on my 70’s mini dress “Looks like 50 pounds a sh** in a 25 pound sack.” Illrevisit mymisfit ideas. Maybe there’s hope for my talking bottles of nail polish after all…
By deborahholtwilliams on January 5, 2019 at 2:05 pm
Tactful lady, your mother-in-law.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:40 pm
YES, exactly! I had a misfit idea about a Goldilocks-inspired character named Moldilocks and it’s coming out from Sterling this year, in MOLDILOCKS AND THE 3 SCARES. Thanks for the inspiration. Your grandmother’s a riot!
By Lynne Marie on January 5, 2019 at 2:08 pm
Oh, that sounds awesome! Congrats on your almost book birthday!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:41 pm
That’s awesome! I can’t wait to read it.
By melissamiles1 on January 5, 2019 at 10:48 pm
Thank you for sharing.
By Jane Serpa on January 5, 2019 at 2:09 pm
Your post encourages brainstorming (or brain implosion!)– i.e. play with the word “misfit”: “Miss Fit” (female athlete); MISF IT (Marine Industries of South Florida Information Technology)…perhaps this game will lead somewhere interesting…or if not, perhaps it will lead somewhere else…
By 8catpaws on January 5, 2019 at 2:11 pm
Mike, this is a super tip. A journal of misfit ideas ❤️❤️❤️ Yes, definitely no idea should be to crazy to inspire writing. Thank you for sharing it.
By Aurora K on January 5, 2019 at 2:12 pm
Thank you Mike, great idea I need a book for my misfit and stray ideas.
By Dayne Sislen, Children's Book Illustrator on January 5, 2019 at 2:14 pm
I have the same type of journal! Everything you said was so spot on. I sometimes wonder what someone would think if they opened my journal and read it… O______o
By Nicole Vuong on January 5, 2019 at 2:16 pm
That’s why I keep my misfit journal to myself!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:42 pm
Love it! Thanks for the inspiration and the tips. It’s nice to have a place to just put down everything.
By Amanda Malek-Ahmadi on January 5, 2019 at 2:17 pm
What a fantastic idea! I’m looking for an appropriate notebook right now!!
By Karan Greene on January 5, 2019 at 2:17 pm
Everyone should have a grandma like yours… Love the idea of a journal without judgement.
By Buffy Silverman on January 5, 2019 at 2:19 pm
I’ve always encouraged my writing students to keep a writing journal. Love your take on that with “misfit” idead!
By newfordfan on January 5, 2019 at 2:21 pm
Haha this had me laughing out loud–thankfully no one is around to bear witness 😂 Thank you for these tips! Now to get a misfit journal
By BrookeVS on January 5, 2019 at 2:21 pm
I get ideas from movies & conversations too & I always carry my idea journal with me. Thanks for the post!
By Alice Carty Fulgione on January 5, 2019 at 2:24 pm
It is not difficult to come up with misfit ideas/characters. What is really crazy is finding a story to put them in!
By matthewlasley on January 5, 2019 at 2:26 pm
So first of all, giant high five for his pen name!!! 😂 Also, I’m glad to read that someone else (and someone successful, too) keeps a misfit journal. Thanks, Mike, for the inspiration!
By Beth Gallagher on January 5, 2019 at 2:29 pm
I love the Island of Misfit Toys & I think it’s a brilliant idea to keep a misfit idea journal. And cheers to your not-quite-kidlit-ready grandmother: such a perceptive lady.
By ptnozell on January 5, 2019 at 2:30 pm
Rudolph is a strange cartoon! Thanks for the inspiration.
By supermario6 on January 5, 2019 at 2:31 pm
My takeaway for today. ” Indon’t pre-edit my thoughts. I don’t let the Journal decide what’s a bad idea or an inappropriate idea. The goodness and the badness will be sorted out at another time, after I’ve written it all down. The Journal’s only goal is to safely take in every stray without judgment—much like The Island of Misfit Toys does.”
By Anne Bielby on January 5, 2019 at 2:34 pm
You’ve inspired me to gather all my ideas and put them in one place. Currently, they reside in notebooks, on scrap papers, and in random folders of stories half-started. Thanks!
By Caren Cantrell on January 5, 2019 at 2:40 pm
Thanks for the laughs and inspiration Mike!
By Cortney Benvenuto on January 5, 2019 at 2:42 pm
Yeah, why WAS that doll a misfit? Thanks for your post!
By Kirsten Leestma (@missleestma) on January 5, 2019 at 2:42 pm
Thanks for the humor and the inspiration, Mike! And now I’m singing “We’re on the Island of Misfit Toys…” Next I’ll be singing “There’s always tomorrow…”
By Gabi Snyder on January 5, 2019 at 2:47 pm
What a great idea! Keeping a journal of ideas is good but accepting ALL ideas is great. We blame others for being too “judge-y” but we are often that way ourselves.
By Anne LeBlanc (@AnneLeBlanc2) on January 5, 2019 at 2:47 pm
I love the idea of a misfit idea journal!
By Leah Leonard on January 5, 2019 at 2:47 pm
Roy L. Hinuss — ❤️ it!
By teresa.mi.schaefer on January 5, 2019 at 2:53 pm
Thanks for the reminder to not pre-edit ideas. It is helpful and freeing!
By Erika Henkart on January 5, 2019 at 3:00 pm
Nice! I have a similar journal….you’re right; best not to sensor…otherwise you’ll miss the golden nugget among the 💩. Not that any writing is 💩- it’s all part of the process!!!!
By sarahheturadny on January 5, 2019 at 3:02 pm
I write quotes I hear from people around town and have mounds of little papers stuffed into drawers. I think putting them in a journal is a much better approach:) Thanks!
By Elizabeth C Steiner on January 5, 2019 at 3:03 pm
The first line of The Pickle Man made me LOL. You might have something there. LOL
By shiela Fuller on January 5, 2019 at 3:07 pm
I want to meet your grandma! What great lines! Ha!
Loved this post! Thanks a lot.
By Lizzy Rizzi on January 5, 2019 at 3:08 pm
LOL!
Thanks for the reminder that the ideas notebook is for raw unfiltered ideas, not just good ones.
By Tempy on January 5, 2019 at 3:13 pm
Loved this post today!!
By Jessica Potts on January 5, 2019 at 3:15 pm
I always wondered about the doll on the island of misfit toys, too. Thought maybe her hair couldn’t figure out if it wanted to be in braids or ponytails and ended up in a weird combination of both, which got her sent to the island. Maybe there’s a picture book in that…
By Melanie Ellsworth on January 5, 2019 at 3:15 pm
Thank you Mike…yes sir re-bob cat tail fizz…
Misfits are everywhere…
By Li’vee Rehfield on January 5, 2019 at 3:18 pm
Thanks for this wonderful post! I keep an idea-a-day book, but now I’m tempted to rename it my “misfit idea-a-day” book, grin! Thanks for inspiring us and encouraging us!
By denarose on January 5, 2019 at 3:20 pm
Love this–I think I self-censor too much in my ideas journal. Maybe if I call it my Bad Ideas or Misfit Ideas journal, I’ll feel free to be more outrageous…
By Laura Purdie Salas on January 5, 2019 at 3:20 pm
The fun grandma! Yep, that’s yours!! Your story had me laughing out loud. My cat was like what’s up with you?? I like your journal idea! When I’m stuck on an edit I twist my story line to be not-fit-for-PB. Amazing how it clears the brain cloud. LOL!
By Lori Mozdzierz on January 5, 2019 at 3:20 pm
Thanks for journal idea-and the laugh!
By Sara A on January 5, 2019 at 3:27 pm
Mike! I’m so glad I’m not the only one who wonders what exactly is wrong with the doll on the Island of Misfit Toys!!! I’m also glad it’s OK to put down every idea- good, bad, very bad and kind of OK- in a safe idea journal. Great idea! Thanks for sharing! Patti Richards
By Sensibility and Sense on January 5, 2019 at 3:28 pm
What a great way to contain all those ideas!
By Sharon Nix Jones on January 5, 2019 at 3:30 pm
LOL! That pen name on the chapter book series! LOL! That had me laughing for a good while. =D
By jenabenton on January 5, 2019 at 3:33 pm
Yay!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:46 pm
I love your sense of humor.
By Mirka on January 5, 2019 at 3:34 pm
T’anks!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 3:47 pm
I also keep a journal of ideas although mine is digital rather than physical
By Amy DiMouro on January 5, 2019 at 3:37 pm
I want to meet your grandmother!
And, I’m going to start a journal of misfit ideas.
By claireannette1 on January 5, 2019 at 3:39 pm
Great post, Mike! Gotta love your grandmother!! What a hoot!! She sounds very much like an old-time Vermonter.
Brain drizzles!! I loved it when you said you enter all your “brain drizzles” into your Journal of Misfit Ideas. I don’t have a journal but keep all my brain drizzles in a folder on my computer. I have small pads of paper everywhere, in my pocketbooks, tote bags, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom… you never know when inspiration will kick in
By saputnam on January 5, 2019 at 3:39 pm
SO SO FUNNY! I wish I’d had a grandma like that… I think. Or someone else’s grandma who I was around to scribble it all down.
I like that this journal of ideas is titled in such a way as to free up the mind and even focus on some confused, mixed-up, off-base, wacky ideas – because they are valued and welcome, not merely excuse them, and send them to the basement… hmm.. maybe an idea is brewing..
thanks for sharing your approach!
bonnie fireUrchin lambourn
http://fireUrchin.com
By fireurchin on January 5, 2019 at 3:43 pm
Thanks for the fun ideas and for having such an amusing grandma!
By Steve Schwartz on January 5, 2019 at 3:44 pm
Great ideas!
By Sue Frye on January 5, 2019 at 3:45 pm
Your grandma sounds like a hoot! I keep my idea journals in computer files: one for picture books, one for other writing, and one for business ideas. Using a physical book might be nice, though. I could sit and look through it on the couch or anywhere. P.S. You just did use those two quotes in your writing!
By Bethanny Parker on January 5, 2019 at 3:47 pm
Like grandmother, like grandson. Love what your journal says and does. Some of those drizzles turn into sizzles.
By bbkb on January 5, 2019 at 3:49 pm
I’m a walking, talking example of misfit ideas. Maybe somewhat like your Grandma. Guess I’d better start recording in a journal so I can look back at them. Thanks for this fun post!
By mona861 on January 5, 2019 at 3:51 pm
Oh man, your quotes from your grandmother made me crack up! Thank you for sharing!
By Alexandra Hinrichs on January 5, 2019 at 3:51 pm
You are one hilarious guy! I’d really like to meet your grandmother, by the way.
By angiecal76 on January 5, 2019 at 3:55 pm
I was just at Staples and fell in love with a tiny notebook that will fit in my purse or pocket. Now I know how to use it! Great post!
By tamaragirardi on January 5, 2019 at 3:58 pm
Awesome! May your misfitty ideas be many!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 8:12 pm
I LOVE your idea. I’m going to start my journal TODAY!
By Barbara Farr Renner on January 5, 2019 at 4:02 pm
Sounds like some comic gold minds in that book. Great post!
By bgonsar on January 5, 2019 at 4:02 pm
I love the idea of getting a little crazy without fear. Your grandmother reminded me of my mom-LOL She could roll off lots of crazy sayings. I need to start my own journal even if her sayings aren’t printable 😉 Thank you for the inspiration, Mike.
By chardixon47 on January 5, 2019 at 4:06 pm
It is a dreary, rainy day in Merchantville, NJ!! This post brought out the giggles and sunshine!! Thanks! Loved the entire post but especially the pen name…”Roy L. Hinuss” 🙂
By seschipper on January 5, 2019 at 4:07 pm
I’m a New Jersey person, too! Stay dry, my friend.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 8:14 pm
Yes! I have my new notebook ready!
By Kim Wilson (@AuthorKimWilson) on January 5, 2019 at 4:08 pm
yes! I will try to keep my ears more open and my notebook always at the ready to record noteworthy comments and mind rambles!
By Meghan Burch on January 5, 2019 at 4:11 pm
I would love to win! Thanks for this great post.
By Brenda Miller on January 5, 2019 at 4:15 pm
All writers should brainstorm ideas without censoring themselves, and this post is a great reminder of how that can be of benefit. Loved the pen name for the chapter book series.
By Debra Katz on January 5, 2019 at 4:15 pm
Your journal sounds hilarious – and certainly would be helpful for thinking outside of the box! Thank you for these good reminders!
By writeremmcbride on January 5, 2019 at 4:16 pm
Enjoyed you post. Liked the mis-fit journal to a PB fit.
By Jenifer McNamara on January 5, 2019 at 4:17 pm
I haven’t giggled this much reading a blog post in a long time! I love it… everything about it, thanks for sharing, Mike.
By Jennifer G Prevost on January 5, 2019 at 4:22 pm
Sounds like you have one funny grandma! 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
By Sara Matson on January 5, 2019 at 4:29 pm
My misfit ideas are tucked away on my computer under the labels “PiBoIdMo” and “StoryStorm”. Some published books have come from those lists. Some best labeled “Things A Trusted Friend Should Delete In The Event of My Demise.” Great post!
By Stephanie Shaw on January 5, 2019 at 4:37 pm
I’ll probably request to be buried with my misfit journal.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 8:15 pm
Thank you Mike for reminding me that words are all around us. Capturing the essence and forming the the scenes and story that make them live on is the best challenge ever.
By Pam Miller on January 5, 2019 at 4:39 pm
SO OBSESSED WITH THIS! I love strange, quirky ideas. Thanks for giving me a reminder to entertain them!
By Maggie Brown on January 5, 2019 at 4:42 pm
Woo! I like your spunk!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 8:16 pm
Love your post, Mike, for so many reasons. I like the reference to strays & to misfits.I also love that being in a writerly place can be fostered by thumbing through your journal. Thank you for all the ideas about ideas and for participating generously in Storystorm this year.
By M Lapointe Malchik (@imartytweet) on January 5, 2019 at 4:45 pm
Ooh, I’m stealing this idea! I have loads of misfit ideas that I abandon but give me a good laugh! Here’s the chance to put them somewhere 😀
By Heather Gallagher on January 5, 2019 at 4:51 pm
This is glorious, Mike! Who is the sluttiest Mennonite? I’m dying to know!
By karammitchell on January 5, 2019 at 5:00 pm
She’s whoever you want her to be.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 8:17 pm
Oh…alright.
By karammitchell on January 5, 2019 at 9:10 pm
Thanks for sharing! I really zoomed in on that your journal of misfit ideas must go with you everywhere. I also liked that you peruse it often.
By Sharalyn Edgeberg on January 5, 2019 at 5:01 pm
A journal of misfit ideas gives your brain permission to juggle strange ideas together or just capture the ones that land there. Thanks!
By Deslie English on January 5, 2019 at 5:10 pm
Your post was such a delight to read, Mike. I especially connected with the sentence “I’ll thumb the pages when I’m looking for an idea or when I’m too tired to write, but still want to be in a writerly frame of mind.” What a great way to use your journal. Congratulations on your successes.
By Cynthia Hawthorne on January 5, 2019 at 5:12 pm
Thanks, Cynthia.
Writing is about so much more than the act of typing. Sometimes it’s about giving your mind permission to wander.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 8:20 pm
I have a file on my computer titled “Stories, drafts, and nonsense’ for stuff like this. ❤
By Carmen White on January 5, 2019 at 5:14 pm
Hilariously said! Thank you. I needed that.
By Latasha Vernon on January 5, 2019 at 5:17 pm
A super helpful idea for keeping all sorts of story, character, and dialogue ideas we all need! Thanks!
By Kathy O'Neill on January 5, 2019 at 5:29 pm
Ha! My Dad said the same thing your Grandma said, except he said, “Fart sideways” not crooked. 😉 You’ve got some funny things written in your journal. I’m going to take a que from you and try not to only write ideas I think are good, and just write down ideas! Who knows where that will lead me. Thanks for the inspiration!
By Debbie Meyer on January 5, 2019 at 5:32 pm
I giggled, when I read the line, “Nothing is too stupid for the Journal. Nothing.” I’m 72 in a few days and can’t tell you how many journals I have started, but never finished. I didn’t want anyone to get ahold of my journals. Come to think of it, do you know how confused they would be. Hmmm Maybe I’ll start a new one. Thanks for your post.
By Marge Gower on January 5, 2019 at 5:41 pm
Don’t censor your inner weirdness, Marge! Who cares what those non misfitty people think? Onward!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 8:23 pm
Fabulous way to let your muse just ‘spew’ in a journal with no pressure to ever do anything with it. (Although, if you do, she’ll take credit, I guarantee) . Funny that a similar thing happened with me for my picture book, WAKE THE DEAD. My grandmother always told me to be quiet, otherwise, I’d “wake the dead”. When I heard myself saying it to MY kids, a lightbulb went off. What if the kid DID wake the dead? How would he get them back to sleep? It was a silly idea, at first, but man…..playing with all the puns was a blast!
By Monica Harris on January 5, 2019 at 5:43 pm
That book sound amazing!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 8:24 pm
I don’t know what I’d do without my journal. It has all my misfit ideas as well as some starts and stops and language play. Great to see that some ideas escape the journal and become part of something new. Thank’s, Mike, for this affirmation of the journal.
By msvukidlit on January 5, 2019 at 6:02 pm
Thank you for sharing! 🙂
By Tanya T Shock on January 5, 2019 at 6:02 pm
I love the idea of a journal for misfit ideas!
By Susan Johnston on January 5, 2019 at 6:05 pm
Excellent post Mike! You are so right that the writers journal should let their imagination and creativity run free and then sort out the ideas or build upon them later. Very well written!
By Jennifer B Wright on January 5, 2019 at 6:07 pm
I’d like to have a misfit journal but don’t want to fill a nice notebook with bad ideas, but also needs to be nice enough for me to want to carry it around a lot. Dilema!
By Mel Copeman on January 5, 2019 at 6:09 pm
You’re overthinking it, Mel. Here. A compromise. Carry two notebooks: a gorgeous one for perfect, fully-formed brilliant ideas, and a crappy, crummy, cheapo notebook for everything else.
The best part of this plan is that the gorgeous notebook will always remain gorgeous because you’ll never use it because no idea ever arrives perfect, fully-formed and brilliant.
Problem solved!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 8:31 pm
Grandma has an impressive skill at capturing grandparent culture with linguistic finesse! I have journal, where sometimes my creativity is reduced to a freewriting flow of nonsense rhyme an rhythm.
By martina.franklin.poole on January 5, 2019 at 6:10 pm
I love journals!! I have a huge collection of them – finished and unfinished. I also have two teenage boys who hate that I give them a new journal at the beginning of every year. Thanks for the post. It was a very entertaining read and great info.
By Patty Militello on January 5, 2019 at 6:11 pm
What a laugh-out-loud funny post! For me, it started with the brain “drizzles”– the naughty Mennonite and hilariously clever pen name brought on laugh showers…by the time I got to Grandma’s quotes, it was pouring hysterical rain! Thank you for extending the “judgement-free” zone from the gym to our writing journals. Great post, Mike! Your robot-dragon-pie hybrid sounds like a wonderful MC…is his best friend a unicorn-ballerina-cupcake?!
By Lucretia on January 5, 2019 at 6:12 pm
No, but his mortal enemy is a space ninja cow. (And that’s true.)
By heylookawriterfellow on January 5, 2019 at 8:33 pm
I took keep writing notebook, lord help me when I come up with an idea and jot it down in the middle of the night…most often I can’t read it in the morning, but I am always sure that one was a golden nugget! Thanks for sharing!
By Kari Gonzalez on January 5, 2019 at 6:14 pm
I have to admit, I’m always worried that someone will see the really, really stupid ideas I put in my writing journal. Fortunately, no one’s actually interested.
By Janet Frenck Sheets on January 5, 2019 at 6:16 pm
Love this journal idea! You had me cracking at those Grandma quotes!
By Tina Cho on January 5, 2019 at 6:17 pm
I like the idea of giving ourselves permission to write the crazy thoughts we have, and your examples of mining for treasure in your journal are great!
By alishagabriel on January 5, 2019 at 6:19 pm
Misfit ideas for misfits fits me to a T and I’m so glad you told us about them. You are definitely an original and thank you for what you are.
Happy New Year and that is a real wish for you.
By phyllischerry.com on January 5, 2019 at 6:20 pm
I love misfit ideas! I know I have a winner if I run it past my teenagers and one of them rolls their eyes and says, ” Mom, that is so wrong. Just… wrong.”
By Shelly on January 5, 2019 at 6:22 pm
I type up any stray idea I have in a text file and store them in my Story Ideas folder (one file for each idea), but now I wonder if I would have a better connection to the creative part of my brain if I were scribbling them in a journal? Harder to find/keep organized, but more organic?
By Jocelyn Rish on January 5, 2019 at 6:27 pm
Thank you for sharing. My “so-called good” ideas just went to the wrestling mat with the misfits!
By Rachel Anderson on January 5, 2019 at 6:30 pm
I want to meet your Grandma!
Your journal of misfit ideas is a great inspiration to write all ideas down & not worry if they are good ideas before recording them.
By Debbi G on January 5, 2019 at 6:32 pm
Fantastic read. I can hear a little 7 year old boy saying he needs “Chapstick on his butt because it is cracked!” Kid humor!!
By Amy McCoy Dees on January 5, 2019 at 6:34 pm
I’ve always loved the misfit toys! This post is just what I needed. I often edit my thoughts before recording them in my idea journal, I love the idea of jotting everything down. Thanks for the inspiration!
By Chambrae Griffith on January 5, 2019 at 6:39 pm
You have given me the courage to save some of my crazier ideas!
By catpledger on January 5, 2019 at 6:41 pm
Great post! Thanks so much!
By Elizabeth Brown on January 5, 2019 at 6:44 pm
I never liked the Island of Misfit Toys (or the whole Rudolf show), but now you’ve taken that idea, and made something of it. Journal of Misfit Ideas – how great! And I like that you visit them regularly and even find them homes. Now that’s inspiring!
By Darcee A Freier on January 5, 2019 at 6:44 pm
I have a few journals like this, though it would probably help if I consolidated them into one. 🙂
By asfperrott on January 5, 2019 at 6:46 pm
I love this.
By Jessica Nims on January 5, 2019 at 6:48 pm
Your grandmother sounds like a hoot. I think you got your creative genius from her! Hoping many more of your journal entries turn into fantastic books!
By Carol Gordon Ekster on January 5, 2019 at 6:52 pm
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
By Ellen Sirianni on January 5, 2019 at 6:57 pm
I like this a lot.
By Kaye Baillie on January 5, 2019 at 7:02 pm
Thanks for the journal idea!
By K.A.Steed on January 5, 2019 at 7:05 pm
This is exactly why Storystorming is so helpful! I treasure my little notebooks from each year and when I want to dive in to write another story, I’ll always turn to them to see what I can glean.
By Rebekah Lowell on January 5, 2019 at 7:18 pm
I’m glad no one ever looks at my notes section on my phone. I’d be super embarrassed…but maybe someday they’ll come in handy! Thanks!
By Megan Whitaker on January 5, 2019 at 7:19 pm
To journal without judgement. Here’s hoping we can live up to the challenge!
By Andria Rosenbaum on January 5, 2019 at 7:22 pm
Hi Mike, your grandma sounds just like my husband’s gram. She said some of the weirdest things but was the neatest lady. I’ll bet your journal is fun reading. Thanks for the ideas. I’ll try to look out for the weird and wacky.
By betlw - Elizabeth on January 5, 2019 at 7:28 pm
LOVE Grandma’s sayings!!
By Valarie Giogas on January 5, 2019 at 7:30 pm
I love the idea of a journal that is so free range. My “writing journal” takes itself too seriously 🙂
By ruthschubert on January 5, 2019 at 7:32 pm
Your post is a thoughtful extension of the storystorm ethos. Thanks. (However, the misfit idea about the female Mennonite doesn’t feel irrational or in the spirit of the misfits you shared with us. It feels mean and wrong.)
By moviemommie on January 5, 2019 at 7:37 pm
Perhaps it is, but that’s why the misfit journal is private. Sometime you need to wade through a wrong idea to arrive at a right one. The creative process is often messy and unregulated. You got to get those ideas out without judgement (at least initially).
By heylookawriterfellow on January 9, 2019 at 11:20 am
I agree!
By Jenna Courtney Feldman on January 9, 2019 at 1:25 pm
Now here is a good reason to become more structured with my many journals I start and stop. I’ll label one just for “misfit” ideas. Thanks!
By Laurie Goodluck on January 5, 2019 at 7:39 pm
To quite Dr. Seuss, “Why fit in when you were born to stand out!” May we all embrace our “misfittedness” in the interest of a good story idea!
By Frances Kalavritinos on January 5, 2019 at 7:48 pm
My preschoolers were hysterical over a journal they gave me. It’s made from 100% recycled paper made from elephant poo. I’ve been wondering what to do with it. Now I know! No more composition notebook or collections of paper scraps for my writing ideas. My elephant poo-paper journal will be perfect for all the unmufflered and mis-fit ideas. I’ ll smile and maybe laugh out loud every time I pick it up. Sometimes we need to be reminded that craziness is good. Thanks, Mike.
By hdening on January 5, 2019 at 7:53 pm
😂love it! Re-cycled poo book!
By Susan Burd on January 5, 2019 at 7:55 pm
Hey-now there’s an idea for a book!
By Susan Burd on January 5, 2019 at 7:57 pm
I know about elephant poo paper. One of my bloggy friends sent me a homemade Christmas card made from it!
I believe you found the perfect Misfit Journal.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 9, 2019 at 11:23 am
Ok! So now I will write down all those crazy bits of ideas I have in a ‘Misfit Journal’ rather than on bits of paper that I’ve tried to keep in order! Now why didn’t I think of this before?! And I received a stack of small writing journals last month-the first one’s got a title:)
By Susan Burd on January 5, 2019 at 7:54 pm
Great post. Thanks for sharing.
By awritersdream41 on January 5, 2019 at 7:55 pm
reminds me of larry david’s idea book
By Stephanie Williams on January 5, 2019 at 8:01 pm
Funny and inspiring! Great post- Thank you!
By Nancy Ramsey on January 5, 2019 at 8:02 pm
I love the idea of a fearless journal. Great post and advice, thanks Mike! P.S. You have one super cool Grandma!
By jeanjames926 on January 5, 2019 at 8:06 pm
Thanks for the reminder that even our seemingly misfit ~ crazy ideas are worth keeping. Happy storming!
By Rene` Diane Aube on January 5, 2019 at 8:07 pm
Thanks, Mike, for sharing about your journal of Misfit ideas. Might start my own and see what happens.
By Jim Chaize on January 5, 2019 at 8:07 pm
ah, if only development flourished as readily as misfit ideas…
By Poupette Smith on January 5, 2019 at 8:08 pm
thanks for the reminder to not pre-edit story ideas when they’re just ideas.
By Arlene Schenker on January 5, 2019 at 8:22 pm
Mike,
LOVE this journal idea!! This made me laugh out loud!!
By Lucy Staugler on January 5, 2019 at 8:25 pm
Mike, I loved this post and the thought of keeping a journal of misfit ideas! I can’t wait to get started…. and crooked farts….. OH MY GOD, I want to be inside that grandma’s head!
By doreenrobinson on January 5, 2019 at 8:31 pm
Love this. Thanks for sharing and for your entertaining examples!
By SARAH Meade on January 5, 2019 at 8:33 pm
“The Journal’s only goal is to safely take in every stray without judgment.” I love this statement. Just before Storystorm started, I looked at my old (PiBoIdMo) journal. Yep I have one of the original ones. It was fun to see ideas I hadn’t seen in awhile. Many ideas that will never be books – at least as they are. I think I’ll put that sentence on the cover, it’s a great reminder not to police my ideas (for writing).
By Maria Marshall on January 5, 2019 at 8:34 pm
Thanks Mike! It seems all I do is pre-edit my thoughts so I will try very hard to follow your advice and just right any misfit idea down.
By celticsea on January 5, 2019 at 8:35 pm
What’s not to like about the idea of a private writer’s document that encourages fearlessness, some craziness and best, unconditional acceptance until… a later date?! Refreshing – thanks Mike!
By Susan Macartney on January 5, 2019 at 8:47 pm
Thanks for the great ideas. I love the idea of having a journal for any and all ideas!! I wonder…do you have a system for categorizing the ideas in any way?
By Sandy Foster on January 5, 2019 at 8:54 pm
I don’t. Reading wildly different thoughts and ideas right nex to each other, I think, can lead to unexpected creative inspiration.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 9, 2019 at 11:28 am
A MUCH better idea than my notes flying all around!
By Amalia Reef on January 5, 2019 at 8:57 pm
I love this idea and I LOVE the way you write. Going to find your blog now…
By Jennifer on January 5, 2019 at 9:01 pm
Yay!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 9, 2019 at 11:29 am
There’s no way that underqualidate isn’t a real word. 😄
By Carolyn Farina on January 5, 2019 at 9:07 pm
It was my son’s invention. And I agree with you!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 9, 2019 at 11:29 am
I love this idea. I’ve been meaning to keep a journal with me to start writing down ideas when they come to me but I like how all-encompassing this method is. Thank you!
By picturebookplaydate on January 5, 2019 at 9:08 pm
I love the idea of misfit ideas!
By Deb Cushman on January 5, 2019 at 9:14 pm
Love the journal of misfit ideas! Great thought!
By Gayle Veitenheimer on January 5, 2019 at 9:24 pm
I guess it’s not so much the ideas but it’s what you do with them
By Hélène Sabourin on January 5, 2019 at 9:26 pm
Thanks for the fun journaling idea, Mike!
By Della Ross Ferreri on January 5, 2019 at 9:28 pm
I love journals!
By Ashley Franklin on January 5, 2019 at 9:36 pm
Thanks for the great image Mike!
By Mary Warth on January 5, 2019 at 9:43 pm
So, where do we buy replica journals? Lol!
By michelemeleen on January 5, 2019 at 9:50 pm
The truth is, your ideas aren’t crazy at all. They are natural and instinctive. Looking forward to reading your organic imaginative brilliance. Thanks for motivating us!
By cravevsworld on January 5, 2019 at 9:53 pm
Thanks for the kind words, good sir!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 9, 2019 at 11:30 am
Great idea! Journals are awesome tools!
By Rona Shirdan on January 5, 2019 at 9:58 pm
No idea is too crazy to write in a journal! You never know where it might lead…
By jshaklan on January 5, 2019 at 10:11 pm
I’ve collected about 25 ”gram-isms” and we keep remembering more! I often wonder what I say now that my grandkids will remember 😊
I love the idea of a journal for misfit ideas. The challenge is to not be critical and analyze them. Thanks so much!
By Cathy Stenquist on January 5, 2019 at 10:17 pm
Brilliant!! Thank you!!
By Michelle Kashinsky on January 5, 2019 at 10:17 pm
I love the idea of having a journal of misfit ideas!
By Linda KulpTrout on January 5, 2019 at 10:23 pm
LOVE it! As someone who struggles with the ever-present inner critic, this is a great idea for censorship-free idea building. Thanks!
By Leah Coleman on January 5, 2019 at 10:24 pm
I love the idea of a misfit journal! Thank you.
By Alexis Ennis on January 5, 2019 at 10:32 pm
MIKE: No apologies necessary–I LOVE “Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer”; it happens to be one of my muses as well! I LOVE your idea journal being a “home for misfit ideas.” Personally, I think you have some real winners there: The Sluttiest Mennonite and The Pickle Man–I CAN’T WAIT to read/hear them! 😉 PS: Your grandma is a FANTASTIC snarky character. I look forward to meeting her in one of your books! THANK YOU for the inspiration (oh, and getting certain Christmas songs stuck in my head RIGHT AFTER I FINALLY GOT THEM OUT! Much appreciated! 😉 )!!!
By Natalie Lynn Tanner on January 5, 2019 at 10:42 pm
I hum Deck The Halls year round. Fortunately my wife loves me too much to kill me.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 9, 2019 at 11:32 am
Love it! Thanks for sharing!
By RebeccaTheWriter on January 5, 2019 at 10:50 pm
Funny and creative–love it. That Christmas movie remains one of my favorites. I was singing the song from the Island of Misfit Toys while reading your article. Thanks for the inspiration.
By Cheryl Malandrinos on January 5, 2019 at 10:50 pm
This is great! I wish I’d written down all the things my son (who’s on the autism spectrum) said in class when he was a kid. It seems like I’d hear them from his teachers every time I walked into the school. 🙂
By melissamiles1 on January 5, 2019 at 10:51 pm
Fantastic article. Great ideas. And what about that misfit doll? We still haven’t figured it out. I would love to have met your grandma. Thanks!
By tiffanydickinson on January 5, 2019 at 10:54 pm
Your journal that gives you space to be Fearless Crazy is a great idea!
By dew on January 5, 2019 at 10:57 pm
I have my own version of the Misfit Journal. It’s awesome! Love being able to scrawl down my musings! Thanks Mike x
By Lisa Marie Murphy on January 5, 2019 at 11:24 pm
Thanks for sharing your inspiration!
By Annie Cronin Romano on January 5, 2019 at 11:27 pm
Thanks for your post!
By Lisa Robinson on January 5, 2019 at 11:53 pm
Genius! Would like a self destruct feature if I check out, though. 😉
By susanzonca on January 5, 2019 at 11:55 pm
As would I!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 9, 2019 at 11:33 am
I love my journals! They sound very much like yours…every idea goes in without judgement of being “good” or “bad.” I get so much inspiration from reading back thru these from time to time. Thanks for the post. And funny thing…I teach with your cousin’s daughter and she was just telling me about you and your books the other day at recess! And now here you are popping up in my e-mail as a guest blogger!
By Susanne Whitehouse on January 6, 2019 at 12:00 am
This. Is. Just. AWESOME. It’s a great reminder that you have no idea when those “brain drizzles” 😆 are going to come in handy! Fantastic post!
By CJ Penko on January 6, 2019 at 12:00 am
I’m going to dedicate one of my journals to misfit ideas! Crooked fart ideas need a safe place with no judgment! Thank you for the idea and the laughs, Mike!
By Susie Sawyer on January 6, 2019 at 12:01 am
This is a awesome idea. I never thought of putting misfits in a journal. Mines are just floating up above in some cloud out there. Thanks for the tip.
By Tania Russ Hebert on January 6, 2019 at 12:02 am
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the encouragement to write down ideas that are not ready for prime time! I think revisiting them will help them to get fully formed. I have a lot of misfit ideas and I appreciate the thought that they may develop into something good.
By Marie Sanderson on January 6, 2019 at 12:16 am
Thanks for the laughs and great advice!
By Cynthia Harmony on January 6, 2019 at 12:20 am
Thank you for your sharing your misfit journal. You never know what weird, crazy, awful ideas could lead to a finished book.
By Heather Kelso on January 6, 2019 at 12:22 am
Sounds like an awesome way to break out of the box and save those quirky ideas! Thanks so much, Mike!
By viviankirkfield on January 6, 2019 at 12:24 am
Wow. I could barely read to the end of this post. After “…farted crooked,” I laughed ’til I cried and everything else was blurry. I’ve never been a journal keeper, but I’m starting a misfit journal now!
By carol w Munro on January 6, 2019 at 12:25 am
Perfect idea for brain dumping–and especially unedited! This is a great idea for collecting all those stray thoughts, thank you
By annjex on January 6, 2019 at 12:26 am
I’m starting my Misfit journal today!!!!!!
Thanks, I needed that!!!🤪
By Julia Dworschack on January 6, 2019 at 12:44 am
Oh my goodness, how fun and silly. And his grandparents! Proof there’s something we can take away from even the most ridiculous thoughts.
By Keila Dawson on January 6, 2019 at 12:49 am
Endearing, to think I (a major misfit in this CPB world) could have a welcoming home. LOVE this journal of nonjudgement).
By sunwalker2013 on January 6, 2019 at 12:54 am
Thanks Mike, your Grandmother is hilarious
By Artelle Lenthall on January 6, 2019 at 12:54 am
I love the idea of adding quotes and non-perfect ideas to my journal. Thanks!
By Terri Sabol on January 6, 2019 at 12:56 am
I love the idea of a Journal of Misfit Ideas!
By Emily Wayne (@heyemilywayne) on January 6, 2019 at 12:57 am
I have a place to write down things I’ve heard & crazy thoughts, & I look at it sometimes (often during StoryStorm month) for inspiration. Love the quote from your grandparents!
By Heather Stigall on January 6, 2019 at 1:01 am
Great suggestions! I like how you sort idea goodness from badness at a later date. Thanks for the tip!
By Lori Alexander on January 6, 2019 at 1:09 am
This is awesome-made me giggle! And the title for the journal-genius! So fitting!
By Jennifer Hunt on January 6, 2019 at 1:11 am
Your journal is a forever StoryStorm! Thanks for feeding my imagination!
By Nancy Riley on January 6, 2019 at 1:16 am
Thank you. Very liberating
By stephaniewildman on January 6, 2019 at 2:01 am
Today’s Idea: Ms. Fits Outfits, Oohlala!
By Liz Healey on January 6, 2019 at 2:06 am
Great motivation to not edit ideas or dismiss things that aren’t perfect or conventional. Write it down and accept it as is. Who knows what that could inspire in the future. And PS … I think we all would want to hang out with your grandma!
By Patrese Fischer on January 6, 2019 at 2:33 am
Good idea to return to our journals for story seeds–it’s there waiting for us… Thanks!
By Michelle Kogan Art, Illustration, & Writing on January 6, 2019 at 2:54 am
Thanks Mike, can never reminded enough of the importance of the uncensored journal. Was reminded of it by my 9-year-old too – they now teach that at her school!!!
By Helen Matthews on January 6, 2019 at 2:55 am
Well I don’t feel so bad about some of my journal entries now either :).
By Johnell DeWitt on January 6, 2019 at 4:06 am
Thank you.
By freda lewkowicz on January 6, 2019 at 4:36 am
Time to rename my book with ideas in. I officially now have a Journal of Misft Ideas! Thanks.
By Clare Juliet Clare Bell on January 6, 2019 at 5:27 am
Thanks, Mike. I love sketchbooks and notebooks, seeing how people work through their initial ideas. It’s like the archeology of creativity.
By David Bernardy on January 6, 2019 at 5:32 am
I need to get back to my morning journaling. I’m so here for this.
By Juanita on January 6, 2019 at 5:36 am
Thanks for the encouragement to journal those wonderful misfit ideas. Time to get silly.
By Mardi Edwards on January 6, 2019 at 8:14 am
Great reminder of the purpose of the journal-all ideas…the good, the bad & the ugly. Love your grandmas use of language.
By Laura Hancock on January 6, 2019 at 8:29 am
Thanks for sharing! Who wouldn’t want to read Everybody’s Favorite Book now? Lol
By Katie B on January 6, 2019 at 8:34 am
I love the idea of a journal where I can just brain dump whatever. And…I would have loved to meet your Grandma! Thanks for sharing!!
By Deborah Cuneo on January 6, 2019 at 8:42 am
Yes, listen to what everybody says because you never know what idea will come out of it. May we welcome ourselves to your world of misfit ideas where all the fun things begin…
By aliciaminor on January 6, 2019 at 8:55 am
Thank you for permission to write down anything, no matter how dumb or crude or weird it seems at the time!
By jheitman22 on January 6, 2019 at 9:00 am
Love it! Thank you!
By Connie L Van Horn on January 6, 2019 at 9:06 am
Love this! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
By Alicia on January 6, 2019 at 9:19 am
Thanks for the freedom.
By Shel ledrew on January 6, 2019 at 9:27 am
Thank you for sharing your misfit ideas. Robo-dragon-pie sounds fascinating. I have always loved the island of misfit toys.
By Carolyn Currier on January 6, 2019 at 9:52 am
great post
By Kay lalone on January 6, 2019 at 10:00 am
I have a similar journal of ideas, though it’s name isn’t as cool… Okay, so the cover isn’t as cool either. Hopefully the ideas are though.
By justinrcolon on January 6, 2019 at 10:11 am
Your grandmother should be cloned! And love the misfit ideas journal! Thanks for sharing!
By Rebecca Colby on January 6, 2019 at 10:18 am
I love everything about this post! Thank you, Mike :0)
By Natalie Banker on January 6, 2019 at 10:30 am
Thank you for the laugh, Mike!!! I am an elementary librarian and your books are going on my next book order!
By Nadine Poper on January 6, 2019 at 10:37 am
Thank you!
If your school’s in New Jersey, I’ll sign them for you.
By heylookawriterfellow on January 9, 2019 at 11:37 am
I welcome a reason to embrace my misfit ideas – I love this process! Thanks.
By Jen Kraar on January 6, 2019 at 10:41 am
Love the journal idea!
By Ana Crespo on January 6, 2019 at 10:42 am
I love the idea of writing without judgment– of setting aside fear and writing every idea down in the Misfit Journal to have and to hold forever. Yes! encouraging our brains to go in weird and unexpected directions is a wonderful thing… well, except when you’re sitting in a dark movie theater watching Mary Poppins and suddenly ideas fly into your mind like dry leaves in the wind. There is nothing quite like pulling out a pad of paper and writing ideas down in the dark. I think I missed a bit of the movie, but it was worth it!
By LaurenKerstein on January 6, 2019 at 10:42 am
Thank you!
By Midge Ballou Smith on January 6, 2019 at 10:54 am
LOVE your journal 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
By mlflannigan on January 6, 2019 at 11:01 am
I love the comment about not pre-editing or overthinking!
By Meilssa Chupp on January 6, 2019 at 11:18 am
Love your grandma’s quotes!
By colleenrkosinski on January 6, 2019 at 11:24 am
I love the idea of writing everything down, good or bad. It just sparked an idea. Thanks!
By Linda Norman-Lyman on January 6, 2019 at 11:24 am
Nothing is too crazy, love it. A safe space for ideas. 😂
By Kaylynn Johnsen on January 6, 2019 at 11:24 am
Your grandma sounds amazing! Looking right now to order Everyones Favorite book. Thanks for making me chuckle this morning.
By chrisynthia on January 6, 2019 at 11:28 am
Hooray! Thanks!
By heylookawriterfellow on January 9, 2019 at 11:38 am
I love this idea! I got like five blank journals for Christmas. One is about to become a misfit!!
By Therese Kay on January 6, 2019 at 11:36 am
I love this post so much! I was very inspired after reading this. Thank you for sharing how you collect and get some of your ideas. I’m now ready to collect my own misfit ideas!
By Ashley Bankhead on January 6, 2019 at 11:45 am
I love your idea of calling it “The Journal of Misfit Ideas”! It will remind me that anything goes and no one else will see it. Thanks for sharing!
By Laurie Bouck on January 6, 2019 at 11:50 am
I absolutely love this perspective!!
By megcason1 on January 6, 2019 at 12:07 pm
I journal, but I never saw it this way! I need to send my critic away…and I have the beach so near! I did send an unwanted character to roam my island on a poem. There’s so much to see!
By Zoraida Rivera on January 6, 2019 at 12:13 pm
My journal feels the same way.
By KRISTINA CASTILLO on January 6, 2019 at 12:18 pm
Who knew wacky and misfit could be my next story? Thanks for the entertaining post.
By Pat Miller on January 6, 2019 at 12:45 pm
Your Misfit Journal idea is great, Mike. But your grandma is a genuine hoot.
By LeeAnn Rizzuti on January 6, 2019 at 1:21 pm
Fearless Crazy seems like a great start for a year-thanks for a super post, and congrats on your continued success!
By Gail Hedrick on January 6, 2019 at 1:27 pm
It is easy for a journal to become too precious and too edited, so I love the acknowledgment that any idea can and should live in it.
By krbatti on January 6, 2019 at 1:35 pm
I love the idea of a journal of misfit ideas. I keep a notebook of story ideas and have sometimes challenged myself to think of a truly bad idea. Sometimes these are the most productive.
By sallie wolf on January 6, 2019 at 1:36 pm
Neurones on the loose! Love it! 😉
By Jarmila Kurucova on January 6, 2019 at 1:49 pm
I’m starting a Journal of Misfitt Ideas today! I hope I win one of your books filled with crazy and delicious characters!
By setwiggs on January 6, 2019 at 1:50 pm
Misfit ideas. Fun!
By jaclynsmiller on January 6, 2019 at 2:22 pm
Yes, yes, yes–nothing off limits!
By Vicky Howard on January 6, 2019 at 2:59 pm
I like Mike’s advice to get a bit crazy and outrageous! Will do!
By kathydoherty1 on January 6, 2019 at 3:09 pm
Love the journal idea. Just might start my own. Thanks!!!!
By Anna Levin on January 6, 2019 at 3:17 pm
Your grandmother had a real sense of humor! Thanks for the wonderful idea of jotting everything down, no judgement, to later use.
By Joan Swanson on January 6, 2019 at 3:31 pm
I would love to read your Journal of Misfit Ideas!
By Cathy Ogren on January 6, 2019 at 3:42 pm
You may not! 😉
By heylookawriterfellow on January 9, 2019 at 11:39 am
Bahahahahha! I love the ideas, especially the Candyman song for pickles, I Lol-ed! I especially enjoyed the lead up to the story that did come from journal, nice!
By Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez on January 6, 2019 at 3:57 pm
Just got a great idea from your post! Added it to my growing list. Thank you!!! ☀️
By Rhonda Whitaker on January 6, 2019 at 4:15 pm
I like the NAME of your journal. It fits. 🙂
By Le Anne Brown on January 6, 2019 at 4:37 pm
Love your misfit ideas. Your grandmother sounds like my hilarious mother-in-law, we never knew what was going to come out of her mouth either. Got to love um.
By Dayne Sislen, Children's Book Illustrator on January 6, 2019 at 5:17 pm
So fun! I like to do this with the notes app on my phone.
By Sarah Noble on January 6, 2019 at 6:00 pm
I think you’re smart to keep that Misfit Idea Journal private. Just sayin’. Did the Dragon Robot switch from part pirate to part PIE? I see pie. I love pie.
By Genevieve Petrillo on January 6, 2019 at 6:17 pm
I can’t wait to start my journal! I’m sure I’ll have PLENTY of ideas to put in it
By Brittney Kauffman on January 6, 2019 at 6:21 pm
Not editing my ideas is the HARDEST thing for me. I defeat myself before I start. But perhaps, if I titled my journal something more like misfit ideas instead of something more formal, I could just get them out on paper without struggle and edits! Thanks for the idea!
By Amber Webb on January 6, 2019 at 6:51 pm
Thanks for your suggestion. I love your idea of keeping a journal of misfits and crazy ideas.
By debbiemccue on January 6, 2019 at 7:37 pm
Keeping a book for story ideas is great. I started doing that after writing things on pieces of paper and little note pads. Now they’re all in one spot.
By Chelle Martin on January 6, 2019 at 7:54 pm
I enjoyed reading your blog entry and The Island of Misfit Toys immediately came to mind before I read that was where you were heading =>) I think this is such a great idea to use in the classroom with students too…. for all subject areas! Today I went boating with my hubby and Doodle dog and came up with some nautical misfit story ideas! Thanks much!!
By Robin Robb-Kraus on January 6, 2019 at 7:56 pm
Taking in every stray without judgement! Yes. Love the misfit journal – got a couple of ideas for mine! Thanks Mike
By Vicki Wilke on January 6, 2019 at 8:01 pm
I love that your journal is a place for for misfit ideas to find their home. I will keep this practice in mind as I journal.
By Bettie Boswell on January 6, 2019 at 8:05 pm
Great post. I have a messy box with ideas. A journal sounds nice to have.
Thank you!
By Maria J Cuesta on January 6, 2019 at 8:14 pm
Day 5: Brainstorm journal! Thanks for sharing!
By Susan Schade on January 6, 2019 at 9:14 pm
I hope your grandmother writes books too:) Thank you for the inspiration and laughs!
By Elizabeth Kuelbs on January 6, 2019 at 9:20 pm
We are like souls. I, too, keep a book of quirky things, weird observations, and oddly compelling fart comments. But I’m not very practiced at setting them free to become stories. Thanks for the inspiration!
By Robin Perkins on January 6, 2019 at 9:34 pm
Your grandmother’s comments made me LOL! I love the idea of a no-holds- barred journal of ideas!! Definitely going to try it!
By Judy Sobanski (@jkspburg) on January 6, 2019 at 9:37 pm
Oh mu goodness – thank you for sharing your grandmother’s comments with the world. And your insight on ways to get ideas out there without judgement!
By Nicole Loos Miller (@beautify_life) on January 6, 2019 at 9:40 pm
Thanks for the tip!
By Krista Maxwell on January 6, 2019 at 11:08 pm
There are no bad ideas except the decision not to write down all ideas.
By Stephen S. Martin on January 6, 2019 at 11:14 pm
Dear Mike, your Grandma made me think of Billy Crystal’s Grandma. He (Said he) was young and visiting with his new wife and they all had to share the bed. Gran let one go and they were trying to suppress their giggles when she said “and that don’t smell like roses.” Obviously a treasured memory of wonderful, honest, uproarious bonding that remained in his memory. You have a great gift in your gran. Thanks for sharing. xx
By Carol Angels Khan on January 6, 2019 at 11:33 pm
This is so much fun! Thanks!
By Rani Iyer on January 6, 2019 at 11:35 pm
Thanks for the great post! I finally have a place to put all those things my father in law says!
By Christine Pinto on January 6, 2019 at 11:41 pm
I liked your statement, “Nothing is too stupid for the Journal. Nothing.” Thank you.
By DB Cote on January 7, 2019 at 12:02 am
Thank you for sharing!
By Katie Giorgio on January 7, 2019 at 12:02 am
I wish I had a grandma as funny as Mike’s 😂 But I do have my own version of a Misfits Journal.
By Teresa Robeson on January 7, 2019 at 12:04 am
Thanks for sharing your grandmother’s quips, a hysterical reminder to capture it all, anything can be an inspiration for a story.
By Sara Fajardo on January 7, 2019 at 12:31 am
I rely on my journal, too. It seems to be the place where all my stories begin. As well as a whole lotta unusable stuff, but oh, well.
By Loralee Petersen on January 7, 2019 at 12:40 am
Thank you for sharing!
By Jabeen Chawdhry on January 7, 2019 at 12:47 am
I’m usually pretty good about writing down my wacky ideas, but not nearly as good at writing down things people around me say or do. I need to make a point to get better at this. Thanks for the post!
By Dawn Prochovnic on January 7, 2019 at 1:49 am
I am loving your grandmother’s nuggets of wisdom! And her grandson has a huge batch of wisdom nuggets, too… even more picture book ready! Many thanks for sharing and for sharing with such fun humor!
By Meli Glickman on January 7, 2019 at 7:20 am
Time to find a journal for my missfit ideas! Thank you
By vijikc on January 7, 2019 at 7:52 am
Oh what fun! A Misfit journal(: Great idea!
By Jo Jo on January 7, 2019 at 8:33 am
Fantastic idea, thanks!
By Helen on January 7, 2019 at 9:16 am
Your grandma sounds like a hoot!!
By Lynn Baldwin on January 7, 2019 at 10:15 am
Well I’m a little backwards and am finally getting to this post on Day 7. Travel just upends everything. But, thank you so much for reminding me to get back to writing down all those random, strange ideas as well as comments. My daughter has a quote book that she writes in religiously, and then publishes on social media at the end of the year. I can forego the publishing part, but I hope in December I can page through my journal and have a good laugh!
By Writer on the run on January 7, 2019 at 10:16 am
You had me in stitches when I read your grandma’s quotes. Love it. Thank you for a great post. T
By tanjabauerle on January 7, 2019 at 10:22 am
I love the misfits journal idea. Brain drizzles is a fabulous phrase. Thank you so much for your post.
By Nicole Turner on January 7, 2019 at 10:28 am
You identified me, Mike. Right now, I’m a “misfit.”I just ended my “normal career path” (if there is such a thing). I’ve retired from teaching public school and being the English Department Head at our local college and from working as an educational developer for the former Frank Schaffer Publications. Now I’m in the Retirement Twilight Zone of my years. My heart has always beat louder when I’ve been writing, so I’m in my first year diving headfirst into the publishing pool. I can paper my walls with rejection letters. Yet at a SCBWI Regional Conference KS/MO, Alistair Heim REALLY liked one of my PB manuscripts! Soooooo….I continue to dog paddle my way to publishing. Thank you for your journal ideas, recording without censorship. Brilliantlyfreeing idea!
By marsha e wright on January 7, 2019 at 10:45 am
Brilliant!! A journal just for my brains wonky wanderings. Thanks for that one!
By Vicky Ford on January 7, 2019 at 10:45 am
I am starting my misfit journal today. Thanks for sharing
By andreesantini on January 7, 2019 at 11:12 am
Great post, Mike!! It’s so important that we don’t censor our thoughts, even if they’re bizarre–you never know!
By mariagianferrari on January 7, 2019 at 11:21 am
I like the idea of a misfit journal and “Fearless Crazy” conjures up all sorts of picture book ideas…lol…
Great post!
By storycatcherpublishing on January 7, 2019 at 11:21 am
Great post! Thank you!
By alisongoldberg on January 7, 2019 at 11:22 am
What a fun way to record ideas. I’m sure I could come up with a few of my grandmother’s quotes to start mine off!
By nadinesyummies on January 7, 2019 at 11:23 am
Thanks for the inspiration, Mike! I keep a similar document. Everything goes in! Everything AND the kitchen sink!
Love the humor in this post!
By Penny Parker Klostermann on January 7, 2019 at 11:44 am
“I don’t pre-edit my thoughts.” Love this line. Thanks for the post, Mike!
By Tracey Brown on January 7, 2019 at 12:06 pm
Finally! A place for my “What WERE you thinking??” ideas to live!
*runs to get journal*
By Rebecca Van Slyke on January 7, 2019 at 12:11 pm
Thank you
By Kassy Keppol on January 7, 2019 at 12:21 pm
I love the idea of a journal of misfit ideas. I’m definitely going to start my own. Thanks for the inspiration!
By Margaret Greanias on January 7, 2019 at 12:50 pm
I love:
A. the phrase “brain drizzle.”
B. your grandma’s comments.
C. this journal in general.
D. all of the above.
(The correct answer is D.)
By Jenny Boyd on January 7, 2019 at 12:51 pm
And NOW…the song for the Island of Misfit Toys is stuck in my head! Oh, no! Other than that, great MISFIT journal ideas! 🙂 Thanks!
By Angie on January 7, 2019 at 12:59 pm
Love it! And I want to meet Grandma!!
By Daryl Gottier on January 7, 2019 at 1:01 pm
Thanks so much. I’m a notebook-sketchbook keeper, too, and though there are times I feel like I am writing complete rubbish, there are always real treasures lurking just under the surface of those pages. Sometimes it takes a little distance, or time, or a change of setting or mood to bring it out.
By David Bernardy on January 7, 2019 at 1:09 pm
I love this. I need to not be afraid to write down my messy misfit ideas and all the funny things that go on around me. I need to remind myself that mess1y ideas that aren’t fully formed may lead to good ideas. Thanks for this post
By Shawna J Tenney on January 7, 2019 at 1:16 pm
I never titled my notebooks before but thanks for the ideas. I look forward to reading your books.
By Elizabeth Saba on January 7, 2019 at 1:29 pm
Thanks for this.
By Anna E. Jordan on January 7, 2019 at 1:57 pm
Hilarious post! Thank you
By Jennifer Parker Raudenbush on January 7, 2019 at 1:59 pm
We watched all of *Rudolph* this year, not the edited for TV commercials version. Suddenly, the Misfit toys make a lot more sense. 🙂 Hope I can say the same for the misfit ideas you inspired me to start documenting. Thank you! –Kim
By naturewalkwithgod on January 7, 2019 at 2:02 pm
Yep! Sketchbooks are great for doodling ideas too :3
By Brittanny Handiboe on January 7, 2019 at 2:06 pm
I love the concept of not pre-editing thoughts. I do that too often. I struggle to simple let ideas flow without examining each one for suitability. A misfit journal sounds like something I need in my life. Thank you for your advice!
By Jackie Kruzie on January 7, 2019 at 2:19 pm
I love the idea for a misfit journal where I purposely don’t over think ideas that pop into my mind. Thank you!
Kathryn
By Kathryn Jean Hagen on January 7, 2019 at 2:22 pm
Thanks Mike! Think I might start my own misfit journal (yeah, and what the heck WAS that doll’s issue?)
By Jen Bagan on January 7, 2019 at 2:38 pm
Great post!
By sandrabyrdlawson on January 7, 2019 at 2:49 pm
Time to give those ideas a home outside of my head!
By Patti Ranson on January 7, 2019 at 3:03 pm
I love your idea of a misfit journal! It sounds fun, healthy and a great way to build your ideas. Thanks so much!
By Susan Orton on January 7, 2019 at 3:41 pm
Wow – what an interesting post! Hope someone wrote down “overqualidate” in their idea journal this weekend.
Cindy
By CindyC on January 7, 2019 at 3:48 pm
Oh my gosh…you just snapped me back to remembering what fun kids and authors find in books and in ideas that make their way into our journals. This is a must: FUN for kids! Thank you!
By RaeMcDonald on January 7, 2019 at 4:13 pm
My Storystorm journal just got a page called “Misfit Ideas.” Thanks!
By Teresa Klepinger on January 7, 2019 at 5:02 pm
Thanks, Mike -speaking as one who is chock full of misfit ideas, I appreciate the title (and the validation)!
By Tracy Molitors on January 7, 2019 at 5:03 pm
I like the idea of a home for wayward thoughts! And humorous conversation. Thanks so much.
By Carolyne Ruck on January 7, 2019 at 5:04 pm
Thanks for the inspiration with some Robo-Dragon Pie on top!
By Sue Niemann on January 7, 2019 at 5:27 pm
And now I want to read about The Pickle Man! Thanks for giving us a glimpse at your journal.
By gingermeurer on January 7, 2019 at 5:58 pm
You, sir, have way too many ideas to fit into a single journal. I’m thinking you’re the Encyclopedia Brittanica of ideas. Just sayin’….
By Jilanne Hoffmann on January 7, 2019 at 6:01 pm
Love the idea of keeping a journal for all of those “misfit” thoughts. Thanks for the insights.
By Amy Newbold on January 7, 2019 at 6:01 pm
Priceless! Would you also ask your grandmother to come live with me a few days and rain her priceless wisdom on me? Thanks for sharing.
By Donna Gwinnell Lambo-Weidner on January 7, 2019 at 6:15 pm
Thanks for sharing a peek of your journal! It helps to know we’re not alone in our misfit ideas.
By Christine Fleming McIsaac on January 7, 2019 at 7:00 pm
From one Misfit to another – thanks!
By Francoise on January 7, 2019 at 7:31 pm
I would love to meet your Grandmother.
By Elizabeth Duncan on January 7, 2019 at 7:36 pm
No censoring! Got it. 🙂
By laura516 on January 7, 2019 at 7:55 pm
Love Grandma’s quotes! Every misfit fits somewhere!
By lorisherritt on January 7, 2019 at 7:58 pm
Hilarious! The misfit journal idea is golden. And yes, there must be several stories waiting to be written on the Island of Misfit Toys.
By Trine Grillo on January 7, 2019 at 8:58 pm
Ha! Now you’re making me wonder what my German grandmother was muttering when we were just out of earshot! Thanks for the Misfit Journal idea, Mike 🙂
By Diana Calio on January 7, 2019 at 9:37 pm
This post is gold – I always carry around a small notebook full of ideas. I’m glad to know I’m not the only crazy one! 😉
By ThisKidReviewsBooks on January 7, 2019 at 9:44 pm
Thanks for sharing!
By writeforapples1 on January 7, 2019 at 9:59 pm
Mike!
What a post- thank you for the inspiration and courage to jot down the ridiculous comments heard throughout my day… 🤪
By Monica Stoltzfus on January 7, 2019 at 10:30 pm
Great ideas!
By Lydia Lukidis on January 7, 2019 at 10:37 pm
I know just the notebook to use for my new idea journal, thanks!
By Sheila Hausbeck on January 7, 2019 at 10:59 pm
I love the pen name, your Roy L. Hinuss.
By Tiffany Painter on January 7, 2019 at 11:09 pm
You had me at “The Sluttiest Mennonite.” Hah!
By Chris M. Regier on January 7, 2019 at 11:19 pm
I love the freedom of your journal, Mike. I often self-edit before an idea even gets jotted down on the page, so I definitely need to loosen up!
By Patricia Toht on January 7, 2019 at 11:36 pm
The Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer movies are my FAVORITE part of the holiday season. I love, love, love Rudolph! He’s so cute!
I love your Misfits journal. 🙂 And, your grandmother is hilarious! She sounds like she’s a spunky grandma. 🙂
By Cindy E. Owens on January 8, 2019 at 12:39 am
Wow. Ideas really are everywhere. Like a pb ms about Mennonite women fighting the patriarchy.
By Michelle Sumovich on January 8, 2019 at 1:03 am
This post is great- Now I know what all my late night drafts are called! Including my rewritten nursery rhymes to current events like hurricanes and whatnot. Farting in the bathtub had been called a “Dirty bubble” since my daughter was 2.
By kimgjolly on January 8, 2019 at 2:28 am
A unique twist on the writer’s journal.
By Nancy Kotkin (@Brave_New_Words) on January 8, 2019 at 2:42 am
I need to have tea with that Grandma! 🙂
By Lisa M Griffin (@LisaMGriffinArt) on January 8, 2019 at 10:08 am
Ha! Your grandma is a funny lady, Mike! Thanks for this fun post!
By jessica shaw on January 8, 2019 at 11:44 am
Clever idea, love it!
By Jay on January 8, 2019 at 12:07 pm
“Fearless crazy” – that’s a great goal!
By Carrie Kruck on January 8, 2019 at 12:27 pm
I keep a folder in Evernote on my phone for my misfit ideas. Always handy. And my phone doesn’t judge me. 🙂
By joyceschr on January 8, 2019 at 12:44 pm
I used to have a notebook of ideas. Now when they come to me (often in the car), I dictate a note into my phone. It doesn’t always translate properly 😳 but perhaps there’s a whacky gem in one of them!
By Beth Stewart on January 8, 2019 at 1:58 pm
Thanks for the delightful idea. ☺
By rachel on January 8, 2019 at 4:29 pm
I love this idea! I have a Storystorm notebook for every year I’ve participated, but other ideas throughout the year often end up in random places. It would be great to have one place for all those ideas. Thanks for a great–and witty–post!
By Sandy Perlic on January 8, 2019 at 4:29 pm
I love journaling. Tried an Excel document last year, but wasn’t for me. Going to back to pen and paper and wild, crazy ideas for 2019! Thanks for the inspiration.
By Maria Bostian on January 8, 2019 at 5:21 pm
So hilarious! Would love to meet your Grandma Mike! Love the Weird ideas journal.
By Diane Tulloch on January 8, 2019 at 5:59 pm
It’s like a journal full of Brainstorm. Love it! Thanks.
By kjerstenhayes on January 8, 2019 at 7:53 pm
I think I need a journal of misfit ideas, too!
By Christine Irvin on January 8, 2019 at 8:16 pm
This post had me cracking up! I have a similar journal I take everywhere, so I have a spot to jot down ideas when inspiration strikes.
By jennagrodzicki on January 8, 2019 at 8:36 pm
I journal everywhere – but not in one place. Maybe I need to gather all of my ideas and put them in one notebook. Great idea!
By Amy Bradshaw on January 8, 2019 at 10:56 pm
Thanks for the laugh, Mike! And for the great advice. 🙂
By Becky Scharnhorst on January 8, 2019 at 11:12 pm
Mike, love your journal of misfit ideas. It’s like a junk drawer for our brain. You never know what might be the spark for our next story. It might even be stranger than the adventures of a Robo-Dragon Pie character. Although that will be tough to beat.
By Joannie Duris on January 8, 2019 at 11:24 pm
I have several notebooks with ideas, sketches, and all sorts stuff. I plan on pulling them out to help with this challenge. Thanks for reminding me, Mike!
By kmajor2013 on January 9, 2019 at 12:35 am
Thanks for sharing your journaling process, Mike.
By Angela De Groot on January 9, 2019 at 6:30 am
I carry around a notebook with me at all times (and sometimes 3 or 5 notebooks, ha!). My favorite is one that actually fits in my pocket. I just got pocket sized pens to go with it too! Thank you for this humorous post. It’s a good reminder to take the notebook out of the pocket to write down stray thoughts and ideas!
By Anne Appert on January 9, 2019 at 11:01 am
Love this – get it down, let it all in… editing is for later. My notebooks of Storystorms/PiBoIdMos of past years has grown into a tower of unedited misfit ideas kept year-round – and what a treasure!
By aidantalkin on January 9, 2019 at 12:05 pm
thanks for sharing your method. What one overhears is a gold mine!
By cath jones on January 9, 2019 at 12:52 pm
Thank you for the notebook reminder!
By Anita on January 9, 2019 at 1:14 pm
I need to belong to a funnier family. Hug your grandparents for me. Thanks for reminding me to jot down the gems that I usually forget.
By Wendy on January 9, 2019 at 3:57 pm
Oh my gosh, your post is so funny!! Thank you for taking the time to write and share, and reminding me to write uncensored somewhere… just to get out whatever is floating around in there.
By Sara Pistulka Weingartner on January 9, 2019 at 4:30 pm
I love that you’ve given me an excuse to indulge in my notebook obsession!
By Marcie Rinka Wessels on January 9, 2019 at 6:10 pm
Wow, you’re grandma gave you many colorful phrases! Lucky you:)
By Kathy Sholtys on January 9, 2019 at 7:38 pm
My mothers words keep coming out of my mouth even though I swore ,as a kid, they never would! Good words for story starters
By Karen Lawler on January 9, 2019 at 10:00 pm
Journal of misfit ideas? Brain drizzles? The sluttiest mennonite? I discovered things in this post I never could have anticipated. Thanks!
By Tasha Hilderman on January 10, 2019 at 12:01 am
I love my idea journal
By kaleegwarjanski on January 10, 2019 at 9:45 am
I love the idea of a misfit journal with no judgement at all! Great post!
By Melissa Stoller on January 10, 2019 at 11:45 am
Just love it!
By LAUREN BARBIERI on January 10, 2019 at 12:59 pm
I think my journal is already the journal of misfit ideas, I just didn’t realize it. Thanks for this, Mike.
By Lisa Riddiough on January 10, 2019 at 3:00 pm
“Take in every stray without judgment.” I love that.
By rgstones on January 10, 2019 at 4:19 pm
I have a box for misfit ideas. Names, ideas, thoughts on scraps of paper–lots of scraps of paper!
By Naomi Gruer on January 10, 2019 at 9:13 pm
I love that you have all that in your journal. I do have a lot of weird things in my journal, but I need to put more in there. Thanks for all the great ideas!
By Dani Duck on January 10, 2019 at 11:26 pm
Oh my goodness, you’re grandmother! What a great source of inspiration she is. Thank you for this great post. I will, from this day forward, unleash my strangest ideas and allow them to live in the pages of a secret journal. They deserve at least that much.
By Sensitive and Extraordinary Kids on January 11, 2019 at 12:05 am
FEARLESS CRAZY is a lovely place to kickstart brain drizzles. INSPIRING!
By topangamaria on January 11, 2019 at 12:33 am
I love the idea of a Journal of Misfit Ideas. I have so many of these sort of ideas. I just may start my own Misfit journal.
And your grandma sounds like lots of fun.
Thanks for sharing.
By Linda Hofke on January 11, 2019 at 6:28 am
I’m still laughing at the things your grandma said. I’m glad you jotted them down! Now you need to write upper MG or YA so you can use them. 🙂
Thanks for the misfit journal info. It’s a great idea! I jot down all my Storystorm ideas in January, but when ideas hit during the rest of the year they usually end up on scraps of paper that I find when I stop writing, revising, and critiquing long enough to clean my desk (which kind of isn’t too often).
By Mindy Alyse Weiss on January 11, 2019 at 7:35 am
Same here, Mindy! And I cleaned my desk on Jan 3rd, but apparently it’s a magnet for paper as it’s covered again. Lol
By Julie Rand on January 11, 2019 at 4:09 pm
This is fantastic! No judgement, just ideas/thoughts. Perfect.
By Sarah Maynard (@SarahDMaynard) on January 11, 2019 at 9:32 am
I have my own run-on list of PB “ideas”.Thank you for honoring even the most random ones.
By Nicole Strangman on January 11, 2019 at 9:48 am
love idea journals!
By shanah salter on January 11, 2019 at 12:35 pm
I wish I could keep one journal with my at all times but for some reason my journal becomes separate pieces of paper. Sometimes it’s even a Mc Donald’s bag. It works. Congratulations on your books.
By Julie Rand on January 11, 2019 at 4:07 pm
Yay for journals. Boo on judgement. Thanks for the reminder!
By Carrie Finison on January 11, 2019 at 7:11 pm
Mike, those wild and crazy “misfit” ideas can lead to some fun book ideas; you are proof of that! Thanks!
By Johna Nicole Rossetti on January 12, 2019 at 9:58 am
Great idea about the journal. Thank you, Mike!
By Maritza M. Mejía on January 12, 2019 at 12:10 pm
I love misfit journal idea too . Thanks for sharing mike!
By Melissa Mwai on January 12, 2019 at 5:28 pm
Love the idea of a misfit idea journal.
By Janet Halfmann on January 12, 2019 at 7:58 pm
I have one of those catch-all journals, too! God bless it, it takes in every stray that escapes my mind.
By Jennifer Broedel (@JBroedelAuthor) on January 12, 2019 at 11:27 pm
I laughed out loud when I reached “The Sluttiest Mennonite” – you should turn it into a novelty picture book for adults.
By Stephanie Lau on January 12, 2019 at 11:28 pm
I’ve picked up a journal and I’m raring to go 🙂
By Erin Le Clerc on January 13, 2019 at 12:26 am
Thanks Pickle man
By KATHY Z.PRICE on January 13, 2019 at 2:03 pm
What a fitting misfit idea, Mike! Thanks
By Barb Ostapina on January 13, 2019 at 2:10 pm
LOL Grandma is sassy! And The Sluttiest Mennonite! Sounds like a TLC reality show. Oh my word…this post was funny. Thank you.
By Shereen S. on January 13, 2019 at 5:04 pm
I’d love to meet your grandma! I journal my ideas all the time. I like that you read them when you’re too tired to write but want to stay in a writerly frame of mind. Great idea!
By Judy Bryan on January 14, 2019 at 2:28 pm
Love the Journal of Misfit Ideas! Thanks for the inspiration. Also, please write a book about your Grandma, PLEASE!
By Carolyn Kraft on January 15, 2019 at 12:06 am
Chapstick on butt crack? Now there’s an image that’ll be stuck in my head for a while! 😀
By Susan Cabael on January 15, 2019 at 3:02 am
Cracking ideas in your journal.
Fearless crazy is a great concept.
By Anne Young on January 15, 2019 at 2:00 pm
I love the title of your journal– it’s a keeper! And you certainly get some of your wit from your Grandmother. She’s a gem! Thank you for sharing your process and a bit of your lowpoints too — we all have them.
By Kelly Rice Schmitt on January 16, 2019 at 12:14 am
I love this! I try to jot down all ideas- even those admittedly nuts. This might only be funny to me but they also may shift into something else.
By Andrew Lefebvre on January 16, 2019 at 12:15 am
Such a great journal! I love the thought of re-reading TJOMI for your own amusement.
By Susan Tuggy on January 16, 2019 at 11:49 am
Maybe this will help me sail away from the island of misfit unpublished writers…
By Lou on January 16, 2019 at 2:08 pm
Thank you for this post. Sometimes I dismiss ideas that seem too wacky. Not anymore!
By Janine Johns on January 16, 2019 at 4:12 pm
I love your grandmothers quotes. I think I’ll use one in conversation and see what happens. A no-judgement idea journal is a great idea.
By Cassie Bentley on January 17, 2019 at 1:38 pm
I love your journal idea – and your misfitting ideas! Thanks for the idea!
By Jill M Proctor on January 17, 2019 at 11:25 pm
Oh wow! I can’t wait to start a Journal of Misfit Ideas and have a good laugh when I need inspiration. Thank you.
By imagination4lf on January 18, 2019 at 12:39 pm
Thank you for a great post. I have a lot of misfit ideas I think
By aturner513 on January 19, 2019 at 2:24 am
I have a lot of misfit ideas that end up in written in weird places. Maybe I should start a book like this!
By readstuffnwrite on January 19, 2019 at 4:51 pm
Definitely fun! You should have heard my grandma!
By cantsing1 on January 20, 2019 at 10:41 am
Such a wonderful idea not to edit our ideas, scribbles and dialogue in our journal.
By dlapmandi on January 20, 2019 at 11:43 am
I love the Island of Misfit Toys! Thanks for reminding me of it. Love this idea.
By Dianne on January 20, 2019 at 1:10 pm
I’m excited to give a misfit journal a try. Thank you, Mike
By Doris k Stone on January 20, 2019 at 2:56 pm
After reading your post, I feel more freedom to write anything in my notebook. Thanks!
By thesheilster on January 20, 2019 at 3:26 pm
Thanks for this fun, inspiring post! I have so many misfit ideas!
By donnacangelosi on January 20, 2019 at 4:22 pm
I have the same kind of journal, but like your name much better 😉
By Lori Z on January 20, 2019 at 11:46 pm
Your grandmother sounds great! I think I’ll channel my grandmother and see where that takes me – she would have written one crazy journal, that’s for sure.
By Angela H. Dale on January 21, 2019 at 12:32 am
Love the misfit ideas idea. Thanks for sharing part of your process.
By Rick Starkey on January 21, 2019 at 6:56 am
Calling it a misfit journal takes the pressure off! Love it!
By Hillary Homzie on January 22, 2019 at 12:49 am
Thanks for the great idea to name my idea journal!
By thedandelionzoo on January 22, 2019 at 2:21 am
Great journal idea. Thank you!
By Paula VanEnkevort on January 22, 2019 at 5:01 pm
I Love This Idea! I have a place I keep all my ideas, but I seem to change it up every Year. I need to try to keep it all in one place
By Rebecca Herzog on January 22, 2019 at 11:05 pm
I have lots of journals but I like the idea of just having one journal for misfit ideas :-).
By sharongiltrow on January 22, 2019 at 11:45 pm
Wow. I need a journal like this.
By annettepimentel on January 24, 2019 at 9:09 pm
I’ve kept my journal on my phone but I really should use a physical journal like yours. Thanks for sharing!!!
By J.D. Silverwood (@jdsilverwood) on January 25, 2019 at 6:11 pm
You crack me up. But I also have found an idea from a Christmas cartoon.Great minds think alike? At least yours is. Thanks so much.
By Robyn Campbell on January 26, 2019 at 10:26 pm
I keep a journal and this post inspires me to do more with it — or rather, in it. Thanks!
By Marie Powell on January 29, 2019 at 12:39 pm
Thank you for sharing, I do need to focus on not editing my journal/sketchbook ideas. Maybe something great will come out of a misfit entry!
By hannahtuohyillustration on January 29, 2019 at 1:07 pm
Love the misfit journal idea and your Grandma too. Farts crooked lol that’s one to remember! Thank you for sharing! Oh and by the way, always been my favorite part of Rudolph!
By Kelly Vavala on January 30, 2019 at 11:36 am
I”m still laughing at the thought that my sweet little friend came up with such unique comebacks. She certainly was a far cry from my grandmother.
By Aunt Elaine on January 30, 2019 at 11:49 am
I have found that one of the things I struggle with the most is editing myself too much in the prewriting phase. I love how you said, “Fearless Crazy is sometimes where the best ideas come from.” There is so much truth in that statement. I think I’ll be hanging that quote up my desk, right by my own journal of misfit ideas. Thank you so much for the inspiration!
By Danielle Hicks on January 30, 2019 at 2:42 pm
This sounds more like my husband’s thoughts, so it might be harder for me to do this, but I am going to give it a try. Thank you!
By higherthanrubies on January 31, 2019 at 9:57 pm
Nice to know there’s a place where misfit ideas can flourish. Thanks.
By Laurie Swindler on January 31, 2019 at 11:43 pm
Great ideas!
By McCourt Thomas on February 1, 2019 at 9:27 am
We’re all just a bunch of misfits anyhow. Love it Mike!
By Lauri Meyers on February 1, 2019 at 10:13 am
Great idea! I like to scribble down random ideas!
By charmaineweston on February 3, 2019 at 2:45 am
Fun post! (I think you should give Pickle Man a chance… 🙂
By Sheri Dillard on February 3, 2019 at 9:07 am
Cute post! Great idea!
By loelmu on February 4, 2019 at 5:05 pm
Your Grandma sounds hilarious!! Great post–thanks so much!
By Becky Shillington on February 5, 2019 at 11:57 am
Thank you Mike! LOVE this hilarious post!
And what about that grandmother! 🙂 What a way with words! (not to use cliche)
By Janet AlJunaidi on February 16, 2019 at 12:16 pm
I think pie is the obvious choice for the friendliest dessert. I can’t wait to read your book to see if this holds true when combined with a dragon.
By teachom on January 26, 2020 at 4:35 pm