BLACK FRIDAY!January 24, 2019 8:00 am
by Pam Calvert (from Thanksgiving 2010)
So, today you’re supposed to be eating lots of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, dressing, pies (emphasis on the plural here)…AND talking (not fighting) with your relatives. Enjoying your day! But still…it IS Picture Book Idea Month and so you’re also supposed to be thinking of a blockbuster picture book idea today as well. But I’m not thinking about today. No. I’m thinking about tomorrow.
BLACK FRIDAY!
Mwahahahaaaa!
And in honor of Black Friday, I’m going to veer off from the normal “how I get my ideas” blog post to a more material slant—something all picture book writers should have sitting with them when they’re about to brainstorm. Something you should ask for Christmas so you can weave all those good ideas into editor-loving stories. It’s something I bought myself (SPLURGED on) several years ago and it helped me brainstorm two of my upcoming picture books.
It’s called the Magna Storyboard Pad (pictured). Notice it has three areas where you can draw and lines for writing. “But WAIT!” you say. “I’M NOT AN ILLUSTRATOR!”
Well, I’m not either, but if you’re going to be a picture book author, you better be visualizing your story even before you start writing. This pad forces you to think in pictures. A lot of times, it’s easy for me to get swept away by my words when I should be visualizing my story first. And since I bought this pad, thinking in pictures has never been easier. And another secret?
No one has to see your pictures!
But I’ll show you some of mine so you’ll feel better about your artistic talent (because it’s gotta be better).
When I started on the sequel to my math adventure, MULTIPLYING MENACE, my editor told me I needed to meld one of my contracted stories with an earlier version of the sequel, MULTIPLYING MENACE DIVIDES. The contracted story was entitled, THE FROG PRINCE IN FRACTIONLAND. That meant I had to apply frogs throughout my original (that didn’t even have a frog in the background.) And I had to apply fractions throughout. This required pictures. Oh yeah, and I needed another villain. Panicking, I grabbed my math books, desperately searching for an idea. But then I remembered the storyboard pads. I hadn’t used them (even though it was at the top of my things to do list). I started with the new villain…
Her name was Diva Divine in a feeble attempt to use a play on words with division. Of course, through revision her name ended up being Matilda, but this is what she ended up looking like in the book:
There’s quite a bit of resemblance and I never had a talk with the illustrator, Wayne Geehan, about the witch. He suspected what she’d be like from her actions. But without my visualization on paper, her character may not have come out so well.
Now, the witch was the easy part. So much fun. I had her reading In Stye magazine and wearing Jimmy Ooze shoes (um…that never made it in the book…ha!).
The next part was thinking in fractions. So, I plotted out every element. Here’s one page example when I had to show how the division magic worked with dividing twelve kittens. I brainstormed some ways I could show this on the storyboard paper:
Not only did I brainstorm dividing the kittens into frogs, but I had to divide things by fractions, which makes a larger number. In the storyboard picture I used frogs, but they ended up being pigs. Here’s the finished page of the kittens.
After I completed this story, I was hooked! I would never again brainstorm without my storypad.
Here’s another example using my newest PRINCESS PEEPERS book entitled, PRINCESS PEEPERS PICKS A PET. These are the initial thoughts. Notice, I’m terrible at illustrating, but the ideas flow much more freely when I use it, and I can tell if my story would lend itself well to illustration. You need at least sixteen different scene changes for a picture book.
Here is Peepers trying to find a pet for the pet show:
She’s frustrated because she can’t find anything (that’s a frog on her head!) In the finished book, she does find the frog and it looks like this:
Before I leave you with your Black Friday find, I’ll show you my newest picture book idea brainstorm.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Pam Calvert is the author of seven picture books. Her most recent title is BRIANNA BRIGHT, BALLERINA KNIGHT illustrated by Liana Hee (Two Lions), about a spunky princess who’s trying to find her talent. Pam is well-known for her award-winning PRINCESS PEEPERS books as well as her math adventure series and is happy to announce that her newest title, FLASH: THE LITTLE FIRE ENGINE, is forthcoming in November 2019! She offers a free picture book workshop, Picture Book University, on her blog as well as a highly praised critique service. You can find Pam on Twitter @pammcalvert.
At the conclusion of Storystorm, prize packs will be given away (books, swag, writing tools). Comment once on this blog post to enter into the prize pack drawing.
You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm participant and you have commented once below.
Good luck!
Posted by Tara Lazar
Categories: STORYSTORM 2019
Tags: Pam Calvert, Princess Peepers, Princess Peepers Picks a Pet, The Multiplying Menace, The Multiplying Menace Divides
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Ohh, and the refills are on sale right now! Thanks for introducing me to something I never even knew I needed. Let’s the brainstorming begin!
By Jennifer G Prevost on January 24, 2019 at 8:14 am
Wow, Pam. You are a better artist than you give yourself credit for. I try to do the same type of visual imagining by using clip art.
By Sherri Jones Rivers on January 24, 2019 at 8:14 am
Daww…thanks, but…don’t tell my artist daughter you said that. She’d cringe! (And good for you to use clip art–any type of visualization helps!)
By Pam Calvert on January 24, 2019 at 10:58 am
Excellent twist on how to get the creative juices flowing – clearly out of my comfort zone but definitely worth a shot. Thanks for the tip!
By Deb Sullivan on January 24, 2019 at 8:17 am
Your very welcome! Glad it helps!
By Pam Calvert on January 24, 2019 at 10:58 am
Clever concept and book. Congratulations and thanks for sharing your process on this one!
By jheitman22 on January 24, 2019 at 8:19 am
Thank you!!!
By Pam Calvert on January 24, 2019 at 10:58 am
Loved reading about how you shape your PB ideas visually!
By Annie Cronin Romano on January 24, 2019 at 8:20 am
Thanks for sharing how pictures help you plan and write your best stories! Great post!
By Jane Dippold on January 24, 2019 at 8:22 am
Looks like a great tool! Thanks for sharing.
By michelemeleen on January 24, 2019 at 8:24 am
Storypads certainly make a difference! Love your illustrations! Especially the one with a frog on Peepers head! Thank you Pam, for sharing, and congratulations on your forthcoming book. Look forward to reading it and participating in your picture book workshop.
By Jo Jo Harder on January 24, 2019 at 8:25 am
Yes! A Magna Board – loving how the story takes on shape and life using this great tool! Thank you for sharing.
By Liz Ski Healey on January 24, 2019 at 8:26 am
Thanks for sharing your creative process!
Gail Hartman
By thecrowsmap on January 24, 2019 at 8:28 am
I’m going to look up the storyboard pad. I hadn’t heard of it. Thanks for sharing your process!
By Amy Houts on January 24, 2019 at 8:29 am
Thanks for sharing how you draw out your story!
By Tina Cho on January 24, 2019 at 8:29 am
Added these to my cart already. They look like fun! Thanks, Pam.
By Michelle O'Hara Levin on January 24, 2019 at 8:31 am
What a great note pad, I’ll have to find one for myself.
By Mel Copeman on January 24, 2019 at 8:40 am
I need this note pad!
By DaNeil Olson on January 24, 2019 at 8:41 am
Thanks for sharing this with us.
By Rick Starkey on January 24, 2019 at 8:42 am
Pam, it is very instructive to see your brainstorming process and how it finally comes together in a published book. I like this notepad! Thank you.
By Kathy Halsey on January 24, 2019 at 8:48 am
Great reminder to visualize, visualize, visualize the story first! Thanks, Pam.
By Suzanne LaLiberte Lewis on January 24, 2019 at 8:58 am
Oh wow. I want. Thank you!
By Johnell DeWitt on January 24, 2019 at 9:01 am
I love the sketching and note-jotting combo.
By Katie Engen on January 24, 2019 at 9:03 am
I have a pad like this. Time to dig it out to use in this way!
By Laura Purdie Salas on January 24, 2019 at 9:06 am
Love how quick sketches + writing adds up to a great story visualized.
By ptnozell on January 24, 2019 at 9:07 am
Oh, I think I might need one of those!
By beckylevine on January 24, 2019 at 9:09 am
I’ve created my own version of Magna Storyboard pages. It’s a great tool for brainstorming.
By Manju B. Howard (@ManjuBeth) on January 24, 2019 at 9:12 am
what a great idea. I will have to check those storyboard pages out.
By mhklump on January 24, 2019 at 9:13 am
I had forgotten about this story pad and definitely can see the value. On my list! Thanks for showing how you use it.
By Jennifer Phillips on January 24, 2019 at 9:14 am
Thanks for the magna storyboard link.
By andreesantini on January 24, 2019 at 9:15 am
Thank you Pam for sharing this important information. Great sketches…
By Mark Bentz on January 24, 2019 at 9:17 am
Wow! You Can draw. I’m off to look at these story pads. Thanks for sharing!
By Tracy Hora on January 24, 2019 at 9:17 am
While I try to get my scenes sorted in my head while writing, I’ve never tried to actually draw them …but if nobody gets to see those sketches except me, maybe I’ll give it a go! It might prove useful with a couple of stories I’m workington right now that don’t feel as if they are really working as yet. Thanks for the tip!
By Joan Longstaff on January 24, 2019 at 9:18 am
Thanks for the great suggestion! I will hunt these down!
By Writer on the run on January 24, 2019 at 9:21 am
Thanks Pam for the advice! I need story pads, too.
By polly renner on January 24, 2019 at 9:22 am
Thanks for sharing your process!
By rimna on January 24, 2019 at 9:25 am
Thanks for sharing your process, Pam. I usually use index cards, but your storyboard pad seems interesting because it keeps sketches and text together in one place. I’ll try it!
By Joana Pastro on January 24, 2019 at 9:28 am
I’ve blocked out text of my stories but never tried penning illustrations before. Fun idea! Thanks, Pam!
By Katie L. Carroll (@KatieLCarroll) on January 24, 2019 at 9:30 am
Amazing! Think visual. I usually use a scratchpad and stick figures – but the Magna Pad will soon be mine.
By Sally Lotz Spratt - Badass 2019🦋 (@SallyLotzSpratt) on January 24, 2019 at 9:31 am
Always so nice to learn something new! Thanks for sharing your process!
By Sherry Howard on January 24, 2019 at 9:32 am
Thanks, Pam. I usually just scribble pictures. But I’ve already ordered the story board pad! Bet they’ll have a run on them!
By Shutta Crum on January 24, 2019 at 9:35 am
Now I’m hungry for turkey. But great idea. I would likely just write what picture I’d see in the picture box since stick figures can only convey so much.
By bgonsar on January 24, 2019 at 9:36 am
I want a Storyboard Pad!!!
By Linda Hofke on January 24, 2019 at 9:42 am
As I’m not an illustrator, I never thought of trying this. Thanks for the great suggestion!
By pathaap on January 24, 2019 at 9:43 am
Thank you, Pam, for this fun reminder to think in words *and* pictures. To use pictures even when drawing is far from our forte. Thanks for the link to your Picture Book University. I took a peek and plan to read through it all in February, i.e. after STORYSTORM! –Kim
By naturewalkwithgod on January 24, 2019 at 9:45 am
This is a great idea!
By supermario6 on January 24, 2019 at 9:45 am
I’ve never heard of a Magna Pad but those sound much better than my sticky notes that soon lose their stick!
By Megan Whitaker on January 24, 2019 at 9:45 am
Thanks for sharing such valuable advice, Pam!
By C.L. Murphy on January 24, 2019 at 9:47 am
Love that you share your inspiration and art with us. I would like to be so brave. Thank you!, Pam!
By gingermeurer on January 24, 2019 at 9:47 am
When I create a dummy for page turns, I often do a quick, horrible sketch to make sure there is action and a change of scene on each page. That pad you use sounds interesting.
By Barbara Senenman on January 24, 2019 at 9:48 am
(Wish I was eating Thanksgiving dinner right now.) The Manga Pad is a great suggestion. As an author/illustrator it should really help bring my #storystorm ideas into focus. Thanks!
By Nancy Colle on January 24, 2019 at 9:50 am
I had forgotten about these…. thanks for the reminder. I think storyboard pads would definitely help me think more about breaking things into visual elements.
By Sue Heavenrich on January 24, 2019 at 9:50 am
Pam the storyboard pad is an excellent idea. Congratulations on your new book.
By Janie Reinart on January 24, 2019 at 9:54 am
Love this!
By Linda Bendor on January 24, 2019 at 9:55 am
Thank you for sharing your process. The pad looks very helpful for visualizing a story. I would love one. Congrats on your success.
By karinlarson on January 24, 2019 at 9:56 am
Wow! Thanks Tara for bringing Pam Calvert’s post back around to us. Had a brainstorm this morning that I’m going to try doodling along with the writing. Pam is a writer’s wealth of picture book lessons. A heartfelt teacher!
By mona861 on January 24, 2019 at 9:56 am
I’m reminded often that they can’t see the pictures in my head.
By Laura Rackham on January 24, 2019 at 9:57 am
Great reminder to storyboard, Pam! I love the math you included in some of your books. Excited to read the new book coming out. Congrats!
By Robin Brett Wechsler on January 24, 2019 at 9:59 am
That is such a great tool! Thank you for sharing.
By teacherwriteracker on January 24, 2019 at 10:00 am
I love that you encourage those who can’t draw to still visualize their storys. One can also clip images, doodle, take photos to help create visuals too. I am an illustrator and I always visualize my story long before my words come to life. Thank you for your post.
By sherilyncook on January 24, 2019 at 10:02 am
This is s really cool concept! I see pictures in my head and I sketched them at the beginning ,I’d spend less time removing too much description from my stories. Thanks!
By Nancy Riley on January 24, 2019 at 10:02 am
Thanks for sharing your sketches. I’m not an illustrator, but you showed us that one doodle can be worth a bunch of words. I’m going to try it!
By Carolyne Ruck on January 24, 2019 at 10:02 am
Interesting. I clearly can visualize my pb as I see them but I have never really thought to draw it out myself.
By shiela fullee on January 24, 2019 at 10:03 am
Thanks for sharing the details of your process. Great ideas.
By SARAH Meade on January 24, 2019 at 10:04 am
well…I just ordered one of those pads. Great ideas.
By Poppy P on January 24, 2019 at 10:12 am
Thanks for helping me add another tool in my toolbox. Your suggestions will help me get the thoughts in my head out onto the page.
By Paula Puckett on January 24, 2019 at 10:12 am
I attended a session on story boarding at Nerd Camp MI. It was pretty similar tho this.
By authoraileenstewart on January 24, 2019 at 10:13 am
I enjoyed your drawings and great idea for using our creativity.
By Mardi Edwards on January 24, 2019 at 10:14 am
Not sure my doodles would ever look that good – but I love the tip to think in both pictures and text and the look back at this post! Congratulations on the new book coming out this year!
By Kim Pfennigwerth on January 24, 2019 at 10:15 am
I tend to sketch scenes in my head, but perhaps I’ll try putting a few on paper and see if it changes my process! Love your sketches!
By Melanie Ellsworth on January 24, 2019 at 10:19 am
Wonderful idea! Thanks!
By nrompella on January 24, 2019 at 10:25 am
This is an interesting concept to help think in terms of pictures and text
together. I loved the sketches you shared.
By June Sengpiehl on January 24, 2019 at 10:27 am
Your idea grabbed me right at the Thanksgiving food! YUM! The Storyboard Pad sounds like a Ninja Juicer for creativity. Thanks, Pam. What a spot-on reminder to play with pictures as much as we play with words–a married pair like peanut butter and jelly. Thanks also for your offering of a Picture Book Workshop.After Storystorm and 12 x 12 dabbling, I’m checking out your workshop. Best of blessings for your continued creative success! Now, about shoe shopping…
By marsha e wright on January 24, 2019 at 10:27 am
Thinking in sixteen different spreads in pictures and text is a wonderful idea. Thank you for sharing your process.
By Carole Calladine on January 24, 2019 at 10:28 am
Thanks for sharing Pam. Visualization is key! I am going to have to try out of these pads and see what I can come up with!
By Jennifer Bower on January 24, 2019 at 10:28 am
Your point about visualizing on paper even if you’re not an illustrator definitely hits home as something I should try. Thank you!
By Alexandra Hinrichs on January 24, 2019 at 10:33 am
Thank you Pam for the helpful post, lots of good ideas😊
By Li’vee Rehfield on January 24, 2019 at 10:34 am
Thank you! I haven’t heard this said before: You need at least sixteen different scene changes for a picture book.
Keeps the pages turning and the illustrations interesting.
By Dea Brayden on January 24, 2019 at 10:36 am
Cool. That note pad looks great
By ryanrobertsauthor on January 24, 2019 at 10:36 am
I like your picture and text idea and will try it, even though I’m not an illustrator and my drawings look like ick. When writing, I do try to visualize my story as if it was a film. Thanks, Pam, for an interesting post.
By Debra Daugherty on January 24, 2019 at 10:38 am
Last year I created a dummy for a story that was causing me problems, and really it helped. Thank you, Pam, for a great post and a reminder to keep sketching! My goal is make dummies for all my stories this year.
By Claire W Bobrow on January 24, 2019 at 10:42 am
Thanks for these tips and sharing your process.
By Susan Macartney on January 24, 2019 at 10:48 am
What a fantastic idea! I’m going to try it. Thank you!
By Jessica Kulekjian on January 24, 2019 at 10:49 am
I love a good organizer, thanks!
By Aimee Isaac on January 24, 2019 at 10:51 am
Brainstorming through pictures, great idea ! Thanks!
By Carol Gwin Nelson on January 24, 2019 at 10:53 am
This post is wonderful and helpful on so many levels. Thank you, Pam.
By Cynthia Hawthorne on January 24, 2019 at 10:59 am
I love this. Putting on my birthday wish list right now. Thank for you for the tip and your insight.
By Deb Huard, Writer on January 24, 2019 at 11:02 am
I love seeing the relationship between the visuals and the writing. My visuals are usually in my head only, but now I see where sketching them out would be helpful. What a great storyboarding tool!
By Amy Newbold on January 24, 2019 at 11:04 am
Such a great tool to help think in pictures! Thanks for sharing and congrats!
By danielledufayet on January 24, 2019 at 11:08 am
I LOVE this tool! Perfect set up to set up your visuals plus have ample space for text. Thanks for the pro tip!
By annjex on January 24, 2019 at 11:08 am
I always visualize my story in my head as I write. Putting those images on paper is much harder! Thanks for your tip. I know storyboarding is the way to go.
By Louann Brown on January 24, 2019 at 11:10 am
What a great way to get your thoughts organized! I’ll have to give it a try.
By Juliana Jones on January 24, 2019 at 11:14 am
Great suggestion to literally get whatever’s in your head onto paper! Thank you!
By Emily on January 24, 2019 at 11:17 am
Using these earlier in the process had never occurred to me. Thanks!
By Mary Worley on January 24, 2019 at 11:17 am
Great idea—may just order one of those pads.
Thank you, Pam!
By Kathryn Hagen on January 24, 2019 at 11:18 am
I love your book–blending math concepts with literary fun and great illustrations! Your visualizations help kids visualize!
By Mary Lou on January 24, 2019 at 11:18 am
As a teacher, I find it interesting that it helps to go back to what we start with in the early grades, draw a picture and then some words. I know my students will love this idea!
By Anne LeBlanc (@AnneLeBlanc2) on January 24, 2019 at 11:18 am
Thank you, Pam for sharing your process. Congratulations!
By Maritza M. Mejía on January 24, 2019 at 11:21 am
I use one of these storyboards with my first grade class. It helps them get their ideas down, especially those that are not strong writers. They can draw a picture and give details there that allows me to help them improve their writing.
By matthewlasley on January 24, 2019 at 11:26 am
What a fun tool. I love it!
By LenoraBiemans (@BiemansLenora) on January 24, 2019 at 11:27 am
I wonder if this is available digitally.
By Michele Helsel on January 24, 2019 at 11:30 am
Thanks for sharing. I’m going to look up those storyboarding pages right now!
By jenabenton on January 24, 2019 at 11:32 am
This was the method I used to teach my kindergarteners to write. They first drew their stories, then they added words to their pictures. It worked for them so it should work for us too.
By Alice Carty Fulgione on January 24, 2019 at 11:34 am
All right! I’m doing this! Working on a revision today, and this will help tremendously. Hmmm…Thanksgiving in January works. Thanks, Pam and Tara!
By carol w Munro on January 24, 2019 at 11:34 am
Awesome post! Thanks!
By Elizabeth Brown on January 24, 2019 at 11:38 am
I’ll bet the Day Timer website is blowing up right about now! What a great tool, thanks for this idea.
By Barbara Farr Renner on January 24, 2019 at 11:38 am
Thank you, Pam, for sharing your process and examples. The Magna Storyboard Pad looks like a great tool to guide the creativity.
By judyrubin13 on January 24, 2019 at 11:39 am
Storyboarding – either on paper or in your mind – is crucial to picture book writing! I’m always keeping pacing and spreads in mind as I move through the writing process. Good advice, Pam.
By Matt Forrest Esenwine on January 24, 2019 at 11:41 am
You’ve sold me on a storyboard pad. And it’s uncanny how similar your ideas are to the illustrations.
By Darcee A Freier on January 24, 2019 at 11:43 am
Thanks for the post.
By Gregory E Bray on January 24, 2019 at 11:43 am
This is awesome! I did not know these exist and since I’m a very visual person, this will be a great help. Thanks!
By Christine Pinto on January 24, 2019 at 11:54 am
I’m going to look for one of these!
By Linda KulpTrout on January 24, 2019 at 11:54 am
I am getting better at making myself storyboard. Thanks for this tool.
By Jane Baskwill on January 24, 2019 at 11:55 am
Ohhhh, great idea! I think this method will help me in a few stories where I am stuck! Thanks!!!
By Angie on January 24, 2019 at 11:59 am
Someone asked a storyboard question in another group I’m a part of…and then I saw this! Makes me think it’s time for a storyboard pad because I, too, tend to think in words. Your sketches are not as bad you think they are. lol. 🙂
By Debbie J Arnn on January 24, 2019 at 11:59 am
I’ve thought of illustrations in my head but never actually put them on paper. Thanks for this tool
By Connie Van Horn on January 24, 2019 at 12:00 pm
Doodle and Doodle to get ideas from your Noodle !
By Stephen S. Martin on January 24, 2019 at 12:03 pm
Thank you for sharing your visually infused process.
By Nancy Kotkin (@Brave_New_Words) on January 24, 2019 at 12:05 pm
Even though Black Friday has long since passed, I’m off to find my Magna Pad! What a great idea. I think it will help me a lot! Congratulations on your upcoming books!
By Frances Kalavritinos on January 24, 2019 at 12:08 pm
Thanks, Pam! I am an illustrator (or trying to be) and I’m going to make some pages like this toot sweet!
By karammitchell on January 24, 2019 at 12:13 pm
I feel like you’ve just single-handedly upped the sales of Magna Pad refills!! That sounds like a genius idea. Thanks for letting us peek into your process. 🙂
By Debbie Meyer on January 24, 2019 at 12:13 pm
Hi Pam. Love this clever idea… much less paper waste than the folded 8 sheet book dummy. This would be great for those first story ideas which can be transferred to a book dummy after the initial rough drafts have been sanded smooth.
By Juliana Lee on January 24, 2019 at 12:14 pm
Thank you for sharing this great tool!
By Catherine Millington on January 24, 2019 at 12:16 pm
You can never have too many writing tools :). Looking forward to FLASH. Thanks, Pam!
By Andria Rosenbaum on January 24, 2019 at 12:18 pm
Wow! I love this idea.
By lindaschueler on January 24, 2019 at 12:18 pm
Can’t wait to try the Storyboard pad!
By Gayle Veitenheimer on January 24, 2019 at 12:19 pm
What a good idea! I’m ready to draw!
By Pamela Harrison on January 24, 2019 at 12:19 pm
Thanks for the reminder to think visually, Pam. And great idea to sketch out ideas as you draft!
By Gabi Snyder on January 24, 2019 at 12:20 pm
I want one! Or a bunch. Thanks for sharing your brainstorming process!
By Lisa Billa on January 24, 2019 at 12:25 pm
This is so awesome, Pam! I’m so bad about story-boarding and pb dummies in my process, so this is an important reminder to just do it! Thank you!
By Sensibility and Sense on January 24, 2019 at 12:27 pm
Thank for for another new tool to add to my growing collection…recipes, drinks, now empowering myself with by visually brainstorming.
By Rinda Beach on January 24, 2019 at 12:33 pm
This was a great post. Thanks for encouraging us to get outside of our usual comfort zones. P.S. I think you should give yourself more credit for your art…your sketches look similar in style to those made by PB illustrators before they do final art ; )
By Dawn Prochovnic on January 24, 2019 at 12:37 pm
Magna Pad is a great idea and quick way to get your thought down as illustration. I eventually have to do similar in order to map out my story and know whether there are enough possible scenes for 32 pages. Thank you.
By Pam Miller on January 24, 2019 at 12:37 pm
Thank you, Tara and Pam, for the helpful post. Mapping out a story as you’ve described is something I’m just starting to do. I’ve been making dummies after my story is written, but sure do see the value in story mapping from the beginning. 👍😃
Thanks!
By Candace Spizzirri on January 24, 2019 at 12:37 pm
This notebook is brilliant–even for us non-illustrator types. I bought it but forgot who recommended it until now. Thanks for this, Pam!
By Rebecca Colby on January 24, 2019 at 12:38 pm
Ah, something I should probably try! Thank you!
By Debra K Shumaker on January 24, 2019 at 12:39 pm
I’ll have to look for that notebook!
By colleenrkosinski on January 24, 2019 at 12:42 pm
Great idea.
By susan on January 24, 2019 at 12:42 pm
Thanks for sharing those “for your eyes only” doodles with us!
By kcareywrites on January 24, 2019 at 12:45 pm
This is great! I had never heard of Storyboard pads before. I typically doodle right along the page, and it gets messy fast. I feel like I’ve been using square wheels all this time. I will definitely add them to my wishlist. Thank you for sharing how you use them in the brainstorming process, Pam. Very helpful.
By Aurora K on January 24, 2019 at 12:47 pm
This is great advice for writers to “visualize” what an illustrator has to do once he/she gets a manuscript. I’m sure it makes their efforts much more effective when we’ve walked in THEIR shoes for a bit of time
By MONICA HARRIS on January 24, 2019 at 12:51 pm
Haha-love your illos! Great info and inspiration! Thank you for sharing!
By Cortney Benvenuto on January 24, 2019 at 12:51 pm
The Storybook pad is a great idea as visualization is crucial!
By Tracey Brown on January 24, 2019 at 12:57 pm
Great idea—I just might need to get some of those pads. Thank you, Pam!
By kathrynjeanhagen on January 24, 2019 at 12:59 pm
I love the idea of doodling with a draft! Your doodles are awesome by the way! Thank you for the post!
By debbeauchamp on January 24, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Thank you, Pam, for the great idea of using Storyboard pads. I’ll have to look for them and get some. I think your drawings and diagrams are terrific even though you aren’t an artist. Maybe you should try illustrating too. That’s for a great post.
By betlw on January 24, 2019 at 1:01 pm
Thanks so much for the tips, Pam!
By Susan Johnston on January 24, 2019 at 1:02 pm
Pam, thank you for sharing with us your creative process by using the storyboard pad! Brilliant!!
By thelmakat on January 24, 2019 at 1:03 pm
Wow! Those pads sound really cool. They may be worth a splurge to try them. As an illustrator I always am thinking visually, but I really like the ease of having the text lines next to the picture box.
By Marie Sanderson on January 24, 2019 at 1:04 pm
I need this storyboard pad in my life!
By Kim Wilson (@AuthorKimWilson) on January 24, 2019 at 1:07 pm
Thank you for sharing!
By Clare Juliet Clare Bell on January 24, 2019 at 1:07 pm
Thanks for the notepad suggestion. Now to practice drawing. I drew a witch on a broom the other day and my son thought it was something completely different.
By Ashley Congdon on January 24, 2019 at 1:09 pm
I am not in the least artistic but if you promise that no one will see them…😂
By Kaylynn Johnsen on January 24, 2019 at 1:12 pm
Thanks for the suggestion, Pam! I doodle when I write too, but not consistently. This pad would be a great reminder! Write and draw on!
By Gretchen Brandenburg McLellan on January 24, 2019 at 1:18 pm
Great resource! Even if I end up writing art notes instead of drawing, I love it!
By Stephanie Shaw on January 24, 2019 at 1:19 pm
PAM: I am SO IN LOVE with the Story Pad! THANK YOU for the heads-up! And by sharing your own examples of use, I can TOTALLY see how they help ideas flow much more freely, and can tell if a story would lend itself well to illustration. SO IMPORTANT!!! I CAN’T WAIT to start using this WONDERFUL tool! THANK YOU!!!
By Natalie Lynn Tanner on January 24, 2019 at 1:22 pm
I wish today were a pie(s) eating day! I will settle for trying to draw a scribble or two while I brainstorm. Thanks for the tip.
By Garnett Natasha on January 24, 2019 at 1:23 pm
It is very surprising how much your doodles end up looking like the illustrations. Thank you for sharing your drawing. I’m a stick figure gal. I’ll try that story pad.
By geobonni on January 24, 2019 at 1:24 pm
Pam, this is a great resource! It is so easy to have thinking and talking carry a story, when action that can be illustrated is required for a picture book! I am looking forward to trying it out! Thank you so much for your post, and for the wonderful gifts you are contributing to StoryStorm!
By writeremmcbride on January 24, 2019 at 1:31 pm
All right, you convinced me, Pam! I’m going to try it! (And hopefully, no one will see my drawings!)
By nicolesalterbraun on January 24, 2019 at 1:32 pm
I’m an illustrator, and I need to be better at doing this too! Brainstorming in pictures. Brilliant.
By Shawna J Tenney on January 24, 2019 at 1:33 pm
Storyboarding has gotten me through the rough spots on many a story. Thanks for reminding me I needn’t wait to use this tool, Pam.
By LeeAnn Rizzuti on January 24, 2019 at 1:36 pm
I am a visual writer. I see the story/scenes in my mind, then formulate the words to best describe it. And I’m artistic. So this idea is right up my alley. 🙂
By Crystal Pham on January 24, 2019 at 1:37 pm
Thanks for the post! I like this.
By Carmen White on January 24, 2019 at 1:41 pm
I’m extremely challenged when it comes to drawing, but I definitely see how this can be useful. Thanks for sharing!
By RebeccaTheWriter on January 24, 2019 at 1:46 pm
I am also not an illustrator. I loved your description of using the special storyboard paper. Thank you for this great idea.
By Kay Phillips on January 24, 2019 at 1:48 pm
Great suggestion, Pam, and I’m already using this technique because i read about it on your website, Woven with Pixie Dust. It really does help. Thank you!
By Arlene Schenker on January 24, 2019 at 1:48 pm
This post gets us all to be a bit more creative! Thank you!
By kathydoherty1 on January 24, 2019 at 1:49 pm
Pam, like the storyboard pad idea. Thanks for sharing once again.
By Cathy Ogren on January 24, 2019 at 1:49 pm
I was wanting something like this and didn’t know it existed! Thank you.
By LAUREN BARBIERI on January 24, 2019 at 1:52 pm
Thanks for sharing the manga story board. What a great resource.
By Bettie Boswell on January 24, 2019 at 1:54 pm
I need these storyboards in my life! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
By rgstones on January 24, 2019 at 1:57 pm
I always keep those magna pages when the kids bring extras home from school. They are great!
By Lauri Meyers on January 24, 2019 at 2:01 pm
I love this as a brainstorming tool, Pam 🙂 Granted, I’m an illustrator and naturally think in pictures, but just as this shows, when you visualize images ON “PAPER” it can help your entire creative process 😀
By writersideup on January 24, 2019 at 2:02 pm
Great brainstorming tool, thanks so much!
By Katie Williams on January 24, 2019 at 2:04 pm
Great ideas for getting images onto paper and into words! Thanks so much, Pam!
By donnacangelosi on January 24, 2019 at 2:10 pm
Thanks for sharing this tool!
By alisongoldberg on January 24, 2019 at 2:12 pm
I’m not a real illustrator either. I can draw, but not with the creativity that professionals who illustrate children’s books do. Those little pads look wonderful. Definitely going to give them a try. I think it does help to lay out your story in dummy fashion. That was one of the things we did in the picture book class I took at the Australian Writers Insititute online.
By Chelle Martin on January 24, 2019 at 2:27 pm
Great past post!
By Jessica Potts on January 24, 2019 at 2:29 pm
What a great idea! I’m going to draw my own for now, then order the real thing if I find it helpful ( which I think I will! ) Thank you for sharing!
By Kelly Vavala on January 24, 2019 at 2:37 pm
Such great advice! Thank you!
By Ms. Schubé on January 24, 2019 at 2:40 pm
Ordering now! Thanks a bunch!
By Laurel Ranveig Abell on January 24, 2019 at 2:54 pm
Thank you great advice.
By Dayne Sislen, Children's Book Illustrator on January 24, 2019 at 2:56 pm
Great post, well worth the revisit. Thanks!
By Daryl Gottier on January 24, 2019 at 3:08 pm
Great idea! I need to get one. Thanks for sharing.
By Ellen Sirianni on January 24, 2019 at 3:26 pm
I realized I need to carry a paper note book to draw my ideas for books because I use my phone to record my ideas. But I have a visual idea, and it would really help me to have paper notebook. I have the small tiny moleskin, but I cannot draw on it;. So I got me a medium size one and I am so excited to draft my ideas for children’s books. SO EXCITED! I COULD JUST SPIT!
By Jean Nahomni Mani on January 24, 2019 at 3:27 pm
Thanks for the great ideas!! As an animator we also use similar Thumb notes pages. Thanks so much for the idea to use them in picture books as well.
By leeanimator on January 24, 2019 at 3:31 pm
Interesting approach. Thanks!
By writeknit on January 24, 2019 at 3:35 pm
Oh, thank you, Pam! I LOVE this! I take the Pixar story classes on Khan Academy and I have wanted a storyboard pad. I’m actually excited to get back to reviewing my WIP’s now!
By mariaordish on January 24, 2019 at 3:38 pm
This sounds really fun! I’m looking forward to trying it.
By Jacqueline Adams on January 24, 2019 at 3:39 pm
I love that note pad! Thanks for the tips and showing us your writing process, Pam!
By Aimee Satterlee on January 24, 2019 at 3:39 pm
How cool to see your sketches next to the actual book. Great idea to keep the imagery alive in us. Thanks for the post!
By Jennifer on January 24, 2019 at 3:49 pm
I love your concept! Thanks for the tips, Pam. P.s. How did you feel when some of your play on words didn’t make the book? I like playing on words but you did get published in the end so that’s awesome. I’ll be checking out your books and your university 😉
By Latasha Vernon on January 24, 2019 at 3:50 pm
I love using those storyboard pads!!
By lizricewrites on January 24, 2019 at 3:51 pm
I love how you’ve doodled your way into the stories, Pam. Terrific books.
By Kaye Baillie on January 24, 2019 at 4:04 pm
Great post, thank you for the helpful advice! I just listened to a webinar where an agent mentioned how helpful it is to sketch your own “illustrations” in order to keep the picture of the story in mind.
By sarahheturadny on January 24, 2019 at 4:05 pm
I try to storyboard after a first or second draft, but I’ve never tried using one as I write. I’ll have to see if it helps – thanks for the idea!
By Sandy Perlic on January 24, 2019 at 4:11 pm
Pam, I love using those pads. I found similar loose paper at Levanger. It is so very helpful, even for us non-illustrators. Thanks for showing how you use it.
By Maria Marshall on January 24, 2019 at 4:13 pm
I hope I can find the Magna Storyboard Pad on Amazon. And I love that you shared your illustrations with us so we (meaning those of us who are not illustrators) would be more inclined to draw!
By celticsea on January 24, 2019 at 4:16 pm
Thank you for your post Pam. I appreciate the reminder to use a storyboard as I write my picture books. I have gotten out of that habit and I need to start doing that again!
Congratulations on your upcoming books.
By Heather Kelso on January 24, 2019 at 4:17 pm
as an author-illustrator I can tell you this is spot on – visualizing the story on paper is the only way for me! thanks
By aidantalkin on January 24, 2019 at 4:20 pm
What fun! I had never heard of Magna Pad before and I used to use DayTimer. Thanks for a great idea for brainstorming!
By Teresa Robeson on January 24, 2019 at 4:21 pm
I am indeed worse at illustrating, but this idea is truly liberating and I will try it. Thank you for sharing your illustrations.
By stephaniewildman on January 24, 2019 at 4:22 pm
Can’t wait to check out thr Magna Storyboard Pad. Thanks so much for the suggestion. Looking forward to your fire truck book later in the year.
By Maria Bostian on January 24, 2019 at 4:31 pm
Visualization is so important. Great suggestions!
By Rebecca Thill (@rkthill) on January 24, 2019 at 4:34 pm
Thanks for sharing your sketches and process. Visualization and art are difficult for me since i have NVLD and Words are my World!
By authoryvonafast on January 24, 2019 at 4:44 pm
The pad looks cool. I find dummies so helpful, even as a non-illustrator, but usually don’t mess with them until my stories are pretty far along. It’ll be fun to try to visualize and even think about page turns earlier on in the process and see where things go. Thanks.
By hmmmmm on January 24, 2019 at 4:48 pm
The Magna Storyboard Pad is a great idea. I will have to get one.
By Suzanne Alexander on January 24, 2019 at 5:08 pm
I’ve so often wished I could draw for my PB manuscripts. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve said, “I can see the pictures for this but I can’t draw them.” This idea is a good start – especially as I am the only one who would see them.
By Kellie on January 24, 2019 at 5:21 pm
Thanks, Pam. To the drawing board!
By David McMullin on January 24, 2019 at 5:27 pm
I need a lot of help visualizing my story first and the storyboard pad looks like a great companion!
By Lori Dubbin on January 24, 2019 at 5:28 pm
Pam, so happy to learn about the Magna Storyboard Pad! Thank you for sharing your use of it to create those fab stories that you write 🙂
By chardixon47 on January 24, 2019 at 5:28 pm
Thank you, Pam, for sharing your process and introducing me to the Magna Story Board Pad.
Suzy Leopold
By Prairie Garden Girl on January 24, 2019 at 5:37 pm
Thanks for sharing your process! I love the idea of the pad. Usually, I “layout” everything in my head. This would be a big change for me, but I see the benefits of being able to go back and look at it much, much later.
By karengreenwald2985 on January 24, 2019 at 5:57 pm
Thank you for sharing how you’ve used the Magna Storyboard Pad as a tool to visualize a story–before you even start writing. I like the idea of forcing myself to think in pictures instead of relying on the images in my head! Great post, Pam. Congrats on Flash–I’m looking forward to reading it.
By Lucretia on January 24, 2019 at 6:04 pm
I love the idea of sketching out ideas. I’m not an illustrator, but I recently started using a big sketchbook when I’m brainstorming and figuring out a story and it really helped me. Just having big paper and the freedom to fill it with story was helpful.
By Andrea Mack on January 24, 2019 at 6:05 pm
Those pads look great. Great advice! Thank you!
By Tara Hannon on January 24, 2019 at 6:13 pm
Very helpful–Thanks!!!
By Debbi G on January 24, 2019 at 6:25 pm
Love the Magna Storyboard pad! Thank you for sharing your drawings and ideas!
By Amy Bradshaw on January 24, 2019 at 6:25 pm
So important to think about the picture on each page!
By Janet Halfmann on January 24, 2019 at 6:32 pm
Thanks for sharing your process!
By Alicia on January 24, 2019 at 6:38 pm
Love your PB University! And now I’ll check out the storyboard idea. Makes sense to focus more on the pictures, even for us non-illustrators.
By marty bellis on January 24, 2019 at 6:43 pm
Thanks for the Magna Storyboard tip!
By Sara Matson on January 24, 2019 at 6:43 pm
Magna Storyboard Pad! Thanks for the recommendation!
By Amanda Davis on January 24, 2019 at 6:46 pm
This is great! Thanks for sharing your drawings!
By Erika Henkart on January 24, 2019 at 6:53 pm
Even though the illustrator may come up with different pictures, it’s fun to imagine what might be drawn, but the illustrator often adds a new dimension to the story. Thanks for sharing your process.
By Shirley on January 24, 2019 at 7:04 pm
Great idea, thank you!
By Melissa Mwai on January 24, 2019 at 7:08 pm
Thanks for sharing, Pam. BTW, your drawing look much better than mine 🙂
By Sue Frye on January 24, 2019 at 7:09 pm
I will have to order this story pad. Thanks Pam!
By K.A.Steed on January 24, 2019 at 7:14 pm
Thanks for the ideas. I’ll get sketching on my next new idea!
By Heather Stigall on January 24, 2019 at 7:16 pm
Thanks for sharing your storyboard pad tool and how you’ve used it!
By Buffy Silverman on January 24, 2019 at 7:18 pm
This is a really great idea! I can usually picture what I want in my head and write an art note, but this is better! Thanks for the suggestion!
By ssafra22 on January 24, 2019 at 7:27 pm
Enjoyed your post about how you BRAINSTORM.
By Jenifer McNamara on January 24, 2019 at 7:31 pm
This is very similar to how an illustrator works (and draws) in the beginning stages! Great post!
By Sarah Noble on January 24, 2019 at 7:48 pm
OK, I’m in…..and off to amazon. Great post.
By Linda Mitchell on January 24, 2019 at 7:54 pm
Great method of brainstorming!
By Lori Mozdzierz on January 24, 2019 at 7:56 pm
That’s a fun idea for shaking up the idea-creating routine!
By jaclynsmiller on January 24, 2019 at 8:00 pm
Love this idea! I had never heard of a Magna Storyboard Pad before. Thanks for sharing!
By Kristen Tipman on January 24, 2019 at 8:02 pm
Getting to this late in the day and even though I have a framed dummy board I use grease pencil on I will try using this idea and see if it helps with my story arc and escalation of trouble.
By Sheri Radovich on January 24, 2019 at 8:04 pm
Thanks for the post and the helpful tool!
By Rona Shirdan on January 24, 2019 at 8:13 pm
This is very helpful, thanks!
By Charlotte Offsay on January 24, 2019 at 8:24 pm
I’ve heard so many great things about Pam Calvert as a mentor and writer. Thanks for all the support and wonderful tools you share with other writers!
By Mary Miller on January 24, 2019 at 8:28 pm
Thanks so much for your suggestions, and your books sound wonderful!
By denarose on January 24, 2019 at 9:04 pm
It’s astonishing to see how closely some of your sketches resemble the artist’s final product! I’ve never used this style of storyboard and am excited to give it a whirl.
By annettepimentel on January 24, 2019 at 9:06 pm
Love reading about your process!
By Sara A on January 24, 2019 at 9:13 pm
This was great! I’m an illustrator first and working on writing. I may need to check that out!
By Melissa Escobar on January 24, 2019 at 9:21 pm
I’ve only recently started dummying. I too am not an illustrator, but it’s been very helpful for pacing and page turns. But I hadn’t really thought about doing character studies – cool idea. I’ll have to check out those papers. Thanks.
By Angela H. Dale on January 24, 2019 at 9:22 pm
Is it an actual paper pad or an electronic gizmo?
By kiwijenny on January 24, 2019 at 9:32 pm
You are not too shabby at illustrating!
By Stephanie Williams on January 24, 2019 at 9:33 pm
This is such a great idea! I love to sketch (though I am not very good) and I’ve used the storyboarding technique before, but have never actually drawn out scenes. Sound fun and helpful!
By Becky Shillington on January 24, 2019 at 9:36 pm
This really is a great idea, especially to figure out page turns and pacing. Thanks!
By Jodi Mckay on January 24, 2019 at 9:37 pm
Sigh…….I wish I could draw…..
By James Arthur on January 24, 2019 at 9:38 pm
Oh, wow. . . Great idea. Thanks for sharing!
By Janice Woods on January 24, 2019 at 9:51 pm
Thanks for the idea of sketching. I am not an artist, but I will try. I do love to doodle…
By carmelamccainsimmons on January 24, 2019 at 9:58 pm
I love your idea. Can’t wait to try it. Thanks!
By Cinzia V. on January 24, 2019 at 9:58 pm
Interesting take! I’m definitely going to try some sketches first.
By Jennifer Hunt on January 24, 2019 at 10:00 pm
Thank you Pam for sharing your post and story boards.
Great to think visually!!
By megcason1 on January 24, 2019 at 10:21 pm
Thank you for the great ideas! I will have to look into this!
By Sandy Foster on January 24, 2019 at 10:28 pm
This beats the notebook I use right now. Thanks for sharing!
By https://katiewalsh.blog/ on January 24, 2019 at 10:29 pm
An oldie but goodie! Thanks for the idea!
By Sylvia Grech on January 24, 2019 at 10:29 pm
Great visual design method!
By Amy Harding on January 24, 2019 at 10:30 pm
Wow! I will need to reread this. There is a lot of good info.
By Sharon Nix Jones on January 24, 2019 at 10:41 pm
I love the idea of using this special pad of paper. I love sketching out pics of my main characters to help me write them better. There was so much great info here, I need to reread this post again. Many thanks!
By Leslie Leibhardt Goodman - Writer on January 24, 2019 at 10:56 pm
Thank you for storypad. It helps bring clarity to the writing when you can visualize it. Dividing kittens was absolutely delightful 😊
By Cathy Pledger on January 24, 2019 at 11:09 pm
I just love this!! Thank you so much for this post!
By CJ Penko on January 24, 2019 at 11:15 pm
Great to revisit this post. Congrats on FLASH. The cover is adorable!
By Lori Alexander on January 24, 2019 at 11:31 pm
Thank you!
By moviemommie on January 24, 2019 at 11:40 pm
I love your spider! It’s filled with personality. Did it ever make its way into a book? (Also, thank you for participating in WWTS.)
By Janet Frenck Sheets on January 24, 2019 at 11:41 pm
Thanks for sharing!
By Erica Joseph on January 24, 2019 at 11:57 pm
Thanks for the great ideas to strengthen my skills and stories! It’ll streamline my process and hopefully make for better stories before the 12th draft. 🙂
By Charlene Avery on January 25, 2019 at 12:01 am
Brilliant reminders. I love these pads, and also found others online for those who prefer bigger drawing spaces with words beneath, and even loads of varied ones that can be bought or printed from online. Also will be looking into Pam’s FREE mini-workshop – actually a series of classes – and shared with my critique group.
So much shared – received – warms my heart about this community. None of this existed when I first began trying to make picture books, and isolation can be a tough thing to keeping motivated or learning craft well. Thank you for this share. I am an illustrator as well, but will be using storyboard paper [or even drawing my own boxes. I’ve done this in the past, but sometimes forget – jump in too quickly to the individual spreads on my computer. Often jumping in wastes a lot of time in the long run. Getting a layout in front of me, with those 14-16 spreads, I can see better where to move things, cut and edit, before drawing in so many details and then losing those spreads.
Right in this moment, I’ve been using a huge pad to just brainstorm a lot of characters, outfits, ideas on a single theme, which is great, But realized having a layout in front of me could turn these ideas more quickly into a full book.
bonnie fireurchin lambourn
By fireurchin on January 25, 2019 at 12:13 am
Thanks for sharing and inspiring.
By Kim D on January 25, 2019 at 12:14 am
Great post!
By Heather Gallagher on January 25, 2019 at 12:19 am
This is awesome, I must get a Magna Storyboard Pad! It looks super helpful for the PB creative process.
By Carolyn Kraft on January 25, 2019 at 12:28 am
Thank you for sharing your ideas using this approach.
By Trine Grillo on January 25, 2019 at 12:36 am
Love the format with the thumbnail and lines for text on the same storyboard. I’ll have to try that!
By Rebekah Lowell on January 25, 2019 at 12:45 am
Definitely something I must work on. Visualizing stories first!
By Keila Dawson on January 25, 2019 at 12:52 am
Great advice! Thanks very much!
By Nancy Ramsey on January 25, 2019 at 12:58 am
Villains, frogs, kittens, and pigs…love it. I enjoyed seeing your ideas come to life.
By Cheryl Malandrinos on January 25, 2019 at 1:14 am
Pam, this is awesome! Thank you for sharing!
By Rani Iyer on January 25, 2019 at 1:26 am
Thanks for sharing.
By Tanya Shock on January 25, 2019 at 1:34 am
Super idea; thank you!
By Moon Bishop on January 25, 2019 at 1:59 am
Love it!
By Nicole Vuong on January 25, 2019 at 3:01 am
Thanks for the inspiration! Can’t wait to check out your books.
By Aimee on January 25, 2019 at 3:09 am
Great idea for even us non-illustrators to think of using pictures side-by-side with our words
By 8catpaws on January 25, 2019 at 4:26 am
This sounds like a great way to plot out my story as well as to be sure I’m working well with the illustrations.
By tanyakonerman on January 25, 2019 at 7:03 am
Pam, my fingers can’t order the Magna Storyboard Pad fast enough!! You are my story Fairy Godmother!!
Thank-you!!!!
By Lucy Staugler on January 25, 2019 at 8:43 am
Thank you for sharing your creative process Pam! I’ve been using index cards and sketching ideas on the back so its similar, but I like that you have it all on one side. Will be checking this out!
By Lisa L Furness on January 25, 2019 at 9:00 am
A storyboard pad?! Mind blown … getting one asap! Thanks for the great advice!
By Jen Bagan on January 25, 2019 at 9:16 am
I would need the pad for the math alone (blech). Off to Google Manga Storyboard Pad. Thanks!
By Valarie Giogas on January 25, 2019 at 9:19 am
Hi Pam, I remember this blog from PBIDMO – I asked for the pads for Christmas as you suggested and have been using them ever since. Great for brainstorming and also great for PB dummy and revisions. Thanks for turning me on to these.
By Angela De Groot on January 25, 2019 at 9:35 am
This was such a great post! I need to get myself some of these storyboard pads. They look fantastic!
By Ashley Bankhead on January 25, 2019 at 9:53 am
I just ordered the Magna Storyboard Pad. Thank you!
By Patricia Alcaro on January 25, 2019 at 9:53 am
Thank you so much, this setup works great!
By Joan Swanson on January 25, 2019 at 10:00 am
This looks like a useful tool! Thanks for sharing what works for you!
By melissamiles1 on January 25, 2019 at 10:03 am
Love the storyboard paper. What a great post.
By Nicole Turner on January 25, 2019 at 10:07 am
Pam, thank you for suggesting the storyboard pad! I’ll have to look into that. I admire your abilities to do all the math for your books. I don’t think I was born with a left side to my brain:)
By Krista Harrington on January 25, 2019 at 10:16 am
Love the storyboard pad! Did not realize they made those – thanks!
By smpeace on January 25, 2019 at 10:20 am
I am an author/illustrator so I do tend to think visually, but this is an important post for those who don’t. Thinking about page turns, arcs, and protagonist characteristics will make for a stronger story.
By debobrienbookscom on January 25, 2019 at 10:27 am
Thank you for the resource-full ideas!
By Nora Fry on January 25, 2019 at 10:57 am
Wow — what an interesting way to break down your idea into pages. Thanks so much for sharing!
By Lynne Marie on January 25, 2019 at 10:58 am
Love this idea! Thanks for sharing!
By cravevsworld on January 25, 2019 at 10:58 am
I’ve been working to storyboard my MS mostly to think about page turns and illustrations that are different on each page. Even with stick figures it’s helpful!
By authorlaurablog on January 25, 2019 at 11:58 am
Thanks for introducing me to the storyboard pad. What a novel idea!
By Judy Pressler on January 25, 2019 at 12:22 pm
I’m going to look that pad up. Sounds like fun tool to have on hand.
By setwiggs on January 25, 2019 at 12:47 pm
Interesting concept and great template –thanks. Most writers find it counterintuitive to draw and then add text, unless the illustration consists of a photo to stimulate memory, but I’ll give it a try.
By Poupette Smith on January 25, 2019 at 12:47 pm
Perfectly depicted idea, Pam! Thanks.
By Barb Ostapina on January 25, 2019 at 12:49 pm
Thank you for sharing.
By mlflannigan on January 25, 2019 at 1:11 pm
Thank you for this idea. I am still pushing myself to sketch with writing. This might just do the trick. And math, another strange fear I need tosubtract from my brain.
By Sarah Tobias on January 25, 2019 at 1:19 pm
Thanks for the great ideas Pam Calvert!
By Mary Jane on January 25, 2019 at 1:24 pm
Love how closely your drawing matches the finished art!!
By Shanah Salter on January 25, 2019 at 1:49 pm
Thank you for sharing. We love your Math Books!
By Carolyn Currier on January 25, 2019 at 2:08 pm
Okay….now I want a story pad. I like the idea of “picturing” the story first.
By higherthanrubies on January 25, 2019 at 2:17 pm
I love this, can’t wait to try it out.
By Helen Lysicatos on January 25, 2019 at 2:20 pm
Thanks for the reminder to think visually! A PB MS really has no legs to stand on, without dynamic illustration potential.
By Jennifer Broedel (@JBroedelAuthor) on January 25, 2019 at 2:31 pm
I’m not an illustrator, either, but I use an old teaching planner to sketch out my stories. It really helps my pacing to visualize!
By laura516 on January 25, 2019 at 2:41 pm
I could really benefit from seeing my books as scenes when I’m creating them. Thanks for the reminder that we don’t need to be illustrators to use art to make our stories better!
By jessicadunnagan on January 25, 2019 at 3:02 pm
Yup. I ordered one. Can’t hurt – that’s for sure…
By Genevieve Petrillo on January 25, 2019 at 3:15 pm
When we used Step Up to Writing in school, we used the Quick Sketch Method for narrative writing. A great tool!
By Shereen S. on January 25, 2019 at 3:27 pm
I do my initial story ideas similarly too. Its really helpful in thinking of the whole, before getting too attached to things
By Mirka on January 25, 2019 at 3:39 pm
Thanks for sharing!
By writeforapples1 on January 25, 2019 at 3:40 pm
Awesome! Time to start doodling. Thanks for sharing!
By Kelly Ohlert on January 25, 2019 at 3:42 pm
What a great tool Thanks for sharing!
By Sara Pistulka Weingartner on January 25, 2019 at 5:08 pm
This is a great idea! Some of my ideas come from a picture in my head even before I even come up with a story idea.
By Laurie Bouck on January 25, 2019 at 5:15 pm
Thanks for the tip!
By Helen Matthews on January 25, 2019 at 5:27 pm
Thanks for sharing!
By angie9091 on January 25, 2019 at 5:32 pm
What a cool idea. I didn’t know about these storyboards. Looks like a lot of fun!
By Teresa Traver on January 25, 2019 at 5:45 pm
Super (and only a teensie bit scary) idea, and so nicely shared. Gosh, your books sound and look wonderful-keep it up!
By Gail Hedrick on January 25, 2019 at 5:53 pm
Pam, What a useful tool! Thank you for sharing it. I see some drawing in my future.
By Nancy Ferguson on January 25, 2019 at 6:21 pm
Pam, I’m a better writer than illustrator, but I appreciate your invitation to try my hand at thinking in pictures too. Thank you for the link to the magna story pads.
By Peggy Jaegly on January 25, 2019 at 7:33 pm
I illustrate as well as you, what a relief. This is a perfect tool to combine writing and sketches for picture books. I cannot wait to read Brianna Bright and Flash: The Little Red Fire Engine in November.
By Cassie Bentley on January 25, 2019 at 8:02 pm
I love the idea of using a Magna Storyboard pad! Thank you for sharing Pam. 🙂
By heidikyates on January 25, 2019 at 8:54 pm
How funny that the illustrated witch actually looked a lot like your drawing! Thanks for the helpful suggestions.
By Jennifer on January 25, 2019 at 9:21 pm
I never thought to try illustrating my picture book drafts to help flesh out the ideas. I am not an artist, but I can see from Pam’s illustrations you don’t need to be – it’s the ideas that counts. Great suggestion.
By Debra Katz on January 25, 2019 at 10:03 pm
Thanks for introducing such a helpful tool and strategy!
By Steve Schwartz on January 25, 2019 at 10:17 pm
Had turkey for dinner and enjoyed your post. So glad that you shared your artwork. Great idea!
By susanzonca on January 25, 2019 at 10:34 pm
Thank you for sharing.
By Jane Serpa on January 25, 2019 at 11:34 pm
I love the magna storyboard pad I’ll have to hunt one down :-).
By sharongiltrow on January 26, 2019 at 5:40 am
I’ve never tried to draw. What a great way to get to know your characters! Thanks for inspiring me.
By Suzanne Poulter Harris on January 26, 2019 at 7:08 am
Thanks for sharing the storyboard idea!
By Erik Ammon on January 26, 2019 at 8:07 am
Much appreciated!
By Shel ledrew on January 26, 2019 at 8:12 am
I recently started to sketch out a story on index cards (even though I am also not an illustrator) but love the idea of this pad. Thanks!
By marykatesmithdespres on January 26, 2019 at 10:30 am
Love the storyboard idea and the name of the storyboard.
By dlapmandi on January 26, 2019 at 10:33 am
Thanks, Pam! I loved seeing your initial sketches paired with the final illustrations.
By kristenrashid on January 26, 2019 at 12:42 pm
Thank you! Very helpful!
By Midge Ballou Smith on January 26, 2019 at 12:48 pm
Thank you for sharing!
By Anna Levin on January 26, 2019 at 2:29 pm
Thank you for the encouragement to sketch scenes from the story. Great suggestion!
By Paula VanEnkevort on January 26, 2019 at 2:44 pm
I’ve started using drawing to plan, super useful!
By readstuffnwrite on January 26, 2019 at 2:45 pm
Thanks for sharing! Love the Magna Sotryboard Pad idea.
By Cheryl Johnson on January 26, 2019 at 3:25 pm
I’ll welcome the Magna Storyboard Pad it into my writing home from now on. It might just be what I’ve been looking for to bridge my text with the visualizations of the illustrators pictures.
By Hank Dallago on January 26, 2019 at 3:47 pm
While I am not an artist, I am a visual thinker and am excited to try the storyboard pad idea. Thanks so much!
By curryelizabeth on January 26, 2019 at 3:58 pm
Great idea! Thank you!
By Kathy O'Neill on January 26, 2019 at 4:25 pm
Thanks for the reminder – so important to think in pictures!
By Carrie Finison on January 26, 2019 at 4:29 pm
Interesting writer’s tool. I installed a large whiteboard in my basement that I use similarly. Thanks for your post.
By kmajor2013 on January 26, 2019 at 4:50 pm
Tara, thanks for sharing Pam’s post again. I wasn’t around for the first time, and it has a wealth of useful tools. I’ve developed storyboards for kids to use for their creative process, and can use a variation for my own work. Pam’s Picture Book University is a goldmine!
By Joannie Duris on January 26, 2019 at 6:47 pm
Thinking in pictures is so hard for non-illustrators. But I have finally learned and that puts me ahead of the game. Thanks, Tara. (BTW, I’m up to 130 ideas now.)
By Robyn Campbell on January 26, 2019 at 9:50 pm
What a great post! I love the idea of storyboarding the manuscript!
By Jolene Ballard Gutierrez on January 26, 2019 at 10:33 pm
What a cool resource! Thanks for telling us about it and also showing us how you use it.
By Karan Greene on January 26, 2019 at 11:17 pm
I wonder if the sketching activates a different region of the brain, helping to get ideas flowing?
By Lou on January 26, 2019 at 11:42 pm
Omg this is so inspiring. I tired thinking in stick figured before and thought it was stupid, I won’t think that anymore!!
By Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez on January 27, 2019 at 12:43 am
Thank you Pam for the resource suggestion! I love to use storyboard templates with my students too! It certainly leads to better products in the end and many enjoy the collaborative process with a classmate.
By Robin Robb-Kraus on January 27, 2019 at 12:58 am
I’m a visual writer so it’s easy for me to create pictures in my mind as I write.
Great post!
By storycatcherpublishing on January 27, 2019 at 1:23 am
Great. I am a visual person and I need a clear picture of my writing. I draw sometimes and even do collage sometimes too!
Thank you!
By Maria J Cuesta on January 27, 2019 at 5:53 am
Thank you for the ideas and the advice on visualizing and not “only” writing.
By Freda Lewkowicz on January 27, 2019 at 8:04 am
Fun, fun and more fun! Now I can have even more fun with PB writing!
By Patti Ranson (@pcakeran) on January 27, 2019 at 8:58 am
I am a big list-maker so the Magna Storyboard pad is right up my alley! Thank you for sharing your process.
By Amalia Reef on January 27, 2019 at 9:53 am
I’ve never heard of these storyboard pads but it is really cool how your sketches ended up being so similar to the finished art. Thanks for sharing!
By Kristin Wauson on January 27, 2019 at 10:32 am
I need a storyboard pad. I’m very visual while I write but don’t draw. Going to get one now! Thank you.
By Carolyn Lucas on January 27, 2019 at 10:36 am
Great advice!
By Lynn Alpert on January 27, 2019 at 12:04 pm
Fabulous resources on your blog, thank you!
By Lucky Jo Boscarino on January 27, 2019 at 12:23 pm
The storyboard pad is a fantastic idea. I can find the refills but am still trying to figure out what cover works with the holes on the top. More coffee is probably needed.
By rrmalin on January 27, 2019 at 12:44 pm
Thank you for revealing how your ideas evolved and the storyboard pad tip
By topangamaria on January 27, 2019 at 1:02 pm
That’s going on my birthday list! Thank you!
By Susanne Whitehouse on January 27, 2019 at 2:57 pm
I will try this, since it sounds very helpful. Thanks, Pam.
By Jim Chaize on January 27, 2019 at 3:00 pm
Thanks for touching on the importance of thinking in scenes and pictures!
By Jen Fier Jasinski on January 27, 2019 at 3:36 pm
This is so timely: I just bought a small dry erase board at the Dollar Store. Thanks for the ideas!
By Marie Powell on January 27, 2019 at 5:05 pm
Want to know more about those math adventures and try, yes try, drawing. Not my skill, but visualizing is important. Thank you, Pam.
By Zoraida Rivera on January 27, 2019 at 5:38 pm
As a word-not-image artist, I find your suggestion beyond my sphere of resources…and beyond my comfort zone! Thank you for offering the storyboard as a possible avenue for untapped creativity. 😊
By joyceschr on January 27, 2019 at 6:02 pm
The Magna Storyboard pad looks brilliant. It’s fascinating how you visualized your characters, and how closely the artist did too. Such great ideas, thank you!
By jeanjames926 on January 27, 2019 at 6:20 pm
Thanks for the idea!
By Joyce on January 27, 2019 at 6:36 pm
Thanks for the great idea.
By Andrew Lefebvre on January 27, 2019 at 7:17 pm
Thank you for giving us a peek into your process. It’s so fascinating to see how your drawings and the finished illustrations compare. Thank you for this post!
By Anne Appert on January 27, 2019 at 7:36 pm
I had never heard of a Magna Storyboard pad before reading this. Now, I MUST have one…or maybe ten….
By Jilanne Hoffmann on January 27, 2019 at 8:05 pm
Fun way to develop characters and show page turns! Thanks!
By Jill on January 27, 2019 at 9:27 pm
I guess it makes sense that I would need to “picture” my picture book manuscript while creating it! 🙂 Thanks Pam!
By Nicole Loos Miller (@beautify_life) on January 27, 2019 at 10:18 pm
Thanks for reposting this, Pam. I remember seeing it the first time around and though I’ve never gotten that Manga pad, this is a helpful reminder that picture books are >50% pictures, lol! 😉
By J.D. Silverwood (@jdsilverwood) on January 27, 2019 at 10:27 pm
I love drawing along with my story ideas. A lot of times I start drawing first and story ideas come out. Thank you for the post!
By aturner513 on January 27, 2019 at 11:01 pm
I AM an illustrator, and hadn’t heard of that exact format of storyboard pad before so…COOL!
Michele Katz Grieder
By creationsbymit on January 27, 2019 at 11:38 pm
The Magna Storyboard Pad looks like such a fun (and useful) tool! I look forward to diving deeper into visualizing my words.
By Jenny Boyd on January 27, 2019 at 11:52 pm
I appreciate the reminder to run each ms through a sketch-up. It’s a corner I’m guilty of cutting, but it really does make a difference. Thanks, Pam!
By Michelle Sumovich on January 28, 2019 at 2:37 am
I’m laughing at Daytimer.com wondering why they are selling out of this random powerpoint pad this week.
Love the side by side comparisons of your drawings coming to life in the illustrations. Thanks!
By Terri Sabol on January 28, 2019 at 3:16 am
thanks for sharing how you create/shape your ideas!!
By CindyC on January 28, 2019 at 10:17 am
I love this! I have a different kind of journal but there is definitely room for drawings!
Thanks!
By Penny Parker Klostermann on January 28, 2019 at 10:52 am
Wow, such great inspiration!!! Thanks for a wonderful and creative post. This will be a part of my process now, though I won’t show
Anyone! 😂
By Beth Gallagher on January 28, 2019 at 10:55 am
Your tip about the Magna Storyboard Pad was very helpful. Thank you.
By DB Cote on January 28, 2019 at 11:18 am
I’ll be trying this. Great idea, thank you!
By Melissa Stoller on January 28, 2019 at 12:44 pm
Great idea!
By Dawn on January 28, 2019 at 1:39 pm
Wonderful process for visualizing your story. Thanks, I’ll be looking that up later.
By Nadine Gamble on January 28, 2019 at 2:40 pm
Now I want to shop, eat lots of turkey and draw! Thanks for the inspiration!
By Kelly Conroy on January 28, 2019 at 2:44 pm
The storyboard graphic is right on target to help visualize the page turn and ask ourselves what goes on this very page…a quick development tool.
By RaeMcDonald on January 28, 2019 at 3:21 pm
I love that storyboard. Thanks for sharing.
By sandrabyrdlawson on January 28, 2019 at 4:25 pm
Don’t we all wish that we could illustrate somehow? I can only sketch a flower but this is a great way to help express yourself. Thanks Pam.
By aliciaminor on January 28, 2019 at 6:10 pm
I love this. I illustrate but don’t always draw pictures. I should look into getting one of these (or making something similar for myself). Also want to say many of my illustrations start out looking like this. I don’t know if Pam is looking at this, but I think she may be an illustrator in disguise!
By Dani Duck on January 28, 2019 at 6:14 pm
Storyboarding is the only way! Thanks for giving us a ‘peep’ at your process!
By Noelle McBride on January 28, 2019 at 8:04 pm
Thanks. Thinking visually is a great way to go!
By Kyle McBride on January 28, 2019 at 8:04 pm
Doodling with your noodling. Love it.
By photojaq on January 28, 2019 at 10:10 pm
Very insightful post. Thank you.
By Diane Tulloch on January 28, 2019 at 11:21 pm
I love your storyboarding idea. I am absolutely the worst at drawing . . . but I can understand that doesn’t matter. I’ll have to give it a try. Thank you!
By Jill M Proctor on January 28, 2019 at 11:23 pm
Your artwork is still better than mine!! 🙂
By Lydia Lukidis on January 28, 2019 at 11:24 pm
I love practical ideas and your magna storypad is the best! It is so helpful to think visually.
By claireannette1 on January 29, 2019 at 2:58 am
What a great tool. Thanks for sharing.
By Sara Fajardo on January 29, 2019 at 4:50 am
Brilliant! Can’t wait to share with my CPs.
By katzlynn on January 29, 2019 at 11:37 am
Great tool. I love hearing and seeing your process. Thank you.
By hdening on January 29, 2019 at 12:27 pm
Getting the words down is harder for me. I always see the pictures first.
By Kassy Keppol on January 29, 2019 at 12:40 pm
Oooh! This looks like a wonderful resource to help us think visually! Thank you!
By LaurenKerstein on January 29, 2019 at 12:53 pm
Thanks for sharing your process! Helpful idea!
By Susan Schade on January 29, 2019 at 1:25 pm
Pam, thank you for sharing this tool! Great ideas – it’s so important for us authors to visualize our stories!
By Susie Sawyer on January 29, 2019 at 2:03 pm
Thanks for sharing your creative process, I’ll have to get a pad of my own to doodle as I go!
By hannahtuohyillustration on January 29, 2019 at 2:11 pm
Love the idea of creating own sketches to push my story ideas forward. Thank you for the tool!
By Laurel Goodluck on January 29, 2019 at 2:35 pm
I love the idea for the storyboard pad. It will help me to imagine what can be told in illustrations and left out of my text.
By Meilssa Chupp on January 29, 2019 at 2:48 pm
Thanks for your suggestions — really useful!
By Francoise on January 29, 2019 at 7:01 pm
What a great way to make sure the words match the picture imagined.
By Tiffany Painter on January 30, 2019 at 12:30 am
As an author and illustrator the pictures always come first! I want that! I’m so glad you shared.
By martina.franklin.poole on January 30, 2019 at 1:25 am
Thanks for the inspiration!
By Kathryn E Kass on January 30, 2019 at 6:25 am
Thank you!
By Anita on January 30, 2019 at 10:02 am
I have to admit panic seized my heart reading this: “if you’re going to be a picture book author, you better be visualizing your story even before you start writing.” But I’m going to try to visualize first rather than rely on the words. Thank you for the storyboard pad idea!
By Tracy Abell on January 30, 2019 at 12:09 pm
Intrigued by the Magna Storyboard Pad. Time to go shopping…
By Susan Tuggy on January 30, 2019 at 12:56 pm
Love the idea of illustrating first. Thanks for he inspiration.
By Sharron Magyar on January 30, 2019 at 1:06 pm
Love this! Looking up magma storyboard pad now. Thank you!
By Michelle Kashinsky on January 30, 2019 at 1:29 pm
Love!! Thank you!!
By Kimberly on January 30, 2019 at 3:07 pm
Where do we buy that special pad of paper for doodles and writing? Love the idea to aid in visualizing our ms.
By shiela Fuller on January 30, 2019 at 3:32 pm
Thanks so much for sharing. I don’t enjoy illustrating either but see now how crucial it can be to just try sketching to let the story out. With one of my characters I had no illustrations when my friend was saying she could see my character she described her exactly as I remembered her!
By Amanda Malek-Ahmadi on January 30, 2019 at 3:55 pm
I love this very practical post! I am not an illustrator at all, so this is extremely valuable, helpful info for me!
By Vicky Howard on January 30, 2019 at 4:06 pm
Thanks for sharing your art and the final illustration–so helpful to think visually.
By sallie wolf on January 30, 2019 at 4:22 pm
Heck I’m an illustrator and sometimes the most poorly drawn doodle tells me the best information for a story idea.
By Brittanny Handiboe on January 30, 2019 at 4:23 pm
Thanks for reposting this.
By Christine Irvin on January 30, 2019 at 4:28 pm
I did not remember seeing this post way back when but I am going to buy that pad of paper. So much easier than the tiny thumbnail sketches. Thanks Pam!
By Elizabeth W Saba on January 30, 2019 at 4:38 pm
Thanks for sharing this. I’ve never heard of the Magna Storyboard Pad, but that’s the very next thing I’m ordering! I think it seems like a marvelous motivator as well!
By Sharalyn Edgeberg on January 30, 2019 at 6:14 pm
I used storyboard pages when I taught my kids to write. That was years ago; I completely forgot about them. Thank you.
By Eileen Saunders on January 30, 2019 at 7:48 pm
Storyboarding is great for planning your manuscript. This pantser is taking note. Thanks.
By Judy A Shemtob on January 30, 2019 at 10:04 pm
I used to have my students storyboard their short stories. I don’t know why I didn’t think to use them for myself to brainstorm picture books! This is such a great tip!
By Danielle Hicks on January 31, 2019 at 12:03 am
What a wonderful idea! Thank you!
By vijikc on January 31, 2019 at 12:14 am
Ha, my drawing skills are much worse than that, but it does seem like a fun way to brainstorm.
By Jocelyn Rish on January 31, 2019 at 12:26 am
Love the story pad idea. Thanks
By Stacey Corrigan on January 31, 2019 at 10:15 am
This is great! And if the pad of paper is not something you want to purchase yet, you can easily hack the idea using post-its on lined paper or creating your own version in PowerPoint and printing them off! Love this!!! And your doodles are great!
By Therese Kay on January 31, 2019 at 10:32 am
I definitely think visually so most of my story ideas originally came from sketches. This also reminds me that I have a storyboard notebook somewhere that I need to find!
By Michelle on January 31, 2019 at 12:36 pm
Ooooh. Thank you for letting us know about the Magna Storyboard Pad. Nice tool! It’s so important to remember to think visually.
By Judy Cooper on January 31, 2019 at 1:21 pm
Thank you for sharing. It’s a great idea to use a different part of our creative brains.
By tiffanydickinson on January 31, 2019 at 2:12 pm
I’ve been searching for a way to sketch my ideas for illustrations to accompany my Pb so I can work out pacing and page turns. Thanks.
By Laurie Swindler on January 31, 2019 at 5:05 pm
I’m going after that storyboard pad! Thank you!!
By deniseaengle on January 31, 2019 at 8:11 pm
Very helpful advice,
By andromeda515 on January 31, 2019 at 10:39 pm
I may have to try this!
By Naomi Gruer on January 31, 2019 at 11:01 pm
Great post, Pam!! Thank you for giving us a peek at your writing process and how you storyboard with the Magna Storyboard Pad. I am not an artist but am an avid doodler and can see where the pad would help… so I’m placing an order.
By saputnam on February 1, 2019 at 10:08 am
I bought this paper after your post came out originally and it has been a HUGE help. thanks!
By Pat Miller on February 1, 2019 at 1:59 pm
A great reminder of your past post. Thanks!
By bevbaird on February 1, 2019 at 8:14 pm
Wonderful suggestion. Thank you for sharing your process!
By Anna Brooks on February 2, 2019 at 12:46 am
This looks brilliant! *on order*
By Tasha Hilderman on February 2, 2019 at 1:00 am
Thanks for sharing your process!
By Stephanie Lau on February 2, 2019 at 3:29 am
Thanks for sharing your storyboard idea. Such an interesting journey.
By Kathleen Cornell-Berman on February 2, 2019 at 2:48 pm
I do this too! It really helps me get moving with a story too, if I’m stuck during revision.
By Sarah Maynard (@SarahDMaynard) on February 2, 2019 at 7:23 pm
Thanks for the advice.
By denitajohnson on February 3, 2019 at 12:05 am
This is great! I draw about as well as you do! 😛
By Bethanny Parker on February 3, 2019 at 12:35 pm
What a wonderful storybook pad. Great tool.
By Johna Nicole Rossetti on February 3, 2019 at 5:33 pm
I love the idea of sketching your story out. I need to work on this!
By julielacombeauthor on February 3, 2019 at 9:44 pm
This helps so much!
By loelmu on February 4, 2019 at 1:03 pm
The storyboard pad is a fantastic way to capture ideas. Many thanks for sharing!
By Meli Glickman on February 4, 2019 at 3:51 pm
Definitely not an illustrator, but sketching is fun – that pad looks great.
By Jess Bourgeois on February 4, 2019 at 6:04 pm
Thanks for sharing!
By Meghan Burch on February 4, 2019 at 9:23 pm
Thanks for sharing how you lay out your stories. This is great!
By thedandelionzoo on February 5, 2019 at 11:32 pm
Thank you Pam! I love this idea. Do you have a special notebook you keep the sheets in? How do you organize them?
Thanks,
Janet
By Janet AlJunaidi on February 6, 2019 at 12:07 am
I don’t remember this from 2010 (too many pies perhaps!). Thanks for sharing it again.
By Wendy on February 11, 2019 at 5:44 pm