by Tammi Sauer

I have been doing this Storystorm business since the very beginning. Oh, people. I have loved the experience, and it has served me well.

More than a dozen of my books got their start in Storystorm. These are just a few of them:

Over the years, I have not only participated in the wonder that is Storystorm, but I have shared all sorts of idea-getting strategies as well. Today, I have a new one to pass along.

It’s simple.

Embrace the opening of a certain soap opera.

 

But I don’t want you to think about just any days. I’m talking those early days. Let’s go back to childhood.

Mine was spent on a farm.

When I was a kid, my family had a horse, cows, chickens, geese, ducks, dogs, cats, and hundreds of pigs. Is it any coincidence that many of my books feature barnyard animals?

Even my August 2020 release stars my favorite kind of cast. See?

My childhood included more than just animals, though. I also had an assortment of relatives with varied dispositions. Remember Mr. Duck? That bird is actually my great aunt Florence.

I want you to take a moment to think about your childhood. What was it like? Did you live in a bustling city? Did you grow up with siblings? What sorts of things did you do with your free time? Who made an impression? Did you have an imaginary friend? Did you want to name your baby brother PeePee Garbage? My niece Madison sure did. Did you ever run away from home? If so, why, what did you pack, and how far did you get? What sorts of things did you stash under your bed? What was your most embarrassing moment?  What did you want more than anything?

Jot down a few of your childhood memories, hopes, and/or snippets of the funny stories your uncle Bob told each Thanksgiving. Remember what it felt like to be a child…the joys, the frustrations, the fact that the world is designed for people twice your size.

Let the days of childhood open you up to some new ideas.

Keep in mind, though, that when you are ready to shape some of those ideas into stories, you shouldn’t lock yourself into making them historically accurate. Nope, nope, nope. Use those memories as a starting point. I mean, I’m pretty sure our barnyard animals never held a talent show after my family had gone to bed, but I’m not going to lie. I sure hope they did.

Tammi Sauer, a former teacher and library media specialist, is a full-time children’s book author who presents at schools and conferences across the nation. She currently has 29 published books, but many more are on the way. Getting kids excited about reading and writing is Tammi’s passion. Her other passion is mango tea. 

To learn more about Tammi and her books, visit her on the web at tammisauer.com and at picturebookbuilders.com. You can also find her on Twitter at @SauerTammi.

Tammi is giving away a picture book critique to one winner AND a copy of A LITTLE CHICKEN to another.

Write one comment below to enter.

You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm participant and you have commented once below.

Good luck!