January 17, 2020 1:37 pm
Ask any writer, and he or she will tell you that ideas are hard.
Except…they’re not.
Ideas are easy. I can come up with a new idea for a book once a day. I could probably do it once an hour! I’d have oodles of ideas at the end of this exercise.
Except…they probably wouldn’t be good ideas.
Ideas aren’t hard. Good ideas, on the other hand are as elusive as a greased pig at a county fair. (I assume that greased pigs at a county fair would be elusive. I have no first-hand knowledge of pigs, greased or otherwise, or county fairs. But I’ve definitely read about them, and they sound very elusive.)
I’ve talked about sorting through your ideas on this blog before, and I won’t be repeating the same old story. After all, that would not be a very good idea. Instead, I’d like to share some tips about developing an idea from eh to excellent.
You already know that creating a polished, publishable manuscript involves peer review, professional critiques, and revision. But there is something else I do to get to the strongest possible story: I rely on my sounding board.
We’re all familiar with the dictionary definition of sounding board: “a person or group whose reactions to suggested ideas are used as a test of their validity or likely success before they are made public.” It’s very likely you already have a critique group to perform a similar function on your manuscripts. But I use a sounding board as early as the idea stage.
There are some things to look for when choosing an idea sounding board. First, he or she must be a children’s literature professional. So, no, you can’t bounce your ideas off your spouse or your kids or your neighbor or—heaven forbid—your mother. Those are fine people to consult with when you’re brainstorming or writing, but they don’t count as the kind of sounding board I’m talking about.
Next, you have to choose someone you work well with. This does not have to be someone you will be using as an active collaborator, but it does have to be someone who feels comfortable giving you honest feedback—because telling you something is good when it isn’t is really just a waste of everyone’s time. As Roxie says, ain’t nobody got time for dishonesty.
Thirdly—and this is perhaps the most important—your sounding board should be someone who doesn’t think like you do. In fact, the less your artistic points of view overlap, the better it is. You are already thinking of your idea the way someone like you would think about it. What you need is someone different, who comes at it from a totally contrasting viewpoint, and who might even bring a completely new skill set.
For me, my sounding board is most often my agent. (After all, I can threaten to fire her if she doesn’t listen to me.) We’ve been working together for over a decade, so there is a high level of comfort there. She’s still unflinchingly honest and I respect her knowledge of the market. Unfortunately, she also tends to nag me about ideas I’ve bounced off her that I…never seem to finish. Which means, sometimes, I have to hide from her—and I have to find a different sounding board. Which brings me to the story I want to share.
A few months ago, my agent nagged reminded me about a Project-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named that I have been trying to write for years. She even asked one of her illustrator clients, Mike Ciccotello, to draw a character sketch to help inspire me. So, of course, I immediately began working on…a completely different project. I guiltily shared that information with Mike. To my surprise, he both liked the new project and had suggestions.
The second project is called CHEESE & QUACKERS. The story centered on a lamb (Cheese) and a duck (Quackers) who have an odd couple-type relationship as roommates at summer camp. I had the idea that the story should be told in sparse text in a comic book-like format, but that would require rich, expressive illustrations. Luckily, Mike had the idea that the story should be told with rich, expressive illustrations in a comic book-like format and therefore should have sparse text.
Thus, the idea bouncing—really an elaborate version of the “What If” game—began.
What if one of them was neat and organized and the other was a slob? (Good idea.)
What if one was a summer camp veteran and the other new to camping? (Also good.)
What if one had lots of friends at camp and the other was totally reliant on his roommate? (We’re on a roll!)
What if the characters wore shirts but no pants? (That’s a hard “no.”)
What if one of them likes pancake batter and jelly sandwiches? (Also no.)
What if we put two llamas in their core friend group so I can name them Dolly Llama and Kendrick Llama? (Umm, of course!)
Because Mike and I were collaborating, the “What If” game was reciprocal and ran concurrently with drafting the manuscript. This typically won’t be the case, but luckily, your sounding board does not need to be a collaborator. The important thing is that he or she needs to be able to ask you “What If” questions to get you to think about things you hadn’t considered, and he or she needs to be able to answer your “What If” questions to toss out new ideas. Answering “What If” questions makes the eventual story become clearer in your head. It also helps you block off the paths you shouldn’t take your character down (see pancake batter and jelly above), which makes the idea stronger.
Sometimes, you need a little feedback.
Sometimes, it’s a long back-and-forth.
Sometimes, you hear something you didn’t expect.But every round of the game helps you hone in on the good ideas, discard the bad ideas, and gets you closer to where you need to get your story.
Mike and I were fortunate to have found a home for CHEESE & QUACKERS, tentatively scheduled for 2022. So we get to continue playing the “What If” game through at least two books. It’s very exciting.
Though, Mike is definitely more excited to play than I am.
Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen is an award-winning children’s book author whose books include Chicks Rule, The United States vs. Jackie Robinson (2019 ALSC Notable Children’s Books List), Duck Duck Moose (CBC Children’s Choice Award Finalist), Tyrannosaurus Wrecks (Junior Library Guild Selection), and the Purrmaids chapter book series. She has visited schools and libraries for the past 15 years, talking to kids about writing, reading, and finding their voices.
She lives in Princeton, NJ with her husband, three children, and an adorable pug named Roxie (featured above). You can learn more about her and her books on her website sudipta.com.
Special announcement! Sudipta will be teaching at our premiere Storystorm Retreat at Highlights Foundation, March 5-8, 2020. Learn more about our fun and intensive picture book retreat here!
This event will fill up quickly! Sign up today!
Hope to see you there!
Posted by Tara Lazar
Categories: STORYSTORM 2020
Tags: Mike Ciccotello, Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
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Thank you for such a great post -so inspiring! 🙂
By danielledufayet on January 17, 2020 at 1:43 pm
Great post! Thank you, and I’m looking forward to your book!
By Elizabeth Brown on January 17, 2020 at 1:44 pm
I LOVED reading the text exchanges. It really does take a sense of give-and-take. Thank you!
By Laurie Carmody on January 17, 2020 at 1:44 pm
Thanks for an inspiring (and hilarious!) post, Sudipta!
By clairebobrow on January 17, 2020 at 1:44 pm
I’ve always thought I work better with a partner. The trick is finding the right partner. Your post now has me thinking about working harder on finding that sounding board. Thanks Sudipta!
By fspoesy on January 17, 2020 at 1:46 pm
I loved reading this post! Super funny and made complete sense. Thanks for sharing!
Now, off to find a good sounding board.
By heatherbell37 on January 17, 2020 at 1:48 pm
Love watching the process. Thank you for sharing!
By Jenn on January 17, 2020 at 1:49 pm
Thank you, Sudipta and Tara! What a great post!
By Candace Spizzirri on January 17, 2020 at 1:49 pm
Awesome Awesome! I love your back and forth with Mike. Sounds like the perfect team (Just like Cheese and Quackers)
By jodieparachini on January 17, 2020 at 1:49 pm
Thank you for the inspiring post Sudipta! I now know what I need! A sounding board! Hope I can find the perfect partner like you did.
By jbbower on January 17, 2020 at 1:50 pm
This is great! Thank you!
By Midge Ballou Smith on January 17, 2020 at 1:51 pm
Really enjoyed this humorous post! And thank you for sharing your “what if…” process. How wonderful to have such an engaged sounding board!
By Susan Macartney on January 17, 2020 at 1:51 pm
Awesome post and so fun to read, thank you!
By Karin Larson on January 17, 2020 at 1:52 pm
Thanks for inspiring us to have an honest sounding board and to practice idea bouncing. It was fun to read your exchange!
By Penny Parker Klostermann on January 17, 2020 at 1:53 pm
Sudipta, thank you for the great advice, I think the What if? game is wonderful and yes, asking friends or family for pointers and honest opinions is not a good idea. Having a good, honest nonpartial sounding-board is so important.
By percyandcat on January 17, 2020 at 1:54 pm
You are one of the most clever (and fun!) people I’ve ever met so I know you have lots of winning ideas! Thanks for the advice to hone our own. Everyone, if you can get to the Highlights workshop, you’ll get all kinds of inspiration!
By Kathy Erskine on January 17, 2020 at 1:54 pm
Awww, thank you! But the kids reminded me I’ll never be as famous as “Auntie Kathy”!
By Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen on January 19, 2020 at 1:25 pm
Hilarious (and practical)! Thank you!
By Jen Bailey on January 17, 2020 at 1:58 pm
What a wonderful story!
By beckylevine on January 17, 2020 at 1:58 pm
great post, Sudipta! I agree, catching ideas isn’t that hard – but identifying the keepers takes time. And a team – a good soundingboard is priceless!
By Sue Heavenrich on January 17, 2020 at 2:00 pm
enjoyed this!
By Sallye O'Rourke on January 17, 2020 at 2:01 pm
Love your sounding board co-collaboration and cannot WAIT until 2022 for Cheese & Quackers! 😀
By Cathy Ballou Mealey on January 17, 2020 at 2:02 pm
What a great article. I love your process. Can’t wait to read Cheese and Quackers!
By Eileen Mayo on January 17, 2020 at 2:02 pm
I love your relationship with your agent, that is the ideal. And how much fun are you and Mike having playing idea games? Fantastic.
By Kaylynn Johnsen on January 17, 2020 at 2:03 pm
This is awesome! Congratulations on your new series, and thanks for the example of choosing a development partner who thinks differently!
By Jane Heitman Healy on January 17, 2020 at 2:04 pm
Interesting to see how ideas develop for others. Very inspirational.
By June Sengpiehl on January 17, 2020 at 2:04 pm
Wow! So much to love here in the fun text exchanges. Seeing the back and forth and bouncing back of ideas was super fun. I can’t wait to read Cheese & Quackers!
By Aimee Satterlee on January 17, 2020 at 2:08 pm
Awesome read. Thank you!
By drawingablank6 on January 17, 2020 at 2:09 pm
Thanks Sudipta for the tips on finding a sounding board to help one develop ideas Congratulations on your new book.
By Naana on January 17, 2020 at 2:10 pm
I love the unexpected ideas that the “what if” game can generate. Thanks, Sudipta!
By Gabi Snyder on January 17, 2020 at 2:10 pm
What a fun post! I really enjoy reading about each writer’s individual creative process. Thanks Sudipta!
By Suzanne Lewis on January 17, 2020 at 2:11 pm
What a great process! Thanks for sharing. The book sounds wonderful too!
By Kim Larson on January 17, 2020 at 2:14 pm
What a great post! I love the collaboration for the upcoming story. Sounds hysterical! Can’t wait to hear more.
I’ll be seeking out a sounding board. Already have a few good people in mind!
By Maria Bostian on January 17, 2020 at 2:17 pm
Love the ‘what if’ game!
By rimna on January 17, 2020 at 2:17 pm
Fun and inspiring! Thanks Sudipta and Tara!
By Elizabeth Curry on January 17, 2020 at 2:17 pm
Congratulations on all of your success! Can’t wait for Cheese and Quackers! Thank you for the post and the reminder to come out of the writing cave earlier rather than later!
By debbeauchamp on January 17, 2020 at 2:21 pm
This post is wonderful!!! Thanks for sharing!
By Heather Rowley on January 17, 2020 at 2:22 pm
I liked your idea of using a sounding board & I especially liked your WHAT IF exercise. Thanks for sharing!
By Alice Fulgione on January 17, 2020 at 2:22 pm
The back-and-forth was fabulous! I’ll be on the lookout for a good sounding board. I like the idea of someone with an entirely different outlook and skill set.
By Susan Wroble on January 17, 2020 at 2:22 pm
Interesting to see how you work. I need to find a sounding board other than my dog!
By Franny G on January 17, 2020 at 2:23 pm
Thanks for this post! My kids and I love Duck Duck Moose! Can’t wait for Cheese and Quackers and Ham and Cheese! 🙂
By Abby Wooldridge on January 17, 2020 at 2:24 pm
Great idea! What if I use it?! Thanks for your post!
By Karen Greenwald on January 17, 2020 at 2:24 pm
Great post, Sudipta!
By rnewman504 on January 17, 2020 at 2:24 pm
This was hilarious, and so informative. Cant wait to read Cheese and Quackers!
By lauriekutscera on January 17, 2020 at 2:25 pm
A sounding board is wonderful. Thanks for breaking down a good one for us!
By sjctenney on January 17, 2020 at 2:25 pm
Thanks for this post! My kids and I love Duck Duck Moose. Can’t wait for Cheese and Quackers and Ham and Cheese! 🙂
By Abby Wooldridge on January 17, 2020 at 2:26 pm
Great ideas. Thanks
By Sharonk.solomon on January 17, 2020 at 2:30 pm
I love the What if game! It brings on so many outrageous and amazing ideas.
By Lydia Lukidis on January 17, 2020 at 2:34 pm
I am now on the hunt for my sounding board! Thanks for the idea.
By Meredith Fraser on January 17, 2020 at 2:34 pm
Great ideas thank you
By saintamovin on January 17, 2020 at 2:35 pm
Thank you for the funny post. Looking forward to your new book.
By Darlene Koppel on January 17, 2020 at 2:35 pm
Sounds like a fun book. Thanks for sharing!
By Aileen Stewart on January 17, 2020 at 2:37 pm
Thanks.
By Jellybean on January 17, 2020 at 2:39 pm
Fun to have an illustrator to bounce things off and help bring a book to the agent for possible publication. I love my new critique partners and hope that works for me in future.
By Sheri Radovich on January 17, 2020 at 2:39 pm
Thank you, Sudipta! Great ideas about having a sounding board who will give honest feedback and ask “what if…” questions.
By kathrynjeanhagen on January 17, 2020 at 2:42 pm
Oh my! Just love the repartee between you two. Brainstorming at its finest! I met Sudipta years ago at a one day picture book retreat in Beaufort, SC. She’s great!
By Sherri Jones Rivers on January 17, 2020 at 2:43 pm
I remember! Nice to “see” you here!
By Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen on January 19, 2020 at 1:26 pm
Your collaboration sounded like fun and so does the book! Can’t wait to see it!
By Cathy Ogren on January 17, 2020 at 2:44 pm
I like the idea to try more collaboration at the idea stage. I usually bring fairly polished drafts to critique group meetings, but next time, I’m going to bring a few new ideas to get those What Ifs rolling!
By Melanie Ellsworth on January 17, 2020 at 2:47 pm
You two make magic together! I look forward to reading CHEESE and QUACKERS!
By Arlene Schenker on January 17, 2020 at 2:48 pm
Love the idea of finding someone to be a sounding board and playing the what if game. Thanks for the great tips.
By Amy Newbold on January 17, 2020 at 2:49 pm
Thanks, Sudipta for two ideas i had after reading your post. Love the “What if” and having a sounding board partner for ideas.
By authordebradaugherty on January 17, 2020 at 2:55 pm
This sounds hilarious! Also, my dad actually does have a llama named Dolly Llama!
By Kelly A. on January 17, 2020 at 2:55 pm
Yes, love bouncing ideas off another creative.
By rjtraxel on January 17, 2020 at 2:57 pm
Wow! So much fun! Thanks for sharing with us!
By Gayle Veitenheimer on January 17, 2020 at 2:57 pm
Love your wordplay! Thanks so much for giving us a peek into your collaboration with Mike Ciccotello!
By Chang H on January 17, 2020 at 3:03 pm
Such interesting insight into how your book came to fruition! Thanks for sharing.
By kirstenbockblog on January 17, 2020 at 3:04 pm
There’s few thing more fun, or funnier, than bouncing ideas around with trusted writing friends. Add a glass of wine, and it’s even better. Thanks for sharing!
By Cathy Lentes on January 17, 2020 at 3:04 pm
Shows what having the person to bounce ideas off can do. Thanks Sudipta!
By Jane Baskwill on January 17, 2020 at 3:05 pm
Your upcoming book sounds delightful! Thanks for sharing how a “sounding board” works with creative minds!
By Judy Sobanski on January 17, 2020 at 3:05 pm
I love the idea of a sounding board, even before the writing begins. Thanks so much!!
By Susie Sawyer on January 17, 2020 at 3:06 pm
Sounds like a delightfully fun story
By Roxanne Troup on January 17, 2020 at 3:07 pm
Love your sense of humor. Fun post.
By nrompella on January 17, 2020 at 3:08 pm
Thank you, Sudipta, for pointing out the advantages of a sounding board. I look forward to reading CHEESE and QUACKERS!
By chardixon47 on January 17, 2020 at 3:09 pm
I love this idea! The “what-if” game sounds great!
By Shelly Hawley-Yan on January 17, 2020 at 3:12 pm
I’m going o look through all of my various lists of contacts that I have and see if anyone will “play” the “What If?” game with me and be my sounding board. I re-read Sudipta’s post through the link and that was helpful too.
By Laura Jean Watters on January 17, 2020 at 3:13 pm
Thanks for sharing! Makes so much sense to get feedback from the get-go and hone the idea with others’ insight. Can’t wait to try this!
By Hollie Wolverton on January 17, 2020 at 3:14 pm
I would love to find a sounding board!!
By Colleen Owen Murphy on January 17, 2020 at 3:16 pm
Love this!
By Debra Kempf Shumaker on January 17, 2020 at 3:16 pm
Wow. What a fun post. Thank you!
By LenoraBiemans (@BiemansLenora) on January 17, 2020 at 3:19 pm
Thanks, Sudipta, for sharing your “what if” game between you & Mike. I have a pretty good sounding board in my critique group. I need to use her more often!
By Heather Stigall on January 17, 2020 at 3:19 pm
Another unique, extremely useful and fun idea! Thanks!
By susanzonca on January 17, 2020 at 3:20 pm
Getting that “what if” kind of feedback truly is helpful. It often has me thinking about my story in ways I’d never considered and may not have considered if not for that particular feedback.
By LeeAnn Rizzuti on January 17, 2020 at 3:22 pm
What a fabulous and inspirational post! I love how the ideas can move into good ideas in such clever ways. Thanks so much for sharing!
By Meli Glickman on January 17, 2020 at 3:23 pm
I’m off looking for my sounding board! Thanks for sharing your story, Sudipta:)
Gail Hartman
By thecrowsmap on January 17, 2020 at 3:24 pm
I love your “what if” examples and the texts that you shared. Looking forward to your upcoming books!
By Melissa Stollee on January 17, 2020 at 3:25 pm
Great idea, Sudipta! I’m making a list of possible sounding boards for me right now…
By Jill Lambert (@LJillLambert) on January 17, 2020 at 3:27 pm
As someone who had pet ducks for her children named Cheese and Quackers, I can’t wait to read your Cheese and Quackers story!! And thanks , for the great sounding board tip!
By kimpfenn on January 17, 2020 at 3:31 pm
I hope we will get to play the what if game at Storystorm Highlights. Getting beyond excited to attend. What if I tried to combine all my ideas into one story? Bwhahaha! I needed a little laughon this grey pre winter storm day.
By Sarah Tobias on January 17, 2020 at 3:31 pm
Great post!
By Rebecca Thill (@rkthill) on January 17, 2020 at 3:33 pm
If you’re looking for another sounding board…LOL.
By Michele Helsel on January 17, 2020 at 3:33 pm
Hahaha – but I’m already behind on the projects I have under contract! So I’m not allowed to start anything else….Mike and Rachel will yell at me.
By Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen on January 19, 2020 at 1:29 pm
Boy do I get that!
By Michele Helsel on January 31, 2020 at 9:02 am
I love this so much.
I NEED a sounding board.
Must have one.
By brittanypomales on January 17, 2020 at 3:37 pm
I literally laughed out loud as I read your post. My dogs think I’m crazy. 🙂 What a fun post and great advice.
By Terrie Hellard-Brown on January 17, 2020 at 3:45 pm
That’s awesome that one book became two! I can say that I try and write funny and knowing I made someone who doesn’t write that way laugh is quite helpful.
By Carrie Williford (@carrietimes) on January 17, 2020 at 3:45 pm
What a fun post. A handful of honest fellow kidlit creators are worth their weight in gold when it comes to sorting the good ideas from bad!
By Robin Wiesneth on January 17, 2020 at 3:46 pm
Fresh, objective eyes are so important! Thanks for your thoughts, Sudipta! PS Loved your words of wisdom at the NJSCBWI last June, as well!
Go Nerdy Chick!
By Jeannie Whelan Santucci on January 17, 2020 at 3:46 pm
Camp-a-doodle-do! Can’t wait for both of these reads! Also, “That, my friend, is a polar bear”!!! lol yesssss!
By Laurel Ranveig Abell on January 17, 2020 at 3:47 pm
Thanks for your tips! Looking forward to reading your book!
By Rona Shirdan on January 17, 2020 at 3:48 pm
I guess my cats don’t count as sounding boards–unless they’re Purrmaid Secret Literary Agents and I didn’t know it!
By 8catpaws on January 17, 2020 at 3:51 pm
Polar bear or maybe a Yeti. I’m so lucky to have a sounding board in a fellow writer.
By Deb Buschman (@DebBuschman) on January 17, 2020 at 3:54 pm
Love this! Still missing Nerdy Chicks!
By Laura Rackham on January 17, 2020 at 3:55 pm
What a fun game! and great sounding boards! I look forward to reading both of these.
By Lisa Billa on January 17, 2020 at 3:56 pm
Supita, you and Mike, found more than the “magic” in good storytelling. You found the fun! My friend with two children has become my sounding board. Her kids’ antics and their sibling struggles keep my creative juicer popping its lid with ideas. Thanks for reminding us of a vital step: spend imaginative time in the development process. I tend to plunge right into the storytelling and then wonder why one story diverged into two or three. Duh! Sending you good thoughts and inspiration for your continued success…
By marshaelyn on January 17, 2020 at 3:57 pm
I’ve met Sudipta before at the NJSCBWI conference – she’s so talented and such a great speaker. Thanks for this post!
By Angela Padron on January 17, 2020 at 3:58 pm
I’m a firm believer that it takes a village to craft a manuscript.
By Mary Jo Wagner on January 17, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Great guidance on the best sounding boards – thanks for sharing!
By Deb Sullivan on January 17, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Enjoyed your collaboration story! Fun!
By amyhouts on January 17, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Sudipta, this post was a workshop in itself. GREAT advice. I have been labeling my StoryStorm Calendar with not only a PB idea, but ALSO the points from each post in short form to remind myself (when I peruse all those ideas) of the great advice. I love the three aspects of a collaborator–professional, friend-enough-to-be-honest-and-work-withable, and different-viewed-diverse.
Hmm…that won’t fit on the little calendar beside the number of the day.
So I will just say
“Ask my proffriendiverson.”
By Damon Dean, SevenAcreSky on January 17, 2020 at 4:01 pm
Thanks, Sudipta! I love the idea of the what if game with a fun collaborater. Great idea!
By Carole Calladine on January 17, 2020 at 4:01 pm
This was both funny and educational! Thanks so much for sharing!
By Daniele Arndt on January 17, 2020 at 4:02 pm
Sounding board ~ great idea!
By Cheryl Johnson on January 17, 2020 at 4:04 pm
Great post. My crit group is the best, but my best feedback comes from my eight year old cousin who has insisted on “made up” stories since she was three or four. I always bounce ideas off of her.😍
By writeknit on January 17, 2020 at 4:05 pm
Great post. Thanks for sharing your process! Congrats on your success!
By Cortney Benvenuto on January 17, 2020 at 4:06 pm
Thanks for all the ideas. It’s hard when someone does not agree with you, but it’s important.
By asiqueira1307 on January 17, 2020 at 4:06 pm
Love the puns!
By Heather Gallagher on January 17, 2020 at 4:06 pm
Thanks for sharing.
By Krista Maxwell on January 17, 2020 at 4:10 pm
I always enjoy your posts and love your ideas! Thank you, Sudipta!
By donnacangelosi on January 17, 2020 at 4:17 pm
What if…..? What a fun brainstorming activity! Thanks for the great post!
By Peggy Dobbs on January 17, 2020 at 4:18 pm
Sudipta is a wonderful teacher. I’ve taken workshops with her and have always come away having learned something. If you can join she and Tara at Highlights retreat, I say lucky you…do it!!!!!
By mona861 on January 17, 2020 at 4:23 pm
So fun!
By Joy on January 17, 2020 at 4:24 pm
I love seeing your idea shift and grow as you bounced ideas off of each other–so much fun!
By Jolene Gutierrez on January 17, 2020 at 4:27 pm
Amazing that Cheese & Quackers has never been made before. So fun!
By me on January 17, 2020 at 4:32 pm
Cheese & Quackers is such a great title!
By Catherine on January 17, 2020 at 4:34 pm
Carol Cole – I love the idea of a sounding board for book ideas before you even start writing the story. I’ve been taking PB out of the library and wondering “What if something different occurred?”
By cbcole on January 17, 2020 at 4:37 pm
This sounds so fun! Personally, I struggle more with executing on my wacky ideas than idea generation.
By Susan Johnston Taylor on January 17, 2020 at 4:38 pm
Fantastic inspiration – off to “What if” my story!
By aidantalkin on January 17, 2020 at 4:40 pm
Can’t wait to see this collaboration. Thanks for sharing how that can go.
By Mary Worley on January 17, 2020 at 4:42 pm
I love your ideas, Sudipta, especially of collaboration. Yours sounds like so much fun and productive too. This way you can get rid of the dud ideas before you’ve wasted time on writing them into a story you don’t like. Great post!
By betlw on January 17, 2020 at 4:49 pm
This was a really helpful and fun post, Sudipta! Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to read Camp-A-Doodle-Do!
By pathaap on January 17, 2020 at 4:51 pm
I think you should write a pb about a pig who goes to the state fair and…you know what? I think I’ll keep that idea for myself. (But I’ll give you a shout out if it sells, Sudipta!)
By Cathy C. Hall on January 17, 2020 at 4:54 pm
Great post I think I’m going to try this next time I get together socially with my critique group!!! The what if game I’m going to use for my 100 story ideas already. (most of them are garbage but some of them sound like gems!)
By sarahheturadny on January 17, 2020 at 4:55 pm
Great post I think I’m going to try this next time I get together socially with my critique group!!! The what if game I’m going to use for my 100 story ideas already. (most of them are garbage but some of them sound like gems!)
By sarahheturadny on January 17, 2020 at 4:55 pm
Great ideas. Thanks for the post.
By Janet Smart on January 17, 2020 at 4:55 pm
I look forward to your new books!
By lmconnors on January 17, 2020 at 4:55 pm
I look forward to reading your book. What fun to work together with your illustrator. I love that idea.
By Dayne Sislen, Children's Book Illustrator on January 17, 2020 at 4:57 pm
What a cleverly written and interesting post! Thank you, Sudipta, for the tips! I sometimes bounce initial nuggets off of other writers, sometimes I just wish I had…. Have a lovely weekend!
By Robin Jordan on January 17, 2020 at 4:58 pm
You had me at “Camp-A-Doodle-Do.” Fun!
By 58chilihed13 on January 17, 2020 at 5:08 pm
Thank you, Sudipta! I’ve heard your presentations at both the RUCCL conference, and an SCBWI Highlights event. Always a treat! I love your approachable sense of humor! I appreciate your sharing this, and anticipate diving into a great game of “What if”. Happy Winter!
By Trish Kreiser on January 17, 2020 at 5:12 pm
Great suggestion and post! Loved seeing how the exchanges started shaping things.
By Lauren Barbieri on January 17, 2020 at 5:14 pm
Thank you for the fun post, Sudipta!
By Gabriele on January 17, 2020 at 5:16 pm
What a lovely collaboration journey! Thanks for sharing, Sudipta! I join the others in saying I’m eager to read Cheese and Quackers!
By Anne Iverson on January 17, 2020 at 5:26 pm
Thanks for all the tips and for sharing the conversations with Mike. You two will have a lot of fun with these books! I love asking “What-if” but I don’t always answer the question. Should probably try that!
By rosecappelli on January 17, 2020 at 5:27 pm
Thank you for sharing your collaboration journey, Sudipta! I join the others is saying I look forward to Cheese and Quckers!
By anneiversonbellsouthnet on January 17, 2020 at 5:27 pm
Those texts are great! How exciting!
By Lindsey Hobson on January 17, 2020 at 5:32 pm
Thanks Sudipta!
It would be great to have a sounding board person outside your critique group to build good ideas and discard the bad. Networking seems crucial for published and unpublished kidlit professionals. Best of luck with your upcoming projects.
By Joel Chalmers on January 17, 2020 at 5:35 pm
What a funny post! But really, great idea to have someone a bit different to bounce ideas off of. Shake things up a bit!
By tanyakonerman on January 17, 2020 at 5:42 pm
What a fun post! And what a great Idea to find someone different than usual for a sounding board. Shake things up a bit!
By tanyakonerman on January 17, 2020 at 5:47 pm
What great collaborative ideas! I look forward to seeing your new book.
By judyrubin13 on January 17, 2020 at 5:49 pm
Ooh, can’t wait to read Cheese & Quackers!
By Lauri Fortino on January 17, 2020 at 5:50 pm
Wow, great suggestion! Bounce off those ideas before investing in them. Now who could I find??? Congrats on Cheese & Quackers!
By Angie on January 17, 2020 at 5:59 pm
Excellent post. Thank you!
By Michael Sussman on January 17, 2020 at 6:00 pm
I am SO lucky. I have a great sounding board.
By bluerabbit on January 17, 2020 at 6:05 pm
Love this advice thanks!
By Laurie on January 17, 2020 at 6:07 pm
Love the idea of bouncing ideas off a trusted someone else & asking “What if”. Thanks so much for sharing!
By ptnozell on January 17, 2020 at 6:08 pm
Thanks so much for this idea! (It’s a good one! 🙂
By Rebecca Gardyn Levington on January 17, 2020 at 6:12 pm
Oh, Sudipta, I love your fun/friendly voice! (Even in your posts… you’re enthusiasm and love for PB writing shines!) Thanks for inspiring us to set those ideas free!
By Juliann Caveny on January 17, 2020 at 6:14 pm
Cool! Thanks for letting us take a peek into your process.
By Linda Schueler on January 17, 2020 at 6:15 pm
New year resolution: find a sounding board! Thanks.
By Marianne Knowles on January 17, 2020 at 6:18 pm
Thanks for the idea of a different partner to bounce ideas off of.
By Andrea Mack (@AndreaL_Mack) on January 17, 2020 at 6:20 pm
Definitely need someone to bounce off ideas with. Love asking the “What if ….”
By BARBARA SUE SENENMAN on January 17, 2020 at 6:28 pm
So much fun to read!
By mommamoocow on January 17, 2020 at 6:34 pm
Love the “what if” game and the challenge to find a sounding board! Thank you for a great post!
By Linda KulpTrout on January 17, 2020 at 6:34 pm
Thanks, a really interesting post. I like the idea of working with someone who thinks completely differently from me!
By sareenmclay on January 17, 2020 at 6:37 pm
Thanks for the reminder that we need a sounding board?
By Leah on January 17, 2020 at 6:38 pm
What a great relationship! I am proud of the people I have gathered around me.
By David McMullin on January 17, 2020 at 6:43 pm
Love the column. “What if” is powerful. Thank You
By Bru Benson on January 17, 2020 at 6:44 pm
I enjoyed reading about your process and the idea of having a sounding board other than a critique partner.
By Dee Leone on January 17, 2020 at 6:46 pm
Bouncing ideas off an artist is super fun…especially if, like me, you can’t draw! And there’s actually a llama named Dolly @ the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary:-) Looking forward to Cheese & Quakers.
By Nancy Furstinger on January 17, 2020 at 6:52 pm
I’ve got to find a sounding board person. Great idea.
By Virginia Rinkel on January 17, 2020 at 6:58 pm
What fun to have a sounding board.
By Darcee Freier on January 17, 2020 at 7:27 pm
What a fun post, most especially because you shared the collaborative texts!
By yangmommy on January 17, 2020 at 7:31 pm
Cannot wait to try the “what ifs” with my soundboard once I figure out who this is! Thanks for the idea!
By Lisa L Furness on January 17, 2020 at 7:35 pm
What a great idea – needed: 1 awesome sounding board! Love the give and take between you two. Can’t wait to read this latest book of yours.
By bevbaird on January 17, 2020 at 7:39 pm
A Nagging Agent seems to work… keep going strong.
By charlestrevino on January 17, 2020 at 7:42 pm
What a wonderful post. Thanks for sharing your process.
By Sara Fajardo on January 17, 2020 at 7:51 pm
Thanks for the great ideas.
By Angela Verges on January 17, 2020 at 7:55 pm
Well, I’ve been feeling like my mind is quite divided lately, I’ll have to try to a preliminary “What If” until I find a sounding board! Actually, making it a game will certainly help get the process going! Great idea, Sudipta! Thank you! “Cheese and Quackers” sounds like it will be great fun! Love the name of the farm, too!
By writeremmcbride on January 17, 2020 at 7:59 pm
Your books sound great! I’ll have to find a sounding board–thanks for the idea!
By denarose on January 17, 2020 at 8:07 pm
That was fun! Great idea to have a collaborator and let yourselves get silly. Thanks.
By Maria Marshall on January 17, 2020 at 8:07 pm
Great post. I will be playing the what if game. Thank you 😊
By Becky Woodall on January 17, 2020 at 8:08 pm
Wonderful idea! The llamas made me laugh out loud. Now I just need to find myself a collaborator…
By cynthiahm on January 17, 2020 at 8:17 pm
I like the what if game! Smiling at your process.
By Janie Reinart on January 17, 2020 at 8:24 pm
Great post! Thank you for sharing, Sudipta.
By Heidi Yates on January 17, 2020 at 8:31 pm
A great post!…And to get to collaborate with your illustrator, WOW!
By kathydoherty1 on January 17, 2020 at 8:31 pm
The question is: How do you find the right sounding board / agent?
By Hélène Sabourin on January 17, 2020 at 8:33 pm
What a great look at the collaboration process!
By Jessica Potts on January 17, 2020 at 8:36 pm
I think bouncing ideas off of each other helps develop a story. I found your texts helpful! Thank you for sharing your idea.
By Mark Ceilley on January 17, 2020 at 8:37 pm
Thank you for this fun post complete with texts and inspiration to ask What If! Looking forward to CAMP-A-DOODLE-DOO!
By jenfierjasinski on January 17, 2020 at 8:38 pm
Last year in this challenge or maybe it was just a kidlit group…anyhow, last year I saw people talking about being accountability partners so my online crit buddy and I decided to give it a try. Everything we are doing right now is everything you suggested, so it’s nice to know we’re on the right track!
By michelemeleen on January 17, 2020 at 8:41 pm
I love the name Camp-a-Doodle-Doo! What a fun texting brainstorming session 🙂
By Maryna Doughty on January 17, 2020 at 8:43 pm
I absolutely LOVED this post. It was just hilarious! Now to find my opposite – sounding board! Congratulations on your upcoming project. It sounds like a HOOT!
By Nadia Salomon on January 17, 2020 at 8:50 pm
It must be wonderful to have an artistic sounding board. The third qualification is especially interesting. Thanks.
By Janet Frenck Sheets on January 17, 2020 at 8:52 pm
Sounds like great fun. I have lots of friends who would love to do this!
By Louann Brown on January 17, 2020 at 8:55 pm
I love the idea of a sounding board. Thanks for the inspiration.
By Beth Charles on January 17, 2020 at 9:06 pm
Great ideas. Thank you Sudipta. Energy for the day!
By Mary Jane on January 17, 2020 at 9:08 pm
Congratulations on Cheese and Quackers, Sudipta. You and Mike have a lively and fruitful collaboration.
I am going to ask a couple of my sounding boards to toss out a bunch of what ifs and see what happens to my WIP. (don’t have an agent to play this role) The tricky part will be keeping an open mind.
By Garnett Natasha on January 17, 2020 at 9:08 pm
Loved this post! Camp-a-Doodle-Doo! lol! Thanks for the inspiration.
By Kristen Tipman on January 17, 2020 at 9:12 pm
YES, I need an agent… or a sounding board… or maybe both!
What a great inspiring post, Sudipta!
By JEN Garrett on January 17, 2020 at 9:13 pm
Curiosity is key and the What If’s are a great game to explore this! Congrats to you and Mike on the forthcoming title! The text message chain is so fun to see too!! Behind the scenes 🙂
By adavis6385 on January 17, 2020 at 9:13 pm
Thank you for your sounding board idea. I’d love to give it a try. And I know I’m going to love Cheese and Quackers!
By Jill M Proctor on January 17, 2020 at 9:19 pm
Thanks Sudipta! Awesome post!!
By Sandhya Rose on January 17, 2020 at 9:20 pm
Congrats on CHEESE AND QUACKERS.
And thanks for the great advice.
By Linda Hofke on January 17, 2020 at 9:21 pm
I definitely need a sounding board!
By Lori Sheroan on January 17, 2020 at 9:25 pm
Sudipta: I LOVE your suggestion for the “what if” game! And to see it in action, with a wordy person and a a more visual person–TOTALLY works! I can TRULY see HOW IMPORTANT it is to have a different P.O.V. to see through their eyes. And I ESPECIALLY am IN LOVE with Roxie–though I don’t know if I’d be able to handle her “constructive” criticism! 🙂 THANK YOU–BOTH!!!
By Natalie Lynn Tanner on January 17, 2020 at 9:28 pm
Cheese and Quackers? Adorable!
You touched on a topic that is worth exploring. The “what if” game can really generate some original and fun ideas. Thanks for sharing, Sudipta!
By angiecal76 on January 17, 2020 at 9:33 pm
❤️❤️love the name of the camp!!!
By EmmieRWerner on January 17, 2020 at 9:34 pm
What a fun way to create a story. Makes the process a little easier with someone telling you yes or no along the way.
By Ashley Congdon (@AshleyCCongdon) on January 17, 2020 at 9:39 pm
Great stuff, so creative, thanks for sharing. Thoroughly enjoy your books
By bookfish1 on January 17, 2020 at 9:41 pm
This is good advice. Thank you!
By Sharon E Langley on January 17, 2020 at 9:47 pm
I like to play “What’s Next” but I think “What if” would be great if I had someone that I collaborated with. I thinkI see my issue.. LOL
By matthewlasley on January 17, 2020 at 10:01 pm
Thank you for this post! And congrats on the new book!
By sjwmeade on January 17, 2020 at 10:10 pm
Our critique group has been doing this. It’s great fun! Congrats on getting the contract and a chance to continue the fab collab.
By Jilanne Hoffmann on January 17, 2020 at 10:20 pm
Great teamwork! Thanks for sharing with us!
By Amy Bradshaw on January 17, 2020 at 10:27 pm
Looking forward to reading Cheese and Quackers!
By Robin Perkins on January 17, 2020 at 10:33 pm
Yes! Having the just-right trusty soundboard is priceless!
By Noelle McBride on January 17, 2020 at 10:34 pm
Playing the WHAT IF? game with a few ideas of my own. Thanks for the suggestion.
By Paula B Puckett on January 17, 2020 at 10:42 pm
So fun for you and Mike to be able to collaborate like that:> Congrats!
By Polly Sena Renner on January 17, 2020 at 10:43 pm
That’s wonderful! Would love to have a collaboration like that. Putting it out in the universe. 😀
By Sylvia Mary Grech on January 17, 2020 at 10:48 pm
Where do I get a Mike?
By nicolesalterbraun on January 17, 2020 at 10:56 pm
Love this! Thanks for sharing!
By Janice Woods on January 17, 2020 at 10:59 pm
Here is todayâs!! Love her characterâs names!!â
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
By seschipper on January 17, 2020 at 11:02 pm
Terrific idea about finding a sounding board. And it sounds fun! Thanks for sharing.
By Viviane Elbee on January 17, 2020 at 11:03 pm
Fun post. Now, looking for that sounding board!
By Marty Bellis on January 17, 2020 at 11:05 pm
Thanks for the post, Sudipta!
By Sara Trofa on January 17, 2020 at 11:08 pm
Sounds like you have a terrific working relationship with your agent. And bouncing ideas of Mike is even better!
By Manju B. Howard (@ManjuBeth) on January 17, 2020 at 11:08 pm
Realistically motivational! Love seeing the back and forth between you and Mike. I would purchase that manuscript. Thanks for sharing!
By cravevsworld on January 17, 2020 at 11:19 pm
Great post, Sudipta!! Thank you for sharing your ideas for having a sounding board. It was fun to read the exchange between you and Mike!
By saputnam on January 17, 2020 at 11:24 pm
Wow, Sudipta! Great process. Wish I had a collaborator like that!
By Juliana Lee on January 17, 2020 at 11:25 pm
Great to always hear your thoughts Sudipta!
By Debra Bartsch on January 17, 2020 at 11:43 pm
Thanks for the great advice. I love the texts!!
By Mary Warth on January 17, 2020 at 11:44 pm
Very inspiring! Love your suggestions.
By Chelle Martin on January 17, 2020 at 11:50 pm
Awesome. Great post. I love your ideas.
By Thelia Hutchinson on January 17, 2020 at 11:59 pm
Ha ha, I love your sense of humor. It must be a blast to collaborate with you! I’m lucky to have an illustrator’s group where most of the members also write. A lot of sounding board material there. Thanks for the great post, Sudipta!
By Linda Silvestri on January 18, 2020 at 12:02 am
Thanks, great idea! I love bouncing ideas off other kidlit people. You’re right that it absolutely should be someone in, or familiar with, the industry.
By Julie Reich on January 18, 2020 at 12:11 am
Such a fun idea! Thank you for sharing. Nice to meet you, Sudipta, (and hello Mike!)
By Rebekah Lowell on January 18, 2020 at 12:13 am
Such a fun and thought-provoking post, Sudipta! For some reason, I keep thinking: What if a sounding board was a chalkboard, or a surf board?! 🙂
By jenniemacdonald on January 18, 2020 at 12:14 am
What if and sounding boards… I loved the humor, awesomeness in brainstorming and book outcome. Great post!
By Aimee on January 18, 2020 at 12:16 am
Thanks, Sudipta! Bouncing what if questions off of someone else sounds like a great way to increase your story options!
By Carol Gwin Nelson on January 18, 2020 at 12:23 am
I LOVE the idea of your Cheese and Quackers! Yay for sounding boards!
Great post!
Donna L Martin
Story Catcher Publishing
By storycatcherpublishing on January 18, 2020 at 12:29 am
I love this post. Love the ‘what if’ game, and Most of all, Dolly Llama & Kendrick Llama made me laugh so hard. Thanks for sharing this!
By authorlaurablog on January 18, 2020 at 12:48 am
I really enjoyed reading your back and forth exchanges and how that helps hone your premise. Camp-a-Doodle-Doo is “quacking” me up!
By Lori Dubbin on January 18, 2020 at 1:11 am
Thanks for showing us how you use a sounding board, Sudipta. I love my critique groups, in that I can bounce ideas off them, too. Congrats on your new books!
By tinamcho on January 18, 2020 at 1:20 am
Fun ideas. Love the brainstorming and plan to look for a partner.
By Judith Snyder on January 18, 2020 at 1:36 am
Thanks for the reminder to collaborate!
By laurimacey on January 18, 2020 at 1:36 am
I definitely need more practice with ‘what if’. In fact, I’m quite bad at it. Thanks for the inspiration, Sudipta.
By Kaye Baillie on January 18, 2020 at 1:41 am
Great good ideas.
By topangamaria on January 18, 2020 at 2:19 am
I am wowed by all the great advice, not to mention all the great puns!
By ruthwilson48 on January 18, 2020 at 2:24 am
Great post!
By jenabenton on January 18, 2020 at 3:20 am
Really good sounding boards are THE BEST and make the What If game so fun!
By Jocelyn Rish on January 18, 2020 at 4:01 am
What a great idea! I’ve always played this game by myself but I can see where it would be so much more effective to play with another creative. Thanks, Sudipta!
By Rebecca on January 18, 2020 at 5:26 am
This type of collaboration sounds so fun!
By kaleegwarjanski on January 18, 2020 at 6:51 am
What a fabulous post. My favorite text is: “Is Bertha bossy?” “Yes.” “I’m giving her a bow.” LOL! That should be in a book somewhere too.
By Linda Mitchell on January 18, 2020 at 8:08 am
Great post. I’m lucky as my small critique group is also a great sounding board.
By steveheron on January 18, 2020 at 8:25 am
Thank you for your ieas and a lesson in playing the ‘what if’ game.
By authoryvonafast on January 18, 2020 at 8:54 am
Thanks for giving us a peek into your sounding board communications with Mike. Although you recommend selecting a sounding board who thinks differently than you do, the two of you complement each other! 🙂
By M.R. on January 18, 2020 at 8:56 am
Thank you Sudipta for this informative post, learned a lot.
By Mark Bentz on January 18, 2020 at 9:00 am
I like the idea of playing the “What if” game with someone. It’s easy to avoid that game if we’re only playing by ourselves.
By Jennifer Blanck on January 18, 2020 at 9:02 am
A “what-if” partner is so great in this very isolated work world.
By teacherwriteracker on January 18, 2020 at 9:11 am
I love the inside peek at these conversations!
By Sara A on January 18, 2020 at 9:31 am
I loved seeing the ideas bouncing back and forth. Thanks for sharing your process.
By Daryl Gottier on January 18, 2020 at 9:34 am
Yes- love those friends you can bounce ideas off of
By ryanrobertsauthor on January 18, 2020 at 10:09 am
Love this brainstorming idea. Thanks!
By maryraebel on January 18, 2020 at 10:10 am
Congrats on CHEESE AND QUACKERS, Sudipta. I totally agree with a sounding board and getting idea feedback early in the game. TY.
By Kathy Halsey on January 18, 2020 at 10:12 am
Thanks for showing us your process! Bouncing ideas back and forth is one of my favorite things to do while writing a new story!
By Kim Wilson on January 18, 2020 at 10:24 am
Great feedback ideas. Mom thinks the What If Game is the best game ever. I agree… Well… Besides Bitey-Face which I play with my doggie friends.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
By Genevieve Petrillo on January 18, 2020 at 10:27 am
Congratulations on the new book, Sudipta – as well as the multiple sequels you and Mike are going to need to start working on! 😉 having collaborated on the books so far, including my upcoming one with Charles Ghigna, I can say it is both a rewarding and inspiring experience.
By Matt Forrest Esenwine on January 18, 2020 at 10:58 am
I wish I had an illustrator to collaborate with. Maybe some day.
By jimchaize1 on January 18, 2020 at 11:13 am
Thanks for your post! I hope you have recovered from your journey! Wonderful ideas!
By Sue Reichard on January 18, 2020 at 11:18 am
Thanks for making presenting in front of a crowd so do-able. And thanks for the practical steps to make it work. Congrats on your latest book!
By Darcee Freier on January 18, 2020 at 11:29 am
I love playing the “What If” game! I’m always asking What if questions to my critique partners!
By Deborah Foster on January 18, 2020 at 11:36 am
I play the What If … game with myself a lot when I’m conjuring with new ideas or characters. It sound a whole lot more fun with two though! Must find someone to play with!
By Joan Longstaff on January 18, 2020 at 12:12 pm
All these are such excellent suggestions – love the “what if” game. It definitely makes you appreciate the trusting and honest relationships you develop with your critique partners.
By Gail Atherley on January 18, 2020 at 12:14 pm
What a fun way of creating a book! Thanks for sharing your creative experience with us — definitely sounds like fun.
By Carolyne Ruck on January 18, 2020 at 12:29 pm
This was so much fun to read! Highlights…just seeing the image starts my heart longing! 🙂
By melissamiles1 on January 18, 2020 at 12:49 pm
Sudipta it is so good to hear that i’m Not the only one who thrives on lots of feedback and “what if” games. This was a great post! Thank you!
By Melissa Richardson on January 18, 2020 at 1:04 pm
This is exactly why I like my CPs! Always have some great suggestions that make the book better. Sounds like a fun read 🙂 Thank you!
By Megan Whitaker on January 18, 2020 at 1:29 pm
I’ve had similar text exchanges! So much fun. Looking forward to your book…and the one your agent keeps nagging for!
By Michele Ziemke on January 18, 2020 at 2:02 pm
Thank you for sharing the “idea bouncing” texts with us. Finding a great idea is truly about digging deeper and not taking those first ideas. Unique and amazing are usually found much further down in the thinking pool. Thank you.
By Leslie Leibhardt Goodman - Writer on January 18, 2020 at 2:10 pm
From eh to excellent – great conference break out session title! And you could do it justice! Thanks for the peek at back and forth exchanges with your sounding board and illustrator! So cool. Who gets to do that? Thank you, Tara, for inviting Sudipta to post!
By Marty lapointe-malchik on January 18, 2020 at 2:16 pm
Thanks. It is great to have a like-minded sounding board for ideas. Someday, hopefully, it will be my agent!
By Elizabeth Duncan on January 18, 2020 at 2:20 pm
Thank you for a fun post with great direction. The text exchanges were so good to illustrate how good ideas build into something fantastic. I can’t wait to see both of these books out!
By Susan Orton on January 18, 2020 at 3:18 pm
What a great post! Great help to see the back and forth regarding the book- Some of my CPs are great at this, and it’s a huge help! Always leads me to something better!
By Writer on the run on January 18, 2020 at 3:36 pm
Oh to be in that collaborative groove more often…Thanks for the advice.
By Lucky Jo Boscarino on January 18, 2020 at 3:38 pm
Human sounding boards seem much more productive than shouting ideas at the wall…or the dog…or a plate of spaghetti. So I just sent a note to some PB writers in town. This could be fun to do at a local watering hole on a Saturday afternoon. Imagine the eavesdroppers. lol
By carolmunrojww on January 18, 2020 at 3:39 pm
What a fun collaboration! Looking forward to Cheese and Quackers!
By Mary A Zychowicz on January 18, 2020 at 4:03 pm
That is great fun to see what an author-illustrator collaborative project looks like! I hope I’m lucky enough to be in one of those one day.
By Teresa Robeson on January 18, 2020 at 4:05 pm
I quacked up when you got the character sketch and began working write away…on something else 🙂 I need to hunt around for that sounding board! Well, my CPs- I saw at least one up above me somewhere 🙂 Jim!
By Erik Ammon on January 18, 2020 at 4:13 pm
Sounding boards. Collaboration. Helps us to get out of our heads!
By Lori Mozdzierz on January 18, 2020 at 4:28 pm
Wonderful post! Liked seeing the back and forth between you and Mike.
By Helen Lysicatos on January 18, 2020 at 4:40 pm
So much fun!
By Laura Purdie Salas on January 18, 2020 at 4:40 pm
I completely agree–it’s so easy to have ideas and so hard to find good ones.
By Liz Steinglass on January 18, 2020 at 5:08 pm
Time to start weeding !
By Stephen S. Martin on January 18, 2020 at 5:15 pm
This was a perfect post for me with my pile of ideas.. Now to choose and find a cohort. Thank you , Sudipta.
By Nancy Ferguson on January 18, 2020 at 5:37 pm
Sudipta,
I love this process. It’s practical and fun. I’ll share it with my PB partner. It could be done on Twitter, text or instant messaging.Cool!
By Susan Twiggs on January 18, 2020 at 6:04 pm
The excitement of going back and forth with a writing buddy is one not to miss! Thank you, Sudipta.
By Judy Shemtob on January 18, 2020 at 6:06 pm
Thank you!
By Nadine Poper on January 18, 2020 at 6:11 pm
Thanks sharing the process. Have a blast at Highlights!
By Brinton Culp on January 18, 2020 at 6:29 pm
Thank you!
By Lisa Black on January 18, 2020 at 7:13 pm
Thanks for those great ideas!
By mginsberg10 on January 18, 2020 at 7:32 pm
What a fun exchange. Thanks for sharing. We sure would get a lot more out of “What if” collaborating with others!
By Keila Dawson on January 18, 2020 at 9:13 pm
Hah, wish I had a text idea buddy!
By Stephanie Lau on January 18, 2020 at 9:46 pm
Thank you for these great tips!
By Freda Lewkowicz on January 18, 2020 at 9:56 pm
What a great story of collaboration! Thanks for sharing.
By Sara Matson on January 18, 2020 at 10:11 pm
Wonderful advice, thank you Sudipta! Can’t wait to see what you both come up with for Ham and Cheese!
By Kari Gonzalez on January 18, 2020 at 10:30 pm
Love the idea of brainstorming a GOOD idea. But the GOOD idea may surface during the brainstorming. I love this! Thanks for sharing.
By dlapmandi on January 18, 2020 at 11:29 pm
Love that – make an ‘eh’ idea ‘excellent’. Love the text interchange between you and Mike too!!
By Kellie on January 19, 2020 at 12:17 am
Thank you for the fantabulous advice!
By DaNeil Olson on January 19, 2020 at 12:20 am
this takes brainstorming to another level!
By Susan Eyerman on January 19, 2020 at 1:14 am
Love the brainstorming and can’t wait to see Camp-a-Doodle-Doo. 🙂
By rgstones on January 19, 2020 at 1:50 am
Oodles of fun! Thanks, Sudipta!
By Cathy L. Murphy on January 19, 2020 at 8:05 am
Hi Sudipta! Great post. I love your style! You made me laugh out loud with your greased pig at a county fair bit and now I want to do more of the “what if? Game” with my trusted CPs. CHEESE AND QUACKERS seems hilarious. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks!
By Joana Pastro on January 19, 2020 at 8:31 am
Made me hungry. I can’t eat your characters. Now there’s an idea to bounce off someone.. the awful nemesis character she-who-can-not-be-named. If I had a name it would be YIKES YIKES YIKES.
By kiwijenny on January 19, 2020 at 8:45 am
I predicted this post would be magnificent and it is!!! I have learned SO much from Sudipta
through out the years and presentations she has given. (Still have the first handout I got from her workshop at an SCBWI conference!) can’t wait to read Cheese And Quackers, and look forward to Ham And Cheese. 😉
By Beth Gallagher on January 19, 2020 at 9:28 am
What a fun and inspiring post! Absolutely loved it. If was great reading your back and forth “What If” game, and watching your new story idea come to life. Thanks so much.
By jeanjames926 on January 19, 2020 at 9:42 am
Fun idea!
By deirdreprischmann on January 19, 2020 at 9:51 am
I love the “What if?” game! Thanks for sharing your ideas and stories, Sudipta. I’m amused and inspired!
By Robin Brett Wechsler on January 19, 2020 at 11:30 am
What a great idea for a book, Cheese and Crackers, hehe. Thank you for the inspiration.
By Joan Swanson on January 19, 2020 at 11:32 am
What a fun post! Thanks for sharing your creative process and showing fun along the way!
By Jill Friestad-Tate on January 19, 2020 at 11:37 am
Thanks for the inspiration 😊
By jshaklan on January 19, 2020 at 11:48 am
Thanks for the inspiration 😊
By jshaklan on January 19, 2020 at 11:48 am
Thanks for this fun post with lots of valuable suggestions. I’m going to play “What if” with my ideas and hope one turns out to be a great idea.
By claireannette1 on January 19, 2020 at 11:49 am
Wow, brilliant post. Thank you.
By Jay on January 19, 2020 at 12:55 pm
What fun! Thanks, Sudipta, for a peek at your collaborative sounding board with Mike. Hysterical text messages really showed the “what if” game in action when developing your idea for Cheese and Quackers. Can’t wait for it to hit the shelves.
By Joannie Duris on January 19, 2020 at 1:34 pm
I’ll repeat Joannie, “What fun” playing what if with a friend! Thanks for sharing!
By rindabeach on January 19, 2020 at 1:35 pm
I love this! The fun back and forth perfectly captures the spirit of picture books. Thanks.
By Christine Pinto on January 19, 2020 at 1:37 pm
I have great sounding boards, but have never tried the exercise this way. Love it.
By teresa.mi.schaefer on January 19, 2020 at 2:46 pm
Love love love this story! Thanks for sharing your insight!
By Rebecca Herzog on January 19, 2020 at 3:14 pm
Thanks for clarifying sounding boards.
By KASteed on January 19, 2020 at 3:37 pm
Thanks, Sudipta. Sage advice from a pro.
By Angela De Groot on January 19, 2020 at 3:40 pm
Have never used a sounding board, must find one. Also need to practice what ifs even if it’s just with myself much more often!
By Franny G on January 19, 2020 at 5:06 pm
Thanks for a great post. I haven’t tried a sounding board, but it I can see the benefits. And what if…brilliant.
By brendamay28 on January 19, 2020 at 5:10 pm
Inspiring!
By lanearnold on January 19, 2020 at 5:28 pm
The “What If” question clearly explained… thanks!
By Poupette Smith on January 19, 2020 at 5:39 pm
Love the “What if” game. What a great way to generate ideas!
By julielacombeauthor on January 19, 2020 at 5:47 pm
Getting a good sounding board sounds essential. Thanks.
By shirley301 on January 19, 2020 at 6:44 pm
What if you don’t have an agent or illustrator friend yet? I need to find new friends 🙂
By Priya Gopal on January 19, 2020 at 8:29 pm
What if you don’t have an agent yet or a supportive illustrator friend? I need to make new friends
By Priya Gopal on January 19, 2020 at 8:31 pm
Thanks for the great post.
By Rachel on January 19, 2020 at 9:30 pm
This was awesome to read through. Thanks!
By Tara Hannon on January 19, 2020 at 9:52 pm
It was fun to read about the collaborative process behind the story development. And that camp name!!!!
By Nicole Loos Miller on January 19, 2020 at 10:01 pm
Hilarious to see the back and forth between you and Mike!
By Susanne Whitehouse on January 19, 2020 at 10:12 pm
What a great idea about ideas! I’ll “what if” all my ideas now, and that way I’ll have an idea if they might be workable. Thank you!
By Barbara Lowell on January 19, 2020 at 10:15 pm
OMG you two. I can’t wait to see the results of this collaboration!
By Lauri Meyers on January 19, 2020 at 10:38 pm
Sadly, the best exchanges were NSFW so I couldn’t share them!
By Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen on January 19, 2020 at 11:34 pm
What a great read! I vow to make it to the Poconos for a retreat there one day! This year doesn’t work for me, but I’m saving my pennies for sure!
By Dina Ticas on January 19, 2020 at 10:41 pm
Thank you, as I’ve never considered a ‘sounding board’ for ideas.
By Patricia Alcaro on January 19, 2020 at 11:04 pm
Thank you, as I’ve never considered a ‘sounding board’ for my ideas.
By Patricia Alcaro on January 19, 2020 at 11:05 pm
Sudipta, you’re ALways brilliant…and so is Mike! I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all your brainstorming messages ❤ SO much fun!
By writersideup on January 19, 2020 at 11:07 pm
I have many ideas so a sounding board sounds fantastic! Thanks.
By Zoraida Rivera on January 20, 2020 at 12:00 am
Oh my goodness! that sounds hilarious. cant wait to see it come out.
By mirka on January 20, 2020 at 2:30 am
Wow! Great idea to have a sounding board to help you develop your story. Looks like fun! Looking forward to the new book.
By debbiemoeller on January 20, 2020 at 3:09 am
Love the sounding board. So true. Great advice!
By Michelle Kashinsky on January 20, 2020 at 3:58 am
Love how your sounding board works. I need to get me one of those :-).
By sharongiltrow on January 20, 2020 at 8:02 am
What fun to have a collaborator. Looking forward to Cheese and Quackers.
By Johnell DeWitt on January 20, 2020 at 10:31 am
Yikes! I think I need to find another person – that sounding board. Sometimes my non-picture book writing group can work like that . . . hmmm good things to think about. thnx-
By cantsing1 on January 20, 2020 at 10:34 am
What if is the most fun part of writing PBs! Thanks for sharing your process!
By Judy Palermo on January 20, 2020 at 10:36 am
Such a fun experience!
By Anita Banks on January 20, 2020 at 10:55 am
great post!
By shanah salter on January 20, 2020 at 11:07 am
This is such a fun post. It sounds like a great way to weed out the best ideas and brainstorm.
By Dee Knabb on January 20, 2020 at 11:26 am
Cheese and Quackers is such a great title! Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the advice about sounding boards!
By Lynn Alpert on January 20, 2020 at 1:13 pm
I hadn’t thought about seeking out feedback from someone with a different viewpoint, though I fully understand needing someone willing to provide some pushback. Family and friends are too often overly accommodating.
By kyavorski on January 20, 2020 at 2:29 pm
Sudipta, thanks for sharing all your *good ideas* on creating good ideas. That collaboration sounds so much fun!
By Angela H. Dale on January 20, 2020 at 2:31 pm
This is my favorite post so far! As an author/illustrator I have these back and forths with myself, but I know I need to bring others into the conversation more often. Thank you!!
By E. D. Stewart on January 20, 2020 at 2:41 pm
Love the play on words. So much creativity. Inspired!
By deniseaengle on January 20, 2020 at 2:56 pm
I love this post and your bake and forth banter with Mike. So much fun!
By Kristin Wauson on January 20, 2020 at 3:29 pm
Can’t wait to meet Cheese and Quackers!
By Sandra Jenkins on January 20, 2020 at 4:09 pm
Sounds like a fun way to come up with ideas. I’ll have to look for a partner like that!
By Miki Conn on January 20, 2020 at 7:27 pm
Loved hearing about your collaborative bookmaking experience!
By ammwrite3 on January 20, 2020 at 9:13 pm
Not sure how I missed this great post! Thanks to my sounding board Dina Ticas for pointing out! Thanks to SDQ for writing it! 🙂
By ingridboydston on January 20, 2020 at 10:00 pm
Sudipta, it appears your sounding board partner Mike and you have WAY too much fun.
By jacquesartandbooks on January 20, 2020 at 10:24 pm
Playing games is ALWAYS a good thing and it has really paid off for you. 😉
Thanks for the tips!! 🙂
By Karen Lawler on January 20, 2020 at 11:47 pm
Thank you Sudipta! Your ideas always inspire me. And I love your books! Can’t wait to see the new ones.
By susan schade on January 21, 2020 at 12:55 am
This is a REALLY great idea!! Thank you!!
By Michele R on January 21, 2020 at 1:05 am
Soooo many ideas! Soooo few good ones! Brainstorming and collaboration are both awesome! Thanks for the fun read!
By Karan Greene on January 21, 2020 at 1:27 am
inspiring, as usual. thanks
By Joanne Roberts on January 21, 2020 at 2:58 am
You are lucky to have such a great sounding board! They are very hard to find.
By Elle on January 21, 2020 at 7:25 am
I need to get a sounding board myself. Thank you for the idea!
By Brittanny Handiboe on January 21, 2020 at 8:33 am
This is brilliant, love all the gold in this post!!
By Charlotte Offsay on January 21, 2020 at 10:01 am
Thanks Sudipta! I’ve been looking for someone like that for years. Now I know what to call him/her—Sounding Board.Great tip!!
By Kathy Cornell Berman on January 21, 2020 at 10:01 am
This back-and-forth with a sounding board sounds hilariously awesome. And it worked! Congratulations!
By Harris on January 21, 2020 at 10:26 am
Oh my gosh. I can’t wait to play the “What If” game! Awesome suggestions here.
By shannonlhall on January 21, 2020 at 11:43 am
Great ideas!
By Cinzia V. on January 21, 2020 at 11:43 am
Thank you for sharing
By Kassy Keppol on January 21, 2020 at 1:30 pm
What a fun post! Thank you!
By LaurenKerstein on January 21, 2020 at 1:55 pm
Sudipta, I love this. The what if game is brilliant and so helpful. Congrats on Cheese and Quackers. And I love Ham and Cheese, too. So fun!!
By Lisa Riddiough on January 21, 2020 at 2:00 pm
I can tell you from experience that a greased pig is elusive! The pigs I know get greased up with Crisco.
Thanks for the great tips about sounding boards.
By Pamela Haskin on January 21, 2020 at 2:10 pm
What a great way to work! Thanks for sharing!
By Lori Alexander on January 21, 2020 at 4:16 pm
I loved reading the back-and-forth commentary with you and Mike! Too funny! 🤣
By Leigh Therriault on January 21, 2020 at 4:25 pm
Thanks for sharing. I love your collaboration story.
By Kyle McBride on January 21, 2020 at 6:20 pm
What a fortuitous and fun collaboration story. And your agent is another terrific sounding board example.
By Nancy Kotkin on January 21, 2020 at 8:27 pm
The “what if” game is fun to play. Thanks for sharing your journey.
By Julie Augensen-Rand on January 21, 2020 at 9:42 pm
Love seeing the back and forth collaborationp. Can’t wait to see the final product!
By Amanda Malek-Ahmadi on January 22, 2020 at 2:48 am
Love everything about this post. Congrats to you and Mike on the sale! But….what if….you convince them to really it sooner than 2 years from now?! 😉
By bgonsar on January 22, 2020 at 9:00 am
There’s so much good stuff in this post. I love the suggestion of kicking ideas around with a trusted “sounding board” person (aka critique partners). Thank you!
By doreenrobinson on January 22, 2020 at 10:26 am
“What if” . . . so playful and full of possibilities!
By Anita Palmeri Overgaard on January 22, 2020 at 11:18 am
Very inspiring post — will have to ask “what if” a bit more.
By westindianmommy on January 22, 2020 at 11:53 am
We are trying this in my critique group. Thank you!
By Lisa Tolin (@lisatolin) on January 22, 2020 at 3:00 pm
Camp-a-doodle-do. I think you could sell a PB on that alone.
By angie9091 on January 22, 2020 at 3:39 pm
Great idea and so much fun!! Thank you!
By vgraboski61gmailcom on January 22, 2020 at 5:59 pm
Thanks for the tip on getting feedback in the idea phase! It’s a whole new way of doing things for me.
By Elizabeth Ross on January 22, 2020 at 9:06 pm
Completely hilarious. Thanks for sharing your story.
By Erin Buhr on January 22, 2020 at 9:53 pm
Always look forward to your books!
By supermario6 on January 23, 2020 at 11:57 am
Thanks for your inspiring post – the back and forth feedback was so funny!
By Jane Dippold on January 22, 2020 at 10:15 pm
Dolly Llama?? Perfect. Ogden Nash would surely approve.
By audiencedog on January 23, 2020 at 9:21 am
It is a blessing to have an illustrator friend to work with you. One way or another, a story will come true. More projects to come for both of you. Thanks and God bless.
By aliciaminor on January 23, 2020 at 12:38 pm
Collaborative working is one of the best ways to do it! But you are right, its all about honesty! Camp-a-Doodle-Do is a fabulous name!
By Mita Martino on January 23, 2020 at 4:10 pm
Awesome post, thank you!
By kelliejanebyrnes on January 23, 2020 at 9:46 pm
Thank you! Can’t wait until I have an agent I can banter with.
By Dea Lenihan on January 24, 2020 at 4:21 pm
Thanks, Sudipta. I had a good chuckle reading your post. Looking forward to reading Cheese and Quackers (love the pun). 🙂
By imagination4lf on January 24, 2020 at 7:14 pm
Thank you, Sudipta! I look forward to playing this with my critique partners!
By Virginia Manning on January 24, 2020 at 8:58 pm
We, as participants enrich ourselves with such diverse personalities here at Storystorm 2020. Thanks Sudipta for your advice to find a sounding board. My wish is that as many people as possible finish a book in 30 days. Good luck everyone
By Gaby Lagos on January 25, 2020 at 2:34 am
I so enjoyed reading this and seeing the process at work. Can’t wait to read the book!!
By Kimberly Marcus on January 25, 2020 at 7:43 am
I loved the process between you and Mike! That is a great sounding board. Also, the fact that we can come up with a lot of good ideas but not all of them are great! Develop them and make them elusive! Thank you for sharing this wonderful advice!
By Kelly Vavala on January 25, 2020 at 11:07 am
Fun post! Thanks, Sudipta!
By Sheri Dillard on January 25, 2020 at 6:46 pm
Love your books, Sudipta! Looking forward to CHEESE & QUACKERS. Congrats to you and Mike!!
By Judy Bryan on January 25, 2020 at 7:14 pm
Thank you, Sudipta! CHEESE & QUACKERS…what a great idea, I can’t wait to read it!
By jessica shaw on January 26, 2020 at 3:33 pm
Inspired by Kelly Bennett, my e critique group formed a sub group to meet in person quarterly to bounce ideas off each other and ask a lot of what if questions. We met last night, and it is VERY beneficial! It’s nice you have someone to do that with year-round.
By Terri Sabol on January 26, 2020 at 6:11 pm
Thanks for this peek at the collaborative process!
By Amanda Sincavage on January 27, 2020 at 2:09 am
Thanks for sharing!
By alisongoldberg on January 27, 2020 at 11:55 am
Great post! Thank you for sharing. I love the what if game.
By Ashley Bankhead on January 27, 2020 at 2:11 pm
It was really fun to see the back and forth exchange between the two of you. Thanks for sharing.
By Dawn Prochovnic on January 27, 2020 at 6:19 pm
SO jealous of this awesome collaboration!! And I cannot wait to get my hands on this book.
By Michelle O'Hara Levin on January 28, 2020 at 9:15 am
Wow, so inspirational!!
By megcason1 on January 28, 2020 at 4:33 pm
Thanks so much! I love seeing how collaborations form and work. Good luck on your stories!
By Nancy Riley on January 28, 2020 at 5:18 pm
Looking forward reading this collaboration! 🙂
By Anne Appert on January 28, 2020 at 9:11 pm
So interesting to read the back and forth conversations with the illustrator! Thanks for the peek.
By tiffanydickinson on January 28, 2020 at 11:59 pm
I definitely Need one of these. Thanks
By Rachel Funez on January 29, 2020 at 8:50 am
Feel like being a “What if?” partner for me? (That’s a hard “no.” I’m sure!) Great idea though, and thanks for the inspiration though!
By Amy Healey on January 29, 2020 at 12:22 pm
I’m now on the look out for a “What if” partner.
By Amy Healey on January 29, 2020 at 12:23 pm
Looking for a “what if” partner? what a great and fun idea!
By Amy Healey on January 29, 2020 at 12:25 pm
What a great post! Loved reading the “what if” texts.
By Tracy Hora on January 29, 2020 at 2:01 pm
Thank you for the inspirational post!
By Anna Levin on January 29, 2020 at 3:02 pm
Love the idea of a sounding board and the what if game.Definitely going to try those helpful suggestions.
By Stacey Corrigan on January 30, 2020 at 6:59 am
Love the collaboration and the What if game!
By Jennifer Hunt on January 30, 2020 at 12:00 pm
This post blew the roof off the “what if” game. Thanks for giving us a glimpse into the world of awesome collaboration! I definitely have to stop calling my mother. She’s a writer, but not for children, and she is terrible at the “what if” game.
By LJ Laniewski on January 30, 2020 at 2:18 pm
So happy to see you here, my friend. It’s been too long! Come to Miami! XOXO
By Lynne Marie on January 30, 2020 at 8:07 pm
Another fan of the What If game! Love it so much. I swear I get most of my ideas this way.
By Dani Duck on January 31, 2020 at 1:10 am
I love the “What If?” game! By the way, Cheese and Quackers sounds ADORABLE!
By Brenda Grant Lower on January 31, 2020 at 2:04 am
Sudipta, what a fabulous post! Playing “What If’ right now! Thank you! Thank you!
By Lucy Staugler on January 31, 2020 at 11:11 am
Wonderful post! Thanks so much!
By Megan J. Walvoord (@mjwalvoord2) on January 31, 2020 at 3:11 pm
Wonderful ideas! Thanks
By kmshelley on January 31, 2020 at 8:45 pm
Nice post.
By storyfairy on February 1, 2020 at 3:09 pm
Love reading your post. Thank you!
By Maria J Cuesta on February 1, 2020 at 7:02 pm
You and Mike are so funny OMG thank you for this. I laughed out loud. 🙂
By Jefna M. Cohen on February 2, 2020 at 8:39 pm
Thanks for this wonderful post, Sudipta!
By Becky Shillington on February 5, 2020 at 9:26 am
What a fabulous, fun, and funny post, Sudipta! I love the idea of using a sounding board to play the ‘What If’ game at the idea stage of a ms. Cheese and Quackers sounds like it’s going to be a very fun PB!
By Lucretia on February 5, 2020 at 1:49 pm
Thanks Sudipta. Your advice is always great.
By CindyC on February 5, 2020 at 10:19 pm
Thanks Sudipta! Those text exchanges are golden!
By sunflowerscribe on January 22, 2022 at 12:52 pm