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Storystorm 2021 Day 5: Erin Dealey Picks Pictures (and Pictures Potters)

January 5, 2021 8:00 am

by Erin Dealey

Happy Day 5, Storystormers! This post is about playing with ideas—as an artist. Yep, I’m talking to all of you. Even if your illustrations are stick figures, what you write is ART. And by now you’ve (hopefully) got at least four picture book possibilities in your Idea Notebook and there are more to come. Hooray!

Wait—you do have an Idea Notebook, don’t you? Here’s mine, made from a repurposed book cover.

erinideanotebook

Many of my ideas stayed right here. Some I’ve gone back to and eventually shaped into manuscripts. A few became books. But having one place to jot ideas down is a huge improvement from my previous method: random scraps of paper + notes in my bullet-ish journal. I also believe that I’m far more creative if I write them down with pencil or pen, instead of going straight to my computer. My Idea notebook is my writer-version of a sketchbook. Do you think Michelangelo headed straight to the scaffolds of the Sistine Chapel or that slab of granite that became David without sketching things out? OK then. Where were we?

The initial idea for my newest picture book DEAR EARTH…FROM YOUR FRIENDS IN ROOM 5 (HarperCollins, illustrated by Luisa Uribe, Dec.1, 2020) is in this notebook. A few years back, I was wowed by a friend’s holiday illustration of a beautiful child-angel holding Earth in her hand. Those you who have read DEAR EARTH know that the main character is not an angel, nor is it a holiday book. So what happened?

Note: If you participated in Storystorm 2019, you’ll remember the fabulous Day 1 post by Cathy Breisacher Pictures Her Ideas and her list of brainstorming questions. As for me, I was so taken with the image of the angel, I wondered: Why is she holding Earth? Is she Earth’s protector? What about Climate Change? Does she take care of the other planets too? How?

That’s when I started playing around in my idea notebook.

I wanted to find a way to show how KIDS could help the angel take care of Earth all year long—not just on Earth Day. Important: Books for kids should be about kids, or kid-centric topics. But how would the angel communicate to the kids? This got me thinking about a format I’ve always wanted to try: a story told only in letters. See my guest post on Lauren Kerstein’s blog for details: 6 Quick-Read Crafty Tips for Writing a Manuscript in Epistolary Format.  (You’ll meet Lauren when she guest blogs for Storystorm later this month!)

Meanwhile, my writing group, the PBJers, made me realize the angel concept might make the book too preachy or worse—a bit morbid (“Aren’t child-angels dead kids?”) Yikes! Their questions and concerns got me thinking—WHAT IF… Room 5 is making New Year’s resolutions and wants to help Earth? What if they write directly to EARTH? And what if EARTH writes back?

What does all of this mean for you, dear Storystormers? On Day 4 of 2020 Storystorm, I hereby challenge you to:

Scroll through the wonderful #kidlitillustration #picturebookillustration examples posted by illustrators on social media. (For other places to find pictures, See Cathy Breisacher: Picture Her Ideas above.) Pick one that resonates with you. Ask it questions. Put the answers in your Idea Notebook so you can play with them and shape them later.

Last but not least, as we work our way through Storystorm 2021, DO NOT STRESS that your ideas are crazy or weird or even morbid or bleh. Instead, let’s think of ourselves as potters. No, not the wand-waving Harry kind. The artist kind. A potter wouldn’t just take some clay, throw a pot, and call it a day. Sometimes we’ll smush our newly thrown pot back into a wad of clay and start over. Sometimes we’ll throw pot after pot and end up with just one that we might glaze and fire. That’s writing, isn’t it? Every one of us is an artist. Storystorm is the start.

Let us resolve to use this month to gather our clay. Then let’s make some art, my friends!

Erin Dealey is the author of 16 picture books & board books (so far), many in rhyme. She is currently revising a middle grade novel which will not go away. And then there were those angsty poems she wrote in college. Dealey’s original career goal was Olympic Gold Medal tetherball player. When that didn’t pan out, she became a teacher, theater director, actor, mom, and author—and welcomes any opportunity to connect kids with words. She lives in northern California with her husband and a very energetic Golden Retriever. You can find her online at erindealey.com and on Twitter @ErinDealey & Instagram @erindealey.

Erin is giving away 1 of your choice–either a picture book critique or a copy of DEAR EARTH…FROM YOUR FRIENDS IN ROOM 5!

Leave one comment below to enter.

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

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Posted by Tara Lazar

Categories: Storystorm 2021

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839 Responses to “Storystorm 2021 Day 5: Erin Dealey Picks Pictures (and Pictures Potters)”

  1. My goal this Storystorm is to gather all my random bits of doodles, words collected, inspirations all in the same room at least! I find notes to myself everywhere! Thanks for your words!

    By 58chilihed13 on January 5, 2021 at 8:06 am

    1. This sounds like fun! I’m onto it! Thank you for the inspiration!

      By Krissy on January 5, 2021 at 2:31 pm

      1. This is great, thank you for the post. I’m an illustrator and have done pottery in the past, so this all really resonated with me as someone who normally comes up with illustration ideas first then letting a story emerge.

        By Susannah Crispe on January 6, 2021 at 4:21 pm

    2. I’m a visual person who doesn’t draw, so, I love this idea of using an inspiring image and questioning it. Definitely on my new to do list.

      By Amanda Lieber on January 6, 2021 at 3:54 pm

  2. Great tips, I especially liked the potter analogy.

    By amydunjey on January 5, 2021 at 8:08 am

  3. Great post! I sometimes abandon ideas because they’re too ‘out there’. This has encouraged me to persist 🙂

    By Jeanette Stampone on January 5, 2021 at 8:08 am

  4. I’ve never thought about being inspired from other people’s artwork before so thank you for the idea

    By Lydia Loeber on January 5, 2021 at 8:09 am

  5. This is such helpful information! Thank you for taking the time to help us!

    By Beth Wethje on January 5, 2021 at 8:10 am

  6. Yay lots to think about, draw about and to do. Thank you.

    By kiwijenny on January 5, 2021 at 8:12 am

  7. I never tire of a PBs origin story. Your notebook is glorious! Every writer should have a notebook from a re-purposed book cover. Congrats on Dear Earth. Such a beautiful idea.

    By Mitchell Linda on January 5, 2021 at 8:13 am

  8. I love the concept behind your wonderful DEAR EARTH picture book. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about idea gathering!

    By Meli Glickman on January 5, 2021 at 8:13 am

  9. Great idea!

    By Dionna on January 5, 2021 at 8:13 am

  10. Thank you! (Jen Jarson)

    By jjarson1 on January 5, 2021 at 8:13 am

  11. I love this idea of turning social media scrolling into idea generating time. Thank you!

    By Maria Bursey on January 5, 2021 at 8:14 am

  12. I’m gathering my wads of clay. Thanks for the inspiration, Erin.

    By Cathy L. Murphy on January 5, 2021 at 8:15 am

  13. I needed to read this tonight. Most of my pots are getting thrown back at the moment, and I’ve been feeling rather discouraged. Perseverance, inspiration, patience. I’ll get there!

    By Emily Chibwana on January 5, 2021 at 8:16 am

  14. I am a former climate scientist and realise the importance of kids learning about the earth and climate, but also in a way that gives them agency and doesn’t depress or frighten them. Dear Earth sounds like a lovely book.

    By junegraham on January 5, 2021 at 8:16 am

  15. Enjoyed reading this. I, too, have had many scraps floating around. Eventually, I learned to stick them next to my computer to add into an ideas doc. I also tend to send myself voice notes on my phone when something pops in my head, and then consolidate them later in the doc. More recently, I’ve been using Trello, but I’ve also started jotting things down in notebooks again, too.

    By Christina Dendy Gaspar on January 5, 2021 at 8:17 am

  16. I love the idea of searching the hashtag for visual inspo, Erin! And hooray for critique partners!!

    By Audrey on January 5, 2021 at 8:17 am

  17. I love receiving these emails – inspiration and ideas every day 🙂

    By Meaghan Br on January 5, 2021 at 8:18 am

  18. Great post – thank you for the tips! I love the idea of generating ideas from illustrations.

    By Jess on January 5, 2021 at 8:21 am

  19. It’s so interesting to learn about the creative process of an author to the finished book.

    By Hélène Sabourin on January 5, 2021 at 8:24 am

  20. Erin, I love this post. And the potter analogy! Perfect! You definitely reworked your clay into a beautiful finished product. Can’t wait to read your book.

    By Sarah SarahH on January 5, 2021 at 8:24 am

  21. Thanks, Erin, for sharing your way of starting in one place and ending up in another. Writing is never a straight journey, is it? As a writer who also tends to think visually, your advice resonates.

    By Cathy Lentes on January 5, 2021 at 8:25 am

  22. Thanks, Erin, for sharing your process. I really like the “potter” analogy to writing. I threw some clay this morning and love the the shape and the possible story it’s ready to hold!

    By Suzanne Lewis on January 5, 2021 at 8:25 am

  23. I love seeing how an idea starts as one thing but ends as something else! Thanks for sharing.

    By michelemeleen on January 5, 2021 at 8:26 am

  24. I love all of your advise! Thanks, Erin.
    Gail Hartman

    By thecrowsmap on January 5, 2021 at 8:26 am

  25. Great post and tips! Thank you!

    By Cristina Raymer on January 5, 2021 at 8:27 am

  26. That sounds like an excellent idea for today, looking at inspirations and designating an actual book for ideas. Right now my ideas are in several books and I’m now going to have to find them all at the end of the month 😭

    By Bhandi on January 5, 2021 at 8:27 am

  27. I love this idea! I’m ready to go find some inspiring illustrations!

    By Lindsey Hobson on January 5, 2021 at 8:29 am

  28. Love your Earth book. So important!

    By Amy Houts on January 5, 2021 at 8:30 am

  29. “Everyone of us is an artist” and Storystorm is the medium to help us make the art.

    By Lisa L Furness on January 5, 2021 at 8:31 am

  30. I love your idea to pick a visual image and start from there.

    By Patricia Alcaro on January 5, 2021 at 8:34 am

  31. Thank you Erin! Throwing it down, molding it and then fire….or mush! Repeat the process! I love it! No fear because you can repeat the process! Not every story might come to life and that’s ok. I tell my students that so now I have to believe it too and get the ideas down no matter what!

    By Lisa Bratus on January 5, 2021 at 8:34 am

  32. Great post, Erin! Going to consolidate all my random scraps of paper into my notebook!

    By Kelly Jaques on January 5, 2021 at 8:35 am

  33. What a fun way to prospect for ideas! Thanks for sharing part of your process, Erin! I love to follow illustrators on social media in hopes that I can refine my style. I had not thought of them as potential idea generators. I’m learning so many interesting things that they don’t teach in my writing classes. Thanks again!

    By jill on January 5, 2021 at 8:36 am

  34. This was a very helpful post and gave me an idea right away thank you so much!by the way I love the idea of a book written totally in letters.

    By Sarah Hetu-Radny on January 5, 2021 at 8:36 am

  35. Love the reference to being a potter – working through the pieces that aren’t quite right to get to the one that is. Thank you for your inspiring words!

    By Sarah Kilfoil on January 5, 2021 at 8:37 am

  36. Congratulations on this lovely book and thanks for your inspirational words.

    By Shanna Silva on January 5, 2021 at 8:38 am

  37. Thanks for your ideas and sharing your idea that started DEAR EARTH…

    By Kathi Morrison-Taylor on January 5, 2021 at 8:39 am

  38. Love your book Dear Earth- such a clever and inspirational concept and book!

    By Mackinzie Rekers on January 5, 2021 at 8:39 am

  39. Love your jounal! Have had pictures inspire me, going to take a look today! Thanks!

    By kelbelroberts on January 5, 2021 at 8:41 am

  40. Thank you for the fresh ideas and the encouragement to keep planning and crafting.

    By Julie Harris on January 5, 2021 at 8:43 am

  41. I love hearing how your book morphed into it’s final form. Looks amazing. Thanks for your post.

    By Louann Brown on January 5, 2021 at 8:45 am

  42. Love this post!

    By Kristin Sawyer on January 5, 2021 at 8:45 am

  43. The idea of asking questions to images, drawings, and photographs is incredibly intriguing. I’m on it! Thank you.

    By Joyce Uglow on January 5, 2021 at 8:46 am

  44. Another thumbs up for the potter wheel analogy. So helpful! No need to throw away ideas that don’t work; mash ’em up and re-form them again and again. Also, thanks for sharing photos of your notebook. It’s good to see that someone else’s pages are also covered in scribbles, circles and arrows. 😀 Great post!

    By karynellis on January 5, 2021 at 8:46 am

  45. Thank you for sharing the story behind DEAR EARTH and your energy–I could feel it emanating from this post! How fun that you used an epistolary structure for the book. That’s such a creative approach.

    By Jennifer Blanck on January 5, 2021 at 8:46 am

  46. What a fun post! I started writing journals in high school and then in college I “lost” the idea until I had children again. Recently we found those old art journals and it was fun to see PROGRESS— and style changes!! I lied your inspiring post— and would ADORE either of your books!

    By Artsybarncat on January 5, 2021 at 8:46 am

  47. I’m so eager to read Dear Earth…! This is such an illuminating blog post—using visuals as a way into creativity. I love it and will be using it frequently!

    By Stephanie Goss on January 5, 2021 at 8:47 am

  48. Excited to try this! Great post!

    By jmackwrites on January 5, 2021 at 8:48 am

  49. Thank you Erin! I love hearing about the evolution of Dear Earth. You have inspired me to go back and look at my ideas through a new lens!

    By Laura Bower on January 5, 2021 at 8:48 am

  50. this sounds wonderful- Im inspired by pictures too and it’s been a while i scrolled those hashtags! I love the format of your book and wish you all the best!

    By Marzieh Abbas on January 5, 2021 at 8:48 am

  51. Thanks for your post Erin! Looking at illustrations is one of my favourite ways to get inspired.

    By Kristen Tipman on January 5, 2021 at 8:51 am

  52. What a beautiful way to go about coming up with new ideas. It’s like an endless chain of creativity, with one person’s idea inspiring the next person, and on and on!

    By virtualpaintbrush on January 5, 2021 at 8:56 am

  53. Thank you Erin. I’m an illustrator and really connected with your post. My story ideas begin as drawings in my sketchbook and then evolve from there. It’s good to know that my process for writing stories isn’t “wrong.”

    By Kim Nolan on January 5, 2021 at 8:56 am

  54. As an illustrator I found this post particularly interesting. Sometimes a painting or sketch will sprout an idea. Writers should definitely give it a try!

    By Nancy Colle on January 5, 2021 at 8:57 am

  55. Thanks for sharing the process. Sounds like a great book!

    By Erin Bylund on January 5, 2021 at 8:58 am

  56. Thank you for this post! Your book is amazing and I love finding out the story behind how it developed! Your focus on thinking about the writing side of picture books as art is a great reminder. Another fun source for illustration images (besides Instagram) is Storybird.com.

    By Andrea Mack on January 5, 2021 at 8:58 am

  57. Thanks so much for the great post. I love hearing about the evolution of ideas and how important it is to flesh them out and get feedback.

    By rosecappelli on January 5, 2021 at 8:59 am

  58. I would LOVE a PB critique, but I also want a copy of your book! Guess I’ll have to go buy it now! I love the illustrations and seeing the way your idea transforms!

    Love,
    A newbie Storystorm-er

    By silentkdesign on January 5, 2021 at 8:59 am

  59. Really enjoyed the molding clay metaphor! Even may have started an idea with just that! Thank you!

    By Catherine Lee on January 5, 2021 at 9:01 am

  60. Thanks for sharing your process with us!

    By Nancy Ramsey on January 5, 2021 at 9:01 am

  61. I loved seeing the behind the scenes peek into your notebook and how a story went from a small note to a published book. Thanks for sharing that!

    By Tara Cerven on January 5, 2021 at 9:02 am

  62. Dear Erin,
    Thank you! I’m really interested in writing in the epistolary format! Can’t wait to read your book!
    Sincerely,
    Betsy

    By Betsy on January 5, 2021 at 9:02 am

  63. A-mazing, Erin, to see your notebook and how the idea became a published book. I love this exercise you gave us for finding today’s idea! Ty.

    By kathalsey on January 5, 2021 at 9:04 am

  64. Dear Erin — thank you for this fab story behind the story and your wonderful prize offerings. Wishing you all the best of success, Lynne Marie

    By Lynne Marie on January 5, 2021 at 9:05 am

  65. I had an idea from a previous year that uses letter writing but I always felt stuck with how to make it work and I’ve avoided it for quite some time but this inspired me to give it another look and try a new angle. Thank you!

    By candicewolff on January 5, 2021 at 9:06 am

  66. I sometimes dismiss ideas too quickly that I think might be dumb or not marketable. Thanks for reminding me to hang to any idea because you may not know what greater idea may be birthed from it. Love the potter analogy!

    By sherry fellores on January 5, 2021 at 9:06 am

  67. Thanks Erin. I really love the idea of starting with a picture. I now have my storystorm day 5 idea!

    By Cathy McDonnell on January 5, 2021 at 9:08 am

  68. Thanks for the inspiration to do a better job of keeping ideas in one place. Toodles for now. Off to look for pictures.

    By Bea Brown on January 5, 2021 at 9:13 am

  69. Looking forward to trying this, thank you for the inspiration.

    By Sara Fajardo on January 5, 2021 at 9:15 am

  70. Thanks for sharing your ideas. I especially like the tip to keep ideas in one place and hang on to them!

    By Jay on January 5, 2021 at 9:15 am

  71. Thank you for reminding me of the ‘what if’s’.

    By steveheron on January 5, 2021 at 9:16 am

  72. Thank you for sharing. I’ve written ideas in so many formats; I hope I come across them someday at just the right time. A notebook is such a great idea! Haha.

    By acottykid on January 5, 2021 at 9:19 am

  73. This looks like a beautiful book!

    By Shannon Howarth Nelsen on January 5, 2021 at 9:21 am

  74. Thank you, Erin. Very inspiring!

    By Lisa V Perron on January 5, 2021 at 9:23 am

  75. Hi Erin, thanks for this suggestion! Can’t wait to try it.

    By Julia on January 5, 2021 at 9:25 am

  76. This is fascinating, Erin! I love the idea of questioning an illustration—and following your process of coming up with the idea for Dear Earth! Can’t wait to try this out myself!

    By Jessica Fries-Gaither on January 5, 2021 at 9:27 am

  77. Thank you for sharing!

    By lizluvselephants on January 5, 2021 at 9:27 am

  78. Keeping it “kid-centric” can be easily forgotten. Great reminder.

    By Judie on January 5, 2021 at 9:28 am

  79. I see gorgeous kidlit art while scrolling social media and often wonder what the story was behind the illustration…I never thought to create a story. I’m excited to try this! Thank you!!

    By Judy Bryan on January 5, 2021 at 9:29 am

  80. The timing of this post is just perfect, Erin!

    By maureenegan on January 5, 2021 at 9:30 am

  81. I love this idea! As one of those writers who can barely draw a stick figure lol, I don’t tend to think of myself as an artist. Thanks for the encouragement and inspiration:))

    By Beth Holladay on January 5, 2021 at 9:33 am

  82. Super inspiring topic and story of how you wrote it, Erin! I’m excited to read Dear Earth. Perhaps I’ll try hand-writing ideas instead of typing them.

    By Robin Brett Wechsler on January 5, 2021 at 9:34 am

  83. Loved this post, Erin!! Miss seeing you and my old SCBWI-Nor Cal peeps! Congrats on your beautiful new book!

    By Lisa (Elisabeth) Aikins on January 5, 2021 at 9:34 am

  84. Images can be great inspiration for sure! Love your repurposed cover idea book! Fabulous!

    By Keeping the Me in Mommy on January 5, 2021 at 9:36 am

  85. I love this! It’s totally inspired me to look for inspiration in pictures :-).

    By helenishmurzin on January 5, 2021 at 9:40 am

  86. Loved this about the clay and art! I’ll ask those questions!

    By nataliecohn0258 on January 5, 2021 at 9:41 am

  87. The Kids in Room 5 will be talking about this for years to come. Great to empower kids to care for others and the world around them!

    By Lucky Jo Boscarino on January 5, 2021 at 9:41 am

  88. What a great story idea! Thanks for your post Erin; and for the inspiration to go play with some clay!

    By jbbower on January 5, 2021 at 9:41 am

  89. Thank you for sharing the birthing journey of this book! Can’t wait to add it to my shelf! Thanks for all the reminders and inspiration to be artists.

    By Kate Carroll on January 5, 2021 at 9:42 am

  90. Thank you Erin. Great ways to find and keep story ideas.

    By Jany Campana on January 5, 2021 at 9:42 am

  91. Love this idea about the clay and pottery wheel an art! Today I’m gonna be an artist!

    By nataliecohn0258 on January 5, 2021 at 9:42 am

  92. Ask questions, look at illustrations, keep idea notebook- great tips – Thanks!

    By Cynthia Miller on January 5, 2021 at 9:44 am

  93. Gosh what a great idea…troll the illustrator posts for inspiration! I’m on it!-Thank you, Erin Dealey!

    By Patricia on January 5, 2021 at 9:45 am

  94. A great reminder that all ideas can go somewhere.

    By jacquelineflesher on January 5, 2021 at 9:45 am

  95. Thanks, Erin! Great peek into your process!

    By beckylevine on January 5, 2021 at 9:46 am

  96. I love this idea! I can’t wait to get some inspiration!

    By Monique Chheda on January 5, 2021 at 9:46 am

  97. I love the idea of writing a book in letters. I like to write letters to practice voice too. Thank you for the inspiration!

    By Christina Shawn on January 5, 2021 at 9:46 am

  98. Great tips – such a treat to see illustrators works in progress – it definitely sparked some interesting conversations with myself about what the characters were doing before and after the image in front of me!

    By Joan Longstaff on January 5, 2021 at 9:46 am

  99. I needed to be reminded of the artistry of writing this morning. Thank you!

    By Lori Sheroan on January 5, 2021 at 9:46 am

  100. Thanks, Erin! Loved hearing the story of this story!

    By paulajbecker on January 5, 2021 at 9:46 am

  101. Going to look at lots of pictures today and see what triggers something! Thanks, Erin.

    By Marla Yablon on January 5, 2021 at 9:47 am

  102. Great Post Erin, love the evolution of your earth letters idea. Happy New Year!

    By Eileen Meyer on January 5, 2021 at 9:47 am

  103. Thanks for sharing your inspiration! Off to find mine!

    By Krista Maxwell on January 5, 2021 at 9:49 am

  104. Thank you for the idea of using pictures to develop ideas by asking questions Tara and Erin. I have two great ideas now 🙂

    By Joan Swanson on January 5, 2021 at 9:49 am

  105. Thank you for this creative prompt, Erin! I have just the image in mind.

    By Penny Merritt on January 5, 2021 at 9:50 am

  106. Really wonderful post, Erin. Thanks so much. DEAR EARTH is brilliant.

    By Marsha Diane Arnold on January 5, 2021 at 9:53 am

  107. Thank you for your generosity in sharing your early ideas. It’s such a great reminder to keep watering the seed.

    By crdram12 on January 5, 2021 at 9:53 am

  108. What a fantastic story behind the wonderful book! Thanks!

    By Laurel Ranveig Abell on January 5, 2021 at 9:53 am

  109. Thanks for sharing this.

    By lois1952 on January 5, 2021 at 9:53 am

  110. What a fun post! Will scroll through some illustrators later today!

    By Jessica Potts on January 5, 2021 at 9:54 am

  111. Wonderful post! Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂

    By Cortney Benvenuto on January 5, 2021 at 9:54 am

  112. Lots of fun perspective in this post & great prompt. Thanks, Erin!

    By ejessmurray on January 5, 2021 at 9:54 am

  113. Awesome idea. Just pulled my notebook out to do some writing-writing today instead of my usual typing-writing. Thanks for the inspiration!

    By Cedar Pruitt on January 5, 2021 at 9:55 am

  114. Thanks for this inspiring post. As someone who’s sat at a wheel with many lumps of clay, trying to “slay my wheel dragon!” I truly appreciated the metaphor. And so true. I’m also such a fan of epistolary works and also have one on my desk that “won’t go away”. But for now, up to the idea notebook with some thoughts burbling up from this post. Thanks again!!

    By Terri Epstein on January 5, 2021 at 9:56 am

  115. Thanks for the great tip!

    By Rathi on January 5, 2021 at 9:56 am

  116. Loved the potter metaphor. It is a great way to picture our work as writers until we have that one possible “pot” we can fire and glaze.

    By Hank Dallago on January 5, 2021 at 9:56 am

  117. Love this exercise. And the potter analogy. Thank you!

    By Susan on January 5, 2021 at 9:57 am

  118. Fun post and sounds like a fun book. Letters are making a comeback since the pandemic. Mom is not a paper and pencil person at all. She’s a computer typer! In spite of that (or because of it), her New Year’s Resolution is to write actual paper letters to people she cares about. Paws crossed that I get one! Paper is delicious.

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake

    By Genevieve Petrillo on January 5, 2021 at 9:57 am

  119. THIS “A potter wouldn’t just take some clay, throw a pot, and call it a day. Sometimes we’ll smush our newly thrown pot back into a wad of clay and start over. Sometimes we’ll throw pot after pot and end up with just one that we might glaze and fire. That’s writing, isn’t it? Every one of us is an artist. Storystorm is the start.” Great reminder.

    By Carrie Karnes Fannin on January 5, 2021 at 9:58 am

  120. This post contains many nuggets of wisdom. Thank you!

    By pbbeckyk on January 5, 2021 at 9:58 am

  121. gathering ideas is almost as fun as the writing itself! thank you for this awesome post. I love seeing other people’s notebooks too!

    By The Accidental Inspirationalist ✒️📖 (@TLBREIT) on January 5, 2021 at 9:58 am

  122. I love seeing how ideas evolve throughout the writing process. Even if one idea isn’t “the final idea,” it might be the seed that leads to another idea, which leads to the right one!

    By calliebdean on January 5, 2021 at 10:00 am

  123. I loved reading this post! It got my re-energized on creating my idea notebook, AND inspired some new ideas! I’m going to have to buy your book now! Thanks!

    By talararuth on January 5, 2021 at 10:00 am

  124. Love how you repurposed that book cover! I like the idea of asking questions about images.

    By Linda Schueler on January 5, 2021 at 10:01 am

  125. Thanks for sharing how your picture book idea grew into a book. Great suggestions for inspiration too – I love looking at all the different styles illustrators of pbs use. This will be a joy!

    By sareenmclay on January 5, 2021 at 10:02 am

  126. Dear Erin,

    I couldn’t choose one picture, so I chose two. When I started asking questions, the pictures blended in my mind, and the ideas rushed so out so fast I ended up with smudges in my journal and on my hand 😂😂—I’m a lefty.
    What a perfect way to start today, thank you 🙏🏻 😊.

    By Little Al on January 5, 2021 at 10:02 am

  127. Thank you Erin😊

    By saintamovin on January 5, 2021 at 10:03 am

  128. I find lots of ideas on Instagram! I only follow accounts I find inspiring, so it’s not an endless scroll through junk. I follow lots of illustrators, scientists, and photographers, so there’s lots of good stuff to choose from!

    By Michelle Cusolito on January 5, 2021 at 10:03 am

  129. Your post left me inspired and motivated, Erin! Thanks!

    By pathaap on January 5, 2021 at 10:03 am

  130. I collect illustrator notecards at conferences and other events to help inspire me, as well as a Pinterest board. Thanks for the great post!

    By Tanya Konerman on January 5, 2021 at 10:05 am

  131. A picture I’d seen recently popped into my head while reading your post and by the end I already had a PB idea! Thanks! Great suggestion!

    By womanwifemotherchild on January 5, 2021 at 10:05 am

  132. How fascinating to read how your story grew from an idea and some notes into such a creative book! Thank you for sharing.

    By Becky Falkum on January 5, 2021 at 10:07 am

  133. This post was a great start to my day, thank you! Heading to scroll art on instagram now. Congratulations on your success!

    By Karin Larson on January 5, 2021 at 10:08 am

  134. I needed this post for many reasons.and can’t wait to read this book! Thank you Erin for sharing how this story came to be. I love this brainstorming idea!

    By Alicia Curley on January 5, 2021 at 10:08 am

  135. Thanks for sharing examples of how you got from there to here! It’s so helpful seeing examples like this from authors. Also, I love your idea book.

    By Jenny Boyd on January 5, 2021 at 10:08 am

  136. Oh man I love this idea! Some days I sit here looking at a blank page wondering where in the world I’m going to come up with an idea. Just go to Instagram and look at all the beautiful illustrations. Perfect.

    By Susan Drew on January 5, 2021 at 10:10 am

  137. I have the sketch that one of my critique partners drew for a prompt. Think I’d better get busy and write character a letter. Thanks for this post. I hope others needed it as badly as I did today. Write onward!

    By mona861 on January 5, 2021 at 10:11 am

  138. Thanks Erin–I’m headed off to browse #picturebookillustration now!

    By Bennett Dixon on January 5, 2021 at 10:11 am

  139. I love the idea of using art to jump start a story. Usually we write picture books envisioning the art that will go in later. Great suggestion.

    By Elyse Trevers on January 5, 2021 at 10:11 am

  140. Thank you for the good tips! I too have never kept all my ideas in one place… till now. And you’re right, brainstorming at a keyboard feels much different.

    By Jessica Swaim on January 5, 2021 at 10:12 am

  141. Erin, agreed! Writers ARE artists 😀 There is art in SO many vocations and this is one. I also LOVE picture prompts. After all, they’re worth a thousand words. We just have to find which words we want to use to tell a story—AND try to keep the word count down 😉

    By writersideup on January 5, 2021 at 10:12 am

  142. Thank you Erin. I was so interested to read how your story developed from the initial idea, what you kept and what you didn’t.

    By Jo Martin on January 5, 2021 at 10:13 am

  143. Thanks Erin, I especially like the analogy of writing kids’ books to smashing and reforming a clay pot till it takes it’s best shape.

    By andreesantini on January 5, 2021 at 10:15 am

  144. What a lovely book! Great concept!

    By Elizabeth Muster on January 5, 2021 at 10:16 am

  145. Thanks Erin! A great encouragement!

    By Brittney on January 5, 2021 at 10:16 am

  146. I love your process Erin! Thanks for sharing your writing group’s feedback for Dear Earth. It helps to understand the shaping of a story. As a grade 3 teacher I not only want this book, I NEED it. Thank you!!!

    By Teresa Daffern on January 5, 2021 at 10:20 am

  147. It’s fun to see the evolution of people’s stories. Thank you.

    By Johnell DeWitt on January 5, 2021 at 10:20 am

  148. Great post! I enjoyed the idea of asking questions when looking at illustrations! Also, that repurposed book cover looks so fun. 😁

    By Melissa H. Mwai on January 5, 2021 at 10:20 am

  149. Thanks Erin! I also love the idea of comparing us to potters.

    By R M Miller on January 5, 2021 at 10:21 am

  150. This was perfect timing for me as my idea yesterday made me feel the blahs and it was only day 4. I loved seeing the beautiful scribbles and hearing that not all ideas come to fruition….that we keep going because ideas are ideas. Some become something while others may simply sleep.

    By Mrs. Vandivier on January 5, 2021 at 10:21 am

  151. Artwork is great for sparking ideas. I just thought of two while browsing. Thank you so much for the inspiration, Erin!

    By Rebster on January 5, 2021 at 10:22 am

  152. Most of my books are first pictures in my head that I hesitate to draw. You’ve inspired me to quit judging!👍🏻

    By Laura on January 5, 2021 at 10:24 am

  153. I love how the idea flowed to become what it is! And great tips.

    By Rozana Rajkumari on January 5, 2021 at 10:25 am

  154. You’ve inspired me to quit judging my art/pb ideas!

    By Laura on January 5, 2021 at 10:25 am

  155. I love those ideas! I too wrote a manuscript completely in letters (never felt quite ready to send out). It’s harder than it seems.

    By Rachelle Burk on January 5, 2021 at 10:27 am

  156. I loved the glimpse into your idea notebook…encouraging to see lots of scribbles! Thank you!

    By Jennifer Roman on January 5, 2021 at 10:28 am

  157. Thank you for this encouragement!

    By katiemillsgiorgio on January 5, 2021 at 10:28 am

  158. Thank for sharing and for your encouragement in our writing process.

    By jms5880 on January 5, 2021 at 10:28 am

  159. My BF is an artist. I’m going to scroll through her webpage and get inspired!

    By christychristyswiftcom on January 5, 2021 at 10:28 am

  160. It was great to see how your idea changed from when you first wrote it down. This is a good reminder to just jot ideas down before they get away, without worrying about whether they’re “there” yet.

    By Jacqueline Adams on January 5, 2021 at 10:28 am

  161. Thank you! I loved the blog post you linked to about writing in epistolary form, I’ve always played around with this for one of my manuscripts.

    By kirsten218 on January 5, 2021 at 10:29 am

  162. Unbelievable! I did a Google search for childrens book illustrations and then chose “images.” One picture called to me. I followed your instructions, asked it questions, and did I get answers! Tomorrow I will write the story that appeared in my mind almost fully developed.

    By Hanna Geshelin on January 5, 2021 at 10:29 am

  163. Unbelievable! I did a Google search for childrens book illustrations and then chose “images.” One picture called to me. I followed your instructions, asked it questions, and did I get answers! Tomorrow I will write the story that appeared in my mind almost fully developed.

    By Hanna Geshelin on January 5, 2021 at 10:29 am

  164. Terrific reminder, Erin, that pictures are such a huge part of what we do…and can also be the launching pad for great (and not-so-great) ideas. They all count! Thanks so much for sharing!

    By Deb Sullivan on January 5, 2021 at 10:29 am

  165. Erin, thank you for the ideas and encouragement! Love how this story developed, your questions and thoughts about dialogue. Thanks for the boost!
    (Another) Erin 😉

    Erin Matzen

    By Erin Matzen on January 5, 2021 at 10:29 am

  166. Thanks, Erin. I definitely need to keep all my ideas in one place. And I love your repurposed idea book cover!

    By Lisa Riddiough on January 5, 2021 at 10:32 am

  167. Thanks for your inspirational post, Erin!

    By Sandhya Rose on January 5, 2021 at 10:33 am

  168. Inspirational! Thank you Erin. 🙂

    By DaNeil Olson on January 5, 2021 at 10:35 am

  169. There are days that I see myself as an artist and other days when the creative gene has left me. But I really believe in getting ideas from other sources and pictures are perfect for that. Thanks for the inspiration today Erin.

    By Deb Buschman (@DebBuschman) on January 5, 2021 at 10:36 am

  170. Love the idea of writers being potters. Our stories can be remolded into something better. Thank you.

    By Susan Eyerman on January 5, 2021 at 10:37 am

  171. Thank you for sharing your process!

    Moni

    By bookthreader on January 5, 2021 at 10:37 am

  172. Thank you, Erin! My ideas are all over the place. Thanks for the push to keep them in one place!

    By triciacandy on January 5, 2021 at 10:37 am

  173. What an interesting journey–thanks for sharing!

    By Nancy Furstinger on January 5, 2021 at 10:38 am

  174. Nice, thanks, Erin!

    By Jennifer Angel on January 5, 2021 at 10:39 am

  175. Thanks for this post! I’m a very visual person, so I’ve often gotten inspiration from pictures or illustrations. Or sometimes songs!

    By Erin Gallagher on January 5, 2021 at 10:39 am

  176. Combining questions and illustrations sounds like a brilliant way to generate ideas. Thanks, Erin!

    By cynthiahm on January 5, 2021 at 10:42 am

  177. The Potter analogy was great! Great post!

    By rachaelclarke12 on January 5, 2021 at 10:42 am

  178. I loved reading your story, thank you!

    By Sharon on January 5, 2021 at 10:42 am

  179. If anyone has not seen Dear Earth, it really is a wonderful book. Thank you, Erin, for sharing the backstory with us – and congratulations again!

    By Matt Forrest Esenwine on January 5, 2021 at 10:42 am

  180. Thanks for your insights. Your book looks adorable.

    By Andrea Denish on January 5, 2021 at 10:43 am

  181. Loved seeing how DEAR EARTH evolved! Here’s to lots of ideas evolving.

    By Beth Stilborn on January 5, 2021 at 10:43 am

  182. Great idea, book Dear Earth.
    Thank you for posting Erin.

    By Mark Bentz on January 5, 2021 at 10:45 am

  183. I put all my ideas into a document so that they are searchable, but I do miss the feel of a notebook. I love the idea of this book!

    By Jasmine Smith on January 5, 2021 at 10:46 am

  184. We can be so hard on ourselves! Thanks for the reminder that we are all artists and that to make great art we have to play and try and remake, again and again.

    By Laura Renauld on January 5, 2021 at 10:46 am

  185. Thank you Erin for this inspiring piece. I loved hearing about the seed idea for your book!

    By annette schottenfeld on January 5, 2021 at 10:47 am

  186. I will gather my clay today and throw a pot! It will probably be lopsided and imperfect, but it’s a start and I can go back and rework it. Thank you for a great way to imagine the writing process!

    By kathychalas on January 5, 2021 at 10:48 am

  187. Wonderful inspiration Erin. Thank you!

    By Diane Kress Hower on January 5, 2021 at 10:50 am

  188. It’s so interesting how the child-angel of the Earth morphed into a class of kids writing letters to Earth. I love the pottery metaphor, too. I took ceramics in high school and while I loved the process, but I threw out all of the products (because they were ugly and I also had no need for a pig-shaped shaker for example). The joy and the learning can be in the making, even if what we make doesn’t always turn out so great.

    By Sara Ackerman on January 5, 2021 at 10:51 am

  189. Love this idea Erin, of letters to the Earth. And to think it started by asking questions of an illustration. I remember a sixth grade teacher who would pass out magazine photos randomly and challenge us to write a story… loved it!!

    By hmkingman on January 5, 2021 at 10:52 am

  190. Thank you for the reminder to play, shape, merge … and sometimes, scrap!

    By Lauren Barbieri on January 5, 2021 at 10:52 am

  191. Every picture inspires many stories. We decide which one we’ll tell. Thanks for your post.

    By Susan on January 5, 2021 at 10:54 am

  192. Like many others, I love the pottery metaphor. Build em up, smoosh em down – the tao of ideation.

    By Adam Blackman on January 5, 2021 at 10:54 am

  193. Thank you for sharing your process for developing a story. It’s really helpful to see how everything unfolds!

    By Meg on January 5, 2021 at 10:54 am

  194. Thanks for the great post, Erin.

    By Gregory E Bray on January 5, 2021 at 10:54 am

  195. Love this idea! Went on Instagram and found a few illustration story sparks–including a beautiful image that turns out to be from Ten Ways to Hear Snow by Cathy Camper, illustrations by Kenard Pak. A great book to start the day as I head to work this snowy dark morning.

    By Jessica Coupé on January 5, 2021 at 10:55 am

  196. I loved seeing your progress from idea-to-story with all the twists and turns! I have a few books that I love but aren’t working yet, so your story helps inspire me to keep trying! Thank you!

    By pollyrenner on January 5, 2021 at 10:55 am

  197. I love your book’s concept. I actually had just read your post about writing epistolary PBs, so I was thrilled to see you were on the storystorm blog today! Thanks for this fresh perspective.

    By Amy Leskowski on January 5, 2021 at 10:55 am

  198. I loved this – so much fun to see how your idea changed. Thank you!

    By Cinzia V. on January 5, 2021 at 11:02 am

  199. Nice concept. Interesting to see how the concept evolved and how the critique group helped shape and strengthen the book.

    By Annie War on January 5, 2021 at 11:03 am

  200. This was helpful! So many lumps of clay…

    By Steve Jankousky on January 5, 2021 at 11:05 am

  201. Thanks for sharing your many wonderful idea-generating approaches, Erin!

    By Lucretia S on January 5, 2021 at 11:12 am

  202. Thank you for sharing your useful ideas!

    By martyfindley on January 5, 2021 at 11:14 am

  203. Thank you, Erin, for sharing your notebook ideas. I love your process.

    By judyrubin13 on January 5, 2021 at 11:17 am

  204. Thank you Erin for your encouragement and tips. Using illustrations as inspiration for a story idea is a wonderful way to get out of our writers’ slump.

    By amanookian2014 on January 5, 2021 at 11:17 am

  205. Will happily join your potters with potential group to re-shape, re-form and keep going! Thanks Erin.

    By Cathy Ballou Mealey on January 5, 2021 at 11:18 am

  206. Thank you for this great idea prompt.

    By Earl @ The Chronicles Of A Children's Book Writer on January 5, 2021 at 11:20 am

  207. Oh Dear, My Dear, Yes Dear… Dear One… thank you

    By marsha weiner on January 5, 2021 at 11:20 am

  208. I loved getting to see a snippet of your story evolution!
    I keep my notes on my phone, but before they get out in there, they’re scribbled on a post it. I should totally get or make a book to hold onto them. Thanks for the tip.

    By Lauren Hidalgo on January 5, 2021 at 11:21 am

  209. Oh this book just looks amazing! I love how you shared how the idea morphed to become what it is now. Fantastic, thank you!

    By Maria Oka on January 5, 2021 at 11:21 am

  210. I love the potting analogy – off to throw some clay! I look forward to reading your book – it sounds wonderful!

    By Susan Macartney on January 5, 2021 at 11:21 am

  211. Thank you Erin for your encouragement and tips. Using illustrations for inspiration is a wonderful way to work out of a writer’s slump.

    By amanookian2014 on January 5, 2021 at 11:25 am

  212. Thank you so much! I love your potter analogy and your encouraging words. And your PB is beautiful.

    By Nancy Vona on January 5, 2021 at 11:25 am

  213. So fascinating to see how ideas change shape before taking their final form. And I love this notion of asking your idea questions…thanks for sharing!

    By Megan Litwin on January 5, 2021 at 11:27 am

  214. This book looks adorable and so clever! Thanks for today’s inspiration.

    By nrompella on January 5, 2021 at 11:30 am

  215. I love the repurposed notebook – may have to steal that idea! Thanks for sharing and the book sounds wonderful.

    By Joni Nemeth on January 5, 2021 at 11:31 am

  216. Erin, I love your notebook with a repurposed cover! I also really like the idea of children’s books written in letter form.Thank you!

    By Alison on January 5, 2021 at 11:32 am

  217. Love hearing the journey from initial concept to finished story! And thank you for sharing this idea ❤

    By heatherbell37 on January 5, 2021 at 11:33 am

  218. Dear Erin,
    You rock and roll in rhyme. You are a joy to listen to all the time. (Blogs and conferences)
    Thanks for your contribution to the kid lit world.
    We love your books.
    Aimee

    By Aimee Haburjak on January 5, 2021 at 11:35 am

  219. I love seeing the evolution of a picture book from spark to published! It makes me feel better about how our ideas grow stronger each brainstorm and draft. Thank you for sharing these glimpses from your super cool idea notebook.

    By candicemarleyconner on January 5, 2021 at 11:35 am

  220. This is how I love to work, in the tumbling synchronicity of questions and answers! Wonderful to see the process of Dear Earth! It looks like a beautiful must-read book. I hadn’t read Cathy Breisacher’s post and was happy to tie the two together and bookmark the other suggestions as well. So much inspiration from Erin’s post today!! Thank you!

    By Vera Lisa Smetzer on January 5, 2021 at 11:35 am

  221. Thank you, Erin! Another great way to generate ideas and flesh things out. I am not an illustrator but am intrigued to try using imagery to help form ideas anyway!

    By Brian Burak on January 5, 2021 at 11:39 am

  222. Thanks so much for sharing your fun process, Erin! I’ve been jotting my StoryStorm ideas in my Bullet Journal (funny that you mentioned having a bullet-ish one). I love the concept of a repurposed “idea journal.”

    By ecmoran on January 5, 2021 at 11:41 am

  223. Can’t wait to read your book – loved hearing about your creative journey with it.

    By bevbaird on January 5, 2021 at 11:44 am

  224. Great post, thank you Erin!

    By Emily Durant on January 5, 2021 at 11:44 am

  225. Inspirational! I especially enjoyed reading Cathy Breisacher’s link from PiBoIdMo. Thanks for including it. A wealth of imagery surrounds us. We just have to keep our eyes open.

    By Doreen Tango Hampton on January 5, 2021 at 11:45 am

  226. Thank you for sharing your process and some of your early notes. I’m looking forward to reading Dear Earth.

    By Claire A. B. Freeland on January 5, 2021 at 11:46 am

  227. Great idea! I’ve actually begun taking pictures of art I’ve seen that sparks questions for future books.

    By Caren on January 5, 2021 at 11:47 am

  228. Thank you for all the places to go and look at ideas and places to view illustrations to gather ideas for a story.

    By Sheri Radovich on January 5, 2021 at 11:47 am

  229. I love the clay analogy!

    By mariemessinger on January 5, 2021 at 11:48 am

  230. I LOVE thinking of our art in pottery terms! Sometimes it can be so discouraging when our first try isn’t perfect. I will take Erin’s advice and keep throwing ideas on the wheel and continue to try and manipulate them into something beautiful! 🙂

    By Genevieve Gorback on January 5, 2021 at 11:49 am

  231. Love the advice of allowing our minds to question and wonder and see where an idea leads.

    By jstremer on January 5, 2021 at 11:49 am

  232. I love the image of tossing my clay back into the wad and reshaping it! And your repurposed journal cover.

    By Sue Heavenrich on January 5, 2021 at 11:50 am

  233. Very inspirational! Can’t wait to see what comes out of my ball of clay!

    By Jennifer Rathe on January 5, 2021 at 11:50 am

  234. I love the analogy to a potter! So creative

    By Sue on January 5, 2021 at 11:51 am

  235. I always love to hear how the story evolves from the grain of the idea to the changes along the way. It shows the spark of an idea changes, so no one spark is alone in their ways.

    By readmybook2002 on January 5, 2021 at 11:54 am

  236. This post has finally pushed me to get a notebook instead of just using my computer. Thanks!

    By kskeesling on January 5, 2021 at 11:55 am

  237. Love the blank journal idea to be able to draw and write as one brainstorms a new idea(s). Love your process and your book… congrats!

    By Laurel Goodluck on January 5, 2021 at 11:56 am

  238. Great tips – Thank you!!

    By Carole Shelton on January 5, 2021 at 11:56 am

  239. Thank you for sharing your story!

    By vijikc on January 5, 2021 at 11:56 am

  240. Thank you for this inspiring post!

    By Mia Geiger on January 5, 2021 at 11:59 am

  241. I love your cover..I would love a copy of this book. What a great title too!

    By Heather Elizabeth on January 5, 2021 at 11:59 am

  242. Your journal, your voice, the potter image…love them all! Thank you!

    By storiesbythesea on January 5, 2021 at 11:59 am

  243. Thanks for these great ideas–from the idea notebook to using letters to tell the story!

    By Susan Ahearn-Pierce on January 5, 2021 at 12:01 pm

  244. Thank you, Erin. I love how one idea can change into another.

    By David McMullin on January 5, 2021 at 12:03 pm

  245. Thank you for sharing how you got the idea for and created Dear Earth… From Your Friends in Room 5. That’s the second time I’ve heard that pictures can inspire ideas. Time for me to get moving on that advice. 🙂

    By Jen Helwig on January 5, 2021 at 12:04 pm

  246. Thanks so much Erin for sharing. I’m getting so much from these posts. From where I sit it is so inspiring to hear about the process from accomplished writers. Thank you. PS – love the recycled notebook!

    By Elenore on January 5, 2021 at 12:04 pm

  247. I just love how ideas evolve! Such a beautiful book!

    By Stef Wade (@Stef_Wade) on January 5, 2021 at 12:05 pm

  248. I love the idea of finding inspiration in illustrations. Thank you for this awesome tip. Also love the name of your critique group.

    By Karen Rafeedie on January 5, 2021 at 12:06 pm

  249. I loved hearing the story behind your story, Erin! Thank you for sharing.

    By Jolene Ballard Gutiérrez on January 5, 2021 at 12:06 pm

  250. Thanks, Erin. I’m off to ask questions!

    By Judy Palermo on January 5, 2021 at 12:10 pm

  251. Thank you for this post. I love how ideas change and strengthen over time. It’s all part of the process.

    By Maria Altizer on January 5, 2021 at 12:11 pm

  252. Such a fun, inspiring post, Erin! I love your repurposed notebook and seeing how your ideas evolved into your beautiful picture book!

    By donnacangelosi on January 5, 2021 at 12:11 pm

  253. I love this brainstorming idea and I love the idea of your book. Kudos to you!

    By Michele Helsel on January 5, 2021 at 12:13 pm

  254. Thank you

    By Kassy Keppol on January 5, 2021 at 12:15 pm

  255. I first went back into Cathy’s post before reading on with yours. I clearly need to get more organized with my ideas since I have notebooks all over the place, but I am eager to incorporate both yours and Cathy’s suggestions into my brainstorming, so thank you!

    By Colleen Owen Murphy on January 5, 2021 at 12:15 pm

  256. Thank you for sharing that great idea! Can’t wait to read your book.

    By Sara Matson on January 5, 2021 at 12:15 pm

  257. Hearing the evolution of your story is inspiring. Thanks Erin.

    By setwiggs on January 5, 2021 at 12:18 pm

  258. Love the concept existing illustrations to prompt new ideas.

    By Coral Jenrette on January 5, 2021 at 12:19 pm

  259. So clever, Erin… find a picture, ask it questions! Congrats on your Earth PB debut.

    By Babs Ostapina on January 5, 2021 at 12:19 pm

  260. Erin,
    Thank you for sharing the snapshot of your first attempt at the story, including the scribbles and crossed out words, which was a great reminder that writing is a process (and scribbling out is almost always a part of that process)!

    By Kate on January 5, 2021 at 12:20 pm

  261. Thanks for sharing your process. Writing ideas on paper does help my creativity when drafting ideas.

    By Ashley Congdon (@AshleyCCongdon) on January 5, 2021 at 12:21 pm

  262. Thanks for sharing! Love this perspective!

    By Janice Woods on January 5, 2021 at 12:22 pm

  263. Thanks Erin. I love the idea of using pictures as sparks. And I’m a huge fan of the epistolary format…I can’t wait to see Dear Earth.

    By Daryl Gottier on January 5, 2021 at 12:23 pm

  264. So motivating, Erin, thank you!

    By tootienienow on January 5, 2021 at 12:23 pm

  265. Thank you o much. What helpful ideas. it’s made me rethink so of those ideas I’ve abandoned in the past and given me permission to reimagine them in a new way.

    By Pat Trattles on January 5, 2021 at 12:25 pm

  266. Thank you for sharing your world. I know I should not turn around but keep going forward and this is a wonderful affirmation.

    By MARY JO HUFF on January 5, 2021 at 12:27 pm

  267. What a great idea to use illustrations as inspiration! Thanks for the tip.

    By Bethanny Parker on January 5, 2021 at 12:27 pm

  268. Thank you so much for your post, it has wonderful ideas.

    By Anita Banks on January 5, 2021 at 12:28 pm

  269. “Books for kids should be about kids.” These words spoke to me. Sometimes being reminded of things we already know, brings us back to the focus. Thank you!

    By susan schade on January 5, 2021 at 12:28 pm

  270. What a wonderful topic for a picture book. I love the idea of Earth writing letters to a roomful of kids. Can’t wait to read this!

    By marty on January 5, 2021 at 12:28 pm

  271. I found your link to “6 Quick-Read Crafty Tips for Writing a Manuscript in Epistolary Format,” very handy too!

    By Laurel Santini on January 5, 2021 at 12:28 pm

  272. Thank you for your inspiring post, Erin! I’m ready to mold some clay!

    By Stephanie Gibeault on January 5, 2021 at 12:29 pm

  273. First off, that is a lovely notebook. Second, I CAN’T believe it’s never occurred to use art/illustrations as inspiration for new picture books, or that child angels might simply be the spirits of dead children.

    By andynarwhal on January 5, 2021 at 12:30 pm

  274. Really loved seeing the process of how your upcoming book came to be. Time to get my notebook out!

    By Alicia Z. Klepeis on January 5, 2021 at 12:30 pm

  275. I loved your post and am off to find more inspiration by following the links you have shared.😁❤️

    By writeknit on January 5, 2021 at 12:31 pm

  276. Hi Erin, Thanks for sharing your process for creating Dear Earth. Great concept!

    By Manju Beth Howard (@ManjuBeth) on January 5, 2021 at 12:33 pm

  277. Love this book…teaching the importance of taking care of Mother Earth is a topic dear to me. Thanks for sharing how your initial idea evolved into the final book, brings hope to my far fetched ideas.

    By Estrellina on January 5, 2021 at 12:33 pm

  278. Thank you for sharing your inspiration and creative process. It is very encouraging and I can’t wait to read your book!

    By georgeandjohanna on January 5, 2021 at 12:35 pm

  279. Thanks for sharing how Dear Earth came about and how the critique groups helped you in shaping it! Looks amazing!

    By claudia sloan on January 5, 2021 at 12:35 pm

  280. Great ideas, Erin…very motivating. Thanks!

    By Becky Ross Michael on January 5, 2021 at 12:36 pm

  281. Thanks Erin for the encouragement to keep shaping your ideas!

    By bonzerb on January 5, 2021 at 12:36 pm

  282. Child angel holding earth in her hand- that’s lovely. Maybe you will still write that one. Thanks for your post, Erin.

    By Natasha Garnett on January 5, 2021 at 12:37 pm

  283. Love how the story developed! Looks like a great book!

    By Hollie Wolverton on January 5, 2021 at 12:38 pm

  284. Thanks Erin. I needed these inspiring tips today and look forward to trying them!

    By Cindy Jeklin on January 5, 2021 at 12:38 pm

  285. Thanks for the post–I like visual prompts, too. Great repurposed notebook cover

    By Denise Taranov on January 5, 2021 at 12:40 pm

  286. Hi Erin, Your new book looks great and thanks for revealing your process. See you again maybe in 2021 or 2022 since 2020 was a bust for the Spring Spirit conferences..

    By Sherry Smith on January 5, 2021 at 12:40 pm

  287. Great idea about the repurposed idea notebook!

    By Christine Van Zandt, author of A BRIEF HISTORY OF UNDERPANTS on January 5, 2021 at 12:40 pm

  288. Thank you for the notebook organization ideas. Special thanks for your book helping kids to be a part of climate change solutions!

    By Gail Atherley on January 5, 2021 at 12:44 pm

  289. Thank you for this inspiring post!

    By Shirley Ng-Benitez on January 5, 2021 at 12:45 pm

  290. Playing, molding, and reshaping ideas is so important.

    By Sarah Tobias on January 5, 2021 at 12:46 pm

  291. Thank you Erin! I appreciate the resources and suggestions!

    By Elizabeth Saba on January 5, 2021 at 12:46 pm

  292. I am looking forward to reading Dear Earth…it looks fantastic. I also like to start my ideas on paper and I loved seeing your real-life notes, very encouraging!

    By Pam Jones-Nill on January 5, 2021 at 12:46 pm

  293. Thanks so much for sharing your process. I struggle to read my own writing, but do agree that it’s sometimes helpful to write by hand.

    By Lynn Baldwin on January 5, 2021 at 12:48 pm

  294. Thanks for an interesting post

    By Jennifer Skene on January 5, 2021 at 12:48 pm

  295. Thank you for the tips!

    By Tanya M on January 5, 2021 at 12:49 pm

  296. I love your book title! Thanks for this inspiring post.

    By bymaggiebrown on January 5, 2021 at 12:50 pm

  297. I have an idea for an epistolary Pb, I’ll definitely check the link you posted and check out your book – looks so interesting! Thanks for the inspiration!

    By Kathiann Weatherbee (@WeatherbeeBooks) on January 5, 2021 at 12:52 pm

  298. Such great ideas! Just what I needed today to get me over a few humps. Thanks!

    By Ellen Leventhal on January 5, 2021 at 12:53 pm

  299. I love how that story evolved!

    By Robin Wiesneth on January 5, 2021 at 12:56 pm

  300. Thank you for your great post!

    By Elizabeth Brown on January 5, 2021 at 1:01 pm

  301. I love the notebook idea! I always write mine in different notes on my phone. But it’s so disorganized. Thanks!

    By serenagingoldallen on January 5, 2021 at 1:03 pm

  302. Love the potter analogy! Thanks for your inspiration, Erin.

    By Sara Pistulka Weingartner on January 5, 2021 at 1:03 pm

  303. Thanks for the concrete goal… off to pick a picture and play with new ideas!

    By aidantalkin on January 5, 2021 at 1:05 pm

  304. This is great for visual learners like me!

    By Melissa Chupp on January 5, 2021 at 1:09 pm

  305. I agree completely! I love my idea journal. It’s great to thumb through it to get the creative juices flowing by exploring old ideas that never went anywhere. Fresh eyes, fresh spin on of ideas. Thank you for your post. T

    By Tanja Bauerle on January 5, 2021 at 1:10 pm

  306. Pictures are a great story resource idea – the opportunities are boundless. Off I go!

    By NC Karuzis on January 5, 2021 at 1:11 pm

  307. I love this idea of asking pictures questions … and I’ve long wanted to try a book in letter-writing form. Thanks for the nudge!

    By Dawn Prochovnic on January 5, 2021 at 1:11 pm

  308. This was great!thank you for sharing how your story evolved.

    By Patricia Holloway on January 5, 2021 at 1:11 pm

  309. Thanks, Erin, for showing sample pages in your idea notebook. It gave me ideas!

    By dorothywiese on January 5, 2021 at 1:12 pm

  310. Thank you, Erin! I’ll definitely check out your link to tips on writing in epistolary format, as a I’ve had an idea jogging around in my brain for awhile now.

    By Carrie Tillotson on January 5, 2021 at 1:13 pm

  311. I love the idea of using letters! Thank you for this helpful post.

    By Anne C. Bromley on January 5, 2021 at 1:13 pm

  312. What great ideas and thank you for the inspiration, Erin.

    By babybluesnowflake on January 5, 2021 at 1:14 pm

  313. Erin-thank you so very much for providing me with a source for ideas that I had never thought of! How imaginative to look at art and delve into that! I also read Cathy’s post from last year and it is wonderful as well. Your comments are a source of inspiration! Thanks again for sharing!

    By Lori Shapiro on January 5, 2021 at 1:14 pm

  314. Thank-you Erin. I copied your Stop Look Listen instructions & taped them into my ideas notebook.

    By mariearden on January 5, 2021 at 1:15 pm

  315. Thanks for the reminder to not stress -the more relaxed we are, the more ideas can enter our imaginations! Congrats!

    By danielledufayet on January 5, 2021 at 1:15 pm

  316. Thanks for a great idea, Erin!

    By Cathy Ogren on January 5, 2021 at 1:16 pm

  317. I like that scrolling can be a positive thing 😉

    By Lydia Lukidis on January 5, 2021 at 1:17 pm

  318. Great ideas! Thank you, Erin!

    By Shawna J. C. Tenney on January 5, 2021 at 1:22 pm

  319. Thank you Erin – great ideas. Look forward to reading your book!!

    By Kimberly Marcus on January 5, 2021 at 1:23 pm

  320. Off to question pictures!

    By Lydia Leimbach on January 5, 2021 at 1:23 pm

  321. There are really no bad ides! Thank you for sharing.

    By TerriMichels on January 5, 2021 at 1:24 pm

  322. I love seeing how a story evolves. I also LOVE that notebook!

    By Carrie Williford (@carrietimes) on January 5, 2021 at 1:24 pm

  323. Having done StoryStorm for a few years now, I love going back into my journals which I have uploaded into an excel spreadsheet, and laugh at some of my ideas or wonder what I was thinking on others. Sometimes I am inspired by a line or a character or a title to come up with something new. And then sometimes a story has blossomed and I’m inspired to cultivate it. One such story is now out on submission, so fingers crossed.

    By matthewlasley on January 5, 2021 at 1:24 pm

  324. I love your recycled book cover notebook! I’m excited to read Dear Earth 🙂

    By Laurie Carmody on January 5, 2021 at 1:24 pm

  325. A fellow bullet journaler says “Hey!” Critique groups are great for finding those eek, I didn’t think of it that way moments, aren’t they? Thank you for the blog post today, I enjoyed it. 🙂

    By Melisa Wrex on January 5, 2021 at 1:24 pm

  326. Thanks, Erin for sharing your process!

    By vrukaslt on January 5, 2021 at 1:26 pm

  327. What a fun idea notebook! Thank you for sharing. Mine is more utilitarian (3-ring binder), but it lets me print out and add those inspirational images with ease.

    Thank you for the link to the 2019 post, too. It reminds us this blog is a gold mine of kidlit resources.

    By Roberta Gibson on January 5, 2021 at 1:27 pm

  328. Love learning where stories come from! DEAR EARTH sounds perfect for young and not-so-young. And your home-spun, upcycled journal is the best. Thanks!

    By Carmela LaVigna Coyle on January 5, 2021 at 1:29 pm

  329. Thank you, Erin, for your wise words. I love this sentence and am going to read it over and over: “Sometimes we’ll throw pot after pot and end up with just one that we might glaze and fire. That’s writing, isn’t it? Every one of us is an artist. Storystorm is the start.”

    By Lori Dubbin on January 5, 2021 at 1:29 pm

  330. I enjoyed reading this post. Thank you, Erin!

    By Sarah Meade on January 5, 2021 at 1:34 pm

  331. What a wonderful post, Erin! And I can’t wait to read DEAR EARTH!

    By Kirsti Call on January 5, 2021 at 1:34 pm

  332. A brilliant idea for a book! I can’t wait to read it!

    By Charlotte Offsay on January 5, 2021 at 1:36 pm

  333. I love the analogy of being a potter, Erin. Thank you for showing us the process and story behind DEAR EARTH. It is on my TBR list!

    By Aimee Satterlee on January 5, 2021 at 1:36 pm

  334. As a former camper who kept asking her mother for a kick wheel, I love this idea of reshaping the clay. But I may have to keep typing on my laptop and I do have that folder filled with scraps of paper!

    By Julia Lyon on January 5, 2021 at 1:38 pm

  335. Thanks Erin! I’m struggling with the “bullet-ish” journal and love the way your dedicated “idea” journal gives you room to develop your idea. And now you’ve got me thinking of an epistolary project too!

    By Stephanie Jones on January 5, 2021 at 1:38 pm

  336. What a fabulous and fun idea! I’m so used to working just with words and imagining the pictures. Starting with pictures is brilliant!

    By mrsmouthy on January 5, 2021 at 1:39 pm

  337. Great post, Erin. Here’s to throwing some ideas (around) and seeing what takes shape.

    By LeeAnn Rizzuti on January 5, 2021 at 1:39 pm

  338. As an illustrator and artist, I love the idea of an image being the spark for a story. The two go hand in hand!

    By Joy Wieder on January 5, 2021 at 1:39 pm

  339. Thanks Erin! I love hearing about how your book idea involved. So inspiring!

    By Sarah Lynne John on January 5, 2021 at 1:44 pm

  340. I was happy to see you author this post and see an email from my library DEAR EARTH is now ready for me to pick up. 🙂 Thanks for the encouragement to create art, looking forward to reading yours.

    By jenfierjasinski on January 5, 2021 at 1:45 pm

  341. Love this idea. GREAT post!

    By Debra Shumaker on January 5, 2021 at 1:45 pm

  342. Great post, Erin! Can’t wait to read your book. Love the suggestions. Thank you!

    By Angie on January 5, 2021 at 1:46 pm

  343. Ahhh! I wish I could attach a picture to this post, Erin! I have one of those repurposed notebooks too! (The cover on mine? The Strawberry Book of Shapes, by Richard Hefter) I live in SF Bay Area so wonder if we get from the same maker – Attic Journals at atticjournals.com? (I think they use to have a different name.) I work at a bookstore here in SF where we sell those journals.

    I liked your post a lot and I’m very excited to read this book! I loved hearing about the germ of your idea, and how it evolved. (And my critique groups, too, have to dissuade me from using potentially morbid things like the spirits of beloved dead animals! Whoopsies!)
    We’ll def. be getting your book for the bookstore!

    By marcusewert on January 5, 2021 at 1:47 pm

  344. Great idea! Looking forward to working on the challenge with my kids who are also participating in Storystorm!

    By Alycia Darilek on January 5, 2021 at 1:50 pm

  345. Since I’ve long been a fan of letter writing, I love the concept of room number 5. This visual idea generator sounds interesting! Thank you!

    By Tasha Woodson on January 5, 2021 at 1:50 pm

  346. This post is wonderful! Thank you, Erin!

    By teacherwriteracker on January 5, 2021 at 1:51 pm

  347. Whoa, Erin! Congrats on this great post! And such a pleasure to be part of the PBJ process! 🙂

    By Lori Mortensen on January 5, 2021 at 1:53 pm

  348. Thanks for your idea suggestions. I look forward to reading your book about writing letters to earth.

    By Shirley on January 5, 2021 at 1:53 pm

  349. Thank you for sharing your idea process!

    By Hayley Cranfield on January 5, 2021 at 1:56 pm

  350. Happy New Year Erin! Can’t believe it has been over a year when a few of us (Southbay authors/illustrators) met at the SCBWI south bay event at El Jardin, Santana Row. Congratulations on your 2020 Book ‘Dear Earth’. Thanks for the inspiration!

    By R.G. Spaulding on January 5, 2021 at 1:59 pm

  351. Thank you Erin! I liked hearing about how your book came about. I have an epistolary PB idea that’s been stuck in early-early draft form for ages, so I appreciated the link to the “6 crafty ideas”!

    By Amy Grover on January 5, 2021 at 2:00 pm

  352. Dear Earth looks super cute and I love the idea of starting with a picture today xxx

    By catherine owen on January 5, 2021 at 2:01 pm

  353. What great ideas. I’m off to find my picture. Is there one in my house?

    By Marilyn Wolpin on January 5, 2021 at 2:01 pm

  354. Thank you for the encouraging post, Erin!

    By heidikyates on January 5, 2021 at 2:04 pm

  355. I like your idea of starting with an image to get ideas. I will try that! Congratulations on your book!

    By Rona Shirdan on January 5, 2021 at 2:05 pm

  356. A truly inspiring process –so graphically shown and explained! Thank you for sharing your magic.

    By Poupette on January 5, 2021 at 2:06 pm

  357. There are so many great illustrations on Twitter. I am excited to find one that speaks to me and start asking questions.

    Thanks for this post. Loved hearing how Dear Earth came to be!

    By brittanypomales on January 5, 2021 at 2:07 pm

  358. Great idea!! I’m off on my search for an inspiring illustration… or several 🙂 Thank you!

    By Marcie Mahuta on January 5, 2021 at 2:08 pm

  359. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Illustration is inspiring!

    By Sue Niemann on January 5, 2021 at 2:10 pm

  360. Love the way you created your idea notebook, Erin. It was helpful to me to actually see your notations in the journal and how your ideas for your book changed over time. Thanks for this motivational post.

    By Brenda Flowers on January 5, 2021 at 2:10 pm

  361. Thanks Erin for a great way to think about stories – ask questions of a picture. I have a huge picture file I use with kids when I teach. I’m going to get it out and use it myself. Thanks!

    By Christine Pinto on January 5, 2021 at 2:11 pm

  362. Thank you, Erin. I loved hearing how your idea evolved and became a book.

    By Kimberly Hutmacher on January 5, 2021 at 2:12 pm

  363. Playing with art and what ifs, two essential elements for creating picture books! Thanks for this thoughtful post! And congrats on Dear Earth!

    By Jilanne Hoffmann on January 5, 2021 at 2:14 pm

  364. Yes! Artwork is inspirational! Such fun to hear how your ideas morphed into a great book!

    By boardmancamera on January 5, 2021 at 2:17 pm

  365. I love hearing how much the story developed and changed, it’s encouraging to hear when faced with a manuscript that probably needs a full rewrite.

    By katiefischerwrites on January 5, 2021 at 2:19 pm

  366. Great post! Art and visuals really speak to me. Over the holidays, two story ideas came to me from Christmas card art and, of all things, images on holiday wrapping paper!

    By Ann Harrell on January 5, 2021 at 2:22 pm

  367. Thank you Erin for the great post and for sharing your handwritten notes. I’m taking your advice and starting 1 book for all ideas!

    By Gail Aherne on January 5, 2021 at 2:23 pm

  368. I am so guilty of the scrap paper ideas all over the place. It makes sense having it all in one place. Thanks.

    By Helen Lysicatos on January 5, 2021 at 2:25 pm

  369. Thank you for your inspiring post on idea creation. I especially love your analogy of the potter’s wheel!

    By Susan Latta on January 5, 2021 at 2:25 pm

  370. Great idea–and supercool repurposing of an old book cover!

    By Karen Greenwald on January 5, 2021 at 2:26 pm

  371. Your book sounds wonderful.

    By rjtraxel on January 5, 2021 at 2:26 pm

  372. Great post!

    By Kate Peridot on January 5, 2021 at 2:29 pm

  373. I absolutely accept your challenge, Erin! I too want to write an epistolary PB. Here’s to many glazed pots!

    By Mary Jo Wagner on January 5, 2021 at 2:30 pm

  374. Great post. Yup lots of note books!

    By Kate Peridot on January 5, 2021 at 2:34 pm

  375. Thanks Erin! Love your potter analogy!

    By Jeanne santucci on January 5, 2021 at 2:35 pm

  376. Thank you for this post! I liked seeing your writing process and how you were able to get inspiration from artwork.

    By Leah Moser on January 5, 2021 at 2:35 pm

  377. Thanks for the nudge to get an Idea Notebook.

    By kathydoherty1 on January 5, 2021 at 2:35 pm

  378. Erin, I remember you from the Rocky Mountain SCBWI conference and the outstanding (and fun) workshop you shared. Your ideas resonate with me and I agree that handwriting my ideas instead of typing is important to the creative process.

    By Judith Snyder on January 5, 2021 at 2:35 pm

  379. Thank you for the suggestion look at the work of illustrators to spark new story ideas!

    By Mary Lou Johnson on January 5, 2021 at 2:40 pm

  380. Thanks for sharing your process! Can’t wait to read your book and explore some more.

    By amyrsinn on January 5, 2021 at 2:41 pm

  381. I love the idea of writing a pb in letters, and I’m going to try it. Dear Earth looks wonderful. What a great concept to have kids write to the earth. Good luck with it, Erin.

    By Arlene Schenker on January 5, 2021 at 2:42 pm

  382. great idea! i got my storystorm notebook and writing down ideas!

    By ayakhalil on January 5, 2021 at 2:44 pm

  383. Now you have me thinking about all kinds of things- do I need a new notebook? Should I spend more time looking at pics/ illustrators for inspiration? Should I become a potter? (Good luck!) Thanks Erin for the jump start of the day!

    By Writer on the run on January 5, 2021 at 2:45 pm

  384. What a great post Erin. I love hearing about Storystorm success stories. Congrats on your wonderful book. Especially love the potter analogy and remolding our clay/stories.

    By Kelly Darke on January 5, 2021 at 2:47 pm

  385. Your photos of your journals encouraged this self proclaimed “computer intimidated” writer. The links were inspirational for this newbie- lots of insightful rabbit holes to explore today! Big thanks!
    Peace, Ali

    By Alicia Shawn Gagnon on January 5, 2021 at 2:47 pm

  386. Looking at writing through an art lens is a great idea. Makes me excited to create!!

    By vgraboski61gmailcom on January 5, 2021 at 2:48 pm

  387. I will start asking all pictures I meet lots of questions! Thank you for this tip and I can’t wait to read your new book! Congratulations!!

    By dedra davis on January 5, 2021 at 2:48 pm

  388. Love getting sucked into #kidlitillustrations and #picturebookillustration on Twitter!

    By Ashley Chalmers on January 5, 2021 at 2:50 pm

  389. I am so inspired. I’ve had an epistolary idea for years but was afraid it would fall flat, now I’m going to give it a whirl. By the way they found some of Michelangelo’s preliminary sketches drawn on a wall in the chapel basement. A notebook works better but when the muse strikes you use what’s on hand.

    By Jud Ward on January 5, 2021 at 2:50 pm

  390. Great idea, Erin! I love the idea of using children’s illustrations for inspiration!

    By tpierce on January 5, 2021 at 2:52 pm

  391. Hi Erin, Thank you for sharing your process and the idea of writing with letters.

    By Dawn Young on January 5, 2021 at 2:56 pm

  392. Your potter metaphor is spot on, Erin! And the format of your new book looks like such a fun way for kids to learn about caring for Earth.

    By Melanie Ellsworth on January 5, 2021 at 3:00 pm

  393. I still have trouble thinking of myself as an artist – thank you for the permission to work on that. I like the idea of starting with a picture for the inspiration. And I appreciate knowing how your book came about.

    By Stephanie Wildman on January 5, 2021 at 3:01 pm

  394. Thanks for this post! I bought a notebook this year specifically for ideas and it was the best idea yet because I love copying ideas into it! (Because yes, the ideas do still end up on random pieces of paper everywhere)

    By Anne Appert on January 5, 2021 at 3:01 pm

  395. Lovely description of how seedling ideas become more fully fleshed. Thanks!

    By ryanrobertsauthor on January 5, 2021 at 3:02 pm

  396. Thanks so much, Erin! I loved this post, especially the article you shared about epistolary tips! Much needed and I can’t wait to read it. Thanks again!

    By hlapehn on January 5, 2021 at 3:03 pm

  397. Thanks for sharing! I love seeing how an idea forms its way into a complete book. I appreciate the photos of your idea notebook!

    By Brandy Dixon on January 5, 2021 at 3:04 pm

  398. Thank you for sharing the creative process you went through with your book, Erin! It is lovely to see how you perfected your art, bit by bit. And DEAR EARTH…FROM YOUR FRIENDS IN ROOM 5 sounds like a wonderful book to read with my kids!

    By tabithasimswrites on January 5, 2021 at 3:08 pm

  399. I love that you got your inspiration from the picture on a Christmas card and the book ended up so different. Isn’t creativity fun?

    By Dayne Sislen, Children's Book Illustrator on January 5, 2021 at 3:11 pm

  400. Love this post. Let’s make some art. And while we’re at it, let’s write some letters. Thank you. Inspiring post.

    By Carole Calladine on January 5, 2021 at 3:12 pm

  401. Love the idea about writing a picture book in letter format and letting an illustration spark a story idea.

    By Marie on January 5, 2021 at 3:12 pm

  402. Oh gosh, Erin, I haven’t played tetherball in DECADES! Tetherball was the one piece of playground equipment my best friend and I could usually have to ourselves. It was around the tetherball pole where many great schemes were hatched by the two of us. Thanks so much for sharing in your Bio. It unearthed for me a great memory.

    By Paula Robison on January 5, 2021 at 3:13 pm

  403. Fun! Lots to think about, lots of old doodles to go back and look at!

    By jenn belden on January 5, 2021 at 3:13 pm

  404. Thanks Erin for sharing. I have fond memories of writing stories in elementary school prompted by pictures our teacher would hand on the blackboard so I like your idea of finding inspiration by looking at illustrators art posts. Point of clarification – angels are created beings, not dead people or children – so you could have had the kids write to an earth angel (which I kind of like) without fear of being too morbid. Hmmm – I wonder if there are angels whose chief responsibility is to care for the earth – boy are we making them work overtime!

    By jjsewell416 on January 5, 2021 at 3:13 pm

  405. First off….how did I not know about your tetherball history? All these years in SCBWI together and you hid that charm? (I use to be the Queen of Tetherball at Tyler Elementary in Livonia, Michigan. Although I have no records to back that claim. Haha!). Your idea to think visually or at ‘snapshots’ that surround us is brilliant.

    By Monica A. Harris on January 5, 2021 at 3:15 pm

  406. I love a good back story, and you gave us 2. THANK YOU!

    By rindabeach on January 5, 2021 at 3:16 pm

  407. Thank you Erin for the inspiration!

    By Catherine Brewer on January 5, 2021 at 3:19 pm

  408. Thanks for a helpful post, Erin. You know I love your DEAR EARTH book … and the potter analogy is so helpful! I will go look at some photos now for inspiration!

    By Melissa Stoller on January 5, 2021 at 3:20 pm

  409. Thanks Erin! Such great advice! Time to clean up my office and consolidate all those bits of paper, newspaper articles, and gems of story ideas that are sitting right here at my fingertips!

    By Eileen Ross on January 5, 2021 at 3:23 pm

  410. Thanks, Erin! I love the idea of asking the picture questions.

    By karammitchell on January 5, 2021 at 3:25 pm

  411. I love the idea for a repurposed notebook and for finding something that speaks to you personally!

    By Kris H on January 5, 2021 at 3:29 pm

  412. Erin, love seeing your process! Thank you. Yeah for ART!❤️

    By Janie Reinart on January 5, 2021 at 3:30 pm

  413. Thank you. I do have an idea notebook and it’s looking pretty dogeared about now. I think I need to go back and mine some of those treasures…right now.

    By Sharon E. Langley on January 5, 2021 at 3:37 pm

  414. It is wonderful to see the process of questioning. As a teacher, that is what I want students to do, so it is a great reminder for authors as well. Thanks!

    By Jill Friestad-Tate on January 5, 2021 at 3:39 pm

  415. Getting ideas from viewing artwork created by other people is an awesome idea. Thanks for your post!

    By Alice Fulgione on January 5, 2021 at 3:40 pm

  416. Thanks for another great way to generate story ideas! I can’t wait to try it and I am excited to read Dear Earth with my kids!

    By chcaro on January 5, 2021 at 3:40 pm

  417. Thank you, Erin! DEAR EARTH is a fantastic book, and your words of wisdom are much appreciated!

    By Amy Cory on January 5, 2021 at 3:44 pm

  418. Thank you. I love your analogies. The potter wheel and the David Statue. Good reminders about how we shape the art. And finding fun pictures- it’s like a scavenger hunt or vision board.

    By Cynthia Mochowski on January 5, 2021 at 3:46 pm

  419. Fantastic post! Loved hearing about the angel inspiration and the book it morphed into – it spurred several thoughts for me. I would love to be entered for a chance at a critique!

    By Katie Brandyberry on January 5, 2021 at 3:49 pm

  420. It’s been raining so I can literally gather some clay and create..thanks. Great to see your early scribbles too.

    By paulastevenson7 on January 5, 2021 at 3:50 pm

  421. I’m ready to make some art! Thanks for the tips, Erin!

    By Heather Stigall on January 5, 2021 at 3:50 pm

  422. A good reminder that every story, even a classic, starts with the smallest idea and takes root in the mind of the author and illustrator. Thank you!

    By Anita Palmeri Overgaard on January 5, 2021 at 3:55 pm

  423. Wonderful inspiration ⭐️ I love the idea of a PB told completely through letters. Hopefully one of my ideas will fit so I can try it out

    By kiralee strong on January 5, 2021 at 3:57 pm

  424. Great tips – thanks!!

    By Lisa Oppenheim on January 5, 2021 at 3:59 pm

  425. I already have one idea inspired by art on my this year’s Storystorm list so I know it works, so I’ll definitely be looking for more. Thanks for sharing.

    By Janet Halfmann on January 5, 2021 at 4:01 pm

  426. Thank you so much for the inspiration and the links of other resources. I’m headed over to take a look at those right now!

    By Linda KulpTrout on January 5, 2021 at 4:02 pm

  427. It was so helpful to see how your idea was shaped into a story – thank you!

    By Megan Howe on January 5, 2021 at 4:03 pm

  428. This is great advice. I loved hearing about your process. Thank you!

    By clearywriter on January 5, 2021 at 4:04 pm

  429. Love reading your process for creating. Thank you for the tips.

    By Meredith Fraser on January 5, 2021 at 4:06 pm

  430. Thank you for the suggestions Erin and congratulations on your book! Looks awesome!

    Anna Levin

    By rhumba20 on January 5, 2021 at 4:08 pm

  431. Thank you Erin! I love reading the six degrees of separation your idea went through and how you listened to your critique partners.

    By Janet AlJunaidi on January 5, 2021 at 4:09 pm

  432. Thanks, Erin! It always interesting to see other writer’s process of creating their stories.

    By Pamela Haskin on January 5, 2021 at 4:17 pm

  433. Thanks, Erin, for sharing the story behind DEAR EARTH. It’s always inspiring to hear how playing with ideas morphs into a picture book. I love how a friend’s holiday illustration led to a brainstorm and taking a risk with the PB format.

    By Joannie Duris on January 5, 2021 at 4:23 pm

  434. This was a perfect way to rethink inspiration for stories. Sometimes you stick with what you know without trying something new. Thanks for sharing a great idea. 🙂

    By susaninez0905 on January 5, 2021 at 4:23 pm

  435. I loved seeing the process of how your story evolved. Thanks for sharing!

    By Mary Ann Blair on January 5, 2021 at 4:25 pm

  436. Thanks for sharing and being part of Story Storm!

    By authoraileenstewart on January 5, 2021 at 4:26 pm

  437. Thanks for the fun post and encouragement!

    By Jennifer on January 5, 2021 at 4:29 pm

  438. I would love to win this prize!

    By mindybakerbooks on January 5, 2021 at 4:31 pm

  439. Thank you for sharing your process Erin. It’s helpful to see not just the inspiration for the original idea, but how it can evolve.

    By Joyce on January 5, 2021 at 4:34 pm

  440. I love the potter analogy and the idea book, Erin! Thanks for the positive outlook to help us view our craft.

    By lavern15 on January 5, 2021 at 4:45 pm

  441. This was so helpful to read! I loved seeing how the idea morphed. I’m going to start looking at pictures and asking questions about those pictures. Thank you for the tips!
    -Maryna Doughty

    By marynadoughty on January 5, 2021 at 4:46 pm

  442. From a fellow theater nerd and drama coach, I love the way you process writing from visual cues. Thanks for sharing your ideas, Erin!

    By jensubra on January 5, 2021 at 4:47 pm

  443. Yay Erin! Great to see you on Storystorm!

    By littleredstoryshed on January 5, 2021 at 4:50 pm

  444. This is great! I’m loving all these creative ways to springboard ideas. Thank you Erin!

    By amckelle on January 5, 2021 at 4:53 pm

  445. I love learning how other people’s ideas are triggered and how they evolve. Dear Earth sounds lovely, just the right tone.

    By HelenAddyman on January 5, 2021 at 4:55 pm

  446. Love this post and the links you included! Thank you Erin!

    By kimpfenn on January 5, 2021 at 4:58 pm

  447. Love your analogies and “idea collecting” methods, Erin. Your book sounds very unique!

    By angiecal76 on January 5, 2021 at 5:01 pm

  448. Thank you for sharing this with us all!

    By Carolyn Currier on January 5, 2021 at 5:04 pm

  449. Loved seeing your idea take form. Thank you for sharing!

    By savannahpalma on January 5, 2021 at 5:05 pm

  450. What enjoyable homework for collecting ideas — perusing art! Thank you!

    By paulaobering on January 5, 2021 at 5:06 pm

  451. Great point, Erin, about listening to your critique partners. If you hadn’t taken their suggestion about the angel being a dead kid and plowed forward, your story may never have been published. I also like the idea of looking at others’ illustrations for inspiration.

    By debobrienbookscom on January 5, 2021 at 5:06 pm

  452. Thank you, Erin! I’m going to look at some illustrations right now for inspiration! P.S. I can’t wait to read DEAR EARTH, FROM YOUR FRIENDS IN ROOM 5! What a great idea!

    By Virginia L Manning on January 5, 2021 at 5:10 pm

  453. What a fantastic post, my dear friend! DEAR EARTH is simply beautiful! Thanks for mentioning your informative and inspirational post on my blog.

    By LaurenKerstein on January 5, 2021 at 5:13 pm

  454. Thanks, Erin. Your post resonated with me. I, too, had lots of scribbled notes. I also write my ideas in my computer file, but I like your idea of using a special notebook. Your latest book sounds like a blast! Good luck!

    By authordebradaugherty on January 5, 2021 at 5:17 pm

  455. Always wanted to write a n epistolary PB – this is inspiring!

    By Heather Gallagher on January 5, 2021 at 5:19 pm

  456. Thank you for this post! You’ve actually got me thinking about blog posts that I wrote over a 9 year span during my son’s medical treatment. Maybe there’s something there that will inspire a book!

    By Kaye Wright on January 5, 2021 at 5:24 pm

  457. Thank-you Erin. The book sounds fabulous. My notepads are mostly patterned or pink… Wait a minute… Ping! Inspiration strikes. It always catches me off-guard. Thank-you for an inspiring post.

    By The Fairytale Mum on January 5, 2021 at 5:29 pm

  458. Oh I love this Erin! Hanging for a pocket of time today when I can try it out. Thanks for sharing the evolution of Dear Earth too, so fascinating to see how stories evolve. Fingers crossed for this wonderful prize. Would love to hear your thoughts on one of my messy PBs!

    By Cassy Polimeni on January 5, 2021 at 5:33 pm

  459. Erin I loved your analogy of writing to pottery. I’m pretty sure all artists “floors” are littered (‘lovingly’ scattered, right?!) with samples, ideas, trials, and prototypes [wait are scientists/engineers ‘artists,’ too?] Or are authors ‘word scientists’? Oh, boy you got the questions flowing. Thanks.

    By Maria Marshall on January 5, 2021 at 5:33 pm

  460. I love the analogy to being a potter. That inspires an idea!

    By Susan Klaren on January 5, 2021 at 5:34 pm

  461. I love this idea! I am a very visual thinker and frequently start with a picture in my mind when writing. Thank you for the post.

    By Erin Rew on January 5, 2021 at 5:36 pm

  462. Thanks for your post Erin! Seeing your process from idea to picture book was so helpful. And I love the idea of thinking of ideas as bits of clay 💗 I will be less critical of my own clay from here on out. Thank you 😊

    By Sarah Lane on January 5, 2021 at 5:37 pm

  463. Such a great concept! Thanks for sharing.

    By Joy Pitcairn on January 5, 2021 at 5:37 pm

  464. Love the potter analogy. Thanks for sharing!

    By suzannepoulterharris on January 5, 2021 at 5:45 pm

  465. Having taken a class in pottery I so got what you meant about crushing what you’ve created and starting again.

    By Jan Milusich on January 5, 2021 at 5:51 pm

  466. Your post sure resonated with me, especially as I look at my idea notebook and wonder where to go next. Thank you for sharing some ideas on how to move to the next step.

    By Amy Bradshaw on January 5, 2021 at 5:55 pm

  467. I appreciate your helpful suggestions, Erin.

    By Deborah Amadei on January 5, 2021 at 5:57 pm

  468. Loved reading about your process! Thanks for sharing.

    By ofmariaantonia on January 5, 2021 at 5:57 pm

  469. Thanks for sharing your ideas and process! I have some kernels to explore! Lynn Street

    By streetlynn on January 5, 2021 at 5:58 pm

  470. Great ideas. Thanks for sharing!

    By Dawn M. on January 5, 2021 at 5:58 pm

  471. Thanks for this great idea! (This reminds me – I recently read an interview with Matt de la Pena where he said that the process of writing Last Stop on Market Street actually began with Christian Robinson’s beautiful image of a little boy on the bus with his Nana.)

    By mariamd542 on January 5, 2021 at 6:01 pm

  472. Thank you, Erin!

    By Sara Trofa on January 5, 2021 at 6:01 pm

  473. I’ve often used #kidlitillustration to find idea inspiration.

    By tdjw on January 5, 2021 at 6:07 pm

  474. It’s always so good to hear the journey of published authors. Thank you for sharing. I love the idea of being an artist and gathering our clay.

    By Cheryl Johnson on January 5, 2021 at 6:07 pm

  475. Oh, sounds like a cute book!

    By Stephanie Lau on January 5, 2021 at 6:07 pm

  476. Thank you Erin for your great tips and insights! Your picture book Dear Earth sounds amazing. Very well done on an amazing job! You must be super proud x

    Best wishes Lisa Khan

    By lisakhan9 on January 5, 2021 at 6:09 pm

  477. I love using pictures for inspiration. Happy to give this a go again.

    By Summer Quigley on January 5, 2021 at 6:12 pm

  478. Thanks for your great suggestions. I’m enthused about the idea of writing in letter form and I appreciate your showing how used a picture and how your initial idea grew and morphed. You’ve convinced me to get a special notebook for growing these ideas too!

    By Yehudit Sarah on January 5, 2021 at 6:15 pm

  479. I love that you said what we write/draw is art. Thanks for your encouraging words I am a beginner to everything the writing and the illustrations aspect, I am currently signed up for the author/illustrator tract at SA but was thinking about changing because my pictures are not that great. After reading your blog I am going to stick with it. Have a blessed 2021!

    By Melissa Warren on January 5, 2021 at 6:18 pm

  480. Erin, thank you for this post about playing with our ideas like an artist. Gonna gather that clay and start molding!

    By chardixon47 on January 5, 2021 at 6:18 pm

  481. Thanks Erin for the tips! My random scraps of paper need a new home.
    Your books sounds fantastic!

    By JoLynne Ricker Whalen on January 5, 2021 at 6:20 pm

  482. Erin, looking through picture books is such a great idea! Thank you for the inspiration!

    By claudine108 on January 5, 2021 at 6:20 pm

  483. I found some great ideas in Storybird. Thanks for the reminder and this terrific post, Erin!

    By Jill Lambert (@LJillLambert) on January 5, 2021 at 6:20 pm

  484. Nice ideas today. Will open my notebook now… I also find that it’s useful to write down notes about my writing process, observations on when and how things go well for me, or maybe what doesn’t work so well.

    By Sarah on January 5, 2021 at 6:21 pm

  485. Love it. Many a story of mind has been a wad, but they always unfold a little.

    By Stephen S. Martin on January 5, 2021 at 6:25 pm

  486. What a fun suggestion for coming up with ideas Erin! Thanks so much for the challenge.

    By Eileen Mayo on January 5, 2021 at 6:36 pm

  487. Thank you Erin. Your book sounds amazing! Challenge accepted 🙂

    By Aly Kenna on January 5, 2021 at 6:38 pm

  488. Great suggestion for molding an idea! And you reminded me of a letter conversation I started years ago and am going to take another look at.

    By Buffy Silverman on January 5, 2021 at 6:38 pm

  489. Lots of inspiration in this post- thank you! I look forward to reading this book and enjoyed hearing how the story evolved.

    By Lisa Billa on January 5, 2021 at 6:42 pm

  490. Erin, You’ve inspired me with your word pictures! I’m on a picture hunt now!!

    By Mary York on January 5, 2021 at 6:43 pm

  491. Thank you, Erin, for sharing your Idea Notebook idea 🙂 I have one, I just don’t use it very much. Resolving to change that right now. Also, love the potter analogy. Sometimes it is discouraging to start over, but then something better comes of it. You described it perfectly! 🙂

    By Michele Rietz on January 5, 2021 at 6:45 pm

  492. Thanks for the assignment Erin! Going to look now…

    By Mary Warth on January 5, 2021 at 6:46 pm

  493. Such great advice and a great way to get the creative juices going. How great!!! Entering because I would love to win a copy of DEAR EARTH…FROM YOUR FRIENDS IN ROOM 5 for my mom who is an ESL teacher in an under-resourced school in NYC!

    By alyssa_reynoso_morris on January 5, 2021 at 6:47 pm

  494. Your friends in Room 5 Thank You!

    By Sue on January 5, 2021 at 6:49 pm

  495. Love your repurposed book cover for your ideas! Thanks for sharing your backstory of how DEAR EARTH…FROM YOUR FRIENDS IN ROOM 5 came to be! Looking forward to reading it.

    By Pamela Brunskill on January 5, 2021 at 6:51 pm

  496. Thank you for sharing your inspiration and ideas. Hopefully they help us all to find a great story. Congrats on your amazing book!

    By horsewriterlady on January 5, 2021 at 6:56 pm

  497. I love your positive energy, Erin, and since I’m eager to learn illustration this exercise is completely up my alley! Thanks for a great post.

    By Amy M. Miller on January 5, 2021 at 6:57 pm

  498. Thanks for sharing how your idea evolved into a wonderful book!

    By Deborah Holt Williams on January 5, 2021 at 6:58 pm

  499. Very inspiring post – thanks!

    By Dannielle Viera on January 5, 2021 at 6:59 pm

  500. Wonderful prompt for ideas. Also can’t wait to read you latest book.

    By Kathy Mazurowski on January 5, 2021 at 6:59 pm

  501. I’m an artist/illustrator and love the idea of a huge sketch book to keep track of ideas. Though I use a handy pocket journal to sketch and write ideas, other ideas are scattered in a notebook here and there. Your idea book inspired me to use just one big drawing pad to cut and paste all my scribbles from the journal and elsewhere to have it all in one big book. Thanks also for the resource links. Very helpful!

    By @taotalley on January 5, 2021 at 7:01 pm

  502. Thanks Erin. I’ll give this a try!

    By Cindy S on January 5, 2021 at 7:05 pm

  503. Great reminder to not censor our ideas too quickly. It made me think also that even kids have morbid or weird ideas, and something in this might spark a story too. Only by asking the questions will it morph into what it will become. As for art, I often start by drawing little ideas I have in my mind.

    By bonnie fireUrchin ~ pb illustration & writing on January 5, 2021 at 7:10 pm

  504. Thank you for the great post on questioning and the story behind your story!!

    By Tracy Hora on January 5, 2021 at 7:13 pm

  505. Thank you for the motivation! I need to remind myself that I can still find inspiration and story ideas from art, even though I’m not a picture book author-illustrator. Thanks again!

    By AlisonMarcotte on January 5, 2021 at 7:13 pm

  506. Great suggestion! I’m in the stick figure category, but I’ll give this a try.

    By Lyn Miller-Lachmann on January 5, 2021 at 7:13 pm

  507. I’ll be checking out more illustrations, thanks Erin.

    By Kaye Baillie on January 5, 2021 at 7:15 pm

  508. You have given me such a great idea for a manuscript that is giving me problems! Thank you for the inspiration.

    By Suzanne Alexander on January 5, 2021 at 7:18 pm

  509. Erin, Thanks for your post. I love your recommendation of pen/pencil over computer. Can’t wait to read your book.

    By John McGranaghan on January 5, 2021 at 7:23 pm

  510. Thanks Erin,
    Lots of gold here 😊

    By Artelle Lenthall on January 5, 2021 at 7:28 pm

  511. Hi Erin! Thank you for epistolary format guidance. I’ve wanted to try one sometime, too. I love the prompt that is an illustration, photograph, or advertisement that speaks to you. Asking questions, listening to critique group advice, and staying open to the endless possibilities in drafting a picture book manuscript are magnificent take aways from your insight today. Love the potter analogy!

    By marty on January 5, 2021 at 7:32 pm

  512. I’ve been keeping my ideas in the Notes app, but you might have inspired me to get an actual notebook!

    By Megan M. on January 5, 2021 at 7:34 pm

  513. Great ideas! Thanks 🙂

    By kaitlinsikeswrites on January 5, 2021 at 7:42 pm

  514. I love your post. And, thank you for the shout-out! We really think alike because I have often made reference to the potter and the potter’s wheel when describing the writing process to my students. Congratulations on your newest book. Best wishes with it! 🙂

    By Cathy Breisacher on January 5, 2021 at 7:42 pm

  515. I love your tip about knowing your characters, even down to the words they would/wouldn’t use.

    By amomnextdoor on January 5, 2021 at 7:43 pm

  516. Thank you for this post and your wonderful potter analogy!

    By Heather Rowley on January 5, 2021 at 7:49 pm

  517. Thanks for sharing lots of great tips and additional resources for our brainstorming many ideas. I love using pictures to fuel my imagination. I’ve done it lots for poetry, and for a couple of Twitter contests. I’m excited to see what might speak to me right now. Thanks for the nudge!

    By Tonnye W. Fletcher on January 5, 2021 at 7:53 pm

  518. Thanks for sharing. It was wonderful to learn about the creative process from idea to book!

    By Maria Powell on January 5, 2021 at 7:54 pm

  519. Very inspiring post, thanks!

    By Lynn Becker on January 5, 2021 at 8:13 pm

  520. I love a reason to look for fun pictures! Thank you.

    By Janet Sheets on January 5, 2021 at 8:22 pm

  521. I like your idea of using a picture and asking questions about it to generate a story. Thank you for sharing your idea and how your Earth book came about.

    By Mark Ceilley on January 5, 2021 at 8:23 pm

  522. Great inspiration. Thanks Erin!

    By bgonsar on January 5, 2021 at 8:28 pm

  523. Thanks for sharing your approach of using pictures and asking questions, Erin. I will be giving this a try.

    By jimchaize1 on January 5, 2021 at 8:31 pm

  524. Your book sounds adorable! I can’t wait to read it.

    By kirstenbockblog on January 5, 2021 at 8:32 pm

  525. Dear Earth looks amazing; can’t wait to check it out. Also, I love how you upcycled a book cover for your journal. All very inspiring!

    By Amy Fae on January 5, 2021 at 8:40 pm

  526. Wow! I really needed this one. Thank you. Now I know a new word for the type of PB I wrote last year. Thank you. Your new book looks fantastic and I would love to receive a critique from you someday. 🙂

    By Bonnie Kelso on January 5, 2021 at 8:45 pm

  527. What a fun idea for finding ideas. I love picture book illustrations. Thanks!

    By Carol Gwin Nelson on January 5, 2021 at 8:47 pm

  528. Love reading PB’s in letter form

    By nicolesalterbraun on January 5, 2021 at 8:51 pm

  529. Some great suggestions for places to find (and keep) ideas! I’m going to try looking at some illustrations for inspiration!

    By Judy Sobanski on January 5, 2021 at 8:53 pm

  530. This is just the simples yet the most amazing idea and creative tool I’ve ever heard so far. I mean, I could (and I probably did throughout the year) spend hours only looking at Picture Books and I have never thought I could be inspired by just looking and them, wondering and asking myself questions about them. This is GENIUS!! Thank you so much for this.

    By roberta abussi on January 5, 2021 at 8:54 pm

  531. This is a great post. It’s always a delight to hear from Erin Dealy. I love her books, her ideas, her sharing nature. Thanks, Erin!!

    By rosihollinbeck on January 5, 2021 at 8:56 pm

  532. Hi Erin!

    You are such a generous member of the kidlit community and you’ve done it again, this time giving us inspiration!

    Thanks for showing us the genesis of your wonderful book, Dear Earth. Don’t you love how a story finds its way! Thanks for the encouragement and fun exercise too.

    By Gretchen McLellan on January 5, 2021 at 9:15 pm

  533. Thanks for the suggestion, I will head on over to HIt Record and other sites for some inspiration kicking ideas

    By Sharon Lillie on January 5, 2021 at 9:16 pm

  534. Hope you have lots of classes joining in!

    By brontebrown2 on January 5, 2021 at 9:17 pm

  535. Thank you so much for sharing this inspiring story about how your idea becomes this beautiful book! I really love it!

    By Juliana Motzko on January 5, 2021 at 9:34 pm

  536. It’s always fun to get a glimpse into another author’s notebook – to see the thought process as it plays out, the crossed out word choices, the possible replacements – it’s like a window into the backstage area that we all spend most of our time in on our own. Thanks for the inspiring post! 🙂 Also, as mom of a mini-Earth-activist, I’m looking foward to sharing your book!

    By Amelia Shearer on January 5, 2021 at 9:35 pm

  537. I love the idea of just scrolling through illustrations and seeing what grabs you…isn’t this exactly what kids do when they look at picture books!?! Thanks for the great idea!

    By Katie Williams on January 5, 2021 at 9:38 pm

  538. I love your positivity and your analogy of writers as potters. Brillant! Thanks for the inspiration, Erin!

    By mandyyokim on January 5, 2021 at 9:43 pm

  539. Since I dream of being an artist but cannot even draw a recognizable stick figure, I love the idea of looking at well-drawn picture and have it serve as an inspiration for a story idea.

    By 8catpaws on January 5, 2021 at 9:46 pm

  540. Erin, i love how you worked on your original concept and created something so special!

    By chaunceyelephant on January 5, 2021 at 9:50 pm

  541. So happy to be a part of your inspiration for this wonderful book – it was prominently displayed at our local library the other day! 🙂

    By Dow on January 5, 2021 at 9:54 pm

  542. Thanks for sharing a photo of your notes! I love learning about others’ process!

    By Masha Sapron on January 5, 2021 at 9:58 pm

  543. Erin, I’m glad to think that the ideas that come to me don’t need to be fully fleshed out yet. I keep writing them as they come, and I’m grateful.

    By YauMei Chiang on January 5, 2021 at 9:58 pm

  544. Love seeing the notes and the process! Thanks for sharing!

    By Rebekah Lowell on January 5, 2021 at 10:01 pm

  545. Very interesting- I always love book origin stories!

    By deirdreprischmann on January 5, 2021 at 10:03 pm

  546. I agree, Erin! Thank you for your information and for a glimpse of your notes! I really appreciate seeing “how” ideas are anchored before they begin to grow. I would LOVE to have a critique from you! Your idea for epistolary format for “Dear Earth” is a perfect fit! Thank you so much for being a part of StoryStorm 2021!

    By writeremmcbride on January 5, 2021 at 10:04 pm

  547. ERIN: It was TRULY INSPIRING to literally SEE your writing process, from start to finish! THANK YOU for sharing your journey and showing us a GREAT example to follow. I am also a BIG believer in the power of illustration to inspire book ideas. I am a really visual person, so I tend to look on Pinterest and do the exercise you suggested. This REALLY DOES WORK, Storystormers; give it a try!

    By Natalie Lynn Tanner on January 5, 2021 at 10:05 pm

  548. Thank you for the post! I have a couple notes down already without even looking up the art!

    By debbeauchamp on January 5, 2021 at 10:12 pm

  549. I love the idea of approaching our ideas as art and using images to create a story. Thank you, also, for the additional links for further inspiration.

    By Mel H. on January 5, 2021 at 10:14 pm

  550. Thanks for sharing your process.
    I do keep my ideas on my computer but having a notebook 📒 to write or scribble in is a great idea.
    Can’t wait to read your new book.

    Debbie Lodato

    By deblod on January 5, 2021 at 10:27 pm

  551. Thank you for sharing!

    By mlflannigan on January 5, 2021 at 10:29 pm

  552. Your book is brilliant, Erin! I can’t wait to hold my veery own copy.
    I just went through my old ideas and saw the kernel of an idea that became my picture book published in 2020!

    By claireannette1 on January 5, 2021 at 10:30 pm

  553. Erin: Thank you for sharing your thoughts about idea gathering.

    I love the epistolary format used for DEAR EARTH.

    Suzy Leopold

    By Prairie Garden Girl on January 5, 2021 at 10:32 pm

  554. Hi Erin, Thanks for your post. I already have two ideas from it! How cool that you have a Golden Retriever. I’m thinking of getting one.

    By Chelle Martin on January 5, 2021 at 10:35 pm

  555. Iove reading the development of the concept and book – and love the napkin notes!

    By playroompassports on January 5, 2021 at 10:36 pm

  556. Great prompt! And I love your notebook cover!

    By sharonkdal on January 5, 2021 at 10:54 pm

  557. Wonderful post! And thanks for the links to more inspiration.

    By Peggy Dobbs on January 5, 2021 at 10:58 pm

  558. Thank you for this very helpful post filled with exercises and organizational tips we can use right away! 🙂 Jill Dana

    By JillDanaBooks on January 5, 2021 at 10:59 pm

  559. I love how your finished ms began with a different concept. Sounds like a fantastic read! Potting challenge accepted 🙂

    By yangmommy on January 5, 2021 at 11:00 pm

  560. I have my Idea Journal ready to go! Thank you for the inspiration, Erin

    By Mary Beth Rice on January 5, 2021 at 11:00 pm

  561. Great thoughts! I started an idea notebook & day 1 already fell out, so I need to tape it in or get a new notebook… but I love this! Thanks for sharing!

    By Marci Whitehurst on January 5, 2021 at 11:01 pm

  562. Using art as inspiration! Cool! And letters! We need to bring back letters and care for the Earth. You’re quite an inspiration, Erin.

    By Zoraida Rivera on January 5, 2021 at 11:01 pm

  563. This is super helpful! I really enjoyed your tips!

    By Kerstin Fletcher on January 5, 2021 at 11:05 pm

  564. Thank- you, Thank-you, Erin! As an illustrator I LOVE this idea, and as someone who loves the tactile quality of pencils, I too believe that creative genius flourishes in the exchange between paper and graphite.

    By tinefg on January 5, 2021 at 11:06 pm

  565. Thank you for today’s post. It was very helpful.

    By rosainkpen on January 5, 2021 at 11:09 pm

  566. Thank you, Erin! I loved the Potter analogy. It’s hard not to feel like every idea that is written should work, but of course sometimes you have to toss a story away and start over. And that’s part of the process.

    By Anna Brooks on January 5, 2021 at 11:14 pm

  567. I love, love, LOVE getting a behind-the-scenes peak into the creative process. It’s so amazing to see the transformations that take place from the first glimmer of an idea to a fully realized book. Thank you for sharing yours with us!

    By Libby Demmon on January 5, 2021 at 11:14 pm

  568. I love the idea of finding an illustration or picture that pops out at you and then start asking questions. Will definitely give that a go.

    By Barbara Senenman on January 5, 2021 at 11:15 pm

  569. Thank you for sharing your story and inspiration. I have recently been scrolling through artwork posts and they definitely get the creative juices flowing!

    By Brinton Culp on January 5, 2021 at 11:17 pm

  570. I love, love, LOVE getting a behind-the-scenes peak into the creative process! It is so amazing to see the transformation from the glimmer of an idea to a fully realized book. Thank you for sharing yours with us!

    By libbydemmon on January 5, 2021 at 11:17 pm

  571. This post is inspiring. Thank you, Erin. I love the idea of thinking of ourselves as potters, and carefully shaping our stories.

    By Annelouise on January 5, 2021 at 11:18 pm

  572. Congratulations on your book!
    Thank you for sharing your creative journey. I came up with an idea I am working on now from a photo.
    A great reminder to look at art for inspiration.

    By Heather Kelso on January 5, 2021 at 11:27 pm

  573. Origin stories are my favorite! Thank you for sharing yours. My evening usually ends with scrolling through beautiful images on instagram. I’m keeping my writing notebook close by tonight to capture those new ideas!

    By Noelle McBride on January 5, 2021 at 11:32 pm

  574. Thanks Erin for flipping around the process in my head. I have been stuck on words first illustration next. This is a great strategy to break me from this habit.

    By Erika Suckow on January 5, 2021 at 11:34 pm

  575. I have an angel who looks after all the critters and earth on my end, her name is Sol. Thank you!

    By blancamanzanilla on January 5, 2021 at 11:35 pm

  576. I can imagine classes of children listening to you read DEAR EARTH…FROM YOUR FRIENDS IN ROOM 5! Then kids write letters to Earth and older children writing back as Earth after your author visits to classrooms on Zoom. What a great journal! Sounds like you keep inspiring everyone you meet. Love to hear about those MG novels that will not go away, Erin Dealey!

    By Judy Shemtob on January 5, 2021 at 11:35 pm

  577. Yes! Even with stick figures, I like letting my creativity flow.

    By authorlaurablog on January 5, 2021 at 11:49 pm

  578. Fascinating how this book came about! Congrats. Thanks for the tips.

    By tinamcho on January 5, 2021 at 11:54 pm

  579. Nice to connect with you again, Erin! I love the idea to scroll through pics of children’s illustrators and find one to ask questions about.

    By Trine Grillo on January 5, 2021 at 11:54 pm

  580. Just requested Dear Earth from our library. Sounds fantastic! Thanks!

    By Cathleen Collins on January 5, 2021 at 11:58 pm

  581. Great idea! Thanks for sharing!

    By wyszguy on January 6, 2021 at 12:01 am

  582. What a fantastic post! Thank you for the story notebook idea (I am a huge notebook fan myself, but I really need to consolidate!) and love the repurposed cover! Would truly love to read “Dear Earth” to my kids…or win a critique. 🙂

    By heathercmorris on January 6, 2021 at 12:01 am

  583. Thank you. This picture book sounds interesting.

    By Thelia Hutchinson on January 6, 2021 at 12:04 am

  584. Thanks! Love the clay metaphor– and that every one of us is an artist.

    By Elizabeth Duncan on January 6, 2021 at 12:05 am

  585. I love the idea of children writing letters to inanimate objects – but, of course, Earth is alive, right? I like your idea of looking at images for story ideas. I like looking at pictures – I’ll have a different focus this time.

    By Renner Writes (@barbararenner) on January 6, 2021 at 12:05 am

  586. I love the idea of asking illustrations questions. I also love how many different things you’ve done in life. I’ve totally ran quite the gamut also.

    By Amanda Malek-Ahmadi on January 6, 2021 at 12:07 am

  587. I love the repurposed cover idea. Thank you for the guidance!

    By Michelle Peterson on January 6, 2021 at 12:11 am

  588. Great idea using art for inspiration.

    By Katie L. Carroll on January 6, 2021 at 12:17 am

  589. I love this because it feels wonderfully, refreshingly backward. Find a picture and write a story vs write a story and then illustrate it.

    Also, how do you create that idea journal and add paper inside the cover??

    By getupandwriteblog on January 6, 2021 at 12:19 am

  590. How did you create that idea journal and add paper inside thd repurposed cover??

    By getupandwriteblog on January 6, 2021 at 12:20 am

  591. So cool! How did you create the idea journal?

    By getupandwriteblog on January 6, 2021 at 12:23 am

    1. Sorry, I didnt think my comments were getting through lol

      By getupandwriteblog on January 6, 2021 at 12:23 am

  592. I used to use art for inspiration–thanks for giving me the nudge to return to it!

    By Julie Reich on January 6, 2021 at 12:25 am

  593. Love the journal and your post. Thank you for sharing

    By KASteed on January 6, 2021 at 12:27 am

  594. Thank you SO much Erin!
    I learned to not stress about coming up with “perfect” ideas and to play around with them instead …all from your post! ❤️

    By Rebecca Arent-Draper on January 6, 2021 at 12:27 am

  595. Reading your blog jogged my brain into another story idea and I know more will come with perusing some art. Thanks!

    By Jennifer Phillips on January 6, 2021 at 12:28 am

  596. Now I need to get a dedicated story ideas journal. And add to my half finished journal pile haha!

    By Jen on January 6, 2021 at 12:28 am

  597. This is such a great idea!! Thank you, Erin!

    By ruthwilson48 on January 6, 2021 at 12:28 am

  598. Love it! I love taking images and telling a story about them, asking questions, wondering why things are happening that way!

    By Brenda Grant Lower on January 6, 2021 at 12:34 am

  599. I love this post. Yes, we make art with our words. I also love how you (maybe subconsciously) shine a light on critique groups. Writing friends are part of that clay-shaping process & should not be overlooked. Thanks for sharing!

    By jenlinville2021 on January 6, 2021 at 12:35 am

  600. Thank you, Erin, for sharing this great idea! I’m going to try it on one of my illustrations. And, I also see a book cover crafting project in my future! Cute idea!

    By Suzanne Davis (@SuzanneDStudio) on January 6, 2021 at 12:37 am

  601. Thank you for the idea! Prize or not, I’m definitely getting that book. What a fun concept.

    By Loralee Petersen on January 6, 2021 at 12:39 am

  602. Using art to stimulate my creativity is just what I need. Thank you!

    By carmelamccainsimmons on January 6, 2021 at 12:45 am

  603. Yep! So last night when I woke up at 1 and sent myself an email to put into my notes section about a story idea isn’t crazy?! That’s good news! I generally get good ideas on a walk so my NOTES section of my phone is optimal. Congratulations!

    By Megan Whitaker on January 6, 2021 at 1:01 am

  604. Great posts and tips!

    By mooseeggproductions on January 6, 2021 at 1:10 am

  605. Interesting way to look at writing ideas like a sketch book.

    By Lori Gibson on January 6, 2021 at 1:21 am

  606. Oh my gosh, do I love this blog. This is the first time I have used a notebook to jot down ideas. It is actually working. Thank you for the page demonstrations of what you are describing. Great concept.

    By muskoshe on January 6, 2021 at 1:31 am

  607. I really like the analogy of our ideas being like potter’s clay! It’s so apt, because sometimes our ideas have to be shaped and reshaped in order to take their final story form. Thank you for the idea to browse pictures and use those for inspiration! I’m off to do just that.

    By Sandy Perlic on January 6, 2021 at 1:35 am

  608. I like the idea of inhabiting an illustrator’s artwork long enough to find a story. And nice to see you here, Erin!

    By Deborah W. Trotter on January 6, 2021 at 1:36 am

  609. Idea notebooks are key, and I love your metaphor with clay! Mold and remolding those ideas! Thanks, Erin!

    By adavis6385 on January 6, 2021 at 1:46 am

  610. I’ve always liked the idea of using pictures and illustrations as visual prompts. I have a whole folder on my computer devoted to prompts for works of adult fiction, but I’ve never curated one for the kidlit side. Looks like I’ll have to remedy that!

    By Jose Cruz on January 6, 2021 at 1:55 am

  611. Thank you for the challenge, Erin! I got goosebumps when I read “And what if EARTH writes back?” Also, I might never think of angels the same way again! 😛

    By dazzlengsy on January 6, 2021 at 1:58 am

  612. Thank you, you give some good suggestions!

    By susanfilkins on January 6, 2021 at 2:00 am

  613. Such a great post. I loved hearing how your idea turned into a story. Thank you for sharing. DEAR EARTH…FROM YOUR FRIENDS IN ROOM 5! Looks like an adorable book!

    By Ashley Bankhead on January 6, 2021 at 2:04 am

  614. Great tip! Thanks for the reminder.

    By darshanakhiani on January 6, 2021 at 2:08 am

  615. I loved reading this and seeing how your story changed. It looks like a fantastic book that I clearly need to check out for my students.

    By Natasha Zimmers on January 6, 2021 at 2:23 am

  616. Erin Dealey AND Tara Lazar? Two of my most favorite-ist authors.

    I just got a real game-changer suggestion from my critique group on a manuscript (that started as a Storystorm idea) to help me take it to that next kid-centric level.

    Critiques from fellow authors who know the biz can make all the difference!

    By JEN Garrett on January 6, 2021 at 2:24 am

  617. Thank you for this post! I love how one image can lead to a seed of an idea that can grow into a beautiful book! The letter format resonates with me, too. I am looking forward to creating something exciting with the inspirational clay you’ve given us! 🙂

    By Jennifer LHB on January 6, 2021 at 2:55 am

  618. Great idea!

    By Rachel Hobbs on January 6, 2021 at 3:09 am

  619. What a fun journal! Your tips on using a photo or drawing for inspiration were so helpful, especially using the hashtags with social media. Thank you for sharing such wonderful ideas and congratulations on your new book. I love the name of your writing group too.

    By marnijlo on January 6, 2021 at 3:22 am

  620. Notebooks, questions, letters, illustrations & photos. A piece chockfull of ideas and inspiration. Thank you!

    By Stephanie Farrow on January 6, 2021 at 3:53 am

  621. Such an inspirational idea – thanks.

    By tarajpotter on January 6, 2021 at 4:19 am

  622. I love the idea of telling a story via letters! Reminds me of ‘#Tumeke!’ by Michael Petherick, which is told by community notices, emails and letters.

    By lindajanek on January 6, 2021 at 4:23 am

  623. How wonderful! I’m going to do that immediately. Thank you for these super practical tips.

    By Sensitive and Extraordinary Kids on January 6, 2021 at 4:34 am

  624. Thank you, Erin! I love this post and the idea of treating our ideas as artists / potters and forming and reforming them into shape. My mother is a potter, and I suppose my love for her makes me love all the ideas that will be spurred by your post even more.

    By Shaunda Wenger on January 6, 2021 at 5:12 am

  625. Thanks, Erin! I love this post and the idea of using an illustration to find inspiration. I’ve recently become entranced with a particular picture book illustrator and now you’ve inspired me to go spend some time with his drawings and dig a little deeper. I can’t wait! Thanks for the great idea and for this wonderful post.

    By mbhmaine on January 6, 2021 at 6:50 am

  626. Thanks for the advice especially regarding epistolary format!

    By srkckass on January 6, 2021 at 6:51 am

  627. I really enjoyed reading the story behind DEAR EARTH…FROM YOUR FRIENDS IN ROOM 5! Thank you for sharing this inspiration! I also really love your sketchbook!

    By Blair Ortman on January 6, 2021 at 7:09 am

  628. Thanks for a post full of positive energy!

    By Ruthie Kirk on January 6, 2021 at 7:49 am

  629. What a wonderful post! Thank you! I love being inspired by art. I can’t wait to buy DEAR EARTH for my granddaughter.

    By Betsy Devany on January 6, 2021 at 8:00 am

  630. Love your idea to look at art for inspiration. Some illustrators captivate me so much I think wow I’d love to write a book this person illustrates. Maybe is I use their art for inspiration it could happen. A wish upon a star. 😊. Congratulations on your book.

    By Cheryl Keely on January 6, 2021 at 8:16 am

  631. Thank you for this look into your book journey. It is nice to know that I am doing what you are doing at times. I just need to do it more often…look at art as a source of inspiration.

    By Nadine Poper on January 6, 2021 at 8:20 am

  632. Illustrations are one of my favorite sources of inspiration. Thanks, and your book looks lovely!

    By Laura Purdie Salas on January 6, 2021 at 8:30 am

  633. Hearing how this book came to be is fascinating and inspiring. I love your tip to find an illustration and ask it questions. Thanks!

    By Jane Heitman Healy on January 6, 2021 at 9:27 am

  634. Congratulations on your book! Thank you for the great tip!

    By https://katiewalsh.blog/ on January 6, 2021 at 9:29 am

  635. Thanks for the inspiration, Erin. ❤

    By Christine @ Goodjelly on January 6, 2021 at 9:53 am

  636. Erin, thank you so much for giving us the VIP inside peek into your process!

    By LenoraBiemans (@BiemansLenora) on January 6, 2021 at 9:55 am

  637. I loved learning how your initial idea morphed into a picture book, and such an innovative one, as well,Erin.

    By Sherri Jones Ruvers on January 6, 2021 at 10:21 am

  638. What a great idea to question your ideas! I’ll use this to probe further into concepts. Thank you!

    By Sondra Z on January 6, 2021 at 10:30 am

  639. Thank you!

    By moviemommie on January 6, 2021 at 10:50 am

  640. Thank you for the ideas. An epistolary PB sounds very interesting!

    By Freda Lewkowicz on January 6, 2021 at 11:01 am

  641. Great timing for me as I’m working on an epistolary manuscript! And this gives me an idea for another!

    By Penny Parker Klostermann on January 6, 2021 at 11:02 am

  642. Great ideas. I get story ideas inspired by art too! Congratulations on your success!

    By curryelizabeth on January 6, 2021 at 11:08 am

  643. I love your idea journal idea of using a repurposed book cover. Thank you for sharing the journey of Dear Earth from idea to finished product. That us so helpful to show how you need to be flexible to overcome hurdles that come up. It gives us all inspiration to keep jumping hurdles.

    By Sharon Coffey on January 6, 2021 at 11:12 am

  644. Yes, Yes I do have an idea notebook!

    By lizricewrites on January 6, 2021 at 11:13 am

  645. We are all artists. And story takes form with art inspired ideas. Another thought to apply and make it happen. Thanks for sharing. happy new year!

    By aliciaminor on January 6, 2021 at 11:33 am

  646. Great post, thank you! Critique partners are the best!

    By erintsiska on January 6, 2021 at 11:40 am

  647. This was fun — I questioned a goofy illustration and pushed the goofy-ness even further for a funny PB idea. YES to greeting cards as inspiration — I have a ton of them I look through when inspiration is needed (and when you gather enough of them some start to connect for even more fun). Thanks, Erin.

    By Val McC on January 6, 2021 at 11:43 am

  648. Ideas, float and fill up my notebooks! Thanks for the post to remind me.

    By Debra Bartsch on January 6, 2021 at 12:10 pm

  649. Wow, a book done in this style makes me smile as I’ve had such a rich life of corresponding with a (now) 94-year old aunt – it’s lasted over forty years and has greatly enriched my life. Great ideas in your post, and congrats on this new wonder!

    By Gail Hedrick on January 6, 2021 at 12:11 pm

  650. Thank you for this wonderful post. I love your analogy of a potter reworking the clay. So true for writers too. I have a book filled with letters and I’m happy to revisit it, with a fresh perspective, after reading your post. Happy New Year!

    By Sarah Stuart on January 6, 2021 at 12:15 pm

  651. Thanks so much for your post! As an illustrator (and hoping to write children’s books) I am sometimes inspired by a character or illustration/doodles I come up with first, then come up with story ideas from those, but I never considered getting story ideas and inspiration from other illustrators – what a great idea, thank you!

    By Laurie Bouck on January 6, 2021 at 12:34 pm

  652. Wonderful post, Erin! Thanks for the reminder not to stress over our ideas, but to have fun with them!

    By Cindy Johnson on January 6, 2021 at 12:36 pm

  653. I love this idea. I made a quilt based on a PB illustration I loved. Why not a manuscript?

    By Yvonne Pearson on January 6, 2021 at 12:39 pm

  654. Thank you so much for this!

    By JC on January 6, 2021 at 12:52 pm

  655. Loved hearing your story creation journey! Thank you!

    By kathrynjeanhagen on January 6, 2021 at 12:59 pm

  656. Loved hearing about your story creation journey! Thank you, Erin!

    By kathrynjeanhagen on January 6, 2021 at 1:01 pm

  657. Thank you for your wonderful insights, Erin!

    By Lori Himmel on January 6, 2021 at 1:12 pm

  658. Wow! This idea for writing completely resonates with me because I am such a visual learner! Thank you!!!

    By Debi Novotny on January 6, 2021 at 1:37 pm

  659. Thank you! My inspirations usually come from our Mother Earth and pictures of her.

    By sonjaglad on January 6, 2021 at 1:52 pm

  660. Thank you Erin for such an inspiring post. I love art as inspiration, and I also love the epistolary format. Congratulations on your beautiful book.

    By jeanjames926 on January 6, 2021 at 2:01 pm

  661. I love your book. Erin. It’s inspirational! Micki

    By mginsberg10 on January 6, 2021 at 2:29 pm

  662. Your idea book gave me inspiration for my own. Thank you so much. I love your ‘what if” questions that you ask as you are drafting your story.

    By Cassie Bentley on January 6, 2021 at 2:37 pm

  663. Thank you, Erin, for the helpful post and encouragement! 🙂

    By Candace Spizzirri on January 6, 2021 at 3:03 pm

  664. Thank you for this inspiring post! I came away with 3 letter writing ideas and several other ideas after perusing instagram #kidlitillustrations. Loved the Potter reference. Can’t wait to read your adorable book!

    By Aimee Larke on January 6, 2021 at 3:06 pm

  665. What a fun idea – thank you for sharing! Angie Isaacs

    By angie9091 on January 6, 2021 at 3:37 pm

  666. Thank you for sharing about your process, and for including links for additional resources that have been part of your creative journey!

    By Bernice Seward on January 6, 2021 at 3:56 pm

  667. Thanks for sharing, Erin!

    By Meghan B on January 6, 2021 at 4:14 pm

  668. Thanks for sharing this idea generator. I find it very creative and I have never tried it before. I will search for such an image that speaks to me today.

    By marianariosr on January 6, 2021 at 4:25 pm

  669. Thanks for the reminder. It’s all about kids🚫

    By Emmie R Werner on January 6, 2021 at 5:17 pm

    1. Ooops meant a ❤️.. 🤦🏻‍♀️

      By Emmie R Werner on January 6, 2021 at 5:19 pm

  670. Images are such great inspiration. Lovet his tip!

    By Aundra Tomlins on January 6, 2021 at 5:20 pm

  671. I absolutely love the cover of your journal! One of my son’s favorites as a kid. Thanks for the great ideas. Your book sounds amazing!

    By melissamiles1 on January 6, 2021 at 5:21 pm

  672. Asking questions about images is a great way to generate ideas!

    By Anne LeBlanc Gr 4/5 teacher 🇨🇦📚❤️✍️🖖😃 (@AnneLeBlanc2) on January 6, 2021 at 5:57 pm

  673. Dear Erin, Thanks ever so much for this! I just loved it. I so wish I had a copy of your book last year as the children in my class & I were looking at how we can make a difference in our world! What a beautiful book you have made! Thank you! Love Jayne ❤️ PS I so love how you came up with the idea for this.

    By Jayne Wilson on January 6, 2021 at 7:12 pm

  674. I love the idea of writing a book in letters. I loved writing and receiving letters, now a nearly extinct idea thanks to emails. Like you, I’m going to try to bring it back. Thanks for your post.

    By Myra Sanderman on January 6, 2021 at 7:56 pm

  675. Erin, picture picking is where I got my ideas for my first manuscript and second manuscript. Such inspiration and ideas that evolve got my juices flowing. Your cover for your journal makes me happy. Who doesn’t like Dr. Seuss…Green Eggs and Ham! I don’t like Green Eggs and Ham said Sam I Am. Thanks for the memories.

    By carrines yvette clifton on January 6, 2021 at 8:30 pm

  676. From one mom/teacher/actor/theatre director/(pre-published)author to another- your ideas rock! Thank you for hands on instruction. 👍😁

    By ingridboydston on January 6, 2021 at 8:40 pm

  677. I never thought of looking at illustrators’ posts and writing stories from them. What a great idea! I might have to join Instagram after all. Thanks so much for this post.

    By Renée Neubauer on January 6, 2021 at 8:59 pm

  678. Thank you Erin and Tara. I really love using picture prompts. Thank you for the inspiration and congratulations on your new book Erin.

    By romontanaro on January 6, 2021 at 9:24 pm

  679. Thank you, Erin. Just started a story idea journal and am loving it! I am already amazed at just how many ideas come along. The journal is a fantastic way to hold onto fleeting ideas AND the ideas make fantastic writing prompts when experiencing writer’s block:)

    By Michelle Losardo on January 6, 2021 at 9:44 pm

  680. I’ve got to get my idea book started! I’ve been using index cards… thanks Erin for your the photos of your idea book(s).

    By Ave Maria Cross on January 6, 2021 at 10:11 pm

  681. I love the epistolary style and enjoyed reading this and your other blog post on the key elements of epistolary PBs. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
    \

    By Beth Elliott on January 6, 2021 at 11:07 pm

  682. Thanks for your ideas to generate ideas! Congratulations on your latest book, too!

    By Nancy Riley on January 6, 2021 at 11:40 pm

  683. What a great idea, Erin! Thank you.

    By Debbie Meyer on January 7, 2021 at 12:03 am

  684. Excellent post!

    By Michael Sussman on January 7, 2021 at 12:06 am

  685. I am off to make some art now. Thank you.

    By Mary Jane on January 7, 2021 at 1:07 am

  686. The natural evolution of the story you describe here is fascinating. It can be a hard process to accept at times, especially when you as the writer have your mind set on a particular plot line or perspective. I was convinced that an MS I was working on this time last year (and am now working on again) had to be told from the POV of the character whose name was in the title. Because it would have been just *so funny* that way. But now, in introducing a new protagonist who wasn’t even in the original drafts and relegating the title character to a supporting role (almost a cameo, really), I’ve been surprised by just how right that transition feels. It was like I could hear things clicking into place, and the ideas just seemed to flow like water once I reframed my vision. It’s crazy how these things just come to you!

    By Jose Cruz on January 7, 2021 at 1:57 am

  687. I recently watched the 12×12 webinar with Kirsten Lawson, and she talked about epistolary formats too. Already wrote an idea down for that. Thanks, Erin!

    By Terri Sabol on January 7, 2021 at 2:11 am

  688. Thank you for encouraging those of us more prone to pickup a pen as opposed to a brush. Inspirational!

    By cravevsworld on January 7, 2021 at 2:59 am

  689. Thank you for sharing pictures of your page and notebook! I have wondered what the process looks like for other people. I just looked at the hashtags and am so in love with with the creativity I see.

    By Misty Morris on January 7, 2021 at 4:05 am

  690. Great seeing how your initial idea kept evolving and developing!

    By claireflewis on January 7, 2021 at 5:51 am

  691. Hoping for a critique. 🙂 Thank you for the insights you shared and the link to the other post. Both so very helpful, Erin. –Kim

    By naturewalkwithgod on January 7, 2021 at 9:14 am

  692. I tend to reach for my computer, but after this wonderful post I’ll keep a special notepad for ideas. Thanks!

    By Susan Wroble on January 7, 2021 at 10:24 am

  693. Thanks for sharing your process and inspiration. I just checked out #picturebookillustration – WOW!

    By Angela De Groot on January 7, 2021 at 10:42 am

  694. Terrific and fun. I’m a writer who often gets ideas for visual art projects–I try to execute them and not judge the results too harshly!

    By audiencedog on January 7, 2021 at 11:58 am

  695. I loved hearing the evolution of your idea.

    By Andrew Hacket on January 7, 2021 at 12:13 pm

  696. Such great advice! I finally bought a notebook just for ideas this year! Thanks for sharing your process!

    By Karan Greene on January 7, 2021 at 12:43 pm

  697. I’m going to try taking a photo or illustration and asking the questions to generate ideas. Thanks for the insight!

    By danielle hammelef on January 7, 2021 at 1:08 pm

  698. I love the concept for your book, Mother Earth, Erin! It’s great to hear about your creative process too. Super interesting to hear about your critique group interaction! Thanks for sharing! BTW, I can Moo Too!

    By kmajor2013 on January 7, 2021 at 1:34 pm

  699. Thanks for the post. Pictures can bring up some great ideas for stories.

    By Janet Smart on January 7, 2021 at 1:38 pm

  700. love how this idea came to you! Thank you for sharing this. I have so many hand-written notes and parts of ideas in my notebook that I can’t wait to play more with this year!

    By Rebecca Gardyn Levington on January 7, 2021 at 2:32 pm

  701. I love the concept and format for this book. I just may try an epistolary picture book just for the sake of trying something new.

    By Debra Katz on January 7, 2021 at 2:45 pm

  702. Thanks for sharing your journey in finding the seed idea for your fabulous book. And thanks for the reminder about using illustrations to brainstorm ideas. Instagram is a great place to browse.

    By Kathy Berman on January 7, 2021 at 2:57 pm

  703. I loved this post, Erin! Thanks for sharing! I love seeing illustrators’ artwork on Twitter. I am so inspired by their creativity. While I am nowhere near as talented as they are, I did start an “ugly sketchbook” last year that helps me brainstorm story ideas. (I think that was a suggestion from a Story Storm post last year!) I’m excited to pot some ideas in it and see what grows. 🙂

    By Abby Wooldridge on January 7, 2021 at 4:24 pm

  704. Love this post, the added links, the encouragement – thank you!

    By Bronte Colbert on January 7, 2021 at 5:49 pm

  705. I love seeing how your original inspiration became a story. Thanks for sharing.

    By Linda Bozzo on January 7, 2021 at 6:06 pm

  706. I like the idea of keeping my ideas in one place. The scraps of paper are everywhere!

    By Louise Aamodt on January 7, 2021 at 7:04 pm

  707. I love seeing how ideas change and are refined as creators create! Thanks for sharing your process.

    By Julia Mills on January 7, 2021 at 7:44 pm

  708. Thank you for sharing this snapshot of your process–I am so inspired!

    By andikate on January 7, 2021 at 7:55 pm

  709. I love how this manuscript idea evolved and changed into something even more wonderful. Congrats on your book! And thanks for the inspiration and advice.

    By Linda Hofke on January 7, 2021 at 8:46 pm

  710. I’m late to this but LOVE it! I’ve at least one story done already that was inspired by an illustration I saw. I’m always inspired by art! AND I also compare writing to pottery. I used to sculpt for fun and slapping words down and scratching them out and mushing things around feels so much like sculpting. Great post! Thank you!

    By iefaber on January 7, 2021 at 9:46 pm

  711. Fabulous post! Thank you for the shout out! I loved your suggestions.

    By LaurenKerstein on January 7, 2021 at 10:00 pm

  712. I am inspired by your awesome vintage book cover idea notebook–I’m going to keep one with a super fun cover like that so I will want to bring it with me everywhere this month! 😀 Thanks!

    By Ally Enz on January 7, 2021 at 10:01 pm

  713. I love your idea notebooks! I appreciate the link to Lauren Kerstein. I love the idea of hanging out in the card section and barraging the card characters with questions. Thank you for providing us with some unique ways to find inspiration.

    By susanzonca on January 7, 2021 at 11:14 pm

  714. I agree that a notebook is a much better place for ideas than a computer file. I love the notebook I started for Storystorm last year. Thanks for the inspiration!

    By Beth Charles on January 7, 2021 at 11:24 pm

  715. Great post, Erin! I definitely need to keep all my random ideas in one place! Thank you!

    By Alexia Andoni on January 7, 2021 at 11:47 pm

  716. This was so insightful – I love your process – it’s interesting to see how your original idea was transformed.

    By doreenrobinson on January 7, 2021 at 11:49 pm

  717. I absolutely love your idea notebook! It took me back to my scrapbook obsessed 8 year old self. I went and bought a special spiral bound notebook just for ideas. I think that will help streamline them. And I bought a few cool new pens! You have inspired me. And now I will look at pictures and illustrations and see what stories I can weave from them. Thank you!

    By Mary Zychowicz on January 8, 2021 at 12:39 am

  718. Wow, Erin. That was a terrific post. I write down my ideas but I will start using photos for inspiration also. Thanks!

    By Dee Knabb on January 8, 2021 at 7:39 am

  719. great tips on the #s! Thank you!

    By Jen Lynn Bailey on January 8, 2021 at 8:59 am

  720. How strange, my pottery class is closed so I am going to pick up some clay TODAY to make pots at home, so your post really resonates with me.

    By FrannyG on January 8, 2021 at 10:45 am

  721. I loved reading how Dear Earth grew from the seed of an idea to a book! It was great to see the jotting of ideas in the notebook. When I’m fleshing out an idea, I also like doing that on paper before typing. Thanks for sharing!

    By Melissa Trempe is querying (@melissa_trempe) on January 8, 2021 at 11:00 am

  722. Love it

    By shell on January 8, 2021 at 12:03 pm

  723. Clever idea, Erin. Thanks!

    By Jennifer Raudenbush on January 8, 2021 at 2:30 pm

  724. Lovely, thank you.

    By Laura Clement on January 8, 2021 at 4:10 pm

  725. Thank you for sharing the inspiration for your book! What a great tip to look for story ideas in illustrations!

    By Karen Pickrell on January 8, 2021 at 4:44 pm

  726. Loved hearing how your story evolved.A simple picture can invoke an entire story!

    By Diane on January 8, 2021 at 6:18 pm

  727. I appreciate the encouragement and the reminder that stories don’t appear fully formed; sometimes it takes a few fragments and ideas meeting up to make the whole story.

    By Teresa on January 8, 2021 at 6:44 pm

  728. Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks. Love hearing about how your book came to be.

    By Stacey Corrigan on January 8, 2021 at 9:27 pm

  729. I love the idea of thinking of myself as a potter. Thanks for the inspiration and good luck with your upcoming titles.

    By Carol Gordon Ekster on January 8, 2021 at 11:40 pm

  730. This is a great idea and sounds like fun. Excited to try this approach. Thank you!

    By Jennifer Weisse on January 8, 2021 at 11:44 pm

  731. Love your emphasis on playing artfully.

    By topangamaria on January 9, 2021 at 12:01 am

  732. Thank you. I look forward to studying your tips. I have outlined a book of letters. Can’t wait to read your strategies.

    By Sherri on January 9, 2021 at 12:17 am

  733. Loved your post, Erin. I have to get back to writing ideas in my journal instead of into my computer. I like the idea of play also and using the letter as a format. That’s something I might try. Great post!

    By betlw on January 9, 2021 at 1:04 am

  734. Hi! I have an epistolary story in the works so I loved reading about how you developed Dear Earth, here and in your guest post for Lauren Kerstein as well. Thanks for sharing!

    By Mary Malhotra on January 9, 2021 at 2:51 am

  735. Pen and paper for the win! I’m a firm believer in physical writing vs typing for the first-draft idea phase. There’s something inspiring in the very experience of pen on paper. Thank you for your post! 🙂

    By E D Stewart on January 9, 2021 at 9:19 am

  736. What a fun idea – thanks for tracing its development for us. “What if…”

    By robincurrie1 on January 9, 2021 at 9:52 am

  737. Thank you for sharing your process!

    By Angela Krans on January 9, 2021 at 10:22 am

  738. What a fabulous description of the evolution of the story – such a great idea for a picture book :o)

    By Catherine on January 9, 2021 at 11:09 am

  739. I love this peak behind the curtain of how a scrap of an idea becomes a book. Thank you for sharing your story (and your stories!) Erin.

    By Elizabeth Metz on January 9, 2021 at 12:05 pm

  740. I am drawn to a Van Gogh painting, well two actually, which have stories in them just waiting to be written! Thanks for the reminder!

    By Susan Jobsky on January 9, 2021 at 12:29 pm

  741. Erin, I love seeing fellow writer’s story seeds sprout and then bloom. Thanks for sharing your story and motivation to explore a loved photo and get to know it better. I have some research to do!

    By Kari Gonzalez on January 9, 2021 at 1:11 pm

  742. It’s always fascinating to hear about the evolution of idea to book, and I love the potter analogy! Thanks for the inspiring post.

    By Jillian Schmidt on January 9, 2021 at 3:20 pm

  743. Thank you for your many recommendations on how to capture ideas and how to brainstorm them and also your links to Cathy Breisacher’s post and Lauren Kerstein’s blog. Very useful information!

    By Jeannette Suhr on January 9, 2021 at 3:22 pm

  744. A fun post which is inspiring!

    By Lori Mozdzierz on January 9, 2021 at 5:11 pm

  745. I’ve always wanted to write a PB in epistolary form…I think that’s today’s idea! Thanks, Erin!

    By Brenda Whitehead (@BrendaW_Prof) on January 9, 2021 at 7:34 pm

  746. What a wonderful concept for a PB – I absolutely love it. Thank you for your ideas. So much to explore.

    By Kellie on January 9, 2021 at 7:49 pm

  747. Thanks for your post. And what a brilliant idea for an idea notebook!

    By rgstones on January 9, 2021 at 8:17 pm

  748. Thank you for your post. Very inspiring!

    By Sylvia Mary Grech on January 9, 2021 at 10:04 pm

  749. Erin, I like to classify picture books; now I can add notes with questions for each one. Thanks Erin for share the page storybird, with images and the resources, all are greats.

    By Gaby on January 10, 2021 at 1:55 am

  750. Great post! I Iove art, so your tips are going to be very helpful. Thank you for your inspiration, Erin.

    By Jo Jo Harder on January 10, 2021 at 4:27 am

  751. I have been wanting to write a epistolary PB you have inspired me to get to it. As well as giving me some steps to do that. Thank you!

    By sharongiltrow on January 10, 2021 at 5:06 am

  752. This is a wonderful idea…. I’m off to explore some illustrations….

    By Deborah Foster on January 10, 2021 at 8:24 am

  753. Great idea to let illustrations inspire. Looking forward to reading DEAR EARTH!

    By Lindsay Metcalf on January 10, 2021 at 10:54 am

  754. Hi Erin- great suggestion about using illustrations to spark ideas- definitely going to give it a try- thanks 🙂

    By James Smith on January 10, 2021 at 11:23 am

  755. Love the takeaways from this post, Erin. Writing things down in pencil or pen works better for my brain, so I’m going to try harder to do more of that. And your analogy of throwing clay pots is right on target. I’m going to throw more pots until I make a good one. Thank you!

    By clairebobrow on January 10, 2021 at 1:16 pm

  756. I recently found some pages I ripped from magazines in my childhood. Going to mine them!

    By Wendy on January 10, 2021 at 2:01 pm

  757. I love the idea of writing all the ideas in one notebook and skipping the scraps of paper. I loved reading how your Dear Earth book took shape over time.

    By pjaegly on January 10, 2021 at 2:07 pm

  758. Love this idea. Thank you!

    By Julie Augensen-Rand on January 10, 2021 at 5:20 pm

  759. I liked reading how your idea from the initial image that inspired you transformed to the format of your book.

    By Susan Cabael on January 10, 2021 at 5:32 pm

  760. What a wonderful, unique idea! Thank you for sharing how your idea evolved and transformed! I can’t wait to read your book!

    By Jen on January 10, 2021 at 5:57 pm

  761. I’m a visual person, so I love the idea of scrolling through art to be inspired.

    By drawingablank6 on January 10, 2021 at 7:06 pm

  762. YES! sketchbook ideas flowing! ANd I adore the recycled cover idea!. I have the Grinch as my recycled cover. I found it at a craft show.

    By Patricia Tiffany Morris on January 10, 2021 at 7:09 pm

  763. Great ideas! Thank you!

    By Debbi G on January 10, 2021 at 9:21 pm

  764. How cool to see your process from the early nugget of an idea onward.

    By Lindsay Brayden Ellis on January 11, 2021 at 12:26 am

  765. Shaping clay, sometimes over and over. Love this. thanks!

    By Dea Brayden on January 11, 2021 at 12:33 am

  766. I love seeing how your idea morphed into an amazing book. Thanks for the inspiration!

    By Mindy Alyse Weiss on January 11, 2021 at 1:45 am

  767. I’m a letter lover!

    By lanearnold on January 11, 2021 at 10:51 am

  768. Fascinating post! Thank you!

    By Midge Ballou Smith on January 11, 2021 at 1:27 pm

  769. Great comparison with potters and clay. And the more we make, the better we get, right? Thanks.

    By paulabpuckett on January 11, 2021 at 2:32 pm

  770. Writing letters from the heart to the big concept…. a very powerful thing for a child to do.

    By syorkeviney on January 11, 2021 at 4:03 pm

  771. Love the pics of your idea notebook!

    By artemisroehrig on January 11, 2021 at 8:37 pm

  772. I love the notebook. I found an old, torn apart Cat in the Hat. Perhaps I can still salvage it for an idea notebook as well.

    By Kimiko Wadriski on January 11, 2021 at 10:38 pm

  773. You never know where one seemingly crazy idea may lead…….

    By Christine M Irvin on January 11, 2021 at 10:58 pm

  774. Love your repurposed cover to keep a loved but dying book around. Great idea to get inspired from kidlit art.

    By Lauri Meyers on January 11, 2021 at 11:06 pm

  775. Yeah… I keep putting off the idea journal because “it would never be where I am when I need it…”

    But, since Covid has me constantly at home, I guess I really can’t use that particular excuse anymore!

    Ok… Seriously… Going to find a journal now… or make one… something…

    By Cindy Kay on January 12, 2021 at 2:03 am

  776. I love learning about picture book authors’ methods of brainstorming. Thank you, Erin!

    By jessica shaw on January 12, 2021 at 1:21 pm

  777. This is a great idea, and I think I’m going to take it one step further and also look at my kids artwork for some inspiration. Thank you for the helpful hashtags to scroll through too. I’m feeling inspired!

    By jennyb_writes on January 12, 2021 at 3:03 pm

  778. Thank you! Since ideas change, it’s important that we grab a hold of them before we know what they’ll become. That makes perfect sense. But I needed the reminder. 🙂

    By Nina Nolan on January 12, 2021 at 5:24 pm

  779. Thanks for sharing your journey!

    By Lynn Alpert on January 12, 2021 at 7:43 pm

  780. I like the idea of comparing the writer to the potter

    By Naana Amissah on January 13, 2021 at 9:23 am

  781. FABULOUS!

    By Tania on January 13, 2021 at 5:07 pm

  782. I love stories told in letters! And books that help kids think about protecting their environment. A perfect combo!

    By Carol Kim on January 14, 2021 at 12:03 pm

  783. I have tried to use photos to brainstorm around but rarely have used illustration. Thanks for the source and getting inspiration from actual picture book illustration. Thanks for the post.

    By dlapmandi on January 14, 2021 at 12:40 pm

  784. I love how you started with a picture that sparked questions in your mind, but that the story evolved to its present format – all in letters! So inspiring! Thank you!

    By ptnozell on January 14, 2021 at 12:43 pm

  785. Each day is bringing new inspiration, thank you so much Erin, for the brainstorming ideas!

    By Katie Schwartz on January 14, 2021 at 8:52 pm

  786. Hi Erin- I enjoyed reading about how you started with a thought and how it evolved into something totally different. Thank you for sharing your story journey with us!

    By Michelle S. Kennedy (@MichelleSKenned) on January 14, 2021 at 10:06 pm

  787. Love your analogy of a potter, and that we can throw our ‘pot’ down, and start over at any time. That is so freeing! Thank you!

    By Katie Schwartz on January 14, 2021 at 11:24 pm

  788. Erin, thank you for this! I LOVE the potter analogy and how your newest book took shape after lots of molding. I also love your repurposed book pine notebook! Thank you for this way to sit and conjure up something new.

    By Kelly Rice Schmitt on January 15, 2021 at 10:14 am

  789. Loved reading about the evolution of this book. Thank you!

    By Amy H on January 15, 2021 at 11:37 am

  790. I cannot wait to read, “Dear Earth… from your friends in room one”! Thank you for your post!

    By Michelle Kashinsky on January 16, 2021 at 12:26 am

  791. What a great idea. I enjoyed seeing how you evolved your idea. Thank you.

    By Lisa Kingsford on January 16, 2021 at 12:36 am

  792. Loved the insight into your process for this book and can’t wait to read it! Congratulations!!

    By Nicole Loos Miller on January 16, 2021 at 9:15 pm

  793. Thank you for sharing Erin! Wonderful post!

    By Laura W. on January 17, 2021 at 4:57 pm

  794. I love the idea of using art as inspiration. And it is so interesting to see how your original idea morphed. We look forward to reading your Dear Earth book!

    By Christine Fleming McIsaac on January 17, 2021 at 5:48 pm

  795. Thanks for sharing your great creative process. I love the details and how your ideas morphed

    By Karen Chun on January 18, 2021 at 5:16 am

  796. Thank you, Erin! I’ve had the urge to pursue some ideas in epistolary format (love that word). This has nudged that urge to the top. 🙂

    By Susie Sawyer on January 18, 2021 at 12:25 pm

  797. Thank you for sharing your process!

    By Bettie Boswell on January 18, 2021 at 3:42 pm

  798. Thank you for the motivation to keep trying.

    By Cindy on January 18, 2021 at 10:01 pm

  799. Love this post – it really speaks to me! ♥ Love the process of this book and the tumble of ideas and notes and pictures all coming together. As well as the reminder to accept all ideas as potential material. Thank you for the post and the challenge for further exploration!!

    By Vera Lisa Smetzer on January 19, 2021 at 4:21 pm

  800. Thanks for sharing your process!

    By kelliejanebyrnes on January 19, 2021 at 8:44 pm

  801. This is such helpful information! I love the idea of generating ideas from an illustration.

    By thedandelionzoo on January 19, 2021 at 10:21 pm

  802. I’ve been doing my ideas on Notes on my iPhone and now I’m convinced that putting things down in an official ideas notebook, might just be what I’ve needed to spark more. Thanks also for the helpful links!

    By goodreadswithronna on January 19, 2021 at 10:26 pm

  803. I loved learning about your process and trying this brainstorm activity. Thank you!

    By treuting on January 20, 2021 at 11:56 am

  804. Hi Erin! Thanks for your inspirational post. I love the notion of being artistic potters with our writing!

    By Joni Hay Patras on January 20, 2021 at 5:58 pm

  805. I’m a potter and a writer. Ceramics is much easier, and it’s really challenging! LOL!

    By naomimgruer on January 20, 2021 at 6:24 pm

  806. Thank you for the encouragement. I love to think of idea gathering as collecting clay!

    By Toni Weeks on January 21, 2021 at 12:45 am

  807. The potter analogy really stood out to me. It is not an easy task but worth the time and attention to detail.

    By Dina Ticas on January 21, 2021 at 12:52 am

  808. Thanks for your helpful ideas and images

    By @carriecookhere on January 21, 2021 at 2:00 am

  809. I know I read this, but maybe I didn’t comment. I love clay. I could sculpt all day. Thanks for the details.

    By Virginia Rinkel on January 22, 2021 at 12:25 am

  810. My family already jokes about me talking to myself. Now they will be overhearing me asking questions to random illustrations. This should go well.:)

    By Marilyn R Garcia on January 22, 2021 at 3:15 pm

  811. Love the analogy working with clay, that’s definitely so true!

    By sylviaichen on January 25, 2021 at 2:38 am

  812. Not only a good way to find something to write about, but a great idea to get children involved in taking action. Very clever and inspirational.

    By Carolyne Lizabeth Ruck on January 25, 2021 at 5:39 pm

  813. My dad was a potter and your analogy of throwing a pot or squishing that clay back up and starting over really hits home. Thank you.

    By Karen Lawler on January 26, 2021 at 10:50 am

  814. Helpful advice here!

    By Bill Canterbury on January 27, 2021 at 8:01 pm

  815. Great advice–as artists we sometimes need to rework an idea or piece until we get it just right. And sometimes it’s never quite right and that’s okay, too. Thanks for your post, Erin!

    By Laura U on January 27, 2021 at 8:51 pm

  816. Looks great!

    By McCourt Thomas on January 27, 2021 at 11:20 pm

  817. Thank you for the ideas

    By Karen L Ledbetter on January 28, 2021 at 11:09 pm

  818. I love how an inspiring visual can spin off into a completely new pb idea! Thanks so much for sharing!

    By Kimberly Wilson on January 30, 2021 at 11:32 am

  819. Looking forward to reading your book. I do the scraps of paper, but I do tape them into a notebook now. It’s fun to flip through and be surprised by something I forgot. This reminded me of an epistolary ms from a while ago…and inspires me to give it another shot. Thanks!

    By Mary Worley on January 30, 2021 at 3:48 pm

  820. Very cool to hear about how your initial spark grew into a new and fully developed story!

    By kristenrashid on January 30, 2021 at 10:11 pm

  821. Erin, I love your comparison of a writer’s idea notebook to that of an artist’s sketchbook! STORYSTORM has inspired the creation of my idea book. It’s amazing how fleeting story ideas can be when not written down. I can’t wait to read DEAR EARTH…FROM YOUR FRIENDS IN ROOM 5!

    By Michelle H. Losardo on January 30, 2021 at 10:31 pm

  822. I can’t wait to read your book, Erin. Thank you for your suggestions!

    By Melissa McDaniel on January 31, 2021 at 2:55 pm

  823. I’m a librarian and used your book Snowglobe Wishes as part of a library lesson last month!

    By Susanne Whitehouse on January 31, 2021 at 4:12 pm

  824. Great advice! Thanks!

    By Kim Erickson on January 31, 2021 at 11:00 pm

  825. Love how you said that your Idea Notebook is your writers version of a sketchbook. Sometimes I capture notes straight into my NOTES app but often I can come up with more when I hand write out the idea there first then later type it out formally. The Jolly Postman was one of my favorite books growing up, I thought the epistolary format was so clever. Great work and thank you for sharing your insight and advice!

    By Jen Wright on January 31, 2021 at 11:16 pm

  826. I’m crafting an epistolary PB myself- thanks to a 2021 StoryStorm idea! Can’t wait to get my hands on your book, to use it as a mentor text! Congrats on seeing this idea through all the way.

    By Jennifer Broedel (@JBroedelAuthor) on January 31, 2021 at 11:29 pm

  827. Thanks for the inspiration. I loved seeing your idea journal!

    By kaleegwarjanski on February 1, 2021 at 6:50 am

  828. Love seeing the process

    By Jen (aka RandomlyGenerated) on February 1, 2021 at 2:17 pm

  829. Thanks for the great ideas!

    By kmshelley on February 1, 2021 at 11:09 pm

  830. I’ve never looked through #kidlitillustration or #picturebookillustration on Instagram before, but it is AMAZING! Oh my gosh looking through those images was so inspiring. Thank you for sharing this fantastic tip Erin!

    By Cheryl MacAller on February 2, 2021 at 5:37 pm

  831. Thank you for your inspirational post! I have a character that I’ve been drawing since I was eight years old that has to do with Angels and the Earth! Very interesting! Tells me I need to finish my book!

    By Kelly Vavala on February 4, 2021 at 12:01 pm

  832. I love to hear about the process of writing NF books for kids. Thank you.

    By Lisa Leinbaugh on February 4, 2021 at 4:52 pm

  833. Off to be a potter and to follow you on twitter!

    By lorisherritt on February 12, 2021 at 7:27 pm

  834. Thanks, Erin. I love Dear Earth… it’s such a great book and I love when Earth wrote back. I’m off to find some images and throw some ideas around.

    By Emily Bertholf on January 10, 2022 at 3:56 pm

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