by Benson Shum
There are many ways to generate ideas. For me, sometimes it starts with an illustration. Sometimes it starts with a word, a line or a thought. Let’s start with the first. Whether you’re creating the illustration or have a painting that calls to you, there is almost always a story in it. If there isn’t, let’s create one. Start to ask questions. Think about every detail in the illustration.
- What emotion does the painting give you?
- Is there something interesting about the color palette?
- How is the character posed?
- What is their expression?
- What situation are they in?
- How are they feeling? and why? What are they wearing? Or not wearing?
- Could this give insight into who they are?
- Is there an environment? What does it tell us? where does it set the character in? Forest? A city? Is it a bustling city? or a slower paced location?
- Could there be a possible conflict?
- Conflict with their surroundings?
- Conflict with self?
- Conflict with another character?
Hopefully by the end, you will get a basis of WHO this character is, WHERE they’re from, WHAT is the possible problem and WHY. If not, that’s ok! We’ll try again, maybe we could add a character to it? Or look at the painting a different way. Maytbe place the character in a different environment. Create conflict. And start with the questions again!
If we were to start with a word, a line or a thought. I’ll use the example from my book ANZU THE GREAT KAIJU. If you don’t know what a kaiju is, kaiju is a Japanese term for “giant monster” like Godzilla or King Kong. I’m a big fan of King Kong, Godzilla, huge robots, giant monsters in general that tower over cities. So I wanted to take a twist on it. And started to ask “What if” questions. The thought or line for this story was “What if not all kaiju want to destroy?” That was the seed of the story.
- What if Anzu comes from a family legacy of destroyers?
- What if Anzu was different?
- What if Anzu’s superpower wasn’t like his families?
- What if Anzu’s power was kindness and gentleness?
- How does that make Anzu feel?
- How does that make his family feel?
- What happens when his family finds out?
These are some of the exercises I use when trying to come up with story ideas. Even if the idea or solution doesn’t make complete sense, jot it down. You can always delete/erase it. But what it does do is get the idea out of your head and onto paper, which leaves more room for new ideas. Thank you for listening to me ramble! I hope it was helpful!
Benson Shum is a children’s book Author/Illustrator and Disney Animator. He uses watercolor, ink and digital tools to create his illustrations. Aside from writing and illustrating, Benson is also an Animator at the Walt Disney Animation Studios, where he was a part of such films as Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Moana, Frozen 2, Raya & the Last Dragon and Encanto. Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Benson now lives in Los Angeles, California. Follow him online at bensonshum.com, and on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook as bshum79.
Benson is giving away a copy of ANZU THE GREAT KAIJU, an art print, and stickers to one random winner.
Leave one comment below to enter.
You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm participant and you have commented once below.
Prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of Storystorm.
815 comments
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January 5, 2022 at 8:08 am
Eileen Saunders
Great questions. Cute illustration.
January 5, 2022 at 10:30 am
CB Jarapa
Thank you for the great tips! Anzu the Great Kaiju sounds like the kind of book I’d like to read with my nephew 😃
January 6, 2022 at 10:44 am
erinquill8
These are great tips and I’m loving the illustration!
January 5, 2022 at 8:09 am
Finding Damo
I am loving the kaiju
January 5, 2022 at 8:09 am
Sally McClure
I love what you said about writing it down even if it doesn’t make sense. I shy away from that and then later can’t remember it when I’m ready to flesh it out.
January 5, 2022 at 11:05 pm
catpledger
Great list of questions!
January 5, 2022 at 8:12 am
Sarah Hetu-Radny
First of all I love the pew pew pew illustration! And secondly my daughter is enamored with the fact that you help create the the Frozen images (and encato). I think I’m going to get out my watercolors and paint and illustration and put the character in different settings just like you just described. Thank you!!!
January 5, 2022 at 8:12 am
Lisa M. Griffin, Illustrator 💖 (@LisaMGriffinArt)
I enjoyed how he stated that you can work on developing a story idea from a single illustration. That is how many of my stories begin, with the art, and working from there. Wonderful read, very helpful!
January 5, 2022 at 8:13 am
cinzialverde
Thanks, Benson. Love the questions! And can’t wait to meet Anzu.
January 5, 2022 at 8:13 am
Yvonne Ng
What if questions are great story generators! Thanks for sharing.
January 5, 2022 at 8:14 am
marianariosr
Thanks for sharing these strategies to generate ideas. Anzu is so sweet, and I loved the premise of your book.
January 5, 2022 at 8:15 am
thecrowsmap
Benson, I’m definitely going to try this. I look forward to reading your book.
Gail Hartman
January 5, 2022 at 8:16 am
lavern15
I really like the aspect of asking questions to get your ideas rolling. You presented a plethora of questions to get me started. Thank you Benson!! And love the illustrations! Keep up the great work!
January 5, 2022 at 8:18 am
Andrea Mack
I love this list of questions! As a writer, I could also challenge myself to ask these questions about an existing illustration in a picture book (to create a new interpretation). I also recently discovered this site with illustration images that could inspire ideas (it’s for kids but adults could use it too), https://www.onceuponapicture.co.uk/. So many possibilities for these great questions! Thanks for sharing!
January 5, 2022 at 8:20 am
Amy Leskowski
I love the what-if questions.
January 5, 2022 at 8:20 am
Brigita O
The questions made me think about my ideas from a different perspective which might spawn more ideas. So, thank you for that!
January 5, 2022 at 8:22 am
Meghan Downs
I love the idea of using artwork as a first inspiration for stories. Thank you for all the practical questions to start asking when forming story ideas!
January 5, 2022 at 8:22 am
Alexandra Alessandri
This post and these questions are great! Thank you for sharing your strategies/tips with us. Also, Anzu is adorable!
January 5, 2022 at 8:23 am
Joyce Uglow
Great questions can lead to interesting answers.
January 5, 2022 at 8:23 am
Rebecca McMurdie
Love these reflection questions to support with the development of an idea.
January 5, 2022 at 8:23 am
susandrewwrites
Great questions! I like your idea of starting with the picture. I find such cute ones on Instagram, now I know what to do with them!
January 5, 2022 at 8:23 am
SCody
I love this! I often just have illustrations and wonder if they could be a story. I’ll start asking them questions and writing them down to see where it goes!
January 5, 2022 at 8:24 am
katelynchwrites
I LOVE your illustrations!! Fun, whimsical, inspiring. Thank you for sharing with us.
January 5, 2022 at 8:24 am
Lenora (can't stop, won't stop writing) Biemans (@BiemansLenora)
Thank you for sharing your process and art. I look forward to meeting ANZU THE GREAT KAIJU!
January 5, 2022 at 8:26 am
GP Bell
I love the concept of this book!
January 5, 2022 at 8:27 am
Colleen Owen Murphy
Benson, thank you for your advice. Your illustrations are adorable and I cannot wait to start asking questions.
January 5, 2022 at 8:29 am
Lauren Barbieri
Great post—thank you! The timing was perfect for me, as my most recent idea has grown out of a painting.
January 5, 2022 at 8:33 am
michelemeleen
As a non-artist, I don’t typically think to start with pictures, but that might be a great way to get outside the box ideas! Thanks
January 5, 2022 at 8:33 am
anchance
I love the picture of Anzu with the “pew pew pew” words around him, and the line you wrote for it. The art is beautiful and makes me want to read more. Thank you for the ideas!
January 5, 2022 at 8:34 am
Audrey Perrott
I pre-ordered your book ages ago and can’t wait for my copy! Also, I love how these questions helped me tease out an idea from the Day 2 — ah, the joy of #StoryStorm!!
January 5, 2022 at 8:36 am
maureenegan
Anzu is adorable. Thanks for this!
January 5, 2022 at 8:38 am
lizricewrites
So helpful! Thank You! I am going to use your questions and examples to spark ideas – by studying the painting Two Sisters [On the Terrace] by Renoir
January 5, 2022 at 8:41 am
Deborah Agranat Sullivan
Your “rambling” was extremely helpful, Benson! And great reminder that you can always delete…just getting ideas on paper is key. Thanks for sharing!
January 5, 2022 at 8:43 am
Sonia Morris
Thank you for the creativity bumps! Love your style!
January 5, 2022 at 8:45 am
Robin Brett Wechsler
The questions you pose will no doubt generate lots of ideas. Thank you, Benson! My kids and I have enjoyed the movies you worked on. I’m excited to check out ANZU THE GREAT KAIJU.
January 5, 2022 at 8:47 am
Alice Fulgione
Thank you for the great suggestions! I’m not an illustrator but I love art and it often speaks to me.
January 5, 2022 at 8:51 am
Andria Rosenbaum
Even though I don’t illustrate, I always have images in my head. I think jotting down a list of WHAT IFS may be incredibly helpful to uncovering layers of a story. Thank you, Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 8:53 am
Donna Rossman
I love Anzu! Thank you for sharing your process, Benson. Appreciate all your suggestions.
January 5, 2022 at 8:55 am
lmconnors
Writing it all down! Great idea. Thank you and congrats on your book.
January 5, 2022 at 8:55 am
Ceil Than
The 5 Ws and How work so well, and the key that unlocks the story is that WHAT IF! Super helpful post! Thank you for sharing!
January 5, 2022 at 8:56 am
Erica Jensen Shiflet
The idea of pushing more and more with the “what if” questions was really helpful for me. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 9:00 am
mapollonio5
Great ideas! Looking forward to your book release this month!
January 5, 2022 at 9:01 am
pmv2452
Love this perspective, Benson. I got an idea right away! Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 9:01 am
Joy Pitcairn
Great questions! Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 9:01 am
Joy Pitcairn
Great questions! Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 9:02 am
Sheri Dillard
Aww, thank you for sharing Anzu with us! 🙂
January 5, 2022 at 4:02 pm
Katie Marie
The idea of starting with an illustration and the questions you presented are super helpful. I am going to revisit the work of my favorite artists and personal photographs that are dear to me to spark inspiration.
January 5, 2022 at 9:02 am
pauseability
Love this idea of responding to images. Earlier this year, after creating a series of illustrations, I attempted to write some microstories for each one. It was fun. If you are curious, you can find them at bit.ly/twit2book.
January 5, 2022 at 9:03 am
Juliana Jones
Your ideas were very inspirational, thanks! And your character looks huggable. Any plush toy in the works?
January 5, 2022 at 9:03 am
yangmommy
It took me a bit to read past the first paragraph because i am besotted by Anzu! I just want to cuddle that monster! So you can see, your opening illo definitely exuded a positive response 🙂
January 5, 2022 at 9:05 am
marty
Thank you, Ben! I love your drop down menu after the question of the MC being in conflict! With their surroundings, self, another character? Thanks, too, for the work you do bringing animated film into being. Looking forward to reading your Ferdinand the Bull-esque ANZU THE GREAT KAIJU! It sounds like a classic.
January 5, 2022 at 9:42 am
marty
Oh dear, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to call you Ben! Mr. Shum, or Benson would have been way more appropriate.
January 5, 2022 at 9:06 am
Natalia Paruzel-Gibson
Appreciate how the questions help to flesh out the concept, especially all the what-ifs. Thanks for sharing your creative process, Benson.
January 5, 2022 at 9:07 am
wordnerd153
Can’t wait to get my hands on your book! Love your “what if…” questions. Thanks for the post!
January 5, 2022 at 9:09 am
Joy Wieder
Thank you! It’s wonderful to hear from an illustrators perspective.
January 5, 2022 at 9:10 am
Deb Buschman (@DebBuschman)
I love coming up with the unexpected. Your monster is adorable. “what if?” always leads to fun.
January 5, 2022 at 9:12 am
Christina Shawn
This is a great reminder for me to find inspiration through pictures and illustrations. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 9:12 am
Marla
What a delightful MC! Great idea for a twist to the unexpected.
January 5, 2022 at 9:13 am
Lucky Jo Boscarino
Thanks for bringing us KAIJU, there’s one on my block right now…sorry I gotta go…
January 5, 2022 at 9:14 am
Brandy Dixon
Cute little “monster”!
January 5, 2022 at 9:15 am
kurtzmom548513
Great idea to start with an illustration! I am not an illustrator but often see pictures or drawings that inspire me! Loved his guiding questions! Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 9:16 am
sweetspontaneous
Super cute illustrations!
January 5, 2022 at 9:18 am
Debi Novotny
Thank you for breaking this down into these simple steps. Your character is really adorable!
January 5, 2022 at 9:18 am
Suzanne Lewis
Thanks so much for sharing your process, Benson! It’s so helpful to be encouraged with questions that inspire details calling out to be part of a story. Your picture book sounds charming and its theme of Be Who You Are is such an important message to share!
January 5, 2022 at 9:18 am
flinn321
Thank you! Anzu is a great character:)
January 5, 2022 at 9:19 am
Vanessa Konoval
Great post! Thanks for guest blogging!!
January 5, 2022 at 9:22 am
Teresa Beeman
I loved this post. I’m pretty good at the ‘what if’ questions, but tend to overlook rephrasing them to get at a different angle. Thanks for the reminder. Love the illustration.
January 5, 2022 at 9:23 am
Kathy Kelly
As a writer who always starts a story with words, I love the idea of starting with an illustration.
January 5, 2022 at 9:23 am
kswemba
Asking questions is a great way to dig deeper to discover more about an idea. Thank you for this tip, Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 9:24 am
Robyn McGrath
Great questions! Thanks for sharing!
January 5, 2022 at 9:25 am
greengirlblueplanet
I typically begin with a story and then sketch but I am intrigued by this approach and these questions help me dig deeper into my existing characters too! Thank you.
January 5, 2022 at 9:27 am
brennajeanneret
Great advice! I love the idea of asking questions BEFORE I get started, haha! As a pantser, I rarely do this!
January 5, 2022 at 9:27 am
Jane Heitman Healy
Great questions! Curiosity may kill the cat, but it’s creative food for writers. Thanks for sharing your process, these questions, and your work!
January 5, 2022 at 9:28 am
Matt Forrest Esenwine
Great post – and great questions! When I teach poetry to students, I always tell them the most important part in the entire process isn’t the writing – it’s understanding your subject and how you want to approach it. And you can only do that by asking questions.
January 5, 2022 at 9:28 am
Lisa P.
I like the idea of getting all the ideas out, no matter if they make sense or not. I often get bogged down with ideas, which I see now actually blocks new ideas. Thanks for the insight!
January 5, 2022 at 9:28 am
Jennifer Phillips
Thank you for this, Benson. I have this strategy on my list for the month…I just need to find some quiet time with a cup of coffee to immerse myself in some artwork and enjoy the creative process!
January 5, 2022 at 9:28 am
Tara Cerven
I’m going to open a picture book to a random page and apply your questions. I can’t wait to see if it sparks any ideas. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 9:29 am
Joan Longstaff
I’ve definitely been inspired by a few paintings to create new stories – but one this list of what if questions to use … will definitely be using these. Thank you Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 9:30 am
Jacqueline Johnson
What a wonderful take on kaiju. Thanks for the ideas
January 5, 2022 at 9:30 am
Sharon Lillie
Thanks for writing . Anzu looks adorable, I love the pew pew pew drawing
January 5, 2022 at 9:32 am
Jessica Coupé
Fun idea, thanks!
January 5, 2022 at 9:33 am
Jill Purtee (P. J.)
Well done . . . I had a sweet ‘awe-moment’ the second I saw the illustration of Kaiju (a monster!).
January 5, 2022 at 9:34 am
Midge Smith
Anzu is simply adorable, and I love how your “What if” questions brought his character to life. Thank you, Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 9:34 am
pathaap
Love Kaiju, Benson! And great advice on how to get ideas flowing.
January 5, 2022 at 9:38 am
Debi Boccanfuso
thank you. I find the what if questions very enlightening as I am trying to come up with ideas! Thanks for sharing your thinking with us.
January 5, 2022 at 9:40 am
Rochelle Y Melander
What a fun idea!
January 5, 2022 at 9:40 am
triciahinely
“What if” questions AND write it down so you can make room for more ideas!! Thank you for sharing your expertise!
January 5, 2022 at 9:42 am
Laurie Stewart Fortier
Thank you Benson! There was no rambling, only excellent advice!
January 5, 2022 at 9:42 am
Steena Hernandez
Thank you for the insightful post! I love how you say, “even if an idea/solution doesn’t make complete sense, jot it down.” Excited to try these pro tips!:)
January 5, 2022 at 9:43 am
fspoesy
I’m going to have to take a closer look at my doodles! Thanks Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 9:44 am
Laura Purdie Salas
Oh my gosh–Anzu is freaking adorable! Thanks for the ramble–love hearing process thoughts from illustrators.
January 5, 2022 at 9:44 am
Keri
I love the twist on superpowers! Asking ever more “what if?” questions helps me dig through initial ideas into deeper ones. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 9:45 am
Jay
What a great set of questions to ask! Thank you for sharing.
January 5, 2022 at 9:45 am
allisonrozo
Fantastic fact-finder for discovering a new character and story! Thank you Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 9:46 am
annier1996
A unique approach to generating ideas. Thanks, Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 9:46 am
Joan Swanson
Who couldn’t love Anzu, how adorable! The great “What if’s,” take your writing to a whole new level 🙂
January 5, 2022 at 9:46 am
Laura Renauld
I love characters like Anzu! Can’t wait to read. 🙂
January 5, 2022 at 9:47 am
debbiearnn
Beautiful work! Thanks for sharing your thought process!
January 5, 2022 at 9:47 am
jilltatara
Loved your very helpful lists of questions! Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 9:48 am
Heidi Chupp
Thank you so much Benson! I could marinate in these questions for a good long while. 🙂
January 5, 2022 at 9:48 am
ralucasirbu
what a delightful turn on a monster story. Your art is very expressive! Thank you for the post.
January 5, 2022 at 9:52 am
karynellis
I love this! Thanks for your post ~ it’s inspiring! And, the questions you ask about Anzu at the end of the post make my heart flutter with their gentleness.
January 5, 2022 at 9:52 am
kathalsey
Even though not an illustrator, I can be inspired by art or a photo and use the same technique! I also enjoy the “What If” way of generating a story. TY, Benson. Congrats on ANZU THE GREAT KAIJU!
January 5, 2022 at 9:52 am
Leigh Anne Carter
This is a great exercise and I love Anzu’s story! Thanks for sharing 🙂
January 5, 2022 at 9:54 am
Angie Baker
New fan!
January 5, 2022 at 9:54 am
Kevin Treaccar
Thank you! Love your Andy character!
January 5, 2022 at 9:59 am
Jenny E.
What a fun prompt. Illustrations and art are great sources of inspiration!
January 5, 2022 at 10:00 am
Susan Jobsky
Thank you! Another day and another avenue of thought to pursue. So many ideas! I have whirlwind in my head.
January 5, 2022 at 10:00 am
Adrea
Thank you for this post! I love the idea of being inspired by art and asking “what if” questions.
January 5, 2022 at 10:00 am
Stephanie Rondeau
I love asking “what if?” questions about my characters. Great idea starters here!
January 5, 2022 at 10:01 am
Lucretia Schafroth
Great post, Benson! Anju is absolutely adorable. Thank you for sharing your process for breathing life into him and his story.
January 5, 2022 at 10:01 am
Stephanie Rondeau
I love asking “what if” questions about my characters. Great idea starters here!
January 5, 2022 at 10:02 am
Debra McJimsey
Benson, I love this idea and all of the thought prompts. I have hundreds of figures (I am a therapist and I use sandtray therapy which uses figures placed in sand) that I can use for this storystorm!
January 5, 2022 at 10:03 am
Stephanie Rondeau
I love using “what if” questions for my characters!
January 5, 2022 at 10:03 am
John McGranaghan
Thanks for taking us through your creative brainstorming process!
January 5, 2022 at 10:04 am
Stephanie Rondeau
I love using “what if” questions for my characters! Great idea starters here.
January 5, 2022 at 10:05 am
Tara Cho
Thank you for sharing your creative process. What a great character!
January 5, 2022 at 10:08 am
Janie Reinart (@smile73777)
Benson, thank you for sharing your process. Great ideas. Love the idea of making room for new ideas.
January 5, 2022 at 10:09 am
Jocelyn Rish
Anzu is too adorable – love him!
January 5, 2022 at 10:09 am
paulajbecker
Great idea (the question generator), Benson. Thank you for sharing!
January 5, 2022 at 10:14 am
Genevieve Gorback
This was great! Thanks for the awesome list of questions, Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 10:14 am
Rona Shirdan
Great way to get a story idea. Thanks for sharing!
January 5, 2022 at 10:15 am
Susan Lorene
Anzu is adorable!
January 5, 2022 at 10:15 am
Jessica
Such beautiful illustrations and great ideas for developing a character
January 5, 2022 at 10:17 am
Bethanny Parker
Anzu sounds like an interesting character.
January 5, 2022 at 10:18 am
Lynn McCracken
Wonderful, thought-provoking questions! Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 10:19 am
jbbower
I love Anzu! What a wonderful “monster.” And, I love the idea of asking “what if” for everything. Thanks!
January 5, 2022 at 10:19 am
Jacqueline Adams
Thanks, Benson! I just used your method with a photo on my desk calendar, and I came up with an idea I’m excited about!
January 5, 2022 at 10:20 am
Joyce Frank
What an adorable monster. I like what you’ve done with perspective, visual and otherwise. I’m looking forward to reading your book.
January 5, 2022 at 10:21 am
Nancy Ramsey
This is helpful! Great questions! Thanks very much!
January 5, 2022 at 10:22 am
Louann Brown
I think I’m going to have to go through my illustrations! I always have an idea when I create them but I haven’t gone beyond that scene to finish the story. Now I will. Thanks for the tip!
January 5, 2022 at 10:23 am
andreesantini
What a cute Kaiju. Thanks for the ideas.
January 5, 2022 at 10:25 am
Marilyn R Garcia
I love that “PEW, PEW, PEW” illustration. So adorable. It tells me just about everything I need to know about love your little monster and makes me love it. That’s a great gift.
January 5, 2022 at 10:26 am
David Bernardy
Thanks, Benson. I enjoy interrogating paintings and photographs-my own and other people’s–as a way of starting a story or scene. I like think about what the environment might smell like or sound like–physical details that the visual representation (painting or photo) wouldn’t necessarily give.
January 5, 2022 at 10:26 am
Lynn McvCracken
Wonderful, thought-provoking questions. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 10:28 am
Sallye O'Rourke
What if?! Keep asking this!
January 5, 2022 at 10:28 am
susaninez0905
Thank you for such wonderful ideas. I will be looking at artwork differently from now on. Anzu is going to be my inspiration to do so and often. 🙂
January 5, 2022 at 10:29 am
Aprilclare
I like your lists of questions very much. I like the idea of meeting this new friend – an illustrated character – and asking ‘Who are you?’ which your questions enable me to do. Thank you, what a joy to read your thoughts and see your intriguing and beautiful – and funny! – pictures.
Aprilclare 🌱
January 5, 2022 at 10:30 am
Karen Lawler
What a FUN character you have created. The questions are so basic yet I usually forget to ask them…or write them down. Thank you for the reminder and I’ll continue questioning.. 🙂
January 5, 2022 at 10:32 am
Kathryn Powell
Thank you for the inspiration!
January 5, 2022 at 10:33 am
Melissa Hastings
Thank you for the reminder to get the ideas out of our heads to make room for others.
January 5, 2022 at 10:33 am
Michelle Dragalin
I like the idea of fleshing out the character even if those thoughts don’t become part of the story, it kind of helps to create a backstory for the rest of the characters (seen and unseen).
January 5, 2022 at 10:35 am
Sara Ackerman
Always interesting to hear an illustrator’s perspective. Thank you for sharing!
January 5, 2022 at 10:35 am
N. Alison Colle
Love your illustrations!
Thank you for such a thought provoking post.
January 5, 2022 at 10:36 am
Gabriele
Art is one of my favorite idea-generators. Thanks for the excellent questions! I love your cheerful illustrations.
January 5, 2022 at 10:36 am
marybeningo
Your illustrations are beautiful. The idea of “What if” has so many possibilities!
January 5, 2022 at 10:37 am
Antje
Thank you so much for sharing your process. I love the questions. Very inspiring post.
January 5, 2022 at 10:37 am
Melissa Hastings
Thank you for the reminder to get the ideas out of our heads to make room for new ideas.
January 5, 2022 at 10:39 am
Apryl
I love this exercise! It’s one I’ve done with students often. That’s for the reminder of how useful it can be!
January 5, 2022 at 10:39 am
Apryl
I love this exercise! It’s one I’ve done with students often. That’s for the reminder of how useful it can be!
January 5, 2022 at 10:39 am
Ryan Roberts
Think I’ll do this with some of my daughter’s art. Thanks!
January 5, 2022 at 10:40 am
ellen seal ❄️ (@ellenseal_art)
Questions are so powerful aren’t they? The mind is programed to come up with solutions, so the simple act of posing a question gets me spinning. Now I’m off to mine my illustration portfolio for ideas!
January 5, 2022 at 10:40 am
judyrubin13
Thank you, Benson, for sharing your writing ideas, Anzu, and providing so many questions. What a special treat to start today.
January 5, 2022 at 10:42 am
Hanna Geshelin
I learned about this last year and had a lit of fun with it. Great idea!
January 5, 2022 at 10:42 am
Lucy Staugler
Benson, such a cute book! My grandkids will love this. “What if” questions are racing in my mind right now.
Thank-you!
Lucy Staugler
January 5, 2022 at 10:42 am
Annie Guerra
Anzu looks like a great, lovely, fun character. Annie Guerra
January 5, 2022 at 10:45 am
jillcstuck
Always what if….
Jill Stuck
January 5, 2022 at 10:50 am
Susan Claus
Loved seeing the watercolor of Anzu and his tiny friend. Heartening to know that the cool kids still use “analog” art supplies!
January 5, 2022 at 10:51 am
Hollie Michaels
I often get ideas from doodling first with nothing in mind. Just a free draw that turns into a free write. It’s a great way to find some unexpected nuggets. But that list of questions you wrote is a so much more organized and could lead to an unexpected idea that’s more fleshed out. So helpful!
January 5, 2022 at 10:53 am
jenfierjasinski
Thanks so much for this list, I will be keeping it for future brainstorming and revisions!
January 5, 2022 at 10:54 am
Natalie Lynn Tanner
BENSON: THANK YOU for the INSPIRATION to ask questions in order to find not only the answers, but the hidden stories. I also appreciate your WISDOM to get our ideas down on paper (whether they make sense or not), so we can free-up space for MORE ideas in our heads–and hearts!!! THANK YOU!!! I LOVE your work!!!!
January 5, 2022 at 10:55 am
M.R. Street
I LOVE Big Hero 6! I am now looking around my house at artwork, wondering “What If…” Thanks for the blog post and ideas!
January 5, 2022 at 10:55 am
Abby Wooldridge
Thanks for such a great post, Benson! These questions are great ways to get ideas, and I fully agree with you: get those ideas out of your head and onto the paper so you have room for more. I can’t wait to read Anzu’s story! 🙂
January 5, 2022 at 10:55 am
Linda Mitchell
I adore this post. I use artwork a LOT for story ideas. I love your list of questions. Thank you so much!
January 5, 2022 at 10:56 am
heathercmorris
We love kaijus in our house!! Go Anzu!!
January 5, 2022 at 10:57 am
DaNeil Olson
Love the questions! Thank you for the inspiration.
January 5, 2022 at 10:59 am
Teresa Daffern
I’m more of a visual thinker, so I appreciate your ideas about how to begin with an image to generate story possibilities. Thank you Benson! (I am now going to get a copy of Anzu the Great Kaiju.)
January 5, 2022 at 10:59 am
Phaea Crede - Jet the Cat (Is Not a Cat) author (@PhaeaCrede)
great list of questions!
January 5, 2022 at 11:00 am
triciacandy
Thank you, Benson! These are great exercises!
January 5, 2022 at 11:01 am
Janna DeYoung
Great tips. I think asking questions often inspires us to take our stories in unexpected directions.
January 5, 2022 at 11:01 am
Gemma Bushell
Fantastic illustrations and sounds like a fab story. My sons are obsessed with unusual super powers at the moment. I’m not an illustrator but looking forward to trying to develop plots from a character drawing.
January 5, 2022 at 11:01 am
Cindy
Love your illustrations. Thanks for the great ideas.
January 5, 2022 at 11:07 am
Mary Helen Epps
I needed this tip and inspiration so much!! Thank you for your wisdom.
January 5, 2022 at 11:08 am
Janice Woods
Fantastic post! Thank you for sharing!
January 5, 2022 at 11:13 am
8catpaws
Anzu has little spines down his back… Or are they wings? Can he fly? How does that make him feel? How does his family react?
Thanks for pulling our attention to the details of an illustration to generate ideas!
January 5, 2022 at 11:17 am
Anita Palmeri Overgaard
Great questions! P.S. from this post, Anzu reminds me of Ferdinand the Bull, who I adore.
January 5, 2022 at 11:17 am
asiqueira1307
I will try checking some pictures and images about topics I want to write to see if it can give me some great ideas. Thanks for the inspiration.
January 5, 2022 at 11:18 am
Melanie Ellsworth
Thanks for the tips on how to question an image to bring out a story!
January 5, 2022 at 11:19 am
Kimberly Wilson
This list of questions is fantastic! Thanks, Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 11:19 am
laurelneme
Nice reminder to think of the “what if” questions!
January 5, 2022 at 11:20 am
Kate
Creating characters that we get to know through imagery is a huge help to finding the story. Thanks for your post!
January 5, 2022 at 11:20 am
Mara K Lansky
“What ifs” are great tools!
January 5, 2022 at 11:20 am
matthewlasley
Thanks for sharing. The more we know about a character, the deeper we can dive into problems and build multiple layers. I love using pictures to get the creative juices flowing in my first grade class. It is amazing how many different stories can come from the same picture.
January 5, 2022 at 11:21 am
heidikyates
Thank you for sharing your fabulous list of questions, Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 11:21 am
Diane O'Neill
Thank you for the list of questions to spark ideas! I can’t wait to read your book!
January 5, 2022 at 11:22 am
curryelizabeth
Art is a great way to generate ideas. Thanks for the post!
January 5, 2022 at 11:22 am
carlislemalone
I love the list of questions for rounding out a character. Awesome!
January 5, 2022 at 11:23 am
Bethany Walker (@bookshelfofbeth)
I’ve never heard of a kaiju but now I have so many questions about them. Great post!
January 5, 2022 at 11:24 am
tracivw
Thank you! This is such an inspirational post, I had a few ideas brewing before I even finished reading it! I can’t wait to read this book!
January 5, 2022 at 11:24 am
Martha Vandivier
I really love this post so much. As a teacher, I love to point things out to my students but truth be told, I appreciate Storystorm and authors on Twitter because I feel that it challenges me to teach my kids to look closely at subtle hints that tell us more about the story or characters….my kids now look for “treasures” in the book jacket, paper, pictures that tell us more! It helps us craft and think differently about what we are crafting when we write as a class. Teachers need these ideas and I personally thank you for sharing these lessons because it helps me grow so I can better serve my students.
January 5, 2022 at 11:24 am
rebeccacolby
Thank you for this useful list of questions. I know they will be helpful when idea generating this month. Cheers!
January 5, 2022 at 11:25 am
beckylevine
Thank you! Just what I needed to start my brainstorming this morning!
January 5, 2022 at 11:27 am
Helen Lys
What a great way to start brainstorming! Thank you.
January 5, 2022 at 11:28 am
Cassie Bentley
I love the questions that help develop an idea into a story or not. Thank you.
January 5, 2022 at 11:29 am
arndt4writing
I can’t wait to try this out! Thanks so much!
January 5, 2022 at 11:29 am
Viviane Elbee
Thank you for these great ideas and list of questions!
January 5, 2022 at 11:30 am
Deborah Ishii
I love looking at pictures, photos and paintings and imagining the stories behind them. Your questions provide an organizational framework that allows me to creatively explore my ideas. Thank you.
January 5, 2022 at 11:30 am
Crystal ES
Sweet story! Thank you for the inspo!
January 5, 2022 at 11:35 am
thedayswehold
Those questions are so valuable in getting ideas generated! Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 11:37 am
hfr2006
This sounds like such a fun activity!!
January 5, 2022 at 11:38 am
Jen Arena
So excited to read this one–love the title treatment. Congratulations on your book!
January 5, 2022 at 11:38 am
Jessica Potts
Anzu is SO adorable!!!
January 5, 2022 at 11:40 am
Kathy Z Price
Thanks Anzu!
January 5, 2022 at 11:42 am
MaryLee Flannigan
I love your Anzu :). so adorable. Great questions to ask while creating. Thank you for sharing.
January 5, 2022 at 11:42 am
Sarah Meade
Thanks for the post! Your book looks like a lot of fun.
January 5, 2022 at 11:43 am
maryraebel
Thanks for a peek into your creative process, and for the great idea-generating exercise!
January 5, 2022 at 11:43 am
Jeanette
Thank you for the great tip. Time to take out a sketch pad
January 5, 2022 at 11:44 am
NC Karuzis
Thank you for your suggestions. Helpful starter questions to work from.
January 5, 2022 at 11:46 am
lynjekowsky
I love collecting pictures. Never thought to to ask these questions to round out a character. A great inspiration. Love Anzu.
January 5, 2022 at 11:46 am
Liesl Couperthwaite
Wow, asking questions like that certainly give one an excellent base to work on. It makes the character more real.
January 5, 2022 at 11:47 am
ranessadoucet
I love the concept of your book and Anzu sounds like such a lovable character. I need this book!
January 5, 2022 at 11:48 am
Jayne TOMAN
As an author only, I hadn’t thought to start from art. This was really helpful! Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 11:50 am
Matt Tesoriero
BIG. MONSTER. Scareeeee. Not so much. Too cute for that. Love the yellow hue.
January 5, 2022 at 11:52 am
Julie Durr
Thank you for the ideas and inspirations!
January 5, 2022 at 11:53 am
Kassy Keppol
So cute!
January 5, 2022 at 11:54 am
ptnozell
A picture is worth a 1,000 words – or maybe we should say ideas! Thanks for sharing your super-helpful idea-generating process, Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 11:54 am
Angie
Great list of questions to ask! Love the prompt! Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 11:57 am
Amy Bradshaw
Thanks for reminding us that asking a set of questions can lead us to many different directions. I love Anzu already!
January 5, 2022 at 11:57 am
bevbaird
Loved how you developed your character and how your book evolved. Wonderful questions to use to brainstorm. Thanks for this inspiration.
January 5, 2022 at 11:58 am
Megan S
This is a great strategy for getting more specificity in your story!
January 5, 2022 at 11:58 am
Andrea Yomtob
Very helpful post Benson! Always a joy to see your work on Instagram as well! Thank you 🙂
January 5, 2022 at 11:59 am
kathydoherty1
ANZU is adorable! Thanks for sharing your thought process.
January 5, 2022 at 11:59 am
Deslie English
Thank you for the reminder to develop a chain of questions, a barrage of thoughts.
January 5, 2022 at 11:59 am
Maria
I will definitely try this visual method of generating ideas and characters. As a visual learner, I love how the different components of an illustration/picture/graph/visual can convey a wide array of ideas and emotions. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of ANZU. Pew! Pew! Pew!
January 5, 2022 at 11:59 am
Pamela Line
I just love these Storystorm ‘sessions.’ Thank you so much! Sincerely, Pamela Mones
On Wed, Jan 5, 2022 at 7:01 AM Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) wrote:
> Tara Lazar posted: “by Benson Shum There are many ways to generate ideas. > For me, sometimes it starts with an illustration. Sometimes it starts with > a word, a line or a thought. Let’s start with the first. Whether you’re > creating the illustration or have a painting that c” >
January 5, 2022 at 11:59 am
Stephanie Gibeault
Thank you for the suggestion! I just got my idea for today.
January 5, 2022 at 12:00 pm
brontebrown2
Who, what, where why..define your character. Then ask, ‘what if’ questions.
The ‘what ifs’ build drama, differences arise and set up a dilemma. Got it.
January 5, 2022 at 12:03 pm
sue macartney
Thanks Benson – the best kind of ramble! Love words, love images can’t wait to discover my character, plot, story behind the questions!
January 5, 2022 at 12:03 pm
Danielle Hammelef
In school, one of our writing assignments was to start with an image and create a poem from it. This post is an excellent reminder of this exercise to generate ideas. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 12:06 pm
Deborah
Love the illustrations and story questions. Thanks, Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 12:07 pm
karammitchell
Thanks, Benson! I have several characters whose stories I haven’t figured out. Now, I’m going to go into a deep dive on each one.
January 5, 2022 at 12:09 pm
Matthew Watson
Character motivation is always so important to identify – thanks for sharing your process.
January 5, 2022 at 12:11 pm
Stephanie S
What great ideas! This way of getting ideas onto paper really spoke to me personally. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 12:12 pm
Dana Burkhalter
I love how colorful your illustrations are. Thank you so much for sharing. I look forward to seeing the characters you create in the future.
January 5, 2022 at 12:12 pm
Molly Ippolito
Wow! These questions are great for character development! I literally copy/pasted the questions from this blog post and answered them about my newest idea…I found it super helpful! Thanks so much for sharing!
January 5, 2022 at 12:13 pm
kirstenbockblog
What an adorable illustration! And some great questions to consider.
January 5, 2022 at 12:14 pm
Deb McGarvey
Great tips and Anzu sounds like a wonderful story. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 12:18 pm
Cinzia
Thanks for sharing your expertise with us. I think I’m in love with ANZU!
January 5, 2022 at 12:22 pm
Renee Carter Hall
Great post — and Anzu is so cute!
January 5, 2022 at 12:25 pm
Candace Spizzirri
Thanks, Benson! Love all the questions! Can’t wait to read Anzu the Great Kaiju!
January 5, 2022 at 12:26 pm
Janet Smart
Love your drawings! And you’ve given me something to thinks about.
January 5, 2022 at 12:26 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks for this. As a “words” person, it’s really helpful to think about ways to tap into images to bring story/character/setting details and ideas.
January 5, 2022 at 12:28 pm
marty bellis
Anzu is darling! Who wouldn’t love him?! Thanks for sharing your process. I’m going to apply the list of questions to my next idea and see what happens.
January 5, 2022 at 12:29 pm
laureannawrites
“What if…” is a question I usually try to deflect from my anxiety-prone daughter’s brain. But I like the idea of using it to spark ideas. Thanks!
January 5, 2022 at 12:30 pm
Sheri Radovich
Benson, this was the most stimulating post so far and really started my creative ideas. I love “what if” questions and to turn something on its ear.
You really got my mind popping with possibilities. Thank you.
January 5, 2022 at 12:34 pm
JoLynne Ricker Whalen
What a great post about character development! Thanks for sharing!!!
January 5, 2022 at 12:35 pm
Sheri Radovich
Thanks for getting my ideas popping today with your creative ideas to keep me creating. I loved your questions to ask my m.c. and to structure my next story. Thank you Benson.
January 5, 2022 at 12:36 pm
Elizabeth Saba
Thanks Ben for the post and the giveaway. I love these questions!
January 5, 2022 at 12:38 pm
allyenz
Thanks for this helpful post, and for putting a kinder, gentler monster into the world. Definitely need more of those these days! I love all the questions.
January 5, 2022 at 12:40 pm
Daryl Gottier
What an adorable main character! Time to start thinking of some great “what ifs”.
January 5, 2022 at 12:40 pm
rozanark
Love Anzu! So kawaii! Thanks for sharing your process.
January 5, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Margaret Aitken
I love using illustrations for inspiration and you have given me even more ways to do that! Thank you! Your book looks adorable 🙂
January 5, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Cheryl Johnson
Thanks for the tips!
January 5, 2022 at 12:43 pm
JaNayBW
I love seeing you here, Benson! Thanks for sharing about your process for creating the story of your adorable Anzu!
January 5, 2022 at 12:45 pm
Debora Ferrier
This is a great way to start a story about a character. I have done this with trees that look like they have faces while walking with my children when they were young and now with my grandchildren. Oral storytelling got them to use their imaginations.
January 5, 2022 at 12:46 pm
jenabenton
Great idea! I love hearing your inspirations Benson. =)
January 5, 2022 at 12:47 pm
Michele Rietz
Thanks, Ben! I love the idea of a character’s nature not being like the rest of his people! Your illustrations are amazing!
Thank you also, for the suggestions to ask questions. I appreciate another tool to get stories out of my head and on to the paper!
January 5, 2022 at 12:51 pm
Olivia Rehfield
Thank you Benson 😊
January 5, 2022 at 12:54 pm
nrompella
I can’t get over the Pew, Pew, Pew. LOL!!!! I love your focused questions for a picture prompt. Thanks!
January 5, 2022 at 12:57 pm
Elayne
I’m typically a person who thinks of situations (rather than characters) first, so this focused exercise on character development is particularly helpful and not something I immediately do naturally. Thank you for sharing!
January 5, 2022 at 12:58 pm
ruthwilson48
Good tips! Thanks, Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 12:58 pm
Laura
Asking “what if” is always such a great starting point that I often forget to use! Thanks!
January 5, 2022 at 12:59 pm
kskeesling
Thanks for the great tip of looking to art first and asking questions! Also great idea to start with movies or icons that you love!
January 5, 2022 at 1:04 pm
Tammi Beck
Thank you for your time! Very helpful information. Best, Tammi Beck
January 5, 2022 at 1:05 pm
Penelope McNally
Great reminder to ask questions and dig deep. So helpful to hear about your inspirations, thank you.
January 5, 2022 at 1:06 pm
Sasha McBrayer
I’m often inspired by images, but didn’t know the right questions to ask myself to get from an image to a story. This was a great post!!
January 5, 2022 at 1:07 pm
danielledufayet
Questions certainly get the juices flowing -great ideas! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
January 5, 2022 at 1:08 pm
Jany Campana
Thanks Benson for helping me leave room for story ideas!
January 5, 2022 at 1:09 pm
amievc
Such a delight seeing your illustrations and hearing about your process, Benson! Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 1:09 pm
Susan Gruidel
Love Anzu. Thank you for sharing part of your process.
January 5, 2022 at 1:11 pm
Linda Kay Chavez
I love this idea. Photos and illustrations seem like a GREAT place to get new ideas for stories.
January 5, 2022 at 1:12 pm
lindakaychavezbooks
I love this idea! Studying photos and illustrations for story ideas makes so much sense to me.
January 5, 2022 at 1:13 pm
Kristy Nuttall
Thank you so much for sharing this post! I really like the idea of looking at illustrations and asking questions–the what if questions seem to be the best!
January 5, 2022 at 1:13 pm
Shirley Ng-Benitez
Thank you, Benson! What a helpful post and congratulations on your new book! Anzu is adorable!
January 5, 2022 at 1:16 pm
Emily Bertholf
I love the idea of adding to or changing an image to dig deeper for story ideas. Creative gold!
January 5, 2022 at 1:17 pm
Thelia Hutchinson
I love these illustrations. Ideas come from anywhere and definitely inspire our characters. I will definitely make a note on how to continue ton inspire and cone up with better and bolder ideas.
January 5, 2022 at 1:17 pm
Tootie Nienow
Your illustrations are adorable! Thanks for the inspiration!
January 5, 2022 at 1:19 pm
Eileen Mayo
Thanks, Benson for a terrific idea! So fun to imagine an entire story from a single illustration. I love doing this by scrolling through Instagram and looking at all the kidlit art. Congratulations on the new book!
January 5, 2022 at 1:19 pm
Angel Gantnier
Great questions.
January 5, 2022 at 1:21 pm
Jasmine Ann Smith
I often surprise myself with what I think about when looking at an illustration. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 1:22 pm
Diane Mittler
Love your illustrations! Questions are great for focusing! Thanks!
January 5, 2022 at 1:24 pm
Marie Prins
On my kitchen table is a daily art calendar. Today’s selection is a painting by Kazimir Malevich (haven’t a clue who he was) But his piece is title Morning in the Village After Snowstorm, painted in a cubist style. It evokes many questions as to what is happening in it. The two figures, backs turned to the viewer, are carrying pails, down a snowy street. Hmm…definitely a story there!
January 5, 2022 at 1:24 pm
Tara Shiroff
Fantastic post! I love your rambles!!
January 5, 2022 at 1:25 pm
Stephanie Lau
PEW PEW PEW! Anzu is so cute!
January 5, 2022 at 1:25 pm
jhall2018
I love this exercise! I often use photos for brainstorming in a general way, but the specific questions here are fantastic. Thanks!
January 5, 2022 at 1:26 pm
Writer on the run
Thanks Benson! You helped remind me to spend more time with ideas and letting them percolate, asking questions to lead me to the story. Much appreciated!
January 5, 2022 at 1:27 pm
Becky Walker
Love this! I get inspiration from pictures as well. Great questions! Very helpful. I appreciate the tips!
January 5, 2022 at 1:28 pm
Armineh Manookian
Benson, your illustrations pull at the heartstrings! Thank you for your tips and great questions for us to consider.
January 5, 2022 at 1:30 pm
Judy Y
Great questions and super art! Thank you for this post, Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 1:30 pm
Amanda
I can’t wait to read this book about a different kind of Kaiju! Anju has such a kind, sweet face! I am a sucker for the magic and sweetness of Disney too so it would be doubly cool to win a prize from an author/illustrator/Disney illustrator!
January 5, 2022 at 1:31 pm
authordebradaugherty
Thank you, Benson, for sharing your process. Love the questions and your book sounds awesome. Congrats.
January 5, 2022 at 1:31 pm
dedra davis
I follow Benson on Instagram, and I love his artwork. I also love these “what if” questions!
January 5, 2022 at 1:32 pm
Jen Carmichael
Anzu is adorable. And I love the idea of exploring an illustration and mining a story. Thanks!
January 5, 2022 at 1:33 pm
Leah Moser
Great questions! Thank you. On another note, my children and I just saw Encanto and we LOVE it!
January 5, 2022 at 1:33 pm
jesseannabornemann
Benson, I like your strategy of jotting down “what if” and “how” questions. Seems like a great way to gain momentum once you’ve generated an idea (even a tiny idea!). Also, I want to give Anzu a hug!
January 5, 2022 at 1:33 pm
Lori Mozdzierz
Benson, I enjoyed your post! Even mid-read you had me thinking about a character I’d shelved some time ago. My character, my muse and I thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 1:33 pm
ljh22o
I ask questions for a living (and am lucky to be able to do it) and it is always the door to new stories
January 5, 2022 at 1:35 pm
Claire Blumenfeld
Thank you, Benson. You’ve reminded me that my very first picture book idea started with a picture!
January 5, 2022 at 1:35 pm
Sandy Belford
Thank you! Love this post.
January 5, 2022 at 1:35 pm
Amy Center Cory
Thank you for sharing your process with us! I love these questions and now I have more great ideas for my own idea-generation.
January 5, 2022 at 1:36 pm
R.G. Spaulding
Great to hear from the illustrator’s perspective. Thank you.
January 5, 2022 at 1:38 pm
Teresa Rodrigues
Thanks for sharing the great list of thought-provoking questions, Benson, and congrats on your book!
January 5, 2022 at 1:38 pm
amckelle
I love you how just keep asking questions until the story starts to form. I look forward to trying this out this week! Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 1:39 pm
AC Perry
What if things were different? Always a good way to get the imagination started. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 1:40 pm
katrinadreamer
This sparks an idea I have about a particular cryptid…I’ll be back to work through those questions. Thanks!
January 5, 2022 at 1:42 pm
kiwijenny
You tease a story from a drawing…and you’ve given me an epiphany. I love drawing because creatures gallop out at you…Whoah! I’m getting an incredible idea…love your work. Hugs
January 5, 2022 at 1:42 pm
Cristina Chan
I love the idea of asking questions. It really helps us dig deeper. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 1:42 pm
Rachel Hamby
That “Pew Pew Pew” illustration is adorable!
January 5, 2022 at 1:43 pm
sarahsteinberg
As an author-illustrator I appreciate this so much. My two ready-to-sub books both came from an image I got stuck in my head so I feel very validated in my process 🙂
January 5, 2022 at 1:44 pm
Susan Eyerman
Anzu is such a love! Thank you for the great ideas today!
January 5, 2022 at 1:47 pm
mariamarianayagam
Great questions to ask ourselves! Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 1:49 pm
Kim A Larson
Thank you, Benson! Your post/ideas were very helpful. Your book looks wonderful, too. Congrats!
January 5, 2022 at 1:49 pm
Gabi Snyder
I love using “what if” questions to generate ideas. And Anzu is a compelling (and cute) character! Thanks!
January 5, 2022 at 1:50 pm
Kimberly Marcus
I love your post! Pew pew pew! So adorable!! Thank you for your ideas on ideas.
January 5, 2022 at 1:52 pm
Yvette Pais
Hello Benson, congratulations on your new book!! Love the character! Thank you for these great ideas. They help me to put them in action for my next picture book. 🙂
January 5, 2022 at 1:52 pm
Andrea MacDonald
Love your thinking process, Benson! Looking forward to donning my reporter’s hat again and taking an investigative approach here. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
January 5, 2022 at 1:53 pm
jessicadunnagan
Thank you for the great questions to ask ourselves to get a story rolling!
January 5, 2022 at 1:53 pm
Rosalind Malin
Anzu reminds me of Ferndinand the Bull!
January 5, 2022 at 1:54 pm
Vickie R McEntire
Love the information! Questions are going in my notebook.
January 5, 2022 at 1:56 pm
Brittney
Does his family sing “We don’t talk about Anzu…”
Thanks so much for the tip!
January 5, 2022 at 1:58 pm
Leslie Eva Tayloe
Great information. I think the hardest part of writing a story is coming up with an idea. I have a lot of ideas but many never turn into a story. Your article will help me possibly get some of the ideas on paper! Best wishes in 2022.
January 5, 2022 at 2:00 pm
Margie Markarian
Thanks for your inspiration!
January 5, 2022 at 2:02 pm
Shilpa
Starting off today with a side of illustrative inspiration.
January 5, 2022 at 2:02 pm
Kimberly Grace
I for reals collect stickers and post cards that inspire me to write interesting PB plots!
January 5, 2022 at 2:10 pm
Sue Heavenrich
Questions are my favorite jumping off place! Perfect for any kind of writing or drawing or exploring…
January 5, 2022 at 2:12 pm
Sophie Furman✨Illustrator (@SophieFurmanArt)
Thank you for these awesome tips! Usually my ideas come in written or verbal form, but I just “drew” some ideas and it was great! Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 2:15 pm
Poupette
Great visual-stimulation tip –thanks!
January 5, 2022 at 2:15 pm
Jennifer Roman
I love the idea of generating ideas from art. Thanks!
January 5, 2022 at 2:16 pm
Lindsey Aduskevich (@LAduskevich)
This is wonderful. You reminded me how important it is to keep those questions about characters going in your mind. Writing them down is so helpful for keeping the ideas flowing. Thank you for your post, Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 2:17 pm
ajchannis
I love this.
I get a lot of ideas from art and love your what if? Why? Approach.
Anzu looks great.
January 5, 2022 at 2:17 pm
rosecappelli
Thanks for the list of great questions! I think the more you ask, the more the story takes shape. Wonderful inspiration!
January 5, 2022 at 2:19 pm
jamiethebookie
Love the art–can’t wait to read this with my kids!
January 5, 2022 at 2:21 pm
savoringeverymoment
Thought provoking and inspirational. Thanks for sharing.
January 5, 2022 at 2:21 pm
Cathy Lentes
Good ideas here. Thanks!
January 5, 2022 at 2:21 pm
Laura De La Cruz
Great questions and great tips. Thanks, Benson
January 5, 2022 at 2:23 pm
savoringeverymoment
Such great questions to ask. And I love the encouragement to write down ideas even if they don’t make sense. Who knows what might end up working!
January 5, 2022 at 2:24 pm
David Filmore
I like the idea of starting with a photo or illustration to spark ideas and narratives. For non-illustrators like myself, the approach has an interesting circular quality for picture books- starting with an image to spark a story that will hopefully spark great illustrations.
January 5, 2022 at 2:26 pm
Min
thank you! love your work –
January 5, 2022 at 2:27 pm
Christine Pinto
Great set of questions to ponder! Thanks!
January 5, 2022 at 2:29 pm
katiemillsgiorgio
Great post…thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 2:29 pm
Buffy Silverman
Great questions! Thank you.
January 5, 2022 at 2:29 pm
Mary Lou Johnson
Okay! Thanks to you and your generous post, I now have a new story idea. Next step: Open a blank Word doc and start putting down thoughts!
January 5, 2022 at 2:30 pm
Annie Lynn/AnnieBirdd Music, LLC
I grew up watching Godzilla (and Ultra Man…anyone remember him?) so Anzu the Great Kaiju would be a delight to read. I will try your advice- asking questions to get more of a story. It really helps flesh it out! I’m wondering how I’ve ever been able to write songs before learning so many author/editor writing tricks and tips. You all have raised the bar for me, but I’m up for the challenge. Benson, you know I love your Art. Seeing it in a book of your heart would be awesome. Happy New Year, congrats to all involved with the new book, and stay well everyone!✌🏼🎶🎨📚🌻😷
January 5, 2022 at 2:33 pm
Karen Gebbia
great insights and process – thanks so much!
January 5, 2022 at 2:33 pm
Jennie H
Love the What-If questions. Thank you for this insight.
January 5, 2022 at 2:37 pm
Jenny Boyd
I love the questioning approach to help learn more about what the storyline is.
January 5, 2022 at 2:41 pm
Ashley Bankhead
Thank you for this post! I love the idea of asking all the the questions to figure out the story. Thanks for sharing.
January 5, 2022 at 2:43 pm
Cathy Stefanec Ogren
Great questions to ask to move your story along! Thanks for sharing.
January 5, 2022 at 2:44 pm
Tanja Bauerle
Your Anzu is adorable. 🙂 Thank you for a great post.
January 5, 2022 at 2:45 pm
Sarah Lontine
Anzu is adorable! I love that list of questions to ask about a picture!
January 5, 2022 at 2:46 pm
Adriana Hernández Bergstrom (@adriprints)
Love the flipping of expectations especially for kaiju, Benson! I love Godzilla and King Kong and have illustrated my own kaiju since I was a kid. Can’t wait to see Anzu on the shelves!
January 5, 2022 at 2:48 pm
Sheri Graubert
This is beautiful. Thank you.
January 5, 2022 at 2:51 pm
Shari Della Penna
Thanks for your questions. I’ll be using them, for sure!
January 5, 2022 at 2:52 pm
Annelouise Mahoney
Benson, you leave inspiration and encouragement everywhere you go. : ) Congratulations on, Anzu The Great Kaiju. It’s wonderful. Thank you for this post and all the what if questions to get story ideas flowing. Cheers to you!
January 5, 2022 at 2:53 pm
https://katiewalsh.blog/
Excellent food for thought. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 2:54 pm
kdgwrites
Thank you for the details and questions. Sometimes I forget to ask myself questions about my character. I fly by the seat of my pants way too often. Now my next character has lots of questions to answer before his story begins.
January 5, 2022 at 2:55 pm
Christine Graham
Thanks for the ideas about ideas.
January 5, 2022 at 2:56 pm
Dayne Sislen, Children's Book Illustrator
I love Anzio, can’t wait to read your book. As an illustrator, I always start with a character who just keeps popping into my mind. I put him/her in an interesting situation and see how he/she reacts. That’s just the way my mind works. Thank you.
January 5, 2022 at 2:57 pm
Marci Whitehurst
Great questions to consider! Thanks!! And congrats!
January 5, 2022 at 3:01 pm
Jennifer
Thank you for reminding me about the power of an illustration.
January 5, 2022 at 3:01 pm
Caren Cantrell
Ironically, I’ve started keeping a file of paintings I feel might be a potential book. This is great validation.
January 5, 2022 at 3:05 pm
K. Yin
Hi Benson! Thanks for detailing your process. Really enjoyed reading your thoughts.
January 5, 2022 at 3:08 pm
donnacangelosi
Thank you for sharing these questions and insights for coming up with new ideas! Anzu is beyond adorable!
January 5, 2022 at 3:10 pm
Beth Auman
Luuuv yr illos! Thanks for the thoughtful advice.
January 5, 2022 at 3:10 pm
Elyse Trevers
It’s really important to get those ideas out of your head and into paper. Your reminder about being able to erase or delete it later is a reminder for us that we shouldn’t self-censor
January 5, 2022 at 3:11 pm
Sarah Tobias
Anzu is like a little ball of sunshine. So adorable! I love writing down questions and allowing them to process over time.
January 5, 2022 at 3:16 pm
Carrie Tillotson
Anzu is adorable! Thank you for sharing the questions that sparked his story.
January 5, 2022 at 3:17 pm
Polly Renner
Thanks, Benson, for your insight! I love the series of What If questions!
January 5, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Jennifer Bukovec
Thank you, Benson. I am excited to look for art and then find the hidden stories inside! You have also inspired me to create my own illustrations and to start a story from there! I think it’s time to play with the new art supplies I got for Christmas!! – xox Jen
January 5, 2022 at 3:23 pm
Monica Acker
Great questions to dig deeper into the story behind the picture!
January 5, 2022 at 3:29 pm
Jeannette Suhr
Thank you, Benson, for all the questions related to pictures of words. These will all be great prompts to help me create story ideas. And best wishes on your continued successes! I look forward to reading your books.
January 5, 2022 at 3:31 pm
Jessica Milo (she/her) (@JessicaMMilo)
Great questions that will definitely help with drafting new ideas!! Also, the art in Anzu is beautiful! Can’t wait to have my own copy!
January 5, 2022 at 3:36 pm
Catherine
Questioning everything and anything in your illustration is a great way to develop ideas for a picture book. Great article Benson! Thank you
January 5, 2022 at 3:40 pm
Mary Nelson
I LOVE this! I am an illustrator (wanna be) as well, and this makes so much sense!
January 5, 2022 at 3:42 pm
Tina Hoggatt (@tinahoggatt)
I know many people who work this way and like your list of questions very much. The book looks adorable! Thank you for this insight.
January 5, 2022 at 3:44 pm
Dianne Borowski
How wonderful to work for Disney! Enjoy your work Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 3:45 pm
Hélène Sabourin
Being an animator must be one of the best job in the world. Seeing what you create come to life and knowing that it will touch other people’s lives. I admire what you do.
January 5, 2022 at 3:45 pm
Rebecca Gardyn Levington
Great ideas for generating ideas! Thanks for sharing with us!
Rebecca Gardyn Levington
January 5, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Joyce Schriebman
“Even if the idea or solution doesn’t make complete sense, jot it down. You can always delete/erase it.” Love it. You can’t edit a blank page!
January 5, 2022 at 3:51 pm
sareenmclay
Thank you, I love your book idea and illustrations. I’ll be looking out to get a copy. Thanks for the questions too.
January 5, 2022 at 3:56 pm
Mandy Yokim
Thanks, Benson! I like the idea of clearing room in the brain for more ideas by writing any and all ideas down.
January 5, 2022 at 3:57 pm
Connie Van Horn
Thank you! Loved if you don’t know the who why where questions that’s ok!! Try again! Looking at it differently!! Look forward to reading this book!!
January 5, 2022 at 3:58 pm
Debra Collins
Thank you, Benson! I LOVE “What if” questions! Along these lines, several of my MSs have been inspired by my very young grandkids asking “Why?”
January 5, 2022 at 3:59 pm
Reed Hilton-Eddy
This was such a helpful post! So many great prompts and I loved how it progressed with more “information”. As a fellow Vancouverite I am so proud of your accomplishments
January 5, 2022 at 4:00 pm
Kim Nolan
Love this! I work the same way. Most of my stories start with an illustration as well. I look forward to reading your book!
January 5, 2022 at 4:01 pm
Sara Weingartner (@SJWeingartner)
Great post, Benson! This reminder is SO HELPFUL: to write down ideas even if they are bad, so to make room for more (better) ideas. And great list of questions too. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 4:02 pm
nicolesalterbraun
Awww….Anzu is adorable
January 5, 2022 at 4:04 pm
Bea Brown
Great questions. They will help as I revisit my WIP.
January 5, 2022 at 4:11 pm
Elena Horne
This is so cute! I love kaiju (especially Godzilla) I need to check this out.
January 5, 2022 at 4:11 pm
Deavon Clement
I love the idea of creating a story from a picture. This is a method I use somewhat frequently and am happy to see that I am not the only one who likes to use pictures as an anchor point for a story!
January 5, 2022 at 4:22 pm
tinefg
Thank you for the reminder Benson! In grade school I loved the “story starter” box of images we had in the classroom… looks like I’ll be starting a box of my own.
January 5, 2022 at 4:32 pm
Lisa Billa
Great questions, and thanks for sharing Anzu’s story!
January 5, 2022 at 4:33 pm
Alicia S. Gagno
Your color choices are inspiring. Your questions are creating storms in my head…thank you!
Peace, Alicia
January 5, 2022 at 4:33 pm
Judy Sobanski
Anzu is charming! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on finding ideas by asking questions when you see a picture or photo.
January 5, 2022 at 4:35 pm
Julia Lyon
You made me look at some of my daughter’s illustrations and wonder: what story do they tell?
January 5, 2022 at 4:36 pm
Jojo Kasala
I have been stuck with a book for a couple of years. I will totally start saking these questions to move it along! Thank you
January 5, 2022 at 4:39 pm
Dena Davis
Can’t wait to check out Anzu! Adorable and important! Thanks for sharing these ideas and encouragement to ask all the questions.
January 5, 2022 at 4:41 pm
TL Fales
I’m usually not too strong on setting, but I thought of two landscape pictures that always draw me in. Now I’ll have to start asking them some questions about what is going on just over that hill. Thanks for the inspiration.
January 5, 2022 at 4:44 pm
Amy Farris
Thank you for sharing!
January 5, 2022 at 4:49 pm
Audrey Day-Williams
Fantastic post and ideas, thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 4:51 pm
carolynleillustrations
An update is so cute and lovable. And asking questions is a great way to generate ideas. Thanks for sharing.
January 5, 2022 at 4:54 pm
Mindy Alyse Weiss
Anzu is adorable! Thanks so much for sharing your idea process with us, Ben. 🙂
January 5, 2022 at 4:56 pm
Sherry Smith
Hi Benson, Thanks for the post. Was Anzu The Great Kaiju also published in Japanese? My friend’s granddaughter is learning to read and might enjoy your book. She lives in Japan.
January 5, 2022 at 4:59 pm
lorisherritt
What if…this simple questions opens so many doors and windows to creativity! Now I have a new love for kaijus!
January 5, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Kathy Watson
Anzu is adorable! Thank you for the wonderful inspiration!
January 5, 2022 at 5:09 pm
Amanda Malek-Ahmadi
Anzu is so cute! Thank you for all the tips. I definitely want to start paying more attention to illustrations. I love how illustrators leave Easter Eggs in books. Michelle Nelson-Schmidt has explained some of hers on during her storytimes.
January 5, 2022 at 5:11 pm
Joannie Duris
Adding ANZU to my library list. Thanks for your great post, Benson. Questions lead to questions lead to questions. And the more ideas we jot down to get them out of our heads (no matter how silly), the more we have room for NEW ideas. You never know which one will be the true gem.
January 5, 2022 at 5:11 pm
karinlarson
Thank you for the ideas and inspiration!
January 5, 2022 at 5:14 pm
Karen Greenwald
Wow-you inspired me in the first paragraph! So excited to pursue my new idea-thank you! Congrats on your book:)
January 5, 2022 at 5:22 pm
Sue Cottrill (@secottrill)
My favorite words: “what if?” Thanks for the questions.
Love Anzu…especially Pew, Pew Pew 🙂
January 5, 2022 at 5:31 pm
Jess Burbank (@jburbank)
I love Anzu! And thank you for the reminder to let one “what if” question lead to the next, to the next, to the next…
January 5, 2022 at 5:35 pm
mariannasacra
Thank you for letting us in on your thought process. Loved this post!
January 5, 2022 at 5:39 pm
Genevieve Petrillo
Love the start-with-a-picture idea. There is no shortage of inspiring pictures on Pinterest and Google Images. Heading over to take a look. Thanks.
January 5, 2022 at 5:45 pm
Marie Chan
Great list of questions to think about the back story of a main character. Thanks for sharing!
January 5, 2022 at 5:48 pm
Stephanie Owen
This looks like such a great book! I’m adding it to my reading list.
January 5, 2022 at 5:48 pm
Aimee Satterlee
What a great list of questions to consider when brainstorming! Thank you, Benson. Looking forward to your new book!
January 5, 2022 at 5:50 pm
Ellie Langford
Benson, I like how you twisted a common theme to a more positive one. Sounds like a good foundation for a compelling story.
January 5, 2022 at 5:51 pm
JEN Garrett
If that was rambling, I’m grateful for it; it helped me!
January 5, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Heather Stigall
great questions! Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 5:56 pm
Marlena Leach
I will review my illustrations of characters and see if there is a good story in them. Your list of questions to ask myself about my character illustrations will be very helpful in revising my work. Thanks!
January 5, 2022 at 5:57 pm
Mary Zychowicz
Anzu is adorable and I can wait to read his story!
I enjoyed your “rambles” and will put those ideas in my writer’s toolbox. Thank you for sharing your process.
January 5, 2022 at 5:58 pm
Pamela Brunskill (@PamelaBrunskill)
I love the idea of using visuals to brainstorm ideas. Your illustrations are adorable! Thanks for sharing.
January 5, 2022 at 5:59 pm
brittanypomales
Great advice, Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 6:01 pm
Clement, Laura
Some really great questions. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 6:03 pm
Mary
I fell in love with that little Anzu from the first look! I’m taking up your great suggestion and look for a picture to dream about. Thanks, Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 6:05 pm
Keeping the Me in Mommy
Time to ask some questions and inspire some storylines! Thanks for the ideas!
January 5, 2022 at 6:05 pm
chardixon47
Benson, THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS stuck with me like glue. Congrats on your new book, ANZU THE GREAT KAIJU. I’m looking forward to its release! Thank you for the writing tips.
January 5, 2022 at 6:08 pm
Shannon LaPuma
Thank you for the fresh perspective!
January 5, 2022 at 6:10 pm
Bella Haeusel
Do you have a favorite thing to illustrate?
January 5, 2022 at 6:14 pm
Charles Norris
Great illustration.
January 5, 2022 at 6:15 pm
kaleegwarjanski
Thanks for the tips Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Mary Warth
Thank you for the great questions!
January 5, 2022 at 6:20 pm
Maureen Dowdell
Your questions could serve as a template for other artists as they develop characters and stories.
January 5, 2022 at 6:20 pm
cmochowski
Oh my gosh. So cute that Kaiju. I appreciate the questions. It reminds of me of a technique from The Right Question Institute. To ask as many questions as you can so you get in the habit of generating questions. Thank you.
January 5, 2022 at 6:24 pm
loricevans
I didn’t know the term Kaiju but I sure do love big monsters, too, Benson! One of my favorite games is “King of New York.” If you haven’t played it you should give it a try. Players are each a big monster and you are duking it out to see who gets to destroy the most stuff and take over the city. I like to pretend I am the monster when I play, and make lots of noises on my turn. I might drive my family/friends crazy, but roleplaying is half the fun. Your Anzu illustrations are adorable and that shade of yellow is so warm and friendly and happy. Oh yeah, the questions are also a great idea and though I don’t draw well, I will take some existing illustrations and give your What If brainstorming idea a try. Thank you for sharing!
January 5, 2022 at 6:24 pm
Sue
Oh! I love the idea of a Kaiju. Thanks for sharing!
January 5, 2022 at 6:25 pm
Stephen S. Martin
What If that great idea becomes a Bestseller?
January 5, 2022 at 6:25 pm
mona861
Thanks for sharing so many starter ideas. I’ll try a few questions on my next character.
January 5, 2022 at 6:27 pm
Susanne Whitehouse
Thank you for sharing!
January 5, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Mary Beth Rice
Such colorful artwork. I like the idea of creating an entire story from looking at one piece of art!
January 5, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Susanne Whitehouse
Thank for sharing!
January 5, 2022 at 6:31 pm
Kaye Baillie
Thankyou Benson. Some great ways to dive into character.
January 5, 2022 at 6:31 pm
lsheroan
I love writing down ideas to make room for more!
January 5, 2022 at 6:32 pm
Barbara Senenman
Love that idea of using an illustration to get ideas.
January 5, 2022 at 6:39 pm
nycbgriffin
I appreciate both the practicality of your suggestions here AND the spirit of play you bring to the process.
January 5, 2022 at 6:41 pm
ingridboydston
I am great at asking questions, not so much writing them all down. Thank you for the constructive suggestion!
January 5, 2022 at 6:50 pm
Rae Harkness
Great advice. I love the illustrations. Thank you for the inspiration.
January 5, 2022 at 6:50 pm
Charles Richardson
I like your starting point of asking “what if”. My additional takeaway is to take an idea or concept and turn it on its head.
January 5, 2022 at 6:51 pm
Tracy Helixon
Love this! When I do author visits, I talk with the students about asking “what if” as a way to come up with ideas for their own stories. It was so fun to see that concept reinforced here!
January 5, 2022 at 6:54 pm
angkunkel
Love this list of questions, and can’t wait to try them with some of the random images I bookmark for inspiration. Thank you, Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 7:05 pm
stephaniemstories
Great suggestion for coming up with ideas. Anzu is so cute!
January 5, 2022 at 7:05 pm
steveheron
Yeah … Anzu is cute. Great ideas.
January 5, 2022 at 7:10 pm
Shelly Hawley-Yan
Great ideas to spark creative ideas – thanks!
January 5, 2022 at 7:17 pm
Maureen (www.maureenfergus.com)
I’ve never tried finding inspiration in a picture – I’m looking forward to it!
January 5, 2022 at 7:28 pm
Meredith Fraser
How awesome to be a Disney Animator and also create projects for yourself!
Your brainstorming ideas will challenge me to go deeper into my imagination.
Thank you 👏🏼👏🏼
January 5, 2022 at 7:31 pm
Haley Thomas
Love the artwork! Thanks for the helpful ideas.
January 5, 2022 at 7:32 pm
Nancy Furstinger
Such a fun illustration–I can tell you’re an animator! I’ll be using your brainstorming techniques.
January 5, 2022 at 7:41 pm
Melissa Stoller
Thanks for a great post…I love this technique of asking questions. Your illustrations are brilliant! Congratulations!
January 5, 2022 at 7:42 pm
faithkaz
Thanks for sharing – great perspective!
January 5, 2022 at 7:48 pm
Chayala Nachum
Thank you for a great post!
Anzu is such a cute character he keeps making me smile!!
January 5, 2022 at 8:01 pm
Earl @ The Chronicles Of A Children's Book Writer
This reminds me I should doodle more.
January 5, 2022 at 8:01 pm
Linda Hofke
great questions. Thanks for sharing..
January 5, 2022 at 8:10 pm
Naja (@NajaAparico)
Excellent tips! I am printing and hanging these right in front of my nose so I will never forget 😀
January 5, 2022 at 8:12 pm
Donna Marx
Had not thought of using an illustration as a springboard. Will keep my eyes peeled. Using a photo would lend itself well to this idea, too, I think. Thanks!
January 5, 2022 at 8:29 pm
Aimee Jenkins
Thanks for all the great questions. A favorite idea generator for me is looking through #kidlitart on Insta. So many book ideas have come about because of a picture.
January 5, 2022 at 8:31 pm
Prairie Garden Girl
Benson: Thank you for introducing me to the amazing Anzu!
The list of questions you included in your rambles is outstanding.
Suzy Leopold
January 5, 2022 at 8:33 pm
Jessica Hinrichs
What a great blog! Thanks Benson!
January 5, 2022 at 8:41 pm
Maria Marshall
Great suggestions, Benson. And I love Anzu! What a great premise. Thanks.
January 5, 2022 at 8:42 pm
Lonna Hill
Very helpful post! Thanks for the thoughtful list of questions to ask when using an image as a prompt.
January 5, 2022 at 8:45 pm
claudine108
Thank you so much, Benson! Such great ideas!
January 5, 2022 at 8:50 pm
geigerlin
It seems one question sparks another. Thank you for zooming in on this.
January 5, 2022 at 8:52 pm
Nancy Rubin Fahmy
Thank you for sharing your ways of questioning. It is a really useful tool that will definitely support me now and in the future I’m sure!
January 5, 2022 at 8:53 pm
K Orr
Great post–thanks!
January 5, 2022 at 8:57 pm
seschipper
Great thoughts and ideas! I especially like the “what if” questions. Artwork is amazing! Thank you! 🙂
January 5, 2022 at 9:04 pm
Ashley Kirkland
So cute!
January 5, 2022 at 9:05 pm
Candy Isom
Pictures definitely spark creativity for me!
January 5, 2022 at 9:12 pm
Julie Reich
Thanks for sharing your process, and congrats on your book!
January 5, 2022 at 9:15 pm
René Bartos (@rebpedmom)
Great post. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 9:18 pm
Judy Bradbury
For me the nugget in this post is, “Even if the idea or solution doesn’t make complete sense, jot it down. You can always delete/erase it. But what it does do is get the idea out of your head and onto paper, which leaves more room for new ideas.” Thanks for sharing, Benson.
January 5, 2022 at 9:19 pm
Jennifer Weisse
These are great tips and questions to generate ideas. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 9:20 pm
Becki Kidd
Wonderful list of questions to think about. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 9:20 pm
Margot Williams
Thank you for the helpful questions and what-ifs.
January 5, 2022 at 9:20 pm
Carol Gwin Nelson
What a great way to find ideas! Love your illustrations!
January 5, 2022 at 9:22 pm
Lindsay Bartlett
Thanks for your post- looking forward to giving it a try. Your book looks absolutely adorable!
January 5, 2022 at 9:23 pm
Marcia Berneger
Love these ideas!
Thanks for sharing them!
January 5, 2022 at 9:26 pm
Rena
Yes, I love asking why.
January 5, 2022 at 9:26 pm
Josie Gawlowski
Love asking “what if” about everything. Great ideas!
January 5, 2022 at 9:29 pm
Vanessa Hancock (@HancockVanessa)
Thanks for the ideas!
January 5, 2022 at 9:42 pm
writeremmcbride
Benson, Thank you for your ideas! As a writer, I think it is important to really think about the characters and their environment and how you imagine them. Even if we aren’t drawing them ourselves (!), we will know our characters better by asking the questions you mention in your post. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 9:43 pm
ChangH
I love your work — so adorable! And what a treat to get an inside look at your process, Benson. Thanks so much for sharing!
January 5, 2022 at 9:45 pm
roberta abussi
Thank you for your post, I’ll practice by using both images and words…and see what happens 🙂
January 5, 2022 at 9:47 pm
Natasha Garnett
What are they wearing? Or not wearing? I like that. It’s fun to pose questions and then dream up answers. And see where they lead…
January 5, 2022 at 10:05 pm
Kassandra mckown
Love this idea of thinking about each of the questions asked
January 5, 2022 at 10:08 pm
Bonnie Kelso
Thank you, Benson. Anzu is adorable. I love your character searching questions and I will give them a try.
January 5, 2022 at 10:08 pm
Sarah K. Rose
Thanks for sharing! Great ideas.
January 5, 2022 at 10:09 pm
viviankirkfield
Great way to approach a story, Benson. I’m used to writing nonfiction pb bios…where I usually don’t have to dream up answers. But I think asking these questions will definitely help me craft new fiction stories – something I really want to do! Thank you for a wonderfully inspiring post!
January 5, 2022 at 10:11 pm
🍃 𝚁𝚎𝚋𝚎𝚔𝚊𝚑 𝙻𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚕 🌾 (@RebekahLowell)
Hi Benson, I love those “what if?” questions. Very helpful and fun!
Thanks! Rebekah
January 5, 2022 at 10:16 pm
tinamcho
Great idea to come up with a story from an illustration. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 10:20 pm
Tonya K. Grant
I loved your ideas and the questions! Thanks for sharing!
January 5, 2022 at 10:20 pm
vgraboski61gmailcom
Love the list of questions. Very helpful. Thanks for the great post!
January 5, 2022 at 10:22 pm
🇵🇪 Sara Fajardo 🇺🇸 (@safajarwrites)
Thank you for the inspiration!
January 5, 2022 at 10:25 pm
Jen K.
Your post so insightful! I like how you helped us to think like an illustrator. Thanks.
January 5, 2022 at 10:34 pm
supermario6
Wow! How talented!
January 5, 2022 at 10:37 pm
Juliann Caveny
OH, my! This book is simply adorable! I don’t think I can wait… *thumbs through and notices that it comes out next week! CONGRATULATIONS on this new release into the world! We are a Kaiju-loving family and I love your inspiration and idea. Thanks for sharing!
January 5, 2022 at 10:42 pm
girlscout72091
Such a great way to create ideas and also important points of what a great story truly needs. Thanks for the super advice!
January 5, 2022 at 10:48 pm
deniseaengle
Such great questions to ask! Love this perspective on illustrations! Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 10:52 pm
Carolyn Overcash
Sunny, positive
January 5, 2022 at 10:57 pm
Susan Contreras
Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 11:04 pm
candicewolff
I love this color palette. Gorgeous illustrations and great questions to ask when developing a story idea. Thank you!
January 5, 2022 at 11:06 pm
Claire A. B. Freeland
Anzu is adorable. I look forward to learning how he deals with being different than his family.
January 5, 2022 at 11:07 pm
Elizabeth Westra
Asking questions about a picture or photo is a good way to come up with an idea. I love thinking about what is happening in a photo or picture. I like the you go into. Great post!
January 5, 2022 at 11:10 pm
Vashti Verbowski
I love your list of questions! Such a great way to find/start a story!
January 5, 2022 at 11:16 pm
Ashley Sierra (@AshleySierra06)
Illustrations always make great prompts. Drawing a character in mind helps develop the character as well.
January 5, 2022 at 11:17 pm
kimfennema
Thanks for the writing tip Benson. I regularly ask my students about their wonderings as we read. There have been times I’ve used props such as pictures to help students craft some of those wonderings into a work of fiction. Somewhere along the line I neglected to apply this strategy to my writing process. Reading your message just made so much sense!
January 5, 2022 at 11:20 pm
carmelamccainsimmons
Now my brain is swimming with images of Kailua and it is bedtime! Who knows what dreams may come? Fun! Thanks for sharing your process with us. It is sure to generate ideas for me tonight.
January 5, 2022 at 11:23 pm
carmelamccainsimmons
*Kaiju autocorrect needs to learn this word too.😅
January 5, 2022 at 11:29 pm
Laura K Bower
Thank you so much Benson! I really appreciate hearing your thought process as an author and illustrator! Your post has inspired me to think deeper about the images that strike a chord in my heart. Congratulations on
Anzu – what an adorable character/story premise!
January 5, 2022 at 11:35 pm
bgonsar
The art is beautiful Benson.
January 5, 2022 at 11:35 pm
imeldauk
This is very cute!
January 5, 2022 at 11:40 pm
imeldauk
I love the character and the prompts. I feel I want to get to know him better
January 5, 2022 at 11:44 pm
libbydemmon
Great ideas and questions! Your work is lovely. Also, my family watched Encanto this week and it has taken over my kids’ worldview! Thanks for the contributions you’ve made!
January 5, 2022 at 11:52 pm
Janet AlJunaidi
Thank you Benson for these questions! They are so helpful.
January 5, 2022 at 11:55 pm
Cheryl Cuttineau
Thank you for the list of suggestions, Benson. Today is my 70th birthday and I love hearing how other writers and artists work.
January 5, 2022 at 11:59 pm
Gela Kalaitzidis
The juxtapose between giant and gentle is very intriguing. Love to read the kaiju book.
January 6, 2022 at 12:04 am
susanzonca
Thank you, Benson. I really like the idea of starting with an illustration and being curious about it. Many good questions. Rather like participating in an investigation.
January 6, 2022 at 12:04 am
Charles Burress
Benson, I think your twist on the Kaiju legend is awesome.
January 6, 2022 at 12:20 am
Trine Grillo
Thanks, Benson. Your illustrations are fun!
January 6, 2022 at 12:20 am
Pauline Cleary
Benson, you have given me a great way to start thinking and playing with story starts, especially on those days when I feel stuck! Thank you!
January 6, 2022 at 12:24 am
Elizabeth Kalasinsky
Anzu looks adorable! Looking forward to reading this book.
January 6, 2022 at 12:28 am
Kathy Mazurowski
Asking questions is a wonderful way to get the wheels sinning. Thanks!
January 6, 2022 at 1:00 am
rosihollinbeck
Wonderful suggestions and an inspirational post. Thanks for this.
January 6, 2022 at 1:52 am
LaurenKerstein
I love all of the questions you ask, both to analyze a painting, and also to flesh out an idea. Thank you!
January 6, 2022 at 1:53 am
mikahlamornay
Excellent tips. Thanks.
January 6, 2022 at 1:56 am
bonnie fireUrchin ~ pb illustration & writing
I was happy immediately reading the super power was kindness! I suspect there are more kids out there who will feel the same way. I was guessing the problem was going to be size, and this was a delightful shift – just like the shift the world needs and kindness brings! Thanks for sharing your process.
January 6, 2022 at 1:59 am
Azra Rahim
I have a puppy named Kaju. I was at the dog park and when I called Kaju to me, a person standing next to me was shocked that I had named my puppy, “monster”. Kaju in Urdu/Hindi means cashew nut. Lol!
January 6, 2022 at 1:59 am
Jeanette Stampone
Wow! Such a great way to come up with ideas. I love the questions. Maybe you could pretend to interview the character and ask them these questions! Helpful post, thanks!
January 6, 2022 at 2:02 am
Jen Gubicza
Love this character – a cuddly kaiju is everything I could ever want. Thanks for the writing prompt to do a deep dive into character!
January 6, 2022 at 2:09 am
Alia Khaled
Thanks for the great article.
January 6, 2022 at 2:24 am
Abraham Schroeder
Super cute, lots of good things to think about!
January 6, 2022 at 2:52 am
Erica
Great tips and character!
January 6, 2022 at 2:52 am
Chiara Beth Colombi (@ChiaraBColombi)
I love your illustrations, Benson! Such great advice to find stories in what we see in the world and not just what we hear.
January 6, 2022 at 3:23 am
Eva H.
Love your illustrations and thank you for your inspiration.
January 6, 2022 at 3:46 am
Rita Jane
Wow, thank you so much, Benson. I went back through some watercolour pieces and chose a painting of a cat by the side of the road. I wouldn’t have normally thought to use as a prompt, as it doesn’t feel like picture book material, but using these questions I was able to develop a whole load of possibilities! Cheers for the ideas!
January 6, 2022 at 4:03 am
Brandon Rodriguez
Being an illustrator, I love the idea of using the art as a stepping stone for possible future stories. Always look into the art and keep creating stories from it is always a fun way to get creative juices flowing.
January 6, 2022 at 5:35 am
Jane Martin
There are no stupid questions!
January 6, 2022 at 5:37 am
Tanya Konerman
I grew up on Godzilla movies, so the e thought of switching it up for kids with a kaiju meant for kindness is so fun! Great brainstorming ideas too!
January 6, 2022 at 6:53 am
PuddleReader
I love the concept for your book! Thanks for sharing some of your idea generating process.
January 6, 2022 at 6:55 am
Kim Gutierrez
Thank you for being a part of SS!! I often look at a pic and try to imagine a story within in. But I often would get stuck. Your post gives me a new way to process those thoughts! Thx! Your Kaiju is so fun looking by the way!
January 6, 2022 at 6:58 am
ramonapersaudwrites
Neat idea. I’m a photographer so I’m going to try this with my recent batch of shots.
January 6, 2022 at 7:13 am
Krissy
Great post! Love your illustrations!
January 6, 2022 at 7:15 am
Freda Lewkowicz
Thank you for the tips!
January 6, 2022 at 8:06 am
pbbeckyk
Thank you for introducing us to sweet Anzu! Books that highlight kindness are always my favorites and your kaiju is adorable.
January 6, 2022 at 8:29 am
calliebdean
Great ideas and questions! Thank you!
January 6, 2022 at 8:30 am
Brad Weinberg
Amazing illustrations. Anzu’s conflict is really relatable too.
January 6, 2022 at 8:36 am
Leila Boukarim
I love your process, and your book looks amazing! My son saw the cover and demanded we buy it immediately. We’re both eagerly waiting for its release!
January 6, 2022 at 8:40 am
Christina Frigo
So important to write the idea anyway—even if it doesn’t make total sense. You never know what it might inspire!
January 6, 2022 at 8:46 am
allthingscreativeequal
Listening to you ‘ramble’ was super helpful. I am excited to incorporate your advice.
January 6, 2022 at 9:00 am
melissamiles1
I loved this post! All those questions I asked as a kid weren’t pointless after all. I need to channel my inner-child again! Thanks for the reminder.
January 6, 2022 at 9:12 am
Alison McGauley
Thank you for all of these idea-generating questions! Great post 🙂
January 6, 2022 at 9:20 am
Sally Lotz is Querying Middle Grade (@SallyJLotz)
Love this brainstorming idea. And it can be used for a chapter book or middle grade book.
January 6, 2022 at 9:23 am
kimpfenn
What a fun backstory for your path to publication! The questions are great tips too!
January 6, 2022 at 9:31 am
Kate Rietema
Thank you!
January 6, 2022 at 9:32 am
Lynne Marie
Love this in so many ways! What a great character and adaptation! Best of luck to you!
January 6, 2022 at 9:41 am
Hollie Wolverton
Definitely helpful! Thank you for sharing!!
January 6, 2022 at 9:53 am
mdk45
This is fun, Benson. It’s easy to love your characters. Thank you for sharing such helpful tips.
January 6, 2022 at 10:01 am
Megan Litwin
Beautiful artwork! And I love this notion of asking questions while looking at art, and looking for the story within. Thank you!!
January 6, 2022 at 10:11 am
Susan Korchak
Great story questions for an image. And love Anzu!
January 6, 2022 at 10:14 am
Megan Whitaker
Awe, my favorite illustration is him in the meadow smelling the flowers. Super cute! Great thoughts! Thank you
January 6, 2022 at 10:22 am
Allison Strick (she/her) (@byallisonstrick)
I love this strategy! It will help me go beyond the obvious when dreaming up characters and plot lines.
January 6, 2022 at 10:45 am
erinquill8
These are great tips and I’m loving the illustration!
January 6, 2022 at 11:16 am
Poppy Wrote P
Anzu is lovely!
January 6, 2022 at 11:18 am
Shirley fadden
Love hearing about your process. Thanks!
January 6, 2022 at 11:20 am
Anita M Banks
Wonderful tips!
January 6, 2022 at 11:22 am
authorjanetparkinsonbryce
This was great! I never thought of questioning my character to inspire my writing. Thank you.
January 6, 2022 at 11:37 am
Susan Schade
What a great brainstorming exercise! Thank you!
January 6, 2022 at 11:40 am
eleanorannpeterson
I’ve jotted down your list and will do the exercises to see what I come up with. I can’t wait to start doodling or writing, whichever comes first. Thank you so much! Kaiju is really cute.
January 6, 2022 at 11:45 am
Beverly Smith
Thank you, Benson! I like the idea of getting the idea out of my head to make room for more. Such good ways to get the story started from a painting and an idea. Now, off to get started!
January 6, 2022 at 11:46 am
Amy Tsao
Pew pew pew! Just dying of cuteness over here. Love the idea of starting with a simple “What if?” and following all the little consequential threads that form.
January 6, 2022 at 11:49 am
Ben
… flowers! cracked me up. Great tips and insightful process
January 6, 2022 at 12:00 pm
heatherbell37
Love these illustrations and thank you for sharing! Simply asking questions makes so much sense.
January 6, 2022 at 12:50 pm
Charlotte Sullivan Wild
Love the flower love! Awww!
This has me thinking about how an image speaks without words
yet can show history, relationship, desire, fear, hope, what’s about to happen–all questions to ask to find the story of a moment. Love this game!
I also wonder how much we “speak and listen” nonverbally every day….
Thanks for the good thinking!
January 6, 2022 at 12:50 pm
hansenjc13
I love the idea of starting with an illustration or a painting, even if it’s not a drawing I made. Thanks!
January 6, 2022 at 12:58 pm
michellesteinberg14849dcf0b
Thanks for the advice to ask, “What If?” I wrote a new picture Book manuscript after asking this simple question.
January 6, 2022 at 1:08 pm
marshaelyn
Benson, your “Ask Questions” brainstorming method is clever and generates practical possibilities for storytelling at its best. Thank you! Sending you a barrel of ????? to inspire your continued success.
January 6, 2022 at 1:26 pm
lee77094
The “what ifs” are great questions to stimulate a story.
January 6, 2022 at 1:29 pm
mbtgroupcb
Asking questions seems like an effective way to do story prompts and see if it does have any hooks. Thanks for sharing Benson! I will try this!
January 6, 2022 at 1:40 pm
Christine Van Zandt, author of A BRIEF HISTORY OF UNDERPANTS
Your art makes me immediately like Anzu! Thanks for tuning us writers more into illustrations as a way to begin.
January 6, 2022 at 1:54 pm
Lynn Alpert
That’s the cutest monster I’ve ever seen! Thanks for the post Benson!
January 6, 2022 at 2:30 pm
Holly
I like this idea, because art often makes me feel all kinds of sparky things in the story part of my brain. But I also worry about taking too much from someone’s original art. So I like the questions along with the changes. Thank you!
January 6, 2022 at 2:46 pm
Charlotte Offsay
What a fun and creative exercise, thank you!
January 6, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Darcee Freier
Love your painting of Anzu. It makes me happy.
January 6, 2022 at 3:12 pm
Traci Huahn
Thanks for this inspiring post and the great list of “what if” questions!
January 6, 2022 at 3:14 pm
susanpbednargmailcom
Thank you!
January 6, 2022 at 3:34 pm
audiencedog
So excited to have learned the word “Kaiju.” Thank you for this post.
January 6, 2022 at 3:36 pm
katiefischerwrites
I love this list of questions, and Anzu looks like an adorable character!
January 6, 2022 at 3:47 pm
Shelley Isaacson
What if questions are the answers to the world’s great mysteries. Thanks for reminding us to ask them of our characters!
January 6, 2022 at 4:19 pm
kaziemann
Thank you for your wonderful post. Asking questions is a great way to develop ideas!
January 6, 2022 at 4:21 pm
boardmancamera
For some reason, this didn’t show up in my in-box until today. So glad it finally came, as the suggestions are super! Can”t wait to get started as soon as I post this!
January 6, 2022 at 4:25 pm
Laurie Bouck
Love this idea, thank you for sharing!
January 6, 2022 at 4:30 pm
Laurie Bouck
I love this idea, thank you for sharing!
January 6, 2022 at 4:58 pm
Jill Lambert
Great suggestions to use illustrations or words to spark a story, The followup questions really help to drill down into the details and spur the plot forward. Thank you for a wonderful post, Benson!
January 6, 2022 at 5:08 pm
Charles Trevino
Great exercise ✅
Kind emotions from
A Kind KAIJU
January 6, 2022 at 5:25 pm
charlottejo
Asking questions and brainstorming answers is a great story generation technique. Thank you.
January 6, 2022 at 5:38 pm
Manju Beth Howard (@ManjuBeth)
Very colorful and sweet illustrations. Entering the story through emotions is a great way to connect with readers.
January 6, 2022 at 5:38 pm
Amy Newbold
I love these illustrations! And thanks so much for sharing your process. I think asking these questions about my characters will be very helpful in story development.
January 6, 2022 at 5:40 pm
Saba Negash
Yes! this is a great way to get ideas. It’s almost like interviewing the character to learn more about them. 🙂
January 6, 2022 at 6:42 pm
aturner513
Thank you for sharing your process. Yes it was very helpful. I like to draw in my storystorm idea book. It almost always leads to ideas, usually totally unrelated to what I’m drawing.
January 6, 2022 at 6:46 pm
David McMullin
Thank you, Benson! I’m starting a list of questions right now!
January 6, 2022 at 7:06 pm
Eva NMN Felder
Thanks you Benson for sharing your writing ideas and your Art with us. So cool that the 2 syllables in your name have the same meaning in two languages. I am impressed by all the films in which you created Animation. Reading your wonderful lists I realized that I keep mine in my head and with time many get lost. I will start following your advice and discipline myself to write them down and form a treasure chest of ideas to dive in and ask “what if” it might lead me to the road I need. Keep creating awesome art and stories!
January 6, 2022 at 8:19 pm
Diane Kress Hower
Thanks Benson for your tips!
January 6, 2022 at 8:22 pm
Nadine Poper
Thank you Benson for giving your advice.
January 6, 2022 at 8:26 pm
angelapadron
Great advice – thanks for sharing
January 6, 2022 at 8:42 pm
authorlaurablog
Wow! So much food for thought here.
January 6, 2022 at 8:47 pm
Andrew Hacket
Wonderful strategies to try out. Thanks so much!
January 6, 2022 at 8:48 pm
Kerri hardy
I love the idea of thinking through all the aspects of a character…even if it doesn’t make it into the book, just thinking about it makes the characters full and come to life! I love your take on the gentle giant!
Thank you for sharing your process!
January 6, 2022 at 8:56 pm
Peggy Dobbs
Anzu is an adorable character! I look forward to reading your book. And thanks for a great list of questions to consider.
January 6, 2022 at 9:42 pm
Judy Cooper
You were not rambling at all. Thank you for the great brainstorming ideas.
January 6, 2022 at 9:49 pm
claireannette1
I really had fun with this idea and my questions led to other ideas. Thanks! Your book looks like so much fun.
January 6, 2022 at 10:22 pm
Claudia Sloan
The questions are quite helpful, thank you!
January 6, 2022 at 10:49 pm
Charlene Avery
Oooooo, so many crumbs to follow from your sharing, thank you! You helped me make my middle grade characters deeper and more inter-related from your questions, thank you! I’m enjoying your instagram posts too. Thank you for all the awesome work you share with the world!
January 6, 2022 at 11:00 pm
Amy Mucci
Love your style! And asking questions is great advice
January 6, 2022 at 11:34 pm
Micki Ginsberg
I appreciated your creative ideas!
January 6, 2022 at 11:45 pm
Joanne Roberts
Lots of great fodder here, and most of all thank-you for helping me realize no idea is off-limits if I’m passionate about it. Got some excellent ideas today!
January 7, 2022 at 12:04 am
Dea Brayden
Great idea to question, question, question! Thank you.
January 7, 2022 at 12:33 am
bmcraven2008
Oh my goodness this is the cutest ever! I think this is great to keep in mind, because I tend to process thoughts and ideas realllly quickly, but remembers to pause to develop the character so that readers can better follow along. Good idea!
January 7, 2022 at 12:37 am
Christine Fleming McIsaac
I loved your illustration and can’t wait to read your book. Thanks for the great questions.
January 7, 2022 at 1:51 am
wyszguy
Love it! And your monster is adorable!
January 7, 2022 at 2:03 am
Huyen
Yes, a visual lead in! I like that as a jump start to story-making.
January 7, 2022 at 2:03 am
Megan McNamara
This book comes out next week! I’ll look for it at my local library!
January 7, 2022 at 2:57 am
Lindsay Brayden Ellis
Great post, thanks.
January 7, 2022 at 8:44 am
Susie
Thank you for great tips and all the cuteness in this post. Love the pew ! pew ! pew !
January 7, 2022 at 8:46 am
stepheniehovland
I love being inspired by picture book illustrations.
January 7, 2022 at 9:32 am
mimisheawrites
Great questions to ask myself if I get stuck in any part of a story.
January 7, 2022 at 10:24 am
Jamie Bills
I love this idea. I read half your article, went and applied it to one of my story ideas, had a great brainstorm, and came back to finish your article. 🙂 Thank you!
January 7, 2022 at 10:30 am
Alexis
Thank you!!
January 7, 2022 at 11:01 am
Vicky
Great tips on really developing characters in a full, robust way. Cute monster!
January 7, 2022 at 11:43 am
Roxanne Troup
Love what you said: “get the idea out of your head and onto paper, which leaves more room for new ideas.” Great advice. Thank you.
January 7, 2022 at 12:13 pm
aidantalkin
Your book looks fantastic, Benson! Great questions too
January 7, 2022 at 12:21 pm
wordwritermo
I’m a huge fan of thought starter questions. Thank you so much for these! –Melisa Wrex (@mowrex on Twitter)
January 7, 2022 at 12:35 pm
Angela De Groot
Thanks, Benson. I love image/art/photo prompts. And asking What if questions.
January 7, 2022 at 12:37 pm
Sandra Wilson
I am always inspired by drawings, and now I know to go one step further and ask more questions about it to see what kind of story it could inspire too. Thanks!
January 7, 2022 at 12:43 pm
joanapastro
Great questions to ask! Thanks for sharing your process, Benson!
January 7, 2022 at 12:51 pm
cathystenquist
The “What if” game is a great way to get you out of that writers block. I find it helpful when revising if the story is just not working. Thanks!
January 7, 2022 at 12:58 pm
Brian Burak
Such awesome questions and prompts – thank you Benson!
January 7, 2022 at 1:15 pm
Sara Culpepper
Thank you for sharing your inspiration and beautiful illustrations! Im having the best time as a first timer!
January 7, 2022 at 1:30 pm
Anne Appert
This is my favorite way to come up with story ideas. Thanks for the post, Benson!
January 7, 2022 at 1:37 pm
Maria Altizer
Thank you for this. I like the idea of looking at characters and building out from there.
January 7, 2022 at 2:20 pm
mwolpin
I don’t often look at art for inspiration for a kid’s book, but I do get ideas in word pieces. So your list of questions to ask the main character is a great way to spark creativity. Thank you for your post, Benson.
January 7, 2022 at 3:33 pm
sandrabyrdlawson
Thank you for posting! I appreciate your ideas.
January 7, 2022 at 3:43 pm
rindabeach
A picture’s worth a thousand words! Thanks for an idea to look back at my photos.
January 7, 2022 at 4:19 pm
Bettie Boswell
Thank you for a great list of questions as a way to develop a story.
January 7, 2022 at 5:28 pm
chaunceyelephant
I love the idea of looking at an illustration as a jumping off point. And that you use a word form another language is great for kids. Thaks for your ideas!
January 7, 2022 at 5:52 pm
Sarah Heaton
I love posts that get writers to think more visually. Thank you!
January 7, 2022 at 5:52 pm
Nazanin Ford
I am always pushing my students to ask deeper questions, so I love this as a way to dive into creativity!
January 7, 2022 at 7:29 pm
Erik Ammon
Thanks for the great ideas Benson! I love the questions. There’s definitely some good questions to ponder when looking at some art, or a word, a beginning line, an idea.
January 7, 2022 at 8:31 pm
Dannielle Viera
Great questions! They really pushed me to think more deeply about each idea.
January 7, 2022 at 10:20 pm
Liz Godfrey
Thanks, Benson! Your tips have inspired me to think outside my box of main characters I typically write about! Looking forward to reading your newest book!
January 7, 2022 at 10:22 pm
Stephanie D Jones
I love your “what if”s Benson! Makes me think I should be asking that question a lot more often 🙂
January 7, 2022 at 11:49 pm
Karen Chun
What fantastic activities to generate story ideas. Inspirational!
January 8, 2022 at 5:39 am
Savannah Rogers
This is very helpful. This is definitely a step I skipped last year, so all those ideas just languish.
January 8, 2022 at 7:25 am
Kellie
What a cute story. Thank you for reminding me of this strategy. It’s amazing what we forget.
January 8, 2022 at 7:55 am
Patricia Alcaro
Truly inspiring advice! Thank you.
January 8, 2022 at 8:29 am
Cristina Raymer
These are great questions! Thank you!
January 8, 2022 at 8:52 am
Deborah Foster
This is frequently something that I do. I love asking the “what if” questions! Your character Anzu is adorable!
January 8, 2022 at 8:55 am
Ellen
Love the questions. And your response to big monsters. Anzu looks so adorable.
I’m going to use your list. Thank you!!
January 8, 2022 at 10:09 am
cravevsworld
Love the what if character-centric questions. Thank you!
January 8, 2022 at 10:54 am
Molli Ehlert
Absolutely adorable! Love it
January 8, 2022 at 10:59 am
Janel Caverly
Thank you! You made me realize a picture is worth a thousand words, or a dozen questions that could kickstart a story!
January 8, 2022 at 11:04 am
Kelly Vavala
Anzu is just the cutest and I love his name and what he stands up for! Thank you for the inspirational post! What a dream job…Animator for Disney! Great for you! I wish you an abundance of success!
January 8, 2022 at 11:30 am
Nina Creativercorner
Anzu is so cute. Love your tips
January 8, 2022 at 11:47 am
Catherine
These are such great questions to ask ourselves – thanks Benson :o)
January 8, 2022 at 11:53 am
Samantha Rosa
Love this post. Lots of ideas came up!
January 8, 2022 at 12:07 pm
Matt Sides
Awesome Advice!
January 8, 2022 at 12:13 pm
Leanne
Thanks for your great suggestions!
January 8, 2022 at 1:05 pm
Patricia J Holloway
Your suggestions really get the ideas flowing! I love your illustrations too! Thank you!
January 8, 2022 at 12:47 pm
Lindsay Moretti
Really great advice! Love the way questions help us analyze something of interest. Thanks for sharing!
January 8, 2022 at 12:53 pm
Dianne
Great questions. Love the illustrations.
January 8, 2022 at 1:14 pm
Shannon Fossett
Thank you for sharing! I got an idea just from your story idea! I love it when that happens!! 🙂
January 8, 2022 at 1:32 pm
Nancy Ferguson
This advice and the wonderful list of questions will help me focus, rather than dither around! Thank you!
January 8, 2022 at 2:23 pm
Brinton Culp
I love the suggestion of starting over for inspiration if nothing comes the first time and working from a new perspective. Lots of potential for creative ideas! Thank you!
January 8, 2022 at 3:27 pm
Beth Elliott
I have never heard of a Kaiju! I love seeing fellow Canadian’s succeed! Congratulations on your book!
January 8, 2022 at 4:13 pm
Jan Milusich
Asking questions is a great way to find answers.
January 8, 2022 at 4:47 pm
Angela H. Dale
Great brainstorming exercise, thanks!
January 8, 2022 at 5:05 pm
debbiemoeller
Love the idea of asking questions, and considering a visual. I usually have a mental picture of my characters, so I can definitely do this even though I can’t draw. Thanks for the post.
January 8, 2022 at 5:48 pm
Judy Bryan
Great questions to ask! Congratulations on ANZU THE GREAT KAIJU ~ love your artwork!!
January 8, 2022 at 5:57 pm
The World Is My Cuttlefish
These detailed questions are helpful. Thank you.
January 8, 2022 at 6:01 pm
annettepimentel
Great questions!
January 8, 2022 at 6:12 pm
Kathryn Hagen
I love the set of questions. They work for writers as well as illustrators. Thank you for the post!
January 8, 2022 at 6:17 pm
Jessica Fries-Gaither
Love this post! I visited our local at museum over the holidays and took a bunch of pictures of paintings that drew me in…so I’m going back and mining them for ideas. 💛
January 8, 2022 at 6:53 pm
cath jones
Good reminder to use pictures as prompts. Such a good source of story inspiration. Thanks for yr post
January 8, 2022 at 6:55 pm
serenagingoldallen
Great sets of questions to ask oneself when brainstorming. Thanks!!
January 8, 2022 at 8:09 pm
FrannyG
I like a rambler, looks like it’s stood you in good stead — and sometimes letting yourself ramble is the best way to get the ideas to flow.
January 8, 2022 at 8:39 pm
jimchaize1
I will start asking more questions. Thanks, Benson.
January 8, 2022 at 9:13 pm
reluctantspy
Enjoyed your illos. thanks.
January 8, 2022 at 9:28 pm
mariannasacra
Love your illustrations!
January 8, 2022 at 10:24 pm
Michelle Losardo
Thank you, Benson! A work of art can mean so many different things to people and can certainly inspire stories.
January 8, 2022 at 10:46 pm
kmajor2013
Great ideas for generating stories, Benson! Will try some of those going forward. Thanks!
January 8, 2022 at 11:36 pm
sharongiltrow
Love these questions that you ask and your characters :-).
January 8, 2022 at 11:53 pm
Tay Berryhill
Awesome!
January 9, 2022 at 12:01 am
Chelle Martin
It’s funny that you mention finding a story idea in a painting. I just did that when a painting in a doctor’s office caught my eye.
January 9, 2022 at 1:01 am
Patricia B. Ellson
Starting with inspiration from a painting is a great concept – what happened here ? Or – what COULD happen here? Thank you.
January 9, 2022 at 1:14 am
topangamaria
Great questions to explore.
January 9, 2022 at 2:03 am
Janet Frenck Sheets
It’s always interesting to hear an illustrator’s perspective. Thank you!
January 9, 2022 at 3:12 am
sharonkdal
I need to get to the art gallery and start asking questions!
January 9, 2022 at 3:59 am
Michelle Kashinsky
Love the WHAT IF questions! Thank you!
January 9, 2022 at 10:30 am
srkckass
Short and sweet advice. I love your art style. Keep up the great work!
January 9, 2022 at 10:53 am
erica chace
this is so helpful for my character development!
January 9, 2022 at 11:48 am
Debi Boccanfuso
Thank you for sharing such a tangible thought process for brainstorming the character’s motivations, desires, and fears….thank you!
January 9, 2022 at 2:54 pm
ANNETTE MARTIN
This is great advice! Thank you!
January 9, 2022 at 4:06 pm
Debbie Meneses
Such a cute Kaiju Giant Monster. I have a manuscript for a Monster Salon. I am trying to draw cute monsters too. Love your model drawings.
January 9, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Carolyn Kraft
Thanks for the fabulous idea tips! Looking forward to reading more about Anzu, this is such a great twist.
January 9, 2022 at 4:38 pm
Tamisha Williams
I appreciate the reminder to get curious about things we’re seeing, asking questions as a source of inspiration.
January 9, 2022 at 5:32 pm
Michele Helsel
The power of What if’s. Love it!
January 9, 2022 at 6:11 pm
Sandy Perlic
I love the idea of asking questions about an illustration to get to a story idea. And I can’t wait to check out your book–if the story is as delightful as your character, I’m sure it will be a winner. Thank you!
January 9, 2022 at 8:31 pm
setwiggs
love all these questions. can’t wait to read your book. what if it’s successful!!!
January 9, 2022 at 8:49 pm
Kelly Perkkns
I love this 🙂 Thank you for your ideas and inspiration!
January 9, 2022 at 8:51 pm
kbottagaro
Your brainstorming questions will be so useful in my creative process. Also, I appreciate your advice to write down ideas that don’t necessarily make sense – that will help open some creative doors that my left brain probably doesn’t allow me to typically access.
January 9, 2022 at 10:40 pm
streetlynn
Thanks for this list of questions as a starting point for a story!
January 9, 2022 at 10:56 pm
Susan Wroble
Anzu is super adorable—and brings to mind Ferdinand, one of my favorite characters in the books of my childhood. Thanks for giving us these jumping off questions!
January 10, 2022 at 4:07 am
Lina Feli (@lina_feli1)
Great questions we just never ask… Thank you, Benson!
January 10, 2022 at 7:24 am
Jennifer Vose
Thanks for some great suggestions! Since I am visually impaired and pictures/illustrations aren’t something I, myself, can really appreciate, I’m working with the idea of asking questions about a piece of music – something I’m not sure I would have considered without reading day 5’s prompts! Love it!
January 10, 2022 at 9:44 am
JannyLynn
As a middle school teacher, I am fielding “what if” questions on a regular basis. I’ll have to start asking them myself.
January 10, 2022 at 9:55 am
Judy Palermo
I love thinking of all the questions rather than focusing on “answers” — thank
you!
January 10, 2022 at 9:55 am
adavis6385
Curiosity is key! Thanks for sharing these tips and love your drawings!!
January 10, 2022 at 10:57 am
Ellen Leventhal
Great idea! I always ask “What if?”, but now I am going to do it with pictures as well as just ideas from my head. Thank you!
January 10, 2022 at 11:26 am
Rebekah
I tried this concept on one of my illustrations & have so many better ideas now about my character- so helpful!
January 10, 2022 at 12:30 pm
Susie Sawyer
Oh my goodness, Anzu is adorable! Thank you for helping us (writers) remember to stop and focus on illustrations as well. So many ideas can be drawn from a single illustration! Yours, by the way, are WONDERFUL!!
January 10, 2022 at 1:30 pm
Barbara Senenman
Thank you for the reminder to look at an illustration or doodle that intrigues and wonder about it.
January 10, 2022 at 1:59 pm
Sandra Nichols
I’ve been struggling to come up with creative writing ideas and appreciate the reminder-ask the simple question, What if? This, and giving myself permission to begin again if an idea isn’t working. Thanks.
January 10, 2022 at 2:04 pm
Susanne and Colton
Started collecting Notice/Wonder pictures for my first-graders but weren’t sure how to build discussion around them. These questions are perfect! Also, love seeing how Disney Animators work 🙂
January 10, 2022 at 2:10 pm
storycatcherpublishing
My entire young adult fantasy novel idea came from a random “ghost ship” painting I stumbled across one day back in 2015. One look at that painting and the entire story of LUNADAR: Homeward Bound unraveled like I was watching a movie play out in my head. Basically, all I needed to do was write my thoughts down and the first draft was completed.
Great post!
Donna L Martin
January 10, 2022 at 3:20 pm
paulabpuckett
Great suggestions. Ask questions about the main character and take time to consider the “what ifs?” when the character is different than expected. Thanks!
January 10, 2022 at 4:31 pm
Linda Silvestri
Being an illustrator I tend to think pretty visually, so I can really relate to this exercise. Thanks for the post and I just love your style and I love Anzu!
January 10, 2022 at 6:37 pm
Hannah Roy LaGrone
Love the “what if” prompt. Also happy to have found a book to recommend my little cousin who is obsessed with Godzilla. This is so cute!
January 10, 2022 at 7:56 pm
Emily Asaro
Thank you for sharing this exercise with us 🙂
January 10, 2022 at 8:18 pm
Jen Walsh
I really love the What if questions! I’m excited to try this out! Thank you!
January 10, 2022 at 8:20 pm
angiecal76
Anzu is a real cutie. Can’t wait to read about him! Great suggestions, too.
January 10, 2022 at 8:51 pm
Christine M Irvin
Now I know what a Kaiju is and I have another way of creating ideas. Thanks!
January 11, 2022 at 6:27 am
littleredstoryshed
Great post, Benson! Congratulations on Anzu! 💛
January 11, 2022 at 6:54 am
PoppyCornfield
Not being an illustrator this is great advice and is making me use pictures and illustrations in a whole new way! Thank you
January 11, 2022 at 8:28 am
Marzieh Abbas
your illustrations are adorable. Thanks for the tips!
January 11, 2022 at 11:55 am
Jane Dippold (@janedippold)
Asking questions of sketches helps to create a stronger story! Thanks for sharing and congrats on Anzu!
January 11, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Laurie Seaford
The simplest suggestions are often the best. Asking questions opens the mind. Thank you! And I copied down your tip: “Even if the idea or solution doesn’t make complete sense, jot it down.”
January 11, 2022 at 4:05 pm
writeknit
Thank you for distilling the process to find out the basis for the story 🙂
January 11, 2022 at 4:09 pm
Joyce Schriebman
“Even if the idea or solution doesn’t make complete sense, jot it down.”
January 11, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Sue (Susan Uhlig) (she/her) (@susanuhlig)
Such a fun book!
January 11, 2022 at 6:34 pm
Diana Marie Linton
I looked over “I and the Village” by Chagall when I did the exercise. It was a lot of fun thinking about a story from that painting. Thanks for the great advice!
January 11, 2022 at 10:22 pm
Aly Kenna
Thank you Benson. Never stop asking questions 🙂
January 12, 2022 at 12:21 am
kbrandyberry
Love these questions and the illustrations. Can’t wait to read this book!
January 12, 2022 at 11:29 am
JC
Great advice, thank you!
January 12, 2022 at 12:32 pm
Phyllis Mignard
Great advice! I’ve started a new check list — thanks for sharing
January 12, 2022 at 1:04 pm
Sylvia Mary Grech
Great list of questions! Thanks!
January 12, 2022 at 2:02 pm
cristina ergunay
thank you for the great advice, benson – and WHAT a character, i can’t wait to read about anzu!!!!
January 12, 2022 at 2:05 pm
Lauri Meyers
love this series of questions for finding out more about a character.
January 12, 2022 at 6:44 pm
Tonnye Fletcher
Anzu is precious! He is my kind of kaiju! :-). I’m no artist, but I love using art as a jumping off point for stories — and phrases/words, too! These questions will be super-helpful as we generate lots of great ideas! Thank you so much!
January 13, 2022 at 9:31 am
Debbie Austin
Thank you, Benson, for your list of questions for how to create an idea from a picture. Btw, Anzu is adorable!
January 13, 2022 at 11:12 am
Gabriella Aldeman
I love Anzu already! Thanks for the insight.
January 13, 2022 at 12:52 pm
suzannepoulterharris
Great questions! I think I might find a few ideas from this post. Thanks! And Anzu looks adorable,
January 13, 2022 at 1:06 pm
kaitlinsikeswrites
These are great questions! I think I’ll use them on some MS’s I’m stuck on
January 13, 2022 at 11:08 pm
writersideup
OK, knowing nothing of the language, the “sound” of “kaiju” is more friendly, right? LOVE this, Ben 😀 ❤ Thank you!
January 14, 2022 at 8:35 am
Ellen Slanczka
An awesome ramble. Over 750 comments worth! 🙂
January 14, 2022 at 9:07 am
🇵🇪 Sara Fajardo 🇺🇸 (@safajarwrites)
Wonderful list of questions. Thank you!
January 14, 2022 at 11:18 am
Julia
Thank you for the great tips for developing your story!!!
January 14, 2022 at 11:50 am
Rita Antoinette Borg
these illustrations are so beautifully childlike and precious
January 14, 2022 at 11:59 am
Krista Maxwell
Thanks for the inspiration!
January 14, 2022 at 4:51 pm
Krysta Zeiset
Wonderful ramblings, Benson! ; ) Even if I’m not an illustrator, I think it’s a great idea to sit with the character and imagine their stance and movement and how they carry themselves in the world. Love the list of questions to reflect on!
January 14, 2022 at 5:19 pm
amyrsinn
Great advice, Ben. My son is the “what if” king – lol! Anzu seems adorable — can’t wait to read the book. Thanks!
January 15, 2022 at 2:59 pm
Kelly Rice Schmitt
I really love this set of questions to use when looking at art. I may take them to a museum or use them when looking in a magazine! Thanks for this fun idea for story generation. I’m looking forward to checking out Anzu the great Kaiju.
January 15, 2022 at 5:32 pm
Leah Kessler
I love the direction “what ifs” can take me and I often forget to use that as a tool. Thank you for the reminder!
January 15, 2022 at 6:31 pm
Heather Lee
This set of questions really brings a lot of different things to mind than my usual set. Thanks so much for sharing. I think Anzu is a great character and can’t wait to read the book!
January 15, 2022 at 7:03 pm
Janet Halfmann
Our grandson loves monsters of all kinds. I need to look at some monster images and ask lots of questions to see what stories might percolate. Thanks for the inspiration.
January 16, 2022 at 1:10 am
Acamy Schleikorn
This is awesome! As an illustrator, I feel like this has definitely given me a whole new perspective!! Thank you!
January 16, 2022 at 10:20 am
ejessmurray
Benson, thank you, this was a really fruitful prompt!
January 16, 2022 at 11:39 am
Elizabeth Metz
THIS line of thinking right here is why aspiring-writer child me was obsessed with Chris Van Allsburg’s The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. Thank you, Benson. And I just put in a library request for Anzu, can’t wait to read it!
January 16, 2022 at 12:05 pm
Jolie Stekly
Looking forward to reading Anzu’s story.
January 16, 2022 at 1:12 pm
chrisynthia
Thank you for the ramble! These questions are great to get my brain juices flowing. And never was there a cuter little monster.
January 16, 2022 at 5:08 pm
Susan Cabael
I appreciate how your questions include considering the feelings. After all, connecting with emotions is truly the heart of all stories.
January 16, 2022 at 6:29 pm
Lindsay Brayden Ellis
Thanks, Benson! Great nudge to make space for new ideas.
January 16, 2022 at 6:53 pm
Yaa
Anzu is honored to meet the King. You know when you meet a person you look up. You feel like is this even real? It feels surreal. What I find interesting about the color palette is the color of Anzu’s back. There are leaves on Anzu’s back. Anzu is bowing down to the King. Anzu and the King are very happy to meet each other. The painting does not tell me what situation they are in, but I can say that maybe they met in the palace or forest. If Anzu came from a family of destroyers, then he would ruin everything he lay his hands on. Then he would be gentler with other animals. Anzu’s family be worried that he is not like them. The small animals in the forest will not be afraid of Anzu. Anzu would feel happy. His family will be disappointed in him because he is different. His family will think that Anzu is weird.
January 16, 2022 at 7:44 pm
H. Abigail Perry
As someone with an art history minor, I love your guiding questions about art!
January 16, 2022 at 7:51 pm
Dina Towbin
Love this story.
January 16, 2022 at 11:32 pm
Alexis_Bookdragon
This book looks adorable.
January 17, 2022 at 5:49 pm
maryvanderplas
I really enjoyed this post! Thank you!
January 17, 2022 at 9:24 pm
Archaa
This inspired me to look at Kaylani Juanita’s character drawings! I love her work!
January 18, 2022 at 2:16 pm
Janet Johnson
Great reminders! I loved reading all the questions you asked about Anzu.
January 18, 2022 at 11:01 pm
goodreadswithronna
This was VERY helpful, Benson. Excellent food for thought.
January 19, 2022 at 2:23 am
Mary Ann Blair
Looks like a fun book! Congrats!
January 19, 2022 at 9:15 am
scienceewriter
Your questions really define a character–good to do for any book!
January 19, 2022 at 11:55 am
Bettie Boswell
Great questions!
January 20, 2022 at 6:29 pm
Meena
I love the adorable Anzu character gently reminding us to ask ‘what if’ questions! Thank you for the wonderful tip and a sneak peak into the comical story.
January 21, 2022 at 1:22 pm
Rebecca Guzinski
Thank you for this wonderful idea!
January 23, 2022 at 1:25 am
Anna Brooks
I’m not an artist or illustrator (or even much of a sketcher), but I love being inspired by other people’s paintings and drawings. Looking forward to reading about Anzu!
January 23, 2022 at 1:52 am
Andrea
Thank you for sharing. This is a great list of questions, and I love the sound of Anzu! The picture of him appreciating the smell of the flower speaks a thousand words all by itself.
January 23, 2022 at 2:16 am
Dani Duck
This is really fun! I like the idea of coming up with an illustration and having it tell me it’s story rather than the other way around!
January 23, 2022 at 2:38 am
Kris H
Love the character!
January 23, 2022 at 6:48 am
Emma Wood
This is a great way to generate character-driven ideas. I love the look of your book!
January 23, 2022 at 10:54 am
andromeda515
I love this! It’s a great guide to digging into visual writing prompts and one that I’ll use again and again. Thank you!
~ Robin Perkins
January 23, 2022 at 12:39 pm
KATHY Z PRICE
Thank you–so much to think about!
January 25, 2022 at 8:29 am
Amanda
Asking questions is SO important! I’ve learned over the years that the questions are often more important than the answers. When we stop asking questions, we stop learning and growing…And so I’ve come to appreciate, to welcome, even encourage the ever dreaded “WHY” of a young child!
January 25, 2022 at 9:33 am
Federico Erebia / F. Jordan Erebia (@FedericoErebia)
Great ideas! Thanks
January 25, 2022 at 3:45 pm
Sylvia Chen
oh, these question prompts are awesome for brainstorming and character development, thank you so much! And *love* ANZU THE GREAT KAIJU!
January 25, 2022 at 7:00 pm
Lisa Kingsford
It was fun to see your thought process as you worked through your story. I will use your questions.
January 29, 2022 at 5:29 pm
Penny Taub
Love your idea and the list of helpful questions is perfect for a manuscript I wrote.
January 30, 2022 at 2:08 pm
kirstenpendreigh
Great post, Benson! Love your new book. Can’t decide if Sloth or Anzu is cuter! A tie!
January 30, 2022 at 2:59 pm
Jennifer
Thank you! I love your art
January 30, 2022 at 8:59 pm
Mina
Great ideas Benson! Looking forward to your book release this month 🙂
January 31, 2022 at 12:37 pm
Ana Archi
Great starter idea to ask “what if” questions about my characters.
January 31, 2022 at 5:44 pm
nataliemoralesbooks
Anzu is adorable! Thank you for sharing Benson.
January 31, 2022 at 7:30 pm
matike2209
Thank you for sharing your great tips!
January 31, 2022 at 10:29 pm
Zach Roush
Thanks for giving us a look into your thinking process behind your book!
January 31, 2022 at 10:41 pm
Jennifer Broedel
Anzu is adorable, and his conflict is perfectly relatable! Thanks for sharing a bit of your process and inspiration.
February 1, 2022 at 12:56 am
Kristin Sawyer
Exploring art and its possible meanings and inspirations and what it evokes is my jam! Love this post and will be extending my art adoration into writing inspiration. Thank you.
February 1, 2022 at 2:21 am
Terri Sabol
Thanks for sharing, Benson!
February 1, 2022 at 3:03 pm
Anne Young
I’ve been thinking frequently of this post as my photos from art museums scroll through as screensavers. Your questions make me think of them in a different way.
February 1, 2022 at 6:10 pm
Jennifer Hunt
Thank you for the list of great questions to get me started writing!