by Tammi Sauer

What is my favorite part about January?

The cold? Nope.

The snow? Nope.

A month-long storm?! ABSOLUTELY.

Storystorm is just the push I need to generate a pile of picture book ideas. Most of my ideas will be terrible, but THAT’S OKAY. If I manage to come up with even one Really Good Idea, I call that a success.

One way to come up with a potentially Really Good Idea is to start with a character.

A character can be just about anything. A child. A toaster. A yeti named Bob.

Once you have a character in mind, gently ask that character The Question:

“Hey, pal. What’s bothering you?”

Many of my books star characters who are bothered by something. I think kids like these books and the characters in them because being bothered by something is a pretty relatable experience.

KNOCK KNOCK Cover: Sidesplitting Story Fun! Bear in pajamas, sleeping cap and eye mask looking startled awake.

In KNOCK KNOCK, illustrated by Guy Francis, a bear named Harry is bothered by the fact his friends keep interrupting his attempt at hibernation.

NO BUNNIES HERE Cover: full of bunnies in a field/wood, popping out everywhere, from behind letters, in trees, in holes, EVERYWHERE!

In NO BUNNIES HERE!, illustrated by Ross Burach, the main bunny is bothered by the worry a wolf wants to gobble him and his bunny friends all up.

MAKING A FRIEND Cover: Beaver in plaid coat and scarf rolling a large snowball.

In MAKING A FRIEND, illustrated by Alison Friend, Beaver is bothered by the fact he has difficulty making a friend.

NOT NOW COW Cover - a winter scene with a chicken and falling snow with Cow in summer attire and sunglasses

In NOT NOW, COW, illustrated by Troy Cummings, Rooster is bothered by the fact Cow cannot get on board with the seasons.

***Keep in mind that not all main characters will have a problem or a want, but many do.***

Now, since January and Storystorm are coming to a close, you might already have a ridiculously big pile of ideas. Gold star for you! Even so, I want to challenge you to add just a few more to the mix. Maybe one of these will end up being a Really Good Idea.

Homework:

  • Jot down a list of three characters.
  • Ask each of these characters The Question.

Extra Credit:

Grab a fresh batch of books from the bookstore or library. Pay attention to the main character. Are any of these main characters dealing with a problem or wanting something? Jot down that problem or want. Maybe someone wants a pet squash. Maybe someone is a zombie who’s looking for love. Maybe someone is an avocado having an existential crisis. Keep in mind that reading—and analyzing!—other people’s books are two great ways to inspire you to write books of your own.

 

Tammi Sauer, a former teacher and library media specialist, is a full-time children’s book author who presents at schools and conferences across the country. She has 35 published picture books, including her two latest, MARY HAD A LITTLE PLAN and THE UNDERPANTS. Tammi’s books have received awards, earned starred reviews, made lists, been developed into musicals, and been translated into many different languages. Most importantly, kids really like her books! To learn more about Tammi and her books, please visit TammiSauer.com and follow her on Twitter at @SauerTammi and Instagram at @tammisauer.

Tammi is offering THREE things! She’s so nice!

THE UNDERPANTS Cover - many animals tucked into one large pair of white briefs MARY HAD A LITTLE PLAN Cover - Mary is black with dark pigtails, holding a broom and with a barrel filled with gardening items, standing between two trees

  • Thing 1: a copy of THE UNDERPANTS (Scholastic Press), illustrated by Joren Cull
  • Thing 2: a copy of MARY HAD A LITTLE PLAN (Union Square Kids), illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
  • Thing 3: a picture book critique

You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm 2023 participant and you have commented only once on today’s blog post. ↓

Prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of Storystorm.

BONUS! READ TAMMI’S STORYSTORM TIPS FROM YEARS PAST!

* Tara has invited Tammi to post every year because Tammi was the first author to say “yes” to guest posting when PiBoIdMo/Storystorm began a dozen years ago (when Tara was unpublished and many people did not return her emails then). Tara owes Tammi BIG TIME.