by Alan Silberberg
Alan is a cartoonist and writer who loves making funny food books for kids. P is for PASTRAMI – The ABCs of JEWISH FOOD keeps company with MEET THE LATKES, MEET THE MATZAH and MEET THE HAMANTASHEN (Viking/ Penguin Random House). His new book, THE BAGEL WHO WANTED EVERYTHING will be published Summer 2025 followed by THE FALAFEL WHO FELT AWFUL in 2026.
His illustrated middle-grade novel, MILO; STICKY NOTES & BRAIN FREEZE won the SCBWI Sid Fleischman Humor Award.
Alan is from Boston but happily lives in Montreal.
He likes chocolate chip cookies.
Learn more at SilberBooks.com and follow him on Instagram @alan_silberberg.
Alan Silberberg is giving away a signed copy of one of his books, one lucky winner’s choice.
You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm 2025 participant and you have commented only once below.
Prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of Storystorm.
Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) 
469 comments
Comments feed for this article
January 13, 2025 at 8:03 am
sburdorf
I LOVE the creative cartoon way this was put together! I get ideas from everywhere too. It is like they float in the air above my head and I just reach up and pluck one like an apple off a tree (not really, but the image is pretty cool). Thank you for a fun start to a Monday. Susan Burdorf
January 13, 2025 at 8:04 am
thecrowsmap
Alan, this post is so much fun! Your books sound like a hoot, too:) Thanks,
Gail Hartman
January 13, 2025 at 8:07 am
peaceharrison
This made me smile early in the morning…going to be a good day!
January 13, 2025 at 8:10 am
melissajmiles1
The bagel who wanted everything! Love it. Thanks for sharing how you get ideas from literally everywhere. 🙂
January 13, 2025 at 8:12 am
elyset20
What a fun way to give advice and it made me smile. Plus I’ll remember it. Thank you. I’d love a copy of your book
January 13, 2025 at 8:12 am
elyset20
What a fun way to give advice and it made me smile. Plus I’ll remember it. Thank you. I’d love a copy of your book
January 13, 2025 at 8:13 am
Cathy Lentes
How fun! And funny, Alan. Thanks for the early morning smile.😊
January 13, 2025 at 8:13 am
margaretsmn
Thanks for the fun cartoons. What a way to wake up my brain this Monday morning!
January 13, 2025 at 8:13 am
Joyce P. Uglow
Alan, I’m off to build an idea spinner. Thanks
January 13, 2025 at 8:14 am
natashaffdfd87f06
what brilliant cartoons! I especially love ‘nap time’.
January 13, 2025 at 8:14 am
Andrea Mack
Thanks for a fun way to hunt for ideas!
January 13, 2025 at 8:15 am
Kelly Hibbert
Like a giant chocolate chip cookie wheel of ideas – you really can’t lose. Thanks for hosting, Alan.
January 13, 2025 at 8:16 am
lynnpesicka
Thank you for the inspiration for ideas.
January 13, 2025 at 8:20 am
almosttenacious288198703d
This is one of those serendipitous moments for me… thank you for sharing in your own unique way. You’ve helped me start my day with the guidance I needed. 🙂
January 13, 2025 at 8:21 am
Danette
A very refreshing, succinct, informative, inspirational blog post. Thank you!
January 13, 2025 at 8:23 am
Bridgitte Rodguez
I love this graphic! Such a fun way to think of ideas! Thanks.
January 13, 2025 at 8:30 am
Dionna
So fun!
January 13, 2025 at 8:34 am
migratingmoosegmailcom
Great advice & love the illustrations! I can’t wait to read about the bagel who wanted everything
January 13, 2025 at 8:34 am
sblotevogel
what fun visuals to get the brain juices flowing on this Monday morning!
January 13, 2025 at 8:37 am
pathaap
So true! Many of my ideas just pop up unexpectedly when I’m focused on something else.
January 13, 2025 at 8:39 am
Tanya ♡
Soooo much FUN!
January 13, 2025 at 8:39 am
Elizabeth Volkmann
What a fun Monday post! Thank you!
January 13, 2025 at 8:41 am
Linda Evans Hofke
i like that you approached this is a visual way. And it gave me an idea. Thanks!
January 13, 2025 at 8:42 am
tinamcho
Fun post! Thanks for sharing how you find ideas!
January 13, 2025 at 8:43 am
Deborah Agranat Sullivan
Nothing better than starting the week off with a fun game! Thanks for the inspiration, Alan!
January 13, 2025 at 8:45 am
Jany Campana
Thanks Alan for getting my ideas flowing!!!
January 13, 2025 at 8:52 am
ConstanceL
Thank you, Alan, for an extra fun and inspiring post! I love your inventive titles!
January 13, 2025 at 8:52 am
nigel8it
I love the titles of your books! I will be looking them up to see the humor I expect to see inside after reading your creative post.
January 13, 2025 at 8:52 am
nigel8it
I love the titles of your books! I will be looking them up to see the humor I expect to see inside after reading your creative post.
January 13, 2025 at 8:54 am
JenFW
Hmmm. If I take something from each panel I get the following: Plucky Dingle the bagel got stuck in a book and had to beat fish at their own game to find a way out. Hey! Don’t judge! It’s an idea. 🙂
January 13, 2025 at 8:55 am
hansenjc13
Love love love this!!
January 13, 2025 at 8:56 am
Sallye O'Rourke
I need to remember that “Being stuck is part of the process!”
January 13, 2025 at 8:58 am
Colleen Owen Murphy
Oh my goodness! What a fun way to start the morning! I love your illustrations and your advice. I definitely need to bookmark this page for future inspiration. Thank you for sharing Alan.
January 13, 2025 at 9:00 am
BirdinaCage
what to do if you miss the catch…though come to think of it, i played a game as a child where you never caught anything… [scribbles idea down]
January 13, 2025 at 9:01 am
Melissa Rafson Friedman
love the cartoons today!
January 13, 2025 at 9:04 am
hmkingman
“Feeling stuck is part of the process!!” Thank you for that reminder and the visual is forever in my imagination- so glad the face was enthusiastic! ; )
January 13, 2025 at 9:09 am
Jennifer
Thank you for the fun start! Love the idea wheel concept. Maybe I’ll give it a spin. 😉
January 13, 2025 at 9:11 am
gregoryfulgione
Alan, this was a great post to wake up to! Your creative cartoons made me smile. I agree that story ideas are everywhere & I may even check out the cartoon section of our Sunday newspaper before I throw the paper out.
January 13, 2025 at 9:12 am
Susan Glick
Storystorm makes the process of finding ideas easier! I look back over my lists when I feel stuck.
January 13, 2025 at 9:14 am
ralucasirbu
That is genius, Alan: the bagel that wants everything. Point well made: Some things stare at us in the face and just wait to be picked up. Thank you for distilling where to look and getting inspiration. Can hardly wait to read your book.
January 13, 2025 at 9:17 am
leslieevatayloe
Thanks for sharing. Most of my ideas come from my morning walks. At that time, my mind is free of cluttler.
January 13, 2025 at 9:19 am
amyhouts
Hi Alan, What a fun way to start my day. Your cartoons resonated with me. I like the food themes of your picture books. Congrats on your award!
January 13, 2025 at 9:19 am
lisakpav
Thanks for a fun, inspiring cartoon this Monday morning! Random titles often pop into my head. Time to start paying attention to them!
January 13, 2025 at 9:21 am
christym1234
Thanks for the fun cartoon today! 🙂
January 13, 2025 at 9:23 am
cherylmsimon
Thanks for the burst of creativity. You are inspiring me to revisit an old idea! And I can’t wait to read your books. Thank you.
January 13, 2025 at 9:23 am
Aileen Stewart
Love the name Plucky Dingle, lol. Thanks for sharing.
January 13, 2025 at 9:27 am
Robin Brett Wechsler
Fun inspiration, Alan! You made me smile, and I’m excited about all your books.
January 13, 2025 at 9:27 am
gisellesellierjones
Deceptively short! I say that because it is packed full of information…way beyond its length!
Thank you
January 13, 2025 at 9:30 am
Matt Forrest Esenwine
It’s good to know that “feeling stuck is part of the process” – because that means I’m processing it like a Boss.
😀
January 13, 2025 at 9:33 am
steveheron
Proceless. Where can I get one of those spinning wheel thingos?
Steve Heron Cheeky Magpie
January 13, 2025 at 9:34 am
steveheron
spellcheck missed that one “Priceless”. Think I’ll make a spinner.
January 13, 2025 at 9:35 am
Gail Aherne
Alan, thank you for starting us off on great visuals to spark creativity! I’m looking forward to THE BAGEL WHO WANTED EVERYTHING.
January 13, 2025 at 9:35 am
cathystenquist
Oh my goodness, this post is awesome! We need more illustrators to chime in here. Thank you so much for this great inspiration. I love the title, “The Bagel who Wanted Everything”. How perfect is that? I’m gonna go look through my spice cabinet for inspiration 🙂
January 13, 2025 at 9:37 am
michelleleewritesmagic
Another reminder to PLAY PLAY PLAY! That’s why we are writers!
January 13, 2025 at 9:39 am
Melissa Morgenlander
Um, HELLO! I’m a jew from Brooklyn! Of COURSE I want all of these books! Great tips, Alan!
January 13, 2025 at 9:43 am
Kristen Indahl
What a fun read. Love the wheel of inspiration – thanks, Alan! Can’t wait to read about the bagel. And I think Plucky Dingle needs to come to life!
January 13, 2025 at 9:44 am
Cathy Ballou Mealey
Alan, I hope you write the PLUCKY DINGLE book soon!
January 13, 2025 at 9:49 am
Sydnie Kleinhenz
A bit of mushegaas turns into gefilte fish! Delicious inspiration. Thank you.
January 13, 2025 at 9:50 am
Viviane Elbee
I love how your idea game is illustrated in a fun way! Thanks for sharing your process and I am looking forward to checking out your books.
January 13, 2025 at 9:51 am
karenleewyoming
Oh, for your artistic gift and humor! Insecurity, indecision, indigestion–sounds like you’ve been spying on me! I love the wheel to spin to help boost morale and ideas. Thank you!
January 13, 2025 at 9:52 am
theliah1
Hello. This is such fun post. Congratulations on your success. I love your ideas on getting an ideas.
January 13, 2025 at 9:56 am
Dayne Sislen, Children's Book Illustrator
You are so funny. I love your cartoons. Thanks for the advice.
January 13, 2025 at 9:58 am
mphollinsheadyahoocom
A good lesson on what you can do with silliness. Thanks.
January 13, 2025 at 10:00 am
Bri Lawyer
This may have been the coolest Storystorm post ever! Those graphics were amazing and informative. Your story The Bagel Who Wanted Everything sounds hilarious! I will definitely need to read that this summer!
January 13, 2025 at 10:01 am
schumerthc
Plucky Dingle!!!! I’ll be waiting for that book!!! Amazing name.
January 13, 2025 at 10:01 am
maureenegan
In your honor I will make (and eat) chocolate chip cookies today.
January 13, 2025 at 10:02 am
meganewhitaker21
Great post-succinct and informative! I think I need to make my own spin the wheel!
January 13, 2025 at 10:02 am
Lucretia Schafroth
What a fun way to convey your insights for generating ideas–very engaging! Thanks for sharing your process through humor and memorable art work.
January 13, 2025 at 10:04 am
Carrie Logsdon McCullough
Love, Love, LOVE this! I’m so glad I’m not the only one who writes a lot of stories when a funny title pops in my head.
January 13, 2025 at 10:05 am
reedandwritekids
I’m a huge fan of puns and word play great titles!
January 13, 2025 at 10:07 am
coachrochelle
This made me smile! Thank you!
January 13, 2025 at 10:12 am
Melissa Stoller
Hi Alan – what a fun post! I love your books and look forward to The Bagel Who Wanted Everything (the best title!). Congratulations!
January 13, 2025 at 10:16 am
Reni Macarelli
Alan, thank you for your post and the fun cartoons! I printed out the “Just remember – Feeling start is part of the process” one and hung it up at my desk. Looking forward to reading The Bagel Who Wanted EVERYTHING.
January 13, 2025 at 10:19 am
rosecappelli
Love your title – The Bagel Who Wanted Everything. Sounds like a lot of fun!
January 13, 2025 at 10:20 am
millerritam
Just what I needed this morning. Thanks, Alan.
January 13, 2025 at 10:22 am
robincurrie1
Totally LOVE this presentation – out of the stuck muck we can always pluck luck!
January 13, 2025 at 10:24 am
Sheri Delgado Preston
Ha, ha, love the silly name idea. I really want to read your bagel book! Congrats on everything.
January 13, 2025 at 10:24 am
Susan
“Insecurity, Indecision, Indigestion..” Hilarious! (Also very true.) Thank you for the pep talk!
January 13, 2025 at 10:27 am
stefsenn77yahoocom
Thanks for the chuckles, Alan!
January 13, 2025 at 10:27 am
Rachelle Burk
I love the title of those books! What a fun post. I hope some of these books will become PJ Library selections.
January 13, 2025 at 10:29 am
Deborah Buschman
I love coming up with a title first and then build a story around it. I love the Bagel Who Wanted Everything.
January 13, 2025 at 10:29 am
shubamohan
fun!
January 13, 2025 at 10:30 am
Midge Ballou Smith
Fun read to start my day! Thanks, Alan!
January 13, 2025 at 10:33 am
tanjabauerle
I love your art. I’m inspired to sketch ideas instead of writing them now. 😊 Thank you for a fabulous start to the week. T
January 13, 2025 at 10:34 am
mlflannigan
Love these!!! Thank you!
January 13, 2025 at 10:34 am
eleanorannpeterson
I love chocolate chip cookies, and have a great recipe too. I lived in Montreal years ago as a kid. Congrats on your MG novel. PS I live in Italy, therefore I don’t think it would be convenient for you to send a sighed copy in case I win. Just a thought. Take care.
January 13, 2025 at 10:45 am
Helen Waters
Thanks for a fun idea-generating set of visuals! My brain is a’churning… btw I’d love to follow your Boston-to-Montreal lead! Loved it when I visited.
January 13, 2025 at 10:48 am
Sonja McGiboney
As someone else said on the blog (of which I still can’t seem to comment) , this is a terrific post to wake up to. Wow, I’ll have to look at his books too. They look FUN. Thank you for sharing his tips.
Yours, Sonja McGiboney Author & Photographer
January 13, 2025 at 10:49 am
cindyrivka
Hi Alan! How fun to see your post here! Thanks for your humor and your prompts!
January 13, 2025 at 10:51 am
Leah Moser
Love this cartoon! Thanks for this post.
January 13, 2025 at 10:53 am
Linda KulpTrout
A fun way to start my morning! Thank you!
January 13, 2025 at 10:54 am
karenrafeedie
I think this is one of my favorite StoryStorm posts of all time! So inspiring and FUN. Also, your upcoming BAGEL WHO WANTED EVERYTHING sounds amazing.
January 13, 2025 at 10:57 am
kathleengauer
I enjoy chocolate chip cookies too and would love to read your award-winning, illustrated middle grade novel MILO; STICKY NOTES & BRAIN FREEZE.
January 13, 2025 at 10:57 am
lbsimaginarium
Thank you for sharing your post with these wonderful cartoons! My story ideas usually start visually through drawings then comes the words.
January 13, 2025 at 10:59 am
saintamovin
Thank you Alan…pictures inspire…😍
January 13, 2025 at 11:06 am
readmybook2002
What a fun take on receiving ideas for a book. Seeing your drawings, you do have a wonderful gift of crafting fun books for the children. You’re on my reading list.
January 13, 2025 at 11:06 am
thehugbooks
Thank you for the humor! Smiling helps ideas flow!
January 13, 2025 at 11:11 am
Christine Van Zandt, MILKWEED FOR MONARCHS (Beaming Books, 2024)
Thanks for the laughs! I enjoyed reading about this as comic.
January 13, 2025 at 11:12 am
kirstenbockblog
Love your comics! The Bagel Who Wanted Everything sounds hilarious. Can’t wait to read it!
January 13, 2025 at 11:12 am
marty
You get the user-friendly award for this dynamite cartoon post! You could definitely sell your books with the titles alone. Hilarious! Looking forward to reading them all. Thank you for posting.
Thank you, Tara, for inviting Alan to post in StoryStorm 2025.
January 13, 2025 at 11:14 am
abby mumford
The humor! The cartoons! But most importantly, the empathy. This post slays!
January 13, 2025 at 11:14 am
joanwaites
What a fun post and great advice for generating ideas!
January 13, 2025 at 11:15 am
Angel Gantnier
Thank you for sharing your humor =)
January 13, 2025 at 11:18 am
Debbie Moeller
Wow, Alan! What a clever post! I’m going to make one of those wheels! You’ve given some story starters-going to see if our crit group can come up with some more! Former teacher here-putting it together, right down to the lamination and spinner, is a piece of cake (or a chocolate chip cookie). Thanks for sharing and congrats on your upcoming books.
January 13, 2025 at 11:23 am
E.H. Perry
love the illustrations!
January 13, 2025 at 11:23 am
Stephanie Wildman
You had me at “likes chocolate chip cookies” (well actually before that), but that would be my title. Congrats on your books, delighted to be introduced to them.
January 13, 2025 at 11:24 am
Laura Renauld
Haha! Love your humor and pithy inspiration. Especially “Nap Time”. 🙂
January 13, 2025 at 11:24 am
stephanie buosi
I love the idea of starting with a silly name and going from there! Sometimes my ideas come from a character I just happen to randomly doodle.
January 13, 2025 at 11:25 am
jbbower
Thank you, Alan! The idea game. What a fun game to play! Love your illustrations. Thank you for an inspiring — and fun — post!
January 13, 2025 at 11:27 am
chris109shestak
THE FILAFEL WHO FELT AWFUL (snicker)
January 13, 2025 at 11:30 am
rachelcritchleya061056d76
Love the cartoons and the Idea Game. Thanks for the inspiration.
January 13, 2025 at 11:31 am
Hélène Sabourin
Very creative post. Idea is the name of the game.
January 13, 2025 at 11:31 am
Annie Guerra
Nice visual presentation of ideas.💡 ani guerra
January 13, 2025 at 11:32 am
amybeth349
I loved how the ideas about”ideas” were written as comics! Great tips! You have me thinking about silly rhyming names and funny titles. Thanks as always.
January 13, 2025 at 11:32 am
bookclubhbhs
Your post content and format has me feeling extremely inspired and motivated to brainstorm today! Thank you so much! I’m following you on IG now and my daughter and I are excited to read about THE BAGEL WHO WANTED EVERYTHING! Your work looks brilliant!
January 13, 2025 at 11:34 am
andreesantini
I loved your cartoon presentation. What can I say, so many ideas and at the moment I have no idea. Maybe I’ll cartoon about it. Thanks.
January 13, 2025 at 11:34 am
kdrhowley
Thanks for a fun post! Looking forward to the new book!!
January 13, 2025 at 11:35 am
Katie Marie
An illustrated Storystorm post! Thank you for the Day 12 boost.
—Katie Marie
January 13, 2025 at 11:36 am
sheriradovich0384
Silly ideas are as good a start as anything and can be worked with until the laughing stops and you get down to real possibilities.
January 13, 2025 at 11:37 am
Karin Larson
Ideas are indeed everywhere. Thanks for the fun post!
January 13, 2025 at 11:38 am
sue macartney
Love the visuals – what a fresh and fun way to inspire ideas! Congratulations on your upcoming releases.
January 13, 2025 at 11:44 am
Mona Pease
Oooooooooh! This is fun! For some unknown reason I came up with a new story idea, so thanks so much for this humorous post!
January 13, 2025 at 11:47 am
Andrea Wearne
I usually start with a title.
Andrea Wearne
January 13, 2025 at 11:50 am
cassiazaven
Thank you for the post. I enjoyed it.
January 13, 2025 at 11:52 am
Tracey Kiff-Judson
Alan, your cartoons are hilarious! Thank you for the wonderful tips!
January 13, 2025 at 11:56 am
Writer on the run
I didn’t want the illustrations to stop! Thanks for the post! Now I’m going to find my idea for today!
January 13, 2025 at 11:57 am
littleseedsread
So cleverly conveyed. Thank you!
January 13, 2025 at 12:00 pm
ginaperry2013
Thank you, Alan. This was great. I especially enjoyed ‘feeling stuck is part of the process’.
January 13, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Jenn Gaulding
THE FALAFEL WHO FELT AWFUL must have started as a title, too. Brilliant! Can’t wait to read it!
January 13, 2025 at 12:02 pm
Juli Jones
Thanks for the light-hearted humorous post! I feel totally lifted up and energized in having your spin the wheel guide my way to an idea today.
January 13, 2025 at 12:04 pm
bevbaird
Thank you for a lovely way to start the morning – with a chuckle or three. Great ideas. Love your artwork!
January 13, 2025 at 12:05 pm
Writer on the run
I didn’t want the illustrations to stop! thanks for the post! I am off to find my idea for today!
January 13, 2025 at 12:11 pm
judyrubin13
Thank you, Alan. Your illustrations are the perfect prompt for today’s idea. Your illustrations are perfect.
January 13, 2025 at 12:11 pm
roundswrite
What a fun way to think about ideas! You made me laugh! Thank you!
January 13, 2025 at 12:12 pm
anchance
This was great. Thank you!
January 13, 2025 at 12:17 pm
Amy Fellner Dominy
Love your post except it made me hungry! (Personally, I’ve never met a latke I didn’t love.) Thank you so much!
January 13, 2025 at 12:19 pm
Shirley fadden
Fun illustrations. Love a bagel who wants everything! Thanks.
January 13, 2025 at 12:22 pm
Lynne Marie
Love this inspiring and visual post. Such fun and such good points!
January 13, 2025 at 12:27 pm
Daryl Gottier
Thanks so much for the smiles, and prompts!
January 13, 2025 at 12:27 pm
shanna813aab5a4c
Such fun, thanks!
January 13, 2025 at 12:32 pm
Matthew Lasley
These graphics are so great! And thank you for coming up with idea generating methods. I am going to think on this and try to come up with a few more today!
January 13, 2025 at 12:32 pm
kurtzmom548513
Loved the format as well as the content! The everything bagel idea was my favorite. Thanks so much!
January 13, 2025 at 12:33 pm
A. McKay
Your post made me giggle, and your titles are wonderful! Love the reminder that just a title can be a launching point for a book. Thanks!
January 13, 2025 at 12:35 pm
erozmus
LOL! I was watching a cooking show and the name of an ingredient caught my ear… and I had an idea. They do come from anywhere! You are correct!
January 13, 2025 at 12:36 pm
DTDelosh
Thanks for the visuals and the Humor!!!
January 13, 2025 at 12:37 pm
Terri C
Thanks for the creativity inspiration today!
January 13, 2025 at 12:37 pm
Barbara Schlosser Hill
Wow – thank you for the great visuals this morning. Ideas are everywhere – even when cleaning the house! Thank you.
January 13, 2025 at 12:40 pm
debjohnson21
Oh my! Thank you for sharing the fantastic visuals, inspiring humor, and creative thoughts! I am looking forward to reading your book!
January 13, 2025 at 12:40 pm
Michelle S Kennedy
Your illustrations are so much fun and add to the humor of the text. I love how you only had a title and were able to create a book from it and a funny name that you created a full character from. Thanks for sharing these!
January 13, 2025 at 12:44 pm
vijikc
How Fun!!Sent from my iPad
January 13, 2025 at 12:47 pm
Poupette
Hahaha! Thanks for the haliarious encouragement. Love how your Book-Toons simplify writing and drawing challenges, too.
January 13, 2025 at 12:50 pm
jenabenton
I love this! Thank you for sharing.
January 13, 2025 at 12:51 pm
Laurie Bouck
I SOOO enjoyed your post! Your humour and inspiration are much appreciated. Thank you!
January 13, 2025 at 12:52 pm
aubreyalliethewriter
Love this!! 😃😃
January 13, 2025 at 12:53 pm
LLStauffer
Hey, I like chocolate chip cookies too!
☺️
January 13, 2025 at 12:53 pm
phyllisharris50
I loved that your post was mostly visual! As an author/illustrator, I too think in images. Thanks so much for the fun insight!
January 13, 2025 at 12:53 pm
mpray495
I love the visuals in Alan’s post! Fun to read AND helpful except now I need a bagel and some chocolate chip cookies…
January 13, 2025 at 12:54 pm
marshaelyn
Alan, Your illustrations “are worth a thousand words” of encouragement for us. Thank you for sharing your process. It would be inspiring for us to each create our own wheel that would prompt us when we’re stuck or when we stumble in self-doubt. Sending you energy and “best luck” for your next book…
January 13, 2025 at 12:58 pm
shaunessysinnett
This put a smile on my face! Thanks, Alan!
January 13, 2025 at 1:05 pm
8catpaws
THE KOALA WHO BAKED A CHALLAH… THE KNISH WHO MADE A WISH… THE PASTRAMI WHO NEEDED A MOMMY… I’m having a good time making a rhyme!
January 13, 2025 at 1:05 pm
Bettie
Super creative way to make some great points.
January 13, 2025 at 1:08 pm
rindabeach
Thanks for putting a lot of play in this post, along with a nugget of truth – stuck is part of the process 🙂
January 13, 2025 at 1:10 pm
serendipityinstars
Such a fun post using illustrations as a way to say ideas are truly all around us. A lot of my ideas start with just a title. I looked up all of your books and added them to my list.
January 13, 2025 at 1:12 pm
1marth1
A reminder to keep our sense of humor…the ideas will come to us. I like your visual explanation. It’s fun and almost a picture book in style. Thanks for keeping it lighthearted.
January 13, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Charles Trevino
Great titles! THE FALAFEL WHO FELT AWFUL made me laugh out loud. Thank you.
January 13, 2025 at 1:19 pm
Carmen Swick-Author
This was a fun read! I did get the title of my forth coming book and now working on the outline.
January 13, 2025 at 1:21 pm
laurelneme
Cute cartoons! Love the reminder that feeling stuck is part of the process.
January 13, 2025 at 1:21 pm
markceilley
These are great ways to generate story ideas! And fun too! I used Tara’s book, ABSURD WORDS as a starting point to come up with unusual words that could be used in titles or be the main focus of the story.
January 13, 2025 at 1:29 pm
Laurie Seaford
Just like a good PB, your post imparted so much with so few words. I’m curious to hear more about your “nap time” suggestion. Your titles pull me in — so clever! Thank you for the fun post.
January 13, 2025 at 1:30 pm
shellschaub
Alan, as a visual learner, I really appreciated this post told through graphic frames! Can’t wait for your bagel and falafel stories to come out. You had me at the titles! -Michelle Schaub
January 13, 2025 at 1:35 pm
loriwilliamswriting
Love this! Very funny way to present such a needed way to come up with ideas. Graphics are great and the message is even greater!
January 13, 2025 at 1:41 pm
Donna Cangelosi
Such a fun way to start the week. Thank you!
January 13, 2025 at 1:46 pm
stephaniealterjones
Alan, what perfect visuals and a perfect message for me today – ideas are stuck-ish. I mean, I might have a title and nothing else, but you show how that can be the starting place! Thanks.
January 13, 2025 at 1:46 pm
Trine Grillo
Fun post! I’m working on trying to write more humor. It doesn’t come easy to me, but your ideas help.
January 13, 2025 at 1:57 pm
Angie
Love the cartoons! Those alone kick off the idea game! And Montreal. Love that city! Thanks for the jump start!
January 13, 2025 at 1:59 pm
fortress11art
I’m feeling the chocolate chip cookie prompt, too! Great visual discussion, Alan, thank you!! ! Very timely, as my journaling has evolved in the last 3 months, or so. Finding I am a blend of art & words. -‘Blessings’-
January 13, 2025 at 2:04 pm
Elayne
What a fun post! Thank you so much for sharing, Alan!
January 13, 2025 at 2:05 pm
Lisa Riddiough
Hilarious!! Thank you, Alan!!
January 13, 2025 at 2:11 pm
Marie Prins
Thanks for posting your cartoon approach to generating ideas! It gave me the idea to Google your books and I found one my grandson will probably love. 🙂
January 13, 2025 at 2:11 pm
Adriana Gutierrez
I enjoyed the funny graphics. I have yet to start a story with a title. Maybe I’ll try that today. Thank you!
January 13, 2025 at 2:15 pm
Sue Heavenrich
what a fun post! I especially love the spinner – and knowing that feeling stuck is totally normal. Thanks, Alan!
January 13, 2025 at 2:15 pm
Cathy Stefanec Ogren
Clever post!
January 13, 2025 at 2:17 pm
Judy Y
Love, love, love this post. The inclusion of indigestion made me laugh out loud. I look forward to noshing on your books. Thanks, Alan!
January 13, 2025 at 2:23 pm
nrompella
Brilliant post–I love how short it is but impactful.
January 13, 2025 at 2:24 pm
kiwijenny
I like chocolate chip cookies too. I never thought of food having such a pull. You must write when you’re famished.
thanks
January 13, 2025 at 2:26 pm
clairebobrow
I’m a huge fan of silly books and silly ideas, so I loved this post. Your cartoons are hilarious, and I especially appreciate the inclusion of “Naptime” on your wheel 🙂 Time to jump over to my public library website to start requesting your books – thanks for a great post, Alan!
January 13, 2025 at 2:31 pm
Natalie Lynn Tanner
ALAN: I LOVE this visual INSPIRATION for finding book ideas. And yes, I, too have had bouts of INDIGESTION along with insecurity and indecision during the writing process. I guess it just comes with the territory—er, GAME! Make a game of it! THAT’S it, really. MAKE IT FUN, just like you did with this post. THANK YOU!!!
PS: I am hoping PLUCKY DINGLE will have a story. I’m already EXCITED for his/her adventures!
January 13, 2025 at 2:32 pm
kellyleedoyle
Oh I love this!! Some of my Storystorm ideas are titles. Thank you for the reminder that being stuck is part of the process!
January 13, 2025 at 2:34 pm
Claudia Sloan
I like bagels with everything too :-). Congrats on your upcoming book!
January 13, 2025 at 2:34 pm
cathy
Love your illustrations and the reminder that ideas are all around us.
January 13, 2025 at 2:41 pm
kamalani3
Geesh, Plucky Dingle looks like my in-lawʻs pet duck (gotta find that beret!) Thanks for the inspiration,
January 13, 2025 at 2:41 pm
fortunatelymango1b9bf8d04a
Love this! I have phrases and titles. It’s time to put them into a story.
January 13, 2025 at 2:44 pm
jimchaize1
Love The Idea Game. Thanks.
January 13, 2025 at 2:50 pm
Brenna Jeanneret
Yes!! And love that you won a humor award and that there is such a thing as a humor award!!
January 13, 2025 at 2:55 pm
Sherry Edgeberg
Fun! Your humor shines through! Congratulations on the Sid Fleischman Humor Award.
January 13, 2025 at 3:01 pm
mommamoocow
I love your humor!
Sharon Nix Jones
January 13, 2025 at 3:18 pm
Ellen Leventhal
Thanks for the reminder that ideas are all around!
January 13, 2025 at 3:31 pm
Rebecca Colby
Such a fun post and I loved all the idea games!
January 13, 2025 at 3:34 pm
Diane O'Neill
Thank you! I love the reminder that feeling stuck is part of the process 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement!
January 13, 2025 at 3:35 pm
Karen Gebbia
What Fun! Thank you!
January 13, 2025 at 3:40 pm
rosihollinbeck
Very cute post with lots of inspiration. Thanks.
January 13, 2025 at 3:42 pm
Teresa Rodrigues
Such a fun post! Thanks for sharing, Alan and congrats on your award and books!
January 13, 2025 at 3:43 pm
Alison McGauley
Thank you for the entertaining encouragement! THE BAGEL WHO WANTED EVERYTHING sounds hilarious. Can’t wait to check it out!
January 13, 2025 at 3:45 pm
Svapna Sabnis
love this and the cartoons
January 13, 2025 at 3:47 pm
Lynn Baldwin
What a fun post!
January 13, 2025 at 4:04 pm
Sarah Hetu-Radny
love the idea game, thank you Alan!
January 13, 2025 at 4:04 pm
heidikyates
I love this entertaining and helpful post! Thank you, Alan!
January 13, 2025 at 4:05 pm
storyfairy
It’s true. Ideas can come from anywhere.
January 13, 2025 at 4:09 pm
JoLynne Whalen
This post cracked me up! Thanks for sharing your silly ideas!!!
January 13, 2025 at 4:11 pm
Fiona Bannatyne
Can’t beat a bit of humour with the advice! Brightened my day, thank you.
January 13, 2025 at 4:11 pm
paulajbecker
Ha ha! I start with book covers or just characters, too! Love your cartoon style post! Thanks for that!
PS: And as much as I like Montreal bagels, they need salt. Sorry-not sorry! ; D
January 13, 2025 at 4:13 pm
Kaye Baillie
What fun prompts!! Thank you Alan!
January 13, 2025 at 4:17 pm
tinefg
Love love LOVE this, short to the point and with pictures!! Thank you Alan — now you have me thinking I need to add doodles to all my silly name/great title/fun images Storystorm ideas. Congratulations on your upcoming coming book releases.
January 13, 2025 at 4:28 pm
emmelineforrestal
Great illustrations and great post! (PS I, too, love coming up with random titles to see where they take me!)
January 13, 2025 at 4:32 pm
amandalittleauthor
So much fun! Thanks for the encouragement.
January 13, 2025 at 4:34 pm
bkidd8
Thanks for the reminder about using something silly to spark the imagination, Alan. Kudos!
January 13, 2025 at 4:34 pm
Laurie Elmquist
I loved this! Bring on the cartoons. Thank you, Alan, for taking such a light-hearted approach.
January 13, 2025 at 4:38 pm
Danna Smith
Thanks, Alan, for your post. Silly prompts are much needed as we near mid Story Storm and my brain is in a “Plucky Dingle” 🙂
January 13, 2025 at 4:57 pm
lzgodfrey
Thanks for the great suggestions via your hilarious illustrations and tools! Congrats on your success.
January 13, 2025 at 5:01 pm
Leslie Santamaria
Such a fun post, Alan!
January 13, 2025 at 5:09 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
What a fun, encouraging post! I loved the change up of illustrations for today’s post. Thank you so much!
January 13, 2025 at 5:10 pm
jenweingardt
Thank you for your fun-filled advice post. I enjoyed your website, especially the famous authors’ animated writing advice section called Write On!
January 13, 2025 at 5:10 pm
jumpbaby
Love the visuals! Thanks.
Cheryl A. Johnson
January 13, 2025 at 5:11 pm
smfossett
I needed this post today. Fun, easy and engaging. I’m printing some of your graphics to add to my writing journal. Thank you!
January 13, 2025 at 5:14 pm
juliejelliebean
Silly names are the best and “plucky dingle” is a really fun one! Thanks for the tips.
January 13, 2025 at 5:16 pm
jhall2018
Such a fun, creative post!
I was virtually hosting an international writers’ group. I read your post during silent writing time (to myself) and burst out laughing at Plucky Dingle…😆 Now to get to brainstorming—thank you!
January 13, 2025 at 5:23 pm
wheresthedinnerlady
Love this! So important to have fun playing around with ideas!
January 13, 2025 at 5:28 pm
chaunceyelephant
I laughed just reading your titles – can’t wait to check out your books!
January 13, 2025 at 5:33 pm
Stefan Karlsson
Love your artwork, Alan! And yes, so important to remain open to many different possible entry points for a story. Thank you for this post!
January 13, 2025 at 5:37 pm
Acamy Schleikorn
This was a fun read! Thanks for the ideas!!
January 13, 2025 at 5:38 pm
jantsuhr
Thanks, Alan, I’ve added your ideas to my story generation list. I get many ideas just as I’m laying down to go to sleep. I look forward to reading your books.
January 13, 2025 at 5:45 pm
jcherney3
I love these. Thank you for your inspiration
January 13, 2025 at 5:54 pm
carochamberlain
Wonderful! Thank you for the inspiration.
January 13, 2025 at 5:59 pm
joanswanson58
Ideas do come out of nowhere sometimes. Write them down when you think of them, or back into the great nowhere it goes! 🙂
January 13, 2025 at 6:01 pm
sharonkdal
Hahahahaha! Love these! Thanks Alan!
January 13, 2025 at 6:05 pm
Peggy Dobbs
What a clever post! Thank you for the smiles!
January 13, 2025 at 6:07 pm
Farida Zaman
I am a visual learner so these visual tips are awesome! Thank you so much Alan!
January 13, 2025 at 6:08 pm
Claire A. B. Freeland
Lol, Alan. Thanks for the comic relief!
January 13, 2025 at 6:12 pm
Claire A. B. Freeland
Lol, Alan. Thanks for the laugh.
January 13, 2025 at 6:13 pm
annettepimentel
Great title!
January 13, 2025 at 6:16 pm
Angela De Groot
Thanks for hosting The Idea Game, Alan. I recreated your wheel in my idea notebook. I’m especially fond of the “take a walk” and “nap” segments. My library has quite a few of your books – I’ll be checking them out.
January 13, 2025 at 6:17 pm
Teresa Fales
I need to remember to make brainstorming more of a game sometimes. Thanks for that reminder.
January 13, 2025 at 6:19 pm
Patti Ranson
I just watched your reading of Meet The Latkes, which put an exclamation mark on your humorous side to life! Thank you for your uplifting spirit and your fun post. Inspriation awaits!
January 13, 2025 at 6:29 pm
Amy Martinez
Alan, thanks for reminding me that feeling stuck in indecision and insecurity is part of the process. When I feel stuck, I find myself wondering if something is wrong with me. Turns out, I am in good company. This is just what I needed to hear today. Thanks!
January 13, 2025 at 6:36 pm
Diane McBee
Love your post. Thanks for sharing.
January 13, 2025 at 6:38 pm
Carol Gordon Ekster
Love your books! We need more funny Jewish books. Wishing you continued mazel!
January 13, 2025 at 6:39 pm
Michelle Dragalin
This is cool! It is a great way to introduce and teach brainstorming. Love it!
January 13, 2025 at 6:41 pm
Dannielle Viera
Best post ever! Very inspiring!
January 13, 2025 at 6:46 pm
mbhmaine
Thanks for the entertaining post and the reminder to make it fun! I also like the ideas of using a silly name (though yours is hard to beat!) and beginning with a title. Thanks!
January 13, 2025 at 6:52 pm
Karen Pickrell
Everything bagel! Lol! So funny! Loved your blog post!
January 13, 2025 at 6:57 pm
bgonsar
what a fun post Alan!
January 13, 2025 at 7:01 pm
Ali V. (they/them)
Perfect! Thank you for sharing it!
January 13, 2025 at 7:02 pm
Teresa 何 Robeson
A picture is worth a thousand words and these pictures are worth a million bucks! I loooove this post! I really feel inspired now.
January 13, 2025 at 7:03 pm
Shirley Menendez
Love your funny post. Hope your new book is a hole in one.
January 13, 2025 at 7:07 pm
heatherstigall
Thanks for the fun post! My idea for today came out of recycling an old idea into something new!
January 13, 2025 at 7:07 pm
KrisTarantino
Love this post! So much fun!
January 13, 2025 at 7:11 pm
totallylegendarye6339e211a
Thank you for the ideas, the visual, and always the humor!
January 13, 2025 at 7:21 pm
Bethanny Parker
Loved the cartoon format! Awesome!
January 13, 2025 at 7:31 pm
Jessica Iwanski
Love the cartoons, Alan! Thanks for the mid-Storystorm boost of humor, encouragement, and fun! 🙂
January 13, 2025 at 7:39 pm
mrbellasgmailcom
Fun and creative! Thanks, Alan! Now, do you also bake the chocolate chip cookies? Ha!
January 13, 2025 at 7:49 pm
timeless102
Lovely, thank you!
January 13, 2025 at 7:56 pm
authorhelenholder
Silly names (or words) are great inspirations. I’ve used a lot. Helen Holder
January 13, 2025 at 8:06 pm
Janet Halfmann
I definitely will have to come up with some food ideas. Walks often spark ideas for me. Thanks for the fun post!
January 13, 2025 at 8:09 pm
womanwifemotherchild
Sometimes it feels like all the good ideas are just on the other side of an enormous wall that I can’t seem to climb! Thanks for the encouragement, Alan!
January 13, 2025 at 8:18 pm
Karen
I love a post that makes me giggle! Thank you for these terrific ideas! Not sure which is my favorite so I will try them all!
January 13, 2025 at 8:23 pm
Lisa Billa
I love the idea wheel- thanks for the fun and inspiration!
January 13, 2025 at 8:28 pm
Katie Berner
Thanks Alan! Your post today is so fun – and I needed that reminder that feeling stuck is part of the process. I look forward to reading THE BAGEL WHO WANTED EVERYTHING and THE FALAFEL WHO FELT AWFUL when they come out!
January 13, 2025 at 8:31 pm
Artelle Lenthall
Titles often come to me first too 😄 Thanks for posting in such an enjoyable way
January 13, 2025 at 8:41 pm
shiny694294aa4c
This post made my day. I love Alan’s illustration style and want to read his books. Thanks for “The Idea Game” to get me unstuck, too.
January 13, 2025 at 8:50 pm
staceygustafson
Love this reminder…some ideas start as a title.
January 13, 2025 at 9:01 pm
Lindsey Aduskevich
I would make my response in pictures if I could. This was the best! Thank you so much!! 🙂
January 13, 2025 at 9:12 pm
Jamie Donahoe
Some times all it takes is a title to get started – thanks for the reminder!
January 13, 2025 at 9:44 pm
sjmcc2
I feel like I’m in your cartoon Feeling Stuck. The ideas come pretty easy, but where do I go from there. Thanks for the inspiration Alan!
January 13, 2025 at 9:59 pm
Jess
I love the cartoons, it’s inspiring. Thank you, Jess
January 13, 2025 at 10:07 pm
writeremmcbride
Alan, I love your sense of humor! The cartoons are great and so are the ideas. I needed the reminder of the great resource that making up titles for books can be. That’s always been a good one for me, along with absurd names. And an “Everything Bagel” that turns into “The Bagel Who Wanted Everything” has me imagining a good trip you must have had to the bagel shop, where inspiration occurred!
January 13, 2025 at 10:11 pm
michellehlosardo
What a fun way to deliver ideas! “Stuck is part of the process” was my favorite!
January 13, 2025 at 10:12 pm
Monica Acker
This was a delight to read. Thank you!
January 13, 2025 at 10:23 pm
Steena Hernandez
Hehe, this is just what I needed today! Plucky Dingle is the BEST! Thank you so much, Alan!
January 13, 2025 at 10:26 pm
emmiewerner
Thank you for jump starting my ideas❤️ Sent from my iPad
>
January 13, 2025 at 10:32 pm
susanzonca
How fun to enjoy some visual prompts! Thanks, Alan.
January 13, 2025 at 10:45 pm
brintonculp
Always fun to start with a name. And that bagel! Thank you!
January 13, 2025 at 10:46 pm
elizabethwilcoxsaba
Thanks for the humor!
January 13, 2025 at 11:15 pm
sallymcclure
I love the silly word idea!
January 13, 2025 at 11:18 pm
helenedebelak
Your cartoon communication is very effective!
January 13, 2025 at 11:23 pm
schellijo
Great ideas to think about! A interesting way to look at things. Thank you for sharing.
January 13, 2025 at 11:24 pm
schellijo
Great ideas to think about! A interesting way to look at things. Thank you for sharing.
January 13, 2025 at 11:25 pm
Buffy Silverman
Plucky Dingle is my new favorite name. Thanks for the inspiration.
January 13, 2025 at 11:28 pm
lucystaugler
Alan,
I love your teaching cartoons! What a fun way to present your information.
I made a list of silly names and titles
already!
Thank you!
January 13, 2025 at 11:43 pm
brightwishbooks
This is great! Love the reminder that being stuck is part of the process.
-Amy Mucci
January 13, 2025 at 11:47 pm
seschipper
Great post! It certainly made you giggle! Also, glad you reminded everyone that being stuck is part of the process! 🥯😊
January 14, 2025 at 12:06 am
LaVern
Hilarious! You made this blog post sound like another picture book too. Congrats on your success.
January 14, 2025 at 12:31 am
amandashayne
I just smiled from start to finish. Thank you for the smiles and encouragement! I have a feeling I’ll be feeling the same way after reading your books 😃
January 14, 2025 at 12:34 am
S. K. Wenger
Love all these visuals, Alan! Such a clever way to deliver some great ideas. Ha! Especially love The Bagel Who Wanted Everything. Thanks!
January 14, 2025 at 1:29 am
jilltatara
Thank you for such a fun post! And now that I’ve read all of your book titles, I’m so hungry!
January 14, 2025 at 2:03 am
wyszguy
Haha! So fun! Can’t wait to read your bagel book!
January 14, 2025 at 4:54 am
Sandy
Alan, love your informative cartoons!
January 14, 2025 at 7:39 am
ejessmurray
Thanks, Alan, these were fun!
January 14, 2025 at 8:44 am
Laurel Ranveig Abell
fantastic cartoons! Can’t wait to read your books!
January 14, 2025 at 8:53 am
geigerlin
Ideas are swirling! Thank you, Alan! Love your art!
January 14, 2025 at 8:56 am
iartbygina
Cartoons bring joy and nostalgia! I want to read all of your books now! 🙂
January 14, 2025 at 9:00 am
rosie8192
I’ll have to check these out, so fun. 🙂
January 14, 2025 at 9:25 am
rozanark
I love me a graphical blog post! That was funny 🙂 and thank you for the ideas!
January 14, 2025 at 9:33 am
carolynscombs
This post rocked my morning! Thank you and congratulations on your new books!
January 14, 2025 at 9:40 am
sunfishrule
You made me smile, snort a giggle, and think, “Hmm, what about that…”as my story! I love great “think outside the box” ideas, so thank you, Alan!
January 14, 2025 at 9:54 am
writerdi2020
great post! haven’t finished my coffee yet and I’m already rolling on ideas. 😊😊😊
January 14, 2025 at 10:33 am
bsenenman
What a fun post. Really enjoyed the cartoons.
By the way, the name Silberberg is in my husband’s family tree. His paternal grandmother was a Silberberg. Any family from Zloczow, Poland? (Silberberg/Zwerdling) I’m sure your last name is a common one, but curious.
January 14, 2025 at 10:34 am
mdk45
Thanks, Alan. Your cartoons are such fun reminders of how to find ideas. Love them.
January 14, 2025 at 10:44 am
Ellie Langford
Alan, you have made food a fun theme, but demonstrated that an idea can come from anywhere. Thanks.
January 14, 2025 at 10:56 am
Kathryn LeRoy
I need to revisit that list of lost titles! Who knows what story lies hidden waiting to be found.
January 14, 2025 at 11:18 am
Prairie Garden Girl
Such amazing creativity. Thank you, Alan.
Suzy Leopold
January 14, 2025 at 11:35 am
Kimberly. Storyteller
It was fun to see an artist’s spin on coming up with story ideas.❤
I’m with others who commented…
Plucky Dingle has a future!
January 14, 2025 at 11:49 am
ptnozell
LOVE this post & the creative way you’ve jump started my idea generation. Thank you!
January 14, 2025 at 11:51 am
Allison Strick
Haha, thank you for the reminder that being stuck is part of the process! Can’t wait to read your books!
January 14, 2025 at 12:08 pm
Natasha S Garnett
Alan, that was fun! Silly names are a great starting point.
Natasha Garnett
January 14, 2025 at 12:45 pm
Patricia Tiffany Morris
I adore the graphics used to convey these ideas. Well done.
January 14, 2025 at 1:43 pm
Sara Matson
Thanks for the great ideas and the fun illustrations!
January 14, 2025 at 1:53 pm
JF Hall Writes
Congrats on your books! I’m most looking forward to The Falafel Who Felt Awful. Don’t judge a book by its title, huh? Rubbish. That title tells me the book will be AMAZING. Your visuals were cute, fun, and helpful. I liked the spinning wheel idea in particular. I sometimes do a “dice roll” for exercise when I’m not sure what I want to do that day. Why not do the same for my writing work? Thanks for this helpful post!
January 14, 2025 at 2:27 pm
kellietheridgeauthor
Thank you for the tips. I love the illustrations, especially the last one – the wheel of story idea generators.
January 14, 2025 at 2:28 pm
kmaryadlam
I love generating ideas during Story Storm and then reviewing them when I’m looking for a new idea.
January 14, 2025 at 2:53 pm
Jennifer Vento
Turning the act of brainstorming ideas into a game, what a great idea! Thanks!
January 14, 2025 at 2:59 pm
bethsbiblio
Alan, Congratulations on your many successes and your singular degree. Thank you as always Tara.
January 14, 2025 at 3:14 pm
Mary Beth Rice
I can’t wait to read more of your work! Thank you!
January 14, 2025 at 3:33 pm
Megan McNamara
The Bagel Who Wanted Everything!! Genius title!
January 14, 2025 at 3:50 pm
Christine Letizia
Love this post of illustrations. I feel this right now – I have a great title for a project but no words on the page yet lol.
January 14, 2025 at 4:23 pm
ellenbari
Such a fun post! Such fun books! Thank you!!!
January 14, 2025 at 4:27 pm
Sandy Lowe
Thanks giving us a glimpse into your process!
January 14, 2025 at 5:06 pm
kanessamiller
I love this post. The illustrations were amazing.
January 14, 2025 at 5:18 pm
mariautumn7c81b37a0a
These are great cartoon inspirations. Thank you!
January 14, 2025 at 5:23 pm
susaninez0905
Thank you for a great post. It made me smile the whole way through and reminded me to let life inspire me.
January 14, 2025 at 5:42 pm
marywarth
Love the idea game! Thank you!
January 14, 2025 at 6:21 pm
kellyclasenwriter
Well, this is a fun one! I look forward to reading the bagel book!
January 14, 2025 at 6:41 pm
Stephen S. Martin
Do not Pass Flo, Do not book a ride on her $200 Trawler.
January 14, 2025 at 7:09 pm
fleischmana6
Everything bagels are my favorite- I can’t wait to read your new book! Congrats!
January 14, 2025 at 7:38 pm
Alicia Shawn Gagnon
A “‘Plucky Dingle” :), indigestion and a nap!!! The writer’s TRIFECTA! Thanks for raining FUN during Tara’s Storm. Inspiring AND hilarious! TU! Alicia
January 14, 2025 at 8:13 pm
supermario6
Ahhh…if only it was as simple as spinning a wheel.
January 14, 2025 at 8:26 pm
Teresa Speranza Vargas
Please write a story about Plucky Dingle…omg…Plucky is so adorable!
January 14, 2025 at 8:53 pm
krnchun
Fun! A great to express ideas and how they start and transform!
January 14, 2025 at 8:53 pm
krnchun
Fun! A great to express ideas and how they start and transform!
January 14, 2025 at 8:53 pm
krnchun
Fun! A great to express ideas and how they start and transform!
January 14, 2025 at 8:57 pm
KittyM
I love starting with a good title! Thanks for the inspiration and humorous illustrations. I think I need a “Nap Time” on my wheel of fortune-slash-To Do list. Now if I can just get the words cranked out to go with the list of titles I’m accumulating…!
January 14, 2025 at 9:44 pm
Amy Moore
I love this, thank you! And the sentiment is so true. Most of my manuscripts have stemmed from one little snippet of an idea that rolled around in my brain until it was ready to grow into something more!
January 14, 2025 at 9:47 pm
writersideup
Alan, THIS is BRILLiant! Many an idea has been sparked in these ways 😀 And that’s quite the self-portrait 😉 Thanks for this!!!
January 14, 2025 at 10:50 pm
syorkeviney
As an Everything Bagel person who loves Falafel this is not awful but definitely your ideas are “food for thought”! What a delicious way to snack and chomp our way to being PB authors! Thanks for the nutritional “yummy num-nums!”
January 14, 2025 at 11:02 pm
tracyschuldthelixon
This is so much fun. I love the three I words in the “Feeling Stuck” illustration! Thank you for the creativity and encouragement.
January 14, 2025 at 11:30 pm
Susan L. Fink
Thank you for the fun, encouraging cartoons! I love your titles. Hoping to win a book of yours!
January 15, 2025 at 12:05 am
lauraortmanbrock
Sometimes I forget that feeling stuck is definitely a part of the process. Thanks for the encouragement today, Alan!
January 15, 2025 at 1:41 am
Maria Johnson
OMG! So much wisdom in such a short, funny space. What a pleasure to read and really so helpful. Thank you!
January 15, 2025 at 6:50 am
flewk1
Thanks for the ideas! I also like writing about food ( I’ve got unwanted latkes and bagels in my repertoire.) I was about to start googling your books when I noticed that you’re from Montreal too. Montreal, Quebec? Bonjour! Hi!
January 15, 2025 at 7:02 am
Robynn Hyde
Lol! The idea of feeling stuck in indigestion has made my week! 😀 Thank you so much for the funny, silly and inspirational cartoons – I am eager to get writing some silliness!
January 15, 2025 at 8:01 am
Lauri Meyers
Oh this was fun! Plucky dingle is so useful. How are you? I’m plucky dingle. *drops a plate* “OH plucky dingle” runs to the end of the rainbow and meets a leprechaun named… plucky dingle:)
January 15, 2025 at 9:17 am
dabney4wmb
Everyone needs laughter! Thanks!
January 15, 2025 at 9:30 am
vireson044gmailcom
Cartoons/infographics are such an engaging way to learn! Love the illustrations.
January 15, 2025 at 9:30 am
vireson044gmailcom
Cartoons/infographics are such an engaging way to learn! Love the illustrations.
January 15, 2025 at 9:35 am
Sarah Meade
This post is so much FUN! I love it! Thank you, Alan!
January 15, 2025 at 9:53 am
Susan Wroble
Love this! So many of my manuscripts start as a two word alliterative phrase that I hear or read but know nothing about. I just love the sounds.
January 15, 2025 at 12:30 pm
Kimberly Marcus
Love this!!
January 15, 2025 at 1:15 pm
Joyce Frank
Wow! Who knew a good appetite could generate great literature. Congratulations on combining two of my favorite sports. I look forward to checking out your books (and then going to lunch).
January 15, 2025 at 1:38 pm
Johanna Peyton
such a fun post – thank you. Now I want bagels!
January 15, 2025 at 2:09 pm
jensubra
I like your style!
January 15, 2025 at 2:27 pm
kelliannedy
I am always pleasantly surprised that even seasoned authors (who have been published many times!) are STILL in the trenches right along us newbies for writing and rewriting and wading through the occasional muck of stuck! Thanks for your post!
January 15, 2025 at 3:04 pm
brigitus6620
Fun! great post!
January 15, 2025 at 3:06 pm
LaurenKerstein
What a FANTASTIC post!!!!!!!!!
January 15, 2025 at 3:26 pm
Laura De La Cruz
Great post, Alan! Straight to the point!
January 15, 2025 at 3:56 pm
Rebecca Gardyn Levington
Love your books, Alan! Mazel Tov on the latest. Can’t wait to read them. Thanks for this fun post!
January 15, 2025 at 4:19 pm
valerieschultz023gmailcom
Thanks for the smile and motivation!
January 15, 2025 at 4:29 pm
angelamsteffen924
Thank you, Alan for your entertaining and straight to the point post. I usually find myself thinking of titles first and then figuring out how to write around that. Sometimes it’s works! Thank you!
January 15, 2025 at 5:06 pm
dianemungovan
Enjoyed your humorous take on generating ideas. I love when a unique name pops into my head – the character soon follows!
January 15, 2025 at 5:08 pm
jennaejo
feeling stuck is part of the process! thank you!!!
January 15, 2025 at 5:38 pm
Tonnye Fletcher
What a creative way to share tips for gathering ideas! I enjoyed every bit of this! So wonderful!
January 15, 2025 at 5:44 pm
laurakbower
This is so much fun! I love your illustrations and your tips. I love how the title (The Bagel Wants Everything) came to you first and silly names are the best!
January 15, 2025 at 6:12 pm
Tatum Evans
You sir, are the epitome of a creative writer. Thank you for such a brilliant brainstorming game!
January 15, 2025 at 6:21 pm
susanzonca
How fun to enjoy some visual prompts! Thanks, Alan.
January 15, 2025 at 6:31 pm
yangmommy
Now that was fun to read! Bonus points for making it all visual and not simply text. Triple points for the idea behind it!
January 15, 2025 at 6:31 pm
Janice Woods
How fun! Thanks for sharing!
January 15, 2025 at 8:37 pm
Maria Marshall
Fun post. Thanks! Love the name of the duck!
January 15, 2025 at 8:45 pm
Finding Damo
Tips as cartoons is the best idea!
January 15, 2025 at 11:59 pm
jenwritespbs
Thank you, Alan for the fun inspiration! So much packed into these cartoons!
January 16, 2025 at 12:11 am
sharongiltrowauthor
What a fun post and I love how one of your silly titles became a book.
January 16, 2025 at 1:48 am
Suhasini Gupta
Thanks for sharing fun post about generating ideas.
January 16, 2025 at 9:44 am
Jane Dippold
Thanks for your illustrated post! Lots of good idea starters!
January 16, 2025 at 11:13 am
triciacandy
Oh, this post made me smile. Those titles…I just have to check out your books! Thank you!
January 16, 2025 at 12:36 pm
Jacqueline Adams
Such a fun post, with so much truth packed into your illustrations!
January 16, 2025 at 3:43 pm
Robin Perkins
Starting with a title is one of my favorite ways to generate book ideas. Now, I need to look for some of those delightful names. Thank you!
Robin Perkins
January 16, 2025 at 4:13 pm
libbydemmon
Love this! Thank you! (Good to know that indigestion is just part of the process…)
January 16, 2025 at 4:19 pm
Bronte
what a fun read/view! Thank you!
January 16, 2025 at 5:32 pm
clcoate
Love your illustrations! Thanks for the tips!
January 16, 2025 at 6:30 pm
Dena Davis
So fun! I like that an idea can start with a funny name! I have played around with anagrams of my name, and I came up with a few really funny ones!
January 16, 2025 at 6:55 pm
Jeanette O'Toole
Love these amusing ideas. Thanks for the entertaining illustrations.
January 16, 2025 at 7:02 pm
nowisinfinite
Oh no, I was just looking back through and I don’t see my post. I said something like this is wonderful, and I especially love the bit about naps! I frequently come up with good ideas (well, ideas, anyway) while trying to take a nap!
-Dana Dillaman
January 16, 2025 at 8:35 pm
helenlysicatos
I really enjoyed your fun illustrations!
January 16, 2025 at 11:36 pm
stacyallen
Plucky Dingle!
That’s awesome!
January 16, 2025 at 11:38 pm
emilysunli
Trust the process–yes! Thank you! Love your illustration style.
January 17, 2025 at 2:14 am
claireannette1
What great ways to find ideas – I’m on the lookout for wild names. Thanks for the fun post.
January 17, 2025 at 8:23 am
allisonrozo
Fantastic idea makers! Your post is the graphic novel version of Story Storm! Thank you!
Allison
January 17, 2025 at 2:13 pm
lsmwrites63
Names and titles are some of my favorite ways to begin writing. If I am lucky enough to win, I DEFINITELY want the Falafel Who Felt Awful. I’m willing to wait until 2026!
January 17, 2025 at 7:40 pm
peasecja
Thanks for the reminder that “being stuck is part of the process.”
January 17, 2025 at 7:46 pm
Janet Frenck Sheets
I excel at feeling stuck. I’d like to specialize in another part of the process, please. (I love when a title sparks a story, though.)
January 17, 2025 at 8:53 pm
Jamie Bills
I love the illustrations! So much fun! Thanks for the reminder that feeling stuck is part of the process, because it definitely happens to me sometimes. I’m thankful for Storystorm this year helping me to get un-stuck.
January 18, 2025 at 12:54 am
Deena
These book titles are making me hungry!
January 18, 2025 at 1:50 am
kellie906ce70f01
Great post. I’m always coming up with book titles that lack substance, but I might have to go back to them! Thank you, Alan.
January 18, 2025 at 9:21 am
Laura Wippell
Starting with titles is so much fun – you never know where they’ll take you! This post and cartoons made me smile – thank you Alan!
January 18, 2025 at 12:44 pm
Nicole Neahring
My kids and I LOVE your style. Great post!
January 18, 2025 at 1:48 pm
Diane Phelps
This post reminded me that it helps to illustrate your ideas to bring them to life. I remember using post-it notes to do that very thing when working on marketing plans in my corporate life. I think the images used by this author are so effective for that purpose.
January 18, 2025 at 1:57 pm
Katie Schwartz
Love the illustrations, very motivational and add fun that helps to keep one going, especially when one is stuck! Thank you, Alan!
January 18, 2025 at 3:56 pm
Lindsay Moretti
Fun approach to this post!
January 18, 2025 at 4:55 pm
nicolesalterbraun
Oh my gosh, I have to read your books. Love the titles
January 18, 2025 at 7:59 pm
Laya Steinberg
Yay for humor, and bagels and the Boston Montreal connection (in which people disagree about bagels!) Thanks for sharing!
January 19, 2025 at 2:02 am
susan8f64e325b6
Love these visual reminders on so many levels!
January 19, 2025 at 1:19 pm
Eileen Mayo
I love the title of your book – it’s everything. Great suggestions on drumming up ideas – thanks!
January 19, 2025 at 7:41 pm
authorlaurablog
Thanks for this idea extravaganza, Alan! I love P IS FOR PASTRAMI (I learned about new Jewish foods which I didn’t know was possible! and I used MEET THE LATKES to teach my non Jewish neighbors about apples sauce vs sour cream being an age old Hanukkah discussion!
January 20, 2025 at 12:46 am
Sally Hoch
PLUCKY DINGLE!
January 20, 2025 at 3:02 am
jilliangschmidt
What a fun post! The book titles are fantastic too, and I can’t get over Plucky Dingle. 😀
January 20, 2025 at 11:59 am
michellesteinberg
Thanks for sharing your process for coming up with ideas for picture books.
January 20, 2025 at 12:36 pm
Pam Barton
Fun post, thank you!
January 20, 2025 at 1:38 pm
juliereich
Thanks for the humorous approach to idea generation!
January 20, 2025 at 2:28 pm
thedillard5
Ha! I just came up with several book ideas! Thank you! 🙂
January 20, 2025 at 5:12 pm
anakellyinla
Silly names for the win!
January 20, 2025 at 11:01 pm
Kathy Doherty
Thanks, Alan. I’m going to read your post over and over again!
January 21, 2025 at 8:24 am
srkckass
Short and sweet and full of ideas! Thanks for your post!
January 21, 2025 at 12:42 pm
Cindy Greene
Alan, your post made me laugh – and freed me to play while coming up with ideas. Thanks!
January 21, 2025 at 9:47 pm
Andrew Fairchild
Absolutely love your post, Alan. Thank you for the laugh and your creativeness.
January 22, 2025 at 9:15 am
Varda Livney
LOVE this post. You are so talented and funny! They say write a post, and I’m thinkin’ that you’re thinkin’, “Geez this is hard, another assignment on my to-do list”, and then you twist it and shake it and YOU do YOU! Hats off!
January 22, 2025 at 3:35 pm
alamarre7571bc92b
Ideas can come from the most unexpected sources.
January 22, 2025 at 4:03 pm
Christina Dankert
Very clever blog post!
January 22, 2025 at 8:08 pm
Dana Atnip
Haha, I love your illustrations for this blog post! And I love that you had a book published that only started with a title!
January 22, 2025 at 9:45 pm
Leah Marks
Thanks for the laugh! Love your ideas.
January 23, 2025 at 11:18 am
Heidi Chupp
“Feeling stuck is part of the process” — love this! Thank you! 🙂
January 23, 2025 at 12:31 pm
Michele Helsel
I love the art inspiration!
January 23, 2025 at 5:58 pm
Lisa M. Horn
What a fun post! It’s nice to see some posts that go “outside the box” like you are trying to get us to do to “think outside the box” with simple things that we can think about to generate more ideas. Thank you!
January 24, 2025 at 12:31 pm
Janet Smart
I love the ‘spinning wheel.’ Thanks for your inspirational post.
January 24, 2025 at 4:30 pm
effiekoliopoulos
This was so cute and funny. I’ve come up with many titles before the actual story was written.
January 25, 2025 at 10:41 pm
Srividhya Venkat
Haha…love this post! Great tips with the humor make them easier to remember. Love the spinwheel!
January 25, 2025 at 10:44 pm
kidlitgail
Can I wait for The Falafel That Felt Awful if I win this prize? That’s the BRDT title
January 26, 2025 at 7:22 am
cravevsworld
Thank you for sharing!
January 26, 2025 at 6:09 pm
elise304
It’s January 26th and I’m to Story Storm #13. Got a lot of Story Storming to do before the 31st! But, alas I am a teacher with so little time for Story Storming! Thanks for this uplifting post!
January 27, 2025 at 4:30 pm
ashleydbankhead
Fun post! Thanks for sharing!
January 27, 2025 at 4:30 pm
ashleydbankhead
Fun post! Thanks for sharing!
January 27, 2025 at 8:36 pm
Jen Lynn Bailey
love this fresh approach! Thanks for sharing.
January 27, 2025 at 8:36 pm
Goodreadswithronna.com
Alan can do no wrong by me! Hilarious art from an hilarious (and creative) man. Thank you for the laughter!
January 27, 2025 at 8:44 pm
Mary Ann Blair
Love your illustrations. Thanks for sharing!
January 27, 2025 at 9:13 pm
topangamaria
FUN + informative = Fabulous !!!!
January 28, 2025 at 12:25 pm
Wendy Greenley
I saw your recent PW announcement for BAGEL and thought how clever! And this post supports that!
January 28, 2025 at 6:18 pm
Judy Sobanski
Your illustrations were spot on with examples of ways to find story ideas. Your books sound like fun reads!
January 28, 2025 at 7:05 pm
Marlena Leach
Great examples to fix getting stuck. I do like to illustrate to see what my character will look like to keep me inspired. Thanks for your suggestions!
January 28, 2025 at 9:10 pm
Jenn Gautam
great illustrations!
January 29, 2025 at 9:57 am
Louise M. Aamodt
I’d like to run into somebody at a party who leads with, “I create funny books about food for kids.” What a talking point! I love your oddly specific niche!
January 29, 2025 at 3:35 pm
Jenn
I think I need an idea spinner (and I just realized my kiddo gave me story cubes)
tha is for the fun post!
January 29, 2025 at 8:57 pm
jindreame
Love the cartoon ideas.
January 30, 2025 at 4:45 pm
madisu2021
Thanks, Alan,
Loved your approach to writing. This one page posting is so refreshing!
Madisu
January 30, 2025 at 9:35 pm
Nicholas North
Thank you, Alan!!
January 31, 2025 at 9:36 am
Tara Cerven
Sometimes I just jot down a single word that catches my attention. It may lead to nothing… but sometimes it leads to something!
January 31, 2025 at 10:17 am
annereillywrites
Love the art and the message – thank you!
January 31, 2025 at 10:22 am
M.R.
Your post was so inspirational that I had to save a screenshot of the image that I think of as the “Wheel of Choices.” I’m glad you included “Nap Time” to remind me that even resting is a part of the process. Thank you!
January 31, 2025 at 2:11 pm
anaarchistories
Loved the part of the process drawing!
Ana Archi
January 31, 2025 at 3:10 pm
nazb0e1d8afb704
So fun!! Thank you for changing it up and bringing great ideas to the page.
January 31, 2025 at 3:44 pm
kkeppol
I love seeing illustrations in these posts. Thank you.
January 31, 2025 at 10:32 pm
deniseaengle
Love art. Love your post.
February 1, 2025 at 12:17 am
Veronica Bartles
I need a big poster of the “Remember that feeling stuck is part of the process” image for my office wall. I tend to castigate myself for that more often than I should. (Zero. That’s how many times I should castigate myself for being human and feeling stuck. Also, “castigate” is a fun word to use. I love it when my brain gives me a treat by throwing in a big word that I have to go look up to make sure I was using it properly and I get the jolt of satisfaction when I see that my brain actually knew what it was talking about!)
February 1, 2025 at 12:51 am
Olivia Fisher
Haha, I loved your comic-style post. Creating books is so much about the idea game and which one will speak to us and stick for moving forward on a draft.
February 1, 2025 at 1:08 am
amanda p
Love the unconventional approach!
February 1, 2025 at 1:11 am
aturner513
I loved your illustrations for this post. I haven’t read your books but I hope to read them soon
February 1, 2025 at 3:45 pm
TerriMichels
I need a nap time after reading all of these ideas.
February 2, 2025 at 11:53 am
Gretchen McLellan
I want to be a kid at one of your school visits! Thanks for adding fun and joy to the world!
February 3, 2025 at 12:15 am
vanessakaybooks
What a fun post to read! Thanks for writing, Alan!
February 4, 2025 at 12:09 pm
Michele Beutel Messina
Thank you! thank you for sharing your writing process with all of us. It is invaluable! Not to mention, enjoyable!
February 4, 2025 at 9:46 pm
K.A.Steed
Really enjoyed your post!
February 6, 2025 at 4:23 pm
Denita Johnson
Thank you, enjoyed reading your post and your cartoon strips.
February 6, 2025 at 11:13 pm
teresa.mi.schaefer
What a fun post. Inspired to try to write in cartoons. Thank you, teresa mi schaefer
February 7, 2025 at 9:26 am
nycbgriffin
This was so much fun. Thank you!