Storystorm 2026 Day 16: Ursula Murray Husted Draws Inspiration

January 16, 2026 in STORYSTORM 2026 | Tags: Ursula Murray Husted

by Ursula Murray Husted

Want more free comics like this one, teaching guides to my books, or step-by-step videos/pdfs with classroom art activities? Go here!

Ursula Murray Husted is the creator of the graphic novels A Cat Story and Botticelli’s Apprentice. A lifelong artist, former professor, and advocate for the arts and art history education, Husted teaches formal comics classes, lectures, and art history workshops ranging from graduate university seminars to pre-K. Husted received her PhD from the University of Minnesota, MFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and BFA from Marshall University.

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53 comments

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January 16, 2026 at 8:36 am

Jany Campana

Ursula, I can’t wait to see where else inspiration strikes!

January 16, 2026 at 8:41 am

tinamcho

I like your term–truthful love! Thanks for a fun way to read the post!

January 16, 2026 at 8:48 am

pathaap

I got a kick out of the way you presented this, Ursula! Thanks for a such fun-filled, informational post!

January 16, 2026 at 8:57 am

Rona Shirdan

Thanks for the unique take on how to find inspiration!

January 16, 2026 at 9:01 am

eleanorannpeterson

I love your characters in your post. Original! It reminds me of Scott McCloud’s book about Making Comics.

January 16, 2026 at 9:03 am

gregoryfulgione

I loved your unique way of telling us how to write about what we love. Really fun post!!!

January 16, 2026 at 9:09 am

Susan Burdorf

thank you so much for sharing

Susan Burdorf

January 16, 2026 at 9:20 am

margaretsmn

I love the freedom here to create what’s already been done. But most of all to use “what you love” to drive your story. Your comics are inspiring as is your website. I look forward to digging in to the videos you shared.

January 16, 2026 at 9:26 am

Stine Writing and Miniatures

The videos she has are great! To think painting with an egg yolk would be a good thing! Thanks for sharing.

January 16, 2026 at 9:27 am

Elizabeth Volkmann

Oooooh! I have to admit that I am going to have to go through this one a couple of times because of the visual aspect of it (so interesting to be challenged by certain things). I LOVE the prompts and the potential ideas and insights that I am sure will come from it! Thank you so much!

January 16, 2026 at 9:30 am

lodobocreates

Thanks for a colorful and creative post. Time for imagination, truth, brainstorming- and coffee.

January 16, 2026 at 9:31 am

Mary Zychowicz

Fun and inspirational post. That percolator took me down memory lane and other childhood visions popped into my head! Could be some stories there. Thank you.

January 16, 2026 at 9:32 am

anchance

Very nice. I enjoyed the quote as well as your artwork. Thank you!

January 16, 2026 at 9:40 am

bookclubhbhs

Thank you for these fun prompts, and your post delivered all in comics is so immersive and playful and motivating! I can’t wait to check out your website!

January 16, 2026 at 9:48 am

kathalsey

! Ursula Ursula, you have mind my childhood with this coffee pot story. The details take me right back all the don’t touch days fo my childhood. My parents had rules about “don’t touch” stores.

Wow, my mind is open wide! Ty for this creative way to approach story!

January 16, 2026 at 9:50 am

kathalsey

Of course, I had voice to text on so the above comment looks silly, but I don’t care. Having small fat fingers is my writing curse.

January 16, 2026 at 9:51 am

Rebecca Colby

The truth about something you love. Brilliant! Thank you.

January 16, 2026 at 9:55 am

Teddie

What a fun and helpful presentation. My cat sat beside me while I read your post and then I visited your site. Loved it. I tapped the screen to show Abbey each of your cats, while my husband just shook his head. 🙂 I appreciated your tips and prompts. I’ve already remembered a few old loves that I plan to dig deeper into for new stories. Thank you, Ursula Murray Husted.

January 16, 2026 at 9:57 am

Robin Brett Wechsler

Fantastic how you showed us to be original in an original way, sharing your art and memories, Ursula! I can totally picture the broken glass. (Also, I love the word jejune.) I recently read Botticelli’s Apprentice and thoroughly enjoyed it.

January 16, 2026 at 10:05 am

kathleengauer

Love your idea to write about what we love! Thanks for this inspiring post, Ursula!

January 16, 2026 at 10:10 am

Sarah Meade

Beautiful! Thank you for this post. I took a bunch of notes, including “Work from a place of truthful love.” I appreciate your words and art.

January 16, 2026 at 10:11 am

Laura Perdew

Love the illustrated post and the advice within…thank you for the actionable step-by-step process to try!

January 16, 2026 at 10:14 am

Karin Larson

This was a super fun post, thank you!

January 16, 2026 at 10:18 am

rosecappelli

Thanks for the inspiration and for taking us along as you think it out. I hope you do write this book!

January 16, 2026 at 10:25 am

Robin Currie

Absolutely inspiring!

January 16, 2026 at 10:38 am

Rachelle Burk

now that was a really fun post! Thank you 🙂

January 16, 2026 at 10:53 am

syorkeviney

Ursala, your post opened my eyes to combining my art/doodling with my writing in a sketchbook format. I loved the final photo and more importantly the think/aloud conversation you shared with us in your creative process. Your post was inspiring on some many levels!

January 16, 2026 at 11:14 am

Julia Wilder Banta

WOW!! Thank you for this simple, but grand inspiration for writing! I’m going to share it with my critique group!!

January 16, 2026 at 11:25 am

Marie Prins

This post is so good that I printed it out to reread and to share. The illustrations bring the wisdom to life! Thank-you!

January 16, 2026 at 11:26 am

rachelcritchleya061056d76

The comics were a great way to give your information. Much to think about. Thanks.

January 16, 2026 at 11:31 am

Dayne Sislen, Children's Book Illustrator

Thanks so much for the visuals. I think and understand in pictures, so this helped me so much.

January 16, 2026 at 11:43 am

Janice Woods

What a fun way to share! Thanks for the inspiration!☺

January 16, 2026 at 11:44 am

Ellie Langford

Your presentation is delightful, creative, and amusing. I need to search my childhood memories for something amusing or for something that I’ve observed a child doing that was amusing. Truth can be funnier than fiction. Thank you, Ursula.

January 16, 2026 at 12:26 pm

dlapmandi

Thank you for the post. Truthful love. Beautiful concept.

January 16, 2026 at 12:27 pm

sheriradovich0384

Very interesting doodling and thought process. I never doodle ideas and maybe that is what I need to try more to get the story idea together. Reminds me of childhood things I remember from grandparents home and old cartoons and ads and brings new ideas. I really miss Sunday newspaper comics as well.

January 16, 2026 at 12:33 pm

serendipityinstars

Love the comics! So fun! I laughed when I saw the “fancy lady doll” with a dress that covered toilet paper. Omg, my mother had those all over the place. She even put one in my childhood bedroom. It creeped me out.

January 16, 2026 at 12:45 pm

Cynthia Leavitt

Very cool

January 16, 2026 at 1:07 pm

Matt Forrest Esenwine

Interesting thought process, and I love CS Lewis’ quote!

January 16, 2026 at 1:07 pm

Colleen Owen Murphy

Ursula, thanks for sharing your art and ideas with us. I love the quote you mentioned from C.S. Lewis. That gives me hope because I am always worried about writing something original. Thank you for your inspiration.

January 16, 2026 at 1:14 pm

Gabi Snyder

Thanks for this entertaining and inspiring post! I loved seeing your creative process through your comics and had fun working through your steps to find story ideas.

January 16, 2026 at 1:15 pm

Poupette

Thanks for this original and effective presentation. I’ve often wished publishers would hire writers to add a story to illustrations, rather than vis a versa. Loved your GN, A Cat Story; we plucked our 4 week-old kitty out of a dumpster, and he continues to inspire stories.

January 16, 2026 at 1:19 pm

Stephanie Alter Jones

Tell the truth about something you love – I’m excited to play with this idea!

January 16, 2026 at 1:36 pm

Joyce Frank

Wow. I’m going to have to dream about dreaming up something like this with words only. Thanks for giving me the inspiration to seek inspiration by this approach. 🤔

January 16, 2026 at 1:38 pm

Joyce Frank

Wow. I’m going to have to dream about dreaming up something like this with words only. Thanks for giving me the inspiration to seek inspiration by this approach. 🤔

January 16, 2026 at 1:47 pm

gattodesign

Nice and here is to some coffee! Got to love it.

January 16, 2026 at 2:19 pm

Maria Marshall

Wow, what a fascinating post. I love the quote from C.S. Lewis! And your comic is so fun. Thanks so much for making this impossible to stop reading! Best wishes for this book.

January 16, 2026 at 2:19 pm

Helen Waters

I needed to hear that C.S. Lewis quote today! Thank you! And yes, The Magician’s Nephew is the last book! 🙂

January 16, 2026 at 2:37 pm

amybeth349

That was so inspiring! I loved the idea of going deeper with something you truly love. Tip told through comics is so genius. I am just smiling. Thank you!

January 16, 2026 at 2:57 pm

Joy Wieder

I love your comic format for this post! And I love seeing your sketches for the post too. Great idea for finding inspiration as well. I’m excited to see where it takes me 😉

January 16, 2026 at 3:32 pm

L. Hofke