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.
Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) 
135 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
I love the way you presented the information. It was not only helpful but fun to read.
January 16, 2026 at 3:43 pm
bevbaird
What a fun way to present such great information. Thank you.
January 16, 2026 at 3:48 pm
Alicia Shawn Gagnon
Your creativity adventure is inspiring. Thank you for sharing your gifts of pictures and words. 🙂
January 16, 2026 at 3:56 pm
Claire A. B. Freeland
Mental doodling.
January 16, 2026 at 3:58 pm
Celeste
Ursula that was a wonderful way to flesh out a story. I’m definitely going to review this format often. Thanks for sharing.
January 16, 2026 at 4:14 pm
Bhandi
This is my favorite post so far! I love the sketch comic. It makes me want to make one of my own. 🙂
January 16, 2026 at 4:18 pm
Becky Ross Michael
Amazing artwork! I always wished I could draw but know there are many ways to doodle our ideas:) Love this!
January 16, 2026 at 4:35 pm
debbuschman
What a great way to generate a story. I love your illustrations. Thank you for the inspiration.
January 16, 2026 at 4:42 pm
Cathy Stefanec Ogren
This is such a clever post!
January 16, 2026 at 5:18 pm
Tracey Kiff-Judson
Ursula, thank you so much for this clever, actionable approach!
January 16, 2026 at 5:26 pm
Sallye O'Rourke
fun post, thank you!
January 16, 2026 at 5:28 pm
robineditorial
Love the idea and the artwork. But the last Narnia story is The Last Battle :).
January 16, 2026 at 5:40 pm
Cheryl A. Johnson
Love the comics to help spell it all out for us!
January 16, 2026 at 5:41 pm
Joan Swanson
I get stuck on that “it’s been done before” part. My ideas are already out there and I can’t seem to find a new way to tell it. I will keep trying from like a place of truth! 🙂
January 16, 2026 at 6:03 pm
JF Hall Writes
What a fun, poignant, and LOVELY post! I like the zooming in and out visuals. And the cats. 😬 I also appreciated the reminder that we can make any story unique.
January 16, 2026 at 6:09 pm
maramarakay
trying it!
January 16, 2026 at 6:16 pm
Erik Ammon
Ursula, I cannot wait to read that story! Thanks for the idea of listing something you love, and the zooms out and in!
January 16, 2026 at 6:21 pm
Pam Barton
Love the way you sketch out your ideas, thank you for the inspiration!
January 16, 2026 at 7:39 pm
jantsuhr
I love reading your post along with your graphic cartoons. I think this is a first for StoryStorm. You’ve posted great suggestions and given me two new ideas for a book.
Thank you!
January 16, 2026 at 7:59 pm
heatherstigall
Thanks for the tips and example, Ursula!
January 16, 2026 at 8:34 pm
rindabeach
I love how one of your LOVES inspired a book and this post. Cheers (with coffee, of course)
January 16, 2026 at 9:07 pm
staceygustafson
Identify something you genuinely love! Perfect advice.
January 16, 2026 at 9:44 pm
roundswrite
Thank you! That was such a fun and inspiring post to read after a long and very difficult week.
Thanks for brightening my week and inspiring me to think about the things I love.
January 16, 2026 at 9:51 pm
sallymcclure
Wow! It was unexpectedly fun to read with pictures!
January 16, 2026 at 11:51 pm
brightwishbooks
oh this was absolutely delightful to read and what a wonderful exercise when my thoughts are all over the place. Thank you!
January 17, 2026 at 12:02 am
8catpaws
I live the little glass blue fish on the bottom of the clear cup-but what if it actually starts to swim…
January 17, 2026 at 12:35 am
Jennifer
Such a creative post! I especially love the sentiment about not having to be real, but being true.
January 17, 2026 at 1:57 am
Armineh Manookian
What a creative, original, and wonderful post. I love it (especially since you snuck in the word jejune)! Thank you, Ursula.
January 17, 2026 at 2:40 am
Dawn Prochovnic
Thank you for such an actionable example for how to be original and work from a place of love
January 17, 2026 at 5:21 am
marshaelyn
Oh, my goodness, Ursula! What a treat to experience your clever imagination and wisdom through artwork. Thank you for being so vulnerable with a bunch of strangers. Sending you energy and inspiration for your next adventure…
January 17, 2026 at 8:27 am
ejessmurray
Thank you, Ursula, for sharing your story spark and a bit of your process!
January 17, 2026 at 9:14 am
bethsbiblio
Love all the panels about coffee and how that inspired a story. Thank you.
January 17, 2026 at 10:21 am
Lucretia Schafroth
Thank you for sharing your approach and step-by-step guide for taking inspiration and using imagination to find an original story to tell.
January 17, 2026 at 11:07 am
nrompella
I love that your post was in graphic novel format!
January 17, 2026 at 11:42 am
bookfish1
What a great super creative way to post. I LOVE the C.S. Lewis quote and your whole theme is truth and love, can’t go wrong with that.
January 17, 2026 at 11:46 am
Jud Ward
Excellent! You put a lot into that and I drank it up. Very inspiring! Great web page, too (I can’t wait to see how it feels to paint with a feather brush.)
January 17, 2026 at 1:27 pm
Sue Heavenrich
What fun! Now off to find crystal handles and my favorite coffee cup (which, apparently I need filled with coffee!)
January 17, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Megan McNamara
I love this so much! This was such a great read.
January 17, 2026 at 3:50 pm
Prairie Garden Girl
Thank you, Ursula, for sharing and showing how to percolate picture book ideas.
Suzy Leopold
January 17, 2026 at 4:41 pm
Farida Zaman
Wonderful post Ursula! Your art is fantastic! Great tips and ideas!
January 17, 2026 at 9:57 pm
Artelle Lenthall
Thanks Ursula 🙂
January 18, 2026 at 12:08 am
writeremmcbride
Thank you for the great post, Ursula! I love the way you illustrated and explained your suggestions for finding story ideas out of things you genuinely love. Thank you!
January 18, 2026 at 12:05 pm
Brandon Rodriguez
I really enjoyed your fun twist of giving advice. Using you comics to tell the story was fun and inspiring. Thanks
January 18, 2026 at 4:30 pm
writerdi2020
Love your comics, Ursula!
January 18, 2026 at 4:49 pm
brintonculp
This was amazing!–everything from the fun and inspirational format to C.S. Lewis quote and books! Thank you!
January 18, 2026 at 8:08 pm
lucystaugler
Ursula,
I love your creativity! Your artistic post has inspired a story spark!
Keep spreading your magic!
Lucy
January 18, 2026 at 9:56 pm
nsgarnett
I LOVE cats and I LOVE coffee! I’m sure there are many of us.
January 19, 2026 at 12:07 am
Adriana Gutierrez
What a clever way to think of a story ideas. Thank you!
January 19, 2026 at 12:16 pm
dgottier
Thanks so much. I’m late to reading it, but it’s a fabulous way to start a Monday morning!!
January 19, 2026 at 3:32 pm
brisklyd47fd463d1
Nice idea generating I cant wait to try this out! I grew up going to the house on the rock every summer as a child and teen! I never tired of the rooms, the cobblestone street, the collections. I even went there on my honeymoon. That place is so magical and gave me so many ideas of things to create and to even just think outside the box of the norm. I haven’t been there in years and years, but it brought back many happy memories seeing that mug!
January 19, 2026 at 4:03 pm
mommamoocow
Wonderful!
Sharon Nix Jones
January 19, 2026 at 4:14 pm
tinefg
Thank you for sharing this process Ursula! Such a wonderful example of using train of thought to really flesh out and idea nugget!
January 19, 2026 at 4:58 pm
Diane McBee
Creativity at its best! Thank you for sharing.
January 19, 2026 at 7:07 pm
gigimatlack
What a delightful trip through your memories and imagination. Such a captivating, refreshing way to consider story ideas. I look forward to a session in which I follow my doodles and sketches into my memories. I so loved this post!
January 19, 2026 at 11:02 pm
Carmen Swick-Author
thank you for sharing your pages at the end.
January 19, 2026 at 11:20 pm
Donna Cangelosi
Such a fun, inspiring post. I love your comics and the C.S. Lewis quote. Thank you!
January 20, 2026 at 12:57 am
tonnyef
I love this exercise! So fun, and one I think I will come back to time and again! Thanks, Ursula!
January 20, 2026 at 10:31 am
melissajmiles1
I absolutely love having concrete steps I can take to guide my natural curiosity and engage my creative side! Thank you for this exercise relayed in such a fun way.
January 20, 2026 at 2:01 pm
Mona Pease
Doodles and coffee=picture book! Amazing This is such a creative post. Thank you, Ursula!
January 20, 2026 at 3:25 pm
LaurenKerstein
This post was terrific! I loved the drawings and the process. It also sparked an exciting and fun idea! Yay!!!! Storystorm magic!
January 20, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Annelouise Mahoney
Hi Ursula. I love your art and really enjoyed reading your post. It’s so inspiring.
January 20, 2026 at 6:15 pm
ABMitch
I love this advice and I love the illustrations! Thank you, Ursula!
January 20, 2026 at 7:32 pm
Celeste
Gina this post was perfect for me. I had a meeting with my critique group a few weeks ago and the suggestions made me go back and start from scratch. The great thing is I won’t loose anything from the first version. Thanks for sharing.
January 21, 2026 at 8:06 am
Monica Acker
Such a great example! Thank you!
January 21, 2026 at 11:17 am
Laura Purdie Salas
What a great approach! Thanks, Ursula–I have a story percolating :>)
January 22, 2026 at 5:10 pm
Goodreadswithronna.com
Wow, Ursula! Between the two cats, the thick white coffee mug and the great aunt description, and tbh, truly everything, this post hit home. Thanks!!
January 22, 2026 at 5:21 pm
Melissa Stoller
Hi Ursula – thanks for a great post – I can’t wait to buy this book! And now I need a cup of coffee!
January 22, 2026 at 7:34 pm
Eric Herrington
Love C.S. Lewis! Thanks Ursula for your inspirational comics, website resources, and for writing about coffee as a love and the step by step method for generating ideas!
January 23, 2026 at 12:25 pm
bentleycc650
I want to see the rest of the story. I remember percolators and cloth covered cords.
January 23, 2026 at 12:41 pm
Laura Wippell
Ursula, this was just gorgeous! Thank you – feeling so inspired!
January 23, 2026 at 1:09 pm
marcihersel
So inspiring! Thank you!
January 24, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Angela De Groot
Love this as a way to reconnect with your memories AND generate story ideas, characters, and settings. Thanks for sharing, Ursula.
January 24, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Angela De Groot
Love this as a way to reconnect with your memories AND generate story ideas, characters, and settings. Thanks for sharing, Ursula.
January 24, 2026 at 5:35 pm
ptnozell
Thank you for the reminder to mine my memories – even the small and seemingly insignificant ones, and to focus on things I love.
January 25, 2026 at 12:33 am
Teresa Speranza Vargas
Great advice to “tell the truth about something you love.” That’s where creating characters and the world they live in brings the most joy!
January 25, 2026 at 7:19 pm
Nadine Poper
Be honest about what you love. Time to write about that now. Thanks.
January 25, 2026 at 9:27 pm
Jan Milusich
I agree The Magician’s Nephew is the best!
January 26, 2026 at 7:52 pm
Debbie Moeller
What a creative post! I had so much fun with this and have an idea to develop! Thank you, Ursula.
January 28, 2026 at 2:39 pm
brigitus6620
A really great post. I loved all of the detail. Thank you.
January 28, 2026 at 5:14 pm
susaninez0905
What a great post. Thanks for sharing.
January 29, 2026 at 10:15 pm
ralucasirbu
Such a cool post GN style on the art of the plot. Congratulations on your achievements – I truly envy all good illustrators’ talent. I wish I had 1/10 of that.
January 30, 2026 at 3:45 pm
jilltatara
So fun! I loved this post. Thank you! and I’m going to start using the word jejune in conversations.
January 31, 2026 at 7:14 am
chrisynthia
Now this spoke to my brain and got me motivated. I might have just learned something about my learning style. Thanks for your post.
January 31, 2026 at 2:18 pm
8catpaws
Universal Truth: Chocolate is the universal best food. You should eat it at every meal…
January 31, 2026 at 9:19 pm
Keeping the Me in Mommy
The spread with the little girl and all the untouchables remind me of several houses of my youth! Magical, dusty places where “don’t touch” ruled! Maybe that is why I now live in a house where everything must be touchable and kid friendly!
January 31, 2026 at 9:19 pm
Keeping the Me in Mommy
The spread with the little girl and all the untouchables remind me of several houses of my youth! Magical, dusty places where “don’t touch” ruled! Maybe that is why I now live in a house where everything must be touchable and kid friendly!