Storystorm 2024 Day 18: Caron Levis Gets Inspiration from the Mighty Mud

January 18, 2024 in STORYSTORM 2024 | Tags: , , , , , | 492 comments

by Caron Levis

Sometimes I hide from inspiration.

Usually there’s nothing that makes me more present and joyful than collecting fresh drops of ideas. Tinkering with ideas—and working on the ones that trumpet, squawk, neigh, yawn, or cry the loudest—is what grounds and propels me through life. However, at times when mucky emotions overwhelm me, inspiration oddly feels exhausting, and I tend to stick my head in the sand. Once I hid so long, it seemed like my ideas had given up waiting and dried up. Scary. But uncollected inspiration never actually goes away and as Auntie Em says to elephant siblings Ely and Enid in MIGHTY MUDDY US, even during a drought “there is always water somewhere underground to sniff out and dig up.” Here are some ways I search for water on the tougher days.

Play in the Mud: One of the stickiest pieces of advice came from an acting teacher long ago. I had trouble finding my way to acting joyful if I felt sad. My teacher said, “start where you are, not where you want to be.” So, instead of trying to escape my current state, I allow myself to wallow, explore, get curious about it and see how it transforms.

Dig: Use writing prompts such as My Mud Is Made Of… or My Emotional Shape is… These can clear a path for inspiration or even give you some words, phrases, or ideas.

Roll the Ball: hope and ideas will follow.  In Ida, Always, after the death of his friend, polar bear Gus hides with his grief in shadows. Eventually he begins to roll Ida’s favorite ball and his grief begins to take a new shape. Sometimes you need to act playful before you can feel playful. This concept of acting first, feeling later is one I turn to and play with a lot in my Act-Like-A-Writer workshops.

Dig: physically do something simple that brought you joy as a child or as an adult—even if you don’t feel like it. Get suggestions from friends too. (Thank you Tara for reminding me to  discover new Absurd Words!)

“Be a Spy for Hope”: I have this (slightly abbreviated) quote from Katherine Patterson tacked to my bulletin board alongside the advice from Kate DiCamillo “Do Not Hope, Observe.”  Spying and observing are actions we can take to find ideas.

Dig: Your mission is to walk, ride, or sit for twenty to forty minutes and collect one to five juicy images/sounds of hope. I once spied a child in a stroller fighting sleep as an ever-growing yawn took over. This was one of the raindrops for Stop That Yawn! Illustrated by LeUyen Pham.

Follow the Interrupting Ducks! I mean storks! I mean ideas! When I was looking for a new story for the feeling-friends collection with Charles Santoso, I got stuck for months working on one idea. One day my aunt sent me, “a cute video about ducks.” It turned out those ducks were storks with an incredible story. I allowed myself to take a break and follow the storks…all the way to Feathers Together.  While we want to commit and be wary of sirens, sometimes the ducks can waddle you in the right direction.

Dig: When a new idea flies in at the “wrong” time, give yourself one hour, day, or week to explore it. If its pieces are coming together (and you aren’t in contract for the other!) keep going, keep it as your on-the-side project, or store for later.

Dedication Inspiration: In MIGHTY MUDDY US, Enid gets lost in a dust storm—and it’s by answering Ely’s call that she finds her way out of it. On dusty days, I think of someone I want to write for. This helps me generate a list of new ideas or find a fresh take on an oldie. The search for ideas that became THIS WAY, CHARLIE, FEATHERS TOGETHER, and MIGHTY MUDDY US was largely inspired by Charles Santoso and his heartfelt art. My niece and nephews are responsible for what I’m revising now.

Dig: Dedicate your daily writing or idea gathering session to someone you care about. Report back on what you came up with for them.

Enjoy your Mighty Muddy Storystorm!

Tooo-Weeee!

Caron Levis is giving away three limited edition prints of the characters in MIGHTY MUDDY US, created by Charles Santoso, to three separate winners.

You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm 2024 participant and you have commented only once on today’s blog post.

Prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of Storystorm.

Caron Levis (MFA; LMSW) is the author of several picture books including the  award winning Feeling-Friends collection illustrated by Charles Santoso: MIGHTY MUDDY US, FEATHERS TOGETHER, THIS WAY, CHARLIE (Abrams) and IDA, ALWAYS (Atheneum/S&S) which the New York Times Book Review calls, “an example of children’s books at their best.” Other titles include Stop That Yawn! (Atheneum/S&S.) Caron is the Coordinator and a Professor for The New School’s Writing for Children/YA MFA program. She has over 20 years as a Creative SEL/Literacy skills educator and uses a blend of drama and writing techniques to create a variety of interactive workshops for children and adults. Caron was born, raised, and currently lives in New York City. One of her favorite adventures was flying in a hot air balloon at sunrise. Writing short things takes her a long time. Visit her at CaronLevis.com.

Storystorm 2024 Day 17: Melissa H. Mwai Shares Research Gems

January 17, 2024 in STORYSTORM 2024 | Tags: , , , | 1,007 comments

by Melissa H. Mwai

Happy 17th Day of Storystorm!

This past year, I worked on three non-fiction early readers for DK that required a ton of research. Through each book project, I rediscovered my love of research and refined my work process.  And let me tell you, I found some true gems. Not only for the story ideas themselves…but how to do research in the future.

Here are five research gems, I want to share with you the next time you want to research a topic for a story:

1. THE FIVE Ws

Remember the “five Ws” you were asked to memorize in school: who, what, where, why, and when? The “five Ws” are sometimes called  “journalist’s questions.” It’s a great place to start researching a topic. While researching for THE HISTORY OF JAZZ (Sept ‘24), I skimmed many encyclopedia articles focusing on the “five Ws” because they gave me a 50,000-foot view of 200 years of musical history! I had a path to follow as I worked out an outline.

Research Gem: Using the “Five Ws” can help map out a new research topic or simplify a complicated one.

2. ASK WHAT IF?

“What if?” is a powerful question to have in your toolkit when doing research. For example, Louis Armstrong had to be in my book on THE HISTORY OF JAZZ, but he didn’t become famous on his own. I asked myself, “What if I learned about the other people in his life?” That question turned into a profile highlighting the fabulous Lil Harden Armstrong, who was his bandmate, manager, and wife!  So remember to ask, “what if…” as you are researching a topic.

Research Gem: Asking “What If” questions while researching can lead to angles that were missed.

3. VARY YOUR SOURCES

Do you recall learning about primary and secondary sources? Primary sources offer first-hand accounts of events like interviews or autobiographies. Secondary resources can give you summaries, commentary, and analyses. While working on A PUERTO RICAN CHILDHOOD (Mar ‘24), I had the challenge of researching modern-day life for kids. For primary sources, I used news reports, video bloggers, and even interviewed residents. My secondary sources included travel guides, art, and music. When you think outside the box  for your research sources, you’ll never know what treasures you’ll find.

Research Gem: Unique sources can help you mine interesting or overlooked topics that can be worked into your story.

4. FIND YOUR ANGLE

Ideas are everywhere. That means stories are going to cover similar topics. But don’t let that scare you from making a story about it. Remember to ask yourself what’s unique about your story’s angle as you research. In A HARLEM RENAISSANCE (June ‘24), my favorite example of a unique angle is the sports chapter. Why? Because I didn’t see those mentioned in current stories published for kids. I learned the Harlem Globetrotters weren’t based in Harlem at all! Instead an amazing team called the Harlem Rens dominated the scene.

Research Gem: If you’re interested in a topic, it’s easier to dig up the bits that interest others.

5. DO A HEART CHECK

The last thing I do is ask whether my research connects with the heart. These questions applied to all of my books. Usually, the emotion was the piece I needed to carve out when writing and revising.

  • How does the research highlight people’s emotions?
  • How does the research connect with readers (so in my case—kids)?
  • Does the research connect with something important to me?

And now that the books are done, I see those diamonds everywhere.

Research Gem: Mine your research for emotional moments and make sparkle in your stories.

Whether or not you’re a research enthusiast like me, I hope this post helps map out a path to the hidden gems for your next story!

Melissa H. Mwai is giving away a choice of one 30-minute  “Ask Me Anything” Zoom or one picture book/early reader critique. The winner will also receive a copy of her upcoming book, A PUERTO RICAN CHILDHOOD out March 26, 2024.

You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm 2024 participant and you have commented only once on today’s blog post.

Prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of Storystorm.

Melissa H. Mwai is the author of STACEY ABRAMS (Nat Geo Kids, ‘21) and a contributing author/illustrator of GNOME AND UNGNOMES: Poems of Hidden Creatures (Writers’ Loft, ‘23). She also has several early readers by DK and Paw Prints coming out in 2024, 2025, and 2026. When Melissa’s not falling down research rabbit holes, she’s a freelance author and illustrator. Between projects, she spends her time playing board games with her husband and two kids. Visit her at MelissaMwai.com or follow her on Instagram/Threads at @me_mwai.

Storystorm 2024 Day 16: Ruth Spiro Grows Ideas

January 16, 2024 in STORYSTORM 2024 | Tags: , , , , , , | 498 comments

by Ruth Spiro

Guess what? You’re exactly halfway through Storystorm! You have fifteen days behind you and fifteen more ahead. This means you most likely have fifteen (or more!) ideas, with more to come. To borrow from Mary Oliver, what will you do with these wild and precious ideas?

Yes, an idea is precious, full of hope and possibility. If cared for properly, an idea can blossom into something surprising and wonderful.

Sometimes an idea is right in front of your nose…

My kitchen:

My office:

My living room writing/reading chair:

… but it takes a while for your brain to recognize it.

In the spring of 2021, I sat in my office revising a manuscript and glanced at the mini garden on my desk. I thought, “I should write a book about houseplants!” This was the closest thing to a lightbulb moment I’ve ever experienced.

Five months later I had a finished manuscript and a two-book deal with HarperCollins. About two years after that, I held the finished book in my hands. LOVE GROWS, illustrated by the amazingly talented Lucy Ruth Cummins, published in December.

The process from idea to finished manuscript to contract was quick, but that doesn’t mean it was easy! In the first two months there was a lot of back-and-forth with my agent. LOVE GROWS started as a counting book, but my agent felt it needed something more and she was right. Once acquired, there were more revisions. But with TLC my idea grew into what it was supposed to become.

How can you cultivate your wild and precious ideas? Here are a few similarities I’ve discovered between writing and plant parenthood:

They both need optimal growing conditions

When a plant isn’t doing well, you have to figure out how to help it. Does it need more sun? Less water? A larger pot? Sometimes a plant needs a sturdy framework like a trellis or moss pole to hold on to.

LOVE GROWS began as a simple counting book, but it needed more to stand out in the market and appeal to readers. By adding the human connection between a girl and her aunt, as well as switching to an epistolary format, it became a relationship story as the two bonded over their love of plants.

As you develop your idea into a story, consider a variety of options for the care, feeding, and frameworks that will help it thrive.

Propagation has its perks

When a plant gets “leggy” you can use a cutting to grow an entirely new plant. Place the cutting in water to grow roots and then you’ll have a new plant independent of the original.

My new picture book series, HOW TO EXPLAIN SCIENCE TO A GROWN-UP, is the result of propagation! After fielding requests from parents and educators for a slightly more advanced series for readers who’ve outgrown their beloved BABY LOVES SCIENCE board books, this concept was born. We took a snippet from the original, gave it a different framework, and popped it into a snazzy new container.

If you’re running short on ideas, till the soil of stories you’ve already written. You just might discover a bounty of ideas you can use to craft a story that’s entirely new.

Germination takes time

Even in the most perfect conditions, a seedling takes time to sprout. A cutting takes time to grow roots. A good gardener or houseplant parent knows this, and is patient.

ONE SMALL SPARK: A TIKKUN OLAM STORY is my personal interpretation of the Jewish concept that is commonly translated to “repair the world.” I first added this idea to my list about ten years ago. (Yes, ten!) I knew it had great potential, but spent years moving the idea from window to window. Did it want direct light, or indirect? A humid spot in the kitchen, or dryer surroundings in the den? It took much longer than expected but eventually I hit the perfect combination and the story flourished.

Have you participated in previous Storystorms? Look back at your previous idea lists and pick a few that didn’t pan out at the time but still cling to your imagination like ivy on a garden gate. Add those to this year’s list because they may be ready to germinate!

Ruth Spiro is giving away one signed copy of LOVE GROWS and one signed copy of HOW TO EXPLAIN CODING TO A GROWN-UP (U.S. addresses only) to two separate winners.

You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm 2024 participant and you have commented only once on today’s blog post.

Prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of Storystorm.

Ruth Spiro is the author of more than 30 children’s books. Her bestselling Baby Loves Science board books are the groundbreaking originals that introduce big ideas to the littlest listeners in an age-appropriate and engaging style. The enthusiastic response to the Baby Loves Science books inspired a new picture book series perfect for early elementary readers, How to Explain Science to a Grown-Up. Her other picture books include Made by Maxine, Maxine and the Greatest Garden Ever, and Love Grows.

Ruth’s work has been praised by the Los Angeles Times, NPR, TODAY, Bank Street College of Education, Purdue Engineering, and more. Fans who have publicly shared their love of her books include Gabby Giffords, Chelsea Clinton, and Chance the Rapper. She hopes her books inspire kids to observe the world, ask questions, and when it comes to their futures, DREAM BIG!

Visit Ruth at RuthSpiro.com and follow her on Instagram @ruthspiro and BlueSky @ruthspiro.bsky.social.

Storystorm 2024 Day 15: Colleen Rowan Kosinski Hunts for Treasure

January 15, 2024 in STORYSTORM 2024 | Tags: , , | 501 comments

by Colleen Rowan Kosinski

I’ve always been a “treasure hunter.”  I’ll comb through yard sales, estate sales, and thrift shops searching for that piece of overlooked “gold.” Sometimes the treasure is not obvious, but if you surround it with a cloak of mystery and mythology then that simple walking stick can become a staff that was carried to traverse a mysterious land by a wizened wizard. Why, that cracked tea pot sitting all alone on the shelf. It was used to serve Hollywood’s biggest movie stars. If only it could talk! There are so many nuggets of stories all around us!

I guess in a roundabout way I am talking about imagination. Seeing into an object and creating a world for it. And, I would guess my specialty is creating stories about inanimate objects.

My last book told the story of an origami crane and how its life changed over the years. I love circular stories and this idea fit perfectly. But, back to inspiration. My daughter-in-law had made me a little blue origami crane. I’d nestled it on top of a piece of furniture in my bedroom. One night I was looking at the crane and thinking “what was its life like?” Did it like being stuck in this room? Did it wish to be a real bird? Ultimately, that was not the story I told but “what ifs” are a great way to get the imagination going. I finally landed on the idea that a child had made an origami crane and it had become the child’s best friend. But as the child grew, that relationship changed (as do most relationships.) The crane was forgotten for many years as the boy was occupied with life—and a girlfriend. Eventually, the boy proposed to the girl and used the crane’s paper to write his marriage proposal. Now the crane was also prized by the girl. Then the boy and girl had a baby. The boy used the crane in a mobile for the baby. The crane was then also prized by the baby. Although, their relationship changed, the boy and his crane always had love. The book is called LOVE MADE ME MORE.

In my book previous to LOVE MADE ME MORE, my inspiration was also an inanimate object—a house. How was I inspired? Well, my children are all grown and have moved out, so my husband and I were talking about downsizing. When we told our kids they were sad. They said they couldn’t imagine not being able to visit their childhood home. I was very surprised that our grownup children felt such a strong connection to our house. One day, while sitting out back looking up at the house, I started imagining how it would feel if we left it. Would it miss us? Would it accept new owners? These “what ifs” grew into an entire personality being created for a house, and led to my story A HOME AGAIN.

My obsession with making inanimate objects speak continues. I recently signed the contract for my next book. And, it’s about the relationship between a little girl and a fallen star. My agent is also currently shopping another book—told through the eyes of a boat!

My challenge for you:

Find an object. It can be anything. And start asking “what ifs.” For example, a glass of water. What if it remembers a time when it was a million raindrops. Or, what if it remembers the excitement of rushing around rocks in a river. Perhaps that was scary? Exhilarating? The possibilities are endless. Have fun! Maybe you’ll find your next story under a rock—or maybe the rock will be the subject!

Colleen Rowan Kosinski is giving away six copies of LOVE MADE ME MORE to be awarded to six random commenters.

You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm 2024 participant and you have commented only once on today’s blog post.

Prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of Storystorm.

Colleen Rowan Kosinski writes picture books and middle grade novels. Her picture books include LILLA’S SUUNFLOWERS, A HOME AGAIN, and LOVE MADE ME MORE (2022). Her middle grade novel is titled A PROMISE STITCHED IN TIME. For the last year she has been working as an editor at Reedsy.com and teaching classes on picture book writing. She is also involved in her local chapter of the SCBWI, and the Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature. Colleen is a graduate of Rutgers University, as are her husband and sons. Her daughter followed the bright lights to work in the film industry in LA. Colleen works from her Cherry Hill, NJ studio with her canine assistant, Sage. Visit her online at ColleenRowanKosinski.com and follow her on Instagram @ColleenKosinski.

Storystorm 2024 Day 14: Sharon Giltrow Turns a Picture Book into a Middle Grade Series

January 14, 2024 in STORYSTORM 2024 | Tags: , | 559 comments

by Sharon Giltrow

Congratulations on reaching day 14 of Storystorm 2024.

By now I’m sure you have loads of picture book ideas.

But what if they aren’t all picture book ideas?

What if one of your ideas is in fact a middle grade book idea?

“Impossible!”

I hear you say.

“I’m a picture book writer. I write picture books.”

Well, you can be both.

Let me tell you a little story about how I became both a picture book and a middle grade book writer.

It all began during the storm of 2019. The Storystorm storm that is!

One of my ideas was ‘A Child’s Utility Belt’. I really loved the idea and at the end of Storystorm I chose to brainstorm it. I asked myself What would a child’s utility belt hold? What tools would a child want the most? Perhaps a tool… for time travel, endless supplies of lollies, to glow in the dark, invisibility, to fly. Or even better, a tool to overcome everyday challenges, such as a school bully.

Bingo!

I had my story. I started writing it in the only way I knew how, as a picture book.

However, when I shared the finished story with my critique buddy, she suggested it was more for an older reader. And asked, “Had you thought about turning the story into a middle grade book?”

My reaction was “Um, No! I can’t do that. How do I turn 500 words into 50,000 words?”

I put the story in the too hard drawer.

But I really loved the idea, and I couldn’t let it go. So… I looked in my own utility belt and found a middle grade course.

The course was a great success and by the end of 2019 I had turned my picture book story into a middle grade book: SAMARA RUBIN AND THE UTILTY BELT, illustrated by Thu Vu, published by Clear Fork Press, 2023.

My story doesn’t end with SAMARA though. I went on to write two more books in the series: TOBY KING AND THE UTILITY BELT and KAYA BELL AND THE UTILITY BELT, both to be released in 2024.

So, from one Storystorm picture book idea, three middle grade books were created.

My challenge to you, if you choose to accept it, is to take a close look at your Storystorm ideas. Can any of them be turned into a middle grade book? Or open your drawer of picture book stories and see if any of them will work.

Brainstorm the main plot ideas and scenes from your story and see if they can become chapters.

Examine your characters and see how you can develop them more. Especially their back stories.

Look in your own utility belt and see if you have the tools to help you.

I bet you do!

Sharon Giltrow is giving away two prizes to two separate winners: one copy of SAMARA RUBIN AND THE UTILTY BELT, and one Ask-Me-Anything Zoom chat.

You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm 2024 participant and you have commented only once on today’s blog post.

Prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of Storystorm.

Sharon Giltrow, an award-winning Children’s Author, grew up in South Australia the youngest of eight children, surrounded by pet sheep and fields of barley. She now lives in Perth, Australia with her husband and two children. Sharon has taught for all her career and now teaches young children with Developmental Language Disorder. Her humorous picture books include BEDTIME, DADDY, GET READY, MAMA! which is a SPEECH PATHOLOGY AUSTRALIA shortlisted BOOK OF THE YEAR and LET’S GO SHOPPING, GRANDMA! Awarded The Paper Bird Fellowship for Writers in 2019, Sharon used this time to write SAMARA RUBIN AND THE UTILITY BELT, book one of her debut early middle grade series, which released in August 2023. Book two and three are scheduled be released in 2024. Connect with Sharon online SharonGiltrowAuthor.com, Instagram @sharongiltrow1, and BlueSky @sharongiltrow1.

Storystorm 2024 Day 13: Laurel Neme Maintains a Searchable Catalogue

January 13, 2024 in STORYSTORM 2024 | Tags: , , , | 513 comments

by Laurel Neme

Where do you store your ideas so that you can come back to them later? I used to jot mine down on scraps of paper to make sure I wouldn’t forget them. But inevitably they drifted from my pockets to who knows where.

A friend noticed and bought me a beautiful blank book for my birthday. It was the kind that feels good simply to hold. For about a year, it worked. Except that it ended up not being that useful. First, I only filled about 12 of the pages. Probably because I didn’t have the book handy when I got an idea. Those that did make it into the book were often too brief (I tended to write just a sentence or two), so they didn’t always make sense. And without any hint of where the idea came from (maybe an event or an article) or what I was doing, I couldn’t recreate my process and find my way back to it.

Worse was the fact that I couldn’t search it quickly. Rather, I would have to read each page to find an idea I was looking for—and typically gave up before I did. Eventually it sat on my shelf. Unopened.

In 2020, I took an Intensive Picture Book Workshop with Anastasia Suen and came away with what was for me a key takeaway—the idea of writing “zero drafts” on my computer. The basic idea was freewriting a draft before your first draft. With no expectations or editing. It was a way to get ideas out of your head and onto the page.

I loved the concept and soon expanded it into something bigger—a running journal of ideas. In essence, it was me stuffing my pockets with scraps of paper filled with ideas and inspiration. Except it was electronic, in one place, and easily searchable.

It started when my critique group did Storystorm together. We all shared a Google doc, and each day wrote down ideas inspired by that day’s post. We each had different “ink” colors, and would often comment and feed off each other’s responses.

The camaraderie deepened my thinking. But I also found the process itself helpful. Once I started jotting down ideas, the more I’d think of. Because I didn’t feel like I had to actually DO anything with them immediately, and they wouldn’t get lost, I couldn’t stop ideas from flowing. And in other areas my writing was benefiting from that.

When the month ended, I wanted to continue that regular brainstorming. But my critique partners didn’t have the time, and they wanted to develop the ideas they’d had.

So…I did it on my own.

Thankfully, I got a boost from Non-Fiction Fest—a month-long series of blogs about writing nonfiction for children. For me, it was perfect. Not only was it a continuation of blogs I could use for inspiration, but nonfiction is my jam. I write books and articles for kids and adults, and am also a freelance journalist for National Geographic and other media outlets.

I tried to recreate the same conditions and started another Google doc, just for me.

Each day, I got inspired by the NF Fest posts. And when it ended, I kept at it. Maybe not every day. But many of them.

I used the document as a placeholder for ideas.

Not just for picture book ideas, but ideas for articles, too. I’d cut and paste links and snippets from research papers or news items that I wanted to pitch to National Geographic. Or subjects I wanted to explore for a book. Or a topic I wanted to learn more about. Sometimes, it was a starting point for a volcano of ideas. And I let those ideas flow.

Other times, I knew I wouldn’t use it but it caught my attention. Like an article on Charmin updating its toilet paper to have a scalloped edge. It talked about the history of toilet paper and included a little info nugget that TP hadn’t changed much since 1857, except with the introduction of perforated lines to make it tearable in the 1890s, and again in 1930 to make it splinter free. It also said more than 7 billion rolls are sold in the US every year. Now, I don’t think I’ll ever do anything with any of that information. But I wrote it down.

The point is: I don’t edit myself. Who knows where an idea might lead?

Even as I write this post, I’m still intrigued by the history of TP and now I wonder about the history of other objects. Crayons? Remote controls? Shower steamers?

I like having a place where I can let ideas rip. It’s like a junk drawer that you never have to organize but that’s always easy to search and find things.

Here are some tips I’ve found useful for my own running catalogue of ideas—but try whatever works for you.

  1. Start each entry with the date and highlight it in blue. That helps separate ideas.
  2. Put key words or ideas IN ALL CAPS. That helps me notice the heart of an idea. It also can get me brainstorming additional related ideas.
  3. Highlight in yellow items you want to stand out. It might be ideas you want to work on first. Or keywords. Or a useful website.
  4. Every month or so, download the document and save it on your computer. That process will make you realize how much you’ve done and can do.
  5. From time to time, scroll through and see what inspires.

Where do YOU store your Storystorm ideas? Take this opportunity to start your own searchable catalogue of ideas. Happy Storming!

Laurel Neme will be giving away two prizes: one 30-minute virtual school visit and one 30-minute “Ask Me Anything” Zoom call to two separate winners.

You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm 2024 participant and you have commented only once on today’s blog post.

Prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of Storystorm.

Laurel Neme writes about nature and wildlife for kids and adults. She’s a regular contributor to to National Geographic and is the author of THE ELEPHANT’S NEW SHOE, about the rescue of a baby elephant who needs a prosthetic foot, ORANGUTAN HOUDINI, and ANIMAL INVESTIGATORS: How the World’s First Wildlife Forensics Lab is Solving Crimes and Saving Endangered Species. She’s also writes for New York Times for Kids magazine and other outlets. Visit her online at LaurelNeme.com. Stay in touch via social media: Bluesky @laurelneme.bsky.social and Instagram @laurelneme.

Storystorm 2024 Day 12: Christine Evans Conjures Magic Spells

January 12, 2024 in STORYSTORM 2024 | Tags: , | 509 comments

by Christine Evans

It’s day 12 and you’ve hopefully got a nice stack of ideas. How would you like to use a magic spell to multiply those ideas right now?

We’re children’s book creators so we all know that magic exists, in wishing wells, on stars, and in books. But you don’t need a wand to try this exercise.

Take one of your ideas. For example, you want to write a story about a dung beetle. Not the most popular book character maybe but we’re always looking for the next big picture book animal—maybe it’s Dung’s chance for fame.

Now, think about a picture book structure. How about epistolary? A particular favorite of mine and a structure I used in DEAR MR. G.

And now think about an emotion. How do you want your reader to feel at the end of your story? For this story, I want them to feel inspired.

So here’s my pitch: A picture book about Dung who wants to be the world record holder of the biggest dung ball ever rolled. It’s told in a series of letters between Dung and his best friend, Flea.

Now switch things up. What if it’s a cumulative story where you leave your reader rolling (yes, pun intended) on the ground in laughter?

Pitch: Dung rolls a dung ball and along the way collects objects that are increasingly absurd as he moves through the book.

Or a how-to book where Dung teaches us how to make our own dung ball that leaves readers informed.

Pitch: How to make a dung ball in 5 easy steps as told by Dung the dung beetle.

Yeah maybe not that one. But there’s no such thing as a bad idea in Storystorm so into the file it goes. You never know what else it might spark.

Finally, how about a nonfiction book about dung beetles that leaves readers curious.

Pitch: Do you know what the world’s strongest animal is? Find out in this book featuring heavyweight animals from dung beetles and leafcutter ants to gorillas and bears.

I think you get the idea! Go through each of your ideas and apply this formula:

Idea x (Structure + Emotion) = More Ideas!

I’m not sure that’s a very mathematical formula. But it is magical!

Good luck creating your own magic this month.

P.S. if you want to read a real picture book about a dung beetle, check out I EAT POOP! by Mark Pett. It’s hilarious! And so sweet.

Christine Evans is giving away a copy of one of her books to one lucky winner (winner’s choice).

You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm 2024 participant and you have commented only once on today’s blog post.

Prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of Storystorm.

Christine Evans is the author of eight books including DEAR MR. G., EVELYN THE ADVENTTUROUS ENTOMOLOGIST, and THE WISH LIIBRARY series. She particularly loves books with a touch of magic.

Christine is a British expat living in California with her husband and family. She invites you to visit her at pinwheelsandstories.com or on almost all of the social media platforms at @ChristineNEvans.

Storystorm 2024 Day 11: Lauren H. Kerstein Watches Hallmark Movies

January 11, 2024 in STORYSTORM 2024 | Tags: | 690 comments

by Lauren H. Kerstein

Confession: I am a Hallmark movie-aholic!

I love having them on in the background while I work (even if I have to keep the sound off in order to concentrate). I love watching them with the sound on and reveling in the “happy ending” structure that is oh-so predictable and much needed in this chaotic world.

I also love reading (or listening to) romance novels. It’s a fun way to dissect story beats, enjoy happy endings, and of course, immerse yourself in someone else’s world for a little while.

Here’s the best part, while reading or enjoying Hallmark movie marathons, you can find ideas.

Here are a few examples: (I wish I wrote down the titles of the movies from which I snagged these, but alas, I didn’t.)

Scene:
A picture frame falls out of a child’s bag at the airport. She had decorated it as a gift.

Idea:
What about a picture book about Mother’s Day in which the MC can’t think of anything special and ultimately realizes that she is the gift. She decorates a picture frame with a picture of herself in the center. (Can you just see the sweetness of that final spread?)

Conflict Set Up:
The main character is a reporter. Her job ends up in direct conflict with her “love interest.”

Idea:
What if you have a child reporter as your MC in either a young graphic novel, chapter book, or picture book? The child MC might investigate stories in the neighborhood and bring them to light. At first, she brings them to light in a hurtful way. And so… her emotional journey is to figure out a way to bring the stories to light responsibly. (Do no harm.)

Movie Theme:
Valentine’s Day Themed Hallmark Movie

Idea:
What would happen if a child makes a Valentine’s Day card for a friend, but it ends up in the wrong hands?

Ooooh, and I got a nonfiction idea while looking up gifs for this. (See gif below.) If flamingos put their heads together, they form a heart. What other animals can make a heart with their bodies? (Dragonflies do when they mate!) There must be more!!

Remember, ideas are nuggets we capture and write down without dissecting them or assessing their worth. Our job during Storystorm is to generate ideas with as little judgment as possible.

Let your pen fly! Catch each idea. Then, later, you can assess them, combine them, turn them upside down, and massage them into fantastic stories.

So, consider this post an invitation to watch those movies you want to watch! Enjoy television. Read lots of books. And keep your notebook handy. You’ll be surprised by how many ideas you will find.

Lauren is offering two prizes: a 60-minute Zoom Critique Session and a copy of her latest book, REMEMBERING SUNDAYS WITH GRANDPA (Illustrated by Nanette Regan/Beaming Books) to two separate winners.

You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm 2024 participant and you have commented only once on today’s blog post.

Prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of Storystorm.

Lauren H. Kerstein is an author, psychotherapist, developmental editor, and a NYT bestselling ghostwriter. She is represented by Deborah Warren with East/West Literary Agency. Lauren enjoys highlighting strengths, strong women, and of course, dragons, in her books. Her writing goals are simple. Embrace feedback. Work hard. Be passionate. Write courageously. Touch children’s hearts. You can find more information at LaurenKerstein.net and @LaurenKerstein on most socials.

Storystorm 2024 Day 10: Chiara Colombi Believes in the Power of Small Steps

January 10, 2024 in STORYSTORM 2024 | Tags: , | 585 comments

by Chiara Colombi

A wise person once said: “That’s one small step for Storystormers, one giant leap for Storystorming.”

Alright, I may have tweaked the quote a bit, but you’ll soon see that the sentiment holds true. Today, we’re storystorming our way to giant leaps of inspiration one small step at a time…literally. Ready to get meta? We’re going to create story ideas out of steps.

First, some context. The power of “one small step” is a key theme in my debut picture book ROCKET SHIP, SOLO TRIP, illustrated by Scott Magoon and releasing this February 2024. It tells the story of a young rocket braving the unknown on her first journey into space, in a celebration of the big firsts of life’s littlest explorers. Over the course of her mission, Rocket learns that when you’re faced with a big, overwhelming task, breaking it down into smaller steps can help you find your courage. Taking that first small step is all you need to launch yourself into success. Or in our case, inspiration.

This prompt is hands-on and involves steps of its own, so grab a pen and paper (or your Notes app, if that’s your jive). Let’s gather up some steps and see where they lead us!

Step 1: Gather your steps
Walk around your house and gather three to five items that each represent a step in a process. These items should be wholly unrelated to each other.

Examples: a hair dryer represents a step in a morning routine; birthday candles represent a step in a celebration; a watering can represents a step in gardening.

Step 2: Line them up
Once you’ve gathered your items, line them up and write down the order that they appear in. Then rearrange them and write down the order again, two more times.

Examples: Order #1: hair dryer; birthday candles; watering can. Order #2: birthday candles, hair dryer; watering can. Order #3: watering can; hair dryer; birthday candles.

Step 3: Turn your steps into stories
Storystorm one to three ideas that involve these items in the orders you’ve written down. How could these items combine to tell a story? Maybe you come up with a how-to book that guides the reader through a series of steps using your items in an unexpected way. Maybe you find an epic quest that only a kid reinterpreting everyday objects could possibly imagine. Maybe just one of your objects reminds you of an activity that filled you with wonder when you were younger—is there a story in that wonder and the path it could lead you down if you took that first step?

There is no right or wrong way to find inspiration in the objects you’ve gathered. The goal is to use one or a few small steps to launch yourself into story drafting success.

An example, to bring it all together…

Here’s a story idea I came up with, using the items in order #2 above (birthday candles, hair dryer, watering can): “How to Throw a Birthday Party for Your Pet Cactus.” (Goodness knows if I could get a cactus to live for a full year, it’d deserve a celebration.) Step one in the story would involve a cake and candles, naturally. Step two would require assisting the pet cactus in blowing the candles out by backing them up with a hair dryer. And step three would find the MC showering their cactus with gifts in the form of a downpour of water from their favorite watering can. Toss in a twist like the cactus not responding well to the hair dryer and sudden shower, and now there’s a problem my house-plant-loving MC needs to solve.

…Or perhaps I just run with the “Birthday Party for Your Cactus” idea and leave the steps out, because there’s gold in that tale of prickly affection all on its own!

As Stephen King so wisely points out in On Writing, often the best stories come out of the collision of two “previously unrelated,” very disparate ideas. Think of your favorite picture books, and you’ll see this time and again. Bedtime for construction vehicles. Mild-salsa-taco-loving dragons. Misbehaving dinos doing all the things parents warn their kids not to do. A girl planting love. Mashing up previously unrelated steps is a way to create new collisions in your mind that just might spin and swirl in such a way that gravity pulls them together into a shimmering new planet, a.k.a. a story.

So, what are you waiting for? Start your next story with one small step.

Chiara Colombi is giving away a PB critique with a 30-minute zoom call and a signed copy of her book to two separate winners.

You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm 2024 participant and you have commented only once on today’s blog post.

Prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of Storystorm.

Chiara Colombi’s debut picture book, ROCKET SHIP, SOLO TRIP, illustrated by Scott Magoon and published by Viking, releases on February 27, 2024. An Italian-American bilingual wordsmith dedicated to the art of engineering with words, Chiara worked for a decade as a translator before pivoting into marketing at a data privacy startup, all the while carving out space for creative writing and storytelling. She is as comfortable talking about PII (personally identifiable information) as she is talking about PBs (picture books), though she’d love it if you asked her about Jupiter’s moons. She currently lives in California with her family and an open view of the sky. Connect with Chiara on Bluesky @chiaracolombi, Instagram @ChiaraBColombi, or through her website ChiaraColombi.com.

Storystorm 2024 Day 9: David McMullin Needs an Anchor

January 9, 2024 in STORYSTORM 2024 | Tags: , | 698 comments

by David McMullin

Does Storystorm have superfans? Yes. Yes it does. This is the story of one. Let’s call him StormerX.

  • December 2015. StormerX participates in his first Storystorm (PiBoIdMo). He is hooked!
  • January 2018. The PB world is in its usual euphoric Storystorm frenzy of ideas and motivation. StormerX is joyfully sketching out his 30(+) ideas inspired by the encouragement of the bloggers and his fellow writers.
  • February 2018. Storystorm comes to an end. StormerX is experiencing PSB (Post Storystorm Blues). No more blogs! No more ideas! No more being surrounded by other writers! Fortunately, the spirit of Storystorm doesn’t fade quickly. Inspiration is still dancing in his heart. What if he…doesn’t stop? What if he…continues generating ideas for another month?

The following months. Then, another month? And another? And another?

Fast forward to today! StormerX has never stopped. He has created at least one idea a day for…

  • Over SIX YEARS.
  • That’s 74 months.
  • 2222 days.
  • All resulting in 2496 ideas!

Now, I can sense what you’re thinking—What’s wrong with that guy?

You may also be thinking—David, is that obsessive oddball you?

It appears that for as clever as I have been, you’ve seen right through me. Yes, I am StormerX.

Let me explain. I am by nature a procrastinator. Also, a dilly-dallier, a fidgeter, a tinkerer, a meanderer and a doodler. I know many of you identify as at least one of these. And I know you all have different strategies you use to cope.

I personally need an anchor, something that holds everything in place. Giving myself one simple writing related task that I do every day, helps me focus. Daily idea generation has become one of the most important tools on my writing journey. I never go to bed without having jotted down at least one idea in my idea book. (Here’s the shiny little fella, now.)

This is how creating one idea a day has been of benefit to me:

  • Routine and structure: Adding routine into one aspect of my life has made it easier to create routine in other aspects of my life. Routine has been shown to reduce stress. Who doesn’t want that?
  • A constant reminder: Even if it’s just for 30 seconds, I think about writing every day. And because writing is often on my mind, I find myself wanting to do even more writerly things—improve my craft, engage with other writers, submit manuscripts, read, revise, and oh, actually write.
  • Quantity: I write more. I am never without something to work on – At any moment I can just peruse my idea book, grab a pencil, and see where it takes me.
  • Quality: This is partly a numbers game. With a new idea every day, there are bound to be a few winners. And it’s become easier to assess which ideas I think are the most writable (and hopefully, sellable).
  • Confidence: This is maybe my favorite perk. I’ve stoped worrying if my ideas are good or marketable or kid-friendly or difficult or offensive or weird. I simply let the pencil do its thing. My writing feels more creative, more daring, and more honest than ever before.
  • And one last benefit: On May 19, 2018 I wrote the following in my idea book – When Jeremy met Fabulina. Jeremy is now Daniel, and Daniel never meets Fabulina, but on April 30th that scrap of an idea becomes my debut picture book, FREE TO BE FABULOUS! with Clarion Books, exquisitely illustrated by Robbie Cathro. If I had not been jotting down so many ideas this one may never have existed.

Remember, this is what works for me. You may find a different strategy that works better for you. Only weekdays? Saturday mornings? Whatever you choose, try to be consistent. And make sure it’s easy and fun—this should be helpful, not a chore.

If daily idea generating isn’t your thing, here are other simple anchors you can use:

  • A daily affirmation.
  • Writing sprints: Set a timer and write. 10 minutes?
  • Set a daily word count goal.
  • Read one picture book. (Heck, read half a picture book.)
  • Read one kidlit blog post.
  • Build community with a post or comment on social media.
  • Write in a journal.
  • Learn one of Tara’s fun, cool and interesting words.
  • Mix and match several of these.

I know most of you are Storystorm superfans, too. (I’ve seen those participant badges popping up all over social media.) How can we not be, am I right? Have a great month and STORM ON!

Note: I recommend giving yourself an awesome Storystorm nickname. It will help you feel more in tune with your inner superfan. (Sorry, StormerX is taken.)

David McMullin is giving away a fiction critique, an Ask Me Anything Zoom call, or a combo of the two.

You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm 2024 participant and you have commented only once on today’s blog post.

Prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of Storystorm.

David McMullin is a picture book writer, illustrator, and children’s poet. His poems are featured in several magazines and anthologies. Honors include an SCBWI Ann Whitford Paul Award, an Astra International Picture Book Writing Contest award, a Madness Poetry championship and he was a Picture Book Rising Stars mentor. David and his husband are currently full time world travelers, bird nerds, and YouTubers. In past careers he was a Broadway actor, an educator, and a children’s librarian. Visit him at DavidMcMullinbooks.com and follow him on Instagram @davidmcmullinpb.

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