[10/19/10: UPDATE! PiBoIdMo 2010 is almost underway. See announcement.]
[11/1/09: UPDATE! PiBoIdMo 2009 has launched! Click here for details!]
November is only a few weeks away, so while novel-writing friends gather up their character notebooks and plot outlines, I’m preparing to do exactly what I did in November 2008: generate one new picture book idea a day.
This is different from Paula Yoo’s NaPiBoWriWee last May, when writers wrote one new picture book a day for seven days. (Phew! I couldn’t keep up with that.)
And it’s different from YA author Jo Knowles’ JoNoWriMo, where children’s writers take a month and a half more (from mid-September to November 30) to complete a kidlit project.
This November’s writing challenge is all about ideas.
They say it takes 10 to 30 days to form a habit, so I’m encouraging picture book writers to get in the daily habit of idea generation. Do it for November, let it continue into December, and start off the new year still collecting tiny seeds that may some day sprout into a story.
An idea for a picture book could be as simple as a title, like Misfit Museum. Or you could take a fall stroll one afternoon and be inspired by foliage floating on a lake. (You might jot down “watercolor pond.”) It doesn’t have to be a full concept, or even a good one. Heck, I’m sure we’ll all have some stinkers in there. But by creating an idea file, you’ll have a document to turn to when you’re low on inspiration.
Why is this a good idea? During an online chat with literary agent Sean McCarthy last year, he was asked about the qualities his ideal client might possess. “Prolific-ness” was his answer. Agents like when their picture book authors are constantly creating. That means there’s more potential books to sell.
At the end of November, you should have 30 new story starters (or close to 30…we do have Thanksgiving festivities to think about). Last year I walked away with 22 ideas, four of which turned into picture books. And I refer to that idea file at least once a week.
Now all we need is a flashy name. NaNoWriMo-lite? (Way, way lite. With extra cream and sugar.) Nah. Something snazzier. Give it a try! It needs a name!
If you’d like to participate, please comment below. I promise to post ideas for idea generation all November long and check in with progress reports.
67 comments
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September 24, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Laura Renegar
Great idea. Count me in!
September 24, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Jennifer Thermes
Love this idea, Tara. I’m in!
September 24, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Corey Schwartz
Sounds good. I’m in too!
September 24, 2009 at 3:46 pm
EelKat
I remember them doing that on “The Rebel Forum” last year – was that you? cool!
How about NaNoPicMo (National Novel Picture Month)?
NaBoPicMo (National Book Picture Month) ?
NaPicBoMo (National Picture Book Month)?
NaBoPicWriMo (National Picture Book Writing Month)?
October 18, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Sue Douglass Fliess
Great idea! Thanks for the push!
October 19, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Laurie Young
I like NaPicBoMo, just because it’s fun to say, “BoMo”! Ha!
😉 Laurie
November 17, 2009 at 2:21 pm
jo
I’m in and looking forward to the whole process!
September 25, 2009 at 1:16 am
Sarah
This is a nice idea – I’m doing NaNoWriMo this year but am also trying to feel 2 sketchbooks for the Moleskiners Escape Into Life ‘skines project – I’m going to run this in adjacent to the novel writing as I have lots of kids/picture stories written but want to illustrate them myself and this is sort of practice for that.
Could this somehow be included in what your doing?
Thanks
Sarah/Saffy
September 25, 2009 at 7:32 am
tara
Sure, Sarah. What is your goal? One sketch a day?
September 29, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Sarah
yes one sketch a day sounds good 🙂
September 25, 2009 at 2:41 am
Dana
Sounds like a great idea. I’m in.
How about National Picture Book Idea Generation Month= NaPBigMo ???
September 25, 2009 at 7:39 am
Sarah Dillard
Oh this sounds great! Exactly what I need– I’m in!
September 25, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Robert Wiley
This is a great idea! This should get the creative juices flowing. Count me in!
September 25, 2009 at 12:29 pm
beckylevine
Tara, are you open to serious variations? I’m totally new to PBs but have one I’d like to get a 1st draft on. Can I join just to accomplish that? 🙂
September 25, 2009 at 2:59 pm
tara
Absolutely. We’re here to motivate each other. ANYTHING goals welcomed. 😉
September 25, 2009 at 3:00 pm
beckylevine
Okay, then count me in! Will you announce here as we get close? (Can you tell I’m SO organized?!)
September 25, 2009 at 3:11 pm
tara
Yes, I’ll remind you before it begins. In a million different ways…Twitter…blog…Facebook…you’ll be sick of me…
September 25, 2009 at 3:14 pm
beckylevine
Nah. Well, maybe on day 29, when I’m panicking! 🙂
September 25, 2009 at 4:49 pm
tammi
Ooh!
Count me in, Tara……..
September 25, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Lynn
Oh, love your idea! I’ve signed up for NanoWrimo, but am really more interested in giving picture book writing a try.
September 26, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Lyon
I’m game.
I am also doing the 30 minute daily doodle challenge. Check my blog for the last few months of doodles.
September 27, 2009 at 11:47 am
Sheri Dillard
I’m in, too! Thanks for doing this, Tara!
September 27, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Brianna
What a great idea! Count me in too! (You’ve already got my mind whirling with possibilities.)
September 27, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Deb
I _love_ this idea, Tara. Somewhere over the years I have fallen out of the habit of collecting new pb ideas…there was a time when I felt like every time I turned around I had something. This will be perfect for getting back into the story finding habit where PBs are concerned!!
September 28, 2009 at 10:20 am
Jannie
sound good-this is perfect for me. I’m in!
September 28, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Michael Sussman
Great idea, Tara–I’m game.
September 29, 2009 at 5:18 pm
stilladreamer
This is a great idea.
As for a name, since we’re talking picture books, how about PiBoWriMo?
Jeanne
September 30, 2009 at 2:20 am
Rebecca C
I think I can manage to do this. I’ll play!
September 30, 2009 at 10:37 am
Lois
Thanks! Great idea–I’m in, too!
October 2, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Kelly H-Y
Love that idea … I’m in! I’m constantly jotting down either PB ideas or titles … you never know what they’ll turn into! Loved this post!
October 3, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Peggy Abrahams
Love this idea but hate to add it to my ever growing, overwhelming to do list – and then inevitably fret about more unfinished WIPs – but I may anyway.
October 5, 2009 at 6:48 am
spacedlaw
Just the idea of a picture book each day?
Sounds feasible (getting the actual pictures could be problematic).
October 6, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Laurie Young
Ok! I’ll do it! Sign me up!
October 6, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Diandra Mae
I’ve had a serious drought in my new idea harvest lately. This sounds great! Because I am an illustrator, I think I’ll try to include a sketch with each idea. And reminders are wonderful. I’ll look you up on Twitter so I can catch those reminders. 🙂
PiBoWriMo does kind of roll off the tongue. ;P
October 7, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Diandra Mae
I commented yesterday, looks like my comment was eaten.
Count me in as well! I’m an illustrator and love the idea of doing a picture book idea a day, especially if I can get a sketch in there to accompany it. I will definitely look for Tweets in the coming month. 🙂
I think PiBoWriMo just rolls off the tongue!
October 10, 2009 at 10:25 am
Jewel
Hi- I am fairly new to PB writing. This sounds like fun. I hope it is not too late to join.
October 13, 2009 at 4:08 am
Kelly Bennett
This is a brilliant idea–a reminder to spend a month dreaming, imagining, playing. I’m in! Thank you for suggesting this.
October 14, 2009 at 10:52 am
Bonnie Adamson
Terrific idea–I got a lot out of Paula Yoo’s NaPiBoWriWee, but it WAS exhausting. The idea’s the thing! Looking forward to added a few new folders to the story collection file!
October 14, 2009 at 12:23 pm
jannelle
I’m in. Gotta’ make some big decisions about this business soon. This is a good start. Thanks.
October 14, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Amy
Great idea for an idea-generating month!
October 14, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Jessica E. Young
This is just what I need. Can’t wait to see what germinates!
October 16, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Laurie Young
NaIdGenMo ? (National Idea Generating Month?)
NewIdeaMo ? (simpler?)
NaNaNaNaNaMo ? (a thumb to the novel writers?)
October 18, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Whimsical Walney
Count me in! This sounds like fun and will help jump start all the stirring in my head.
October 18, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Jenni B.
I am so all over this!!! Thanks Tara – I need this push! LET’S DO IT!!!
October 18, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Jennifer Swanson
Count me in, sounds like fun!
October 19, 2009 at 2:21 am
natisha
Count me in too.
October 19, 2009 at 8:57 am
janemiller
This is a great idea! I’m in.
October 19, 2009 at 8:58 am
paula
I’m game. Count me in and keep me posted.
October 19, 2009 at 9:34 am
Kim
I love this idea! I’m IN!
October 19, 2009 at 10:41 am
Jacqui
Oh man. Now I want to do this. But NaNoWriMo is fun too. I think I have to wait and decide on Oct. 31 at midnight. Except I’ll be sleeping. So the morning of the 1st. After some coffee. And a doughnut.
Can you tell I NEED this kind of motivation?!?!
October 21, 2009 at 8:35 am
Sweet Pea
I have considered attempting to write picture books for quite a while, and this will give me the push to finally do it – great idea!
October 21, 2009 at 10:05 am
Sweet Pea
I have been meaning to attempt picture book writing for a while, so this will give me the push I need – I’m in!
October 26, 2009 at 9:40 am
Amber Alvarez
Just the kind of kick in the pants I need. How fun! Count me in!
October 27, 2009 at 3:41 pm
anypencil
I’d like to join the challenge
November 1, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Heather Burnell
All right. It’s November 1st and I can’t resist any longer. I have to officially say that I’m in! I have two down already. Woot!
November 1, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Beth Coulton
I’m in! I’ve got titles coming out all over the place, and some of those titles even have ideas attached…so what do I do now?
November 1, 2009 at 9:33 pm
tara
Keep writing!
November 1, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Sarah Frances Hardy
I’m in!!! Yay!
sf
November 2, 2009 at 9:07 am
tiffany
in!
November 2, 2009 at 9:46 am
Melissa
Okay, I’m in.
November 2, 2009 at 3:49 pm
ann
Great idea. I’m in!
November 5, 2009 at 7:33 am
Snell-Pym » Turquoise and Orange
[…] came across a picture book alternative to NaNoWriMo called Picture Book Idea Month or PiBoIdMo the idea is you produce 30 picture book ideas in 30 days – I thought why […]
October 8, 2010 at 7:09 pm
Anita
Count me in too!
October 9, 2010 at 5:36 pm
tara
Oh, what a very merry month it will be!
October 11, 2010 at 6:51 am
Routines for Writers » Post Topic » What Do You Really Want To Do During NaNoWriMo?
[…] Picture book […]
October 30, 2010 at 4:08 am
Irene
Count me in.
November 1, 2010 at 7:31 am
Carolyn Rohrbaugh
I have never done something like this but I would like to sign up. It sounds interesting