by Corey Rosen Schwartz Most of my picture book ideas have come from my own children. Unfortunately, they are getting older so I am a little short on material lately. I can no longer rely on them t…
Source: Storystorm Day 20: “Titlestorming” by Corey Rosen Schwartz
Great post! Finally, I see what type of writer I am!
Shouldn’t have eaten that last donut. No longer a size 7.5.
Sigh.
(Reblogged from 2010)
In honor of those pets we’ve loved and lost. Meet Annabelle, who was spending time with mommy and trying to nonchalantly fit inside her box. Miss you, my beautiful tuxedo cat fur baby.
by Ross MacDonald Over the years I’ve been approached by illustration and design students who share an internal struggle: that they have other interests—cosplay, metalwork, bookbinding, writi…
Source: Storystorm Day 19: “Many Layers, One Cake” by Ross MacDonald
I appreciated this post about doing things we love. Enjoying other activities besides just writing allows the creative juices to percolate on the back burner. Plus, our brains get refreshment! Thanks, Ross!
by Veronica Bartles When Tara asked me to write a blog post for Storystorm about Inspiration, I knew this would be my Finest Achievement Ever. I’m so excited to share with you my brilliant, awe-ins…
Source: Storystorm Day 18: “Bake it Up, Shake it Up” by Veronica Bartles
Mentor texts? Fractured fairy tales? I want to do one of these! Love it!
by Jason Kirschner If you can stick with this post all the way to the end, you’ll find my little bio where it is clearly states that “author/illustrator” is not my day job. Most d…
Source: Storystorm Day 15: “The Day-Job Rule” by Jason
One day to complete a picture book? At least you would have a rough draft, right? Thanks, Jason.
by Marcie Colleen When Tara asked me to blog for Storystorm I knew right away that there were two points I wanted to make. Ideas can come from the most random and wackiest places. A good idea is in…
Source: Storystorm Day 14: “Guard Your Ideas Like Gold” by Marcie Colleen
Great ideas are like gold! Keep them safe!
by Colby Sharp One of my favorite things to do with my students is a Mock Caldecott unit. Each year, my friend Mr. Schu and I select 20 books for the study. Mr. Schu posts the list on his blog with…
Source: Storystorm Day 13: “The Mock Caldecott Awards” by Colby Sharp
Teachers! This is a great idea to do with students. Librarians, you could probably adjust and do the same activity. Readers – who wouldn’t want to be in on the decision making for the Mock Caldecott Awards? Pick me, pick me!
by Julie McGann My name is Julie McGann and I am a wish-granting digital artist who captures the imagination of little dreamers worldwide by giving them the dream pet they have always wanted. Child…
Source: Storystorm Day 12: “Dances with Ketchup” by Julie McGann
I love the way Julie creates her imaginative art! Perfect for kids of all ages.
by Chana Stiefel Well, Storystormers. We have made it to January 11 already. While many of us have developed an aversion to the news these days, I encourage you to give your morning newspaper a sec…
Source: Storystorm Day 11: “Rrrrripped from the Headlines” by Chana Stiefel
Interesting story ideas can literally be rrrrippped from the newspaper! How fun is that?
A childhood song came dancing through my mind this morning, singing to the new year and new beginnings. After several days of reading blog posts and emails about New Year resolutions and words for the year, my thoughts were certainly considering all things new.
Isn’t it wonderful to have a fresh start? Why can’t we do that every day, all year long? Every January, I find myself more energized and committed to my goals and dreams, yet from past experiences (years upon years), I’m pretty sure I will experience fatigue and begin to prune my high expectations. Or at least forget my word of the year (which I have yet to discover). Life will interfere, changes will happen, and by the end of the year, those beginning plans will have fallen by the wayside or will have been altered so much they barely resemble original thoughts.
That’s ok, though, really. We cannot foresee the twists and turns of life, so wisdom would dictate that we make adjustments and refine our goals, dreams, plans.
Fresh resolutions every morning would be much more manageable.
Write. Read. Learn. Love. Do.
A basic plan, a few words, doable. Perhaps too broad, but easy to adjust each day. And the perfect-for-me way to enjoy new mornings every day as the sun rises.
The original fresh start and new beginnings?
“The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)
and
“Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’” Revelation 21:5 (NKJV)
Care to join me in a fresh new beginning each morning?
Karen Witemeyer penned similar well-crafted thoughts about new beginnings. You can find her at Inspired by Life and Fiction.
Love, Laughter, and Life 