What can I do in 5 minutes?
Undecorate the RV. Seriously!
Make lunch for my honey.
Make the bed (it DOES take that long…just try making a bed in an RV).
Wipe down condensation from the windows. In the RV, this is a thing.
Vaccuum the RV. Yep.
Brush my teeth. It does take a bit.
Write a thank you note.
Put on make-up.
Call my mom (though we often chat longer than 5).
Reserve books at the library.
Snuggle a kitty or a kid.
How about you? What can you do in 5 minutes?
Mindlessly multi-tasking is my choice-du-jour for allowing my creative side to enjoy some free play time (and hopefully toss out a few story idea sparks).
One of our hobbies (hubby and I) is taking motorcycle trips. I ride behind him, so my hands are empty and we don’t have a way to talk to each other, so I have all that talk-to-myself time. I’m working on one story right now that came directly from daydreaming and wondering on the back of the Honda Shadow.
I’ve also learned that wherever I go I need paper and pen. This goes for motorcycle trips as well. Other motorists often see me hunched over behind his back, jotting down ideas on my paper, fighting for control as the wind gleefully tries to steal my notes. Alas, it’s January, foggy, cold, and in Washington state, not a good time for motorcycle rides. Otherwise I’d say, “Pony up, honey, we need to take a ride!”
Guess I’ll do the dishes. Or sweep. Or bake something. And let those ideas flow.
Thanks, Annie! Thanks, Tara!
via STORYSTORM 2018 Day 8: Annie Silvestro Mindlessly Multi-Tasks
Technique does conquer all! It’s not speed, size, or strength that helps us discover ideas or write well. It’s the technique, or craft, that helps us reach our goals of dreaming up and listing ideas – and then turning those golden ideas into projects.
In this blog post, Tim lists some techniques writers might use to brainstorm. He has some new ideas I want to try. But what popped into my mind was how I stare into space. It seems that helps me come up with new ideas. I also get ideas when I am outside in the mountains or going for a walk in my neighborhood. Now I just need to make sure to write down those thoughts.
Thanks, Tim! Thanks, Tara!
via STORYSTORM 2018 Day 7: Tim McCanna’s Technique Conquers All
Corey speaks like a true recycler, digging out past files, lists, notebooks, and manuscripts…and then hunts out the perfect idea for a new picture book project from old materials. Corey also suggests that we writers keep our eyes and ears open when we read other books, sing songs, watch TV, and repeat those nursery rhymes. One never knows when inspiration will strike!
Thanks, Corey, for the great tips! Thanks, Tara, for putting together Storystorm 2018!
via STORYSTORM 2018 Day 5: Corey Rosen Schwartz Begs, Borrows & Steals
I love this post! Family traditions and culture are so interesting – and unique to each family. What a perfect place to mine ideas for stories!
Thank you, Debbi! Thank you, Tara! (Get well soon!).
via STORYSTORM 2018 Day 4: Debbi Michiko Florence Explores Culture and Family Tradition
What do sketches, photos, magazine images, newspaper pictures, and art supplies have in common? ALL of them can be used to create story ideas!
This is a great idea for dreaming up picture book characters, settings, props, and storylines. Way to go, Mike! Thank you!
Grabbing my scissors, pencils, and paper to get my imagination pumped up…
via STORYSTORM 2018 Day 3: Let’s Get Visual with Mike Ciccotello
Thanks, Tara! Storystorm is going great!
Day 2 of Storystorm features Tammi Sauer, who shares how she uses songs and chants to come up with new ideas for picture books. You might recognize the title from her new book, BUT THE BEAR CAME BACK (book birthday in April), which originated from “But the Cat Came Back,” a song she heard on the radio. I can’t wait to read this picture book.
Any song or chant can spark an idea. So let’s get to it. Dig out those old songs you used to sing as a child (or to your child or with your students). I can’t wait!
via STORYSTORM 2018 Day 2: Tammi Sauer Chants and Sings
Congratulations, Tammi!
Thanks, Tara, for Storystorm!
Today begins the first day of Storystorm! January is a month for new beginnings. That includes brainstorming ideas and making lists for future writing projects: picture books, chapter books, poems, early readers, blog posts…
Let’s do this, my friends. Follow the link below to read the post of the day. Be sure to sign up and comment to be entered to win writerly prizes. 🙂
Ready, set, go! First idea. Check.
What is STORYSTORM?
31 days of inspiring posts to help writers brainstorm story ideas. Picture book ideas will be my main focus, but I bet many others end up with ideas for poems, chapter books, articles, stories, blog posts, and all sorts of other writing projects. STORYSTORM is worth every second!
Let the STORYSTORM rage on!
A great big thanks to Tara Lazar for all of the hard work, planning, and organizing for us! You can find her at here..
You made it through! It doesn’t matter if your journey was like this… Because you have emerged victorious! OK, so maybe your journey wasn’t that difficult. Whatever the path was l…
Source: Got 30 Ideas? Sign the Storystorm Pledge!
Ta-da! A month full of great picture book ideas! OK, maybe not all are great, but still! Many thanks to Tara Lazar for making Storystorm happen! Happy writing!
Love, Laughter, and Life 