Love, Laughter, and Life

Adventures With a Book Lover

Tag Archives: Brainstorming


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Storystorm Day 30: “Make Soup!” by Dr. Carrie Barron

by Dr. Carrie Barron Here is a wonderful quote I just found by psychologist and creator of the Hierarchy of Needs pyramid, Abraham Maslow: “A first rate soup is more creative than a second rate pai…

Source: Storystorm Day 30: “Make Soup!” by Dr. Carrie Barron

Creativity. Sometimes it comes and sometimes you have to start working and then the juices get flowing. Writers and other creative souls, we just need to start working with our ingredients, be those pen and paper, paint and canvas, clay and tools. Smell the soup!


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Writing Assistant

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Storystorm is coming to an end in a few days. I will miss the daily posts by others working in the field of picture books!

Along the way, I’ve learned, brainstormed, taken notes, and jotted down many ideas for future writing projects. Way to go, Tara Lazar and all of the presenters! You can visit Tara’s site and check it out here.

Another unexpected result from Storystorm came this morning. I have now hired a personal assistant. Welcome, Mabel!


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Storystorm Day 27: “Ruth Spiro is Asking for it!”

by Ruth Spiro Two weeks ago, I posted the following question on the Storystorm Facebook group: I had been brainstorming my own list of ideas to write about, but I think it’s important to do some ma…

Source: Storystorm Day 27: “Ruth Spiro is Asking for it!”

Ruth shares some great writing strategies for turning ideas into picture books. Thanks, Ruth!


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Storystorm Day 26: “Non-Fiction Truths” by Rebecca E. Hirsch

by Rebecca E. Hirsch Congrats, Storystormers, you are almost done! Tara asked me talk to you about how to get nonfiction ideas. In fiction, anything is possible. But nonfiction shows the world as i…

Source: Storystorm Day 26: “Non-Fiction Truths” by Rebecca E. Hirsch

What are your interests? Mine your hobbies, passions, and experiences for picture book ideas – fiction and nonfiction!


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Storystorm Day 19: “Many Layers, One Cake” by Ross MacDonald

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!


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Storystorm Day 12: “Dances with Ketchup” by Julie McGann

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.


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Storystorm Day 11: “Rrrrripped from the Headlines” by Chana Stiefel

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?


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Storystorm Day 9: “The Original Character” by Salina Yoon & Christopher Polentz

by Salina Yoon & Christopher Polentz People often ask me if my characters come first, or the story. Which inspires the other? Each book is different, but it’s an interesting question, and fun t…

Source: Storystorm Day 9: “The Original Character” by Salina Yoon & Christopher Polentz

Intriguing way to search for story ideas!


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Storystorm Day 5: “Don’t Think. Just Draw.” by Dan Moynihan

by Dan Moynihan “DON’T THINK. JUST DRAW.” That’s what I’ll tell you in one of my collaborative story-making events. That’s our motto as we set forth to create a wild batch of picture book stories i…

Source: Storystorm Day 5: “Don’t Think. Just Draw.” by Dan Moynihan

Don’t think – just go. Allow the creative juices to flow and see where your story takes you! Thanks, Dan!


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Storystorm Day 4: “What’s the Big Idea? Ask the Big Question!” by Tammi Sauer

by Tammi Sauer I am a huge fan of Storystorm (formerly known as PiBoIdMo). Many of my books started right here! YOUR ALIEN, my book with Goro Fujita, for example, first appeared on my 2012 PiBoIdMo…

Source: Storystorm Day 4: “What’s the Big Idea? Ask the Big Question!” by Tammi Sauer

Oh, this is good stuff, writers! Beautiful strategy for getting those ideas and storylines flowing! Thanks, Tammi (and Tara)!