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A mixed bag of Marbles jumped in to answer questions from Rachel and Cindy this week.
From Rachel H:
Do you brainstorm ideas for your picture book stories or do you only write when an idea 'comes' to you?
Kim:
I try to write on a consistent basis. If I only wrote when a complete idea came to me, I wouldn't be writing very often. Sometimes I receive those wonderful gifts of complete ideas, and I can just go write my story (these gifts are few and far between). Sometimes my story starts with a title that comes to me or a certain scene. Sometimes a phrase starts the whole process. Other times I'll make a list of common problems that children experience- sibling rivalry, fear of the dark or storms, not wanting to share, etc. and then I brainstorm ways of how I can put an original spin on that problem. I ask myself how I can make my story different. I've also noticed that the more I force myself to write, the more freely ideas seem to come.
Laurie:
As a busy mom of three children, I don't have a consistant writing schedule, unfortunately- so I don't actually sit down very often to brainstorm . But I am constantly looking for story ideas, either through my children, or working in my boys classroom, or through memories of my own childhood. The ideas aren't that hard to come up with, but coming up with a unique take on the situation can be. Coming up with a picture book story can take some creative thinking, but I always have other things to work on in the meantime, whether it's revision on another story, critiqueing, reading, or just jotting down ideas. All of these things help in the creative process of writing.
Deb:
I do a little of both. I have a writing partner who I brainstorm with. We jot down characters and possible problems for them to solve and see what kind of story could grow out of that. In fact, I just brainstormed two picture books with her. I will also sit down with my notebook and start writing out random words to string into sentences, which I in turn try and develop into stories, or I will doodle pictures on to the paper see what comes up (that’s how I developed my first ever picture book, The Woman Whol Loved to Sing). Now, if I’m busy with many writing projects on the plate, the brainstorming takes a back seat, as there’s not enough hours in the day. In that case, I will keep my eyes and ears open (because you never know when an idea will walk, or run, past you!) in case an idea comes to me, and if it does, I’ll write it down. It might be from a snippet of a conversation I overhear, or something a child (many times, these days, my grandson) does. Great question! Thanks for asking.
Carol:
I brainstorm ideas and I also write when ideas come to me. Then I brainstorm those ideas, too. But I confess that I’m much better at brainstorming OTHER PEOPLE’S ideas than my own. Isn’t everybody? I think it’s because we get so close to our own story that sometimes we can’t see what’s obvious to others!
Like Kim, I, too often start with a title. In fact, I’ve got computer files set up for individual picture books and novels based on a title. And some of those computer files are empty! But the titles are so fabulous that I just know they will become a story one day. Some already have, so I’ll be patient.
I tend to brainstorm more on non-fiction projects than fiction. It feels more natural because for non-fiction the need for the subject matter is more apparent. Some writers are a master at looking at what’s needed and creating a story around it. I’m still struggling with making that leap.
From Cindy S.
My question is this: how will I ever choose which troubled PB to send you if I'm chosen as the winner?
Our Marble, Carol, answered this so well, we just let her take it away!
Carol:
About how to pick which story you would consider needing brainstorming, here are some thoughts:
1. Which story are you most passionate about (the greatest need for kids to read it)?
2. Which story do you just plain love the most?
3. Which story have you received the most questionable feedback on. Even though it’s YOUR story, if more than one person say the same thing, then maybe that’s the story that needs “something more.”
4. Which story have you worked on the longest but still don’t feel is “there”?
5. Which story have you worked the shortest on?
6. Which story do you think is ”there” and just need one more look/think/see?
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