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| Make the idea your own. |
November is Picture Book Month. No, not Picture Book Idea Month. That’s now known as Storystorm and takes place in January. Picture Book Month is all about celebrating the picture book.
You can do this in any number of ways. It isn’t Storystorm, but you can still make a point of generating at least one new picture book idea every day. You can read a picture book every day. Your local library is sure to be full of picture books. You can doodle, illustrating your way through a manuscript idea every day. Buy picture books to give as Christmas gifts. Make earring charms featuring the covers of your favorite picture books.
What…
Ever.
Do what you need to do to feel inspired. Recharge your creative batteries. Do whatever it is that makes you feel like a writer.
Earlier in the week Crystal wrote about managing her to do list. She had to find a balance that didn’t weigh her down but was still do-able. You can find her post here.
Nicole wrote about rewriting a short story. She either had to give up on it or find a way to rework it because giving up just wasn’t acceptable. Instead she did a radical revision and cut everything it didn’t need. Read about that here.
Margo wrote about finding a way to make a story theme your own in the face of finding a published novel with a similar vibe. She advised her student that her voice and writing would make the story as she wrote it entirely unique. Click here to read Margo's post.
Making something your own is something that all writers need to learn to do. When Angela or Renee or Cathy gives you a brilliant piece of advice, their way may not work for you. You, after all, are not Angela, Renee or Cathy. But the way they do it with minor, or major, modifications may be just the fix that you need.
There are so many people who are discouraged. They dream small and they often discourage you from dreaming big. WOW! isn’t like that. Whether your dream is writing for young readers, creating a pod cast, or crafting a series of essays, we are here to tell you that you can do it.
You just have to find what works for you.
Whether your goal is writing a picture book or spinning a poem, you can do it.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I should be working on my next piece of teen nonfiction. So naturally I have a new picture book idea just begging me to come play.
--SueBE
Sue Bradford Edwards' is the author of over 30 books for young readers. To find out more about her writing, visit her site and blog, One Writer's Journey.
The next session of her new course, Pitching, Querying and Submitting Your Work will begin on December 6, 2021). Coping with rejection is one of the topics she will cover in this course.
Sue is also the instructor for Research: Prepping to Write Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults (next session begins December 6, 2021) and Writing Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults (next session begins December 6, 2021).
4 comments:
Awesome post, Sue! I love what you said about WOW! encouraging writers to follow their dreams. I honestly feel like there's a publication path for everyone, and we just need to go for it. Taking what you need and making it your own is great advice. :)
Good luck on your teen nonfiction and picture book idea!
I feel like a rockstar being mentioned. :)
Hi Angela,
This really is one of the most supportive communities. And I think it is even better because it is so broad. This isn't just mystery writers or children's writers. There are no dues. We just stand shoulder to shoulder and support each other.
I wanted to list everyone, but most esp you who created this!
So true and loved every word of this post, Sue! Every one of us has a path to what they want to accomplish; the trick is finding what works for each of us.
And yes, what a supportive community we have here. It's like a coffee shop where you can sit with friends and chat about writing, and then we all take away exactly what we need. Thanks, Sue, for being here!
Cathy,
And thank you for being part of it. We really do have a great community.
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