About PiBoIdMo
PiBoIdMo, or Picture Book Ideas Month, is picture book authors’ answer to NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month. PiBoIdMo is the brainchild of Tara Lazar who created it as a 30 day challenge for picture book writers who seemingly miss out on all the fun of NaNoWriMo. The challenge is to create 30 picture book ideas in 30 days. The ideas need not be entire manuscripts, but could include a title, a name of a character, or a silly idea on which to base a picture book.
To participate in PiBoIdMo, simply click HERE to find out more. Registration started on October 24, 2013 and is open through the first week of November.
I have chosen to participate, along with a number of friends, to focus my writing efforts and imagination firmly on generating ideas and manuscripts for picture books.
The PiBoIdMo Blog Hop
As a participant I am also taking part in the PiBoIdMo Blog Hop. The idea is to answer 4 questions about writing, and then tag more children’s writers to take part. I’ve been tagged by aspiring, and inspiring, children’s author Yvonne Mes. Yvonne works tirelessly on her writing, as well as supporting other aspiring authors and illustrators here in Brisbane and beyond. She is certainly one to keep an eye on in the world of children’s literature. Check out her blog Picture a Book HERE.
1. What am I currently working on?
I have a head full of ideas for picture books at the moment, there are 13 in total on my ‘to write list’. I am writing about what I am passionate about, including cooking, gardening, and finding the humorous side of day-to-day events. I will use PiBoIdMo as a time to consolidate my ideas, to come up with firm plans for each picture book idea, filling in the gaps that I need to get from the ‘just an idea’ stage, to the ‘draft manuscript’ stage.
2. How does it differ from other works in the genre?
I think it would be presumptuous to claim that I have stumbled upon the unique idea of the decade in the world of picture books. Though I think that my take on day-to-day happenings will offer children an entertaining read, an opportunity to view their day-to-day activities a little differently, and the ability to find humour in the most mundane of activities. I aim to encourage children to apply their imagination to everything they do to enhance their experiences.
3. Why do I write what I do?
I write what I do as the ideas I come up with just seem too good to let slip. I have woken up more than once in the middle of the night to write down an idea that I fear will be lost to me if I don’t record it. As I write what I am passionate about, I have no difficulty in coming up with material to put into my manuscripts. I am also passionate about children’s literature and literacy, so I write books which can be used by families and teachers to instil a love of reading in children with activities that go beyond the story itself.
4. What is the hardest part about writing?
I think the hardest part of writing is maintaining momentum. That is why I think challenges such as PiBoIdMo are invaluable to those of us who write. Taking an idea and turning it into a manuscript which is suitable for submission to publishers can also be challenging, especially when I seem to have too many ideas on the go at any one time.
I have tagged local Brisbane authors as I believe it is essential to support my local literary community. Let me introduce them to you….
Michelle Worthington
Michelle Worthington is a published Australian author. The stories she writes are like the stories she read when she was little and they have what may now be seen as an old fashioned feel, but they have a timeless message. Her goal is to be a successful Australian author known for classically elegant and compassionate stories for young children. Find out more on Michelle’s website HERE.
Karen Tyrrell
Karen Tyrrell is a passionate mental health author-teacher. Her picture book Bailey Beats the Blah empowers children to cope with sad days and worry thoughts, spring-boarding action plans on how to lift a child’s mood. Bailey is aligned with the Kids Matter National Education Program, supported by Kids Helpline. Free teachers notes and children’s activities are available on her website HERE.
Dimity Powell
Dimity Powell has trekked through many parts of the world and across several of its oceans, collecting crazy story ideas along the way. She’s enjoyed working in the People Industry for many years but now finds it more interesting juggling motherhood and writing full time for children. Her stories appear in school magazines both in Australia and overseas, online and in various anthologies and have been awarded in numerous writing competitions. Her first junior novel for children, PS Who Stole Santa’s Mail? featured in the Christmas stockings of hundreds of children for the first time in 2012. Dimity is an enthusiastic member of Book Links QLD and avid supporter of Kids Literature. To Read, Write and Inspire sum up Dimity’s main passions in life, along with eating untold of amounts of cake and ice cream, often at the same time.
Discover more of her story on her website HERE.
Sam Sochacka 