I just completed Tara Lazar’s very creative PiBoIdMo activity for authors to come up with 30 picture books ideas, (one a day) during November’s Picture Book Month. I succeeded with 35 ideas, with five or six real strong possibilities. I found the challenge just what I needed at this time. Procrastination can take over. As a journalist for 40 years, I know there is nothing like the pressure of a deadline to work wonders with my imagination.
I enjoyed the thoughtful articles posted daily by Tara from authors sharing their experiences with ideas and writing. The Facebook interaction was terrific. Such a very supportive community of authors working together to perfect their craft! But, what struck me the most was the day Tara had 9–year-old Erik, who writes a blog called This Kid Reviews Books, share what he learned from PiBoIdMo. Yes Erik, you are right, many of us wish we could think like a kid. And your comments about the game you played to see how many ideas you could come up with on your way home from school — impressive. You opened my eyes and I’m looking too!
Tara, it was a great month! I had a ball and I will look forward to next year’s challenge!
With 35 ideas, it only makes sense to join Julie Hedlund’s challenge 12×12 Picture Books in 2012! Julie, your timing is perfect. Again, I will have to commit to drafting 12 picture books ideas (one a month) in the next year. I hesitated and am among the last to sign up. But I realize that making the commitment and the deadline pressure will come to my aid once again! A new challenge in the New Year! Thanks Julie!
Children's Books Heal 
Thanks for the shout-out Pat! So glad to have you on board!! 🙂
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You are welcome. I’m looking forward to it! Your idea is brilliant following up on the past month. -Pat
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35 ideas! Good for you! I’m so glad to hear that you’re going to be participating in 12×12. I hesitated at first as well, but I decided it would be a good way to get myself to actually USE some of the ideas I came up with in November. Now I’m excited about the possibilities!
Thank you, also, for mentioning Erik’s post and his participation. He is such an awesome kid.
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At first I thought, another contest. I can’t take on anything more. But common sense prevailed when I realized that it would encourage me to write my ideas.
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I completely agree that deadlines have a persuasive, creative and motivating influence. I can focus on a piece with a specific deadline in mind much more easily. Perhaps many of my 12 X 12 pieces will be penned on the 29th or 30th of the month, but they WILL be done!
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You made me chuckle — the 29th or 30th. Glad I’m not alone. I know when I was a reporter, deadline drove many of my stories to completion. And, they were usually my best! That’s when I experience break throughs.
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Congratulations, Pat. Thirty five ideas sounds amazing to me. And good for you for jumping right into the next challenge. I’ve heard lots of good things about PiBoIdMo. Perhaps next year I’ll give it a try.
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Ruth, I hope you do it next year. It really wasn’t hard — just being open to everything around you, then writing a title, or a few sentences or whatever.
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You’ve hit the nail on the head with everything you said here, Pat! I couldn’t agree more. I’m doing 12X12 too – a little worried I won’t be able to pull it off, but hoping the support of the picture book writing community will help 🙂 So glad to see you, Beth, Cathy and so many other new friends are all on board 🙂
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Maybe we should think of next year as one big party with 12×12, the Perfect Picture Book Week, the Platform Campaign, PiBoIdMo — and I’m sure there will be a lot more. I think a goal we are all are all working towards (and deadlines) will keep us on track. If I can get four or five really good ideas polished next year, I will be happy. Agree with you — we have really become a supportive community for each other.
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Sorry, but I don’t think you failed. If you get some ideas for other stories, you’re still a winner. You’ve already started working on them! Hope your husband is doing well now. Can’t wait for your new book to come out. Are you handing out numbers for who gets to interview you? I will review your book as will many others! Erik was featured on Post-Day 3 PiBoIdMo.
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I failed PiBoIdMo with only sixteen ideas. Both my and my husbands surgeries took more out of me then I had thought they would. But I fleshed out three ideas and am doing heavy research on one. I, too, loved Tara’s blog posts but missed Eriks. I think I’ll search for it. Apparently it was a bad one to miss.
So glad you joined Julie’s challenge. I’ll be spending a lot of time marketing my first picture book “Annie’s Special Day” so don’t think I can do it. 🙂
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Thanks for mentioning me, Ms. Tilton! Thank you elizabethannewrites for also mentioning me (and the compliments! 😉 )!
I have also signed up for Ms. Hedlund’s 12 x 12 pic. book challenge. I’m hoping to at least make one book. I can’t wait to see what I can learn from that, too!
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You are welcome Erik. You have been an inspiration to me and many others. I bet you will write one or more books next year.
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Pat, I am so glad you have decided to do 12×12, as I thought you weren’t. I think the mutual support will pull us through. And once again, like you, I think I need those imposed deadlines!
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Joanna, The discipline will be good for me! Deadlines are great!
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This is awesome Pat! Good for you – that is a lot of ideas! I wish I had time to do this last month. Finishing up the semester in school has kept me too busy. Maybe I’ll do it on my own, just for fun!
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Thanks Leigh. I don’t know how you do all you do, and go to school. It really wasn’t time consuming. Read Erik’s Post Day 3 comments on Tara’s blog. Great tips from a kid!
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So cool that you are doing 12×12. Look forward to seeing you there as I have joined up to. I need the constant reminders, the prod, pokes and yes, deadlines to keep me on track. A little nervous, but hey! with friends for support its all good.
Great post Pat. See ya there!
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Thanks Diane. We’ve been in this together for a year now. Why stop — just keep moving forward. 🙂
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I work better under deadlines, too. Spending some time this month organizing the ideas and trying to find the ones to begin writing. Good luck. See you at 12×12.
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Stacy, good luck to you. Have enjoyed getting to know you and I look forward to contact in the future!
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