November is one of the busiest times of the year for writer’s, with so much going on in different groups. Writing festivals, conferences are just a couple. There are also great fun ways of gaining ideas and encouraging each other in writing and illustrating.
Like my friend Tina, at Tina’s Tidbits, I also enjoy the Picture Book Month series, started by children’s author Diane de Las Casas, where a picture book author/illustrator will share about why picture books are special. So pop over and register.
Another series happening this month is SkADaMo. My lovely friend Julie Rowan-Zoch is completing that challenge. I love peering in to see what lovely creative illustrations she has come up with. So wade on over and have a look at how she is going on Julie Rowan-Zoch Blog.
Sometimes we need just a little push or maybe (in my case) a kick in-the-rear to come up with some ideas for stories. BiPolMo instigated by Tara Laza of Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) is here again this November with over four hundred writers and illustrations around the world tuning in, (like me), for encouragement, ideas, tips and tricks in writing and illustrating from the best of the best in the field. All we have to do is come up with thirty ideas in thirty days. There are prizes to be won and the encouragement and camaraderie is second-to-none. Your idea might simply be a line, a paragraph or just a title. Whatever it is, just write it down and with any luck during the following year some may flourish into beautiful stories.
Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending one of our countries first SCBWI Picture Book Workshop 101. Ideas for a story pulled from a hat to having both acclaimed author Sally Sutton of such books as Charlotte Frisbee and the Slime Attack, and award-winning illustrator Nina Rycroft of such titles as Pooka and Dinosaurs Love Cheese, to name a few, collaborating together on a picture book story board in front of our eyes was such an amazing experience. It is not known fact that an author and illustrator can be found in the same room, let alone demonstrate the building of an idea, feeding off one another and the audience in order to capture a story in first draft. This energized and fun-filled workshop was dotted with tips and demonstrations, use of plot, language, dialogue, page turns and story arc. We even were taught how to draw a mouse. How cool is that? Here is my one.
So what writing challenge are trying out this month?
Writer and Dreamer at work 
That’s a nice looking mouse! Sounds like a great workshop. I agree November is busy!
Thank you Stacy for your kind comment. Have a great weekend.
Really sounds like you attended a great conference. Love your mouse. You’re multi-talented.
Aww… thank you Pat. It was a fun time, and I got a lot out of it. Enjoy your weekend.
How very kind of you, Diane. I am also participating in PiBoIdMo again. I love all the support and discussions as well as the fabulous interviews. And as for that fantastic mouse – frame it! I framed my first attempt at plein-air water color – and it makes me smile every day.
lol… hadn’t thought about framing it. Your very welcome. Have fun this weekend.
November is a busy time! Whew! I can feel brains percolating everywhere. I really like your mouse too! A whole new talent to pursue!
lol… oh thank you for your lovely comment. Yep November is busy. Thanks for popping in. Have a great weekend.
I’m doing PiBoIdMo – and trying to keep up! I am real buy this month!!! 😀
like all of us, Erik. Glad you are joining in PiBoldMo.
I mean “busy” – oops… 🙂 Thanks!
PiBoIdMo for me. And I’m trying to come up with Middle Grade novel ideas, as well, in my own personal challenge. Getting my copy editing and proofreading service up and running is my other major “challenge”! (And now I feel challenged to try to draw a mouse… 😉 )
Cool! I have a couple of middle grade novels I intend moving on with in the New Year. Congrats on your editing and proofreading service. I am sure it will be a great success, Beth!