Kick it off right: PiBoIdMo

Today marks the start of Picture Book Idea Month, or as it's more widely referred to: PiBoIdMo.
Tara Lazar created this event, publicly, in 2009. Each November, she puts together an amazing line up of guest bloggers, asking all participants to come up with at least one picture book idea a day for the month. There are prizes. There are inspirational posts. There is a supportive and fun community. But at the heart, it's a way for all of us to get the ideas out of our noggins and onto paper. To dig deep and come up with the start of something special.
It might seem intimidating - I'm a little jittery, and it's my second time around! - but I encourage you all to dive in head first.
Visit Tara's blog for the details, and read the first official post by Amy Dixon.
And with that, I'm off to find an idea or two!

On my (mobile) desk

Once a week I escape (yes, that is exactly how it feels) to work outside the house. If I'm lucky, I get 2 hours before heading back to reality. Today is one of those days. I have a bag packed with scribbled up manuscripts in varying states of progress. Lately, they only emerge once a week, which actually makes them more interesting to tackle. I think I have 6 manuscripts I'm juggling in this manner. And for now, it works. Participating in the 12x12 in 2012 challenge and PiBoIdMo in 2011 has been a huge motivator. I jot down notes, and try not to dwell on the endgame (publishing) so much that I'm paralyzed by anxiety. And with that, I must get back to work! And so must you, dear readers!!! :)

What to do in 2012? Write, write, write

There are so many wonderful challenges for picture book authors and illustrators. I was so happy to complete the amazing Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo) this past November, so I'm keeping the ball rolling with 12 x 12 in 2012. (#12x on twitter)

What's that, you say? The challenge is to complete 12 picture book drafts over the course of the year, one each month. There are inspiring posts from guest bloggers, and prizes to make any writer's heart skip a beat. Go to Julie Hedlund's blog and check it out for yourself.

I'm using my PiBoIdMo ideas as a jumping off point, to make it easier (in theory) and make me accountable for bringing those ideas to the next level.

I've already sat down this week and put together a hideous draft for an idea I really liked in it's more primitive state. Does this mean I'm done for the month? Hardly. I might work on a second draft or switch to a different idea entirely. Do I feel comfortable sitting down and just writing? Not one bit. But since my 'theme' for 2012 is Leap, I'm just doing it anyway!

Oh, and didn't Linda Silvestri do a great job on that badge?!?

What I'm Working On

For the sparse amount of free time I've had this is the most productive I've felt in at least a year! I've been loving the PiBoIdMo challenge this year. Not only the amazing posts from all the guest authors and illustrators (thank you Tara Lazar!) but the actual results! Halfway through the challenge and I'm going strong. I feel like once I took the pressure off myself to finish certain goals, the ideas are just flowing out for the challenge. I know hard work is ahead when I try to revisit these ideas and write picture book drafts, but I'm looking forward to picking from so many different directions.
I'm also happily working away in my Sketchbook Project. Another place that I've just let loose without worrying too much about the results. I really have been missing out by not painting in my sketchbooks. It's really quite freeing!

Link Love: PiBoMo and Holli's Tips

In November Tara Lazar kicked off the 2nd annual Picture Book Idea Month. Sadly, I only lasted about 10 days - but those 10 days STILL generated so many great ideas and got me thinking about future book ideas. I'll be doing it again next year, and hopefully I'll last the whole month on a 2nd attempt! The good news for all of you is that Tara's blog has a whole month of amazing posts to inspire and motivate you.


And... for the month of December, Holli Conger is posting daily tips for illustrators. Holli's advice and insight is always awesome, so I'm eagerly reading her posts every day - you should too!