Today I give you a very short post because I have to get myself organized for PiBoIdMo (which mainly means reading a lot of other blogs and stuff today and then sitting in a corner and pondering).
As I start this challenge, I have to tell you my biggest problem with picture book ideas...the conflict. I am very anti-conflict in my real life, so I find it very difficult to insert any conflict in my writing. I tend to write "slice of life" stories and then I have to go back and insert the conflict. I have this delightful character in mind and then I have to figure out how to mix up their life. It is not easy! I'm a strong proponent of happily-ever-after. But to get there, they have to have overcome something. I sure wish there was some market for non-conflict boring stories!
Write on!
I have to agree with you there, Megan. I am so anti-conflict in my life as well. I am finding it hard to find the conflict in the story. Happy Ever After is so beautifully wonderful. But you are right, they have to overcome something in order to claim that happy ever after prize! If you find that secret, let me know!
ReplyDeleteGood luck finding loads of conflict to bake into your stories! :-)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see some of the ideas you come up with. Good luck! :)
ReplyDeleteHi! I stumbled on your blog from Julie H's. Good luck with PiBoIdMo! I'm also a mom of boys, and it sounds like they are in a headlock right now... But I look forward to hearing how the month goes for you.
ReplyDeleteThe conflict has always been my most difficult thing to conjure up as well. But sometimes I'll think about the character more or the plot a bit, and suddenly it comes to me. At least a seedling of conflict. Then of course the plot still needs to be fleshed out, too.
ReplyDeleteHi Hannah! Thanks for coming over to visit!
ReplyDeleteAs for those of us struggling to introduce conflict, I'm thinking I just need to go start some fights or something for inspiration!
Hi, Megan! I found your blog from your comment on the Books & Such blog.
ReplyDeleteI am totally with you on drifting towards non-conflict picture books. One thing I've thought about (perhaps in trying to encourage myself) is to think about all the "sweet" books out there that we read to our children that are wildly popular (if only because of parents reading these to their children at bedtime). Books like "I Love You As Big as the World" by Dan Van Buren and "Mommy Hugs" and "Daddy Kisses" by Anne Gutman, and more. So there's got to be some corner in the publishing market for sweet picture books, right?
But, we should learn the craft, too! Good luck to you!
Hey Caroline! Don't you just love the Books & Such blog? I love when agents are so open about sharing their knowledge and experience.
ReplyDeleteGood point about the sweet books. There is a market there too! We'll just have to come up with irresistibly sweet ideas!