Weekend Recommendation #10

When I was at my local independent bookstore (Kids Ink) the lovely lady working there recommended I pick up It's A Book by Lane Smith.  Once I read it, I had to buy it.  Now, it does use the word "jackass" twice, so it may not be one you want to share with your kids.  Or you can just leave that word out when you read it out loud.  But it is hysterical!  Grab this one for your own picture book collection, maybe!

My ABCs of Inspiration: THE CONTEST

My ABCs of Inspiration have inspired me to have a contest!

You see, I have the whole alphabet planned out already.  All except the letter Z.  I had a "Z", but I'm not entirely thrilled with it.  And I like a challenge.  So, I'm doing a call out for ideas.  This contest is open for ANYONE to enter.  You don't have to be a writer.  You don't have to be in the US.  You just have to challenge me!

How does it work, Megan?  You ask excitedly.

Like this, dear reader...

1.  Leave a comment with your suggestion of where I can find inspiration that starts with the letter "Z".
2.  Don't worry if someone else has already left your suggestion.  Copy cats are allowed.  Just pick what you really would like to hear about (or think may stump me).
3.  On Sunday, November 28th I'll put all the comments in a bowl and then throw them on the living room floor.  Whichever piece of paper my cat, Audi, steps on first is the winner.
4.  Tune in on November 30th for my last entry in my ABCs of Inspiration and see who won the prize pack.

Did you just say prize pack?

Yes, yes, I did.

Super Awesome Prize Pack Of Total Coolness: 

Softcover edition of "Alphabet City" by Stephen T. Johnson
  (to find more inspiration in the alphabet)
An Indianapolis Motor Speedway CD holder
  (to hold your inspirational music)
Two mini-journals
  (to record your awesome and not-so-awesome ideas)
A "Read" magnet made of Scrabble tiles
  (to inspire you to...well...stick things to your fridge)
A mini gift book called "Believe in Yourself"
  (to make you believe in yourself, of course!)

And while you don't have to be a follower, or tweet about the contest, or mention it in your blog, or put it on your Facebook page, or shout it from the rooftops, or tattoo it to your forehead to enter...I always appreciate all of these.  : )

My ABCs of Inspiration: K is for Knuffle Bunny

If you read my weekend recommendation this past weekend, you would have discovered how painful behind the times I am on my picture book knowledge.  I just discovered the joy that is "Knuffle Bunny" last week!  I quickly realized how my limited picture book knowledge was when I decided to try to write picture books.  I had extensive knowledge of my boys' bookshelves, but that was it.  Unless the boys got a picture book as a gift or it was on the Scholastic order form that came home from school, chances are I hadn't read it.

So I decided to do something about it.

I got to readin'!  I started compiling lists of the books I heard mentioned a lot.  I jotted down notes when someone referenced a book.  I starting turning our 15 minute library dashes into hour long visits.  I started checking out 15-20 books instead of 3-5 books.  I started hanging out at a bookstore and browsing.  I focus on recent releases, but I try to seek out the classics as well.

And I must say that inspiration flows from the work that is already out there.  Isn't that what inspired most of us to start trying to write a picture book in the first place?  Rediscover that inspiration.  Pick up a picture book...or 40.

Blog Note:  I should be getting the last piece of the prize pack for my contest sometime today...so check back later to enter!

My ABCs of Inspiration: J is for Journals

I've mentioned before that I journal about once every three years.  But even so, I think journals can give you inspiration in a few ways.

First, go back and read what you've written.  I do this more with my writing notebooks than my journals (but then this wouldn't be posted until November 26th when I do "W" in the alphabet!).  Some days I'm just full of ideas and they kind of just pour out in a jumble of notes, phrases, words, doodles, food stains, and quotes that I've made up for famous people ("Eggs do the body good...pass it on" -Betsy Ross).  I don't usually get any real writing done on these days.  My brain is just too scattered.  So, I have to go back later and try to sort through the detritus to find the good ideas and be inspired by them.

Second, sometimes the act of journaling can provide the inspiration.  There are times in our lives when our emotional baggage can get in the way of inspiration and creativity.  Putting your pen to paper and working through those things can open you back up to inspiration.  Unclog your brain and your heart and let creativity flow!

My ABCs of Inspiration: I is for Indianapolis

I am a Hoosier.  I was born a Hoosier.  I am proud to be a Hoosier.  And I'm certain I will die a Hoosier.  For my out-of-country friends, a Hoosier is a person from the great state of Indiana.  Origins of the term are hotly debated, but it really doesn't matter.  It only matters that I am one.  And my hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana is a great source of inspiration.

I grew up in Indianapolis when it was a city trying to become more than what it was.  The city leaders had great visions and big plans.  My main memory of the downtown of my youth is that it was a huge construction site.  Large pits of mud and block after block of fencing and scaffolding.  And all of that construction and all of those dreams for the future have paid off.  Indianapolis is a thriving city of diversity, change, the arts, sports, education, and family fun.  We have the downtown canal, the Art Museum, the largest Children's Museum in the world, several excellent theater groups, a world-class Symphony, amazing restaurants, shows that come from around the globe, annual festivals that knock your socks off.  We have Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts.  Conseco Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Pacers.  Victory Field, the often-praised home of the minor league Indianapolis Indians.  Our state fair is not to be missed.  Our "World's Largest Christmas Tree" and downtown light displays are sure to please.  Our Rhythm Discovery Center is a hidden gem downtown.  You can park in the heart of downtown for $1.50 for three hours!  And I haven't yet mentioned the thing we are probably best known for around the world....The Greatest Spectacle In Racing...The Indianapolis 500.

I could go on and on and on.  I love this city.  In fact, I actually now live in a small town completely surround by the city of Indianapolis itself.  I live in Speedway, Indiana where the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is actually located.  And I could go into a lengthy list of attributes just for this small community within a community.

Sure, there are problems.  Yes, there are issues.  There are everywhere.  But if I look on the bright side of my slice of the world, I find plenty.  And there is inspiration in each corner.  What about your home town?

My ABCs of Inspiration: H is for Holiday

Christmas.  Thanksgiving.  Valentine's Day.  Arbor Day.  Flag Day.  Boxing Day.  Bastille Day.  Yom Kippur.  50th Anniversary.  Talk Like a Pirate Day.  Halloween.  Chanukah.  Kwanza.  5th Birthday.  Chinese New Year.  Veteran's Day.  Picture Book Idea Month!

Okay, some of those are just celebrations and not really holidays, but you get the picture.  As human beings we like to celebrate.  We like to observe.  We like to commemorate.  We like to have a predictable structure to our year.  And the list of what we celebrate/observe/commemorate is ENDLESS.  Seriously!  If you add the religious celebrations to the state/federal/national holidays to the personal milestones to the made up declarations of "national whatever whatever day" you get a nearly infinite number of ways we come together with our friends/families/neighbors/religious communities/fellow citizens/internet acquaintances!

And it is my humble opinion that each and every one of these days can inspire a truck-load of ideas.  Personally, I have a hysterical Thanksgiving story that I want to turn into a picture book someday.  I can think of at least five Christmas memories that could easily be molded into a story.  I'm a little lean on Arbor Day anecdotes, but I'm sure I could come up with something if I put my mind to it.  So close your eyes, point somewhere on a calendar, figure out which holiday it is, and get to writing!  : )

My ABCs of Inspiration: G is for Goats

I know that sounds strange.  Inspired by goats?  Really?

Well, actually, this one is brought to you by my husband.  Because for some strange reason he decided a long time ago that goats are cute and therefore, all children's stories should involve goats.  : ) 

But really, this is actually sound thinking (despite first appearances) for two reasons.  First, because I think it is perfectly fine to find something you love (or think is adorable or want to know more about) and use that as your inspiration.  If you are writing something you love, others are more apt to love it too!

Second, is the idea of writing stories with animals as the main characters.  Personally, I haven't written any of these stories yet.  For some reason I feel like I need to get writing real people down first before I can start venturing off.  But, that isn't stopping me from trying to think of a killer goat-based story idea for PiBoIdMo!  Who knows when I'll feel ready to write my first animal story?  Maybe I'm just waiting for the perfect idea to come along and then I'll dive in!