This month of November as many picture book writers know is PiBoIdMo or picture book idea month. This phenomenon is the brain child of Tara Lazar in which writers can hatch an idea a day all during the month of November. Then as the New Year comes along they flesh out those ideas and write a manuscript. And if one is diligent, will have twelve manuscripts by the end of the following year to shop to publishers.
The image above is the one by Diane de Las Casas for Picture Book Month and the one I have on the side bar is the one from Tara Lazar for writing down an idea a day during Picture Book Idea Month. Confusing isn’t it? I get confused by them so thought I’d clear that up.
There is even a group that splintered off from PiBoIdMo that was called 12×12 in 2012 that Julie Hedlund created . Stacy Jensen wrote a blog post about the 12×12 in 2012 and it went strong all year long. I wonder if there will be something similar for 2013.
I have followed along in the wings having not had enough courage to join while the campaign sign up was going on. I wish I had though. The support from fellow writers would have been so appreciated. And the goal setting. Having a picture book out once a month would have been unbelievable.
Now I am bereft of ideas. Am so far behind I am embarrassed to have the image in my sidebar for it. And yes if you click n it, it doesn’t send you to Tara Lazar’s site. It sends you to Beth Stilborn’s. It seems I was backward in even getting this image down. But the info is the same. The idea is the same. Get an idea. Any idea for a picture book and write it down. Save it. You need do nothing else today. Later the work comes and then it will be doable. Flesh it out if you want. Do it if you want. Skip a day, too if needed. 🙂
Even if you come away with only one or two ideas this month. Be gentle. It’s one or two you didn’t have before. And then when December comes? Flesh it out. Play with it. Make a dummy or two. You have nothing to lose. Are you with me? Have heart, there are still a few days left.
Are you doing Picture Book Idea Month? How far have you gotten?
Related articles
- Don’t Be Afraid…Go Ahead…Write Picture Books! (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)
- Draft a Picture Book Every Day for a Month (onewaytowonder.wordpress.com)
- Pi Bo Id Mo: Throw me a deadline & I will write a story (mummumstheword.wordpress.com)
- November celebrates the Picture Book Idea Month. (prathambooks.org)
Clarbojahn's Blog 
Thanks for the pingback, Clar! You are so right…whether you do PiBoIdMo for 1 day or 30, you will gain much! And even those who are not ‘participating’ will definitely benefit from reading the daily guest posts…even reading through the comments is eye-opening and helpful. 🙂
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Yes, I just love the posts.
I lament because I only have a few ideas and not a whole month’s worth. In fact I can’t keep up with my critique group, most of who have a new story a month. 🙂
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If it lifts your spirits in some way about writing pbs it has done its job. Early in the year I told myself I wasn’t doing it this year and now I’m all over it. It was just what I needed. 🙂
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So glad to hear, Catherine.
Congrats! 🙂
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I think it keeps the ideas flowing And, keeps me more in tune with things going on around me.
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Thanks, Patricia for you idea about the idea month. That is to true. When one is in tune with PiBoIdMo the whole day revolves around getting the idea.
My fall has been too hectic for words, much less ideas. But I did manage a few. Thanks so much for commenting and stopping by. 🙂
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I’m doing both, and I’m (mostly) up-to-date with them 🙂 I just like being part of the communities – the great posts, the support, the encouragement. If you’re participating, even from the sidelines Clar, you must be getting a lot of it. And like you say, there’s still a month plus left for 12×12, and a few days for PiBoIdMo and anything you get down is better than nothing. And all you really need is one good idea at a time 🙂
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Oh MY! Both NaNoWriMo and PiBoIdMo ? wow! I am impressed. Good for you.
Tell me how to sign up for the 12×12 in 2013? Is it the same as last year?
I did almost get an idea today but it didn’t quite make the paper list. It vanished when I was going to write it down. Lol.
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Ack! NO! Not NaNoWriMo – PiBoIdMo and 12×12! I don’t know about the 2013 sign up – I’m sure Julie will let us know.
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Thanks so much for clarifying that issue. lol.
After going back to Julie’s blog, the sign up is after Dec 1, 2012. So I guess I’ll go back after that date. I do have some ideas to make manuscripts from, thank heaven. 🙂
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Thanks for cheering us on, Clare…every idea is a step closer to living out our dreams!
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Yes, even half baked ideas. lol. : )
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I’m usually a wallflower too. This was my first PiBoIdMo. I learned so much. In fact, I surprised myself and actually finished the challenge ahead of schedule. I participated in Paula Yoo’s NaPiBoWriWee (http://bookish-ambition.blogspot.com/2012/05/napibowriwee.html) and failed miserably, but am determined to keep getting up when I fall. I challenge you to officially participate, and I bet you’ll surprise yourself too.
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It’s important to get up after the fall. Ok I accept the challenge. I also want to join 12×12 in 2013. I wonder if it’s the same as last year. Do you know?
Thanks so much for commenting and stopping by to visit. I’ll check out your link. It is so similar to the 12×12 isn’t it? Although a manuscript in a day is doing quite well. It usually takes me longer than that. 🙂
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Doing both and having fun too. I have some jewel ideas and some stinky ideas. But they could develop given an imagination that’s why I’ll keep ’em! I’m doing 12 x 12 too. No matter what your level of participation is I love what you say about making a dummy or two. Sweet!
I think registration for 2013 12 x 12 starts on Saturday. I EXPECT to see you there! *wink*
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Wow! Good for you, Robyn. 🙂
Yes, Dummies are key in the final manuscript.
Yep, I’m gonna be there with my few ideas. I may steal some from last year. 🙂
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I hadn’t heard of this, but it sounds like a a tough but achievable goal. I don’t think I’d have enough ideas to get me through a week, but sometimes these challenges can give you the kick you need 🙂
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Unfortunately for me this year, I didn’t get all the ideas I need to make it to 30 or even ten. But since it doesn’t require that many to join 12×12 I think I’m OK.
This fall has been horrendous for me and it sucked ideas from me. Last year was better. You’re right though in thinking a challenge like this is good for results. There are many with many ideas from this challenge. 🙂
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