I love how many picture book manuscripts are born during the monthly PBParty New Draft Challenge & Critique Train!
This is great inspiration to write a new picture book draft during the challenge plus receive feedback from the passenger above you and critique the person below you. See full details below–under the brainstorming tips.
Do you need help finding an amazing idea this month? Check out my tips below…and please add some of yours in the comments.
Keep up to date with all the PBParty events (including the contest) on Facebook!
Tips for brainstorming picture book ideas
I love coming up with as many ideas as possible, then fleshing them out over time to see which rise to the top. You can find tons of inspiration from Storystorm by Tara Lazar now…and I hope you’ll join the challenge live in January. It’s so much fun to work toward a goal together, the daily posts are motivating…and you can win prizes, too!
Favorite Storystorm posts
Katie Davis Illustrates 30 Days of Picture Book Inspiration – This is a gem for me year after year! Whenever I’m feeling a bit stuck, this always inspires me.
Tammi Sauer’s Post of Storystorm Past – check out all of Tammi’s Storystorm posts. They’re pure gold (just like Tammi and her amazing books). 🙂
Rebecca Gardyn Levington Has Playdates with Words – the exercises she shares are so helpful!
There are so many more posts I’ve loved through the years! I’ll have to dig back through them and add them to this list. I hope you’ll share your favorites in the comments. 🙂
Look through photo albums
- Flip through photos albums or videos from when you were younger, and see if any of those memories spark a story
- You can also look through photos of children or animals in your life, or even find photos and videos online that spark an idea.
Brainstorm what makes you unique
Thinking about who you are, what you love, what scares you, etc. can spark some amazing story ideas! I’m a huge fan of garbage writing. Set a timer for 10 minutes and type, write, or record everything that pops up about you. No editing allowed! Include things like:
- Scariest moments
- Happiest moments
- What surprised you
- Most embarrassing moments
- What do you wish you could go back and change from your childhood
- What parts of you do you try to hide (for me, it used to be my hearing aids, until I embraced them – I also have anxiety, especially when driving to new or crowded places with difficult parking, and was embarrassed about it until I realized so many others have anxiety, too)
Things may have changed since you were a child, but you can take an idea spark and use it to start a great book for children.
Additional brainstorming tips
Guess where I get the least amount of story ideas…
Sitting in front of a blank page, waiting to dive into a new draft.
Most of my ideas pop up during Storystorm. Once you get used to seeking new ideas daily, they often become more and more visible. It’s incredible! But there are other ways to get your creative juices flowing, too.
- Do something rhythmic, like walking, biking, driving, etc. I know a brilliant writer who gets ideas for her amazing rhyming books while riding a lawnmower.
- If I think about new picture books I want to write or ideas I want to flesh out before I go to bed, I often get ‘aha’ moments. Note: Jot them down or record them! You may not remember them in the morning.
- If you think visually, try one of the amazing templates on Debbie Ohi’s site. (These are also helpful for making sure your existing picture book manuscripts have enough unique art bait.)
- Read, read, read…then read some more!
- Play the ‘what if’ game and question everything around you.
- Keep your eyes and ears open for story sparks, potential titles…anything that catches your interest and might make a great picture book. Your next great idea might be right in front of you. 🙂
What helps you come up with ideas for new picture book drafts?
I hope you’ll share your tips and favorite resources in the comments, and I can add some (or all) to this list.
Critique Service!
I love giving detailed feedback on picture book manuscripts…and seeing them bloom in revisions. One of my favorite parts is reading the revision out loud during our Zoom, then brainstorming ways to make it even stronger. Of course, I end with good luck fairy dust. 🙂
Want to learn more about my PB Fairy Godmother Critique Service?
Click here!
Heads up – prices will go up a bit in 2026. You can book before the end of the year at these prices and send it to me when you’re ready.
How do I participate in the New Draft Challenge & Critique Train?
*Write a new PB draft on challenge day EST (you can plan ahead…but don’t write until the Critique Train opens).
*Shout out on the #PBParty Critique Train social media post: DONE! (If you aren’t on social media, you can still hop on the Critique Train Google doc.)
*Add your name at the end of the Critique Train Google Doc
*CELEBRATE!!!! 🎉
FAQ
You can ONLY add your name to the Critique Train Google Doc on the day of the New Draft Challenge & Critique Train. Make sure you write a new PB draft during the challenge first. The Google Doc will be open 24 hours EST.
If the contest is live and you can’t add your name, look for a small pencil (probably toward the top). That should allow you to edit. If you’re on your phone, you might need to upload the free Google doc app.
If you still have trouble, message me and I’ll add you.
The person above you on the Critique Train list will do your critique. If you’re the first person to complete a draft and add your name to the list, I’ll do your critique.
You’ll critique the person who finishes a picture book draft and adds their name to the Google Doc under yours.
No–you don’t need to send that draft. You’re welcome to send any PB manuscript that could use fresh eyes. You can also let your critiquer know that you’d like a little time to revise before sending–and work out a schedule that’s great for both of you.
Twitter handles should be listed on the Google Doc. Following each other will make it easier to message and exchange e-mails and details.
If you have trouble connecting after a day or two, please message me and I’ll do my best to help.
I hope you’ll consider joining Twitter because the PB community is AMAZING with tons of opportunities to meet supportive creatives, discuss craft, learn, share road bumps and successes, and enter giveaways.
But…you may enter if you’re not on Twitter. I’ll post on Facebook as well and you can shout out DONE on that post and enter your name and Facebook link or e-mail on the Google Doc.
It’s great if you can send the critique back within a few days…but we all know that life can get busy. Let the writer know your schedule and when to expect the critique. It’s better to work out a longer schedule and give a thoughtful critique than rush your feedback.
Nope. You’re welcome to flesh out a Storystorm or other idea, use a Plot Clock or other plotting method, do character sketches, research, find great names…pretty much anything other than digging into the actual draft.
Here’s a PB Critique Checklist I posted on my blog. You can print it out on the side of the page or at the bottom. This is also helpful for editing your own picture books. Happy critiquing and revising!
We all have different strengths–I KNOW you’ll be able to give helpful feedback.
Definitely! I always count my new drafts for PBParty and 12x12PB. And if a PBParty New Draft Challenge falls during NaPiBoWriWee or any other challenge or kidlit writing contest, it could count for them, too. I love the extra push challenges give me and hope PBParty and other awesome challenges help you, too.
I’ll tweet a fun Critique Train graphic at midnight…right when the challenge starts. You’ll reply DONE there. And then–we’ll celebrate!
I’ll post a 24 hour reminder at midnight…so you know the exact time it will start the next day. Plus, you’ll see the current EST at the top of this page and a countdown to the moment the challenge starts on my Home page.
Critiquers might want to share their strengths and possibly weaknesses (such as meter) to help the writer decide the best manuscript to send.
This is a great way to make new writing friends–and possibly fresh eyes for future manuscript swaps (if you both believe it’s a good match and have the time).
Follow other participants on Twitter, cheer each other on, and have fun with this challenge. (Hint: More PB writers will probably follow you back if you have things like PB, SCBWI, etc. in your Twitter profile.)
Here’s a great site to find names–I like scrolling down to see the 500 or 1000 top names from the most current available year.
*Please let me know any great news for your #PBParty New Draft Challenge manuscripts. I can’t wait to celebrate with you!
2 Comments
Leave your reply.