Picture Book Marathon

A Confession

2012-02-19T14:42:00.000-08:00

This "low-key" version of the Picture Book Marathon isn't captivating me like the full-on PB marathons of past years. In fact, I will be lucky to complete a half marathon this year! It's unclear to me whether it's the low-key nature that has caused me to skip days more frequently or if this February has been particularly distracting for me. What about yall?

If you're looking for inspiration during the final ten days, you may want to visit the blog postings for last year. I've found them helpful. Topics include:
"Plan Your Celebration"
"Hoping for a 'Pooper-Scooper'"
Photos for inspiration
"Let's Cheat"
"PB Plots! Story Ideas!"
"Recapturing Whimsy"
"Pretty and Pink?"

I hope something tickles your fancy. Good luck!

Also, sorry we've had trouble updated the blog links for marathon participants. We'll let you know if we solve the technical challenges. Thanks.

Jean

Story Storming

2012-02-15T22:27:00.000-08:00

The prolific Rick Walton, author of picture books such as Baby's First Year and Mr. President Goes to School, contributed this "story storming" idea:

"Let's get started. What are you afraid of? No, that's not a rhetorical question - I'm not suggesting you are afraid of writing a manuscript a day. But really. What are you afraid of? List all of your fears, all of the frightening experiences you have ever had. Add to that list the fears and frightening experiences of your children, your siblings, your friends. And then, start asking questions.

For example, I am afraid of walking home alone at night in the dark. During the day, no problem. I can see that that bush is just a bush, that there is nothing behind that tree, that on the hill next to my driveway there are no mountain lions ready to pounce on me. But at night, oh my! Is that a bush or a bear? Is there a tiger behind that tree?

So I decided to write a story about someone walking home alone at night in the dark. The first question -- who? The next -- why was she walking home alone at night in the dark? What did she see? How did she respond? How did the story end? Step-by-step, question by question, I wrote the story. It was published by Putnam. A Very Hairy Scary Story.

Now, pick one of your ideas and start asking questions. Who? What are the problems? What are the goals? What are the obstacles to achieving them? Who else is involved? How do they achieve their goals? Writing a story is like piecing a puzzle together. You do it one piece at a time. As long as there are questions unanswered in your story, keep asking. When there are no more questions, your story is done. (Hint: don't skimp on the brainstorming! One prompt might keep you going for several days.)"

Thanks Rick, for that story prompt that many of us probably sorely need by now!

If you've been anxiously waiting for the 2012 t-shirts, totes, and mugs featuring Will Strong's fabulous "Leap!" logo, check the now-updated marathon store. But don't spend too much time there - get back to writing!

Ways to Creativity, Monday, February 6

2012-02-06T21:52:00.000-08:00

Margaret Peot, author of the kids' book Inkblot: Drip, Splat, and Squish Your Way to Creativity, might make a good picture book marathoner. She writes, "many people say that it is important to cultivate playfulness, and to do so regularly....When your body and mind get in the habit of being creative on a schedule, you are much less likely to be creatively blocked." Peot points to inkblots as a way to expand your creativity, pointing to Victor Hugo, who "used his drawings to inspire his written work." Enhance your writing this week with some inkblots of your own - take a peek at Peot's website to get started, or check out the book!
Have any ideas you'd like to share with your fellow marathoners? Post them in the comments section!

Ready! Set! Leap!

2012-02-01T08:38:00.000-08:00

Runners,

Good luck! Share any tips or encouraging thoughts in the comments. We'll all be needing a little encouragement as we leap along.

Here's a quick reminder about what we're challenging ourselves to accomplish:

Your Goal: Between February 1 and February 29, write one picture book a day, until you get to 26. This year, February has 29 days (thus, Take the Leap!), so you get a bonus break day.

The Basics: We define a picture book as (1) a story or narrative, (2) with a beginning, middle, and end, (3) for children, and (4) intended to be illustrated. They’re generally, though not always, published in a 32 page format. Given the speed of the marathon, your picture book DRAFTS (for that’s what they’ll be) will be very rough. What you hope to capture is the basic plot, characters, and emotion of each story.

Why Do It:

Generate a lot of material in a short amount of time.
Get your creative juices flowing by forcing yourself to write daily.
Circumvent your internal naysayer - they either won’t have time to criticize, or they’ll be too tired.
Practice a writing practice.

Yikes! TOMORROW!

2012-01-31T09:28:00.000-08:00

Is everyone ready to "take the leap?" The big day is TOMORROW! Yikes.

Good luck!

Lora and Jean

PBM 2012 -- Take the Leap!

2012-01-19T21:42:00.000-08:00

Picture Book Marathon 2012

Take the Leap!

Hello Authors and Illustrators -- Welcome to the 4th annual Picture Book Marathon!

Your Goal: Between February 1 and February 29, 2012, write one picture book a day, until you get to 26. This year, February has 29 days (thus, Take the Leap!), so you get a bonus break day.

Why Do It:

Generate a lot of material in a short amount of time.
Get your creative juices flowing by forcing yourself to write daily.
Circumvent your internal naysayer - they either won’t have time to criticize, or they’ll be too tired.
Practice a writing practice.

Notes on this Year’s Marathon: Many thanks to illustrator Will Strong for this year’s Marathon logo. You can check out his efforts from last year’s marathon here. We'll let you know when T-shirts and mugs featuring the logo are available at CafePress - neither we nor Will profit from these, so only buy them if you actually want one - you’re not supporting anything by doing so.

Due to events in our personal lives, we are scaling back our marathon effort this year. We won’t be blogging daily or keeping weekly tallies. We will be posting a weekly blog entry, and encourage you to post your comments there.

You can access last year’s training tips here, or post your own tips in the comments section of the blog.

Once the marathon starts, we’ll be adding a weekly blog post on Mondays. Please post comments on your progress and the marathon there.

A Final Note: This year, we encourage you to think about YOUR PURPOSE for doing the Marathon. Is it to generate material that you’ll spend the rest of the year revising? Learn the ins and outs of a new type of story (say, fairy tales)? Get really, really good at writing plot? Learn how to develop characters quickly?

Pick what’s important to you at this juncture in your writing career. Then, Take the Leap!

Sincerely,

Lora Koehler and Jean Reagan

Marathon Organizers

Marathon Stats

2011-03-02T13:43:00.000-08:00

The numbers are in! 126 people reported their final tallies for the February 2011 Picture Book Marathon. Forty people created 26 picture books in February, and another 10 ran the extra mile, creating a few more. Those 50 finishers represent 40% of the final tallies reported.

Also, from the final tallies reported:

14% (17) created between 20 and 25
20% completed between 13 and 19
20% completed between 5 and 12
6% completed between 1 and 4

Twelve percent of the original 425 people who signed up for the marathon “ran” the distance. Thirty percent ran all or part way (or at least, reported that they did).

If you’d like to know how that stacks up against last year’s marathon, 150 people originally signed up for the 2010 marathon, 45 reported final tallies, and 24 completed 26 or more picture books.

An evaluation of the 2011 marathon will be landing in your email inbox sometime today. We would truly appreciate your feedback, as we use it to try and improve the experience. When you finish the survey you’ll be given a link to print out a completion certificate.

Some of you may also be interested in a “finisher’s” sweatshirt that was added to the marathon shop.

The winner of the travel mug was Linda Hoffman Kimball. Congratulations Linda, and thank you to all who sent in your final tallies!

The Next Step

2011-03-01T09:53:00.000-08:00

Congratulations! Sure felt great to flip the calendar to March, didn't it? But, now what?

JUDGING and REVISING these new PBs seem impossibly daunting, right? Here's what I did last year to transition from running the marathon to revising the marathon. Perhaps it'll work for you also.

I revisited each manuscript and wrote a one or two-sentence synopsis. This exercise helped me see if there truly was a coherent story within what I had written. Some of the results surprised me. Next I chose my top ten ideas and submitted the synopses to my critique group (and agent) for comments. I then chose three to focus on for intense revisions. Only after that did I consider the other manuscripts. If this process sounds feasible, give it a go.

BTW--Nathan Hale (the illustrator and PB author who designed our marathon logo) is inviting folks to "vote" for a favorite PB amongst the ones he created during this marathon. Good luck limiting yourself to just one! Check out his blog at http://spacestationnathan.blogspot.com/

It's been a pleasure running with you. Good luck with your gems!

We hope you'll join us again next February.

final day...HOORAY!

2011-02-28T12:31:00.000-08:00

A huge round of applause to all those writers and illustrators out there who are streaming across the finish line of the 2011 Picture Book Marathon. Whether you’ve got 26 manuscripts you like or one illustration that you’re in love with, congratulations on the effort you've invested.

Don’t forget to fill out the tally survey that should have arrived in your email inbox on Saturday or early Sunday. The survey will close at noon (MST) on Tuesday, so be sure to get your final count in before then. Remember to add your email on the last question if you’d like to be eligible for a drawing for a marathon travel mug. We’ll post final results on Wednesday.

Finally, looking for somewhere to start polishing those manuscripts? Take a look at the many excellent regional SCBWI conferences, or, check out the Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers conference this June on Utah's Wasatch Front.

Look for more on the topic of revisions tomorrow. And, in the meantime, celebrate!

Day 26 - Plan Your Celebration!

2011-02-26T07:20:00.000-08:00

Counting today, we're only THREE days from the finish line! Discipline, determination, and commitment can only keep you motivated for so long.

So today take a few minutes to plan your end-of-marathon extravaganza. How will you celebrate? How will you indulge yourself?

Gorge on chocolate?
Sip champagne?
Enjoy a writing-free “vacation?”
Snub your computer for a day?
Buy a new CD?
Nap?
Read a grown-up book?

Now take that celebratory energy and write a wildly outlandish story. Or wildly, outlandishly rewrite one of your previous stories.

Day 24 - Hoping for a "Pooper-Scooper"

2011-02-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

Years ago when my family participated in the annual AIDS Walk, a “pooper-scooper” picked up walkers who were too pooped to continue. This week I found myself looking over my shoulder to see if I could hitch a ride on a pooper-scooper. Alas, one never appeared.

But then yesterday I stumbled upon a PB story idea while watching an outrageous stand-up comic with my daughter. It turned into my favorite PB during this marathon.

Today tap your friends, neighbors, family members, co-workers, grocer (?), hairdresser, letter-carrier, etc. for their PB ideas. Who knows, one of their stories may be a gem worth stealing.

Or think big! Take one of your previous stories and write a sequel.

Day 23

2011-02-23T14:59:00.000-08:00

soar to new heights....

Here's hoping your picture books today:

celebrate whimsy....

invite exploration....

...and take pleasure in
peaceful moments.
Enjoy!

Day 22 -- Let's cheat!

2011-02-22T07:40:00.000-08:00

Today let's "cheat" a little bit. Instead of writing another completely new picture book, take one of your stories and change it up:

If the main character is a dog, switch it to a cat. If a boy, switch it to a girl.

If the secondary character is the mom, switch it to the dad or a friendly monster.

If it’s an urban story, switch the setting to the wild, wild West or futuristic outer space.

Switch the time frame to an ancient time.

Switch the season.

Dramatically change the character’s age.

For illustrators, if it's wordless add words or vice versa.

Create a completely new ending.

Chances are you'll end up with an entirely different story.

Week 3 Results (Day 21)

2011-02-21T10:06:00.000-08:00

The end is in sight! But first, let’s take a look at last week’s numbers. We’re guessing that at least some of you got away to enjoy the holiday weekend. Here’s hoping that you come back with fresh ideas! We look forward to your surveys next week.

There were 121 responses to this week’s survey. Of those responding, exactly half (rounded) are still in the running to complete a marathon February. And, thirty-two amazing writers/illustrators are still plugging away with a picture book each day. How many will finish the marathon (complete 26 picture book drafts/illustrations/or both) this coming Saturday?!

There are quite a few determined people (26%) running in the mid-range, with 10 to 16 picture books created. I’m guessing that a number of you will make it to 26 sometime in early March, though last year we had some sprinters at the end of the month making up time....

While 34% of last week’s respondents completed 7 picture books last week, the remaining 66% were quite evenly distributed between 0 and 6.

We also asked what the shortest and longest amount of time you’ve spent creating your drafts has been. The most popular choice under shortest amount of time spent was “6 to 30 minutes” (54% -- another 26% choose 31 to 60 minutes). For the longest amount of time, 2 hours, which 28% of you chose, slightly edged out the other choices of 1 hour, 3 hours, or “more”, which were pretty evenly divided.

Almost there! Whether it’s a sprint or a crawl, keep going - you can do it! You’ll be glad you did....

Picture Book Plots! Story Ideas! (Day 18)

2011-02-18T08:23:00.000-08:00

Still looking for story ideas? Don’t sit there staring at a blank page!

Bundle up (unless you’re lucky enough to have warmth and sunshine) and head outside for a walk, skip, or jog. If you don’t come back with some ideas, at least you got some exercise.

Or, head over to the list of Writer’s Digest writing prompts.

Having trouble with story plotting? Beginning, middle, AND end? Have some fun with the interactive plot diagram and story map in this lesson plan from the NCTE to help you analyze your story.

Day 17 -- Recapturing Whimsy

2011-02-17T10:21:00.000-08:00

My marathon has been an uphill trudge for many, many miles. Yours, too? I’m no longer bubbling with whimsical playfulness. Time to recapture a child’s quizzical joy.

Today remember as a kid what it felt like to—

Sit in a fort made of cushions, blankets, and chairs.

Eat watermelon and spit the seeds—far!

Turn your face towards the rain.

Discover a strawberry, ripe for picking.

Sneak a cookie.

Bash together two trucks.

Blow a dandelion puff.

Wait in the dentist’s office for your turn.

Hold a ladybug on your finger tip.

Make a baby laugh.

Now go write!

Also visit the illustrators’ websites. They celebrate whimsical playfulness and do so delightfully!

Day 16 - Pretty and Pink?

2011-02-16T16:29:00.000-08:00

Some food for thought as you're working on picture books: Peggy Orenstein, author of Cinderella Ate My Daughter, on the dark side of “pretty and pink.” PW’s review said, “With insight and biting humor, the author explores her own conflicting feelings as a mother as she protects her offspring and probes the roots and tendrils of the girlie-girl movement.” The author was on the Diane Rehm show; listen to it (or download the podcast) at this link:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-01-30/peggy-orenstein-cinderella-ate-my-daughter-rebroadcast.

Day 15 -- Story Starters -- Help!

2011-02-15T08:06:00.000-08:00

When a kernel of a story idea strikes me I’m ready to “run,” but finding that spark can be tough. The recent survey indicates others share this frustration. What to do?

The most comprehensive, intriguing source I’ve found for brainstorming is the story-starter link created by PB author (over 70 books!) and writing professor, Rick Walton. We mentioned him on the “Story Starter” page of our website, so maybe many of you have already wandered through his labyrinth.

If not, let me tempt you with some choices along the route:

10 choices under "Start with a . . . Character, Problem, Phrase, etc."

Lists galore like:

470 Issues in kids’ lives, 431 Locations, 651 Things Kids Do, 122 Kids’ Songs/First Lines, 855 Things, Life-Story Triggers.

WARNING: Be sure to drop breadcrumbs along the route, so you can find your way back out. Enjoy your journey!

http://www.rickwalton.com/freeu/storyide.htm

Here’re ways stories have popped into my brain:

A fully-formed rhyming couplet.

An engaging character. Or an insistent character.

A perfect title.

An intriguing setting.

A dedication. (“. . . to my pesky younger brother” or “to my oh-so-perfect older sister”)

A hilarious, appropriate, surprising ending.

An impossible situation or dilemma.

A childhood memory.

A story from the newspaper. (Today’s paper quoted a five-year old feeding bread to geese at the park. “Mom, all the birds love me!”)

What sparks your stories? What triggers an idea? What pops into your brain?

Halfway there! (Day 14)

2011-02-14T13:21:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine’s Day! Happy Halfway Point! Let’s celebrate!

There were 145 responses to this week’s survey, and over a third of those responding not only wrote or illustrated a picture book every day last week, but have not taken one of their two “rest days” so far. As of Saturday, those people have 12 picture books under their belt. Wow!

Sherry Meidell's Day 7 Picture Book,
Hogs Wild

With another 25% who have taken one or both of their rest days, 58% of respondents (84 of us) are working on a marathon February.

And a third of us feel like we’re in a rhythm to keep it up!

There aren’t too many people (13%) who are in the mid-range - not quite keeping up with the marathon pace, but still getting a lot of picture book drafts done. Nine percent are on pace to complete a half marathon, and another 11% appear to be taking something like the 5K option.

Wherever you fall on the scale, congratulations! You’ve made it this far. Coming this week, some ideas to energize and focus your picture books. Stay tuned!

Day 11 -- "Write what you know" or not

2011-02-11T07:24:00.000-08:00

“Write what you know,” is advice we commonly hear. If you have an expertise, take advantage of that and share your passion.

As a twist, I’ve heard Newberry-winning author, Katherine Paterson, say she chooses to write about what she does NOT know, but would LIKE to know. Her first step in writing is delicious research about the topic. (Granted she mostly writes mid-grade novels, but she does have a few picture books.)

As further twist, consider writing about “What you know, but wish you didn’t know.” Did you experience divorce as a child or parent? Were you ever the awkward new kid? Were you embarrassed and scared to learn to ride a bike? Has your family lost a pet? Or a family member? Conveying these difficult emotions in a picture book is tough, especially because you also need to offer realistic hope.

My first picture book, ALWAYS MY BROTHER (Tilbury House, 2009), is about the death of a brother told from the perspective of the younger sister. This story mirrors our family’s experience, so this was definitely a case of “What I know, but wish I didn’t.” But sometimes writing about your difficult experience can lend support to someone else. (Visit http://www.jeanreagan.com for the story behind the book.)

For today if you want to, write a picture book about--

What you know. (Share your expertise and passion.)

What you do NOT know, but would like to know. (Have fun researching!)

What you know, but wish you didn’t know. (Perhaps your story will help someone.)

_____________

Tomorrow watch for the email with the PB tally survey.

Feb 10th -- Stinkers and Duds

2011-02-10T07:02:00.000-08:00

Some marathoners (including me) ask, “What’s the point of writing PBs that are stinkers or total duds?”

Well the hope is:

Even stinkers can morph into something worthwhile--partially or wholly.

A daily writing routine can help us access story ideas and create “muscle memory” for essential elements of a storyline.

Story ideas that clutter our brains can be “tested” to see if they work. I waste a lot of creative energy stewing over the same ideas (sometimes for years) without putting them to the test. So if the ideas turn out to be duds, at least we've cleared our brains for new ideas.

Mary Kole, an agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency, states that only one in ten PB ideas of her clients is saleable. So the more ideas we try out, the greater our chance of creating a gem. Here’s a link to her discussion: http://kidlit.com/2011/01/12/how-soon-do-i-query-again/

We never know for sure whether an idea will turn out to be a dud or a gem until we try. Just like in a box of assorted chocolates, we can’t tell for sure which are the sickly-sweet, pinkly-pink, marshmallow-gooey ones and which are the gems, until we take a bite!

Speaking of chocolates . . . . gotta go.

Happy writing and chocolating!

PS Be sure to check out the Story Starters link listed on the Homepage if you are struggling for ideas.

Day 9 - A Third of the Way

2011-02-09T15:39:00.000-08:00

one of the Jed Henry's
marathon covers....

We're a third of the way to the finish line! Hooray!

Don't forget to feed your muse along the way - a good marathoner knows they need to replenish their energy. Think about the places that are creatively productive for you. Two of mine are in the shower (unfortunate, given that I live in an arid state), and listening to a great live music performance. Make a list, and then go visit a few of them...

The website has been updated, so check the story starter page if you’re stuck, and visit the participant pages for a little camaraderie! Some of you are writing, some are illustrating, and there are those who are somehow doing both... Jed Henry's cover for Big Sky River, pictured here, is an example of what you might find!

February 8th -- "Milepost" 8

2011-02-08T07:25:00.000-08:00

Another tip from my last PB marathon:

After each writing session I quickly evaluated the story and jotted down what seemed to work or not work. This routine helped quiet my inner critic (if she’d caught up to me somehow). It kept my perfectionism in check, because instead of fussing over a problem I made a note, moved on, and stayed energized. And later these notes were invaluable when I revisited the story after the marathon.

Here’re some examples of my comments:

“Is character annoyingly sweet? Tone it down.”

“Poodle or Golden Retriever?”

“Needs one more scene before resolution.”

“Ending works.”

“Jazz it up! A tad boring.”

“Logical step missing. Revisit sequencing.”

“Is this just a one-line joke or a full story?"

Hopefully this tip will help lighten your step!

BTW—one marathoner may transform his marathon into a triathlon. Whoa! He blogged about it on Day 7 here: http://www.timmccanna.com/

Story Starters

Food from a kid's perspective:

polite dinner at a formal restaurant

surprise breakfast for mom

juicy peach

sprinkles on a cupcake

slippery, buttery corn-on-the-cob

soggy cereal

disastrously torched or perfectly roasted marshmallow

Happy writing (or snacking!)

Week 1 Tally (Day 7)

2011-02-07T11:38:00.000-08:00

I’m looking at the stories from my first week (written with a flu-addled brain), and while one of them might have promise, they’re all pretty bad. No, really bad, which they may have been even without the flu. I’m not letting that discourage me though, because I know from past experience that the act of writing every day sets me up to take advantage of the good stories when they do come along. Last year, my best “marathon” story didn’t get written until several weeks after the marathon was over.... And, in all of those bad ones, there are some lines in there that might get used, somewhere.

About half of marathon participants responded to the tally survey that was sent out over the weekend (writing and/or illustrating 755 picture book drafts). We’re excited that:

52% are keeping a daily pace, having written a picture book a day last week (5 picture books).
Another 20% kept up with four picture books,
13% are still in the running to finish a marathon February by having completed three in the first week, and
48% of you feel energized by the experience so far!

Not only that, but you wrote while snowed in; with burst water pipes or no water; with sick selves, kids and partners; lots of work (including 72 high school nordic skiers to coach and hosting illustration conferences); through marriages and funerals; and, hmm, with monkeys invading the kitchen....were those real monkeys?

Half of the challenge of a race is showing up to run. We all run at our own pace, and not everyone who starts a marathon crosses the finish line. But, hopefully, we take away something rewarding from the experience. 15% of those reporting tallies are running at their own pace - maybe it will take them a little longer to run the entire marathon (when I used to run cross country, I finished one race when they were taking down the finish line...). Or maybe they’ll run a half marathon. Sometimes you just do what you can.

Way to go everyone - keep it up!

February 4 - Day 4

2011-02-04T12:35:00.000-08:00

Picture Book Marathoners may discover that their biggest obstacle is finding daily time to write. When that’s the case, look for time anywhere you can.

One likely spot for those who work away from home? Your commute to work (as at least one marathoner has already discovered). The average commute time varies by city, of course. But many people spend at least a half hour getting to work (and then another half hour getting home). How do you travel? Alone in a car? By bus? Bike? Now might even be the time to try out that bus route you've been meaning to investigate - leave the driving to someone else, and focus on your picture book.

Put your commute time to good use! Tease out a story idea. Narrate a story into your phone. Think about what your character ate for breakfast this morning.

And when you get there, leave a few minutes before you rush in to make some notes. Maybe even outline or write or draw the day’s story!

February 3rd -- Day Three

2011-02-03T07:51:00.000-08:00

Here’s a tip from my previous Picture Book Marathon. As soon as I finished my daily story, I generated three story ideas for the next day. Usually I had at least two carryover ideas, so I only had to create one new idea. Thankfully these story-prompts reduced my dreaded gazing-at-the-blank-page time the next day.

If you’ve done a previous marathon or the PiBoIdMo, what tips do you have to share with the first-time runners? What worked in the past? What dangerous pitfalls or detours confronted you, and how did you steer around them?

Two “housekeeping” items:

If you are blogging about the PB Marathon and you want your link included, be sure to read yesterday’s email and respond. (Some illustrators are creating cover illustrations DAILY to go along with their PBs. AMAZING and unfathomable, speaking for myself!)

On Saturday we will email how to submit the tally of your PBs from the first week. We’re tracking numbers, not hours.

Happy writing!

--Lora Koehler and Jean Reagan

Groundhog Day

2011-02-02T13:01:00.000-08:00

I don't think it's fair to cancel Groundhog Day, as Robin, a marathoner living in Chicago, says they did there on account of snow. If the groundhog cannot get out of it's burrow it obviously cannot see its shadow, and therefore, winter should be ending soon. Shouldn't it? It only seems fair...
  On the other hand, being snowed in makes for very good writing conditions.
  Tip for the day (speaking from experience): do not look at google today. Whatever you do, especially you illustrators, do not look at google's art project, which they released on their website today. You might not get anything done for the rest of the month (year?).
  At the very least, make sure you finish your picture book for the day before you go explore! You might find some inspiration for another picture book there.

February 1st -- Day One

2011-02-01T08:47:00.000-08:00

We’re off and writing, and hopefully creativity is bustin’ out all around. To those of you who have already finished your picture book today, congratulations! Yahoo! To the rest of us (including me) let’s get to work . . .

Remember, it’s not about perfection. The point of a marathon is to run fast enough and far enough that your inner critic will be left gasping for air many miles behind you!

Good luck, everyone!

--Jean Reagan and Lora Koehler

How to Post a Comment

2011-01-30T14:49:00.000-08:00

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On the right hand side of the page at the bottom is a blue box that says "create a google account." Click on the link. To create an account you will need an email address, a password of your own choosing that must be at least 8 characters long, your location, and your birthdate (which they use to determine if you are actually an adult).

You will also need to type in the letters that you see under "word verification" - if you can't read them and type them in wrong, it usually gives you a new choice to try again.

Once you have an account set up, when you want to comment on a blog entry, just go to that entry ("introduce yourself", for example) click on the tiny little "comments" link below it (or the header, which will also get you there) then scroll to the bottom of the comments that have already been posted. You can type your comment in the "post a comment" box, select google as your profile, sign in (if you aren't already signed in) and post your comment. Voila!

Good luck!

If the problem you’re experiencing is that when you hit “comment” all you see is “post a comment” with no accompanying box for typing your comment or no buttons for “Post Comment” or “preview,” then the problem is your browser. Try logging into another one (ie. Internet Explorer instead of Mozilla Firefox.)

If you still are experiencing problems, shoot us an email at writers@picturebookmarathon.org

Fingers crossed,

--Jean

Recap of Training Tips, Week 2

2011-01-30T12:57:00.000-08:00

(Click here for training tips 1 - 5)

Okay, time to pull out the calendar. Take a look at February and block time out for the marathon when you can.

Also take note of where the "trouble" spots will be, and plan how to deal with them. Remember, you have two "rest" days. Ration them wisely!

Each evening over the next several days, think about when you would have written that day if you were already marathoning. What will you need to do differently to fit it in?

Or better yet, over the next several days, sit down at some point during the day and spend twenty minutes writing - not a picture book, just anything. Flex those writing muscles...

If you haven't seen the logo that author/illustrator Nathan Hale designed for the marathon, check it out at www.picturebookmarathon.org.

Now's the time to solicit support for your marathon. Let family and friends know what you'll be doing and ask for their help.

"Help" might be:

A (short) call to see how your writing went: “You did write today, didn't you?”

Or a box of chocolates with 26 pieces you don’t have to share. (Hint, hint!)

Or giving you the space you need to get some writing done.

I ordered a Picture Book Marathon t-shirt to wear while I write, and my family has agreed to not interrupt me when I wear it. We decided that’s considerably friendlier than a “DO NOT DISTURB” sign. Besides, it’s the only marathon t-shirt I’ll ever earn in this lifetime!

T-shirts, mugs, and tote bags (sporting the PB marathon logo created by Nathan Hale) are available at www.cafepress.com/picturebookmarathon

(BTW, the marathon nor individuals associated with it don’t benefit from the sale of these items.)

So make a list of ways your friends and family can support you during the marathon and give them a phone call today.

Today’s training tip is about putting yourself in your co-creator’s shoes.

If you’re a writer, check out some books on the illustrator’s craft. Something like Molly Bang’s “Picture this: How Pictures Work,” or “Illustrating Children’s Books: Creating Pictures for Publication,” by Martin Salisbury.

If you’re an illustrator, you might take a look at a writing guide like Barbara Seulin’s “How to Write a Children’s Book and Get It Published”.

And if you write and illustrate? Ha! You have to look at both... or maybe just check out Uri Shulevitz’s “Writing with Pictures: How to Write and Illustrate Children’s Books.”

Have a favorite book on the craft of writing or illustrating that you’d like to share? Post it in the comments section of today’s entry on the blog.

We’re almost gettin’ to the marathon start day. Yikes! When I’m feeling confused, panicked, or overwhelmed, my motto is, “Make a list!”

Choose one (or all) of these topics for some playful, yummy, and productive list-making:

Words that you really like and that would be fun to include in a picture book. (Post it near your writing area as a potential source of story starters.)

Kids’ videos to check out from the library this weekend. Classics or hot new ones.

Chores that can wait until après marathon. (Make this a LONG list!)

Different “spots” you’ll use for writing. (park bench, coffee shop, pet store, bathtub, etc.)

Yummy foods.

Other list ideas?

_______________________

FYI--Lora’s already made an impressive grocery list that’s worth copying:

“Stocking Up” Grocery List

-espresso (for those early mornings - and/or late nights?)

-carrots (for when you’re feeling healthy)

-really good chocolate (for when you’re not)

-pasta and some ready-made sauce (haven’t you read that marathoners should

carbo-load? and, it’s a quick meal to boot)

-dog treats (to bribe the dogs for five more writing minutes)

-ice cream (to bribe the kids)

-oranges (peel off a section, stick it in front of your teeth and go look in the mirror when your picture book has you down - hey, we are children’s writers, we’re allowed!)

-tea (so you can warm your fingers around the mug while you ponder the next twist)

-soup (because it makes a good February writer’s lunch)

-olives (to eat off your fingertips - stolen from Jean’s forthcoming book, How to Babysit a Grandpa)

-pretzels (because they’re healthier than a lot of that other junk food)

-whatever your favorite brain food is - you’re going to need lots of it!

Whichever list you choose--be bold, silly, extravagant, indulgent!

#10

There's a new entry on the blog for introductions. If you have a moment in the next day or so, introduce yourself to your fellow marathoners. For instance, where (geographically) do you write? is this your first pb marathon? if you "ran" last year, did you finish (you don't have to answer that!).

There's another blog entry (also dated today) on how the marathon works, for those who have questions.

Starting Tuesday, February 1 (approaching quickly!) the only emails you'll get from us will be the weekly tally surveys. Our daily entries will move to the blog.

Last weekend before the marathon! If you have off this weekend, we recommend clearing the deck. Get as much out of the way as you can this weekend (clutter, chores, time commitments), and make way for a productive February.

Introduce Yourself...

2011-01-28T14:27:00.000-08:00

Take a moment over the next day or so to introduce yourself to your fellow marathoners, if you'd like. Where (geographically) do you write? is this your first pb marathon? if you "ran" last year, did you finish (you don't have to answer that!).

How the Marathon Works

2011-01-28T14:18:00.000-08:00

During February 2011, over 400 children's writers worldwide will be "writing" a picture book marathon. A marathon goes approximately 26 miles. We’ll be writing 26 picture books.

There is no cost to join, we won’t release your email to anyone, and you don’t need to publicly post your work. The marathon is designed as a motivational tool to jumpstart your writing.

How it works:

Write one picture book each day, starting February 1.

Continue for 26 days.

However, since February has 28 days, this leaves you two rest days. We suggest you save at least one of those days to "treat" yourself during the last week.

Some days, all you'll be able to scrape together is five writing minutes - so make them five productive ones. And, if they're not, well, some days are like that.

A picture book is here defined as (1) a story or narrative, (2) with a beginning, middle, and end, (3) for children, and (4) intended to be illustrated. Remember, these are likely to be rough, rough drafts. (Very rough!)

You need to get enough down each day to capture the plot, characters, and feeling you're trying for, so that when you come back to it in March, you have a good basis for rewriting.

Rather than the emails we used last year, we’ll be tallying picture books with a survey this year. Each Saturday evening, we will email you a survey link. Click on the link (or paste it into a browser window), and enter your weekly total and your total for the marathon.

You’ll need to respond by Sunday night for your number to be included in the week’s tally. If you miss a week, no worries - just submit it as part of your running total the following week.

There’s now a link on the website to a marathon calendar. You can print this out for your own record keeping if you’d like (choose landscape - you might have to shrink it to 90% to get it on one page).

You can connect with and encourage others through the marathon blog. You'll also find story starters on the website during February. We’ll evaluate the formation of online critique groups later in the month.

The deadline for signup is January 30.

And that's it. Plain and simple, hopefully without much to distract you from writing!

What's Your Favorite Book About Writing or Illustrating Kid's Books?

2011-01-26T19:39:00.000-08:00

Have a favorite book on the craft of writing or illustrating that you’d like to share? Post it in the comments section here!

Unveiling the 2011 Picture Book Marathon Logo!

2011-01-22T21:50:00.000-08:00

In the evaluations that we got back from last year’s marathon, many of you requested marathon t-shirts. Author/illustrator Nathan Hale volunteered to create a logo for this year’s marathon, which we’re unveiling on the site today (drumroll, please).

Nathan says, “I’m into picture books and have run seven real marathons, so this is a perfect match.” For the 2010 marathon, Nathan created a picture book cover illustration each day, which he posted on his blog (he also took writers into the “Land of Doom,” aka, the world of children’s publishing).

Nathan has written and illustrated the picture books Twelve Bots of Christmas, Yellowbelly and Plum Go to School, and The Devil You Know. He’s the illustrator of Rapunzel’s Revenge, and Calamity Jack, both YALSA “Great Graphic Novels for Teens," as well as a number of other books, such as Dinosaur’s Night Before Christmas.

For the 2011 marathon, Nathan plans to reprise his cover-a-day feat on his blog, www.spacestationnathan.com. Whenever you need a bit of inspiration, pop on over. Daily!

In the meantime, head to www.cafepress.com/picturebookmarathon if you’d like to peruse the t-shirt options. The marathon nor individuals associated with it don’t benefit from the sale of these items.

Many thanks Nathan, for a wonderful logo!

Recap of This Week's Training Tips

2011-01-22T12:18:00.000-08:00

Nine days and counting til the start of the marathon. For those of you who signed up late, or just need a reminder, here's a recap of the week's training tips....

Today, clean off your desk or writing area - get the housekeeping out of the way right off the bat and start February with a clean slate.

If you don’t have one, now’s a good time to start a “tickler file.” Use your phone or a small notebook. Keep it with you and write down ideas for: interesting characters, settings, phrases, full-blown story ideas, and any other details you think could be useful or fun. The more you use it the more you’ll find the ideas strike you.

If you already have a PB ideas file, take the time to peruse it. Don’t judge the ideas; just savor them like you do when you peruse photographs in gourmet cooking magazines.

Over the next few days, take some time to go to a library or bookstore and read at least 10 picture books, to get in a picture book frame of mind...

While you might include a few favorites from your childhood, make sure that most of them have been published within the last two or three years. Some of our favorites from the last year: Bunny Days, by Tao Nyeu, The Quiet Book, by Deborah Underwood and Renata Liwska, City Dog, Country Frog, by Mo Willems and Jon Muth....how to mention just a few?

Sometime in the next few days, find a place where you can unobtrusively watch and listen to kids for 15 minutes. Take notes. Try it again with a different age group.

What made them laugh? Interrupt each other? Grow quiet? Jot down descriptive words for each kid. Each action. Each emotion.

To switch it up a bit, take notes as if you were an eight-year old observing the other kids.

Don’t forget to have fun!!

When high school seniors apply to colleges, they’re encouraged to include a few “stretch” or “reach” schools on their list. In the same spirit, with the PB marathon, why don’t we each include a few “stretch” picture books? Get out of our comfort zone.

If you generally write stories in prose, try a rhyming one.

If everything you write is contemporary, try historical fiction or fantasy.

If non-fiction seems impossible, give it a try.

So, today make a list of what isn’t in your typical repertoire and commit to attempting two or three during the marathon.

Here’s a list of a few types of picture books, just to get you started:

Fairy tales and folktales.

Concept books (alphabet, numbers, colors, etc.).

Historical fiction.

Non-fiction.

Wordless books (For non-illustrators like me, this is a real stretch! Whoa! Even my stick figures look doubtful.)

Humorous stories.

Pink frilly stories.

Quiet stories, !!LOUD!! stories.

Issue books that tackle tough subjects.

Stories set in a culture different than your own.

Rhyming stories (another stretch for me).

Where Do I Find Lists of Newly Published Picture Books?

2011-01-19T16:24:00.001-08:00

In response to today's training tip to "read at least 10 picture books," including a number of newly published ones, a marathon participant asked where to find lists of newly published books.
There are thousands of picture books published each year. There are many places to find lists, but here are a few. The Children's Book Council has a "hot off the press" feature on their site that lists new books by publishers who are members. While not all publishers are members, many are (you can find a list of members on the site as well).

You can also look at fall and spring announcements from Publishers Weekly.

The American Library Association lists the year's award winning and notable books.

There's also the New York Times Review of Books.

Also, ask a children's librarian! Our library's website has a monthly feature that lists new arrivals in the picture book area.

Your local independent bookstore is another good source. They probably carry the free Indie Bound newsletter "Kids Next," which has recommendations from booksellers across the country.

Next Picture Book Marathon Starting Soon!

2011-01-10T10:40:00.000-08:00

Run, run, as fast as you can.....the third annual picture book marathon starts February 1, 2011! Deadline for sign up is January 30 - email writers(at)picturebookmarathon.org.