From Spark to Story: A New Year of Generating Picture Book Ideas
The start of a new year is a perfect time for fresh beginnings—and for picture book writers, it’s the ideal opportunity to plant seeds of inspiration that can grow into beautiful manuscripts in the months ahead. But where do picture book ideas come from? And once you’ve caught the spark of an idea, how do you nurture it into a story that captivates young readers? This month’s blog series will guide you through a variety of techniques to find and develop picture book ideas, from mining everyday moments to asking playful questions and drawing on your own childhood memories. Let’s dive in and discover the magic of storytelling together!
The Idea Spark: How Everyday Moments Can Inspire Picture Book Magic
Inspiration for picture books is all around us—waiting in the ordinary moments of everyday life. As writers, our job is to keep our senses open and stay tuned for the sparks of ideas that may come from a number of sources. (My friend and colleague Peter H. Reynolds calls this “story radar.” I love that! He also keeps a file on his desktop of “Books Not Yet in Print,” another idea which I happily borrowed from him.)
Ideas might come from a child’s whimsical question, an interaction at the park, or the simple wonder of a sunset. The trick is to recognize those sparks when they appear and capture them before they slip away.
Start with observation. Carry a small notebook or use your phone to jot down things you notice. I use my Notes app in my iPhone to grab ideas on the go. Listen to children’s conversations—their unique ways of expressing themselves can inspire delightful dialogue or imaginative scenarios. Pay attention to animals, nature, and even mundane events like grocery shopping. A child marveling at the sight of a butterfly might lead you to think about what it would be like if butterflies could talk. Don’t just limit yourself to visuals; listen for intriguing sounds, smell distinct scents, and tune into sensory experiences that might enrich your storytelling.
Let the spark grow. Once you have an idea, give it room to breathe. Ask yourself questions: What would happen next? Who is this story about? What’s the problem they need to solve? How might the setting enhance the narrative? Don’t worry if the idea feels incomplete; just capturing it is the first step. Later, you can revisit and develop it further by layering in character details, humor, or a playful twist. For now, just give the idea time to smolder a little and see where it goes. We’ll explore this more in future blog posts.
Remember, every great picture book started with a small, simple spark. Stay open to the magic of everyday moments and nurture these small sparks, you’ll soon find your stories taking shape.
