In November I am going to undertake another writerly challenge – this time to come up with one picture book idea every day for the month of November. I don’t have to write the PB – just imagine 30 cracker ideas. (In truth, they don’t have to be crackers, but if they’re not, I don’t want them.) I say I don’t have to write the PBs – but I suspect that will be the greatest challenge… to have an exciting idea and not write it – yet.
Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo) is the idea of my twitter buddy, @taralazar. It is the Picture Book equivalent to the hugely popular NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). You can read more about it on Tara’s blog (here). And if you’re a writer looking for a fun but motivational event (because you really DO finish these challenge with good stuff) then sign up and join in.
BUT… I couldn’t do a month of ideas and no writing – and I couldn’t even imagine writing 50,000 words… ever! (that’s the NaNoWriMo challenge – 50k in 1month) so in November, while my mind is buzzing with words and ideas, I will also be focusing on my current WIP – that verse novel I was working on during Queensland Writers Week.
If you don’t see or hear from me much in November, you will know why…
Are you taking part in PiBoIdMo… NaNoWriMo… or both? (Madness! 😉 ) Leave a comment and let me know. And have fun with it!
Kathryn Apel 
Well PiBoldMo doesn’t sound quite as horrific as Nano but perhaps that’s somewhat innocent of me!
Good luck anyway.
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Hi Kat!
I’m doing PiBoIdMo too, although I’m having a hard time waiting until November, as the ideas seem to be coming constantly – probably because I’m thinking about PiBo so much! 🙂
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I’ll be doing PiBoIdMo! I’m so excited to get started!!
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Jenny, I think I share both your comments. It doesn’t sound so scary to me either… but I then I start to think… 30 ideas! I want WOW ideas. That may be pushing it.
Oh – go Julie! You’re rolling!! Yay you. 🙂
I’m excited too, Megan – but I just realised that this starts in just… 4 days!
Eeek! :O
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I think I’m doing PiBoIdMo. But it’s enough work just organizing it. I hope I’ll have room for ideas! LOL!
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I started off thinking I would do NaNoWriMo but as the time grew near, I realized what an undertaking that was. Even though I have an idea of sorts, I am still introducing myself back into the writing world. I think I need to do baby steps right now. I would end up plunging to the bottom of the NaNoWriMo abyss if I tried. Then, I found this…the PiBoIdMo and read up on that. THIS might be just what I need. 🙂 I’ve decided to attempt this rather than NaNoWriMo! Hope it’s fun and productive! Yay!
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Tara, I understand very well what you’re saying. It was like that when my Month of Haiku went worldwide. It was awesome – but I was up until 2am regurarly just compiling the daily bulletin – and often wrote my haiku in the 5mins before midnight. (Funny – those haiku were also often my best!)
DO take time to maximise it for yourself, too. You have done an awesome thing for Picture Book author/illustrators. Let it enrich your writing journey too. (And seriously – if I can help in any way, tell me.)
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LadyJai, so glad you found my blog. And welcome back to the world of writing – it is a wonderfully supportive community. I think PiBoIdMo is a brilliant idea. This is my first time at this particular challenge – and I am not expecting it to be easy. But I do expect it to be beneficial. Looking forward to hearing your progress.
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I’m going to be doing PiBoIdMo this year. I’ve been looking forward to it all year. Not only does the idea sound great, but the people signing up are a really supportive group. I’m already excited to get started.
I did NaNoWriMo last year and finished my 5K. I’ve got another idea, but not enough time. Sound familiar?
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Organising is definitely harder than participating. I couldn’t imagine organising my closet with the sleepless nights I’m already getting lol. Best of luck Tara!
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Kat
Call me silly, but I can’t find where to sign up for PiBoIdMo… I understood you’ve all signed up but the only thing I can see is to wait for Halloween (which is today in US. Do I wait til tomorrow???
Meryl.
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Now that the sign-on has started, click on the link (http://taralazar.wordpress.com/2010/10/30/piboidmo-2010-kick-off) and join the looooooong list of comments.
See you there! 🙂
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I signed up this morning and feeling inspired. 🙂
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