12 x 12 in 2012 Picture Book Writing Challenge

12 x 12 in 2012 Picture Book Writing Challenge – sign up deadline is January 29, 2012

In November 2011, I participated in PiBoldMo (Picture Book Idea Month). PiBoldMo was created in 2008 by Tara Lazar, an Australian children’s book author. The concept is to create 30 picture book ideas in 30 days. Why should novel writers have all the fun of NaNoWriMo during that month?

Inspired by this concept, one of the PiBoldMo participants, American  author Julie Hedlund, has set up a challenge for all of 2012:

Write 12 picture book drafts in 12 months–a picture book a month for every month of 2012.

Badge by Linda Silvestri

The challenge is open to anyone interested in writing picture books.

You can find out more details, including the inspiration behind this challenge, and the benefits in participating at:

Julie Hedlund’s blog:  http://writeupmylife.com

DEADLINE  to sign up for the 12 x 12 in 2012 challenge is 10:00 p.m. MST on Sunday, January 29th. Don’t miss this chance to connect and work with 350+ picture book authors and illustrators who’ve committed to writing one picture book draft every month in 2012.

More details, including sign up, at:  Four More Days to Sign Up for 12 x 12 in 2012

http://writeupmylife.com/

Direct link to post: Four More Days to Sign Up for 12 x 12 in 2012

http://writeupmylife.com/2012/01/26/four-more-days-to-sign-up-for-12-x-12-in-2012/

So, what are you waiting for? Head over now, and sign up.

However, if for any reason you miss the deadline, don’t despair. You can still participate in the challenge (it can assist in motivating you to write the picture book that is in your head), except you won’t be in the running for the chance to win craft-related giveaways such as critiques, books, consultations, etc. from the monthly featured authors.

This month’s prize is a critique from Tara Lazar, founder of PiBoldMo.

Wishing all participants an inspirational 2012.

PiBoldMo – 30 Picture book ideas in 30 days

This lovely winner badge has been designed by Bonnie Adamson

“Eureka!” I did it – I surpassed my goal of reaching 30  Picture book ideas in 30 days – probably more than 50.  Tara Lazar’s idea of creating November as PiBoldMo for children’s picture book writers was great fun.  No pressure to achieve 50,000 words in 30 days.  Rather, 30 ideas – whether that be a name of a character, a story idea, a story title, or  similar.

So now time for me to take Tara’s PiBoldMo pledge.

I do solemnly swear that I have faithfully executed
the PiBoIdMo 30-ideas-in-30-days challenge,
and will, to the best of my ability,
parlay my ideas into picture book manuscripts.

And I’m happy to say that there are definitely a couple of good ideas for me to work on.

All participants who ‘signed up’ to participate in PiBoldMo and who sign the pledge as directed on her blog post  Take the PiBoldMo 2011 Winners Pledge   are in the running to win some fabulous prizes.  To check these out please visit -

Direct link: http://taralazar.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/piboidmo-2011-prize-list/

However, if you don’t win (winners announced December 8th) and/or  you didn’t participate,  there are  some great PiBoldMo merchandise  available for purchase from the PiBoIdMo shop  As Tara states on her blog, these would make a great holiday purchase. And you would be contributing to two charitable causes.  More information at: http://www.cafepress.com/piboidmo

For each day during PiBoldMo a guest blogger shared pearls of wisdom.  Each blogger was a source of wonderful inspiration.  The variety in style and ways to awaken, rouse and inspire creativity and ideas was just fabulous.

So if you haven’t checked  these out I would highly recommend that you make a pot of tea or coffee, and spend time reading these posts -  each one offers pearls of wisdom for the children’s picture book writer.

For more information please visit Tara Lazar’s site at: http://taralazar.wordpress.com/

Check out the inspirational ideas during PiBoldMo – Picture Book Idea Month

Just before November kicked off,  I mentioned that I had just found out about a great idea – PiBoldMo  (Picture Book Idea Month)  – founded by children’s author Tara Lazar. I immediately signed up.

Here’s Tara’s lovely logo designed by Bonnie Adamson.

I just love the idea of the PiBoIdMo challenge  – to create 30 new picture book ideas in 30 days.  No manuscript, just ideas – could be a word, a character, a story line – whatever.  Perfect for the children’s book writer who wonders why novel writers should have all the fun with NaNoWriMo – this is what inspired Tara to start PiBoldMo.

At Day 14, I already have a number of ideas, and the creative juices are still flowing.

Even if you didn’t register,  I strongly suggest that you pay a daily visit  to Tara’s site during the month of November http://taralazar.wordpress.com.  Each day a guest blogger shares inspirational ideas.

The idea behind PiBoldMo is a lot like the inspiration behind NaNoWriMo – where you don’t actually have to wait for November to do it. You can use any month you like  that fits in with your life.  However, sometimes we work better when to a deadline (though doesn’t always suit some). But being involved with others at the same time can be very inspirational, generating the creativity.  As well, as being a lot of fun.

So the objective of PiBoldMo is, by  the end of the month, to have a folder of ideas that you can work on in the ensuing weeks/ months.   And being officially involved in PiBoldMo has a further bonus – Tara has organised  great prizes (but you had to register to be in the running).

Anyway, I’m off. Another idea has just catapulted into my head. Whoops, so has another – they have just collided.

Have an inspirational week.

Don’t forget to check out Tara’s site http://taralazar.wordpress.com

Helen

Sign up for PiBoldMo – Picture Book Idea Month

If you are not participating in the insanity of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) this November, you might like to sign up for PiBoldMo -  Picture Book Idea Month!

I discovered this fabulous idea in a recent PIO (Pass It On) e-newsletter – where have I been hiding?

PiBoldMo was created in 2008 by Tara Lazar, a children’s book author.    Since then it has gone from strength to strength in terms of participants.  That’s great considering the first PiBoldMo was held by a party of one  -Tara.

The concept is to create 30 picture book ideas in 30 days. You don’t have to write a manuscript. Tara has also organised a number of guest bloggers to keep participants inspired during this month.

Sign-up closes on November 3^rd, and you must be registered before then to qualify for prizes! Yes, there are prizes!

Time is running out to register.  So what are you waiting for? Click on the direct link for sign up:

http://taralazar.wordpress.com/2011/10/24/piboidmo-official-sign-up-starts-today-right-here-right-now/

Tara’s site at: http://taralazar.wordpress.com/about/

And would you believe that in a moment of madness (again at the eleventh hour)  I decided, after all, to sign up for this November’s NaNoWriMo? Madness, I say!  Pure madness!

All the best for the madness of November!

Have an inspirational month everyone!

Helen