Picture book Nanowrimo. Who's in?

braden H

Nanowrimo is coming up! Usually (for novelists) this means 1667 words a day, EVERY day, to hit a goal of 50000 words by the end of the month. I've done it before. It's fun. It's absolutely achievable with a little effort just like inktober.

I propose we do something a tad different.

Picture books should be around 500 words or less. That's the target number I've heard. 500 words sounds a lot easier than 1667.

So I propose we write a picture book. 500 words or less. Every day of November.

I'll provide prompts that you can use, or choose to ignore. Do whatever.

By the end of November you'll have 30 scripts to choose from to make a dummy.

Think of it as thumbnailing

Most (all) good writers when asked about manuscripts rejected by editors will solemnly point to a massive overstuffed filing cabinet. If asked about stories the WRITER thought weren't good enough, they'll point to a landfill, also overstuffed.

Part of being a good writer, just like being a good illustrator, is volume. Amount. Total number of words written. Prolificness (prolificity?)

It doesn't have to be good. It just has to exist.

You can't polish a turd if there's no turd to polish

We've gotta write those words ladies and gentlemen.

If you're interested in doing this with me, chime in on this thread and I'll provide prompts for us to use or ignore. As always, questions, comments, and requests for support are always welcome.

I'm gonna write some stuff. Who else does?

theprairiefox

@Braden-Hallett I am in...

MichaelaH

I will try it, don't know if I will survive day 1...

burvantill

I will be in.... later. Lol. I already have plans for November but I will cheer you all on from the sidelines.

ArtofAleksey

Ill give it a shot for some of the days!

chrisaakins

I am in but with one modification. I want to write the children's book for my mouse pictures. It will still be 30 pages, because it will be an easy reader kinda story for grades 1-5.

Lee White

I admire the idea, but I might suggest going about it in a different way. Doing a new full book everyday puts a lot of emphasis on the technical details of a picture book (dialog, character building, etc.) which pays off only when you get a chance to really polish it.

I would like to suggest doing this challenge as writing a synopsis for a picture book everyday. Doing something like filling out a page that says what the basic story is, minus too many details will give you a huge payoff at the end. It also has the benefit on keeping what is important at the forefront, which is STORY.

Then, at the end of the month you will have all these options for fleshing out the ones you like without having wasted time noodling the ones that won't make it.

Just a thought. Good luck with what ever you try! : )

Meta

Wow, that's tough! I think I'll need a break after Inktober! Maybe I'll hang in one day or the other to drwa a picture on one of the prompts. Have to focus on Portfolio. It's a great idea in any case, Braden! And I like the atmosphere here. It's dragging to create.

MichaelaH

@Lee-White Great idea, I will do it so. Thanks Lee

JennyJones

I’m in minus a few days for the craziest week or 10 days of my day job (happens every November). I’m jazzed about the accountability! If there are people expecting me then I know I will have motivation to stick to it.

Coley

I'm in, I like Lee's idea! I am not sure how busy November will be for me so that's a bit simpler. But I want accountability and structure and buddies! Awesome, thanks @Braden-Hallett

braden H

@Lee-White That works too! I'm happy with whatever gets people to write something as opposed to write nothing

I was doing a direct translation of the nanowrimo challenge (which is write that novel every day) but a tweak is absolutely needed to gear it towards children's books.

Maybe I'll put together a simple story sentence template to help people along and have some other handy exercises along with the prompts.

Maybe 'hard mode' can be taking that story sentence/synopsis and writing 500 words to get things started

braden H

@chrisaakins Great idea! As long as you're writin' every day to get those words on paper

ArtofAleksey

Yeah I agree with @Lee-White thats why 1 prompt will probably be more realistic

I am pretty good at coming up with silly concepts. Synopsis might be more fun and efficient.

braden H

@Aleksey Absolutely more realistic (more fun too)

I suppose it depends on what each person's goal is.

I'm eager to kinda find my kid-lit voice if you get what I mean (which takes writing lots and lots and lots and tonnes and lots and ohdeargodIhatewritingnow bunches of stories). A nice selection of story ideas and options is a bonus!

arent-draper

Braden, I'm in...only I am going to work on 4 picture book manuscripts (one per week) for November. I am going to put them into physical Dummy books with thumbnails.

Jon Anderson

I love the idea and even Lee's twist but I don't think I'll have much opportunity to try it. I hope it helps you guys out that get to stay with it.

xin li

This sounds really fun. I will follow along. I may spent 20mins - 40mins max to a synopsis only though.
I am wondering if there is any resources for beginner/intermediate writers out there which is similar to @Lee-White's youtube channel. Specifically, I am thinking about how to do 50 thumbnails appraoch - how would research and ideation process looks like in writtin? Anyone has suggestions?

RG Spaulding

Wow..that is a lot. I am a member of 12x12challenge.com and it is a challenge to write 12 picture books drafts or revisions in 12 months. I will just watch you guys and cheer on!

Heather Boyd

@Braden-Hallett

I’m working on people and character studies in November, I may may do some writing up on some of them. That or I will write an excerpt from a possible story whether picture book or not. I need to practise writing too.