It’s that time of year again!
It’s time to STORYSTORM!
Prepare to be BLOWN AWAY!
Two years ago I changed the name and month of my annual writing challenge, from Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo) to Storystorm. Why? Answer’s here.
Any writer interested in brainstorming new story ideas in January is invited to join the STORYSTORM challenge of 30 ideas in 31 days. Any genre, any style; student, amateur, hobbyist, aspiring author or professional.
How does STORYSTORM work? It’s simple…
- Register.
- Read daily posts.
- Write down story ideas.
That’s pretty much it.
At the end of January if you have at least 30 new ideas, you can sign the STORYSTORM PLEDGE and be eligible for PRIZES.
So are you ready? Follow these steps:
- Register ON THIS BLOG POST by signing your name ONCE in the comments below. Full name, nickname, whatever name you want.
- Teachers participating with a class can register under the teacher’s name.
Please leave ONE comment ONLY. Do not reply to say “hi” to a friend. Do not comment to fix a mistake. ONE COMMENT. Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect.
- Registering makes you eligible for prizes.
- Visit this blog daily (taralazar.com) in January for inspirational essays by guest bloggers—professional authors, illustrators and experts in creativity.
- Instead of visiting the blog directly, you can receive the daily posts via email by clicking the “Follow Tara’s Blog” button in the left column—look under my photo for it.
This year there is a special theme…
…THE GHOST OF STORYSTORM PAST!
Really, the POST OF STORYSTORM PAST.
I’ll be alternating between new posts and the best posts from 10 years of STORYSTORM!
- After you have read the daily inspiration, jot down a daily story idea in a journal, computer file, anywhere you like to write. Some days you might have no ideas, but some days you might have five or more.
At the end of January, if you have at least 30 ideas, sign the STORYSTORM PLEDGE (to be posted on January 31) and qualify for prizes.
Prizes include professional consults, signed books, original art, writerly gadgets and gizmos.
Remember, do not share your ideas publicly in January. They are YOURS. No need to prove that you have them at the end of the month. The pledge you will sign is on the honor system.
Are you in? Awesome. Pick up your Official Participant badge below and affix it to any social media account you wish. (Right click to save to your computer, then upload it anywhere.)
This adorable badge was designed by Melissa Crowton, the illustrator of my next book, YOUR FIRST DAY OF CIRCUS SCHOOL, which is available for pre-order. (Shameless plug.)
The final piece? Join the STORYSTORM Facebook discussion group. You might need friends to pick you up!
The group is completely optional, but it remains a year-round source of writing information and support, mostly focused on picture books, I admit, because that is where this all began.
Registration will remain open through JANUARY 7TH.
What are you waiting for? Register and go celebrate! I’ll see you back here on New Year’s Day.
