Over the past year I have come up with 52 picture book ideas that I used to write 52 picture books. Actually, I came up with far more 52 ideas; it took hundreds of ideas to find the ones I wanted to work with. Some good. Some bad. Some I immediately started to write. Some I came back to months later and found new ways to make them work.

Sometimes an idea will just pop into my head, but usually I have to put in a little effort.

Here is how I normally do it. I sit down and think, “I need a new picture book idea.” Then I let my brain kind of flip flop around. Anything I can grab onto, no matter how slight, will work: A name, a feeling, a location, a line of dialogue. I take that idea, and free associate. What does that idea make me think of? Sometimes it turns into something I am moved to write about. Other times it goes into the scrap heap.

There are times when this method doesn’t work for me. That is when I turn to my idea generating games. Yes, I call them games. A game is always more enjoyable than a strategy. And isn’t this all supposed to be fun?

1. 10 Things in 10 Places. This one always works for me. I will often come up with an idea pretty quickly using this game. I grab a note pad, and use my environment to discover ideas. First go to a location, any location (kitchen, garden, library, park, bathroom, closet, anyplace). Let the things around you spark ideas. Do it quickly without too much thought. Write down ten ideas, switch locations, write down ten more ideas, and repeat. Don’t worry if the ideas are good or not, just write them down. Even ideas that seem terrible at first can turn into something amazing. Besides, you only need one good idea. Frankly, I don’t think I’ve ever made it to one hundred ideas. I always come up with something I want to write about long before I get to the end.

2. Just Write. This isn’t always the best method for me, but it has worked. I was lucky enough to be a part of Mem Fox’s picture book intensive at the SCBWI summer conference. During the class she had us all take out pencil and paper, and with no preparation told us to write for seven minutes. She said that one of her books was started using this exact exercise. In those  seven minutes, I did come up with an idea that I think could make a very fun book someday.

3. Crazy Combos. Make a list of things kids love. Then mix them up and see what you create. Robot bears, grumpy cookies, a polka-dot firetruck. Any combo could spark an idea. Have fun.

4. Hoof It. Go for a Walk. Nothing gets the brain working like a walk around the block. And it’s healthy. I go for a walk everyday and this is when I find many of my ideas. Don’t forget to carry a small notepad and pencil. This is something you should get in the habit of carrying at all times.

5. Sidekicks. This works perfectly for fractured fairytales, but can be effective for generating any kind of idea from any story. Explore the peripheral characters in some of your favorite books. What is their story? What do they do when they are on their own? Their story may be just as important to tell as the protagonist. Even if you don’t write their story, you could discover an entirely new idea.

6. Kid Jokes. Find a book or list of kid jokes. Not only could you find an idea, but it’ll be an opportunity to discover what makes kids laugh. Of course a story is more than one joke, but this could be a fun place to start.

7. Curio Cabinet. Most of you have a shelf or box dedicated to keepsakes: Souvenirs from trips, items from when you were young, awards, photos, knick-knacks won at the fair. Each one comes with a story or else why would you keep it. Tell those stories.

Come back soon. I’ll be posting part two by tomorrow with more idea generating games.