Get your mini set of FREE Magic Cards from art agent Lilla and learn how you can generate picture book story ideas!
My Kid Book Pitch starts THIS MONDAY, May 29th and we can’t wait to see all the magical quirky picture book stories you come up with. Today we’re giving you a FREE sneak peek at art agent Lilla’s secret weapon for unlocking your dreamy imagination: her unique Magic Cards.
You’ll find your Magic Cards below. Then don’t forget to join Lilla for a FREE live Zoom event TOMORROW, Friday, May 26th, at 12 noon ET/5 pm BST. She’ll be talking about the Magic Cards, sharing some of her favorite picture books, and giving away a FREE place in class! Lilla will also be joined by her artist Erica Root.
Don’t miss it! Join here – you’ll also find the link on the front page of our website and in our Instagram Stories tomorrow. Set a reminder on your phone now!
Ready for your FREE Magic Cards? Find them below. Lilla says that visuals spur the imagination – hence the magic.
If you want more guidance, watch the video of Lilla playing with the cards with her My Year of Art School students on last week’s blog here.
Ready? Here’s your First card:
What does it make you think of? Get a pencil and jot down some initial thoughts. Here’s a solitary chick – could it be your main character? Is it a baby bird? What kind?
Perhaps it gives you some ideas for what your story could be about. Is it about hatching, becoming or transformation? That startled look is intriguing. Is it about isolation, or living in a shell?
Tip: The bones of any story is that the main character wants something, and something gets in their way. What could your main character want? What could be stopping them from getting it?
Tip: Your target audience, children aged around three to five, like to see main characters who are the same age as them or slightly older.
Here’s your SECOND card:
Again, jot down some notes about anything that the image throws up in your mind.
Perhaps this card is your plot (what happens in your story) or your setting (where it happens). Is it about some kind of adventure to a magical or mysterious place? Where?
There’s lots to look at here: of course there’s that beautiful car up front but also the boat, the pier, the fishers. Maybe the car is your main character, or someone who is going fishing. Perhaps it’s that shark.
Where is this car going? Who is in it? Why is it stopped on that deck?
Maybe your main character wants to go on a voyage – or doesn’t want to go on a voyage. Does this card remind you of long car journeys as a child or maybe it makes you think of getting stuck in traffic on your commute or maybe it’s just reminded you that you really need a vacation … There are no wrong answers here, so jot down whatever thoughts or feelings it brings up. Allow yourself to free associate. The more you stimulate your imagination, the more of it you’ll unlock.
Ready for your next two cards?
Here’s your THIRD card:
What does this one make you think of? Maybe your character wants to move to the city, or out of the city. Maybe they live in one of those skyscrapers and they’re lonely. Maybe they live in one of those trees and gaze at the tall buildings and busy streets. Maybe they’ve always wanted to see the Cubs or play for the Bulls. Maybe they’re travelling to a city to try to succeed at something or to visit a friend.
You don’t need to stay true to the card. Let your mind wander, free associate. Maybe your character dreams of travel to other cities, or outer space. Maybe they are an alien! You see? Think of them as tarot or oracle cards, if you like, and let images pop into your head.
OKAY, Here’s your FOURTH card:
Is this a traditional family or something else? A single mom? Maybe something about warmth or home or big families? Maybe the family is getting too big for their house and need to find somewhere else to live?
Is one of the bunnies your main character? Give them a name. What are they like?
Maybe they could be your antagonist. Tip: Antagonist just means whatever is stopping your main character from getting what they want, and it can be another character or it can be a situation.
Play more. Print out the four cards which are all on a single page here, then cut them out, move them around and see what you can come up with. Perhaps you’ll come up with an idea you love or it will just be a starting point. Either way, you’re starting to boost your imagination and inspire your creativity.
Get your full set of 28 Magic Cards on the first day of class. Register now!
Don’t forget to share what you come up with on social media and tag @makeartthatsells and #MATSprep so that Lilla can see. Then join Lilla for the FREE live Zoom event TOMORROW at 12 noon ET/5 pm BST – join here.
And remember, you’ll get 24 more Magic Cards on the first day of My Kid Book Pitch, which starts THIS MONDAY! You’ll create your own fabulous ready-to-send pitch in just four weeks, plus Lilla will be choosing one student for a private 45 minute 1:1 review! Sign up here.
Mark your calendar:
- My Kid Book Pitch starts THIS MONDAY, May 29th. Sign up here!
- Get My Kid Book Pitch at 25% off! The Children’s Book Bundle, which includes My Kid Book Pitch, Illustrating Children’s Books and Lilla’s Art Recipes: Drawing Faces with a huge 25% discount is still available! Get it here.
- Join Lilla for a FREE live Zoom event TOMORROW, Friday, May 26th at 12 noon ET/5 pm BST and you could win a FREE place in My Kid Book Pitch (if you’ve already signed up, you can gift it to a friend). Join here.
- In next week’s newsletter: You’ll get a FREE mini video class on different themes for your picture book on Monday AND a peek at author-illustrator Erica Root’s process on Thursday.
Lots of love
The Make Art That Sells team xxx
P.S. Did you miss our big news? At the end of class, Lilla will pick one student from My Kid Book Pitch and review all three of their assignments in a private 45 minute 1:1 to give support and guidance. Sign up now to be in with a chance of discussing YOUR picture book pitch with a top art agent!
