Do you want to write a unique children’s story?
Lilla here. Today I’m sharing Part 2 of my FREE children’s story book idea generator, to help you warm up for my children’s book writing course, My Kid Book Pitch, which starts next Monday, October 18th.
Did you find yesterday’s Squeeze Me Doll Magic Card activated your imagination? If you missed it, click here.
Big reveal! Here is Squeeze Me Doll’s best friend! Today, we’ve got Giraffe. Take a moment for yourself, away from devices and humans and noise, and let your mind wander. See what pops into your head. Giraffes have witty spots (why?), crazy long necks (why?) and are one part horse (why?)! What kind of personality do they have, in your mind?
First, let’s take a good look at Giraffe. Note the neat black hooves, the long tail with a black tip, the bristly mane, the spots that are running a little like they got caught in the rain. Is it a boy or girl? Does it matter? What is gender, anyway? What else do you discover?
Where did they come from? Maybe a toy from a cracker or a whole playset? Are they missing home or are they excited for new adventures? Does thinking about where they came from throw up any associations for you, like thinking about holidays when you were a kid or maybe losing a toy?
Are they big or small? What about that beady little eye? What are they thinking about?
Try anthropomorphizing the giraffe. Give them a name. Do they have a job? Do they own a store? What do they sell?
Are their friends other giraffes? Does their long neck cause issues or is it a benefit? Can they use it to help others?
Maybe it makes you think fondly about a toy or doll or stuffed animal you had a kid. Maybe you had a whole playset like this, or maybe you made up your own set from the animals you had, so your zoo was full of mis-sized animals, like a huge chick and a couple of tiny dinosaurs, and a gigantic dog and a teddy in a jumper. What would a zoo like that be like, or a farm full of non-farm animals?
Here’s your assignment for today:
1. Get out a piece of paper or your journal and free associate. See how a plastic giraffe can get you thinking? Take a moment to write down anything that comes to mind, no matter how seemingly off track or odd. Doodle. Don’t be shy or censure yourself. Let your mind wander. You’ll want this for Part 3 on Friday.
2. Include any scenes that pop into your head, and make note of any emotions that come up.
3. Mash up! Play around with combining the Squeeze Me Doll and the Giraffe in your head. Are they friends? Are they sisters? Let them play together. What do they do? Are they on a mission to save the whales? Are they going shopping for a present for a sick friend? Are they starting their first day of school? If they were to get into a little mischief, what would it be? If they wanted to help a friend, what would they do? Do they talk? What do they say? Write down some ideas, sentences, phrases. Add sketches if you like. There are no bad ideas. You’ve just made a simple plot line!
Don’t forget to share what you do today. If you’ve created an image, then share it on Instagram with the hashtag #MATSprep and tag @makeartthatsells so I can see it. Even if you’ve just written notes, share that too. You can make your notes pretty or mix them up with sketches and doodles, or just share what you’ve written. Don’t forget the tag – I’ll be looking for them! I can’t wait to see them.
Be sure to join me in class for more goodness and to write a unique children’s story. Sign up here. Hurry, class starts NEXT MONDAY, October 18th!
Xo
Lilla
P.S. I’ll be in your inbox on Friday for the third and final part of your #MATSprep, which will help you with your plot line and maybe give you a twist! Plus don’t forget to join me on Friday for a FREE Zoom event at 12 noon ET/5 pm BST. I’ll be giving away a FREE place in class, talking about this warm up exercise and lots more. Pop a Post-It on your sketchbook now so you don’t forget!
