In search of clever book ideas

More exciting children's book ideas
by: Steve B. (webmaster)

Lindsay, I definitely have some thoughts for you.

For one thing, it's time to get to the library or visit the children's books bestseller list. Start reading the ideas that ARE exciting editors. I find that when I'm trying to come up with my next great idea, the best thing I can do is immerse myself in the genre I'm trying to succeed in.

As for actually dreaming up those ideas, I'd like to break down your desire for more exciting children's book ideas into two areas:

Premise

Plot

Premise, of course, is the idea your book is essentially founded upon. "Two kids home alone are confronted with a mischievous rhyming cat who wants to play."

Plot is the complete set of choices you make WITHIN the story. If Billy doesn't want to go to school, you could have him pretend to be sick, or you could have him hide Mom's car keys, or you could have him post a dummy of the school's calendar to the internet showing that today is a teachers' day.

You see, I think you're taking from the rejections you're getting that it's your premises that they're finding uninspired, but I'd also like to suggest that it could be your plot choices. In my three examples in the above paragraph, the first is the obvious choice, the second is a little more unexpected, and the third is off-the-wall, one-of-a-kind.

When I think unusual premises, I think first of someone like Mo Willems. When I think unusual choices, I can't help but think of the hilarious Junie B. Jones books.

And - ahem - I also think of me.

If you visit my children's book ideas page, you'll see I offer a lot of thoughts about making more unusual plot choices. (My experience in film made that a particular area of expertise.)

Good luck! And congrats on the great rejections. They really ARE a good sign.

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Submitted by: Steve B. (webmaster)

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Lindsay, I definitely have some thoughts for you. For one thing, it's time to get to the library or visit the <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Ffeature.html%3Fie%3DUTF8%26ref%255F%3Ded%255Fnytbs%255Fcp%26docId%3D1000401551&tag=bestchilsbook-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957" TARGET="new" rel="nofollow">children's books bestseller list</A>. Start reading the ideas that ARE exciting editors. I find that when I'm trying to come up with my next great idea, the best thing I can do is immerse myself in the genre I'm trying to succeed in. As for actually dreaming up those ideas, I'd like to break down your desire for more exciting children's book ideas into two areas: <OL><LI>Premise</LI> <LI>Plot</LI> </OL>Premise, of course, is the idea your book is essentially founded upon. "Two kids home alone are confronted with a mischievous rhyming cat who wants to play." Plot is the complete set of choices you make WITHIN the story. If Billy doesn't want to go to school, you could have him pretend to be sick, or you could have him hide Mom's car keys, or you could have him post a dummy of the school's calendar to the internet showing that today is a teachers' day. You see, I think you're taking from the rejections you're getting that it's your premises that they're finding uninspired, but I'd also like to suggest that it could be your plot choices. In my three examples in the above paragraph, the first is the obvious choice, the second is a little more unexpected, and the third is off-the-wall, one-of-a-kind. When I think unusual premises, I think first of someone like <A HREF="http://www.best-childrens-books.com/dont-let-the-pigeon-drive-the-bus.html">Mo Willems</A>. When I think unusual choices, I can't help but think of the hilarious <A HREF="http://www.best-childrens-books.com/junie-b-jones.html">Junie B. Jones books</A>. And - ahem - I also think of me. If you visit my <A HREF="http://www.best-childrens-books.com/childrens-book-ideas.html">children's book ideas</A> page, you'll see I offer a lot of thoughts about making more unusual plot choices. (My experience in film made that a particular area of expertise.) Good luck! And congrats on the great rejections. They really ARE a good sign.

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In search of clever book ideas

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