I'm such a fan of #StoryStorm! I don't always play strictly by the rules, but I always get something out of it, so even when I "lose," I still win! #KidLitChat
June 3, 2026 at 1:59 AM
I'm such a fan of #StoryStorm! I don't always play strictly by the rules, but I always get something out of it, so even when I "lose," I still win! #KidLitChat
StoryStorm is such a great exercise. My NBs are jammed with index cards of ideas that I’ve taped to the pages between storms, Feb-Dec. #KidLitChat
June 3, 2026 at 1:22 AM
StoryStorm is such a great exercise. My NBs are jammed with index cards of ideas that I’ve taped to the pages between storms, Feb-Dec. #KidLitChat
I love going through my old StoryStorm ideas. I keep adding to my notebook when and idea strikes :D Sometimes I get a good idea for an illustration from my story notes. #kidlitchat
June 3, 2026 at 1:18 AM
I love going through my old StoryStorm ideas. I keep adding to my notebook when and idea strikes :D Sometimes I get a good idea for an illustration from my story notes. #kidlitchat
I finally went through previous StoryStorm ideas, which spawned another idea, so I did a brain dump and I think it has promise. #KidLitChat
June 3, 2026 at 1:07 AM
I finally went through previous StoryStorm ideas, which spawned another idea, so I did a brain dump and I think it has promise. #KidLitChat
Former #Storystorm participants, you may want to read this newsletter post from @saraharonson.bsky.social. Nice advice.
Today's newsletter: saraharonson.substack.com/p/commenceme...
What would YOU say to today's graduates???? To inspire them???
What would YOU say to today's graduates???? To inspire them???
Commencement Address
Play is the way. Failure is going to happen. Success is waiting.
saraharonson.substack.com
May 20, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Former #Storystorm participants, you may want to read this newsletter post from @saraharonson.bsky.social. Nice advice.
It's not to late. In Jan., when @taralazar.bsky.social's STORYSTORM started, I wasn't in the right mental place to read the posts. However, I left them in my inbox and am reading them now. So far, I've found several important tidbits. Here's Day One: taralazar.com/2026/01/01/s...
#amwriting #pb
#amwriting #pb
Storystorm 2026 Day 1: Tara Lazar Recalls Childhood Misunderstandings
by Tara Lazar “Happy Morning!” What a nice way to greet my parents and I as we topped off the tank at our local gas station. But something bothered me about those bright red letters han…
taralazar.com
April 27, 2026 at 8:58 PM
It's not to late. In Jan., when @taralazar.bsky.social's STORYSTORM started, I wasn't in the right mental place to read the posts. However, I left them in my inbox and am reading them now. So far, I've found several important tidbits. Here's Day One: taralazar.com/2026/01/01/s...
#amwriting #pb
#amwriting #pb
This is a good post that gives tips on how to make your rhyming picture book stand out and avoid being singsongy. www.rateyourstory.org/post/mowmt-1... #picturebooks #rhyme
MOWMT 18: Surprising Rhyme with Laura Lavoie
If you’ve read any blog posts I’ve written for Storystorm or Picture Book Builders, you probably know that I tend to brainstorm the titles of my picture books before I draft. When I came up with the t...
www.rateyourstory.org
March 22, 2026 at 6:14 PM
This is a good post that gives tips on how to make your rhyming picture book stand out and avoid being singsongy. www.rateyourstory.org/post/mowmt-1... #picturebooks #rhyme
I second critique groups! Also, #12x12! And it helps so much to start out the new year with a month’s worth of fresh ideas thanks to #storystorm! And, of course, having #PBParty each year to look forward to keeps me pushing.
March 21, 2026 at 9:40 PM
I second critique groups! Also, #12x12! And it helps so much to start out the new year with a month’s worth of fresh ideas thanks to #storystorm! And, of course, having #PBParty each year to look forward to keeps me pushing.
This was a fantastic month of inspiration, reading the various blogs written by talented people in the #kidlit industry. Thank you @taralazar.bsky.social for putting this together every year. I didn't get to signing the pledge before the window closed, but nonetheless, I have my 30 ideas!
March 7, 2026 at 4:20 PM
This was a fantastic month of inspiration, reading the various blogs written by talented people in the #kidlit industry. Thank you @taralazar.bsky.social for putting this together every year. I didn't get to signing the pledge before the window closed, but nonetheless, I have my 30 ideas!
I wrote a blog about #StoryStorm, picture books, poetry, and the benefits of creative challenges!
Check it out here: stefankarlssonwrites.wixsite.com/author/post/...
#KidLit #PictureBooks #PoetryCommunity
Check it out here: stefankarlssonwrites.wixsite.com/author/post/...
#KidLit #PictureBooks #PoetryCommunity
Creative Challenges (and Other Challenges)
Reflections on the value of reading and writing challenges, including StoryStorm and Poem-a-Day challenges.
stefankarlssonwrites.wixsite.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:55 PM
I wrote a blog about #StoryStorm, picture books, poetry, and the benefits of creative challenges!
Check it out here: stefankarlssonwrites.wixsite.com/author/post/...
#KidLit #PictureBooks #PoetryCommunity
Check it out here: stefankarlssonwrites.wixsite.com/author/post/...
#KidLit #PictureBooks #PoetryCommunity
Another January idea month completed thanks to the efforts and generosity of @taralazar.bsky.social and the authors and author illustrators who posted throughout January. #Storystorm #kidlit #ideas
February 4, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Another January idea month completed thanks to the efforts and generosity of @taralazar.bsky.social and the authors and author illustrators who posted throughout January. #Storystorm #kidlit #ideas
This was my second year completing #StoryStorm, and it’s become my favorite annual tradition. Thank you to @taralazar.bsky.social and all of the guest contributors for offering inspiration and encouragement 💜 #KidLit
February 3, 2026 at 7:12 PM
This was my second year completing #StoryStorm, and it’s become my favorite annual tradition. Thank you to @taralazar.bsky.social and all of the guest contributors for offering inspiration and encouragement 💜 #KidLit
Here are the picture books I read for this January’s #StoryStudy reading challenge that I started, inspired by @taralazar.bsky.social’s #StoryStorm writing challenge.
Thank you for following along, & a BIG thank you @mlapointemalchik.bsky.social for joining me in sharing wonderful PBs! 💜 #KidLit
Thank you for following along, & a BIG thank you @mlapointemalchik.bsky.social for joining me in sharing wonderful PBs! 💜 #KidLit
February 3, 2026 at 12:32 AM
Here are the picture books I read for this January’s #StoryStudy reading challenge that I started, inspired by @taralazar.bsky.social’s #StoryStorm writing challenge.
Thank you for following along, & a BIG thank you @mlapointemalchik.bsky.social for joining me in sharing wonderful PBs! 💜 #KidLit
Thank you for following along, & a BIG thank you @mlapointemalchik.bsky.social for joining me in sharing wonderful PBs! 💜 #KidLit
LIBRARY LION 🥰
✍🏻 Michelle Knudsen @michelleknudsen.bsky.social
🎨 Kevin Hawkes
2006, Candlewick
I do solemnly swear that I have faithfully executed
the Storystorm 30-ideas-in-January challenge,
and will, to the best of my ability,
parlay my ideas into picture book manuscripts.
#StoryStorm
✍🏻 Michelle Knudsen @michelleknudsen.bsky.social
🎨 Kevin Hawkes
2006, Candlewick
I do solemnly swear that I have faithfully executed
the Storystorm 30-ideas-in-January challenge,
and will, to the best of my ability,
parlay my ideas into picture book manuscripts.
#StoryStorm
February 2, 2026 at 10:12 PM
LIBRARY LION 🥰
✍🏻 Michelle Knudsen @michelleknudsen.bsky.social
🎨 Kevin Hawkes
2006, Candlewick
I do solemnly swear that I have faithfully executed
the Storystorm 30-ideas-in-January challenge,
and will, to the best of my ability,
parlay my ideas into picture book manuscripts.
#StoryStorm
✍🏻 Michelle Knudsen @michelleknudsen.bsky.social
🎨 Kevin Hawkes
2006, Candlewick
I do solemnly swear that I have faithfully executed
the Storystorm 30-ideas-in-January challenge,
and will, to the best of my ability,
parlay my ideas into picture book manuscripts.
#StoryStorm
StoryStorm was excellent this year.
February 2, 2026 at 6:15 PM
StoryStorm was excellent this year.
Wrapped up StoryStorm 2026 — a full month of daily idea-generating for writers! 📚✨ This challenge always reminds me that creativity builds through consistency, not perfection. Feeling energized and ready to turn some of these new concepts into real stories.😊 Art by Courtney Pippin-Mathur.
February 2, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Wrapped up StoryStorm 2026 — a full month of daily idea-generating for writers! 📚✨ This challenge always reminds me that creativity builds through consistency, not perfection. Feeling energized and ready to turn some of these new concepts into real stories.😊 Art by Courtney Pippin-Mathur.
If you are a #picturebook author or illustrator who just completed #storystorm, joining #12x12PB is the next step! You've got the ideas. Now get your drafts written! It's the perfect combination. Many of our members do both every year. #kidlit #kidlitart #writingcommunity
February 2, 2026 at 4:13 PM
If you are a #picturebook author or illustrator who just completed #storystorm, joining #12x12PB is the next step! You've got the ideas. Now get your drafts written! It's the perfect combination. Many of our members do both every year. #kidlit #kidlitart #writingcommunity
30+ ideas for #Storystorm! That's an exciting way to start 2026! Thanks @taralazar.bsky.social! #kidlit
February 1, 2026 at 11:17 PM
30+ ideas for #Storystorm! That's an exciting way to start 2026! Thanks @taralazar.bsky.social! #kidlit
#writingcommunity gratitude. #storystorm truly lit a fire for me. I'll be back next year!
#kidlit #amwriting #picturebooks
#kidlit #amwriting #picturebooks
February 1, 2026 at 4:03 PM
#writingcommunity gratitude. #storystorm truly lit a fire for me. I'll be back next year!
#kidlit #amwriting #picturebooks
#kidlit #amwriting #picturebooks
Thanks to @taralazar.bsky.social for organizing #Storystorm! I'm starting the year with so many new ideas, and even better, I'm in the habit of writing down a new idea every day.
February 1, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Thanks to @taralazar.bsky.social for organizing #Storystorm! I'm starting the year with so many new ideas, and even better, I'm in the habit of writing down a new idea every day.
Storystorm wrapped up and 30 new ideas in the bank! Now, onto writing a a few of them...
#storystorm #picturebooks #kidlit
#storystorm #picturebooks #kidlit
February 1, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Storystorm wrapped up and 30 new ideas in the bank! Now, onto writing a a few of them...
#storystorm #picturebooks #kidlit
#storystorm #picturebooks #kidlit
I finally came up with 30 story ideas for #Storystorm. Not saying there's 30 good ideas. Just that I have 30 of them and I've knocked something off my January list. #kidlit
January 31, 2026 at 3:46 PM
I finally came up with 30 story ideas for #Storystorm. Not saying there's 30 good ideas. Just that I have 30 of them and I've knocked something off my January list. #kidlit
And that concludes this year's #StoryStorm. These are open source story ideas, feel free to use to spark your own stories. I have a couple or three that I've added to my own backlog for future books or shorts.
#StoryStorm Day 31 Story Idea:
31 Days
A child lives her life in 31 days. Walking by the middle and talking by the end of the 2nd day, she’s a young woman after the 1st week. Her middle weeks are all fun with games. Her last week is full of reflection and regret but acceptance and happiness too.
31 Days
A child lives her life in 31 days. Walking by the middle and talking by the end of the 2nd day, she’s a young woman after the 1st week. Her middle weeks are all fun with games. Her last week is full of reflection and regret but acceptance and happiness too.
#StoryStorm Day 30 Story Idea:
The Day Planner
Jimmy buys a desk calendar from 1931 and finds its days match up. Every day has a writing prompt. When he starts writing short stories to the prompts his career takes off. As time passes he becomes more fearful of the year’s end.
The Day Planner
Jimmy buys a desk calendar from 1931 and finds its days match up. Every day has a writing prompt. When he starts writing short stories to the prompts his career takes off. As time passes he becomes more fearful of the year’s end.
January 31, 2026 at 1:09 PM
And that concludes this year's #StoryStorm. These are open source story ideas, feel free to use to spark your own stories. I have a couple or three that I've added to my own backlog for future books or shorts.