Your Why? When Writing Your Picture Book

Last time I discussed how to begin forming your idea for a picture book. Next step is to figure out why? Why is this a passionate story for you? Why now?

The reason this is an important step is that working on this story may take over a year or more and if you do have a strong why it can help you move through the times when working on your book becomes a chore, frustrating or overwhelming.

My why for Help Me Be Me was two fold. I wanted to reach as many parents as possible, something that was not as easy doing individual coaching, and I also wanted to represent the children who didn't understand yet how to express themselves. A "picture parenting" book was my way to combine both whys.

What is your why?

It can be simple: I want to create a memory for my children or I want to share a wonderful event from my childhood or I want to share my values with my children and others.

There is no right or wrong answer and the why isn't totally necessary but I have found that that will help you keep at it.

Next time, after you have decided on your why, I'll share what I use to begin brainstorming the story.

Until then,

Sam