Month: October 2023

It’s 5:30am.

I’m sitting at my kitchen table, and it’s dark outside.

My kids are still sleeping, and this is my window to write.

It’s still October, but come November 1st, you’ll find me here every morning.

That’s because November is Children’s Book Writing Month (#ChiBoWriMo), where WE write one children’s story a day for the entire month. When I say “we” I mean you and me. Don’t worry I’ll show you how.

This writing practice piggybacks on a long-standing tradition called National Novel Writing Month (#NaNoWriMo), where authors aim to finish writing a rough draft of their novel in thirty days.

I love that idea, for them.

But in this little corner of the internet, we are all about children’s books, and I love the creative rough drafts that come from showing up consistently and letting my mind wander in silly, strange, and imaginative places.

Because I have been an “adult” for quite some time now, I’ll admit that sometimes it’s challenging to let my mind go free. So the idea of putting creative writing into practice for an entire month really lets me lean in, and go deep.

By the end, I’m creatively spent, but also thrilled to have thirty rough drafts to develop all winter long. I look at my November stories and pick a handful to write second drafts of.

*This step includes typing up my favorites because I do my first draft in a notebook, with a pen – gasp!*

Because I’ve done this writing challenge for four years now, it means I’ve got over one hundred rough drafts written, solely in November.

Let me share one key tip that has always helped ensure I complete all thirty stories . . .

I ALWAYS print out a list of simple writing prompts.

That’s it.

I don’t have to fight to find a starting point each morning. These prompts are always pretty broad so I can take them in a thousand directions, but they give me a creative jump start.

If you’ve always wanted to write a children’s book, or just want to write more, give this one simple trick a try.

I’ll even share the exact list I’ll be using this November.

Just print the prompt list below,

decide on a daily time and place to show up for yourself,

set your laptop or notebook out so you are ready to go,

then put a reminder on your calendar for November 1st.

Over one hundred stories later, I’m still using this formula because it consistently works.

Now it’s your turn.

Go get prepped – you creative writing machine. I’m cheering for you!

*Use #ChiBoWriMo on FB/IG

**For the rule followers:

1. What if it’s not November when I read this? Do I have to wait until next year? The exact month does not matter. But the idea of starting on the first of the month and showing up daily for the entire month is powerful. Give it a try!
2. Am I alloweed to switch locations or times once I set them? Sure, You do you. For me, 90% is at my kitchen table at 5am, 10% is at coffee shop whatever time I can squeeze it in).
3. If I miss a day, did I fail? Nope, you don’t fail unless you quit. Personally, I really like to test my creativity and write something for every single prompt. This means if I miss a day, I will double up and write two the next. Always finishing all prompts by the last day of the the month.

Need some children’s books for inspo? Check out these!