Step 1: Get inspired by something around you, then tell its story.

Sometimes with making a story, the words come first. Other times, it's the pictures. For THE LOST IDEA, the words were first. (Guess what inspired me!)

Step 2: Research online or at your library. Maybe it's a favorite animal, or a completely new creature you dream up.

Once you know what's happening in the story, get creative choosing a character. For THE LOST IDEA, I wanted an animal that was funny looking and rare.

Write your own story

Step 3: Draw squares on a page to represent book pages. Make rough sketches of your characters in action.

A storyboard or dummy helps bring the words and characters together. This is when you start to see your story come to life.

Step 4: Get on your computer or art paper and make your story come to life.

Take the pages you sketched and make them into full size pages. Add color and details. Now you have a picture book to share with family and friends.

This is one of the first characters I ever created. I call it a Rockasarus. Check back here to follow his story and tell me about yours.