Paradox in Picture Books

Get your character up a tree and throw rocks at him. 

We all know that story = conflict. 

So I was thinking of an easier way to make sure you have conflict right from the start. 

Does your picture book contain a paradox? (No, not a pair of ducks, although that could work too.)

From the online Merriam Webster Dictionary Paradox is defined as:

: something (such as a situation) that is made up of two opposite things and that seems impossible but is actually true or possible

: someone who does two things that seem to be opposite to each other or who has qualities that are opposite

: a statement that seems to say two opposite things but that may be true

Two things that are opposites or  that don’t normally go together.

This is essentially a problem, if you were trying to force them together right?

Well, before you even think of a story, think of how difficult you can make it right from the start.

For example, what if….

There was a mermaid, who fell in love with a human?  Boom!  Immediate conflict, since it’s physically impossible for her to be on land with the human, right?

Think of a character:

Sloth

Cheetah

Princess

Monster

Pirate

Now let’s think of the typical attributes of these characters:

Sloth:Slow

Dinosaur: Big

Princess: Dainty/Pretty/Fancy

Monster: Mean/Scary/Gruesome

Pirate: Loud/Flashy/Sails on Water

Now throw them into a situation that is the polar opposite of what we expect:

A Sloth who wanted to win a race.

A Dinosaur who wanted be small and dainty like a ballerina.

A Princess who wasn’t dainty or fancy (but wanted to be.)

A Monster who wasn’t mean and scary (but tried to be.)

A Pirate who was afraid of water (but wanted to sail.)


Or simply think of a character and give them the direct opposite of what they want. It doesn’t have to be directly to related to their attributes.

A character who wants to dance, but is clumsy.

A boy who wants to be a cowboy, but has absolutely no cowboy bones in his body at all.


How about polar opposites in Unlikely Friendships:

Nugget and Fang (A shark and a minnow.)

Penguin and Pinecone

Wooby and Peep: “Wooby lives in a nice, quiet neighborhood where everyone minds his own business. And he likes it that way. Then noisy, energetic Peep moves next door with her banging and smashing and crashing. She even gives a “wild” PARTY! “


You could give the characters the polar opposites in setting.

A girl who lives in the country that wanted to star on broadway.

A poodle that lives in NYC that wants to be a farmer.

A penguin who wants to go to the beach, get a tan, and learn to surf.

A snake from the desert who loves to wear coats and hats and mittens.



Below, I’ve created a document for your paradoxical idea generation.  Fill out the character box by thinking of characters you want. Use Grant Snider's advice, especially if using animals. And think of some underused animals.  (Plus, check out his facebook page and like it! I know you will. ) 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Incidental-Comics/143875519002831

When listing attributes think of the typical attributes this character would have. You can also use this box to think of a typical want this character would normally have and then think of the opposite attributes or wants.  Below is an example. 

Have you ever used a paradox to discover an idea before?  (Now what kind of paradox could work with a pair of ducks? Hmmmm....? )

paradox_picture_book_idea_generator.docx
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File Type:	docx

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