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Paradox in Picture Books

11/25/2013

13 Comments

 
Picture
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


Picture
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. 
Picture
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
File Size: 80 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

13 Comments
Johnell link
11/25/2013 02:09:05 am

Love this. Thank you.

Reply
Laura
11/25/2013 04:16:49 am

Great way to get the ideas flowing!

Reply
Darshana link
11/25/2013 05:01:31 am

love this post!! thank you so much.

Reply
Jacque link
11/25/2013 05:26:41 am

Many thanks for sharing this wonderful idea... I will ask my local cassowaries what they would most like to do - move away from the beaches and rainforest to the city I expect.

Reply
Evie Hjartarson
11/25/2013 08:17:55 am

Mandy, you just inspied me to try this. I laughed at all the paradox ideas. Evie

Reply
Charlotte Dixon
11/25/2013 10:05:12 am

Thank you Mandy for sharing this great information about pulling conflict into the beginning of a story! I'm going to use this in the current PB I'm thinking about.

Reply
Ashley Bankhead
11/25/2013 01:41:28 pm

Love this. Thanks for sharing.

Reply
Jane Heitman Healy link
11/26/2013 08:03:14 am

Yes! That's it! Thanks for the generator!!

Reply
Kim Pfennigwerth
11/26/2013 10:21:50 am

Love, love, LOVE this way of thinking!!! Thank you! and Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Reply
sue
11/26/2013 12:09:34 pm

Thanks for sharing this, Mira!

Reply
Damon Dean link
11/27/2013 11:58:05 pm

Great! Wonderful post and exercise.

Reply
Mandy
11/29/2013 11:41:58 am

Thanks everyone! I'm so happy you found it useful. Only one day left of PiBoIdMo...hope everyone reached their goal. :)

Reply
Kirstine Call link
5/27/2014 10:58:40 pm

Mandy, fantastic post!!!

Reply



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  • Home
  • WRITING
    • Craft & Business of Writing Childrens Picture Books
  • Picture Book Palooza
    • Contributor Bios
  • ILLUSTRATION
    • Craft & Business of Illustrating Children's Books
  • TECH
  • About Us
    • Why Us?
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    • Our Bookshop
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    • Resources
    • Course Scholarships >
      • Yuyi Morales Picture Book Scholarship
      • Andrea Davis Pinkney MG CB Mastery Scholarship
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