Ooh-ooh, Ahh-ahh and More Baby (Idea) Talk

Sometimes, even after trying all the things we’ve been chatting about here — a little dilly-dallying, a little cheering yourself on, even grudgingly trying some silliness— you can still find yourself with… NADA. Zilch ideas.

If that’s where today’s newsletter finds you, let me tell you what I do when I find myself there, in case it’s helpful. We really need to get about creating that picture book world, in real life. As I might’ve mentioned once or twice.

When I’m good and stuck, I start at the very beginning which is a very good place to start. If the song “Do Re Mi” from The Sound of Music comes to mind, good! I’m going there.

Let’s start at the very beginning. A very good place to start.

When you read you begin with A, B, C.

When you sing you begin with do-re-mi.

My addition:

When you’re looking for ideas you begin with ooh-ahh-eek!

Admittedly, my addition doesn’t roll off the tongue. Also, admittedly, I always resist this starting-at-the-very-beginning business—and mightily, too. Who wants to start at the very beginning? I’m a pro, for Pete’s sake. Likely you are too. We know things! We already know how to make things happen! (That’s a part of the problem, and we’ll get to that in a minute.)

For now, though, let’s talk about starting at the very beginning. It’s not as bad as it sounds, I promise.

In addition to ooh, ahh, and eek, there’s:

mmm…

hmm…

awww…

huh?

ha-ha!

eww…

ugh!

grr…

waaaah!

Wait, is that baby talk? You revert to baby talk?

It’s baby-idea talk—the lingo, so to speak, of nascent ideas. I’ve dubbed it idea-argot. Yes, I completely made that up, but it’s okay—this is just a newsletter.

Maybe you’ve uttered all of the above idea-argot today before breakfast, due to — life. Life happens, it moves you in some way, and you find yourself uttering a silly sound (or thinking one, if you’re the silent type). “Ooh!” you’ll coo. Or “Ahh,” you’ll sigh. Or “Eek!” you’ll shriek.

Wait… those are ideas?

No, they’re idea-argot which could lead to ideas, the way do-re-mi are notes that could (did, actually) lead to a catchy song. We’re starting at the very beginning, remember? Your oohs and ahhs are like little bubbles or sparks or cookie crumbs — little things that catch your attention, if you have any to spare.

When they are combined, though, sometimes, ideas happen. Bubbles bubbling just might get something cooking in you. Sparks ignite. A cookie crumb leads to another, and next thing you know, you’re on a hot on the cookie crumb trail of an idea.

Cherry on top, it’s a bespoke-to-you idea. It might not be original, but it’s definitely authentic. Which we all know is trending. Make something with authentic ideas and guess what emerges? Your VOICE, that enigmatic something we’re all after.

That doesn’t sound so bad, right?

But. This is not where our pro likes to go.

Ooh-ing and ahh-ing down cookie-crumb trails? It thinks not. Pros are trained, tactical. They are on a schedule. They have skills, tool kits, and know-how —all of which I love, btw. Frankly, I think a picture book world could use a lot more pros with know-how.

But the pro’s metier is in supporting the execution of an idea in the DO-Phase of Creativity. I know, that word—execution— yikes. But let’s face it, ideas do come to be executed. Or made real, if you prefer—which does fit into our goal of creating a picture book world, in real life.

The trouble comes when we allow the pro with it’s know how into the WOO Phase of Creativity. Because the WOO Phase is the realm of know-not. Let the pro in, and it gets right to work analyzing for feasibility, profitability, relevance, schedules, & etc. which is essentially playing whack-a-mole to potential ideas. Whack! whack! whack! to your oohs, ahhs and ha-ha’s.

Ergo zilch ideas and good and stuck.

There’s a work-around, though. This is the part that is easier than you think. And it’s not a big deal, either. That’s a boon because your pro self won’t notice. And yes, we are trying to keep this hush-hush from it and its mallet. For now.

First, slow it down a tad.

Slow what down?

Your life. Just enough to notice it, but not so much you set off alarm bells. Also, it’s a good idea to put your devices down now and then.

Then just go about your normal life — yes, that idea-less one you’re in the thick of — but take note of the idea-argot. What elicits, oohs from you? Ahhs? Mmms? What gets a Grr…? Just notice— try not to over-judge or make anything happen. Don’t avoid the ughs. Or hoard the ha-has. Just keep that noticing going, sort of humming along in the background, as you go and do. In some circles, they call it mindfulness.

When ideas are ready, they will do something with you. Usually it’s just a little something. Again, this is good— the pro won’t deign to look in the direction of a little something. Anything bigger is likely to get whacked. You’ll find that you’re moved to doodle or jot down a few lines or putter or throw the ball or make something other than a pb&j for lunch. Something little.

Repeat. And again. More the same.

At some point, maybe, your doodles and jottings will want to become a book. Or a scarf. Or lunch. Like really, really want to become a book or scarf or lunch. It becomes a bit of a pest. “Let’s go!” it entreats and starts pulling you.

It’s ready for execution.

Now you can enlist your pro. But remember, you have enlisted its services. Your pro should come to serve you and your idea, not to take over. You’ll want to watch out for that.

Also watch for the pro weighing in definitively on things like whether or not something is worthwhile or if an idea will work out. No one know if ideas will work out in advance of giving it a go. Not even a pro.

Truthfully… a lot of times ideas don’t work out. At least not in the way you hoped.

What??? Come on! I wish you would have said so upfront! Sheesh.

That’s why I didn’t say anything upfront! We need you here, creating a picture book world! It’s time, remember? And sometimes it does work out! Also I can’t help wondering if maybe — just maybe — it really is all about looking for sparks and bubbles on that cookie-crumb trail, on our way to find out…