Write me a bear story
Around 3:30 am I had a bizarre idea. You know, one of those ideas that are either brilliant... or totally crazy. I mulled it over all day and finally decided to just put this out there and see what happens.
The response to the little bear doodle has been really gratifying, and several of you mentioned that he would make a great character for a book. Well, I agree. So here's my idea. Write a story about him, and email it to me. I'll pick my favorite one to illustrate, and if it turns out to be something special, I'll submit it to some publishers and we'll see what they think. I'm not sure this kind of collaboration has ever been done before, but I confess I'm kind of excited about it. The blogisphere is rich with incredible writing talent so I've got my hopes up that this could be a really fun project!
When you've got it ready, send it to: bearstory at jennybharris dot com. It should be a polished text with no sketches or art direction. The deadline is March 22 - the day before Easter.
Needless to say, I respect your copyright, I will keep everything completely private, and you'll get full credit as the author. I'm not offering to buy your manuscript, there would only be payment involved if a publisher chooses to publish, and obviously the terms would be determined at that point with your input and approval. This is a collaboration, and I can't promise anything.
So, what do you think... brilliant or crazy? Stay tuned!
Cheers,
Jenny
I'm in. Lately my 5 year old son and I have been writing stories together. I will have to see what his thoughts are about this cute little bear! He is much more imaginative than me!
Posted by: Make and Takes | February 21, 2008 at 08:11 PM
Definitely a BRILLIANT idea! I edit for a living, but I also write. And most of what I write is for young adults. HOWEVER ... I absolutely HAVE to try this!
Posted by: Kai | February 21, 2008 at 09:11 PM
Fabulous idea...I'll pass it along to my sister. She's taking some writing classes these days. She might be interested. I love the little bear too.
Posted by: Alice | February 21, 2008 at 09:28 PM
so do WE come up with the name for mr. blue bear in the story or do YOU give us the name...i think it's a very creative idea.
Posted by: ashley | February 21, 2008 at 11:18 PM
So, I read this about 2 hours ago and just e-mail you a story! Hope you find one to work with...even if it is not me!
Posted by: Amy | February 21, 2008 at 11:44 PM
brilliant!!!
Posted by: Robyn | February 22, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Hi Jenny! I'm going with Brilliant on this one :) I may take a stab at it and I'm passing along the info to other amazing women I know who might be interested in submitting too. He's such a sweet little bear - I can just picture adventures for him!
Posted by: Kristin | February 22, 2008 at 12:48 AM
OOOOOOOOOOOOh, fun fun fun!! Kristin
Posted by: Kristin Seling | February 22, 2008 at 01:34 AM
brilliant!
I'm in!
Posted by: juliette | February 22, 2008 at 01:51 AM
excellent idea!
Posted by: London Southern Belle | February 22, 2008 at 02:14 AM
This is such a brilliant idea! Simply fabulous!!!! :-D I hope the book gets published! The bear is so very cute!
Posted by: Roberta J. | February 22, 2008 at 04:36 AM
Fun idea, I would love to participate but my english is not good enough to write a story. :(
Posted by: Cyn | February 22, 2008 at 06:39 AM
Yipes! What a fun, fun idea!
Posted by: Ruthie | February 22, 2008 at 08:10 AM
Brilliant and crazy at the same time, but in a good way! I can't wait to see what comes of it.
Posted by: Anita | February 22, 2008 at 09:04 AM
Brilliant! And fun too!
Posted by: Ellen | February 22, 2008 at 06:39 PM
Hey Jenny....Another clever idea from a very clever person is what I think! Can a person without a blog submit a story? Thank you.
Posted by: shellykaye2 | February 23, 2008 at 05:08 AM
wow what a fab idea, I'm not to good at telling stories though. Love stopping by to read your blog.
Cheers Linda
Posted by: linda | February 23, 2008 at 05:58 AM
BRILLIANT!
When published, it provides an excuse for some of us to buy a book with your art work in it!
Posted by: wende in phoenix | February 23, 2008 at 09:18 AM
What a fantastic idea! I can't wait to get started!
Posted by: Ellie | February 23, 2008 at 10:05 AM
I think it's a wonderful idea! I'll don't know that I'll have time to submit a story, but I'm glad you decided to trust your instincts and put the idea out there. I hope the book does get published. =)
Posted by: Steph | February 23, 2008 at 10:46 AM
I'm starting on my story now!
Posted by: Heidi Kaisand | February 23, 2008 at 04:15 PM
FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN!
Posted by: Margaret | February 23, 2008 at 05:30 PM
I think it's a wonderful idea! I'll have to put my thinking cap on see what I can come up with.
Posted by: AJ | February 24, 2008 at 02:38 AM
Yes, brilliant! And a wonderful opportunity to think like a child again. I would definitely buy a book filled with your art work!
Posted by: Deborah | February 24, 2008 at 08:19 AM
Great idea! I'm in line for a copy.
Posted by: Marcia | February 24, 2008 at 03:03 PM
What an amazing idea!! Wish I was creative enough to participate, but I will definitely want a copy for my new grandbaby to be :-)!
Posted by: Cheryl | February 24, 2008 at 03:13 PM
This is very exciting for me! I have been tossing around the idea of writing a childrens book (or at least trying) for the last few months. I'm a faithful reader of your blog and when I saw this I was over the moon with excitement! Thank you for giving so many of us the chance to realize our potential.
Posted by: Lisa in Barrie Ontario | February 24, 2008 at 04:17 PM
Brilliant, of course!
Posted by: Dawn | February 24, 2008 at 06:38 PM
Jenny, I can't wait to see where this leads!
Posted by: Mary | February 24, 2008 at 08:17 PM
What a great idea! This sounds like a fun challenge! I'm game!
KJ
Posted by: KJ | February 25, 2008 at 03:13 AM
What a great idea! This sounds like a fun challenge! I'm game!
KJ
Posted by: KJ | February 25, 2008 at 03:14 AM
Quilting Bear checking in here:-)
brilliant idea. Will pass this along to a friend who teaches children's lit writing.
Posted by: Nettie | February 25, 2008 at 04:56 AM
Quilting Bear checking in here:-)
brilliant idea. Will pass this along to a friend who teaches children's lit writing.
Posted by: Nettie | February 25, 2008 at 04:56 AM
i've never written a children't story before, generally, how long do they need to be?
Posted by: Jos | February 25, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Hello, Sweden here!! What a lovely blogg you have...so svit!!So nice things!
Thanks for the visit!!
God Evening Millan
Posted by: mamma millan | February 25, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Oh my now there's a challenge. I know I shan't sleep tonight now. Count me in!
P.S. Any sign of Kitty, I'm getting a little stressy about it now :(
Posted by: thevintagemagpie | February 25, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Wow!! What a cool idea! I'll be working on my response to this challenge! I can't wait (: I've always wanted to write a children's book, here's my chance to stretch my fingers a bit! (:
Posted by: Katelyn | February 25, 2008 at 04:46 PM
What a lovely idea! What a gift you are. So generous. A challenge!
I might give it a try.
Posted by: Mary Jane | February 25, 2008 at 11:40 PM
Wow! Great idea! I'm in!
Love your blog, by the way - so ful of energy!
Posted by: Anja | February 26, 2008 at 07:13 AM
What fun! He's so cute it feels easy to give him a story. Thanks for the opportunity! Now to put pen to paper and write one before the deadline.
Posted by: Pat | February 26, 2008 at 10:55 PM
I'm in, although who could give such an adorable little bear justice?
Thank you for your criss-cross tutorial. I made some for a coaster swap, and if I do say so, they turned out pretty darned well.
Thank you!
Love your site.
Posted by: ellen kelley | February 27, 2008 at 06:38 PM
I told my Mom, Lisa, about this and she's going to send in a little story! I'm so excited. What a great opportunity! Thanks.
Posted by: Chelsea | March 03, 2008 at 10:21 PM
Well, it's definate now.... there's no turning back.
Here's a cute little story for you. My daughter is in grade 3 and they just finished writting a book. There was a "Meet the Author" night where they read their books in front of all the parents. Part of the book was a dedication. Here is my daughters: "This is dedicated to my mom because she is writting a book too!" Sweet little thing she is :) I don't think she understands what I am trying to do but in her eye's I'm an author. Cute huh!
Posted by: Lisa in Barrie Ontario | March 04, 2008 at 10:37 AM
I think it's brilliant! My son's name is Blu, and we call him Blu Bear, and the graphic is a blue bear. I should be able to come up with something! I've been writing little kids stories for years for cousins and things. Oh how exciting to try this!
Posted by: Alicia | March 04, 2008 at 06:42 PM
How fun! What a neat idea. May have to try my hand at it.
Posted by: Randi | March 12, 2008 at 09:20 PM
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!
Posted by: Shannon | March 13, 2008 at 02:01 PM
I hope you recieved mine. I sent it today so I'm not on yesterday's list.
Posted by: Lisa in Barrie Ontario | March 22, 2008 at 06:52 PM