To get creative, Lehrer says, we think we need to sit at the computer or drawing board for hours until inspiration strikes. But really, according to Lehrer, the best ideas pop up when we're not buckled down. So when we're taking a walk or a shower or playing the piano, that's when our brains draw new connections.

To that end, some companies have installed napping couches in their offices. Pixar housed the engineers, techies and artists in one building and made them share a bathroom because bumping into people for unexpected conversation can trigger creativity.

That's not to say that after you have the good idea, you don't need to spend zillions of hours at the drawing board to finish your book!

How do you fire up your creativity? Let's have a conversation in the comments.

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Or give me a call the next time you're in Calgary - we'll take a brainstorm walk!

Every October, YABS sets up author and artist tours. If you're a teacher or librarian, you should join YABS: they subsidize school visits and provide a website where you can tap into Alberta artists. Check them out at www.yabs.ab.ca.

Geology 101 will tell you that the whale-shaped hill is called a drumlin, left behind after the glaciers receded an ice age ago. Pods of drumlins dot this area.

A lovelorn grouse was drumming just behind me as I sketched. Every time I got up to try to spot him, he went silent. I hope he impressed the ladies!

"Carolyn," she said, "We'll pay you to make some chicken character sketches. And if you can evoke our vision of these chickens - completely adorable without being the tiniest bit cutesy - we'll give you the contract for the book."

I sent my sketches to the editor. "Hmmmmm," she said. "Not cute enough. Think of your face when you hug a puppy."

I hugged puppies.

I flapped my wings.

I grew yellow fuzzy feathers.

But I didn't get the job.

I wonder if they ever found the right illustrator for the text?

"What's a thumbnail sketch?" I asked some second graders at a school visit.

A boy raised his hand. "It's like your thumbnail - it just keeps growing and growing and growing."

I loved that answer and had to make a drawing of it.

i swam two and a half kilometres at swim class last night. my arms are so tired i can't even type. a friendly grasshopper named archy typed this for me.

(he can't reach the shift key)

thanks, archy!