1: Humorous, heartfelt heroine character book dummy (and rough drafts of three others) and samples - dummy, samples on submission
2: Funny and beautiful little gargoyle book dummy and samples -- my hope is to make this a truly gorgeously illustrated book
3: Edgy, funny, animal unlikely friendship dummy and samples -- my hope is to be able to raise the stakes
4: Biography of multiculturalist and early Pan-American Idol dummy and samples (full of action and adventure) -- my hope is to find a pubisher who is as fascinated as I am about the subject because he is a bit obscure
5: Parody and continuation of classic pig tale dummy -- this one has funky art which is a great part in the storytelling
6: Funny Flamingo thumbnail, text and samples -- I love the language but the story is too familiar, so I am going for a new premise all together because I love the art and language and I know I can do it in time
7: Fractured nursery rhymes with established theme -- text and art samples-- I love the art and premise and hope to pull this off
8: Text and art samples for giraffe story -- meh
9: Brewing concept book idea and art -- too early to tell
And what I really want to start is a robot story with which I have neat samples... have to look at all the robot stories and set mine apart -- starting the new draft
Gotta a nice portfolio of work both art and writing bearing a few bumps to smoothen.
New Art samples up soon! Who Said Red?
This should keep me busy for a while
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Self-discovery
When I posted my bio on my illustrator website I mentioned how writing and illustration was a road to self-discovery and I meant it. Through the many years I have been pursuing publication I have thought long and hard about what exactly I WANT and LOVE to write. And a few days ago I read a thread on "The Blue" about a situation/decision. The question posed was would you (pretending you were an editor) pick premise over writing assuming one was weak and other strong. And one writer answered how hard it would be to do so because writing has to fit the book and that writing entails many things those being character development, plotting, voice/language/dialogue/pacing/structure/world building etc. (I'll add rhythm). I felt like a glowing coconut conked my head open.
And that premise doesn't always have to be original to make a book strong if the writing works well for the book. (Altho great premises can help.)
In terms of writing all of these things should matter and be apparent in the finished piece. But one of them stuck out for me as something I really l think I am GOOD at and LOVE and that is World Building... but... in my illustration. I love characters and characterization and things happening in a social world. I love places and different settings and movement from one spot to another. I love reactions and responses.
I love main character development, as well. Fun as fun can be.
Plotting is harder, tho, for me. But challenge is good. Yes, challenge is GOOD. And the plot IS the challenge and problem solving. But I think I am getting better at it and am not afraid of it anymore. Actually, when it works I get a "high" from it.
But language I always wonder about. I like it. But will you, my children and adult readers? Will it work for this book? This is my insecurity... and maybe stupid one. I've always been quiet but when I write I can sometimes reveal my own insecurities.
I wonder how many writers are good at all four things. I wonder how many writers would say three of the above come naturally.
I wonder what other writers and illustrators recognize any of these as challenges as they create picture books and novels.
And when I look at big character picture books (my favorite to create) I will try harder to meet all of the above and give them my all.
I've discovered what I like to create, what I think I am good at, what to look and strive for. The four doorways: Character, Plot, Language and World.
And that premise doesn't always have to be original to make a book strong if the writing works well for the book. (Altho great premises can help.)
In terms of writing all of these things should matter and be apparent in the finished piece. But one of them stuck out for me as something I really l think I am GOOD at and LOVE and that is World Building... but... in my illustration. I love characters and characterization and things happening in a social world. I love places and different settings and movement from one spot to another. I love reactions and responses.
I love main character development, as well. Fun as fun can be.
Plotting is harder, tho, for me. But challenge is good. Yes, challenge is GOOD. And the plot IS the challenge and problem solving. But I think I am getting better at it and am not afraid of it anymore. Actually, when it works I get a "high" from it.
But language I always wonder about. I like it. But will you, my children and adult readers? Will it work for this book? This is my insecurity... and maybe stupid one. I've always been quiet but when I write I can sometimes reveal my own insecurities.
I wonder how many writers are good at all four things. I wonder how many writers would say three of the above come naturally.
I wonder what other writers and illustrators recognize any of these as challenges as they create picture books and novels.
And when I look at big character picture books (my favorite to create) I will try harder to meet all of the above and give them my all.
I've discovered what I like to create, what I think I am good at, what to look and strive for. The four doorways: Character, Plot, Language and World.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Spending a day at the Met
and what a wonderful day it was.
Yesterday was a return trip to another one of my favorite places, the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Every time I go there I come away with new insight on a few art works. Because the trouble is that the museum is so vast you almost have to focus on a select few rooms, art pieces and/or periods. You can only take so much in at one time. It can be overwhelming.
We, all five of us spent the entire day there. But the main reason for going this time was Charlotte's insistence on being our personal educator of Baroque Flemish/Dutch art -- her first Art History course at University. And she knows her stuff, apparently. And she LOVES it to death.
I never appreciated this group as much as I do now knowing what they were really after. They were after reaching the mind and soul of their subjects. Getting into their heads. They were after the "right now, right at this very moment."
(I kept insisting that it was all about the light source (optics), the geometrics, the multiple rooms. But that apparently is not the most important discovery these masters contributed.)
Rembrandt -- It is also about what you emphasize and what you choose to leave out. And getting into the mind.
What really made my day tho, was what my husband said about a latter day famous Dutch painter's (van Gogh's) work, a painting featuring a man, his young son and his wife tending an overgrown garden. He remarked on the storytelling, the fact that it pulled you in and found a spot in his mind, the right here and now. He remarked on how the subjects felt about tending the garden, how the garden had a life of its own and how van Gogh used his own imagination to bring the painting to life.
Yesterday was a return trip to another one of my favorite places, the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Every time I go there I come away with new insight on a few art works. Because the trouble is that the museum is so vast you almost have to focus on a select few rooms, art pieces and/or periods. You can only take so much in at one time. It can be overwhelming.
We, all five of us spent the entire day there. But the main reason for going this time was Charlotte's insistence on being our personal educator of Baroque Flemish/Dutch art -- her first Art History course at University. And she knows her stuff, apparently. And she LOVES it to death.
I never appreciated this group as much as I do now knowing what they were really after. They were after reaching the mind and soul of their subjects. Getting into their heads. They were after the "right now, right at this very moment."
(I kept insisting that it was all about the light source (optics), the geometrics, the multiple rooms. But that apparently is not the most important discovery these masters contributed.)
Rembrandt -- It is also about what you emphasize and what you choose to leave out. And getting into the mind.
What really made my day tho, was what my husband said about a latter day famous Dutch painter's (van Gogh's) work, a painting featuring a man, his young son and his wife tending an overgrown garden. He remarked on the storytelling, the fact that it pulled you in and found a spot in his mind, the right here and now. He remarked on how the subjects felt about tending the garden, how the garden had a life of its own and how van Gogh used his own imagination to bring the painting to life.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Deserts wanted to teacher holiday luncheon:
Oh, I'll bring these!!!!!!!!!
Dried fruitcakes
Evaporated Christmas pudding
Sun Baked Trifle
Fried Ice Cream
(PTA Newsletter Headlines can be funny... or not)
Dried fruitcakes
Evaporated Christmas pudding
Sun Baked Trifle
Fried Ice Cream
(PTA Newsletter Headlines can be funny... or not)
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Favorite pbs and what matters to me as writer/artist of picture books
because what matters matters.
And after being thankful and full of turkey, I want/need to find sustenance in something more than calories.
So I weigh out those meaningless calories... those being words, cliches and stereotypes, and think about great pbs I love...the latest being "The Curious Garden."
I savor this book because:
The mc child affects the plot therefore making a difference. The mc cares about the outcome, and causes and changes it. And it is not about him and his issues. It is about what he believes in. It is about what he cares about. Essentially, he is a hero.
And the illustrations are amazing. The illustrator cares beyond compare. It is his book and it shows.
The mc is a hero and the emphasis is really off of him.
The approach is fresh, not cliched and non-didactic.
There is a real story and growth of character and some conflict. It follows the sole creator's vision and passion and interpretation, and indeed his inspiration. The creator cares about what he writes and illustrates and it shows.
And after being thankful and full of turkey, I want/need to find sustenance in something more than calories.
So I weigh out those meaningless calories... those being words, cliches and stereotypes, and think about great pbs I love...the latest being "The Curious Garden."
I savor this book because:
The mc child affects the plot therefore making a difference. The mc cares about the outcome, and causes and changes it. And it is not about him and his issues. It is about what he believes in. It is about what he cares about. Essentially, he is a hero.
And the illustrations are amazing. The illustrator cares beyond compare. It is his book and it shows.
The mc is a hero and the emphasis is really off of him.
The approach is fresh, not cliched and non-didactic.
There is a real story and growth of character and some conflict. It follows the sole creator's vision and passion and interpretation, and indeed his inspiration. The creator cares about what he writes and illustrates and it shows.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
It is not safe anywhere
(or just keep your yap shut)
Yesterday I visited one of my favorite locales, my local art supply store. I always have fun there and usually spend more than I intended... (oh, that pretty piece of handmade paper). I can use that, I know I can. I'll just buy it and put it my grand stack-o-collage papers waiting for a project. We stare at each other a lot, those papers and I. Some people collect stamps. Some people collect rocks. I collect beautiful paper.
But all I really needed on this trip was some Itoya(sos)dummy binders and some illustration board.
Doesn't seem like much to excite the average person but I always get more than I bargained for at my local art store.
As I approaced the cashier I noticed the conversation between the cashier (a young aspiring and cute artist) and an elderly, clueless woman making a purchase.
"What media do you work in young man?"
"Oh, I used to work in oils but now I am going digital?"
"Really, why?"
"Well, they are so expensive and I really want to be an illustrator."
"Oh. Have you done any books?"
(Oh, God I can't help myself...so I say)
"You need these Itoyas to make your book dummies (you cute cashier you)."
They both look at me, and my purchases.
"What media do you work in?"
"Primarily collage/mixed media."
"Are you an illustrator?"
"Aspiring."
"What do you illustrate?"
(God help me now.)
"Children's books."
(God help me.)
"I wrote a children's book. Can you illustrate it for me?"
"I am booked up for the next ten years...sorry."
(I lied.)
"Oh."
And she left without a trace... (of how this business works).
And the cute cashier looked down at the register, and thought about what I said. Maybe I got through.
And this customer walked out, drove home and marched up to her clean, organized studio, and began another piece of art.
Yesterday I visited one of my favorite locales, my local art supply store. I always have fun there and usually spend more than I intended... (oh, that pretty piece of handmade paper). I can use that, I know I can. I'll just buy it and put it my grand stack-o-collage papers waiting for a project. We stare at each other a lot, those papers and I. Some people collect stamps. Some people collect rocks. I collect beautiful paper.
But all I really needed on this trip was some Itoya(sos)dummy binders and some illustration board.
Doesn't seem like much to excite the average person but I always get more than I bargained for at my local art store.
As I approaced the cashier I noticed the conversation between the cashier (a young aspiring and cute artist) and an elderly, clueless woman making a purchase.
"What media do you work in young man?"
"Oh, I used to work in oils but now I am going digital?"
"Really, why?"
"Well, they are so expensive and I really want to be an illustrator."
"Oh. Have you done any books?"
(Oh, God I can't help myself...so I say)
"You need these Itoyas to make your book dummies (you cute cashier you)."
They both look at me, and my purchases.
"What media do you work in?"
"Primarily collage/mixed media."
"Are you an illustrator?"
"Aspiring."
"What do you illustrate?"
(God help me now.)
"Children's books."
(God help me.)
"I wrote a children's book. Can you illustrate it for me?"
"I am booked up for the next ten years...sorry."
(I lied.)
"Oh."
And she left without a trace... (of how this business works).
And the cute cashier looked down at the register, and thought about what I said. Maybe I got through.
And this customer walked out, drove home and marched up to her clean, organized studio, and began another piece of art.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
When time is dictated by a machine
I spent four hours today scanning, printing and assembling four copies of one dummy. Four/4 hours at 60 minutes each.
I am not even sure I am going to send all but one. And it probably won't even be accepted.
32 pieces of paper times 4 is 128 pieces of paper. Right?
128 pieces of paper.
Publishers should start accepting edummies or CDs. Faster, more economical, and no or little postage. Really. Instead of thirty-two dollars (a dollar a page) to mail it would cost me 2 or 3 dollars. I figure that when I finally get bought I will have made a net loss.... (JK... better not.)
The system needs an overhaul. And when I get published I am going to lead the cause into action.
I am not even sure I am going to send all but one. And it probably won't even be accepted.
32 pieces of paper times 4 is 128 pieces of paper. Right?
128 pieces of paper.
Publishers should start accepting edummies or CDs. Faster, more economical, and no or little postage. Really. Instead of thirty-two dollars (a dollar a page) to mail it would cost me 2 or 3 dollars. I figure that when I finally get bought I will have made a net loss.... (JK... better not.)
The system needs an overhaul. And when I get published I am going to lead the cause into action.
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