Tuesday 12 January 2010

Writing for a Change


Today I have been working on an 1200 word article for Writing Magazine, about how picture books are created. I'm basing it largely on Dragon's Dinner, as the process is fresh in my mind (Bears on the Stairs won't be published in time).
I've tried to deal with the ubiquitous 'Where do ideas come from?' by analysing the evolution of the illustration below. So much extra visual information got added on top of what's in the text, as more ideas occurred to me, mostly as a result of the incongruous 'kitty', introduced amongst otherwise wild animals.

I probably shouldn't go into more detail - if you're curious, you'll have to read Writing Magazine!
Actually, it was bare-faced cheek that got me the commission. The magazine emailed me, just spam really, trying to sell me ad space. I wrote back, saying no thanks, but how did they feel about me writing them a piece instead? Astonishingly, they said yes, and better still, actually offered me a fee!

John thinks I'm about as subtle as a custard pie, which is indeed true, but hey: don't ask, don't get...

5 comments:

granny grimble said...

Good for you! Shrinking violets get nowhere. Long live custard pies!
Don't forget to show me a copy XX

Yasmin said...

This make me smile :)..so besutiful and funny.
xoxo
yasmin

Emily said...

I never cease to be surprised by what a little well placed cheek can accomplish!
Congrats!
Hope you are back on both feet by now!

Little note... what it is about the combo of y-fronts and animals that’s just so undeniably amusing?

Lynne the Pencil said...

Y-fronts in particular too, much more than ordinary pants!

My mental snigger is, I think, aided by a minds-eye image of the slightly weedy, white-legged bloke they belong to. Although not in this case: our woodcutter would be big and butch I think, don't you? Although, having said that, he owns a kitty, with a bow on its head...

Emily said...

hihi...