Letter No. 8 [picture book process]
Dear Friend,
I’ve been thinking a lot about these letters (among other things I want to improve), and I’m going to try changing around a few things. First of all, I love our intimate conversations, but I’ve been feeling a little directionless lately (thank you for not mentioning it), and I want to turn my focus to sharing a few bits and pieces of the artist life I’m pursuing. I know you’ve asked about some of these processes in the past, so I thought this might be the time to share.
First, I wanted to share how I get picture book ideas. Not a week goes by where one doesn’t pop into my head. I get them three different ways:
the story first
the illustrations first
both illustrations and manuscript at the same time
I keep little journals and paper everywhere, I’ve told you that, but I specifically keep these two by my bed. There’s something about scribbling wildly on a tiny pad by lamplight at one a.m. that gets me excited. I don’t know why, but that’s when I get many of my ideas…for anything. Sometimes I write the entire manuscript on the spot, mumbling phrases and making strange faces, and sometimes it takes a few days or weeks for the plot to form in my mind. I don’t like to plan the plots in any detailed way on paper—I just think about them in my head, and when the characters are ready for more adventures, I record them.
Once I’ve got it all written down long-hand, I type it out and fix any phrasing or typos as I go along. I always write the manuscripts in long-hand, because I say the story out loud as I’m writing. It flows better that way.
Then I start sketching the characters I’ve been picturing in my mind, trying to incorporate unique aspects. Sometimes this is the first step, and I find a story by doodling around in my sketchbook. Sometimes I already have an idea in my mind and haven’t written anything down, so I write little notes about the plot and characters as I sketch them out.
After sketches and manuscript are finished, I draw out the thumbnails. Sometimes I draw these at the same time as I’m doing the other two…it depends what mood I’m in and how the story is flowing. Sometimes, I write a couple different stories at once, going from one to the next when I get stuck with one.
When I’m creating the thumbnails, I usually make twelve double spreads, and try to think about pacing, action, suspense (especially with page turns), and forward motion. I try to keep the action moving toward the right and the new spread to keep the reader moving on. Well, the reader I hope for. Then I usually make a few final illustrations for each story.
To be honest, I haven’t gotten past this point yet. There’s still a whole other realm of manuscript and illustration revisions and more picture book dummies (larger ones) to follow. I’m stepping through the portal now though (after stopping at this point many times!) and pushing on so others can read the stories I love so much.
Stay well, friend
Tara