So you want to write books for children?

Here are a few tips I picked up at the AACBWI conference. As I said, I'm a newbie in this game and have a lot to learn (I have to try not to tell people that....fake it until you make it right?) . But I got so much from the conference that I'll have to condense this down to key points for me:

1) YOU MUST TAKE TIME TO PERFECT YOUR CRAFT -

If you are an illustrator, draw all the time.....if you are a writer, write all the time. That means sketching, journaling, practicing finished pieces. That ALSO MEANS studying other works - classical and current to "LEARN THE LANGUAGE OF YOUR CRAFT". Learn what is considered quality and what is not.....know the reason why.

I know a lot of artists who don't want to take classes because they think it will ruin their unique voice or style.....I don't agree....I think you should always learn and always try to grow in what you do....your personal style will shine through that.

2) IN ORDER TO PORTRAY SOMETHING ACCURATELY YOU MUST KNOW IT INTIMATELY - DO YOUR RESEARCH!

Creative people sometimes think it has to all come from within, but sometimes that's not the case. Sometimes you may need to stretch outside of the world you know and learn a historical fact or about a place you know nothing about. It's ok that you don't know....it's not ok that you decide not to put the effort forward to learn and get it right.

3) KNOW THE BUSINESS

Although your job is to create, you still need to know the language and have some knowledge of what it takes to get your product to the buyer. Live in la-la land if you want, but cute ideas don't sell books. Analysis and marketing do. Don't get it twisted. It would be helpful if you become aware of other aspects related to contracts, production, book design, etc. Educate yourself and ask questions.

4) WRITING CHILDREN'S BOOKS ISN'T EASY

This goes back to knowing your craft. Just because children can read it doesn't mean it's so easy a caveman could do it! It just means you have targeted a different audience. You may have to use creative writing skills and go back to the technical things you learned in school in order to do it well. Sometimes it means going back to school. Don't be scared to do so.

Once you think you have something good, read it aloud. "Picture books are meant to be read aloud" as Sarah told us at the conference. She made a simple point but I think I have made that very mistake in the past. Unfortunately, an editor who reviewed my very first written work at another conference pointed out a blazing error in a group of 10 people....I was highly embarrased, but it this goes directly to Sarah's point. Read it aloud again and again.....then have someone else read it aloud. Have it critiqued by someone who is a pro. This excludes friends and family members (unless they are an editor). They love you no matter what you do....so they don't count when it comes to selling books.

5) BE REALISTIC WHEN IT COMES TO SALES

Ok. So this was a real eye-opener for me. Don't ask me why, but for some reason I thought that once I get published, I'll have this brand new career, a brand new life, and lot of money and free time to be my creative self. The thing that would make that happen is lots of sales, right? Well, let's be real.....

....mind-blowing sales are not the norm. Harry Potter and some of the other well-known titles just are not what everyone will see, just because they become a published author. Good Sales on a book may be 10,ooo to 12,000 in hardcover and 20,000 - 25,000 on paperback. When Sarah told us that I was like "oh...wow..." (in a depressed kind of way).

But then at that same moment I also felt a sense of relief. Now, I can be realistic and just do my best without the stress of saying, "I have to be the next Kadir Nelson" (since I'm most interested in the illustration right now). I can strive to be my best, but if I only get to the "good mark" then that's still ok. If I go beyond, that great.

What's even more important than the sales, is that I can help a little person see something in a book that I didn't see when I was growing up. I may spark something in them that moves them in a positive direction. That is really what is most important. When you take the "big-success" factor out of it, the part of being a positive influence rings even louder in my head. (now that's freedom)

AACBWI Conference

All I can say is wow! What a blessing it was to attend this conference.

The first Annual AACBWI Conference was in Charlotte on April 25th and it was so informative. I got a lot of insight on the industry with regards to submissions, opportunities and maneuvering in a field that I am just starting to explore. The personal interaction I was able to have with everyone I met was invaluable. It is so nice to be around people who get excited about the same things as I do! Children, books, art....those are some of my favorite things in life. :)

The critique I received from Don Tate was great! Not to mean I'm in a "perfect place", but it gave me an idea of where I need to be going and how I can really improve on my work to get it ready for submission and success. His comments were really helpful.....I think everyone should have someone in the field give them a critique to help them along. We all have space to grow.

I commend the organizers on the work they did! They pulled off a difficult task very well and I think they should consider it a success. I look forward to attending and helping out next year!

Colored pencil work

I said I wouldn't do it, but.....

I decided to finally do a picture of Obama. I didn't want to do one only because it seemed like everyone else was doing it and I don't like to follow the crowd. But I did this for an exhibit that's going on in Atlanta.


On a side note, I'm really, really enjoying working with dry media again. I like the way it feels and the control I can have over it. It's great!

I drew this from a picture that I found of him online. The picture was in color, but I decided to improvise by making it black and white and darkening one side of it significantly to represent the different sides of him racially, as a politician and most importantly, as a human. I thought the picture represented the theme of the exhibit I entered it into very well.

It's amazing to me....

I really amazes me how much support I have received from family, friends, co-workers, strangers and fellow artists in the past year. It REALLY amazes me because alot of support came from unexpected sources and people I would have never thought recognized me or would believe in me.

I am working through developing my confidence as an artist. I think more of that will come with time and effort and work on my part. It will require alot of physical work and self-introspection and examination, but it will REQUIRE WORK. It will also require me to believe in myself as much as other people do.

I just feel ridiculously blessed on this day. I recently read a comment online where someone said that the solution to your issue, whether it is financial, physical, emotional or spiritual, comes across your path every day, but you have to be aware enough to recognize it when you see it. Keep that in mind as you travel through your day contemplating the path on which you are traveling; consider it as you contemplate your goals and your dreams.....

Accept your blessings

Yippee....Book will be here by Christmas!

New book with Wave Walton to be out by Christmas! Yeah!

:)

Portobelo Portobelo Portobelo!

Oooo Oooo Oooo I love me some Portobelooooo! :)

My talented roommate made up the song! I thought it was great! (sorry for the rotated image...she's tall and I tried to fit her in the camera frame)

http://www.tallerportobelonorte.com/

Portobelo....what can I say. It's a beautiful country with beautiful people. I found a peace there that I'd never experienced before. More to come about my visit, but I'm limited on time right now. But if you have an opportunity to visit the country you should.

I will be completing my project soon that I started with the children in Portobelo and I hope that they will have their book(s) by the end of the year. Lots of work to do....lots of work to do. And I think I'm going back to the drawing board. The drawings I already did while I was there were ok. But I'm not satisfied with the overall look. I like the idea of mimicking the artistic style that the artists in the Taller (workshop in Spanish...pronounced "tie-yare"), but I think I need to start again.....luckily I haven't gotten to far. I like the story that the children came up with. But because this is indeed the internet, I don't want to give too much away about what we've done.....there will be more to come.

I'm so excited about it too!

Also attached here is a picture of the group I worked with.....I miss them and think about them often. Hopefully, my spanish will be EXCELLENTE when I see them again! :)