To write and illustrate or illustrate and write? That is the question.

During our move to Georgia, I have had some time to sit, think, and digest. I have always believed that a book needed to be lead by the words. Recently, a book crossed my path. It was a book of illustration. It began with a page of poetry and was lead from start to finish by illustration. I found it to be magical. As a person who loves to illustrate, this book grabbed me and lead me through an adventure of multiple characters while finding it's way to the original character. Then I handed it to my youngest who interpreted the story from a different perspective. His interpretation was full of magic and childhood chatter. Although the pictures articulated a direct language to me, my 4 year old found something else in the story. There were pleasantries, walks, and adventures that I did not see. This book won the caldecott award and deserved it.
Another thought came to me, Words do not lead a story. They are more of a guide. Words are faulted by the reader's perception. Meanings can lead to dozens of interpretations. Many stories can be created by a guided string of words and reader's perception. I think my manuscript is too wordy. When written, it was faulted by lack of illustration. Now I find myself illustrated by guide of the word. What if I reversed this story to lead itself by illustration and add words to where they are most necessary? Would a story heavily infused by kind words and introduction pleasantries play to the child's imagination. Could a picture truly say a thousand words without frustrating the new reader? Would a story be just as impacting and playful? Well, I think I may have found a challenge worth creating.

A new idea...

Where have I been?

Sorry to have not blogged in a time, but a big move has up and rattled my life a bit. Now that we have moved to Georgia, I am finally starting to settle in. The desk is in place, art supplies are starting to be unpacked, and soon I will draw some more. My boys are interviewing for a private school out here. If you have never been to Georgia, make it a travel destination. It is truly lovely and full if beauty and inspiration. All I have to do is walk out my door to enjoy nature. 

Here are my boys at their new school. I haven't heard back from any submissions yet, but those take weeks before responses are received. Waiting is a state of being I am very familiar with!