I am asked that question all the time. Creativity can be a circuitous route and often ideas wander down twisted paths so it's hard to know where they begin. I recently received a copy of my latest book Scarlet and Igor, a story about a vampire and mummy who are best friends. When I saw the finished book, I thought about where the book began and where it ended. Scarlet and Igor didn't begin with the story. Instead, I was interested in finding a character that might appeal to boys and because I primarily do my thinking in a sketchbook, I did lots of sketching; Aliens, monsters, bats, anything that came into my head. I liked drawing the bat, so I started putting the little bat in situations and that helped me get a sense of his character. I sent a few of the drawings to my agent and at about the same time she asked if I would look at a series of stories she had written about 2 friends. I read them, loved them and because I was drawing bats, jokingly said the stories should star a vampire. My agent thought this was a wonderful idea and wondered if one of the characters could be a vampire and the bat from my sketches. Again, I always think better in pictures so started sketching again. I didn't love the result, the scale was wrong, and the 2 characters just didn't seem to relate to each other. All the while I was wandering down this path, I was imaging another character, someone who was physically opposite of Scarlet. Sometimes I am inspired by shapes, like vegetables, so I experimented with different shapes. I started sketching again and a little roly poly mummy's emerged. He seemed like a perfect friend for Scarlet because they worked together visually. Scarlet and Igor was a happy coincidence, It certainly wasn't the book I set out to do. Sometimes books take unexpected turns and as authors and illustrators we need to be open to the changes.
8 Comments
Julie Downing
9/25/2013 01:02:45 pm
Thanks Christy. I hope we see lots more too.
Reply
9/25/2013 10:39:16 pm
Julie, this was interesting to see your process and how you worked through it visually. I am going to attempt to draw my characters as you did and see where it takes me. I'm not an illustrator, but this seems to allow for another route to creativity and openness for change. Thanks for sharing!
Reply
Julie Downing
9/26/2013 02:46:24 pm
Angie,
Reply
i've noticed many stories have characters that are very different physically. I think those differences are where the stories come from. I mean would a story be interesting if the main characters were exactly alike and agreed on everything? Conflict makes a more interesting story!
Reply
Charlotte
9/26/2013 02:25:33 am
Thank you for sharing your sketches and your approach to thinking through character and story development.
Reply
9/30/2013 05:48:55 pm
So fun to see your process and get a peak at your sketchbook, Julie! It looks like a great book. My process is very similar. Those pictures and characters just pop on into my head and won't leave me alone until I make them "real".
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
January 2019
Categories
All
|