Brother Prairie Dog is Coming to Town!

I mentioned a while ago that I've been working on a couple of children's books.  Well, I'm excited to say that, in 3-4 weeks, the first one is due to be published!!

The author (soon to be announced) and I are frantically working on last minute changes...trying to make everything just right (hopefully!).

I can now say that the story is called Brother Prairie Dog Goes to Town. It's the epic adventure of a young prairie dog trying to get to town and back, facing the perils that a real critter of this type might face!

More info to come, but here's a sneak peek, without the text, for now:

Squishy Wish

A poem I just thought of this morning. I shan't tell you why...

Stepped on something in the dark,

I wishy, wishy, wishy,

When I stepped on that thing in the dark,

It hadn't been so squishy.

Pigeon on a Hot Air Balloon

I had such fun creating this guy. I think he needs to be in a story, some day....

My husband said, "Wow! You're getting faster..." which I take as a compliment. Doin' all these twoodles (which is what this guy originated as) has helped me become more and more comfortable doing this.

Great Advice on Writing & Illustrating Picture Books

I love love LOVE this post from Tara Lazar! Actually there are 2 posts on her blog that are perfect for me, right now, so maybe they are for you, too. One is about Writing a Picture Book.  There's a lot of staring, yes, staring (and coffee, of course) involved. So it appears that I am VERY productive most days. Heh-heh....

The other post is about Being an Illustrator, Then an Author-Illustrator.  BINGO! That's where I am...actually, I'm still working on becoming a published illustrator and in my down time/waiting-for- author-and-publishers-time, I'm being an author-illustrator for another book.

So, thanks again, Tara, for such helpful and encouraging advice;)

Jump for Joy...or 'Fro Joy, Whichever You Prefer

Phew! Okay, it's all better now...

Things are more matchy around here.....

Hope you like my update...decided to lighten up and also change to fit my new style....at least my current style...until I change again, right?;)

And I am starting to shamelessly promo the book I'm finishing up illos for....just waiting to hear from author about a couple of things before finishing up, hopefully! (Which is why I have some time to update my blog.)

Then, hopefully, eventually, it'll be published, and then we'll jump fro joy (fro joy??? Does that mean we are joyful because we have 'fros??? Well, we may not have 'fros, but we can jump FOR joy) and then I'll be able to share the whole shebang with you.

Oh, and if you DO have a 'fro, you, too, can jump FOR joy....maybe even more so! 'Cause 'fros rock, man!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!!

If things seem mismatched on here it's because....well, they are...

I'm working on re-decorating this blog and, for some reason, blogger won't accept the changes I'm trying to make....except some....Going to try something other than my laptop and see if that works...

ARRRGGH!

3 Pillars of Selling More Books

If you are involved with books - writing, illustrating, both - here's a great article from Digital Book World about selling them.

I just read it and found it to be very practical and helpful. Maybe you will, too:)

Sloth+Volcano+Tea = Fun Practice

Here's my twoodle-toon from this week, incorporating the words sloth, volcano, and tea.

I was reluctant to do it, because of being super busy, but I'm glad I decided to, because it was a great exercise.

We exercise our muscles to be stronger and we exercise our art to be better artists. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! I don't know about you, but I can always use more of that....

I Scream for Ice Cream!

Sometimes, I just have to do something that is a total "no brainer" and just kinda flows out, for fun.

Especially when, lately, it seems I'm dealing with so much of the technical end of my work (revising and converting files and lots of clean-up and re-organization of my ginormous files)!

Here's what I created yesterday....simple shapes and colors....very relaxing, and helped me get back to the work work that I needed to do.;)

"Being Completely Ready to Attract New Clients & Win New Work"

Check out my page called "Red Lemon Club." I've added Alex Mather's latest helpful tip for creatives.

Also take a look at his website Red Lemon Club which contains a wealth of info for us.

Ben Affleck twoodle

Well, at least here's my twoodle from last week....I mean, like last last week...

Ben Affleck, purple, camera

 

Work Frenzy

Working on prepping one book for printing and another for submitting....I love it, but need more hours in my day! The clock appears to be spinning uncontrollably fast!!!

AARRGGH!

Interview with Illustrator Hazel Mitchell

Here I go again, living vicariously through other people's blogs......but, hey, there's some great stuff out there!;)

I learn so much from interviews! Here's another great one on Simply Messing About with illustrator Hazel Mitchell.

78% of Published Books Fail...Gulp!

If you're and illustrator who also happens to be an author, or you're thinking of becoming an author, I just came across an article that could be helpful for you.

It's on Tara Lazar's blog Writing for Kids (While Raising Them). Tara is interviewing Patricia Fry about the need for authors to market their books. It's sobering, but true. Being new to the "author thing" I'll definitely be heeding their warnings and working toward more and more marketing of my book.

In fact, watch for a blog dedicated to my story.....

But also, check out Tara's blog. She always has some great info.

Thanks, Tara!