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I have two new books! (Published by Little Bigfoot, written by Contessa Hileman, illustrated by me!) If you want fun read-alouds full of fun with pets, and giggles and snuggles, these may be the books for you.

I love new ideas. Drawing a whole new world out of thin air. Diving into it, exploring, drawing it close around me. Drawing and writing and revising as the idea develops. The idea of a graphic novel used to seem daunting– it’s a big project with a lot of pages. Then one day I slapped my head. Writing and drawing… that’s what I DO. What I like to do, what I want to do. Suddenly I’m happy, thinking of all those pages.

My new story is full of strange hybrid animals. Cookie, here, is a rat/pigeon hybrid.

Written by Contessa Hileman, published by Little Bigfoot (Sasquatch)

These two are from a project I’m working on. I’ve done hundreds of drawings of them. Some very, very ugly drawings. Some too cute, some too scary. Think I might be getting close to figuring them out, and how they get along.

Then again, tomorrow I may hate this drawing.

Keeping busy these strange days of pandemic. Glad to have work, but also making time for my own projects every day. New projects. New characters! Lots of imagining what if.

And sewing masks, of course. Masks for ourselves, our friends, and neighbors. Strange days.

While corresponding with his new penpal, Stubby may have exaggerated a few wished-for character traits, such as: strength, bravery, and boldness in the face of danger. It was fun to imagine, fun to write, and fun to read the adventurous letters he got in return. Everything goes swimmingly until Stubby’s pen pal announces plans to visit! Stubby is very afraid he’ll lose his new friend when they meet in person (so to speak) and the dreadful truth becomes apparent. But he puts on a brave face. To his surprise… it fits.

 

Interesting (and flattering) post on why editors often limit contact between writers and illustrators, from an experienced editor’s point of view.

Thanks to  Tara Lazer (author of Normal Norman, among others, and inventor of PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month) for inviting Meredith Mundy of Sterling Books to do a guest post. Even bigger thanks to Meredith for offering THIS OLD VAN as an example of how good things can happen when the writer leaves room for the illustrator to interpret the story, and bring his or her own ideas to the drawing table. Did I mention that in addition to being ever-so-wise and insightful, she’s a very nice person?

Around here, fall is marked by the appearance of squirrel-chewed walnuts at the park. I love these things, they look just like pig-noses. If you happen to look at things a certain way, which I do… This year I finally got around to making myself a necklace, and earrings to match. If you come to one of these up-coming events, you might see me in my nutty splendor.

Lake Oswego Library Nov 15th, from 1-4

Annie Bloom’s Bookstore Dec 4th Shop and Stroll Night!

Lake Oswego Newcomers Club Meeting, Lake Oswego Library Dec 10th 11:30 am

Powell’s on Burnside Storytime Dec 12th 11 am

As I write this a storm is ruffling the world with wet.

A good day to curl up with a book!

 

 

I attended the Big Sur Writing Workshop last weekend, which is organized by the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and the Henry Miller Memorial Library. I’ve been hearing about it for years, and I loved it. The format (critique, revise, critique) the people (ABLA agents, plus editor and writer guests.) and the setting. (Wowza.) The weather was spectacular as well. We talked story and story-telling all weekend. Ahhhh. One thing: I meant to take binoculars and make observations of various life forms, and draw in the great out-of-doors. (Which is particularly great in this location, as previously mentioned) Of course I forgot the binoculars. And I did draw, but not what you could call seriously… Perhaps I am not a very serious person.