I’ve been planning to share my working process on my blog by doing a series of entries that coincide with each step of creating my picture books. I thought now would be a good time to start because I’m just beginning another story.
Most of my stories are based on historical events, so the very first step usually entails a lot of research. After reading stacks of books and taking enough notes to write a novel (I fall in love with all the fun details), it’s time to start writing. Because I’m so visual and approach my picture books with a strong sense of what I want to do with the illustrations from the very beginning, the writing phase begins with both words and drawings. I make dozens of sketches of my characters, exploring their personality in drawings as much as in words. Then I start a storyboard, each page of the book laid out on an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper. I fill these pages with both words and sketches, blocking in my manuscript and illustrations. The separate pages allow me to keep the manuscript fluid and helps me think about the pacing of the book. I can also see the book as a whole from the very beginning this way. It is my favorite stage in a book, Sasha’s too!
Dave has noticed I have one other critical step in beginning a picture book –which may not seem important — nonetheless, I can’t seem to move forward on a project until I’ve completed this step — rearrange my studio! This entails not only cleaning up the piles of reference and sketches from the last book, neatly stacking the hundreds of drawings that accumulated on the floor and walls, but actually moving the furniture. Maybe it’s because I moved so often in my childhood. Now that we are permanently settled I feel the need to get a fresh start by moving furniture. I think its Pavlovian. I’m really not a procrastinator, I’m always bursting to launch into another book. But first, I spend a day shuffling tables, book shelves and easels, getting my nest ready for another book. Pu loves this stage. Moving the picture book collection creates a fortress of tunnels between stacks of books. The kitties stalk each other and hide within the trails until I’m ready to load up the book shelves again. Dave has given up trying to convince me this step really isn’t critical to starting a book and now cheerfully helps me move the couch when I’m ready. Then I can settle down to work.
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Lita,
Thanks for writing about the steps to writing a book. It’ll be great to share with students. They will especially love the photos. Did you share what you are currently working on?
Hi Marci,
It’s nice to hear from you — I hope you’re enjoying the beautiful weather! I’m currently working on several projects. The storyboard is for a brand new project which is mostly in the writing phase, but I’m also just finishing the artwork on Yellowstone Moran, a book that will be published by Viking in 2009 (fall). And I’m patiently waiting for my next book, Pennies for Elephants, to be released in June 2009.
Lita