Tuesday 24 February 2009

back in the drawer

'kitty kat' 5.83" x 8.27"

many years ago, i had a job organising workshops for health professionals. one of the workshops was 'writing for publication' presented by a popular professor. being the organiser, i would sit at the back of the room while the workshop was in progress, doodling and making notes. i picked up some valuable tips, applicable to any piece of writing.

the professor told us to write and write and write, then put your manuscript in a drawer and forget about it. for a week, a month, preferably a year..... don't even think about it during this time. then when you come back to it, be prepared to edit harshly - don't say in ten words, what can be said more articulately in five. this is the part i love the most - the challenge of reducing my words to the minimum. it's the same buzz that you get from completing a puzzle!

so i did this with the children's story i'm writing & even though it is only nine pages long, i shut it away for a few weeks. i took it out of the drawer this week and of course there was much editing required and new ideas bubbled up. i tinkered with it some more today & it is in much better shape now. yes, it's exciting, but it's back in the drawer again, just to be sure!

the first water-colour illustration is almost completed - eight more to go! it is a constant weaving of the visual with the written word. a creative dance!



9 comments:

  1. How exciting for you! And the first painting is wonderful!

    I'm enjoying your song today...

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  2. Hi Martie - thanks. My story is about a fish (not the cat!) sorry to be confusing.

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  3. I love this Patti...gives me renewed inspiration to pull my own children's book manuscript out of the file...it's been rejected several times! Please...let me know when you book is released because I really want to have a copy...the combo of your creative gifts is bound to make an incredible gift to the world!!

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  4. Hi Patti, love the illustration and the creative challenge with the piece of writing sounds great. I'm in a similar process here, working with a writer on a childrens' book, so I can understand so well what you say about weaving the visual with the written word....
    Great illustration,
    love
    Andrea

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  5. That is one wonderful kitty kat! I love the color and the dark and light intricate background!
    "Put it in the drawer"...great advice! I sometimes stop looking at a piece of work, turn it to the wall for awhile.

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  6. thanks for visiting my blog today.

    this book you're working on sounds exciting - have fun

    i'm turning my painting to the wall for a few days.

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  7. Patti, I love all of your drawings...I hope you saw where I posted the wonderful bookmark you made for me. I do love it. Front and back!
    Good luck with this book...the picuture here is delightful. I look forward to more.

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  8. Yay, that makes me SO happy that you are writing a children's book and illustrating it. I am mostly happy for the children who will get to hold you book someday soon. It is always so satisfying when gifts are spread around.

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