image credit: Martin Ollman
Okay, we’re nearing the end of my blogfest here on WestWords, so let’s get down to business with my top tips for writing and illustrating.
WRITERS
WRITE
A lot. Then when you’re done, write some more. Just as you wouldn’t expect to play concert piano after three piano lessons, you can’t expect to write epic novels without putting a lot of work in. The more you write, the better the writer you’ll be.
READ
A lot. Then when you’re done, read some more. Every author you know is inspired by reading (I’ve even found some book ideas from reading other people’s stories!). And when you read, your ability to write well is greatly enhanced. You begin to naturally understand rhythm.
WRITE WHAT YOU LOVE
For me, it would be absolutely no fun at all to write about cricket. I mean, you might like cricket, and that’s fine. But for me – it’s just a no. I find writing about cricket boring (sorry!).
I like to write about things I love. About things that interest or inspire me, and I make books on all of these things. You should do the same. Write about what you love and what makes you happy.
SWITCH GENRE
You may have already seen my post on book genres (you can see it here). The thing is, writing for different genres can absolutely revolutionise the way you create. If you’re asked to write a story, who says it has to be fiction? You might want to make it non-fiction – all fact-based. So, make the fiction-to-non-fiction switch.
You might love comics. You might be a visual writer. So, write a story in comic strips.
You might find picture books really cool. You could either write your story with illustrations that also tell the story through image, or you could even consider writing the story as a graphic novel.
You might love poetry and verse. Why not write your story in rhyme?
RHYTHM
This is really important when you write. It’s the ‘beat’ of the sentence (like music!) when you read it aloud. Compare these two sentences – but read them aloud, in a strong voice.
After the day is finally finished, and the light begins to disappear, the mouse pokes his nose outside of the hole.
When the day is done and the light creeps away, the mouse pokes his nose from the hole.
Which sentence is easier to read? Which sounds more evocative? Which one sort of snags you and breaks the rhythm? Which one flows better? Leave a comment below.
ASK
Ask yourself questions as your story unfolds. Ask ‘what if _________ happened?’ or ‘what if she decided to get off the train before her destination?’ Throw in lots of questions as you go, and your story will start to unfold.
YOUR CHARACTER IS EVERYTHING
It’s true. The best stories of all are character-driven. It’s all about them. See my post on characters here.
You want to know your character, and you want them to drive the story. This is called the protagonist (and I’m sure you know that the character who causes problems is called the antagonist).
Your character can drive the story if you throw in problems and obstacles. This will make them ACT, and action drives the story. It also creates things for them to overcome. This will move the narrative forward and will make your readers cheer for your character all the way.
ILLUSTRATORS
DRAW
A lot. Then when you’re done, draw some more. Just as you wouldn’t expect to exhibit your art at the National Art Gallery after three painting lessons, you can’t expect to craft epic artwork without putting a lot of work in. The more you make art, the better the artist you’ll be.
LOOK AT ART
Go to galleries, observe art you see in public spaces. Look at books and look online. The more you look, the better – not only for inspiration, but to develop the ability to observe shadow, light, colour and form.
Many famous art galleries around the world have art that can be viewed online and some cater just for kids. The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia has a kids’ program – see it here – and there’s heaps online at the moment. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has a special website just for kids, and also made by kids – see it here).
COPY ART
I don’t mean copy something and then sell it! No!! What I mean is that it’s perfectly okay to see an artwork that you love and try to draw it yourself. This is how we practise and grow.
I used to do this all the time when I first started illustrating books! I would look at beautiful illustrations in styles I longed to draw in, and would give them a go myself. (I then put them in a folder – I didn’t share them online because they really belong to someone else.)
If you do this, make sure it’s a style of artwork you really love.
PRACTICE LINE WORK
Did you know that your muscles are a bit like your brain? They have memory. They do. So, if you tie a shoe-lace over and over again, your muscles will begin to remember how to do it, and do it well. So well, you won’t even need to watch as you do it.
This is what happens with drawing. The more line work you practise (drawing circles, squiggles, loops, squares), the better the muscles in your hand will become at drawing with skill.
SQUINT
When you draw something – say a banana on a plate – squint your eyes. This will help you see light and shadow. Adding shadow to the bottom of your banana drawing will be much easier when you can really see where the shadow starts and ends.
MIX IT UP
Try different mediums. For me, my favourite mediums are watercolour and digital. You might like pencil. Or oil paint. Or charcoal. When we illustrate in a medium we love, we find it easier, and we do better.
SWITCH HANDS
If you are right-handed, draw with your left hand. If you are left-handed, draw with your right hand. Give it a go! Do one drawing daily. It’s a great way to expand your skills because it uses different parts of your brain and lets you see things more clearly. And you may just like the result!
DON’T LOOK.
Another way to expand your skills is to draw something without looking. Find a photo of a giraffe. Turn your head to look at it, so you can’t see your paper. Place your pencil on the paper, and in ONE SINGLE LINE, draw that giraffe, without once looking.
How did you go? Here is a giraffe I did without looking. And he’s one of my most favourite drawings ever.
My next post will be a question and answer session! So, get your questions ready, won’t you? I will be here to answer anything at all – but I particularly love unusual or even curve-ball questions. Here’s your chance to pick my brains before I disappear into ye olde worlde internet space!
Tan
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