Welcome, welcome to multi-talented picture book author and illustrator Leslie Helakoski. Today, Leslie tackles the tricksy dilemma — Do I write or do I illustrate?
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Enter to win your very own copy of Leslie’s NEW picture book from Macmillan Books–WHEN THE RAIN CAME DOWN–a beautiful heart-warmer, illustrated by Keisha Morris, about community rising up when the rain comes down. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post by noon on Friday, May 24.
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Okay, my little Forget Me Nots, now let’s jump into our guest post. Take it away, Leslie!
“The first art director I ever spoke to about my work asked me this question: If you could only do one thing, would it be to write or to illustrate? I was annoyed. Couldn’t I do both? ‘KEEP WORKING ON IT,’ he said. I know he was trying to get me to focus on one thing at a time. Trying to do two things well, can take longer, of course. But I wanted to do both.
“The first manuscript I sold was called THE SMUSHY BUS. The publisher wanted someone else to illustrate. They were looking for a project for Salvadore Murdocca, the well-established illustrator of THE MAGIC TREEHOUSE BOOKS. He was a known name and I was not. So I agreed and was sure I would illustrate my next book. Meanwhile, I would KEEP WORKING on it.
“The next art I created was for BIG CHICKENS. But . . . it had no emotion, no character. Another well-established illustrator, Henry Cole, got the nod for this project. I agreed. Just look at how much character these chickens have!
“A few books later I wrote WOOLBUR. I was sure I was ready to illustrate. But no. The publisher was insistent that someone else do the art. It was a big publisher and the only offer I got. I ultimately agreed.
“I next wrote FAIR COW and that same publisher was interested BUT . . . again, they wanted someone else to illustrate. I paused.
- Should I pass up this chance to have the book come out with a big publisher?
- Should I allow someone else to do the art or should I keep trying?
- Should I stick to one thing like that long ago AD suggested?
“While I was pondering, I set up a critique with an award-winning illustrator. I told him about the offer and asked his advice. Without hesitation, he said he would let someone else do the art. I was crushed. I felt like giving up. But . . . I kept working.
“I asked for and received lots of advice. Friend and well-known illustrator, Matt Faulkner, helped me focus on character: ‘Is this an Eva Gabor pig or a Phyllis Diller pig?’
“Illustrator Lori Eslick reminded me to paint for myself. I painted more and worried less. Ultimately, I sent FAIR COW out to a small press with new art and . . . the publisher loved it.
“Since then, I’ve illustrated 5 of my 17 titles. Sometimes editors want a different style for a project. Sometimes I agree and sometimes I do not. I still have to work at it.
“I have two projects out this spring, one I’ve illustrated and one I have not. The first is GATOR’S BIG MOUTH, where three alligators face the big bad winds of a hurricane. I had a lot of fun writing AND illustrating this one.
“And WHEN THE RAIN CAME DOWN, written by me and illustrated by Keisha Morris–a beautiful heart-warmer about community rising up when the rain comes down.
“I saw that illustrator who crushed my spirit a few years after he dismissed my work. He complimented my current work and asked to see more. He didn’t remember his earlier comment and certainly had no idea how hard what he’d said hit me. Some feedback can give you hope and some can drop-kick you into working harder. Maybe it has taken me longer to reach my dream of being an author/illustrator than if I’d focused on one thing. But maybe I got where I needed to be right on time. “
Leslie, thank you so much for your transparency. Your story is inspiring and your picture books are treasures for young (and not so young!) readers. We look forward to many more books written AND illustrated by you!
I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way—things I had no words for. ~ Georgia O’Keeffe
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