tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464201653179922615.post1575160306405855772..comments2023-06-16T07:21:59.344-04:00Comments on Jacqui's Room: The Least You Need to Know: How to Write a Picture BookJacquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08277260387578439327noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464201653179922615.post-80375824366188423982010-03-29T17:39:50.021-04:002010-03-29T17:39:50.021-04:00Awesome - thanks!Awesome - thanks!Julie Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04477115458570906449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464201653179922615.post-17750237616214028262009-11-16T15:02:45.701-05:002009-11-16T15:02:45.701-05:00I wondered about that. Sigh. This is why I wish ...I wondered about that. Sigh. This is why I wish I could draw!Jacquihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08277260387578439327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464201653179922615.post-86786630981650680572009-11-16T11:50:07.328-05:002009-11-16T11:50:07.328-05:00And DUH, I just thought of this yesterday: Olivia ...And DUH, I just thought of this yesterday: Olivia had no art notes because Ian Falconer is an author/illustrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464201653179922615.post-48857010303381193112009-11-13T21:07:53.565-05:002009-11-13T21:07:53.565-05:00Good point, Jacqui. But we know Olivia's chara...Good point, Jacqui. But we know Olivia's character now and we can assume that indeed, the kitchen would be a wreck. But the first manuscript? Maybe not. Truth be told, I don't know if the manuscript did have art notes or not.<br /><br />I've heard some editors really caution against art notes. And I've heard yet others say that they want to see them, especially in a picture-different-than-text situation. In the manuscripts I've critiqued, I've seen them used sparingly and well...and I've also seen them overused.<br /><br />As usual, it's a subjective preference in a subjective industry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464201653179922615.post-6582482478353582462009-11-13T20:27:46.627-05:002009-11-13T20:27:46.627-05:00Deborah, I think #1 is the most important part.
W...Deborah, I think #1 is the most important part.<br /><br />WordWrangler, of course I have (heads to Twitter).Jacquihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08277260387578439327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464201653179922615.post-81187566228268298662009-11-13T20:27:06.522-05:002009-11-13T20:27:06.522-05:00Tara, I know there are exceptions, especially in p...Tara, I know there are exceptions, especially in picture books for younger children, where the picture may be told mainly through art.<br /><br />That said, I think the Olivia example actually supports my point. Olivia's voice and character are so strong in those books that even not having read this particular one, I wouldn't need art notes to tell me she'd trashed the kitchen. If it just said, "This was very helpful to her mother" and I was the illustrator, I'd know right what to do. Similarly, if it said, "Olivia helped her little brother get dressed," you'd figure she had him in some wild get-up. No art notes necessary. Course it sounds like you heard it had them anyway, so what do I know?Jacquihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08277260387578439327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464201653179922615.post-31176494945334349962009-11-13T16:19:25.570-05:002009-11-13T16:19:25.570-05:00good post, gal! have you tweeted this yet? If not,...good post, gal! have you tweeted this yet? If not, you should. ;) <br /><br />hugs,<br />DonnaWrite2ignitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17266315375662322726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464201653179922615.post-54864749341281876412009-11-13T13:14:37.355-05:002009-11-13T13:14:37.355-05:00This is a terrific list, Jacqui! I'll be sendi...This is a terrific list, Jacqui! I'll be sending aspiring writers your way.<br /><br />I especially like that #1 is NOT OPTIONAL.<br /><br />-debbiedeborah freedmanhttp://deborahfreedman.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464201653179922615.post-54027616694240542042009-11-13T13:05:52.348-05:002009-11-13T13:05:52.348-05:00Love the list!
Art notes are a tricky thing. I h...Love the list! <br /><br />Art notes are a tricky thing. I have a few manuscripts where the art notes are essential because the text is saying one thing but the illustrations show something different.<br /><br />I'll use an example I saw Bonnie Adamson use the other day.<br /><br />In an Olivia book, she makes breakfast for her brothers. The text says, "This was very helpful to her mother." BUT...the kitchen around her is a complete disaster. You know that Olivia has good intentions, but the illustrations show that she made more work for her mother, not less. Without an art note, that piece of humor would get lost.<br /><br />Also, there's Amy Krouse Rosenthal's "Yes Day!" where the text is simply the kid asking his parents questions. "Can I eat outside?" sits on one page. The page turn reveals him sitting outside on a step stool, facing an open window, with his lunch inside on the kitchen table. I'm not sure if she included art notes or left it completely up to illustrator interpretation, though.<br /><br />I agree that art notes should not explain something that should be obvious in the text. I've seen people misuse art notes, where they essentially repeat what's right there.<br /><br />But when the humor or idea won't make complete sense without art notes, it's OK to include them. <br /><br />Just don't go completely nuts! [Art: squirrel buried by an avalanche of acorns.]Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com