The Writing Adventures of a children's book writer illustrator 1: Introduction Glamour vs. Reality

For many decades the answer was a lot simpler, just "write" or "draw." Ta-DA you are a writer or an artist. Many have the image of a solitary figure working furiously to complete a personal project, fueled by passion and caffeine to meet their own deadline or in preparation to send out to publishers. While the first image is true in a sense, the last is the reality; it is a lot of work to hone your craft.

The romanticized Glamor of a Children's Book Illustrator's studio

I recently had a client show up after watching the biopic (3 times in a roll he said) on Beatrix Potter, "Miss Potter," and seemed shocked perceptive bunnies, floating glitter, and gilt framed paintings were not everywhere on the walls in orderly rolls.

I didn't want to point out she also lived with rich parents and had no nagging distraction of building her social presence, business sense, writer's platform, and keeping herself relevant and educated on new trends while producing her passion.
It was a surprise visit- he lives 2,000 miles away and it was the day before Christmas Eve- and any working writer illustrator knows you do as much as you can before you have to step away.

You get to a good stopping point with all your thoughts out and down on paper (to be easier to pick up at that point when you start again).

...Versus the reality

So, of course I was in Hello Kitty string-tied pajama bottoms, a thin favorite faded NIN T-shirt (not a perfectly pressed fitted Victorian lacy blouse and fussy bustle), and very comfy socks stuffed in my Jack Skellington slippers. I had coffee on, make-up off, and a list of AudioBooks on play to keep me company while I work. My doggies were full of energy, fridge not so much of home cooked fare.


As Clark Griswold jokes in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," I couldn't have been more surprised if I had "woke up with my head sewn to the carpet, Eddie." Not a magical glitter sprinkled carpet either, with fae and animals helping sew a ball gown, more like a cookie crumb and spilled sugar (from the Turbo charged "Deadlines" coffee) crunchy dust with the doggies foraging for goodies. To be perfectly honest, the night before at 5 am I had JUST taken down my Halloween lights and skeletons after the mailman had a weird look at my purple lit Maleficent wreath when he delivered some new supplies.

I get this a lot, especially with clients I am doing an illustration for (such a self publishers who are financing their first books) that are newer and this is their first time they are bringing their creation to the world. I understand, as for many this is the first step in putting their dream into a process to have it developed and come into a physical product.
It is magical and very special.
It is something I cherish being a part of, bringing a new creation into the world that didn't exist before the two creative forces blended.


I am writing the series "The Adventures of a Children's Book Writer Illustrator" and
"Tips to become a successful Children's Book Writer Illustrator" and hope it can help others out  who want to get into this field (Children's Book writing OR Children's Book illustration), or just provide some insight into my passion. Jammies optional.


There are also some big announcements coming up for a Live Interactive FAQ and Q & A Series focusing on the several aspects in making children's books AND HOW TO MAKE A LIVING DOING WHAT YOU LOVE (had to shout that, it is possible!), as well as upcoming contests and interactive give-aways!
I will try to post once for each series of The Adventures of a Children's Book Writer Illustrator and Tips to become a successful Children's Book Writer Illustrator  and will post announcements as soon as we have dates and author guests have confirmed.




Thank you for visiting and leave a "Hello!" and feel free to tell us of your space, studio, or magically dusted forest glade where YOU create! I would love to hear it!


Dyann Joyce

Dyann Joyce : Writing Adventures of a Children's Book Author Illustrator 

Navigation through the world of Children's Book Publishing. This writing blog focuses on the writing aspect of Picture Books (PB), Chapter Books (CB), Middle Grade (MG), New Adult (NA) and Young Adult (YA) books and offers tips, insight, querying help, social media help, tax and business side, and advice as one author illustrator makes her way (as she waits for art projects to come to fruition while having queries out). Welcome and enjoy!

For more focus on the art side of Children's Books, fee free to visit my visual Children's Book art portfolio is Dyann Joyce Adventures of a Illustrator Author and my project-based blog is there with my current art projects and upcoming books I have illustrated.