- Joined
- Nov 10, 2009
- Messages
- 69
- Reaction score
- 14
- Location
- Santa Barbara
- Website
- www.ellenjackson.net
For a simple story, I've been known to include as many as three or four notes in the text and no one seemed to mind. But I made sure each one was absolutely necessary and really couldn't be handled any other way. Yes, irony would be one example.
The pack of dogs knew lots of fun games.
(Note to Illustrator: Illustration shows dogs rolling in garbage or doing other mischief.)
But I agree that you shouldn't cross the line into the illustrator's domain. In general, the author doesn't get to choose the book's layout, although there are exceptions--and I've been asked to do it once or twice. But the illustrator does that job for most books.
The author doesn't get to say which elements get illustrated and which ones get a double spread. You don't get to say what style is used, what details are included, etc. About the only correction I'll make is if I see an inaccuracy that might get the entire book in trouble. Then I'll mention it to the editor.
By the way, I also don't get too picky if the illustrator wants me to change something. I've had an illustrator ask me to re-order a sequence of events to make it easier for her--and I gladly obliged. Expect a reasonable amount of give and take.
Remember that a picture book belongs to the illustrator as much as it belongs to you. I can't tell you how many times illustrators have told me that they feel like second class citizens. The illustrator often works longer and harder than the author, without getting as much of the credit. Illustrators have to deliver at least thirteen or fourteen pieces of museum quality artwork for a standard 32-page picture book. That's a lot of work.
Ellen Jackson
www.ellenjackson.net
The pack of dogs knew lots of fun games.
(Note to Illustrator: Illustration shows dogs rolling in garbage or doing other mischief.)
But I agree that you shouldn't cross the line into the illustrator's domain. In general, the author doesn't get to choose the book's layout, although there are exceptions--and I've been asked to do it once or twice. But the illustrator does that job for most books.
The author doesn't get to say which elements get illustrated and which ones get a double spread. You don't get to say what style is used, what details are included, etc. About the only correction I'll make is if I see an inaccuracy that might get the entire book in trouble. Then I'll mention it to the editor.
By the way, I also don't get too picky if the illustrator wants me to change something. I've had an illustrator ask me to re-order a sequence of events to make it easier for her--and I gladly obliged. Expect a reasonable amount of give and take.
Remember that a picture book belongs to the illustrator as much as it belongs to you. I can't tell you how many times illustrators have told me that they feel like second class citizens. The illustrator often works longer and harder than the author, without getting as much of the credit. Illustrators have to deliver at least thirteen or fourteen pieces of museum quality artwork for a standard 32-page picture book. That's a lot of work.
Ellen Jackson
www.ellenjackson.net