Author vs. Illustrator by Donald Lemke

 

It's IWSG time!

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Alex J. Cavanaugh is the amazing founder of this even more amazing group. Special thanks goes to this month's co-hosts: JS Pailly, Rebecca Douglass, Pat Garcia, Louise-Fundy Blue, and Natalie Aguirre!

I've been underway the last few days to help my daughter move down to Arkansas, so I'm going to keep this short and sweet by just answering the month's question:

What are your favorite writing processing (e.g. Word, Scrivener, yWriter, Dabble), writing apps, software, and tools? Why do you recommend them? And which one is your all time favorite that you cannot live without and use daily or at least whenever you write?

I'm pretty old-fashioned when it comes to writing and stick to my pen and paper as well as Word. I've tried Scrivener but found myself more irritated than anything else. There are all sorts of wonderful help-tools, but I felt as if I was shoving valuable writing time into using the tools...more than they were helping. It just didn't fit my style, especially since I love to use my large writing-wall with notes to pin and shove around as needed. It's always large and in front of me. As to editing, I'm old-fashioned on that end, too...although I do use online thesauruses and such rather than heavy print tombs. Add amazing critique partners and betas, and I'm a happy camper...uh, writer.

What about you? Do you use any writing software/programs? What do you love best about them?

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I'm very curious to dive into today's read. Obviously, this one heads more to writing and illustrating fans, and I'm wondering if it's more about the fun and humor or holds any tips and tricks? I really have no idea what to expect, so let's dive in and find out.

AUTHOR VS. ILLUSTRATOR

by Donald Lemke

Illustrated by Bob Lenz

Capstone Editions

Children's Fiction

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

AUGUST 1st!!!

At the far reaches of Earth, high upon a mountaintop, a bustling city is under attack by a . . . cute little furball? Wait—what?! That’s not right. The author wrote this book about a “ferocious beast,” not a cuddly critter. Turns out, the book’s illustrator has other plans. Page by page, these clashing collaborators are writing (and drawing) themselves into the story for a full-on creator combat—a bookmaking BATTLE ROYALE! Can the author make a successful book with no pictures? Can the Illustrator tell a tale without words? (A picture is worth a thousand of them, he says.) Or will this dueling duo get on the same page at last to create the ultimate happy ending?

From Lemke & Lentz (the quirky collaborators behind Call of Doodie and Book-O-Beards) comes a laugh-out-loud picture book about the not-so-simple process of creating a picture book. Full of over-the-top humor and under-the-radar lessons—including the skills of teamwork, conflict resolution, and respect—this book is a must-have for young writers, budding artists, and lifelong book lovers.

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON     /      B&N

MY TIDBITS

This tale is for all future authors or illustrators out there...or for those, who simply enjoy a  humorous read.

Two friends/co-creators have a new idea for a story. The author has the plot all worked out, while the illustrator is ready to work his magic. While the author's monster comes to life on the page thanks to the illustrator, the superhero, who will defeat him, seems to have a few more kinks. The author knows what he wants, but the illustrator has some amazing ideas, too. As the story progresses, the two drift further and further apart and ridiculous scenarios form. Now, it's a question as to whether the story will come to an end or not.

This is a cross between a picture book and a graphic novel, and slides nicely into the upper chapter book/lower middle grade level. The two characters are great friends and, obviously, work well together. When the first problem arrives, the two work it out with finesse, but as the differences between their opinions increase little-by-little, the tension builds right along with it. Both are enthusiastic about what they do, which makes each one just a little bit extreme...and fun. As the argument builds, it's hard not to cringe, knowing the fight will only get worse, but on the same hand, there's enough mounting ridiculousness to draw smiles and giggles, too. 

The text sticks to the speech bubbles as the tale is told through the two friends' back-and-forth. The illustrations pick up everything else and deliver the scenes as well as the emotions nicely. 

It's a pretty quick-paced read and not only shows the different roles an author and an illustrator play, but also hits upon friendship, disagreements, and working things out.

And here he is...

Donald Lemke works as a children’s book editor and writer. He has written dozens of books for young readers—from board books to middle-grade novels—that often include today’s most popular characters, such as Batman, Superman, Scooby-Doo, and more. He lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with his beloved family, which includes his wife, Amy, and their three growing-up-way-too-fast daughters.