picturebooks

Twoubled Tweeter

| Shannon Harrison

Are there any picture books about global pandemics? If not, there are about to be. It’s bound to happen–what with all these writers who are self distancing and quarantine-ing themselves at home. Plenty of time to write, right?

Well, there should be, anyway. But that’s not what I’m seeing on Twitter (where I recently learned that writers of all genres seem to “hang out”). I’m seeing an awful lot of singing from balconies, cat memes, political discussion, mental health advice, and people who SHOULD NOT be dancing on camera. And stress. And worry. And anxiety.

Many of us writers are doing anything but writing. In the face of unprecedented circumstances, so many are following this mantra:

When in trouble, when in doubt…

RUN IN CIRCLES, SCREAM AND SHOUT!

Or eat lots of candy, or clean out your closet, or let your kid have lots of video game time, or drink wine before 5 (ok, fine–before 4). I’m here to say this: It’s OK.

Now, to those writers who are suddenly filled with motivation and ideas, more power to ya. If you’re a picture book writer who is reading your books to kids on the internet, thank you! If you’re a young adult novelist who just got the best plot idea ever about love during global tragedy, WRITE ON!

But if you’re feeling swirly and not that productive, it’s ok. I really believe most people are doing the best they can. If you can manage to do something constructive with your newly stuck-at-home kids, then do it. If you get around to showering, hooray! Maybe you’re winning at Iron Chef Pantry. If you’re stressed out and panicky and aren’t sleeping so much, be nice to yourself. And be nice to everyone else, too. We’re not trained for pandemics.

If you’re someone who can’t stay home for work reasons, bless you. If you are at home, reach out to someone! If you’re on Twitter, be the positive voice.

Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to get another snack and stare thoughtfully into my computer screen–you know, like writers do.

Itching to Illustrate

| Shannon Harrison

img_0806I’d love to be able to call myself an author/illustrator. I have illustrated, and I have authored, but my confidence in illustrating has a ways to go. I’ve taken one painting class, and I draw and paint at home to calm my brain.

So I signed up for a class that starts in a couple of weeks–Beginning Drawing. The supply list is short: Pad of paper and a few different pencils. Simple enough.

It’s back-to-school time in our town, and last night I joined the throng of shoppers at the local office supply store. I really just needed a power strip, so of course, it was necessary to peruse notebooks, post-it notes, pens and pencils, folders, new laptops, and a host of other treasures.

I hadn’t planned on buying my art supplies there, because we have a wonderful art  supply store in town, but they happened to have what I needed, and besides, it was raining cats and dogs and my daughter and I were procrastinating to avoid swimming back to the car. I selected a 100 page sketch book–the spiral kind, because I like to fold it over and draw on my lap. I also chose perforated paper, in case something is so awful that I need to make it neatly disappear OR so nice that I’d like to share it or frame it or something. Hope springs eternal. I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

Speaking of progress, my query count is up to 18, a few of which were shared through someone who has contacts in the children’s publishing industry. We press on!

My suggestion to you, dear reader, is this:

Whatever you’re itching to do, get on with it.

You gotta start somewhere.