Author, Illustrator, Editor

Friends, what do you compare a picture book illustrator and an author to? What about an editor? In the last post, I enjoyed a chat with one of foremost authors on a uni campus. I'd write more about what I've learned about publishing and picture book illustration in the conversation.

I compare an illustrator and an author to a composer and a lyricist. "Sometimes, people say which is more important. It's pointless. Illustrator composes music. Author and Illustrator sing together," I said. The lady completely agreed with my say.

Then, the lady and I happily went on together like a duet, 
"(Illustrator will) weave emotions into a text, respond to words and visualise a scene." 
This awesome author very well understands the importance to leave space for Illustrator to work on a text and clearly told me so. Yes, otherwise, Illustrator gets distracted and will lose her own visual images. 

So, Author and Illustrator need Editor, a director to work together like a conductor for an orchestra. Even though Illustrator is respected to work on a text, Author and Illustrator are a key and a lock that need each other. Two in one, eventually, work to create a picture book. 

Editor's job is, the lady depicted, to nurture Author and Illustrator. Editors do mothering us (*women are a majority in publishing indutry). I really appreciate Editor's work that is often at backstage and hardly recognised.  

After seeing the author, I came to know she has had a brilliant career as an editor, too!! (What a humble author! She pretended she did nothing as an editor.) The lady emphasised, "You're a visual person." Yes, I am!  I certainly feel how sensitive and so caring that great author and marvelous editor at the same time! The lady's profound knowledge of picture book illustration amazed me so much.

I'm working on rough colours for the project to check a colour balance on a storyboard in the whole pages.

An unexpected bonus. The lady encourages me to write stories like my mentor Ann says! The great author talked to me as if she were teaching me. Indeed, so! Special thanks for her!
"Invite me to your book launch. I look forward to it," she said at a good bye.  
Wow!! Her cheers were wonderful for me. Step by step, I come closer to my own dream.

Friends, Happy Painting! Make your dream come true.

Author, Illustrator, Editor