Annette V Hart's Blog: The ramblings of Annette Hart, page 9

On a roll...

I knew once I started I'd be able to continue the pace: today I got 4 more illustrations done. I know 1 or 2 might need to be reworked but its keeping the conveyor belt going that counts!

Taking the plunge...

I've finally tackled and finished my first illustration for my next book. I've been prevaricating for days - even going so far as to clean out a cupboard (and finding a couple of long-lost objects). But I now have a deadline (of sorts) looming and had to get on with it. It's a bit like my approach to getting in a swimming pool - edging in slowly but finally, when you can put it off no more, taking the plunge. Things should go swimmingly now that I have the first one under my belt.

Thankfully my daughter was willing to help out with a little bit of modelling for me.

Book 3, action at last...

It's lovely to really get started on the publishing process with those weirdly early requests for ideas on back cover blurb and press releases. It seems odd trying to sell the book already! For some reason I found coming up with ideas for the cover much trickier this time round but I think I've come up with something. At least I sketched what was in my head but how close what comes back will be to that image I will just have to wait - possibly months - to find out...

An amazing day...

I could not believe I was sitting, reading over my current draft of my third book whilst sipping chilled white wine and waiting for the last BBQ of the year to be ready... in October! I even had to put sun cream on: glorious!

Too exhausted to write...

Friday night I couldn't lift myself let alone pen to paper! I went for a beautiful walk with my mother and sister but I should have read the small print... that bit about the 'short cut' involving a narrow and tortuous path! My muscles paid for all the twists and turns and ups and downs later.

A useful present...

Having scribbled down a few ideas for illustrations, I've started some sketching and one birthday present I had back in June is finally getting some use. My mother had given me a wooden, articulated hand to help with my drawings and to save on using reluctant children as models instead. One good sketch finished - and several ropey ones binned!

Pending doom...

As I write this my son is fast asleep and totally unaware of his own personal tragedy. His triop, which he nurtured so conscientiously for weeks from egg to fully grown pet, has died. I now have to decide exactly how to approach his pain. I do not wish to put him of caring for other creatures but to see his feelings as a positive sign of great good and caring within himself.

Feedback that makes you upbeat...

I can't quite put my finder on it but I am sure either my title, cover or blurb is putting readers off my book. (I think the title might be most likely.) And I worry about not-so-positive comments from adult readers. So it is great when I think about all the feedback I have had from my readers who are in the age group my books are actually aimed at (9-13). So far they have been very positive and eager for the next book, once they have read it. I must be doing something right with the actual content of my stories - it's just the marketing I need to work on!

At my most recent booksigning, a young girl was pleased to meet me and buy my second book, having just read the first at the library; it was a great morale booster. And now I have a couple of young readers eager for book 3 which gives me a much needed injection of enthusiasm to continue my work.

Getting down to business...

With production of my third book pending, I decided today to turn my attention to the illustrations I want to add to it. For my second book I added one to the start of each chapter but I remember the pressure I felt to get them finished. This time I want to get ahead of the game and think of a good idea or sketch for each before I'm into editing. Inevitably, though, there will be a chapter where I draw a blank.

My illustrations are to give a suggestion, taste, of my world without being too prescriptive. The one thing you won't be seeing is a horse; about the only part I could draw successfully would be the head!

A beautiful autumn day...

We set out mid afternoon on a cloudy day (obligatory reluctant teenager in toe) to pick berries. It turned into the most glorious afternoon; the sun broke through the clouds to bathe us and sheep in glorious golden light. In Norbury park we were surroundered by a wonderful mix of countryside: small fields of sheep and horses, woodland peppered with berries (poisonous and edible alike), chalk meadow dotted with the last burst of fragile flowers. We picked various berries, randomly helped by some of the children, in order to make a batch of country wine.

I usually have good success with such berries but any attempt at grapes or apples has always gone awry. And I know I should be trying to create something more wholesome like jam, I just haven't learnt despite watching my mum and gran slowly drip sticky sweet nectar through muslin as a child (guilt kicking in big time). I shall go and consult Homemade Country Wines which has held my family in goog stead for many years.

But it is on my to do list to learn to make jam or jelly in the future.