David asked Carmela Dutra:

Are the illustrations the inspiration for your story? Or the story is the inspirations for the illustrations?

Carmela Dutra Ooo… this can be a tricky one to answer. I feel like this is the age old question which came first, the chicken or the egg? I guess the answer in short would be both. There are times where a simple doodle will inspire the story behind the image.

I try and think about what it is that I want to write. If I want to write about dinosaurs, then I think about which ones I find most fascinating. Then sometimes I work in a combination style, a little writing followed with a little illustrating.

*** SPOILER ALERT! *** There will be an upcoming story where Lorenzo takes an adventure with some dinosaurs.

If I already have written the story first, then I always first reread the page I will be illustrating. I want to make sure the illustrations I create match the context of the story. If the illustration came first, then I look to see if I can make a cohesive story with it. Whatever I do has to flow. It cannot feel forced, or thrown together. If it doesn't work, then it doesn't work and I move.

Great questions David! Thank you for keeping me on my toes!

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