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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author

Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!

Connect with Donna McDine on Google+

Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters ~ December 2015 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2016 Story Monster Approved
A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Historical Fiction 1st Place, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention Picture Books 6+, New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

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 Hello fellow artists!

As part of our ongoing efforts to make Illustration Friday more of a community focused on the art of idea generation, here’s our Inspiration Board for this week’s topic of OLD.

You can download, save, drag and drop, print, or do whatever you want with it if it helps you to brainstorm ideas for your illustration.

Let us know in the comments if this is something that you think is helpful or inspiring enough for us to keep doing!

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[Editor’s Note: In response to our announcement last week that Illustration Friday will be focusing more heavily on the art of idea generation, illustrator Shawn Ferreyra reached out with us to share his own process for coming up with new ideas. What follows is an intimate look at Shawn’s idea generation methods in his own words. You too can share your techniques through our contact page.]

I came to illustrating via theater via playwriting via screenwriting via comics. This is one of many exercises I learned back in my playwriting days that I’ve adapted for illustration. I hope this is helpful!

Go to Staples or whatever and get a 3×5 index card holder and fill it with blank 3×5 index cards. Carry it with you at all times along with a sharpie or a felt tip pen. Nothing fancy.

Start an observation diary. Not a diary of your thoughts or feelings. A diary of your observations. On index cards. Not in a notebook. On index cards. One card per observation. Don’t write on both sides. Don’t date your cards.

 

Overheard a wall street guy say something cringe worthy? Write down what you heard.
Saw an interesting person on the subway? Draw them. No more than 3 minutes.
Street preacher said something crazy? Write it down.
Saw an interesting still life? Draw it. No more than 3 minutes.
Saw a woman reading and laughing out loud hoping someone would ask her what’s funny? Describe it in as few words as possible.
Saw a gorgeous cityscape or landscape? Draw it. No more than 3 minutes.
See someone constantly blinking when they speak? Describe it in as few words as necessary.

Do this for a few weeks, maybe a month. At the end of the month, lay all your cards out on a huge table. Start organizing them. How should you organize them? I don’t know, there is no should. Your mind is going to make you see patterns. You’re going to start to see things that go together. You’re going to start to see bits and pieces coalesce to suddenly become fully realized ideas.

You’re going to start to realize that the cards aren’t just your observations, but fragments of how you perceive the world, what you’re obsessed with, what you’ve been thinking about and wishing for. Your unconscious mind has been meditating and mulling these things over this whole time, and you’ve just tricked yourself into showing them to your conscious mind.

Thanks so much to Shawn Ferreyra for sharing his idea generation process. Want to help make Illustration Friday more of a place of learning? Leave some thoughts in the comments or send us your own process for coming up with ideas and shaking up your conscious mind here.

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Hello fellow illustrators!

 

As promised last Friday, we are now in full effect taking Illustration Friday to the next level. The natural evolution of a fun weekly illustration challenge based on ideas is a deeper focus on the art of idea generation itself.

We’re starting small, with a stream of consciousness word list that one might create while brainstorming for this week’s topic of POINTY or any other of our weekly topics. I encourage you to make your own first, perhaps compare it to this list or even email yours to us if you’d like us to consider sharing it in a future blog post.

You will notice that in my own personal word process below I try to let my mind freely linger in one area for a while until some other interesting pathway offers itself up, or not. Sometimes you’ll need to give it a gentle nudge, or step away for a minute. The randomness itself is where the magic can sometimes happen. This process is pretty much guaranteed to take your mind to surprising places. This list took only a few minutes to create, but it could go on and on with further exploration.

As things progress, we’ll be adding a LOT more features to share a variety of approaches to generating good ideas, as described in last week’s 5-minute video, so stay tuned…

SAMPLE WORD LIST

 

TOPIC: POINTY

 

 

pointy angle triangle mountain range mountaintop skyline pointy hat dunce cap witch’s hat pointing finger pointing out pointing at you/me/… what’s the point pointless

round obtuse sharp sharp (smart) pokey knife kitchen knife cut stab poke sword lance joust medieval weapons mace

vampire teeth wolf teeth shark teek/fin surfboard fingernails starfish star crescent moon thumbtack nail hammer and nail staple staple gun railroad stake king/queen crown, etc.

 Want even more inspiration? Check out the entries that have been submitted so far for this week’s topic.

Have fun!

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IT Forum Gold Coast (ITFGC) is the best place to network with industry peers, potential clients and employers.  The Federal, State and local Governments give well-deserved recognition to ITFGC for being an active voice of the IT industry on the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Being a member gives you an unprecedented opportunity to stay informed […]

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“Linking You Locally”    “Linking You Locally” was masterfully organised by the Gold Coast Helensvale Branch Library and Gold Coast Medicare Local with the benevolent support of many local businesses.   Gold Coast Medicare Local is a not-for-profit independent and locally run company and their generous sponsorship to the local event was greatly appreciated.     Despite the gathering grey clouds in the early morning the event started on time, at 9am and cheerfully welcomed the local community with colourful displays on both floors of the Helensvale Library; inside and outside. The event was officially opened by Councillor William Owen – Jones and was followed by the Latin inspired fitness dance Zumba. It was loud and full of colour. Many participated in the exhilarating ‘fitness-party’.    It was inviting, motivating and inspirational and many wonderful activities followed for the next few hours. Activities included a theatre performance, Pilates class, circus workshop and Basketball.  It was free and available ... Read the rest of this post

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Achieving the title of becoming a published author now is far more reachable than no one had ever dreamed of just a couple of decades ago. Many writers have thrown themselves into the vortex of self-publishing industry, but as usual, only a few have achieved the desirable recognition and satisfactory pay cheques. Determination and honest, hard work plus the risk of committed capital are not aspects I would like to focus on. All writers are trying their best but only a few books are good enough for the modern day readers who are well educated, know what they are paying for and have become very astute and choosy. Unfortunately, many writers tend to look at their written work as a manifestation of their sacrifice to educate or entertain the readers. The readers do not take into consideration the writers ‘effort. They are boldly and brutally looking at every book as a ... Read the rest of this post

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Personal Confession My name is Elena Ornig and I confess to encourage you to live your dreams.   At four, I was the only child in kindergarten who could fluently read.  Often, the nannies would sneak out for an extra gossip break, leaving me inside of a circle of children; I just loved it. At 15, as a dedicated volunteer researcher of Moscow Regional history, I was invited to write for a local newspaper and I just loved it. At 16, known by every local librarian as a book monster, I was encouraged by one of them to write my own book and I put all my effort into it. And I just loved it because I dreamed of becoming a great writer. Nevertheless, I thought I needed a professional opinion to be sure I was on the right path.  At my school I approached a teacher who was regarded by almost everybody as “the guru” ... Read the rest of this post

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Rediscovering Byron Bay after 15 years was an unforeseen revelation. (Part One) The only reason I went to Byron Bay (NSW, Australia) more than a decade ago was as a spontaneous romantic breakfast with my husband. Even then I wouldn’t stay for more than couple of hours. My general perception on the place then was associated with “…you’re spinning me out, man…” type of people. It wasn’t my honest opinion from experience, rather a perception gained from a collection of many comments by the respectable Gold Coast crowd. I took it as a warning: “Murky place with unstable people.” But last Thursday, I received a short note invitation from my friend who flew from LA to relax at Byron Bay for a week. “Relax?” – thought I to myself. I was sure that she had no idea of what she was talking about. However, seeing her was more important than worrying about the place or my peace ... Read the rest of this post

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Answers from Anya Tretyakova 30 Seconds to Mars, Hordern Pavilion, Sydney 30 July 2011   Almost five years following the release of their second album A Beautiful Lie, 30 Seconds to Mars delivered their third, highly anticipated album This Is War at the end of 2009. Promoting this ground-breaking musical transformation, the group delivers a concert which can only be described as a religious experience for the die-hard fan, and nothing short of an impressive show for the newly initiated. The awesome combination of rock, interwoven with progressive, symphonic composition made this album and this show – the last on the Australian leg of their worldwide tour – truly unforgettable.   It is apparent that the group adopted a more spiritual approach to their latest album and tour. Gone are the charmingly self-pitying lyrics and deliciously melodramatic guitar riffs, replaced with a sound that can only be described as a hybrid between a thousand voice ... Read the rest of this post

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There are countless ideas for the Plot, and of course, not all of them are worth writing about.  Answers from Elena Ornig To feel an insight that you are a writer is not enough to become a successful writer. You need much more in order to become a successful writer. You need motivation, determination, discipline and most of all, persistence. The same applies to plotting a Plot! Plotting a Plot means planning a Plot in order to unite with the readers through intricately and powerfully designed sets of actions, reactions and resolutions. What is happening? Why is it happening? What is the course of conflict and how it will be resolved? These questions are systematic and apply for every possible Plot. If you think you can just create fascinating characters without a powerful Plot – Think again! Characters are able to play only a supporting role to the Plot, where the Plot is the ... Read the rest of this post

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Answering your questions about Press Release structure. Timing: Press release can be “for immediate release”, or “release on a specific date”.  It is recommended to use the first preference since the latter may not be honored at all times.   Target: To whom the press release is intended. When targeting a specific group of people or professions, it may read like the following: Attention sports editors, Attention business editors, Attention entertainment editors.   Headline: This can be opted to write in all capital letters. Consider using shorter titles and make it interesting. Alliteration can be of help or giving tips.   Sub-Headline: This is optional. However, sub headlines are used to get the attention of readers and audience. This also provides a description of the target niche or specific topic.   Date: It is necessary when reporting, such as news clip or other events specified with a date. For example, a press release written for some key speaker for ... Read the rest of this post

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After flirting with the idea of doing NaNoWriMo, I decided instead to do PiBoIdMo, or Picture Book Idea Month, the 30 days of November in which I am supposed to come up with 30 picture book ideas.

It makes sense. I am attending the SCBWI Eastern NY Falling Leaves Master Class retreat where five picture book editors will talk to 30 lucky people, including me. Editors attending are Kate Fletcher (Candlewick), Dianne Hess (Scholastic), Sylvie Frank (Holiday House), Marilyn Brigham (Marshall Cavendish) and Kelly Smith (Sterling). Since I had decided to devote part of my fall to picture books anyway, the PiBoIdMo is right up my alley. Focus my efforts. And the writing exercises we do at the retreat will hopefully add to my ideas list. Late next week, look for reports on the retreat.

Meanwhile, I am visiting the dentist this morning, so I’ll think about a tooth fairy story. Not.

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I’d say that about 90% of the ideas that I have that I truly like have come from dreams or half-sleep. I’ve become pretty good about capturing them over the years (with varying success) but that means I have a huge backlog of ideas I like that I’ll probably never get to. I guess there are worse problems.

This one was based on something that I said in a dream and it made me wake up and smile. So, I repeated this little rhyme in my head over and over until morning. I think I was even saying it in other dreams. That can work with small ideas like this, but sometimes you get that big idea that can pick you up out of bed even on a cold night and make you write in the dark on whatever is at hand. I equally love and hate those. 

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Are you seriously asking this?

Um, I wrote a book about a squash who drives to Los Angeles.

You’re sure you’re asking the right guy? And is that actually your question? Are you sure you’re not really asking, “Where do I get some ideas?”

That’s cool. Everybody wants to know where to get ideas. It’s like the Ark in Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Death Star plans, or the stupid adaptor for that ****ing laptop so you can travel because god knows it’s not where it should be even though you told the kids to stay out of your studio and – oh. are we on the air?

Maybe that last one is just me.

Where do ideas come from? Well, son, first the Mommy idea and the Daddy idea go away on vacation. Then…

Ok, seriously now. I’m not smirking and I’ll try not to be a smartass for five minutes. I will tell you where to get ideas. Ready?

Really? You’re sitting quietly? We all have our listening hats on?

Because I have no friggin’ clue.

Dudes. Ladies. I. Don’t. Know.

That’s a capital Don’t Know.

Ideas aren’t things to be found. Ideas do not sit under that plate full of crumbs on your drawing table. Wait…

Nope. No ideas there. I just wanted to check in order to be as accurate as possible.

Ideas, they come to you.

You can leave your door unlocked, open a bottle of Pinot, bake a lasagna, put on your nicest socks… and that’s it. You still have to wait for the idea to show up.

Most likely the idea will show up when:

• Your head hits the pillow at 2:00 AM
• You’re driving to the airport to pick up Grandma
• Grandma is talking
• Your coaching the Little League World Series, there’s a runner on third and you’re one run down and omigod not George he’s our worst hitter ever
• You’re exercising your God-given right to use the toilet for cryin’ out loud
• You just got the baby to sleep and you need to bake the lasagna
• You’re drunk and have no pen
• You’re supposed to be finishing that magazine illustration someone’s actually paying you for

These are just a few examples that I found under the plate on my drawing table.

Ideas are like poop. You have to let them come, you can’t force them.

Coffee helps.

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Dexigner.com is an online Eurpean Illustrators forum and gallery.

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