It is all getting done. Wow. The huge, seemingly insurmountable amount of work that I had a month ago is one large step closer to completion. The book is written. Just a few small things to add. Editing, revisions, and then on to inking. I feel as though I am coming up for air after having been underwater for a while. My head spinning. There is a point with a large project where you have to push through a block of sorts. It feels like my brain is no longer capable of coming up with any more ideas. At this point I usually have no idea how I will wake up the next day and do it all over again. And yet I always do.
When I first started doing book projects I would spend months pulling things together, adding illustrations, and designing. When it was ready to submit to a publisher it would be a finished piece, the editor would know exactly what my vision was, (I felt it was necessary to sell myself to them). Now there has been a large shift in the process. Now I am submitting proposals to trusting editors, getting paid, and THEN doing the writing/illustrating. I'm not sure if I like it this way. It feels like a lot of pressure to perform at times. What if I'm having a bad week, what if NO ideas come? What if I just want to sit in a cafe a read a novel. no sir. Nose to the grindstone. Don't look up until you are done. It feels like a grueling workout at times. All the while you are spending your advance money to live. Now I am not complaining at all about getting paid for my art, it is beautiful thing. But at some level the money does have some impact on the creative process.
I could really go on and on about this topic. And I will someday. But right now I want to go out and touch the ground again. Interact with other humans. Drink the rain.
I am so excited that I get to see my friend Helen perform this weekend. Watching her makes my own heart dance.
Read a recent interview I did for Mosaic Minds.
Posted by kerismith at April 01, 2004 01:25 PMhope I could read your book in China soon:)
Posted by: moko on April 4, 2004 11:36 PMKeri, I just bought LOL! You have put some sunshine in my life. Thank you, Congrat on new book!
Posted by: shelly on April 4, 2004 12:37 PMi feel like such a kid. everyone here has such insightful feedback on being paid fore one's writing. at the most, all i know is stressing about what my TA's will think of my essays...
in any case, congratulations with your book =]
Can't wait to see the new book!! :)
Posted by: Nadine on April 2, 2004 12:47 PMMr. Dressup! I know, I'm commenting on your interview and not your post, but I just got so excited about the memory of Mr. Dressup. Thanks fot the nice reminder.
Posted by: Anne on April 2, 2004 12:28 PMOh that's great - about the book being done! Congrats! I know what you mean (on a much smaller scale, mind you) about the creative process changing when folks are waiting for a "product". At any rate, I am sure that your book will be one I want!!!
Posted by: Di on April 2, 2004 08:30 AM"There is a point with a large project where you have to push through a block of sorts."
Keri, I want to share this passage from actress Carol Channing's autobiography, "Just Lucky I Guess" which I'm currently reading. Here, she writes about preparing for the debut of the original Broadway run of "Hello Dolly!":
"Most every worthwhile project as far as I have seen goes through a period of 'It's not going to work, why did we ever start this?' The storm has to come, I find, when creating GOOD work, not just work. The ship you're on in the middle of this storm usually almost capsizes, but Gower Champion and I stood together. Just hold on and keep going through the storm and finally the essence of the problem shines out like a neon sign. I guess nothing good comes easy, true in childbirth or true in anyone's occupation. What is it about entering untraveled paths in rehearsal? Your hair grows faster, your nails are stronger, your energy is sustained, and all five physical senses are at top pitch. It always seems to be the healthiest time there is."
Your ongoing journal is one of the best "courses" I've studied in years. Congratulations on your latest book - cheers!
Posted by: Phyl on April 1, 2004 08:59 PMEnjoyed your interview. Congrats on finishing your book! :)
Posted by: Hope on April 1, 2004 06:35 PMI loved this post. You are amazing.
Posted by: penelope on April 1, 2004 04:47 PMP.S. Is it possible to have a working relationship with an editor in which you don't produce based on advances but rather after you've created something and then submit it? Or is that only unrealistic if you are not depending on those advances to pay the bills?
Posted by: Carole on April 1, 2004 04:25 PMKeri ~ It's amazing to me that you mention this phenomenon of working in light of financial advances, etc. today - my husband and I were just talking about this last night. I got a positive letter from an editor explaining that although her division is not going for anything other than YA lit right now, she suggested that I send my picturebook manuscript to so-and-so. Well, you'd think my book had been accepted for publication I was so excited :) - but with a bit of shock I realized how quickly my head swelled to about the size of a watermelon thinking about all the professional/personal affirmation that would surely come my way once I was published. After having a healthy laugh at my egotistical self and examining the roots of these thoughts, I pondered some words from my husband, which were, "Being published carries with it its own new burdens as well as its joys, honey. You might be challenged by having an editor's expectations hanging over you instead of your current freedom for creativity." Yep, the man's insightful. Not like the thought of that challenge keeps me from pursuing being published, and I want to keep enjoying The Process, but sometime I'd like to hear your perspective on this....Thanks, Keri!
Posted by: Carole on April 1, 2004 04:18 PMcongratulations on getting your work done. I did my book the same way, with a trusting publisher. I liked it, I lack the discipline of making myself work.
Posted by: eliane on April 1, 2004 02:41 PM