DisCOVER

My first cover ideas: These covers weren't really right. I like them a lot, but I don't think any are right.

I follow Tony DiTerlizzi's blog and read his entry on how he develops covers for the Wondla series. It finally clicked exactly why my original ideas didn't really work. They weren't terribly evocative of the sentiments and atmosphere of the book.

Then I spent some time looking through my favourite book covers from young adult sciencefiction. I particularly looked at the series that I started reading because I was drawn to the covers.

Three of my favourites

I distilled some easy principles that all of them shared for cover layout:

• ALL CAPS (which I instinctively hate but it's par for the course)
• Centred text
• Large central image
• Colourful
• Creates a mood
• Two fonts - Three if you count a stylised title

So, I sat down and did some thinking about what the emotional feelings of the book are. I realised the major themes are:

• Self discovery
• Feeling out of place - outside looking in
• Bravery
• A gathering storm

Some initial sketches - still not right

Here's my first crack at a cover for the book. I really like the feeling. I'm not sure if the landscape of the Vasts is the right one, but it's heading in the right direction. Now to start finalising it and playing with fonts!!! Wooo!!!!

First sketch of cover

What do you think?
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Angus, falls and perfect bloggin

Recently took a trip to Angus in North East Scotland and it was a great experience. There were a lot of lovely scenes. The forests of Angus are very evocative and mysterious. I prefer its leafy deciduous forests, dropping off in dramatic cliffs into rocky falls or beaches.

Two sites in particular struck me. First was the Reekie Linn Waterfall. It kicked loose some ideas for the landscapes I'm creating in Book 2, namely a rock pool that Daryn takes Gemmy and Sem to. The pool itself lives inside a cave set behind some falls. The second scene that inspired me was St Cyrus beach. Lots of great rocks and crevices created by low tide on the beach. We even saw dolphins! It was idyllic.

These sights have helped really bring what I'm writing into focus. Who knew you could compilate aspects of Scotland into a tropical rock pool?

view from the falls

View of the falls

Some flowers in the house

Inside Cave at St Cyrus beach

Cave at St Cyrus

Tiny rock pool at beach

Enjoy!
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His name is Daryn

So, my amends are done and I'm giving the book one more rest and sending out to two or three more people. I'm starting to feel like it's nerves sitting on it as everyone I've shown it to now has pretty much said it's good and to just go with it. :-/

Anywho, I've set 1 November 2013 (Themo Day) as the publication date on Amazon.

In the mean time I'm finishing up drawings for the book and continuing to work on the cover. More on that to follow.

As the drawing spree continues I found the perfect inspiration for Tricky in Book 2.

Firstly, I've named him Daryn after a friend who was going to name him and couldn't come up with a name for me. But, his name is Darren so it felt fitting. :)

Secondly, I met a guy who, from the moment I started talking to him, I knew he was Daryn! When I'm writing and drawing, as most writers do, I draw inspiration from my real life. And characters really come alive for me once I have features, personality traits or characteristics to latch on to. For me, my mate's eyes and nose really told a story to me that was kindred with what I'm trying to achieve with Daryn.

I've made pages and pages of sketches. Here's just one of the many. At this stage I drew from memory what I thought I wanted Daryn to look like (middle) which was not right. I then redrew and redrew. Then, in the top right corner, I did a pencil drawing of my mate whose features I wanted to borrow.  From there I did the drawing in top left then another front on (below drawing top right).

I tend to sketch in ink but when I did the drawing of my mate I did it in pencil because I have a different sensibility when I draw in this medium - I pay much more attention to the shadows and shapes of a face. Of course there are features to Daryn that have no bearing on reality. Below isn't the final drawing, but it's much closer to what I'm looking for and I added some colour to help bring the character more into focus when I start writing Book 2 again. So here's a better look at Daryn.

Daryn - Ink and digital render

I better get back to drawings on Book 1!!

Enjoy!
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Arm yourself

On the go with the second round of edits and have had a wash of inspiration for drawings. I've even started powering through the outline of Book 2.

Maester Arms - pencil on paper

I really like this drawing. He's turned out looking a bit like Bruce Willis and Mills Lane love child. I think he's coming out looking the right combination of hard man with a horror behind the eyes.

Enjoy!
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"B" is for...

'Book' 'Birthday' 'Brilliant'. I had a wee celeBration this weekend to commemorate two things.

1) Ryan would have been 31 on the 30th of June; and

2) I finished the first round of copy edits on the book. 

I'm going to do another edit to massage some of the text. But as far as copy goes it should read like a proper novel. All commas and punctuation in it's proper place. Then it will be finishing drawings and summer break then... going for publishing!! 

It's always good to celebrate the milestones of life and work. Thanks to my mates for coming out to celebrate life w me and for the awesome card... and chocolates.