Can you tell us about yourself? First, thanks for having me over - I love opportunities to talk PBs! A reformed graphic designer, I am a pre-published author/illustrator of picture books. Currently illustrating 3 board books for a local indie press, to be launched in Oct.'14. Originally from Long Island, New York, I transplanted from northern Germany to Colorado 15yrs ago. Let's just say, I got around.
Why and where do you write and/or illustrate picture books?
I started writing because I needed something to illustrate, but now I have to write because I can't help myself - I enjoy it that much! But I've never thought to be writing for kids, I'm just having fun! When an idea hits, any scrap of paper will do. And no office, I have to get everything done before other family members need the computer! Otherwise I sketch while sulking on the sofa.
Favorite picture book?
Too many, but Bread and Jam for Frances, by Russell and Lillian Hoban, holds sweet and sticky memories for this former picky eater. For about 3 years I have, at times, been reading close to 100 PBs a week. My librarian says I am their best customer! Now I am a picky reader.
Favorite illustrator?
Again too many - even tougher to name one, so I'll include the link to the growing list on my blog: http://julierowanzoch.wordpress.com/illustrators-i-link/ And I totally judge book by it's cover - so glad when I am wrong!
What inspires your revisions?
Everything. I love my critique group partners, face-to-face and online, but I read and re-read craft books and articles, and otherwise let problems stew while I pursue other activities, like hanging wash on the line. I play badminton competitively (stop laughing, Meg - it is an olympic sport!), which puts me in a zen mode - I only focus on the next hit. This acts like a gray-cell duster and story revision comes easiest when the mind has had a chance to clear. At least for me!
How is your revision process different when you are illustrator and writer?
I don't really know how to answer that. I'd like to say it's tougher. It's not easy to ask for a critique when you haven't got a dummy to accompany your text and all the images are in your head. My mss would look a bit art-note heavy if I tried to put it ALL in words! On the other hand, I can revise without changing the words - ha, ha! Now there's a skill, eh? Generally, I try to get the text completed before I do a sketch for every scene, but I definitely flesh out my characters visually - that's a LOT of fun! Sometimes the character sketch cries out for a story, but at this point I more often have an idea first and the character is developed through the pencil - drawing IS thinking!
Love it and your art, thank you Julie!
16 comments :
Great interview, Meg and Julie! Loved looking at illustrators you li(n)ke! I will have to remember that page on your blog for inspiration. Although, I have to say your sketches are inspiring all by themselves!
Hope you both have a wonderful Monday :-)
I love this interview, as cute and fun as Julie herself. :D
Wonderful Monday to you Penny! :D
It took me a while to stop by. I love my Julie R-Z and love learning more about her process. I realized after reading your comment that I too may be a picky reader. Thanks for this series Meg. Looking forward to more revisions.
Julie, Julie, Julie!!! MWAH, MWAH, MWAH!!! What a gal! What a pal! :-) Loved this Meg. Julie is SOOOOO COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Sorry I'm late for this date.) I'm not home all week. *sigh*
Badminton?? Really??? For real???? *wink*
Julie is cool!! Thanks for stopping by Stacy and Robyn! :D
Haha! I'm late to the party too! Thanks again for hosting, Meg!
Haha! I'm late to the party too! Thanks again for hosting, Meg!
Loved reading about you, Julie! I have such admiration for folks like you and Meg who can write AND illustrate! I'm sure a picture book written and illustrated by you is in your very near future!
How cool, a competitive badminton player, too! I love Julie's art and her take on picture books on her blog - somehow she always has afresh perspective. Great interview, ladies!
Julie you know how I feel about your illustrations. The word is LOVE. I love your work. Thanks for the link to the illustration page. I can't wait unit 10/14 for the release of the book with your illustrations.
Julie you know how I feel about your illustrations. The word is LOVE. I love your work. Thanks for the link to the illustration page. I can't wait unit 10/14 for the release of the book with your illustrations.
Yay, Julie and Meg! What a great interview! Three cheers for illustrators! :)
Love to get to know the uber-fab Julie even better! Great interview ladies!!
Julie is seriously talented…I love seeing her posts on Doodle Day on Facebook; they make my day! So glad you profiled her, Meg!
So so so happy I got to meet you in person before I moved away from Colorado, Julie! You are so talented...love your illustrations! I'm thrilled to be joining you for ReviMo.:)
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