Wednesday 30 April 2014

Let's Go Cruisin'

As I ran my fingers across the glossy surface and inhaled its fresh scent, a sense of wonder and a warm fuzzy feeling began to grow within me.  No, it wasn't a new sports car, not even a slightly used one. But nevertheless, it has been a vehicle that's taken me on quite a journey these last three months.  Yes, I am talking about Art the Spiffy Spider.

The proof copy arrived in the post today. Holding the book for the first time was a strange experience. Up until now, this version of the book only existed on my PC. Lots of JPEG files, and I mean lots of them. First the storyline sketches, then slightly more developed black and white drawings, and then finally the colored versions. I had lost count of the time spent studying every fine detail, changing one or two scenes, and making sure I've dotted all my i's and crossed all the t's so to speak. Yet, during this time, I never turned a single page.  

I guess Art has been a fragment of my imagination for many years - half of my life to be exact.  The story was written one evening and then placed inside a box with pages of my other creative writings.  Every so often, I'd pull Art out of the box and think I should do something with this, before putting the paper away once again. But to be honest, Art never really ever left my mind. Whenever I'd see a black spider in the corner somewhere, I'd let out a little shriek and then say, "It's Art!" Then I'd smile and let the spider go unscathed.

It was only this February when I should turned into I will.  Perhaps it was a case of the After Christmas Blues or my creative juices just went into overdrive and made me a bit restless.  Whatever it was, the time felt right to bring Art to life.  

The only way to do this was to find an illustrator, someone who could feel as passionate about my little eight-legged friend as I did.  So the ads went out and the bids and samples came flying in from more than forty artists.  I clicked through files and files of overly excited spiders, skinny spiders, plump spiders, and one or two rather scary ones.  Then I came across Marina Saumell's spider and I knew that the time for this adventure was now the right time indeed.  

The hours spent on the book turned into weeks, and then months, and now Art is finally here. No longer a part of my imagination, not just on a PC screen, but in a tangible book form.  My eyes were certainly strained and put to the test as the book developed, but I'd be lying if I said they didn't feel rather teary as I gazed into Art's golden eyes this afternoon.

And as I stood in the garden with the book in my hands, trying to take a good picture of it with my somewhat average phone camera, something funny happened.  From out of nowhere, a little brown spider parachuted down, landed on the book’s cover, and began to crawl across its surface.  To understand the humor in this, you will have to read the book! 

A big part of my journey - of Art's journey - is now over, but as I get ready to click on the "Approve" button and give Amazon the go-ahead to print, a new, exciting journey is about to begin.  Sharing Art's story with the world is definitely, and finally, a dream come true. So now it's time to step on the gas, roll the windows down, and set Art free!

Sunday 27 April 2014

Welcome to my blog!  This is actually my first blog post ever.  I've tried to resist blogging for some time, but a recent conversation with an author friend encouraged me to take the plunge.  So here I am!

The launch of my blog comes at a rather exciting time.  I have just published my first children's book, Art the Spiffy Spider.  Prior to this, I have worked as a freelance editor and proof reader for six years. While I enjoy helping my clients perfect their work, and am happy to sit quietly in the background as their projects take off, I must say that publishing my own book has been an incredible adventure.  It's given me the chance to stretch my imagination, work with an amazing illustrator, and experience the freelancing world from another viewpoint. But most of all, it's lovely to see something I created with my name on it!

You can find out more about my freelance editing services and Art the Spiffy Spider under their individual tabs.  (Once I figure out how to create tabs, that is!)  I hope you will watch this space for updates on Art the Spiffy Spider, and if you are looking for a proof reader or editor, please don't hesitate to contact me.

I will be back soon!