My Scary But Exciting Leap from Artist to Author
Annie’s current studio workspace
So what exactly is this mysterious “story desk” and what does it have to do with you being an an author now? Well… that’s a really good question. It’s kind of the reason we’re here! Grab a snack or a cup of tea and let’s get into the backstory.
I have a long history of storytelling across all aspects of visual and performing arts. I LIVE for the story! I could go into everything, but let’s jump into the last few years, shall we?
Creatives were the first to go…
In 2020 I found myself in the same situation as many artists and creatives. Without a job. I had landed a dream job with Disney Parks and Resorts as a character sketch artist a few years before and had merged into Disneyland’s Ink & Paint department. There I created not only hand painted animation cels, but also fully painted character pieces for the gallery. It was a BLAST! Unfortunately, when the pandemic hit, creatives were the first thing to go. Not just with Disney, but across the globe.
I was without a job in a really scary time and armed with a specific set of skills that didn’t cross over into other creative positions. So what’s a girl to do? Sit around sulking and waiting for that next unemployment check to hit? Hell NO! I put my head down and brainstormed actions I could take that would send me into a “back up” career. (well.. there was a period of sulking, we have to feel all the emotions, right?)
I decided this was my opportunity to dive back into the world of children’s publishing. I had received a BFA in Illustration in 2008 and had yet to do a whole lot with it. I dug through all my dusty brain folds and remembered that a great place to start was the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. I re-upped my membership and decided to attend the first ever VIRTUAL Winter Conference. Everything snowballed from there!
I can write books too?
I gained so much knowledge from that conference that it put my mind exactly where it needed to be to make some headway on this path. I initiated my ADHD superpower of hyperfixation and put together a portfolio, a simple website, written a query sample, and then kept eyes out for opportunities. I had garnered some attention from the conference and was emailing a few places for representation, before finally landing a Literary Agent! (shout out to Lynnette Novak at the Seymour Agency!) While I had initially been searching specifically for art representation, being with a Literary agency opened the doors to write!
Had I ever thought about writing my own books? I mean, sure. In a dream maybe. I’d contributed to a friend’s blog sometimes and wrote silly poem emails to friends, but this was the first time I was being offered a door to walk through.
In the couple years leading up til now, I’ve been busy updating my illustration portfolio as well as writing! At the time of this post, I’ve finished 4 picture book manuscripts. Two of them garnered interest and got really close, but I haven’t locked in that contract yet. There is one I’m currently working on that I think is the best so far. I am cautiously optimistic!
With each manuscript I feel like I have a better handle on what makes a good picture book. It also helps that now I can buy books as a “work expense” HA! But seriously, go buy the books or head to your library!
So what does all of this mean for The Story Desk?
It’s a window into what it means to tell my personal story. A story doesn’t have to be in books. It can be in pictures, in thoughts, in experiences, in plans… A desk is merely a place where stories can be born. I decided to start this blog so I could share my ups and downs, all the cool things that happen, lessons learned, etc. I little desk of my own that is open for others to stop by for a visit.
Thank you all for choosing to be here and going through my little blurbs. I appreciate you! I hope this inspires you a little bit to start thinking about your own story and what it means for you.
If you’re open, I’d love to hear your story! What are some big moments that surprised you into taking a different direction than what you originally thought?
Sending all the good thoughts, You got this!
