The "Writing Graphic Novels" SCBWI Presentation is Good-To-Go!

My presentation on "Writing Graphic Novels" for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators summer conference is ready! During my two workshops at the past winter conference in New York, I had so many questions about writing graphic novels that it proved that many writers don't quite know where to start. So this presentation won't disappoint! It's PACKED with information. After an overview of the industry and the role of writers in it, we'll zip right into the heart of the matter: what's specific to writing good graphic novels? From dialogues and voices to economy of style, from speech balloons to voice-over boxes, from word sounds to timing speech for drama, from the relationship of text and images to "silent" comics, and tons more! In the end, we'll look into manuscript formats and submissions, as well as tips for collaborating with artists. With so much info, I am creating handouts for my attendees so they can focus on the presentation rather than on beating records of speed-note-taking! It's happening this Sunday August 5th, at 10:45am in Los Angeles. Register here!

Comic-Con '07: Packed!

On the opening "Preview Night" of the 2007 San Diego Comic-Con last night, you couldn't help but bump into people in the aisles EVERYWHERE! On past Comic-Cons, "Preview Night" was laid back and you could stride through the halls and get to any booth in a jiffy. Not this year! It's official: the Comic-Con halls are a JUNGLE! And attending the Comic-Con is a contact sport!! I still managed to catch up with a lot of friends and bought Flight 4, which looks terrific and has some new exciting artists!

Private Yankee Doodle 10,000 Feet in the Air

On the plane to my Midwest excursion, after reading parts of Martin Plumb's adventures as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, I sketched this little fellow.

Holidays are Over! Back to Business!

Back from a trip in the Midwest (with the free Librivox audiobook of the Wizard of Oz in the car and the renovated Lincoln Presidential Library as some of the big highlights!). One week till the Comic-Con and two until the SCBWI summer conference! And tomorrow is the O.C. Illustrators Group meeting! Can you say "busy?"

Kite Tales Features Children's Graphic Novel Article

The friendly team at Kite Tales (the newsletter of the SCBWI Tri-Regions of Southern California), invited me to contribute an article on children's graphic novels. It's out in the Summer 2007 issue. The title? "Is Creating a Graphic Novel Right for Me?" In it, readers get to ask themselves a few questions to see if their heart is in children's comics (rather than merely jumping on the band wagon). Then comes a list of tips to improves one's knowledge of the art of crafting comics.

So, is creating a children's graphic novel right for you? Go read the article!

(A big thanks to Caroline Hatton and Mary Peterson for making this article happen!)

Happy Birthday to the USA!

Thanks for all the wonderful opportunities!

Happy Birthday to U... Happy Birthday to USA!