December 1, 2017

Illustrator Jo Painter on Creativity, Freelancing, and Breaking Into the Game Industry

Jo Painter is a freelance illustrator, concept artist, and animator whose creative journey began with little more than MS Paint, a computer mouse, and a determination to improve. Since then, she has worked with authors and companies around the world while building a portfolio aimed at the video game industry. In this interview, we discuss artistic growth, freelancing, client relationships, animation, technology, creativity, and what aspiring artists can learn from building a career in a competitive field.

November 4, 2017

Lessons on Writing, Discipline, and Publishing from Science Fiction Author Thane Keller

My brother, Thane Keller, is a science fiction author, U.S. Army veteran, husband, and father. His experiences serving in Iraq and Afghanistan have influenced both his worldview and the stories he writes. In this interview, we discuss self-publishing, writing discipline, military influence on storytelling, building fictional worlds, and what aspiring authors can learn from the long process of finishing books. Although this conversation took place in 2017, many of the lessons about persistence, creativity, and craftsmanship remain just as relevant today.

September 1, 2017

How to Make Time for Your Goals When Life Feels Busy

Most people don't fail to achieve their goals because they lack ambition. They fail because life gets busy. Work expands. Family responsibilities grow. Unexpected obligations appear. Before long, the goals that once felt important get pushed further and further into the background. The challenge is that meaningful goals rarely arrive with extra time attached to them. If we want to make progress, we often have to intentionally create space for what matters rather than waiting for a perfect schedule that never arrives.

August 31, 2017

Why The Terrible PLOP Is Such an Effective Children’s Book

The Terrible PLOP by Ursula Dubosarsky, illustrated by Andrew Joyner, is one of those children's books that proves first impressions can be misleading. At first glance, I wasn't sure what to expect. The title felt odd, the cover didn't immediately grab my attention, and I assumed the story would be fairly forgettable. I was wrong. Beneath the unusual title is a clever picture book that combines humor, suspense, rhyme, and an important lesson about fear and group behavior.

August 28, 2017

Why Sam and Dave Dig a Hole Is Such a Brilliant Children’s Book

Some children’s books entertain for a few minutes and are quickly forgotten. Others stay with both children and adults long after the final page. Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen, is one of those rare picture books. Beneath its simple premise is a surprisingly clever lesson in suspense, storytelling, illustration, curiosity, and perseverance.

August 27, 2017

Stop Perfecting Every Sentence – Just Share Your Story

It's been said every sentence is a persuasive argument that succeeds or fails in convincing the reader to read the next. Agree or disagree?

Frankly, I don't agree (completely) because the reader is complex, having a multi-dimensional purpose for reading. One aspect may be truly that each good sentence does cause the reader to continue on. But at the same time, the reader, once personally invested through time, money, promise, or any other act of will may continue reading not for that purposes alone. I listen to audio books during my commute. I have literally finished books only to be able to say I finished them, not because they provided some revolutionary insight or emotional experience. I simply wanted to finish what I started.

August 24, 2017

R.J. Batla on Writing Fantasy, Self-Publishing, and Creative Growth

R.J. Batla was one of the first authors I connected with while building my own author platform. Over the years, he has been a genuine encouragement and friend throughout the publishing journey. A lifelong fan of fantasy, worldbuilding, and storytelling, R.J. writes epic fantasy inspired by imagination, family, faith, and adventure. In this interview, we discuss creative growth, self-publishing, writing discipline, and what aspiring authors can learn from the long road of becoming a writer.

August 23, 2017

Why Writers and Illustrators Struggle With Rejection (and How to Push Through It)

Depression is a very real, very damaging, very painful experience that can be short term or long term and have long lasting consequences. This perspective of author depression in no way is intended to come across flippantly as if to compare on the same level as chronic or acute depression. An author, however, can learn a great deal about how to process the feelings and thoughts encountered during the road to publication by examining depressive symptoms.