Imagination
In Buddhism - budhi means to awaken or enlightened.
Awaken your mind and let your imagination run wild with creativity and passion. If it’s not one of your traits, then by all means, work on it. Possessing extraordinary skills and lacking in creativity and imagination is useless.
“Everything ever created or built was first mentally envisioned, through imagination, if the element of imagination is missing, other qualities will be held useless.” –Napoleon Hill. To be able to write and illustrate, first you must use your imagination. Imagination and passion lead to creativity and with creativity an idea is born. Talent without imagination and creativity is useless. Write everyday. Write anything and everything. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t make sense as long as you are writing something. The same goes for illustrations. Keep doodling. Keep a sketchbook with you, and scribble something in it. Carry a camera with you at all times. Remember the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Never leave home without a camera. One of the pictures you take may well be the inspiration for your next book.
Creativity
To be creative is a gift, and to come up with great ideas and to act upon them, is a greater gift. Think like a child. Try to see things through a child’s eyes if you want to write for children. It’s great to be a kid at heart, to be forever young! I have only come across a few people who have this ability. When an idea comes to mind, write it down immediately. Work on it and listen to your gut feeling. Take the first step no matter how small it is, and the rest will follow. Own a copy of Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, and read it over and over again. I hope this book helps you discover yourself and find your true passion for writing, illustrating and publishing. Maybe it will inspire a personal memoir for your family or a hit novel.
There is an optical illusion called The Old Women and The Young Lady. One of these days, I hope to see that old woman. Honestly, no matter how hard I try, I still have yet to see her. It is said that the person who sees the young lady sees the glass half full. As far as I’m concerned, my glass is always full.
Nonsense
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines nonsense as, “words or language having no meaning or conveying no intelligible ideas; language, conduct, or an idea that is absurd or contrary to good sense; an instance of absurd action. Nonsense has correct grammatical composition and spelling; however, the words are not put together in a normal order.”
I love nonsense. I am always writing it down. It helps me concentrate, and I refer to my nonsense writing for inspiration and motivation. I laugh at it and wonder what I was thinking when I wrote it down. If you ask me, I’d say “nonsense” is great for the imagination and creativity.
Positivity and Personality
Surround yourself with positive, honest people who can contribute to your goals and encourage your achievements. Stay away from anything negative including friends and relatives. Anything is possible in this world. If you believe in something and want it badly, you will get it. Remember, every situation has a solution.
Don’t listen to any negative feedback from anyone. You have to draw strength from positive people who believe in your success. If you have the passion and want to do something badly, go ahead and act on it today, right now. Be focused and set achievable goals. Know your strengths and limitations.
Keep smiling, be happy and be pleasant to others. Be kind to other human beings and treat them with respect and humility. Help others every chance you get without asking for anything in return. Take charge of a situation, and be a leader. Approach every situation with anticipation and determination. Be proactive and stay focused on your goals. Do your research, and educate yourself. Make decisions swiftly and stick to them. There is no room for procrastination and fickle-mindedness. Be firm in your beliefs.
My style of writing and choosing illustrations for my work
Imagination – Inspiration – Creation – Passion – Goal Setting – Publish – Accomplishment – Bliss – Prize
I write from inspiration, personal experience and imagination. I create my work with passion paying attention to every single detail. I set achievable goals to publish my work within a stipulated time frame. When I hold my book in my hands, I thank my archangels for my blissful accomplishments, and I reap the rewards of my success. Now for the question of who would buy my books? I would buy my books, and I actually do.
As an author of children’s books, I read many books for children and young adults.
From time to time, someone will ask me how to write a children’s book. I will ask if the person reads children’s books or likes children. Usually the person has never read any children’s books and has no idea what children read.
I would like to classify adults into three categories:
- Firstly, there are adults who can connect with children, remember and relate to their childhood and cherish all the good times. This adult is forever young at heart and gets excited at the sight of a squirrel scurrying for nuts, is mesmerized by the sight of a snowfall, and is still excited celebrating a 55th birthday. Ever wondered why some people look much younger than their age?
- Secondly, there is the child who is born an adult and an adult he remains never having known the treasures of a childhood joy even though he has had a great childhood.
- Lastly, there is the full-grown adult who tries very hard to reconnect with her childhood just so she can write children’s books. She will research, read books and interview people to regain the childhood feeling.
Which category do you fall into? Who do you think will be the better children’s book writer?
Writing for children is a serious business because children should be taken very seriously.
Writing comes easily to some and not to others.
Illustrating a children’s book can’t be done by just anyone. Children’s book illustrators are a special breed of people. They connect with the story. The pictures compliment the story in a children’s book. I have done exactly this in Bunica’s Tomatoes. All the ideas and the design elements were created meticulously with the child as the reader in mind. During my writing process, the pictures are running in my mind which is why I can’t give my manuscript to just anyone to illustrate my story.