by Sarah Frances HardyNovember 8, 2010 9:36 am
As an author/illustrator of picture books, my process for creating picture book characters involves a constant back and forth between my keyboard and sketchbook. I have to “draw them out.”
I start with my keyboard, and the first thing I do is ask myself lots of questions about my main character.
I get pretty specific and allow for the unexpected to pop in. Don’t we all love a character with some weird little surprising personality quirk?
When I finally hit upon the perfect character who has her own unique gumbo of personality traits, then it’s time to pull out the sketchbook. I draw facial expressions and hairdos. Wardrobes and bedrooms. I really get to know my character visually–I need to be able to see how she likes to stand (arms crossed protectively in front or hands sassily on hips), what she likes to wear (tie dyed t-shirts or tutus), and what things she loves to do (ballet or tai kwon do).
Then I think about objects that would inhabit her world. Little details scattered in the illustrations of a picture book help create a rich character, kind of like the world building writers do when writing fantasy stories. I just do my world building visually–actually drawing a world with beds and chairs and clothes and people. For me, visualizing my world is a necessary step before I begin to think about writing plot. I like to have my stage set and my characters in full costume before I turn them loose to tell me their stories.
If I’ve done my job, then my main character and how she relates to the world will lead me to a plot. There will be something in her personality that stands out, and it’s up to me to put something in her way. For example, if she really hates something–like sports. I make her put on a pair of soccer cleats and play. Or, if she’s really embarrassed about something–like her frilly blankie that she sleeps with every night. I make sure someone exposes her at a spend-the-night party.
I ask myself “What’s the worst thing that can happen to my main character based on her unique personality?” And, then I do it to her (I know–I’m such a meanie!). But, since I’m an illustrator, I do this visually. I draw the way she would stand if forced to put on full soccer gear. I draw her reaction to being exposed at the party.
And, this conflicted character that I’ve pulled out, drawn out, of her comfort zone, leads me back to my keyboard to bang out a story . . .
Sarah Frances Hardy, a Southern girl living in Oxford, Mississippi, took an early retirement from practicing law to paint and write full time. She has exhibited her work in galleries throughout the Southeast as well as in New York. Her corporate clients include Steve Wynn who purchased several of Sarah Frances’s paintings for the Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Sarah Frances’s debut picture book, pitched as “Wednesday Addams meets Fancy Nancy”, which she wrote and illustrated will be published by Viking Children’s Books in 2012. Sarah Frances also writes middle grade novels which are set in the South. She is inspired by her three daughters, who each couldn’t be more different.
Sarah Frances is represented by Joanna Volpe at Nancy Coffey Literary and Media Representation. Learn more about Sarah Frances Hardy at her website www.sfhardy.com and her blog www.plotthis.blogspot.com.
Posted by Tara Lazar
Categories: Children's Writing, PiBoIdMo 2010, Picture Books, Writing for Children
Tags: Sarah Frances Hardy
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I just love it that you used to eat cool whip sandwiches 🙂
Very good article and as an illustrator, it opens up my approach for character development! Thank you!
By Pam Jones on November 8, 2010 at 10:01 am
Thank you so very much! It is such a revelation! You have no idea how much you have helped me with this amazingly honest post.
By Diāna on November 8, 2010 at 10:01 am
Even though I can’t draw (much to my displeasure), I think this is a great way to go about a picture book for just-writers too! Character is so important and starting there is perfect!
Thanks for the great article!!
By Megan K. Bickel on November 8, 2010 at 10:36 am
Really interesting to see a book start from a character, thanks for sharing and beautiful illos btw.
By Catherine Johnson on November 8, 2010 at 12:00 pm
What a great post! I’m a wannabe author/illustrator, so I found it very helpful. I like all the questions you ask yourself.
By Melissa Liban on November 8, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Thanks for the great post, Sarah. I like the questions suggestion. I often find myself doodling while I’m writing in my notebook. I’m not an illustrator, but I think doodling out a character can be helpful when writing PB manuscripts–even for the artistically challenged. 🙂 Thanks again!
By Rachel on November 8, 2010 at 1:13 pm
I doubt I can draw anything that matches what’s in my head (though I used to be okay at drawing.) However, a character sketch/mind map kind of thing would be awesome!
I don’t usually do character development for PBs like I would for a MG. I really should!
Right after I read this post, a tweet popped up from someone and gave me a great idea for three little girls I need to check out. I just have names now, and a setting. Time to develop their personalities.
By Stephenie Hovland on November 8, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Great post, Sarah!! 🙂
By JoSVolpe on November 8, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Great post! I have been doing that this year for PiBo and it has really helped me develop my story more. I have a sketchbook just for PiBo ideas. Thank you for your post!
By Loni Edwards on November 8, 2010 at 3:09 pm
OMG. so cool, SF! Now I want to do a collaboration with you more then ever!
By Corey SChwartz on November 8, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Yay, SF!! I love that you were showcased for PiBo – that’s awesome! And I can’t wait to buy your book! 🙂
By Shannon O'Donnell on November 8, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Great post!! I love the question you ask yourself! It’s true; all characters are so different and they have to have likes and dislikes–should I say characteristic we like and dislike. LOL
By Sheri A. Larsen on November 8, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Sarah,
Your questions are awesome, I call it my character interview. I sit down with each one and find out who they are before I write about who they are.
Great article and illustrations!
Connie Mustang
By Connie Mustang on November 8, 2010 at 5:10 pm
I love the questions you ask yourself about your character! I often think of a character by sketching them the best I can to see how their personality unfolds. A lot of my pbs are about animals so I see how I can create a personality in my characters (even though I cannot draw very well!) and from there find their name.
I had never really asked questions about them but think it is a really good idea!
Thanks again!!
PS – my favourite sandwich was called a ‘fairy’ sandwich and was bread, butter and hundreds and thousands!!
By Kathleen Isaac on November 8, 2010 at 5:11 pm
A great post. Love the insight into how Sarah comes up with her characters and stories using both her writer and illustrator brains. 🙂
By Debbie Ridpath Ohi on November 8, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Thanks for all the great comments!! And, thanks Tara–this is fun.
sf
By Sarah Frances Hardy on November 8, 2010 at 6:11 pm
What a fantastic post, SF! Even I didn’t know you did all this 🙂 Great advice!
By Katie Anderson on November 8, 2010 at 11:05 pm
This is fabulous! I can’t draw a straight line, but I also ask my characters some questions–some the same, some different. Though I can’t really draw, I wonder if I can use mental imagery instead to see my characters the way you do. I’m going to have to try it.
Thanks so much. Best of luck!
Cheryl
By ccgevry on November 8, 2010 at 11:07 pm
Thanks, Sarah -a really interesting post -including for a non-illustrator like me!
By J Clare Bell on November 9, 2010 at 5:46 am
Sarah, what a fascinating and helpful post. Thank you! I was drawn into your process, and your way of describing it.
I’m a plot-firster, but have been wanting to try the character-first approach. I adore what you said about imagining the worst that could happen to her based upon her personality and dropping the bomb. YES!!! So helpful.
By Heather Kephart on November 9, 2010 at 9:52 am
When I was teaching middle school English, one of my favorite lesson plans was “The Bedroom.” The kids would construct a pocket sized, foldable room, and they would draw all the little details of their MC’s room: toys, decor, pets, messy/clean, etc. You can really get to know someone when you see where they live, you know?
I love Sarah’s questionnaire. It’s a great way to go about creating a character sketch.
By Diandra Mae on November 9, 2010 at 3:00 pm
I just LOVED this, Sarah! You reminded me what a fantastic job I have and how fun it is to interview fictional people :). Thanks so much!
By Lynne Marie on November 9, 2010 at 8:13 pm
What a fun, creative idea to step away from the keyboard to draw the characters in their world. Although, mine would not look like yours. 🙂
By Catherine Denton on November 10, 2010 at 10:56 am
Yay Sarah!!! So happy to see you here on this blog!!! Fantastic post!!
By Kelly H-Y on November 10, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Thanks so much for the great post! My agent just told me recently that character-driven picture books are really in demand – now you’ve given me the tools to create a fantastic character! Ah, if only I could draw 😦
By Lori on November 10, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Hey – I ate frosting sandwiches on white bread! It was that kind of frosting that you squirted out of a can. Drove my mother crazy, so I only ate them when she was out running errands and left me watching The Price is Right – lol!
By Julie on November 10, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Interesting process! I always start with the problem, so it’s really neat to see how other authors’ minds work. I would never have guessed that you draw your character and do your world-building before you even have the plot; but then again, I’m not an illustrator. Thanks for sharing!
By Ishta Mercurio-Wentworth on November 10, 2010 at 10:13 pm
I never really looked at how I develop the story, but now I realize that I develop the character first, as well. However, since stick figures are the extent of my drawing skills, I start my character development in the form of a diary and just let the character channel through me. Thanks for your thoughts.
Judith
By Judith on November 11, 2010 at 5:08 pm