This
is the beginning—the beginning and the middle. It's a first time
blogging in earnest. (Try to overlook rusty writing skills and
disorganized thoughts.) It's the middle of production on a children's
picture book. (I'll call it a storybook from here on out, but it is,
in fact, a picture book heavy on story.)
These
pages will chronicle the completion of that book, a story about a
very young detective and his companion who happens to be the family
dog.
I
am Otto, the illustrator.
The
project is in fact two-fold: 1) print our book and 2) convert that
book into an interactive storybook for tablets. If there is a third
step it is simply to conquer
the world.
I
came to this project in May of 2012 with a call or email (I don't
remember which) from a friend I met during my Art Institute of
Seattle student days, Keith Sjoquist. Over a pitcher of beer at the
Wedgwood Alehouse he explained how he and his good buddy Steven had
begun writing what they wanted to be an interactive storybook for
tablet devices. I knew next to nothing about the medium and what
titles were on the market.
I
wondered, was I the right person for this project?
At
that time, I had no real experience in creative collaboration. Also,
I had no idea if Keith and Steven could write. I knew Keith had a lot
of interesting ideas and a capacity to try different things — to
think big, to follow his creative whim. He is warm, charming and a
natural leader. I could tell he was excited about the kid's book
idea. I was wary but curious. He invited me to a meeting about the
project at his place. Surely, it would be a fun time. I said yes.
Every
other week or so, in a cozy cedar shake shack behind Keith's house, I
met with Chad, our graphic designer, and with Steven who I hadn't
seen since he roomed with Keith during our AIS years. That was 8
years ago.
That
night Keith and Steven shared what they had in mind for the story and
how it would be interactive. I can't remember if they had anything
written. The story was still just a seed: a young child detective
that tries to solve mysteries despite his lack of experience and
reasoning power. The reader would know who-done-it before the
detective. The working title of the book was The World's Worst
Toddler Detective.
I
imagine I was hooked right away. Or maybe I wasn't really hooked
until I started designing the characters. This was four years ago, so
it's hard to recall.
So,
why is the book not finished yet? -you might ask. It's one of those
things. Speaking only for myself, and quite candidly, I have suffered
from a severe case of procrastination which stems from a sort of
performance anxiety. Sure I have had a lot of things going on in my
life and not a ton of free time. I could have done the drawings
necessary for this book to be completed several times over if I had
been determined and able to conquer my procrastination.
You
might say that it's because of this works importance to me that it
has taken so long. It's all about anxiety. The story of me completing
this book, (the writing was completed long ago) is going to be about
me finishing a big personal project in the face of my anxieties and
doubts. Hurrah!
Funny
thing... I have gotten divorced, met a new partner and had a baby boy
in the last few years. New beginnings! Young Desmond and his mama are
my guiding inspiration and motivation to see this dream through. It's
too good of a thing to let slip through my fingers. I want the pride
and satisfaction of reading this book to my boy.
--
Next entry: The rest of our origin story and why we are focusing on a
printed book --
