Tuesday, November 17, 2015

INSIGHTS and INSPIRATION from AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR LINDSAY BARRETT GEORGE

Lindsay in her Studio
Dear Friends,

Please welcome my friend, the multi-talented Lindsay Barrett George, who offers a glimpse of the inner workings of a creative mind. Her thoughts will delight and inspire you! Now, here's LINDSAY and her writing pearls of wisdom. . . (Details for the book giveaway of Maggie's Ball at the bottom of the post!)

The idea for Maggie’s Ball came from a few sources:

 -- a Popeye sing-along from the 1950’s (follow the bouncing ball)

-- the Sony Bravia TV commercial – where you see thousands of bouncing colored balls
descending down a SF city street
 
--my friend Mary Maxon’s dog – Tobey, now gone – who would drop his favorite ball down the stairs and then catch it… the ball
                  bounced
                               and bounced
                                                  and bounced…
              Tobey loved playing ‘Fetch’, even if by himself

-- and, the fact that my puppy Maggie and I played ‘Fetch’ every day with her yellow ball (lots of bouncing!)

REVIEWS OF MAGGIE'S BALL:  
"A consistent, directional progression of the story, large, easy-to-read type, the challenge of finding the characters and naming the objects and places, and the gentle, sweet ending make Maggie’s adventure a perfect title for young readers, who will want their own pup to play with by tale’s end.” --Kirkus *starred* review

School Library Journal PreS—An eager little dog is looking for someone to play with when her ball bounces down a hill into town. A colorful spread shows the park and four buildings set around it, with many children and adults playing and going about their business. Maggie searches for her ball everywhere, circling the town and looking in all the shop windows. The illustrations are bright and big, as is the minimal text, making the oversize book a winner for preschool storytimes as well as for individual perusings where the ample small details will fascinate children. Eventually, Maggie ends up disconsolately resting near a bench occupied by a girl reading—but wait—is there a yellow ball next to the bench? The little girl asks Maggie to play ball with her, and the pup delightedly complies. The pictures of the dog bursting with joy and happiness when she finds her ball and a friend are priceless.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

Thoughts on Process. . .
There is no intelligent way to talk about the creative process. Great ideas – when they arrive - hang in the air. And ideas don’t come from me, but to me. I collect, store, safe-keep them… I let them simmer and out they pop!

You CANNOT lose faith in the fact that this process--this simmering--will happen - again.
It does …but in it’s own good time.
   
Some thoughtful words for readers/lovers of books for children
. . .Maybe that a picture book is its own ‘thing’… and that every stroke, every word is there because someone  - the author or illustrator – either painted it or wrote it. You start with a bank page and – you want to create an experience for a child, one stroke at a time. One word -- and it has to be the exact right word – one word at a time.

I LOVE making books for children – they are the best audience - and they believe in the magic that lies between the covers of a book. That expectation of something extraordinary that might happen –
when you turn a page… is part of why I love the bookmaking process. And of course, the children…to delight them and to connect with them – that’s the best part.

More about Lindsay and her wonderful picture books:
 Lindsay Barrett George’s books have been picked as Outstanding Science Books for Children,  American Bookseller Pick of the Lists, and have received Children’s Literature Choice Awards. Box Turtle at Long Pond was chosen as a Children’s Book of the Year by the Library of Congress.

Lindsay received the Carolyn Field Award (1989), and the Drexel Award (2007).  Inside Mouse/Outside Mouse was chosen as the first selection in Pennsylvania’s ‘One Book Every Young Child’ initiative.

Lindsay began her career in the children’s book field as a book designer in a New York City publishing house.  She has combined a fine arts background with her graphic design experience to produce books that, hopefully, make the animals she cares about come alive for children.

Lindsay lives with her husband, as well as a sweet mini-Dachshund, a big brown dog, 5 cats, and a very handsome duck in Northeast Pa. For more about Lindsay, her books, and her school visits, check out her website: lindsaybarrettgeorge.com 

The #Giveaway: Lindsay is generously donating a signed copy of Maggie's Ball to one lucky reader, and it can be personalized just for YOU! All you have to do for a chance to win is leave a comment on the post. Winner will be announced on Saturday, November 21st. Thanks for stopping by!









24 comments:

  1. Maggie sure keeps you fetching and writing. :) Now you need to write a story about Molly. You're right about one thing. Stories comes from everyday life.

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    1. Thanks, Gayle, for stopping by. I agree. Wouldn't Molly make a great companion book for Maggie's?

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  2. I remember when this book released. Such a sweet, satisfying story. Thanks for giving us some background and letting us meet the creator.

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    1. So nice to hear from you, Kristin! Thank you for your thoughtful comment. Your name is entered in the contest.

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  3. Hi Lindsay! Maggie is precious and your description of the creative process is gold. There is no one thing that makes or inspires a story for me. Anything I "create" comes from so many threads of life. Sometimes we just have to wait until they are ready to come together.

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    1. Love your comment about the writing life, Mary Ann. I agree that Lindsay's description is Gold, and Maggie is, indeed, precious. Your name is entered in the contest!

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  4. Would love to win this book for my granddaughter who hasn't met a dog who isn't her friend. Sign me up and thanks!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Carol! Your granddaughter must be a joyful child! Your name goes into the drawing for the book.

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  5. Thanks for sharing this, Clara! I love the way you celebrate other authors and their creativity. This looks like a fun one! :)

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    1. And you are always kind, Susie! Thanks for stopping by to say hello. Maggie's Ball is a great book. Your name goes in for the drawing.

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    1. You'd love it, Emily! I'm putting your name in for the drawing!

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  7. I have this lovely book, compliments of Highlights summer camp. It is a sweet and fun story. Thank you for bringing it into the world, Lindsay!

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    1. So nice to hear from you, Jilanne! Summer Camp was wonderful, wasn't it? Maggie is a treasure!

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  8. This sounds like a sweet book. Thanks for the give a way and for telling us about your process for writing. I like your phrase - and they believe in the magic that lies between the covers of a book.

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by, Janet. I agree with you that Lindsay touched on what makes writing for children so special! Your name goes in for the drawing!

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  9. "You CANNOT lose faith in the fact that this process--this simmering--will happen - again. It does …but in it’s own good time." Good advice to remember! Thanks for sharing. --Jamie Michalak

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  10. So delighted that you stopped by, Jamie! Thank you. Hope the simmering is happening for you.

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  11. Loved this interview... some great quotes in there for aspiring authors and illustrators!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, K.L. Lindsay's insights are inspiring and quotable! Your name goes in for the drawing.

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  12. I have this book signed by Lindsay! Great comments and very inspiring!
    I love Lindsay as much as I love Clara! Two exceptional authors!

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    1. Thank you, dear Susan! We love you, too! Hope to see you soon. We'll be at Winterfest! :D

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