Meet the Illustrator

Today the kids and I got to meet Brett Helquist, famed in our house for being the illustrator of the Lemony Snicket Books. Evie had her book signed (Book 11 - I was glad she did not take all of them as a surprising number of kids did). We looked around the gallery at his paintings. They are pretty impressive to view full size. They appear brighter and more vivid than they do on the books. As well, the illustrations for his own book, Roger the Jolly Pirate, were on display. Then we got to listen to him talk about his illustrations and he had a question and answer session at the end. My two younger kids got a little bored with it, but Evie was very attentive and even asked a number of thoughtful, articulate questions. She told me on the way home that she thought she might become a reporter.

Anyway, what I got most from his talk was the time and dedication it takes even once you are a successful illustrator. He talked about working eight hours a day, every day. Just like a real job... hmmm... Not that this surprises me. My own successes as a writer have only come when I've approached it with the regular, steady dedication I would give a job.

My job: novelist.

Problem is, right now it's one of many jobs. Not an insurmountable issue. Not an excuse. Just a priority I need to keep in focus.