by Kelly Light
I had written a completely different post here for PiBoIdMo. I attempted to compare the PiBoIdMo experience to my old Zenith console radio. All about tuning in to our own stations. I may yet throw it up on my own blog. I was about to start a drawing for it…
Then I went to The Eric Carle Museum and listened to the epic cartoonist Jules Feiffer talk about creating. After this weekend, it seems unfair to not let others in on his brilliant analogy for his own long career as an author and illustrator.
At the risk of likening myself to his 82 years of creating amazing words and picture; He and I had a moment. He doesn’t know we had a moment. But we had a Fred Astaire moment.
I was watching two squirrels earlier this Fall, as they romped through my yard. The way their feet barely touch the ground. The circled each other, intertwining their tails as they glided from grass, to rock, to tree limb. Their movements so smooth and elegant and effortless. They made me think of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers. So I sketched them.
Back to Jules;
Jules Feiffer grew up in the time when Fred and Ginger danced on the big screen. Just a young boy when the films were new in the cinema, the movies entered his consciousness in a very deep way. He relates those sublime sways and quick steps to his own career as a creative being.
“Fred Astaire made elegance look easy. He made it look easy because he worked at it constantly. He didn’t dance for the applause- he danced to dance. It was his work, it was what he did everyday, it was him. How long was he actually dancing for, four minutes? He put countless hours in for those four minutes on screen.” ~ Jules Feiffer
When Mr. Feiffer sits down to draw, He pours himself a scotch, puts on a Fred Astaire movie—and the music swells… and he dances. Both he and his pen. We look at his drawings and marvel at how effortless they look.
If you are unfamiliar with his work, you can check out Mr. Jules Feiffer’s work here: http://www.julesfeiffer.com/
So I am putting on my top hat, tyin’ up my white tie… brushin’ off my tails for PiBoIdMo with this notion in my head—If you put in the hard work, it will look easy. But it takes that hard work—the hours and hours of continually doing it, backstage, to make it seem effortless, on stage. You have to rehearse, mess up, trip and fall on your face, over and over before you can have your stories go stepping’ out. So revel in the work!
Dance to dance. Draw to draw. Write to write.
Dance like Astaire—on paper.
I am thrilled to give away a print of the dancing squirrels to a dancin’ PiBoIdMo participant! Just leave a comment to enter and we’ll randomly draw a winner one week from today. (Tara’s note: click on the bottom image to see the entire illustration in full size—trust me, you want to do this!!!)
Thanks to Tara Lazar for the gift of PiBoIdMo. You’ve created the space for us to dance!
128 comments
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November 8, 2011 at 8:04 am
diane kress hower
Kelly – Thanks for the inspirational post. Keep on dancing!
November 8, 2011 at 8:06 am
Beth Ferry
Love the imagery – and the image!
November 8, 2011 at 8:13 am
DianaM
Thank you for today’s inspiration. And what a gorgeous illustration!
So true about the effort it takes to make something look easy.
November 8, 2011 at 8:14 am
Beth G
Very inspirational! I was just watching 2 squirrels in my own yard, and a pair of mourning doves. Both dancing! 🙂 And what a wonderful illustration!!!
November 8, 2011 at 8:18 am
Jennifer Kirkeby
Kelly, you and I just had a moment. Absolutely lovely. Thank you so much for sharing your blog and your amazing squirrel dancers! As a former dancer, as well as someone who still works in the theatre, your blog especially hit home for me. Sometimes when we start something (oh, say like writing), we expect it to be easy. We have that initial burst of energy like a kid who KNOWS they can do anything. But it is about the work. And the work. And the work. I’m going to go look at squirrels now. And when my husband wakes up, well, he might just be expected to do a dance with me in the kitchen!
November 8, 2011 at 8:19 am
Cathy Mealey
Smooth as silk! I’ve always loved the quote that Ginger did everything Fred did, except backwards and on high heels!
Thanks for the inspirational post and the encouragement to keep up with the hard work!
November 8, 2011 at 8:20 am
Mona Pease
Thanks for your post to PiBoIdMo-all I can say is Dance Dance Dance!!!
November 8, 2011 at 8:20 am
Cindy
Just goes to show that inspiration is everywhere. We are practically bathing in it, but we need to get our heads out of the mundane and find that quiet portal to the muse.
November 8, 2011 at 8:20 am
aneducationinbooks
I like this line: Dance to dance. Draw to draw. Write to write.
Thanks!
November 8, 2011 at 8:22 am
jeannie brett
thank you Kelly for the reminder….it is the process and all the hard work (or play, however you look at it) that makes the finished piece appear so effortless.
back to work/play!
I LOVE your squirrels!
November 8, 2011 at 8:22 am
pascale mackey (@pascalemackey)
Let’s dance!
November 8, 2011 at 8:23 am
Sophie
Love the illustration! Great inspiration too!
November 8, 2011 at 8:24 am
Megan K. Bickel
Fab! I love this mental picture and real possibility. Dance!
P.S. I love squirrels so much!!
November 8, 2011 at 8:24 am
Beth E Lee
I absolutely love the connections you make to other art forms as inspiration for your drawing and our writing. (I turn to music, art, and film when I’m stuck too.) There are so many things that can spark an idea, you just have to be open to making those connections. Your post shows why PiBoIdMo is so important. As writers, we should hold onto all the ideas we come up with, even the ridiculous ones, because they just might be the most brilliant ideas later down the track… well done, thank you and I love the squirrels!
November 8, 2011 at 8:31 am
Donna Martin
I was struggling last night…a long, hard day in the real world and not enough energy to full appreciate the world of my own making. I went to bed disappointed in my efforts, wondering if I have taken on too much this month with both PiBoIdMo and NaNoWriMo. After reading your post, Kelly, I realize I have forgotten one important thing about myself and that is I am the most determined person I know when it comes to my passions. I had momentarily forgotten that great things come at great cost and why should I think great works of writing should be any different? Thank you for giving me the inspiration to put my ballet shoes back on and get out there and dance!!!
November 8, 2011 at 8:36 am
Bev Patt
One of my favorite picture books of all time is Jules Feiffer’s BARK, GEORGE! And what a true thing – to work hard ‘back stage’ to make the final performance look effortless. Thank you for this supportive post, and for the darling, dancing squirrels!
(Being knee-deep in a novel, I am only ‘auditing’ PiBoIdMo;)
November 8, 2011 at 8:36 am
Bonnie Adamson
Thank you for sharing the wisdom of a master–but what I’ll take away from this post is the joy in your own illustration. Pure delight.
And you make it look so easy.
November 8, 2011 at 8:42 am
PiBoIdMo Day 8: Kelly Light Stays Light on Her Feet (plus a giveaway!) | BESTTOPIC | It's a News site
[…] here to read the rest: PiBoIdMo Day 8: Kelly Light Stays Light on Her Feet (plus a giveaway!) Read […]
November 8, 2011 at 8:54 am
The Ink Pond
Lovely, lovely, lovely! Inspired and editing at this moment!
Tia Svardahl
November 8, 2011 at 8:58 am
Tamara Smith
I love this, Kelly. What you say makes sense, of course… we need to work hard to make the work organic and intuitive and better. But I have never thought of it as a dance, and I just LOVE that image. Somehow it makes me feel less alone and less overwhelmed as I practice and practice my craft…because the music is there, infusing me and my work, carrying us, inspiring us. So so cool.
And boy, you can really see how Jules Feiffer’s art was influenced by Fred Astaire, right? His lines are so fluid and…well…dance-y!
Thank you.
November 8, 2011 at 8:58 am
Lynn
Your squirrels made me laugh — they’re delightful in their passionate abandonment. I had forgotten how I love the dance, although I don’t consider myself to be a dancer. I love to just move to the music, feel it and relax into it. That is what you inspired in me this morning. I am one who has once again taken on NaNoWriMo and PiBoIdMo, but this year life’s added stresses have effectively cramped my Muse. Now, maybe she can be free to dance!
Thank you, Kelly … and Tara. 🙂
November 8, 2011 at 9:01 am
Kathleen Cornell Berman
Wonderful post. I love the way you connected to Fred and Ginger. Hard work will help my words dance across the page.
November 8, 2011 at 9:03 am
M. G. King
For all those manuscripts returned with a polite “no thank you,” along with the ones that end up in the drawer, I’ll have to remind myself that it’s all necessary backstage work. Hope everyone has fun writing today!
November 8, 2011 at 9:08 am
Betsy Devany
Love the squirrels! Your delightful illustration led me to a picture book idea! Thanks for sharing! Betsy
November 8, 2011 at 9:08 am
Marcie Colleen
Thank you! After a frustrating critique in my writing class last night, I needed this! Revel in the work. Brilliantly said! Its those moments backstage that create magic onstage. Thank you for reminding me of this! Now, on to more backstage work. 🙂
November 8, 2011 at 9:09 am
Kathy May
Yes, yes, and yes! Great analogy! Inspiring words! I can feel the passion in this post and hope to create some of my own.
November 8, 2011 at 9:15 am
Catherine Johnson
Those squirrels are fantastic and so are Jules Feiffer’s illustrations, so fluid and theatrical. Great post!
November 8, 2011 at 9:21 am
jan
Thank you for the reaffirmation of what true creativity means. Although we all want the next contract etc., it’s in the process of crafting our work that true beauty shines forth.
November 8, 2011 at 9:23 am
Loni Edwards
Great post Kelly! You are right, hard work does pay off. Oh, I love Jules Feiffer’s work. And your dancing squirrels are wonderful! You captured their movement perfectly.
November 8, 2011 at 9:23 am
Diana Delosh
Great Post Kelly – You and Jules did indeed have a Fred Astaire moment. Love your admonishment to “revel in your work!” Love your Fred & Ginger Squirrel Illo – you absolutely captured their grace and energy. Lovely and dynamic. Bravo!
November 8, 2011 at 9:27 am
Camlin
What a wonderful way to create. Love the squirrels.
Camlin
November 8, 2011 at 9:29 am
Mary Z
Love squirrels! Love Fred and Ginger! Love Feiffer! thanks Kelly for bringing them all together.
November 8, 2011 at 9:35 am
angelapenadahle
How lovely! I love this bit: “Dance to dance. Draw to draw. Write to write.
Dance like Astaire—on paper.”
AND what darling squirrels! I’m in love. Now where are my dancing shoes…
Thanks for the inspiration! Taken to ♥ so easily by one so eager to work hard. I hope we all are eager to do just that, work hard to make things look effortless. 🙂 *swoon*
November 8, 2011 at 9:41 am
elizabethannewrites
Put in the work backstage so that the moments onstage appear easy and effortless — what a wonderful image! Many of my books include the arts in one way or another, so my characters are learning about the hard work it takes to act, sing or dance, and the joy when it all comes together — as I write this morning, I’ll think of Fred and Ginger (and the squirrels) (and Jules) (and you), and make sure I put in work worthy of all of them.
Thank you. And thank you for the link to your delightful blog!
November 8, 2011 at 9:41 am
Keri Collins Lewis (@redwriterhood)
Thanks for the wonderful reminder that what *looks* easy is the product of dedication, practice, and passion. My husband and I watched “Shall We Dance” last month and loved the chemistry between the two dancers. You’ve captured their grace and charm perfectly in your squirrels. My fingers are crossed — I really want to win!
November 8, 2011 at 9:48 am
Janet O'Neil
Thank you, Kelly. I love to dance (not necessarily well) and have never associated it with writing picture books. You’ve given me a whole new view on this beautiful world of writing for children.
November 8, 2011 at 9:48 am
Janet
Those squirrels are whimsical and dance right into your heart. Thanks for the inspiration.
November 8, 2011 at 9:52 am
Hope Anita Smith
I love to dance, the hard part is letting my characters take the lead!
November 8, 2011 at 10:01 am
Jennifer Rumberger
I could totally picture the squirrels dancing like Fred and Ginger. What a great illustration and post!
November 8, 2011 at 10:06 am
Angela Matteson
Kelly, your squirrels are sooooooooo fabulous!!!!!! 😀
November 8, 2011 at 10:06 am
karien naude
Wow I feel like dancing now! Thanks for this wicked post!
November 8, 2011 at 10:09 am
Stephanie Shaw
Just perfect. Thank you, Kelly.
November 8, 2011 at 10:12 am
Katy Duffield
The idea of dancing on paper makes me smile!
November 8, 2011 at 10:13 am
Jim Hill
Great insight, and I’m nuts for your squirrels *groan*
It’s easy to forget the sketchbooks and notebooks that were filled to create the “perfect” moments in the picture books we love. Thanks for the reminder.
November 8, 2011 at 10:17 am
Nicole Zoltack
I love that picture! I wanna go dancing now. Too bad hubby’s at work.
November 8, 2011 at 10:24 am
Linda Lodding
As someone who loves dance almost as much as I love to write, your posting brought a light step to my heart! Thank you!
November 8, 2011 at 10:27 am
Pat Haapaniemi
Great post, Kelly! It’s easy for forget that our favorite books are the end result of writers, just like us, who put in hours and hours of hard work. Thanks for the reminder!
November 8, 2011 at 10:38 am
Jodi Moore
Oh! I love this…and it makes perfect sense…not only the work, but the heart – the emotion – one pours into both writing and dance! Your picture – and your post – make me smile. Thanks for sharing both!
November 8, 2011 at 10:42 am
sabrina
Beautiful squirrels, Kelly !!!
Your post reminded me why we need to keep searching for critiques of others, be it from crit groups or professional crit partners or from editors/agents on conferences: We need to keep working on our skills….. I just received back a professional critique (second time round it’s passing through them) and I love feeling how my understanding of writing picture books is growing. We do need to practise, practise and practise in order to write picture books which would read so smoothly, that many people would say ‘i could have written that’ 🙂
November 8, 2011 at 11:13 am
Jarm Del Boccio
The joy of the dance…thanks for keeping us on our toes! It will be worth the work. Your post and adorable illustration bring light into this dark and rainy day in the Midwest…
November 8, 2011 at 11:14 am
Dana Carey
Thanks for a good read, Kelly. And I love your graceful squirrels very much! 🙂
November 8, 2011 at 11:14 am
Denise M. Bruce (@DeniseBruce22)
Love this, Kelly. You’ve inspired me 🙂 I adore your painting. I can so feel those squirrels and see them for real.
thank you and you too, Tara 🙂
November 8, 2011 at 11:28 am
LadyInRead
I can see your squirrels are dancing to dance! Thank you for the wonderful read and the sweet and fun illustration
November 8, 2011 at 11:49 am
Andi Butler
Kelly, thank you for the countless hours that you put into *your* craft, and thank you for your generosity sharing it with us! There’s nothing like a little dancing to inspire us to pay it forward and create something magical!
a : )
November 8, 2011 at 11:51 am
Cathy C. Hall
Okay, now I have this song in my head: GOTTA DANCE! (Excedt it’s GOTTA WRITE!)
So I guess I’ll go write–but first, a thank you. Those squirrels are divine. 😉
November 8, 2011 at 11:59 am
Corey Schwartz
Oh, what a lovely, inspiring post!
November 8, 2011 at 12:23 pm
Laura
As a Fred Astaire fan, I LOVE the analogy! Your squirrels dancing are DARLING!
Laura
November 8, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Maria Gianferrari
What a lovely and inspirational post, Kelly–thank you! I love your squirrels! They are so light on their feet (pun intended).
And I love the image of the dance, the whole notion of the dance–that’s exactly what a picture book is–a dance between art and words–the back & forth, the energy and synergy–the moment and the infinite.
Thank you!
~Maria
November 8, 2011 at 12:56 pm
thiskidreviewsbooks
Awesome drawing! Great Post!!
November 8, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Aron Gelineau
Aww…delightful print! I would love to have those cute little squirrels dancing in my home.
November 8, 2011 at 1:04 pm
Lynn Alpert
Great post, Kelly – I’ll have to remember that even Fred Astaire had to practice constantly! I’m nuts about your dancing squirrels! (Nina is rubbing off on me!)
November 8, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Annie Silvestro
Love love love this! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Annie Silvestro
November 8, 2011 at 1:15 pm
A Moment to Celebrate — then Back to Work! | elizabethannewrites
[…] her guest post on Tara Lazar’s PiBoIdMo blog, Kelly Light wrote about working hard behind the scenes in our writing so that we make the finished product seem […]
November 8, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Diandra Mae
Fabulous as always, Kelly. So happy to see those squirrels get their moment in the spotlight! And now that I’ve got Fred singing “Top Hate, White Tie & Tails” I think I’ll go scribble something down. 🙂
November 8, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Michelle Teacress
Inspiring post. I haven’t seen Fred Astaire dance in years and years. It’s time to refresh my memory.
Thank you for introducing me to Jules Feiffer. I’d never heard of him. Excellent work.
Have a great week!
November 8, 2011 at 1:29 pm
cravevsworld
Just hours before checking out your post, I began to read the Phantom Tollbooth for the first time. How “coincidental” that you cite Jules Feiffer.
Your words came at the right time with the right punch. Thank Kelly for knocking me out into a brighter world of possibilities.
“”If you put in the hard work, it will look easy.”
November 8, 2011 at 1:35 pm
Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Love this post, and I adore Jules Pfeiffer.
Also love:
“Dance like Astaire—on paper”
Thanks for your insights!
November 8, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Jodi Sousek
I loved this post thank you for sharing!
Jodi
November 8, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Rebecca C
So glad Jules Feiffer inspired you to write this inspiring post for us. Will have to check out your blog now as I want to read the ‘almost’ posting on tuning in to our own stations also. And love, love, love the dancing squirrels!
November 8, 2011 at 1:51 pm
Victoria Warneck
Loved this one, Kelly! Too often I wish I could take a short cut to the final story. And yet, even if it were possible to do that, I would have missed the whole point…
Love those adorable squirrels!
November 8, 2011 at 2:06 pm
Christine Poreba
I love the dancing squirrels! In fact my notebook entry of 11.5.11, inspired by the landscape posting, began “What’s it like to be a squirrel? Live in a world where cars race toward you, in a whirl of branches, zipping time…”
Thank you for the visual!!!
November 8, 2011 at 2:13 pm
Joyce Ray
Those squirrels know how to waltz, cha-cha and swing! Just beautiful. Yes, the hours of practice seem endless sometimes. Nice comparison to a dance.
November 8, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Kim Pfennigwerth (@kpfenni)
Absolutely love this. There is fun, humor, grace, and a whole story these squirrels are telling us. …and it is the age old reminder – ‘We write to write.’
We’d need to be hospitalized if someone took away the ability to feel pen on paper or fingers on keyboards.
Thanks for the inspiration!
November 8, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Kristen Henmueller
This hit home for me. I’ve been struggling with the journey and it was exactly what I needed to remind me to keep going. And it makes me realize how far I’ve come!
November 8, 2011 at 2:49 pm
Lori Grusin Degman
Thanks so much, Kelly, for the awesome post! It’s so true – if you work hard enough at your craft, nobody will see it! Jules Pfeifers words – and yours – have sparked a fun story idea – thanks!
November 8, 2011 at 3:05 pm
Linda
As both a dancer and a writer, boy can I relate! Thanks for your inspirational post.
November 8, 2011 at 3:41 pm
Russ
Thanks for such a wonderful and inspirational post.
November 8, 2011 at 3:50 pm
Karen Cheesman
Your work is amazing!
November 8, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Ruth McNally Barshaw
Kelly, you’ve outdone yourself. :::applauding::::
November 8, 2011 at 4:05 pm
Julie
Lovely metaphor and reminder that behind the beauty and grace is tons of hard work!
November 8, 2011 at 4:25 pm
Tim McCanna
Nice piece, Kelly. I just realized I’m a lot like Jules Feiffer. Except, when I sit down to write, I pour myself a caffeine-free diet Coke and sit in utter silence. Other than that, we’re totally alike. Cheers.
November 8, 2011 at 4:42 pm
Debbie Meyer
Awww, I love the dancing squirrels. So adorable! Thanks for the dose of inspiration today, Kelly. You reminded me of a scene from “Throw Momma From The Train” – Proffessor Donner & Owen: “A writer writes . . . always.”
November 8, 2011 at 4:44 pm
katiemillsgiorgio
Love this analogy…thanks for sharing…and dancing!
November 8, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Wendy Greenley
The picture book I am currently querying has a squirrel protagonist! I hope the writing gods who see my work see at least a shadow of the effortless ease you refer to and not one of the Dancing with the Stars clunkers.
Your beautiful work and words of encouragement are much appreciated.
November 8, 2011 at 4:55 pm
growingmuses
Kelly, we have a family of squirrels that live in the oak outside our dinning room window. They entertain us to no end (as well as aggravate us to no end every time we plant a vegetable garden or put our jack-o-lanterns out before Halloween night). I completely related to your dancing image and LOVE your illustration of Fred and “Nutmeg”…
November 8, 2011 at 5:22 pm
Melissa Kelley
An elegant article that suits the subject perfectly. I have renewed energy and vitality! Kelly, thank you for the dance.
November 8, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Todge Watherly
great motivation for someone not used to having to force themselves to work hard at writing every day; hopefully I will not forget this lesson too soon
November 8, 2011 at 5:47 pm
Nancy Furstinger (@AnimalAuthor)
How inspiring! I wrote about this song in my biography of Irving Berlin, “Say It with Music,” who penned those lyrics and composed the music. Adore those dancing squirrels:-)
November 8, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Valarie Giogas
What a great analogy. Thanks for sharing and taking time out from your dancing.
November 8, 2011 at 6:22 pm
Casey G.
Jules talking about Fred Astaire was a great moment. I felt like that part of his talk was there just for you.
Lucien and I love your dancing squirrels! Happy Dancing/Drawing to you 🙂
November 8, 2011 at 7:08 pm
Bethany Telles
The ending of your post gave me goosebumps!! “Write to write.” I shall indeed!! Thank you for your inspiration!!
November 8, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Corinne
Thank you for such an inspirational post, and I absolutely love your illustration!
November 8, 2011 at 7:34 pm
Debbie Austin
Your dancing squirrels make me smile! And you’ve inspired me to work hard so that I, too, can make it all look effortless someday. I might have to rent a couple Fred and Ginger movies this week. Thanks!
November 8, 2011 at 8:42 pm
Tracy Warren (@socialTracyW)
Great post and great imagery. Thanks for the inspiration.
November 8, 2011 at 8:49 pm
Romelle Guittap
Ahh…yes. I’ll let my pen roll on the paper dance floor. I just hope it’ll move as smooth and effortless as Fred Astaire. And hope that my idea flows as well as Jules Feiffer’s art. Thanks for the inspiring post!
Love the dancing squirrels!
November 8, 2011 at 9:02 pm
Lori Mozdzierz
Enjoyed the post, Kelly 😀
The squirrels are so full of personality!!
November 8, 2011 at 9:11 pm
Gary Masskin
A great analogy for the many, many, many (yes, it had to be 3… Exactly 3… That’s 3 x many) hours of effort involved in producing just the right several hundred words for someone to deliver a delightful 4 minute performance (albeit again and again and again).
November 8, 2011 at 10:22 pm
tinamcho
Beautiful post! I’m going to dance with my pen today 🙂
November 8, 2011 at 10:36 pm
Tina Zubak
Thanks from one dancing squirrel to another.
November 8, 2011 at 11:22 pm
Tammi Sauer
Hooray for dancing and squirrels and writing. 🙂
November 8, 2011 at 11:28 pm
Lynn Anne Carol
Kelly, I love the simplistic thought. Writers, write. How ofter we forget this.
Your drawings are adorable. If I was one of the squirrels, I’d be the red one.
Thanks.
Lynn Bemis
November 8, 2011 at 11:31 pm
Pat GB
Thanks for passing on such a helpful thought!
November 9, 2011 at 12:02 am
Kari Allen (@Kari_D_Allen)
Great post! Thank you!
November 9, 2011 at 3:58 am
Renee LaTulippe
I just had someone tell me my 700-word blog post seemed so effortless…and I told them it only took six hours and three handfuls of hair.
The behind-the-scenes work is always chaotic, but with any luck, we all emerge into the spotlight as smooth and light on our feet as those fabulous dancing squirrels.
Brava!
November 9, 2011 at 4:35 am
saint brigid.
nice word play and imagery
November 9, 2011 at 8:13 am
paula
i’ve been watching dancing squirrels too and loved how i kept on seeing them in unlikely places all over town. a story there i think. 🙂
November 9, 2011 at 10:23 am
Melissa Freiley
Thank you for the inspiration, Kelly. I love squirrels, especially when they dance. Or chatter at me. Or play peek-a-boo with me from their high branch. Animals seem to be providing the best inspiration for my PiBoId’s.
November 9, 2011 at 11:30 am
Rebecca
What a great analogy! Thanks so much for sharing. One thing I’ve been struck by recently is that everything (OK, NEARLY everything) we are surrounded with, from songs to art to car design to (fill in your own blank here) has been the product of SOMEONE’S hard work, dreams and ideas. We humans reall are a creative bunch, and it comes out wherever you look.
November 9, 2011 at 11:45 am
Hazel Mitchell
Yes Kelly!
November 9, 2011 at 12:40 pm
patientdreamer
Kelly an inspirational post. Loved the connection with Fred and Ginger.
Always enjoy coming back to this blog.
Love the squirels to.
November 9, 2011 at 12:48 pm
angela de groot
Fred and Ginger squirrels – I like it! Now I’m in the mood to tap dance my pen across my page. Putting on the Ritz.
November 9, 2011 at 3:23 pm
laurasalas
Great analogy:>) Making it look effortless requires so dang much effort!
November 9, 2011 at 4:23 pm
Marcy P.
That was a lovely way of tying in two of my favorite arts- anything music and writing! Love it! I had the honor of hearing Jules at an SCBWI conference (in NY?) – and yes, he’s phenomenal. So are your dancing squirrels! I love how you’ve captured the “dance” of squirrels. Now throw a dog into the scene and you have an every day show in my backyard! 🙂
November 9, 2011 at 5:56 pm
Joan Paquette
Love these squirrels!!!
November 9, 2011 at 10:21 pm
Véronique Robigou
Thank you for sharing this great moment with Jules. And your squirrels so much look like Fred and Ginger! Talk about elegance. Gorgeous.
November 10, 2011 at 1:19 am
Mary
Don’t forget to dance! Love the dancing squirrels and your relating FA to children’s authors having to practice their crafts! Thank you!
November 10, 2011 at 1:34 am
sketched out
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for sharing that piece of wisdom from the fabulous Jules Feiffer. Like a ball pein hammer it hit me in the head. I was feeling like the hard work was a problem, like if I was really any good it should be easier for me! But I feel so validated now. Luckily the hard work is soooo enjoyable! Love the squoils too!!!! If I don’t win them, I’m going to have to come back to this post over and over so I can look at them (0;
November 10, 2011 at 12:35 pm
eecoburn
Thanks for your great comments. I hope the squirrels become a book. They are awesome!
November 10, 2011 at 7:30 pm
sandy bixby
I love that you found the beauty in the ordinary…two squirrels dancing like Fred and Ginger!
November 10, 2011 at 9:18 pm
Linda Andersen
“Work hard and it will look easy.” Insightful.
LInda A.
November 11, 2011 at 7:40 pm
Lynda Shoup
This post was perfectly what I needed to hear. Wish I had read it before I tried to explain the challenge of writing picture books. You have given me a much better explanation.
November 11, 2011 at 10:56 pm
Beth MacKinney
Thanks, Kelly. Writing isn’t far from dancing, I guess. I told my husband this year for Nanowrimo that there was nothing in me that wanted to do this after I hit day two, but still I’m churning out my word quota. (Fortunately PiBoIdMo is not quite as much of a strain.) Here’s to hoping that all that writing will make it look easy to someone down the road.
November 12, 2011 at 2:19 pm
shirley
Kelly..you rock! This is such a fabulous post – and I thank you for your insights and I SO agree..work hard, work hard. Oh and your dancing squirrels are magical!
November 12, 2011 at 7:34 pm
Jessica Young
Great post! Good to remember when some people think PBs are easy to write. Let’s dance!
Love how the squirrels reminded you of that. I saw two today doing the same thing. Next time I’ll have that beautiful association, too!
November 12, 2011 at 9:46 pm
Rachel Smoka-Richardson
Thank you so much for your blog post! Your illustrations are gorgeous.
November 14, 2011 at 11:41 am
Brook Gideon
Kelly,
What a wonderful story! Thanks for the inspiration, now where’s my scotch?(More like a good beer!)
November 14, 2011 at 9:09 pm
Kelly Light
I So enjoyed reading all of these comments!!
November 15, 2011 at 8:51 am
Juliet Clare Bell
Thanks, I like: dance to dance, draw to draw, write to write. Will now get back and write to write.
Clare.