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- December 15th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Feeling rather sinister
Sometimes, I almost feel sinister in the way I put my poor, defenseless characters into the sorts of situations that I do.But it's not the danger that I feel bad about. Books, especially books for kid…
- December 14th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Review: "Amulet 2"
The Stonekeeper's Curse, the Amulet Series #2by Kazu KibuishiSynopsis: "Emily and Navin's mother is still in a coma from the arachnopod's poison, and there's only one place to find help: Kanalis,…
- December 11th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
The little elves in my head
I heard someone once (and they were probably quoting) compare the art of philosophy as "a blind man searching in a dark basement for a black cat that isn't there." Sometimes, even with all t…
- December 10th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Shadowbox portfolio viewer
Another option for creating an illustration portfolio, called Shadowbox (looks like it's free, too):http://www.shadowbox-js.com/index.html
- December 9th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Best comics for kids
Take a gander at the School Library Journal's Best Comics for Kids 2009. I've read a few of these, but many I haven't even heard of. Which means I have a lot of reading to do, and frankly, I couldn't…
- December 8th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Book trailer hits the big screen
Sure, I've seen book trailers before. For the most part, somebody (probably the author) takes some of the interior illustrations and give them the ol' Ken Burns "slow pan" treatment, then mi…
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
The future of reading (even beyond Kindle)
Even though this demo shows how you would read a magazine on a tablet, I can imagine the experience of reading a book would also be quite astounding. It's like living in Star Trek: TNG, only without t…
- December 4th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Stuff I\'d like to write
Most authors, when asked, will probably tell you they have more ideas than they would ever have time to write. I can believe it.While I don't necessarily have a ton of fleshed-out ideas, there are a l…
- December 3rd, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Curing Writer\'s Block, part 3
So far, we've talked about planning and about getting the necessary beauty sleep. Still staring at a blank screen and nothing's coming out? Time to consider possible cause of Writer's Block #3:You're…
- December 2nd, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Review: "The Beasts of Clawstone Castle"
The Beasts of Clawstone Castleby Eva IbbotsonSynopsis: "When their parents go to America for the summer, Madlyn and Rollo are sent to their great-aunt Emily and great-uncle George at Clawstone Ca…
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Interview with Michael Scott
Interview with Michael Scott (the author, not the boss on "The Office"), of The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. I like what he says about outlining the whole series, especial…
- November 30th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
"How to Train Your Dragon" trailer
Here's a peak at the trailer for the upcoming Dreamwork adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell. It meets with my approval based solely on the fact that it features Vikings. The wick…
- November 20th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Quote: Mo Willems
“Writing for children is as easy as describing the history of the Byzantium in three words.”—Mo Willems
- November 19th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Curing Writer\'s Block, part 2
So we've learned in part 1 that I, at least, (and maybe a few of my follow Scribblers as well) can suffer a nasty bout of Writer's Block when we sit down to write without a relatively clear picture of…
- November 17th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Curing Writer\'s Block, part 1
Do you ever get writer’s block? Hasn't everyone?I mean, I've heard about it for as long (if not longer) than I've wanted to be a writer myself, and every writer who's ever put pen to paper seems to…
- November 13th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Finally made it to critique group
I'd missed my new critique group the last couple of months, so I was glad to finally make one last night. There were four of us, though I was late (went to the wrong intersection the first time) and m…
- November 12th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
- November 11th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
- November 10th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Those responsible have been sacked
It was recently pointed out to me via email, courtesy of illustrator and concept artist Tanja Wooten , that there was a mispelling on my web site.I could only offer the following explanation:I once h…
- November 7th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Another online portfolio software
I just came across this free, customizable Flash-based portfolio builder that looks pretty nice:SimpleViewerFor $45 you can upgrade and get something much more customizable, if you're so inclined.
- November 5th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Series I\'d like to continue
I love reading kid lit. But I have to admit, while much of it is pretty good, many seem to be lacking one thing, to me anyway: the desire to read more.Most books for kids happen to be part of a series…
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
The flip side of subversive
The other week I made a long-winded post about parents not allowing kids to read silly books they consider something akin to "mind rot" such as Jeff Kinney's "Diary of A Wimpy Kid"…
- November 4th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Pep Talk from Neil Gaiman
Whether you've decided to embark on the NaNoWriMo challenge, or you're just writing a book because, well, you're a writer and that's what you do, you'll need a word of encouragement once in a while.No…
- November 3rd, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
National Novel Writing Month
I know a number of folks are attempting the National Novel Writing Month "write a 50,000 word novel in a month" challenge, and I kind of wish I were one of them. I think it's a great idea. M…
- October 29th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Surg on over to Kidlit.com
A site for writers, readers and fans of children’s literature written by Mary Kole, associate agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.Kidlit.com
- October 28th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Time to rhyme
I've always loved rhyming poetry: I love writing it, and I love reading it out loud (nigh unto performing it). Which means, naturally, that I adore Shel Silverstein. I even had an unusual obsession on…
- October 22nd, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
"Diary of A Wimpy Kid" is... subversive?
Jeff Kinney talks to NPR about his ubiquitous Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, the fourth book of which—in case you've missed the massive media blitz because you don't own a TV, computer, cell phone or r…
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Halloween 4: Ghost
This one I tried to get a little tricky and see if I can manage a sort of "see-through" effect. I tried making her black outline semi-transparent, too, but then the whole thing sort of becam…
- October 21st, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Halloween 4: Vampire
Yikes, it's taken me a while to get to #4, but hopeful 5 and 6 will not take as long (I've got a week and a half anyway!)
- October 20th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Writing with the Snowflake Method
I've had to stop writing my WIP for bit because I realized I might need to change the structure a little bit. Mostly, I need to better define who my villain is and what they want, etc.Now, I outline m…
- October 17th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Maurice Sendak on what being an illustrator means
Check out more Maurice Sendak video interviews on Rosenback Museum's YouTube page:http://www.youtube.com/rosenbachmuseum
- October 16th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Review: Any Which Wall, Elsewhere Chronicles
Any Which Wallby Laurel Snyder, illustrated by LeUyen PhamSynopsis: "If you had a magic wall that could take you to any place and any time, where would you go? Would you want to visit castles and des…
- October 14th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
First paragraphs
It would seem that I've been challenged to post the first paragraph I mentioned earlier on my own blog, and since a viking does not, cannot shun a proper challenge (because all of his fellow vikings w…
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Ultimate First Paragraph Challenge
As a writer, when you stumble upon a blog contest called the "The 3rd Sort-of-Annual Stupendously Ultimate First Paragraph Challenge" you can't help but take a second and find out what's going on. Nat…
- October 13th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Writer's Guide to Twitter
I recently joined Twitter, and did so mostly for professional reasons. After a short time, I'm following about 30 people, which is a far cry from many people I've run into, but already it's turned int…
- October 12th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Shifting gears midstream
While driving home from work the other day, I thought long and hard about my WIP. After 4 chapters, something about it didn't seem quite right. I mean, I like it, don't get me wrong. But something was…
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Quote: Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket)
As a children's author, I am often accused of being a child at heart, and ... my standard reply [is], "Are you saying that my wife is a pedophile?"— Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket)
- October 11th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
How to deal with haters
Someday, when I'm published and, Odin help me, perhaps even a little well-known for it, I imagine I'll start to get a lot of mail. Much of it will probably be good, I assume, written by those who actu…
- October 10th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
100 Favorite Books of All Time
The 100 Favorite Books of All Time, Aussie-style.Mostly I think it's interesting to see the number of "children's books" (or even YA) on the list. Which goes to show A) how endearing a story can be to…
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Quote: Daniel Pinkwater
“Children make better readers than adults. They read as carefully as I write; adults read as a means of getting off to sleep. I get letters saying ‘I have read your book seventeen times.’ If you…
- October 9th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Review: "Cat Burglar Black"
Cat Burglar Blackby Richard SalaSynopsis: "K. Westree: Teen Cat Burglar. When K. arrives at Bellsong Academy, she thinks she's left her cat-burgling past behind her. But K. soon discovers the school h…
- October 8th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Tips for writing good kidlit dialogue
Tips for writing good dialogue, particularly for kidlit.http://www.ellenjackson.net/dialogue_61473.htmGlad to know I'm following most of these suggestions already, but I thought her point about dialec…
- October 7th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Prologues
I've heard a number times over the years that one of the most common mistakes an amateur writer makes is spending too much time in the beginning getting to the action. More than once, I've heard that…
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Illustrators I like: Yaniger &
Derek YanigerI've enjoyed this guy's work for some time. I love how simple they are (especially with only a couple of colors), but so fun and expressive. I normally tire of the "retro" style pretty qu…
- October 6th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Reading meme
Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?I actually didn't read all that much growing up. I loved comic strips as a little kid (first Garfield and Heathcliff, then Bloom County). I read a…
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Bloggers reviewing books could face fines
Basically, if you receive a book for free and you review it on your blog, you need to disclose that fact or face a possible fine of up to $11,000. Here's the full article (you can find the original ar…
- October 5th, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
- October 3rd, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Leviathan book trailer
I don't normally pay much attention to Scott Westerfeld because I always assume he's writing stuff for teenage girls, most notably The Uglies (popular though it may be, it's just not my bag). But I di…
- October 2nd, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
Portfolio trailers
Now here's an interesting idea. I've seen trailers for books before, more and more, in fact, but this is the first time I've seen in done for an illustrator's portfolio. It's basically a fancy slidesh…
- October 1st, 2009
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breathingart has posted a new entry on: Sean Ashby : Author & Illustrator
