For the second entry in my blog, I want to address the question many fans have asked me. “What is the importance of the drawing on the back of the book?”
EPSON MFP image
Those of you who are reading Reflection of Memories on a Kindle or eBook will see this drawing in the beginning under the subtitle “Getting to Know You.”
This beautiful drawing is by talented artist Kelly Myatt St Clair. You may or may not know – my books are a series – The Malone Family Saga. As a result, I want to be consistent and include a St. Clair drawing in each book. (There are two of her drawings in Cobwebs of Time.)
Prior to publication, Ms. St. Clair very kindly agreed to read my manuscript. Upon completion, I asked her to draw her interpretation of my beloved characters as children. When she showed me her creation, tears instantly filled my eyes. It was perfect!
As a writer builds a story on paper, that writer visualizes the characters with great clarity. I am no exception to this rule. When I write a story, my characters live inside of me – blossom, grow and mature. There are days when I truly believe my “imaginary friends” are as real as the people living in the world around me. I groom them – shape them – guide them – much like a mother nurtures her child. After the chapters are written, edited, and finally completed, I must let my characters go – they symbolically “fly out of the nest” as children do when they become adults and leave home. But the question always remains . . . will the readers see my beloved characters as I do, or will they be confused by my descriptive words?
When I saw Ms. St. Clair’s drawing, my heart nearly exploded with joy! Her interpretation was exactly as I envisioned them. Ms. St. Clair turned my imagination into a tangible picture – and there they were – Richard and Caroline (Ricky and Carley) sitting on the dock – fishing – feet dangling over the edge – best friends savoring the beauty of the moment. Relaxed, loving, innocent — watching their reflection in the water – their entire lives ahead of them.
While you read a book, do you see the characters as you are reading or are they abstract and only the words of the plot matter as you turn the pages? Moreover, if you are a writer, do you have mental pictures of your characters? Do you use a “real” person; i.e., a friend, a family member, an actor, a musician, a neighbor or a stranger you bumped into on the subway to put a face on your protagonist or do you create your characters totally from your imagination?
Thank you, Ms. St. Clair, for sharing your exceptional talent with me. Your paintings and drawings speak volumes. If you are interested in seeing more artwork by Kelly Myatt St. Clair, this is her website: www.kellystclair.com
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Such a great description of the lives your characters develop as you write.
The drawing is a perfect description of Richard & Caroline as kids. The innocence of age is beautiful!!
I agree with you. I see the innocence — and the unknown, blank slate of their future ahead of them.
One of the many reasons I fell in love with Ms. St Clair’s drawing is because she drew my characters from the back — so a person cannot see their faces and must create their own images of Ricky and Caroline. In drawing it in that manner, Ms. St. Clair captures the innocence and sweetness of their youthful years. I especially love that it is Carley who has her arm around Ricky — so much symbolism in that small gesture.
Ms St. Clair’s drawing is a beautiful work of art. For myself, I choose to see Ricky and Carley as I interpreted them from my reading. Your descriptive writing brought to my mind a different picture.
The beauty of reading…
Waiting for book 3
Yes, while reading I do imagine what I think the characters would look like. Many times when I read a book and then it becomes a movie and I see the movie, I am shocked or thrown off because the character on screen is not who envisioned! But sometimes I am fascinated to see the producer’s depiction of the character from the book….. just goes to show someone’s imagination and interpretation is very individual. Our own lives impact our impressions and visions…..
I, too, am fascinated by other people’s interpretations of characters in novels. Truth be told, I enjoy a book more when the author takes the time to truly paint a visual of what the characters look like and how those protagonists think. In many cases, my favorite books are as much about the character development as they are about the story line. As for movies . . . I am far more interested in a good plot and well-defined characters than I am in computer graphics and creative stunts that cater to instant gratification.