One step closer

Back in December I mentioned in a post that I was due to meet with an illustrator, who would hopefully work on my book cover. I had a basic idea of what I wanted but as someone with no artistic ability it was always going to need some clever adaptation to bring it to life as it was in my mind's eye.

The referral came via a friend of a friend. Having checked out his work on his website, I liked the illustrations so arranged a meeting in the run up to Christmas.

Having outlined my story, my target reader and my main characters he asked if I had any ideas on what I wanted from an illustration and this is where I got a little bashful. Hubby and I had done a Blue Peter style mock up, with dogs that looked more like badly drawn horses stuck onto a background that needed a lot of explanation. I was quite nervous at the thought of putting this in front of a professional but in for a penny...

Thankfully, he didn't laugh, well not out loud at least. He talked through a few ideas and then started to sketch and, within a couple of minutes, he had a very recognisable picture of what I had outlined. He got my concept.

Armed with little more than my thoughts and a quick outline sketch we concluded the meeting and he said he would start work in the New Year and would send me an initial draft through soon.

Sure enough, early in January I received the first draft by email. It didn't 'wow' me. It was in black and white, bits worked and bits didn't. I took comments from family and friends who I trust, and then fed back my comments to the illustrator.

A second draft came back and while I found it difficult to visualise in colour, I did like the basic image.

A few more days wait and I saw the first colour print of my book cover. It brought a whole new set of issues, the balance of colours, the proportions... but there were elements that were absolutely spot on.

More feedback. A request for information and images for the back cover and a few more days wait.

Then today I received an email with both the front and back cover, full cover 

and I love it.

No more tweaking, no more changes, I have my book cover. Another stage in the process is complete.

Definitely worth using a professional.

And for now, a thank you to all who have commented on the illustration to get it to completion but for now, the final version shall remain under wraps.

So exciting.

I love these...

I have had some very nice gifts this Christmas, but sometimes you get a gift that really is special and this was mine...

I especially like the 2 Cavi's on the right... it's a Salt & Pepper set

So cute!

Starting the New Year with a Lazy Day

I spotted a stark reminder that Christmas is over this morning as I walked into the kitchen and flicked the switch on the kettle for my first coffee of the day. Sitting on my plate rack at the sink were 3 dinner plates where normally there are only 2, left to drain after washing up from our New Year's Eve dinner and the large jar of Nescafe is staring back at me from its home in the cupboard, having spent the last week on the kitchen worktop. A reminder that yesterday my brother was here, visiting from his home a few hours away and today he is back home. 

The week has flown by so quickly, yet I have some lovely memories to keep. On Christmas Day night we got together with my other brother, sister-in-law and nephew to work off the excesses of Christmas with a few party games. We had a lot of fun  and laughter, especially while playing a protracted game of Jenga... only to find out we had invented our own rules. 

Boxing Day found us at the local cinema watching Hobbit 2. It was obviously a good film as the time passed in a flash and left us a little disappointed at the thought that we now have 12 months to wait for the final film in the trilogy. It was an enjoyable way to spend Boxing Day rather than pushing my way through crowds at the Christmas sales.

I've done a lot of walking this holiday, sometimes with the dogs at Clumber Park & Cresswell Crags, and sometimes with my camera at:

Thoresby Hall 

and Newstead Abbey

And yes, the skies really were that blue.

We normally spend New Year's Eve at home with the dogs and last night was no different. I like to find a good film that we haven't seen before and settle down for a cosy night after the excesses of Christmas. Several weeks ago I had recorded the 2012 film Les Miserables - the musical version. I first watched a version of the film with Liam Neeson, (but no singing) about 6 months ago as I felt I really should know the story and the characters and really enjoyed it so last night we turned on the surround sound, dimmed the lights and sat back to enjoy the musical version that was such a hit.

Before we knew it the end credits were rolling and Brinkley was barking at the sound of some early midnight fireworks. As neither of our dogs are bothered by fireworks I suggested we take them for a late night walk and see the New Year in doing what we spend so much of our time doing, walking our dogs. It was actually really nice to be wrapped up nice and warm, walking around the estate looking at all the houses festooned with Christmas lights and then seeing the fireworks start up as midnight struck. The only thing that would have added to the occasion would have been a layer of white, clean snow on the ground and large flakes drifting down ... that's how it would have been in the movies anyway... 

And so, today is day 9 of my Christmas break. It's the final day of my holiday, tomorrow I return to work along with many more. At this point I could eulogise about how privileged I am to have a job when many do not, (including some of my friends) but I'm not going to, (although I am... pleased to have a job!)

I am simply going to say A Very Happy New Year to all... I hope 2014 is good to you and you each get to achieve at least one of your lifetime ambitions, (what do you mean you don't have a list of lifetime ambitions... Quick, go make one!)

HAPPY NEW YEAR