Feeling Validated as a Writer

I was recently asked on a radio interview when I knew that I had made it as a writer. I think this was a good question because so often writers seek validation for their work. My answer I gave came in two ways:

The first was an email I received from one of my readers. He explained that he had been dealing with a bully issue in school. He’d been just ignoring the taunts and basically been trying to avoid the person all together. Then he read The Dream Keeper Chronicles and saw that Kaelyn was going through a similar situation. He said his favorite part was when Kaelyn stood up for herself when she was being bullied. He said that her courage gave him courage. He never said if it solved his issue he had being bullied, but to me I felt like my book had really touched someone. That after all is why I write what I write. Some will say there’s really no money in middle-grade books, and for the most part that’s true. A few select middle-grade authors hit the big time but for the most part we are all just mid-list authors. Obviously I am not in it for the money. I am in it because I love writing books for kids and teens. They are the most impressionable and they still believe in the possibility of magic and wonder.

Drawing by Levi, 14 years old. Depicting a scene from The Dreamstone.

The second instance when I felt like a true writer just happened recently. I got an email from another reader. This time it came with some fan art. I was tickled pink when I saw it. Art has always had a close spot next to my heart. I learned to paint and draw by watching my grandmother put color on canvas. When I was little I always admired a painting my father had painted for my grandpa that hung in their living room. I loved how pictures could be stories within themselves. So of course when I got my first ever fan art from one of my books I was ecstatic. The artist, a 14 year old boy, asked me if I knew what scene he’d drawn. Of course I knew! It was one of my favorite scenes in the book. From all the things he could have drawn I think maybe it was one of his too.

I am glad I was asked that interview question. I think it wonderful to think about all the things that help you feel validated in your dreams. I have always wanted to be an author. I have always wanted the validation of a “real” publisher. When I decided to self-publish my books I kind of felt cheated of that validation. I had no one backing me in my dreams and goals, not publicly anyway. Validation comes in so many forms. Mine was two emails. Both from teen boys who had read my books and loved them. They are the ones that made me feel like a writer…a real writer.

Embrace Yourself as an Artist

Recently at LTUE, a writers conference in Utah, I was able to be involved with several fantastic panels of terrific artists: JamesA. Owen, Brian C. Hailes, Jess Smart Smiley, JJ Harrison, Bryan Beus, AndreaHatch, Jeff Brimley, Bobbie Berendson W., and Jessica Douglas. All of them extremely talented and successful in their own unique way. Each of them shared something that I engraved into my mind to help me on my own journey as an illustrator.

The one thing that I took away from these panels was that every artist needs to be committed to themselves as artists. While it is great to study the masters, it is not okay to make yourself feel inferior to them. Everyone has their own style. As artist we must embrace our style and focus on what makes our art ours.

The realization of this hit me as I looked at myself sitting on these panels. I was surrounded by several successful, amazing illustrators. In the back of my head I had the naysayer Mikey telling me I didn’t belong and yet I did. What made me stick out from the others was not my overwhelming success as an illustrator—I am in the early stages of my career, what made me stick out was I was true to myself as an artist. I embraced my art, not someone else’s.

I shared on one panel something I feel applies to this train of thought. I was sitting next to James A. Owen, a man I greatly admire, not only for his art, but for his determination to share his dream with the world. My books were propped up next to his, all of them with dragons on the covers. I pointed this out to the audience. “I could draw James’ dragons if I spent my entire life drawing his dragons, but they would always be James’ dragons. They would never be Mikey’s. I had to find my own voice in the crowd and sing it. I had to draw my own kind of dragon.”

The one thing I want to share is you need to embrace yourself as an artist and embrace your own art. Become what makes you unique, not what makes another person shine. I was humbled to be on panels with such a talented group of people. Last year it was just a dream to sit next to the masters. This year it was reality. Never give up on who you are or what you want to become. Let your voice be heard. Let your art shine! That’s my key on embracing yourself as an artist.

Author/Illustrator Interview: Travis Hanson

I'm excited to share with you Travis Hanson, an Eisner nominated creator of the webcomic/graphic novel series the Bean. An epic fantasy tale of a dishwasher. I have been a fan of Travis’ work and was happy he accepted the invitation to be interviewed. Here is a little about him:

Travis Hanson: I am an artist and storyteller. I have been illustrating professionally for about 15 years now. I am also a father of 5 incredible kids, and husband of a beautiful enduring wife. “the Bean” is my story. Published both as a webcomic and as printed graphic novels. In 2011 Bean was nominated for an Eisner in the “Best Digital”. That was a huge motivation to keep the story going. I am lover of fantasy art and epic story telling. I am also a believer that “If you truly want something bad enough, you will find a way to make it happen.”. I also believe that it is our responsibility to teach others how to achieve their dreams as well. Yet, in the end it really comes down to how bad do you want to see your own dream happen.

I have to say I am a fan of your work and look forward to your weekly posts. The Bean series is a compilation of graphic novels. For those unfamiliar with graphic novels can your share what sets these apart from say comic books?

Travis Hanson: Why thank you, I am excited you are enjoying my fantasy adventure of a dishwasher.  I would say though as for what sets graphic novels apart from comics is not much really. They are comics and they both tell a story. Comic books though tend to tell in 24 pages while graphic novels take a little longer.

As an illustrator myself, I know that hours of work go into creating one illustration; from sketching, to penning, then paining it can be a challenge. Can you explain the process you go through in creating your art?

Travis Hanson: It usually just starts with a sketch. Nothing more, nothing less. Once I get the pencils done, I then ink on vellum, tracing paper. This creates a perfect piece of line art when I scan. After that it goes into a layout program or a coloring program, depending on the needs. Music though is a big part of my art. I use it all the time in the creation process.

How did you get your start in illustrating? Have you always done it or was it something you picked up later in life?

Travis Hanson: I have always drawn pictures but I did not get into the industry until my mid-twenties. I got a little sidetrack and then was pleasantly reminded that artistic gifts can go away if you do nothing with them, After that I got my first job as a cartoonist for a local print shop and the rest is history. :)

I can tell from The Bean series that you favor fantasy and epic stories. What inspired you to write these books?

Travis Hanson: I love epic fantasy and my inspiration comes from many sources. Books like Bone and ElfQuest, to a general disdain of doing dishes, to watching my kids play. It all sort of just got lumped together and gelled. I am still getting inspiration on my story though and it is getting stronger because of it.

I believe you used a Kickstarter program to help publish your series of graphic novels. Can you share how that worked and if you recommend others like you to use it? How has your journey to publication been?

Travis Hanson: I have run 3 successful Kickstarter campaigns. Each one was stronger than the last. It's been a fantastic ride. The key though is to have an audience (hence my love for webcomics) and build off that. I would also say prepare. Just don’t jump into it. It can be a very, very bumpy ride. :)

I am a fan of James Owen and I have a quote of his attached to my computer screen. It helps me stay positive and focus on my goals as an author/illustrator. “Never, ever, sacrifice what you want most, for what you want most at the moment.” I’ve seen that you and I favor a lot of the same artists. Can you share one or two things that you have learned from your mentors?

Travis Hanson: James asked me a question when I first got into this field. He asked, “Trav, how bad do you want this?” before I could answer he stopped me and said, “you cannot tell me how bad you want it, you have to show me.” I have lived by that ever since.

What are some tips you can share to an author/illustrator just starting out?

Travis Hanson: Stick it out, pay your dues, listen to c/c, treat it as a job, and . . . “How bad do you want it?” I can't repeat that enough. Only you as a creator know the answer to that and if you want something bad enough you will figure out how to be successful at it—No matter what the odds.

Is there anything else you’d like to share or shout out?

Travis Hanson: That dreams are meant to be followed and sometimes it's a rough road, but in the end the payoff is not always monetary but satisfaction that you created something that people appreciate.

Thank you so much Travis, these are words to truly live by.

For more information on Travis Hanson creator of the Bean series, visit his website at: http://www.beanleafpress.com/. You can also find him on Twitter at: @Travsthebean, on Facebook as Travis Hanson - The Bean