Post 11 / Posted April 2nd 2020
Layout of Scenes: The Moogy Roo Series.
This Blog is a retrospective look back on my self publishing journey which took just on 12 months from the day I decided to publish my first story, mid January 2019 to finally collecting my first 534 copies from customs at Brisbane Wharf late January 2020.
Date in History 8th May 2019
Layout is the process of deciding what scenes and illustrations appear on each page. Layout is critical to the flow of the story from one page to the next. Other layout elements to consider later in the process will be the inclusion of title/ credit/copyright/acknowledgement pages. Consideration will also need to be given to end pages (Those blank pages at the beginning and end of a book to make up even number of pages for printing)
With the addition of my character "Jack'' who also happens to be Moog's real life cousin now confirmed after our last meeting, I now provided my illustrator Jan with the layout of scenes along with some of my own ideas of how the characters might also act out some of these scenes, to help the illustration process and minimise potential costly changes after my first draft review. In the meantime Jan was also working on some cover designs concepts as well as finalising the design of my late inclusion of the boy character... Sorry Jan, which I will show you in my next blog.
My original layout below also meant my book would have 16 scenes or pages, however the final number of pages ended up being only 12 as some scenes were combined into others to help the story flow from one page to the next. The final page count ended up being 12, which as it turns out, is a common page count for a lot of illustrated children's books (12 - 22 pages)
Email 8 May 2019
Hi Sharon,
Please find enclosed updated breakdown of scenes for the change of story to include boy character.
Thank you so much
DG
Coming up, I receive some cover concepts as well as updated character outfit colour concepts I had previously noted for re-design.
I will be now be posting one a week, and would love your feedback, comments and questions along the way. Thanks for your support.
Please check out a portfolio of Jan Pimping's amazing artwork at www.behance.net/mrjan