I call the writing and editing phase of a project “Going to Book World” — that part of the process where I return again and again to an imaginary place of my own making. If Going to Book World is the drafting and editing part of a book, that makes the research phase “Finding Book World”, I suppose.
I’m not one who is quick to locate a story. It usually starts with a topic or image or sensation or memory I want to explore. Research gives me time to enter in slowly with my curiosity piqued, to find the lay of the land and to wonder what might happen there.
I started the research in the notebook above last fall on my writing retreat. Since then I’ve come back to it off and on (an idea that’s been brewing in snippets of images for a decade or more). Curious to see where it takes me…
***
Planning on preordering Jasper (releasing in paperback 6/28) or Miraculous (releasing in hardback 7/26)? Or maybe you’ve already preordered? If so, you’re eligible for some fun giveaways. Click through to learn more.
You’ve got me so curious about this! Seriously, Caroline, give us a few more hints about the contents of this notebook:)
You’re gonna have to wait! 🙂
Darn it.