Busy Bunny
It’s been raining every day here, at the same time as being roasting hot – with lots of really weird lightning keeping me away from electrical bits mostly. Scary climate change. I’ve been flat out busy though, so now I’m going to take a rest by visiting my lovely bloggerverse for a bit. I’ve been re-polishing my published books – going through them very slowly to make sure all is well inside and out, with a bit of tweaking all around. I’m also making the paper books smaller and changing the white for cream paper – they look much better that way. I’m banging away at the books to be published this year, and also getting cracking on the illustrations for my first children’s book. I’ve done piles of pencil sketches so far, but just today started the colouring process on one of them. It’s a bit blurry, and not nearly finished – I’m still going to do quite a bit of digital fiddling with it to tidy it up but this is it so far. I’m way too excited at the whole thing to keep it to myself till it’s finished.
I’ve never written anything for children before, so I’m finding it a little scary to be honest. Kids aren’t stupid and they don’t like to be preached to, and this little book is about properly taking care of your pets, so getting into little heads without offending little people is somewhat of a large learning curve. In between trying to be a tomato whisperer – I think I transplanted my heirlooms and chillies a little late, so they’re growing sloooooow, I’ve made a new dream catcher cover and loaded it up on the page, and I’m also getting sketches and pics together for my (or rather African Me’s Princess Sithole’s) Africolonial tongue in cheek recipe book. See. Busy, busy bunny me. Now I’m off to lounge around in blog land.
This entry was posted in African Me & Satellite TV, Attempts At Art, Book Covers, Writing & Indie Thoughts and tagged Heirloom Tomatoes, Illustrating, published books, Recipe Books, Writing for Children.
February 5, 2015 at 1:39 pm
Hello Jo,
The illustration is beautiful! I agree that children don’t like being preached at (I hated it when I was a child too!) but I have a feeling you will be able to pass along an important message with great balance & sensitivity. It looks like an exciting year ahead and I’ll look forward to your new books 🙂
Best,
Takami
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 5, 2015 at 2:17 pm
Thank you Takami! I must clean my scanner or photograph it again because the pastels smudged the machine. I also hated that when I was young so I’m trying to make it as fun as I can. I want the paper books to be perfect – I got the page numbering badly wrong the first time, so you’ll get the new ones now – and the kiddies one too later this year. ❤
LikeLike
February 5, 2015 at 1:41 pm
Always wondered if there’s an easy way to get kid beta readers. Seems like you’d need some of your own or those of friends.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 5, 2015 at 2:19 pm
My gorgeous daughter always tells me like it is, and I have a very sweet nine year old granddaughter too. Kids generally say what they think, which is cool. 😀
LikeLike
February 5, 2015 at 3:09 pm
Even if it makes no sense. Like how bees are allergic to ceiling fans. Don’t ask because I’m not sure where he got it from.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 6, 2015 at 1:57 pm
LOL! That’s pretty cool – maybe he’ll be a fantasy writer just like his dad. It’s probably true if the bee hits a moving ceiling fan too.
LikeLike
February 6, 2015 at 2:27 pm
Maybe. Though he’s so much more into trains, so that might be his niche. A fantasy train story?
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 6, 2015 at 3:23 pm
With a bee as the engine driver zooming away from a killer ceiling fan.
LikeLike
February 6, 2015 at 4:41 pm
Not sure where the bee came from. I know we talked about his allergies and there was the ‘do not jump for the ceiling fan’ discussion. The bees were out of nowhere.
LikeLike
February 5, 2015 at 1:58 pm
Apart from invisible things we have the same china! My mother’s most guarded, and only used for prime time teas.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 5, 2015 at 2:21 pm
My mom too – snap! I love this set – I’ve got a couple of really nice old things, but I didn’t manage to save more than a very few things from Zimbabwe. These are definitely family things though so I’m just hauling them out for a couple of pics. Some of the old stuff I use though – you can’t beat those ornate old platters – love them. X
LikeLike
February 5, 2015 at 2:08 pm
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Really looking forward to the completion of these projects by Jo Robinson.. ….
LikeLiked by 2 people
February 5, 2015 at 2:22 pm
Thank you Sally! Me too – I need to cultivate patience though, or I zoom too fast and blotch things up. HUGS! X
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 5, 2015 at 2:37 pm
Wonderful new project.. excited for you.. XX
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 5, 2015 at 2:08 pm
Great illustration Jo and as for the dessert very happy to be a beta eater…..hugs
LikeLiked by 3 people
February 5, 2015 at 2:24 pm
Thanks Sal! You’d love this one – smothered in blueberry honey, and I added a lot more coconut cream before I “tidied up” after taking photos. 😀 XX
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 5, 2015 at 2:36 pm
get behind me temptation… you are on desserts for the bloggers conference… hugsXX
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 5, 2015 at 2:09 pm
I love children’s books and read quite a lot of them. I’m anxious to read yours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 5, 2015 at 2:27 pm
Me too – I’ve got a big stash of them – kids movies too I love. I’ll definitely send you this one Pamela when it’s out – I want to leave a little spot in the front to add a special little doodle to everyone I send them to. X
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 5, 2015 at 2:29 pm
I’m still working on my children’s book project. I will email you the link to the post I did about it. Maybe you would want to participate?
LikeLike
February 5, 2015 at 2:38 pm
I’d love to! I’ll zoom to the link from the email.
LikeLike
February 6, 2015 at 1:58 pm
That’s a deal! It’s going to be the most epic conference of all time. HUGS! XXXX
LikeLike
February 5, 2015 at 2:15 pm
Sounds like a writer’s busy life!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 5, 2015 at 2:28 pm
You know it – but we wouldn’t change a thing, would we? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 5, 2015 at 4:03 pm
Exactlt! I love every word I read and write, and every minute I devote to this wonderful hew life I’ve found!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 5, 2015 at 2:16 pm
I always pictured that part of the world dry.. Foolish me…
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 5, 2015 at 2:30 pm
You’re not fooish at all Juan. 🙂 We’re at the foot of a mountain range here, so it’s pretty green mostly. South Africa has pretty much a bit of everything – the Kalahari desert, sub-tropical on the Indian Ocean side, and in the mountains down South you get snow too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 5, 2015 at 2:39 pm
Amazing! Here it’s going to rain 6 inches. 45 miles north of San Francisco…
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 5, 2015 at 2:19 pm
I love that pencil sketch, Jo. (and the cake) 😀 I’ve been doing the same with my books… a bit of polishing. Our minds must be on the same wavelength… Oh dear. Is that a good thing? 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 5, 2015 at 2:33 pm
Thank you Kev! That cake lasted all of a day. 😀 I’m cooking the exact recipes for the book and they’re mostly for special occasions, so I could very well become rather portly until I’m finished. Don’t be frightened of our wavelength – we’re the same kind of crazy so it must be good. 😀 Talking of which – I’m just writing my review of your Devils Apology – what a wonderful mind you have!
LikeLiked by 2 people
February 5, 2015 at 5:24 pm
You know how to tease about cake. 😀
I am relieved to hear it.
Wow, that’s a surprise, thanks Jo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 6, 2015 at 2:18 pm
Pleasure Kev – loved it! Are you also changing the size of your paper books?
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 7, 2015 at 3:57 pm
Yes, I’ve change to 5×8 Jo. Not all of them… it’s not feasible to do Devil, Carta and my poetry book… but I have changed Miedo and I’ve written Wiz and M2 in 5×8 using createspace’s 5×8 template. I don’t like the other sizes. 🙂
LikeLike
February 5, 2015 at 2:39 pm
I love the illustration!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 6, 2015 at 2:19 pm
Thank you Sally! I’m like an over-excited five year old wanting to get stuck into all of them at once. I’m well chuffed with the fiddling I’m doing with it on the computer – I’m still a bit wobbly with the pen and tablet. HUGS! ❤
LikeLike
February 5, 2015 at 2:55 pm
Great illustration and the cake looks awesome too. Very busy Jo. Keep going! And I second Sally’s suggestion. You can be in charge of the desserts at the bloggers’ conference.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 6, 2015 at 2:21 pm
Thanks Olga! I’ve definitely increased in girth with all the baking for the book – I’ll have to re-read Sally’s Size Matters to get back in shape I reckon. 🙂 XXXX
LikeLike
February 5, 2015 at 3:30 pm
I adore the illustration. You’re a clever girl.
LikeLike
February 5, 2015 at 3:33 pm
I love your illustrations Jo – and, believe me – so will the kids 😀
LikeLike
February 5, 2015 at 4:03 pm
How can you pretend to be old enough for a granddaughter?
I liked the illustration and was getting on quite well reading the blog until WALLOP, someone slaps a picture of food in front of me with no warning. Not just any food either, it’s food that looks a bit like my BFG. And here’s me thinking we were friends.Now I have to go find something sweet to eat and it’s all your fault.
Is it a major hassle to change your book size? My first book was with createspace and the others with Lulu and they’re different sizes. I think I should change them all to the same size. So it’s either change the first book on createspace or move it to Lulu at the size of the others.
xxx Huge Hugs Jo xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 6, 2015 at 2:31 pm
Started early. 😀 I’ll be fifty one next month but I try and zoom as fast as I can so the wrinkles have to run to keep up. I’m SORRY about the cake! Ha ha ha haaaaaaa! I LOVE you Sir David – you make me laugh loud enough to scare the neighbors. It’s true too that I always make sure I’ve got something to munch when I read your Sunday news – you generally have me craving all sorts half way through it – and a new urge to get fish tank too. I used to have a couple years back and they’re such gorgeous little creatures.
All you have to do with Createspace is reload – choose the smaller size and cream paper – depending on your pages just have a quick check on the spine size, but it shouldn’t be any problem at all, and it will tell you if you have any problems when you do your online proof. I haven’t used Lulu so far – was thinking about having a go with Lightning Source after publishing my next one just for the fun of having some hardcovers – not that anyone buys them – still.
xxx HUGS and MWAHS xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 6, 2015 at 4:06 pm
Wow, it”s nice to be loved again.
I went to Lulu because they print in so many countries whereas Createspace just print in the US. It makes it quicker and cheaper on postage for readers to buy when they’re coming more locally. But maybe createspace still had the edge on other things-like price.Maybe I’ll move the other 4 books over.
Sorry about making you hungry and about the fish tank. I really fancy another one but bigger for bigger catfish.
xxx Hugs Galore and Kisses too xxx
LikeLike
February 5, 2015 at 7:39 pm
Writing a children’s book and doing your own illustrations. Yes, you ARE busy, busy. The picture you’ve shared here is delightful and the story sounds scrumptious. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 6, 2015 at 2:36 pm
Thank you lovely Tess! It’s a lot of fun and scary too. I’m hoping that by the end of this one my eyeballs will connect with my fingers properly for the digital work. You make gorgeous digital art look effortless, and it’s actually really hard work. 🙂 XXXX ❤
LikeLike
February 6, 2015 at 5:03 pm
Something new is always a huge challenge. I believe you have it well in hand.
Digital art?? Me? I don’t believe I’ve done any. ❤ ❤
LikeLike
February 5, 2015 at 10:50 pm
Love the colors — and the dish looks delicious. Sunshine super hugs! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 6, 2015 at 2:38 pm
Thank you Teagan! Amazon needs to buck up and start selling zoomy drones so that I can send some wicked nibbles your way – I love your munchies at the end of all your stories too – foooood. HUGS and MWAH! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 6, 2015 at 12:41 am
I *LOVE* it when you blog yourself! I often miss a good post, I’m sure, because you (and dear Chris TSRA) do so much reblogging. It’s lovely of you to share your space with bloggers you admire, but I wanna know what’s up with YOU! So this post was as delicious as that cake looks! HUGS
LikeLiked by 2 people
February 6, 2015 at 2:41 pm
THANK YOU Marian! I’ve been an ol’ slacker – sorry! I’ll make sure to share more of me – I worry sometimes that too much ME will have people running for the hills. 😀 HUGS and MWAH! XXXX
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 6, 2015 at 12:59 am
Busy bunny indeed. Love it all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 6, 2015 at 2:42 pm
Thank you John! HUGS! XXXX
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 6, 2015 at 4:16 am
How exciting, Jo! Love the illustration… Yes, you are a busy bunny! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 6, 2015 at 2:43 pm
Thanks so much Bette! I’m following your lead. HUGS! 🙂
LikeLike
February 6, 2015 at 5:36 am
Wow, that’s a crazy schedule. Where do you find the time. Good luck with everything.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 6, 2015 at 2:44 pm
Thanks! It is a bit gaga my schedule, but it’s habit now I suppose – I feel distinctly weird when I’m not doing something. Probably fall down one of these days. 😀
LikeLike
February 6, 2015 at 1:23 pm
Hi Jo, I have been following your blog and decided it really deserves The Versatile Blogger Award. CONGRATULATIONS!
You can get the rules to accept here :
https://williamchasterson.wordpress.com/category/misc/
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 6, 2015 at 2:45 pm
Thank you very much William! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 8, 2015 at 6:45 pm
You’re welcome. And you deserve it!
LikeLike
February 7, 2015 at 4:02 am
Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
LikeLike