Drawing vs. Writing--Which One is YOUR Thing?

As an author and artist I spend much of my day either imagining then sketching images, or thinking about a story and then writing it down before it fades into the ether.

Someone asked me recently which I prefer to do, and initially I was a bit befuddled. I've been doing both since I was a young child (like most authors and artists) and had to really think.

But I have an answer.

If I had to do ONLY one for the rest of my life, I would have to choose writing. 

My posts and pages on Facebook and my blog are filled with my art, but I get a more fulfilling buzz from words. The images are great attention getters, and I am happy to share them.

I find drawing satisfying, especially when the picture is done. I can hold a conversation while I draw, and funny enough even watch TV (something I rarely do anyway). But there is something missing.

When I write I am almost completely absorbed. Time flies, and I get the feeling I am a bit lost, which I love. I get to create worlds and people, and it feels like a special privilege. It is magic.

My stories are almost never exactly right on first draft, and I even like the rewrite part--it feels like a puzzle, and each fix feels like another reward.

I usually have ideas to go with the stories--what the people look like, the settings, and I am happy to sketch them out, but once that part is finished there is a pull, and it is usually another story clawing its way to the surface.

Creepy Carrots--I am in love with the illustrations by Peter Brown. Peter, if you are reading, boy do I have a book for you!

 It would be a wonderful thing to write a story and have a fantastic artist flesh it out and make it a thing of beauty. I recently did some sketches of one of my characters and a wonderful artist did them in digital, and I was amazed. I have every digital do-dad there is, but I can't recreate what she did.

That is not to say that I will never write a book and illustrate it myself, but from now on I will really think it over, and if my art fits, then it's off to the races, but if I think someone else could elevate my books and stories even more, then I will gratefully turn it over to another more suited talent, and anxiously wait for the stunning results.

We can't be and do everything--we have to pick OUR thing and run with it. Get better at it, then eventually get great.

This realization was freedom to me, and I have renewed energy about my work that I haven't had for some time.

Disney had it right when Elsa sang Let It Go.

xo

Tea, Coffee, Soda...What Do YOU Drink During the Day?

If you are anything like me, you spend at least part of your day sitting in a chair behind a desk.

Although I do not drink coffee first thing in the morning like most of the world, by two o'clock in the afternoon my body is crying for caffeine.

For me this caffeine fix comes in the form of tea. I feel there is something magical even in the ritual of the brew.

My fave is black tea, although I know plenty that drink green, white, or herbal tea these days.

I love chai, but I seem to favor it in the winter, and I prefer iced tea in the summer.


My jolt of choice used to be Coke, but after realizing it had far too many calories, and was possibly causing me to gain some weight, I dropped soda altogether, and hopped on the tea wagon.

The most consumed drinks worldwide are:

1. Coffee
2. Tea
3. Orange juice (this surprised me)
4. Beer
5. Coca Cola
6. Wine
7. Vodka
8. Energy drinks

Where is water?

I know many sit at a desk for work, to color, to write the next bestseller on the New York Times list, or even pay bills--and I am curious--what do you drink during the day? If you have any tea faves I'd LOVE to know.

xo