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The story behind the book |
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Thank you Dee-Marie for asking for an
article from me on the steps it
took me to create my children's picture book.
So here is the story behind the writing of that children's
picture book.
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The idea of depicting a virtual enchanted garden was at
the back of my mind for a long time.
I wanted to make an image in which I can depict a virtual
enchanted garden, where people work together in cyberspace.
The image would have to express the visual workplace, the
connectedness of the people in that place and finally the
fact that in that space each person actually creates his/her
works alone. I mean that on a final piece of work made in
that place, one can see the individual mark of each artist.
When I discovered Rosity, I knew this is the place where
I can get all the inspiration in order to depict that garden.
But it seemed to me that Rosity is too large for depicting
an intimate fun virtual garden. I mean it was hard for me
to describe a place that has hundreds of thousands members...
as an intimate place.
There are several virtual artistic communities out there
which I adore... [Although I call only Rosity as my virtual
artistic home..] and one of those virtual communities that
excites me is RDNA. Especially I like the way of product development
thinking of its leader Syyd and her partners, and am in love
with all those greeneries creators -- Judith and her partner
Chris.
Of course I became very happy when I found out that there
is a challenge that celebrates the RDNA staff. That challenge
gave me the opportunity to create an image that describes
the essence of small virtual team working. The time for the
deadline was very little -- so I decided that I will show
just two persons from RDNA, and I chose Syyd and Rena. I described
Syyd when she is 'doing that morphing thing' -- that is metaphorically
speaking she is sculpturing. And I described Rena in a special
moment when she gets inspiration to paint something. I put
both of them into an 'enchanted virtual garden in the cyberspace'.
I chose Rena to put into that image... because for me Rena
represents the best dress texturer at the virtual world. I
adore her works from the very first time I saw them in a given
site. And wherever she went to sell her adorable textures
I followed her... and although I didn't buy all of her works...
I adored all of them.
I entered the finished image into the RDNA Staff Challenge
and it has received a placement and just after some minutes
I got the announcement... I spend all my prize money on the
site :).
Several days later I put that image into my Rosity gallery...
and as I saw there Rena's comment on that image that said:
'A beautifully captured metaphor and a very inspiring render
to tell your story! :) I admit that I was a bit shocked to
find out you think of me as "bald" but art is art and who
am I to object? LOL'... I knew I have to ask Rena about her
process of digital texturing... and if she will answer I have
a book.
Yes, I remember as I saw Rena's comment, I knew that I can
extend that image into a picture book. I was very lucky. Rena
agreed to answer to all my questions. She had tremendous patient,
and answered and explained... and answered and explained once
again. We were using Rosity IMs... and IM-ing back and for...
several days. When I felt I have enough information about
her way of work, I made the storyline for my book. Then I
started develop a serials of rough renders -- that fitted
the storyline.
I was determined to make Rena as the heroine of that book.
I named her Lily, and made her as a virtual dress designer...
and although 'gave her' a daughter who take part actively
at all the little happenings of that book.
After that I created the images, I used to send them to Rena
and asked for her opinion, remarks and suggestions... and
for a lot of encouragement. Rena gave me a lot encouragement.
She gave me also a lot of advices, and I incorporated them
into my images. For example on one of the images where I describe
how Rena gets her ideas for texturing a cloths... Rena suggested
putting there a 'flying dress', and other flying little adornments
as they representing those ideas that she has for texturing.
When I finished the first draft it was time to change the
working title of that little book into a final title. At that
time... some very nasty things happened among some members
of Rosity... and it was going on the open forum, so I could
read about it. And I was thinking... not everything is so
enchanting at that garden... and I decided to change the title
from the 'the virtual enchanted garden' to: 'The Wild Virtual
Enchanted Garden'.
After finishing the first draft... I felt that the book is
too short to sell it. At that time our daughter was preparing
to leave home [she is at the age when children leave home...]
and even before she left home, I already started longing for
her. Each day I remembered one of two adorable things that
we used to do together when she was a little girl. Rena
already 'had a little girl' in that book...after all I realized
she was modeled after our daughter, Noa, so I decided to incorporate
those shared moments into that book. Before I started to create
those images that depict those shared moments, I jot them
down in order to lengthen the book, and sent those ideas to
one of my lady friends, Crystal, whose opinion I value very
much. She liked all of the ideas, and I started to create
those extra images... with the corresponding story line.
At that time Firebirdz came out with a new package named:'Pitter
Patter' that had adorable PS poses, and I used almost all
of them in that book... and those poses definitely speed up
my book creation process.
I also posted from time to time in my gallery at Rosity those
images that depict those valuable shared moments with my daughter
when she was a little girl, and I got a lot of strength to
continue to work on that book, from all those wonderful comments
that Rosity's member left under my images. I would like to
take the opportunity here, and thank all of my Rosity friends
for all those encouragements and help.
Eventually I finished that little book, and sent it out to
Romanceworks and Neomea for getting reviews... and I was very
happy that they liked that little book.
And finally I uploaded it to MRP... and it was there.
* this article has been published in:
'Inside the Nov/Dec 2004 Final Issue of The RIM - [Volume
3/Issue 4]' by the title:
Creating My Online Children's Book: by Koty Lapid [bonbonish]
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REVIEWS:
Read what reviewers are saying
about 'The Wild Virtual Enchanted Garden
- A wonderful and delightful book! Filled with magic that
melts the heart. Bravo!!
Review given for the e-book edition of this book by Nancy
Deer With Horns
- This is a very enchanted experience. The graphics are so
colorful and depict the story perfectly. An excellent book.
Review given for the e-book edition of this book by Dawn Reber
-"The graphics are so unique and really stunning. Vibrant
colors, patterns, and textures, and interesting characters,
all combine to make a fascinating graphic experience. I also
enjoyed the story very much. I particularly liked the relationship
between mother and daughter - how they shared, and how the
mom took time out to even play. She involved her daughter
in the decisions and they had a goal of selling the virtual
clothes. I liked how her friend, Grace, got involved in Lilys
business, and wanted to help her also....."
Review given for the e-book edition of this book by Carol
Cavalaris
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TEACHERS:
See how you can use This book in the classroom
- Explain that the author was inspired by the real-life experiences
of her own daughter
- Ask kids to interview a parent, grandparent, or other relative
about their experience on the Internet. Ask kids to write
a nonfiction article based on the interview.
- Ask kids to write a fictional story based on their relative's
experience on the Internet. Encourage them to invent new characters
and subplots.
- Ask the kids what does the title of this book mean
to them?
Click here to
go back to the main 'BOOK' page
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