Guest Interview with Author and Illustrator Phyllis Keels

Welcome to my new blog just for writers! I'm so happy you're here and hope you will leave comments and ask questions about anything regarding writing.

Today's guest interview is with writer and illustrator Phyllis Keels. Phyllis is the author of the novel, The Lady of Daldriada, and the author and illustrator of the children's book, Emma and the Paper. 

I loved Phyllis' paintings so much, I asked her to work with me on my upcoming book, When I'm With Jesus.

One of the paintings Phyllis has done for my book.

Welcome, Phyllis! Tell us about when you started drawing.

I've dabbled in drawing most of my life, but never thought of myself as an artist. In 2009 when I couldn't find anyone I could afford to illustrate the children's book I had written in honor of my dad, I decided to give it a shot. 

 
What do you like about illustrating books?

Oh, the best part by far is reading the story for the first time and getting to see the pictures in my head. That's how I know what to draw. I have to make notes when that happens because sometimes the images come pretty quickly and I don't want to forget them.

I try to enjoy the process of how the images come to the paper while I'm drawing. Instead of worrying about getting them just right, it's fun to see them grow right in front of you.

Most authors can't illustrate their own books. Do you see advantages to being able to draw your own pictures?

Definitely. As the author, you have the best vision of your characters, the settings, and the message you want to convey. If you can do your own illustrations, even if you think they are not perfect, it's worth doing it, even if you do it only once.

You never know what will happen from that. I was certain that the book design company for "Emma and the Paper" would not want to use my illustrations. The first thing they said to me after seeing the original hand-bound version I made for my dad was, "We love the illustrations! We think they should stay."

Where can authors see some of your illustrations?

The best examples of my work are in "Emma and the Paper". You can get to it from my website: phylliskeels.com or the Pinterest page for my books: pinterest.com/phylliskeels.

Do you illustrate for other authors? If so, do you charge a rate per picture, or share royalties after the book is published?

I sure do. I can do either a fixed rate for the project or share royalties.

Are you currently open to inquiries from authors? If so, how can authors contact you to consider illustrating their books?

Yes, I am open to inquiries and can be contacted through my website: phylliskeels.com

What do you think is unique about your illustrations/style?

Probably the childlike quality in the drawings. When Emma and the Paper came out, one comment I heard was, "Phyllis, there is such a tenderness in this book."  That's always a good thing to hear about a children's book.

When I've held book readings for children's groups, the children always comment on how much they like the pictures. That is such a great feeling - not being praised - but that they might be able to feel the love and affection that went into those illustrations.

Were you a writer first or illustrator first?

I was a writer first for sure. In the past, when I did draw, it was simply to draw, not to illustrate a story.

Which of the two is most enjoyable to you?

I enjoy both but for different reasons. Writing appeals to the adult in me because of how characters develop, the choices they make, how they honor one another and the Lord.

Illustrating wakes up the child in me. There is a freedom in it that takes you back to the innocence of childhood. That's always a great place to be.

Tell us a little of your personal story.

I guess in a way I've been a writer all my life. I used to play in the woods near our house, pretending I was off on an adventure in the middle ages or another planet. Those years of daydreaming and pretending prepared me to let the stories flow out onto paper when I grew up.

I was close to giving up on writing during the busy years of working and being a mom, but I didn't. Even though there were long periods of drought where I wrote little or nothing, I always came back to it.

When my daughter died suddenly in 2011. I thought I would never be able to write again, because I never thought I'd never be able to breathe again.

Yet, it didn't take long for the Lord to show me just how tenderly He had prepared me to be a writer, how He had carried me and loved me. 

He let me see the thread He had woven through my life, the thread that brought me here - where I can use my gift to tell others how completely faithful Jesus is.

Since that time, I see writing as a lovely privilege, because it is almost as if He sits with me while I write. I feel like the most blessed person in the world.

Anything else you'd like to tell readers?

These things take time (finding out who you are, learning to use your gifts). Enjoy the part where you are now, even if it's not where you want to be. 

One day you'll look back on this time and see how very sweet it was.

Thanks for joining us today, Phyllis! 

 

Find out more about Phyllis Keels on her website, phylliskeels.com

or blog:  The Gifted Writer

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