How I Review Illustrations for The Rabbit in the Moon
A behind-the-scenes look at how I review new illustrations for The Rabbit in the Moon, using Google Slides mockups, text-image balance, scene accuracy, and “show, don’t tell” collaboration with illustrator Rod.
Finding Inspiration in the Park: My Writing Process for Yabbit the Rabbit and The Rabbit in the Moon
Creativity can’t be scheduled, it has to flow naturally. After my mother’s passing, I stopped forcing ideas and began writing only when inspired. Each morning, I find my best ideas for Yabbit the Rabbit and The Rabbit in the Moon while walking my dog in the park, observing life as it unfolds.
Translating The Rabbit in the Moon into Spanish: Balancing Accuracy and Creativity
Translating The Rabbit in the Moon into Spanish requires both structure and soul. My translator, Sandy, and I are blending two techniques, verse-to-prose and interpretive translation, to preserve the heart of the story while making it resonate with Spanish-speaking readers.
Starting Over: Redefining Yabbit the Rabbit’s Character
After six drafts and countless rewrites, I realized Yabbit’s personality didn’t feel right. In this post, I share why I decided to start over, how I’m rebuilding the character from scratch, and what every children’s author can learn about creating lovable, lasting characters.
Pumping the Brakes: Rethinking the Story of Yabbit the Rabbit
After four months of developing Yabbit the Rabbit, I realized I was racing against time instead of letting creativity unfold naturally. In this post, I share why I decided to slow down, rework the story, and build a stronger foundation for Yabbit’s world and future adventures.
Show, Don’t Tell: Bringing Yabbit the Rabbit to Life Through Illustration
Great picture books don’t just tell stories—they show them. I’m learning how to let my illustrator, Rodrigo, visually express Yabbit the Rabbit’s world, emotions, and actions so children can connect with the story through art.
Character Design Begins: Bringing Yabbit the Rabbit to Life
After finalizing our illustrator/author agreement, Rod began the first round of Yabbit the Rabbit character sketches. Using photos of my mother and me for inspiration, we developed anthropomorphic characters that feel deeply human—and it’s incredible to see my mother’s idea finally come to life.
Finding the Right Illustrator for My Children’s Book: The Search Begins
The story is written, the characters are developed, and now comes one of the most exciting steps, finding an illustrator. In this post, I share where I’m looking, what I’ve learned, and how an unexpected café conversation might lead me to the perfect artist for Yabbit the Rabbit.