{"id":1373,"date":"2017-10-26T12:23:40","date_gmt":"2017-10-26T17:23:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.autumncalvert.com\/?p=1373"},"modified":"2018-01-08T13:11:41","modified_gmt":"2018-01-08T19:11:41","slug":"the-story-behind-the-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autumncalvert.com\/home\/the-story-behind-the-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Bad Sheep: The Story Behind The Story"},"content":{"rendered":"

First of all, I want to give a big internet hug to all of those who supported the \u201cbad sheep\u201d Kickstarter campaign! We made it to the goal! Hooray!<\/p>\n

For those who are cheering the book on to success, I give you a big shout out of thanks!!<\/p>\n

We are now in the post-Kickstarter stage. Preparations are being made daily for the release of the book. This post is for all of you following the journey from idea to actualization.<\/p>\n

HOW \u201cBAD SHEEP\u201d WAS BORN<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I awoke with the story. It came to me in a dream. I outlined the story to my groggy husband who was pouring his morning coffee, and he said, \u201cLet\u2019s do it!\u201d<\/p>\n

This same morning, I contacted one of my favorite cartoonist\u2019s, David Hayward<\/a>. After working out the details, he jumped on board.<\/p>\n

While awaiting the sketches from David, I spent hours researching children\u2019s books and publishing. I spent hours in my mind going over each detail of the story. I did not give up on finishing, and I did not give in to doubt. *Side note: for those of you starting a children\u2019s book, I suggest doing tons of research on all things children\u2019s books. The time I spent researching the different aspects of self-publishing paid off. However, you will make mistakes. I made a bunch of them. As mistakes go, I learned, and the next book will be smoother sailing.<\/em><\/p>\n

A couple of months later, I got the email from David. It sent me flying! I saw him: my sweet little bad sheep! I was over the moon!!!<\/p>\n

For the most part, the initial sketches are the same as in the book. This is a remarkable accomplishment for 2 artists, whom have never met in person and who live hundreds of miles apart. We were able to find a wavelength and a vision with very few tweaks. Here are some absolutely awful photographs of me showing David the expressions I wanted for the sheep.<\/p>\n

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Images sent to David Hayward to show facial expressions and the final product.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Then, the process took the turn towards graphic design. With the characters in hand, I spent a couple of months playing with the graphic design. Finally, after consulting my son for direction, the book began to have a fluid appearance. The color schemes worked, the font worked, and the overall design worked.<\/p>\n

LEARNING<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The fun part of art is conception to actualization. The not so fun part is what to do with the creation once it\u2019s in your hands.<\/p>\n

Though I had read about it, I am an artist\u2026not a marketer. Want me to paint you a picture, write you a song, blog, story, novel, or make you a necklace? I\u2019m your girl. It\u2019s covered.<\/p>\n

I looked in my hands at the pages of the book, and I asked the question, \u201cWhat now?\u201d.<\/p>\n

So\u2026I researched and found out. Even so, the \u201cah ha\u201d moment didn\u2019t come easily. I decided to just go with what I knew, and I did.<\/p>\n

I needed the funds to get it published.<\/p>\n

After asking lots of questions (the best way to learn), I discovered Kickstarter to be the safest bet for all involved: me and the people pledging to the book.<\/p>\n

It took me a couple of months to research, layout, design,plan and organize the photo shoot, by Julie McCullough(<\/a>hair and makeup by Janae Burnside<\/a>, and assisted by Rachel Harchanko,) <\/a>write the script for the video practice this script, and create the Kickstarter campaign.<\/p>\n

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