Friday, May 22, 2009

My Current Obssession

Because the truth is, I become obsessed with my projects and I need to absorb them through all of my senses. Since I am very visual, I often create a collage of images that helps put me in the world of the story. Here is the collage for the one I'm working on now:


Yes, it's fairly ironic that there are so many old men in there when it is a YA, but what can I say? Most of the men of political power in Medieval France were old. Or at the very least well-seasoned. Some of the images are thematic, the masks for example, and obviously many of the images evoke the decadence of a royal court rather than feature the correct historical costume, but it works to get me in the story when I need a jump start, a touchstone, if you will.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Medieval France--so NOT Theo. Interesting...

Gorgeous collage!

Robin L said...

Interesting or demented, I haven't decided, Becky.

Sherrie Petersen said...

Oh, I love that you do this! I collect bits and pieces that put me in touch with my characters, too, but I've never formed them in to a collage. How perfectly wonderful!

Vivian Mahoney said...

It must have been fun to put this collage together. It is beautiful.

Thanks for your posts on character. You have great insight and really know your stuff--Theodosia is fantastic! The kids are reading Book 1 now and they are having a ball.

Robin L said...

Sherrie, I used to think it was a form of procrastination, until I recognized how much the collaging process engaged my subconscious, so now I just accept it as a somewhat quirky part of my process.

Vivian, I am so glad to know you find the posts helpful! And thanks for letting me know how much the kids are enjoying Theo. That kind of news always makes my day!

THALIA CHALTAS said...

How wonderful to see your latest collage, Robin! I so rarely get a glimpse. Love the central figures...

~Thalia

dee said...

Ms. Robin,
I have one of your BIGGEST fans that is just totally BEGGING to know if you are going to be at RWANats in DC so that she can get her Theo books signed...
So PLEASE put Maggie out of her misery and tell us both you'll be out on our coast in a few months!

hugs and miss you,
dee

Anonymous said...

Oh my, this is the best example of this....thanks for sharing it. I have heard of people doing this but haven't tried it myself. I'm now intrigued.