Ask the Author: Dev Petty
Answered Questions (6)
Dev Petty
My most recent book is the followup to I Don't Want to be a Frog so really, it just sort of wrote itself. But it was written with a wink to my littlest kid who's a bit on the short side. The book is called I Don't Want to be Big.
Dev Petty
I could tell you, but I'd have to...
Kidding. I'm working on trying to use my...somewhat limited...art skills to illustrate a book. I'm also trying to push myself to get onto paper some ideas I've been working on for a LONG time.
Kidding. I'm working on trying to use my...somewhat limited...art skills to illustrate a book. I'm also trying to push myself to get onto paper some ideas I've been working on for a LONG time.
Dev Petty
I try to look at how strange little nuances of life are. The simple, empirical things that tie us all together. There's a lot of material there.
Dev Petty
Read more than you write. Think more than you read. Follow the conventions until you understand the rules and then you can start breaking the rules.
For picture books, stay short and punchy.
Always ask yourself what your story is about.
(Hint: The answer doesn't have your character's name in it (at least in a picture book))
For picture books, stay short and punchy.
Always ask yourself what your story is about.
(Hint: The answer doesn't have your character's name in it (at least in a picture book))
Dev Petty
It's an area of my life where being weird and original and bizarre is a good thing.
Dev Petty
Writer's block doesn't worry me. Writing is hard! But IDEA block does. When the ideas aren't coming, I do worry.
In either case, I try to put the pen (or laptop) down and just thing. No writing, no language, no commas. Just ideas that I try to see from every which angle so I can find something new.
In either case, I try to put the pen (or laptop) down and just thing. No writing, no language, no commas. Just ideas that I try to see from every which angle so I can find something new.
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