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Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Biography
Author and illustrator Jan Spivey Gilchrist is recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award for Nathaniel Talking (1988), and the Coretta Scott King Honor for Night on the Neighborhood Street (1991). Her latest book is My America (HarperCollins, 2007), which she wrote and co-illustrated with Ashley Bryan. An inductee into the International Hall of Fame for Writers of African Descent, she received a master's degree in fine arts with a focus on writing for children from Vermont College and a doctoral degree in English from Madison University. She lives outside of Chicago, Illinois.
The Scoop
1. What sparked your imagination for writing your latest work My America (co-written with Ashley Bryan)?
My son, William, graduated from Bowdoin College in May of 2006. His major was International Relations and Government. Since he was three years old, he had a passion for the world. When he was 11 years old, he left to travel off to England, Scotland and Wales as a Student Ambassador. The pride in his face as he stood in the airport brought tears to my eyes; "I'm going to tell the world about my country!" he said. He waved good-bye and boarded the plane. He would later travel to China in 1997, at the ripe old age of 12, where he is now an expatriate, and 35 other countries before he graduated from college.
The love William has always had for other lands and people began with a great love of himself and his land.
2. What challenges do you face in your writing and illustrating process? How do you overcome them?
As a writer, I want to express exactly what I feel about a subject. The words I need are sometimes right at my fingers, but sometimes they are difficult to find. It is frustrating. So I move away from it and work on another part of the story or poem or work on another project. When I rest from it, but keep it in my mind without pressure, it comes. I never stop working on it in my mind, but I don't try and force it to come either.
As an illustrator, I want to carry the story, message, rhythm, etc., that the author has written and intended to the reader in pictures. So I read the manuscript over and over again. I try to know all that I can about the words. Then and only then, do I begin to work on the pictures. I remember that the author's words are what is important and not how pretty I can make the pictures. The words must help tell the story and illuminate the story.
3. What tips or advice can you share with young students who hope to start writing?
Make it a passion! Draw every chance you can, if you wish to become an illustrator. Experiment with every medium you can get your hands on. Try every style. Read about art. Read about artists. Study their lives. Look at art in books, museums and galleries. Enter contests and competitions. Care NOT whether you win them! Just have fun living in the world of art.
If you are still in love with art by high school, take a major in it to prepare for a major in college or art school. Be strong and take criticism. Don't let it break you! Some may be good advice and some may be mean spirited. If it starts to break you…it is MEAN SPIRITED! Study it forever!
4. What is your list of favorite children or teen books?
Honey, I Love by Eloise Greenfield
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
What Jamie Saw by Carolyn Coman
Caroline by Neil Gaiman
What A Wonderful World by Ashley Bryan
5. If you were not writing and drawing, what do you think you would be doing?
It is hard to imagine what I would be doing if I were not producing art since it is as natural to me as my speaking. I was a child artist as far back as my memory. I think I would be in search of passion and happiness.
Book Covers
My America |
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Last Updated: 08/26/2008