Big Dreams, Medium Anxiety
Worries when treading into the new world of picture books.
So I haven’t written in a while. If I’m honest, it’s because I was freaking out.
I know the whole point is that I don’t know what I’m doing and I’m finding power in that, I am! I really am! I SWEAR I AM.
But lately a new pathway appeared on my horizon. And I’ve started down it a little bit. But, if I’m honest I worried you glorious Dumb Pluck readers might not be as interested in it.
I’m writing Poodle Lagoon as a picture book.
I was worried I’d get too far from the promise of the premise, you guys are here for that juicy film funding knowledge and nobody wants to hear about me researching what a book manuscript looks like.
Or do you? I mean, this is what they call in the biz “generating your own IP.” Which I’ve quickly realized is a vital step to making a dream a reality.
In fact, I learned from Jen (the artist behind Poodle Lagoon) that the Apple series Shape Island started as a series pitch. When it wasn’t picked up, they wrote books. After those were a hit, they got Apple TV’s attention and made their series.
That reminds me—I should contact those creators.
BUT peeking into this world of publishing has made it clear that there’s A LOT I don’t know.
But what I do know is that there’s no right way to do this. It’s either done or not done.
So, it's time to learn how to do this.
But why a Picture Book?
First, let’s talk about why publishing is (hopefully?) a good move-
From the very first time I showed Poodle Lagoon to people, I got comments about how it felt like “a picture book.” I think it’s a vibe thing.
They were right. In fact, my daughter, who is absolutely the inspiration behind the entire thing, loves books much more than TV. So that’s a big “duh.” I mean, this is all for her, right?
And in reading picture book after picture book to her each night, I’m always surprised by how deep they get. They don’t pull their punches. Books come in swinging with the big feels.
There’s also a part of me that’s fed up with the intangibility of screenwriting. I’m eager for something to exist out there that feels and looks and screams “me.”
I’ve also learned that, while pitching this project, I’m not willing to bend, crush, or fold it to fit the mold TV wants.
So I need a proof of concept. To prove that this series, these characters, this set of ideals can work the way I see it. And even more than that, there are kids out there who are craving this and have nowhere else to get it.
There’s another thing that feels a bit obvious. I really freaking love picture books. When I was applying to film school, I used to sit in the café of the local bookstore writing my applications, and when it all felt like too much, the stakes too high, I’d find myself in the kids’ section.
In the picture book section, time stops, and magic is real. In the picture book section, you can be anyone, anywhere, or anything. It’s there you learn just how vast your imagination is.
Not to mention the co-viewing of it all.
I’ve been on many a rant about how I want Poodle Lagoon to be truly co-viewing. Where the kids and the parents enjoy it together because they are both genuinely enjoying the story. It’s not a chore, it’s a shared experience.
That’s what reading a picture book is. There’s nothing like the feeling of having my little one cozied up in the crook of my shoulder as we dive into the first book of many. You can’t multitask while reading a book. You’re transported together.
The world disappears in moments like that
This just feels right. Truly, deeply, and magically right.
So, if anyone knows anybody in publishing or who has written a book, let me know.
Meanwhile, I’ll be writing my manuscript.
More on that next week.