Notes from the Drawing Board: Starting stories with a picture

Published on: 09 July 2014 Author: Chris Riddell

The incomparable illustrator & author, former Children's Laureate and all round national treasure Chris Riddell, who's work includes the Ottaline and Goth Girl series of books, became our tenth Writer in Residence back in 2014. In this blog Chris spoke about how he creates characters and one of his favourites, Ottaline herself. 

As an illustrator who enjoys writing, I always start my stories with a picture. Ottoline began with a doodle in one of my sketchbooks of an intense looking girl in an ornate picture frame. When she was joined by a strange hairy creature who I named 'Mr Monroe', I knew I had to tell their story, whatever it was. Now I'm planning a fourth Ottoline adventure and have been doodling purple foxes.

Starting stories with a picture

Starting stories with a picture  Starting stories with a picture Starting stories with a picture  Starting stories with a picture

 

 

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Meet our latest Writer in Residence

Every six months, BookTrust appoints a new Writer in Residence to write blogs, run competitions and give us their own unique perspective on the world of children's books. Our current Writer in Residence is Rashmi Sirdeshpande.

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