Image via WikipediaMany writers find their own prose fascinating: they could read their own stories all day. Prolific authors have to - the process of rewriting, redrafting and editing is one where the writer is constantly rereading. I find redrafting and editing the most absorbing of all authorly tasks.
When it comes to pictures, authors might be flummoxed. Not me - oh, no. I went to art school and I also paint, so I thought images were my forte. Not so: when asked to examine the way I think, and when tested by an expert, it turns out I am not a visual person at all. I think in words. What! Hmm - I do, which is not such a bad thing for a novelist. When I think of the beginning of a new book, or creating a new scene, I do not imagine it in my head like a part of a movie. Many authors will tell you they do that. I don't: I see the written page. I hear the words it's made of. I mumble great sentences, and think up fifteen different ways of saying pretty.
Images come to me when I read back what I have written. It's the only time I can see the scene. This means of course that I could not possibly design the cover of my own book. I cannot imagine it. I can only imagine covers of existing books. So my idea would necessarily be derivative. Luckily, I don't need to: the designer at BeWrite Books, my publishers, has that job. His name is Tony Szmuk, and he knows how to think. The cover of my new book has just come up on the BeWrite site, and this is what it looks like:
At the moment, this is the most beautiful image in all the world. Find me a writer who is not fascinated by the cover of their latest book. I am: and I can honestly say I would not have come up with this cover in a million years. It takes a designer who knows what a book cover needs to do: attract readers.
This cover expresses the nature of According to Luke: the puzzle aspect. The combination of elements that shift and change as the story progresses from order, to confusion, and then perhaps to some kind of order again. The closer you approach, the more you can decipher the elements: oh yes, a gun, and a beautiful woman. There's a picture of St Luke of course, and an ancient icon. And an artist's brush. But there is also a number... aha! It's the corner of a €500 note.
Money, guns, a beautiful woman: essential elements of a good thriller. But what has St Luke got to do with it all?
You know there's only one way to find out.
Hi Rosanne,
ReplyDeleteYou commented on my LinkedIn post about the 7 basic plot lines. Thank you. You explained it very well. It is a subconscious effort when I, and probably many others, write.
I enjoyed this post. I would like to know if I am a visual person or if I think in words. I never thought about it before.
Your cover artist is very talented. I like the pictures within the cube. And I agree that money, guns and a beautiful woman are the elements of a great thriller. I wish you many sales on your latest release.
Kelley
Kelley, thank you for liking what I ramble on about! You can find out what kind of imagination you have by taking an online quiz about visual, kinaesthetic, auditory or manual styles of learning.
ReplyDeleteHi Roseanne,
ReplyDeleteIt's a great book cover! Just goes to show, a good Graphic Designer knows just how to create the essence of the book on the front cover.
Best of luck with "According to Luke". :)
Liselm - your wishes are appreciated. You will be among the first to know when it's available.
ReplyDeleteyour cover: pro: 1) it is a clever metaphor for possibilities for the author in his plot, as 2) for the reader. 3) So it is also interactive.4) It is a toy, so attractive to people, so good for the editor.
ReplyDeleteContra: It says nothing about the literary qualities of the author, his style, and ability to evoke the time and context of his story, the beauty of the text.
This comes from Lieve.
Thank you, Lieve, for your comment: all true - except that I think literary qualities are difficult to express visually. Perhaps the blurb at the back of the book might say some nice things about my writing. You will be among the first to know when it's becomes available.
ReplyDeleteGreat cover! Many kudos to the artist and to you for sticking with it, I know from personal experience how harrowing the cover journey can be for an author and I think your journey has landed somewhere wonderful. (applause in the background!)
ReplyDeleteComing from you, Matt, that means a lot. Thank you - Tony will see all these messages and I'm sure he'll be glad.
ReplyDeleteRosanne, Tony has done you proud. Excellent cover and I'm looking forward to the new book.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Brian
Brian - your latest cover is pretty brilliant too.I am sure it will do well. I'll let you know when ATL is available. Thanks for visiting!
ReplyDeleteRosanne, the sight of your own book cover is indeed the most beautiful view in the world. I'll never forget the moment I saw to cover of my novel. It all came to life, so I think, in a way I feel like you. The cover look intriguing and very, very good.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Inka - I'm totally excited about it, and cannot wait to see stacks of the books at my forthcoming launch.
ReplyDeleteThat IS a clever cover. It does exactly what it should; makes me wonder what is in the story.
ReplyDeleteThank you Paul - the story will soon be available!
ReplyDeleteThank you Rosanne for bringing my blogs problem to my attention. It's been straightened out.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a clever and effective cover too, although initially I had my reservations about the visual reference to a "toy" or "game". Nevertheless, I think it works well, showing all elements of the story in a 3 dimensional view, in the context of a puzzle or search which, I gather, is an essential part of the story itself.
ReplyDeleteYes, Hugo - the complimentary comments above have shown that it succeeds in creating that curious element in the viewer, so it does the job very well.
ReplyDeleteThis cover is actually quite amazing, as someone who grew up on "The Cube".
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine a writer who wouldn't be "obsessed" with their bookcover. A day doesn't go by that I CAN'T look at my blogs almost to the point that I get sick of looking at them...and yet, no matter how many times I look at them, no matter how "sick" from looking at them so often, no matter how many errors I find each time I do look at them...they are always the most beautiful images in the world.
Yes - I can SO relate to that Boschii. Even when it comes to re-reading a manuscript, one never tires of one's own work.
ReplyDeleteThis cover, though, has attracted a lot of attention - I can't wait to see what happens when it's released.