Dog, Notebook and Doodles
Written anything good yet?
I’ve been sitting on my bed with my dog and my usual three ring notebook. A notebook? The paper kind? Yup, I know it’s old fashioned, archaic, out of touch and backward. But I always start my writing with a notebook because I haven’t figured out how to doodle on my computer yet. I need to doodle! How can I think without doodling?
Sometimes I doodle with a purpose, like when I’m trying to figure out what a
three-headed monster costume should look like for a book I’m writing. Okay, this isn’t so much a doodle as an illustration…an illustration that looks like it’s been done by someone who is five years old. Now you know why my publishers have NEVER EVER EVER let me do ANY of the art. I’ve asked! I have! They say NO.
But most of the time the doodles are entirely unconscious. I’m writing, planning, drifting off in story-land and not meaning to doodle at all; suddenly I look down and find something interesting. Okay it still looks like it’s been done by a five year old but at least an INTERESTING five year old.
Doodling is a way into the creative part of my brain. I love the complex and intriguing way brains work. It’s part of what’s behind my latest book, TJ and the Quiz Kids, which arrived in my hands just a few days ago. Okay…you’re right…this is where I fit in a quick a plug for TJ and the Quiz Kids. I want people to read it! I love TJ, Seymour and the cats in all their craziness! But it’s also true that the ways different people think about things…so many thoughts in so many layers…. fascinates me.
Do you doodle? Does it help you think? Do you doodle when you do math? Or when you write? Do you doodle on purpose? Write back and let me know.
Next Blog, Monday November 12th , will have notebook samples of some of the planning, writing and doodling for TJ and the Quiz Kids. And find out what my dog thinks of my latest “story in progress.” Hope I’ve started it by then!.
THANKS FOR READING!
Hazel Hutchins
November 9th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Hi Hazel
Everyone says HI.
We are reading Prince of Tarn right now. We noticed that Fred’s mother doodles just like you do in order to get ideas and be creative in your writing. Many of us like to dooodle too. We like to dooodle because it is fun and it helps us think and figure things out. We can’t wait to read your new book about TJ and the Quiz Kids. We think your books help us bring out our imagination alot. We have read three of your other books. Some children want to know how many books you have written?
November 11th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Hi OH5! It is really neat that I am was blogging about doodling while you were reading The Prince of Tarn! I actually didn’t realize I doodled until I wrote that book…and then suddenly, reading what I’d written and looking at my notebook, the light dawned! Thanks for letting me know about your doodling. And to answer your question, there are just over forty Hazel Hutchins books out there. I consider myself VERY lucky.
take care
hazel
November 12th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Hi Mrs. Hutchins,
My name is Jordin and I am in Mrs. Chandler’s class at OHS. What is your favorite book that you have written? My favorite is “Casey Webber the Great.”
Do you know Sally Lipkind? She is my mom’s cousin and gave me 2 of your books when I was little and you signed them. Thanks!
Jordin
November 13th, 2007 at 6:34 am
Hi Jordan,
I am really glad you enjoyed “Casey Webber the Great”. The character of Casey is based partially on a grade 5 boy who lived down the street and who had lots of character. I also loved playing with the magic in the book I’m afraid I have a terrible time choosing my favourite of my books. They all have a little bit of real life in them and also some idea that really intrigues me. Although in some ways my favourite book is always the one I’m working on at the moment! A person seems to need to have that kind of enthusiasm for one’s current project in order to complete it. I’m glad you have a couple of signed books…that’s excellent fun. My brain is not very good at remembering names but I have a feeling I would remember Sally if I saw her in person. Take care! Thanks for writing! enter my “name this dog” contest if you feel like it…it’s just meant to be fun.
best
Hazel