Ask the Author: Billy O’Keefe
Answered Questions (2)
Billy O’Keefe
Honestly, this is such cliched advice at this point, but just sit down and write it. That's the hardest part.
Writing a book, even a kids book that's more pictures than words, is intimidating, and there are countless ways to talk yourself out of ever getting started. Same with trying to promote and sell the book later. Doubt, anxiety, imposter syndrome and any number of other ailments come with the territory when embarking on a career to which there is no invitation. Face and respect those obstacles, but don't let them talk you out of bringing a story you believe in to life. As bad as doubt is, regret feels far worse. And you don't need an invitation or anybody's approval to tell your story.
Writing a book, even a kids book that's more pictures than words, is intimidating, and there are countless ways to talk yourself out of ever getting started. Same with trying to promote and sell the book later. Doubt, anxiety, imposter syndrome and any number of other ailments come with the territory when embarking on a career to which there is no invitation. Face and respect those obstacles, but don't let them talk you out of bringing a story you believe in to life. As bad as doubt is, regret feels far worse. And you don't need an invitation or anybody's approval to tell your story.
Billy O’Keefe
It all started with the name. It was near the merciful end of the 2012 election, I was waiting on a few friends at a restaurant, and I was seated near a table of folks who were enjoying pleasant conversations about any old thing when, suddenly, someone mentioned the election and the whole tone of the table turned on a dime. No one broke any dishes or threw food or anything, but the verbiage was ugly in a way that compels people (like me) to stare, and the speed with which it turned personal would have been impressive had it not been so distasteful. It was like a drug or some kind of hypnosis took over. And, when one person abruptly suggested they all drop it and the conversation just as quickly reverted back to smiles and pleasantries, it was as if that drug or trance just wore off.
I'd seen this effect in action before and always found it amusing (if a little scary). But for whatever reason, that conversation put the book's title in my head, and I scribbled it down as a potential idea for a drawing. In the ensuing days, as I thought more about it, I realized there was more material than a single drawing could take on. A few pages full of scribbled half-ideas later, a book idea was born.
I'd seen this effect in action before and always found it amusing (if a little scary). But for whatever reason, that conversation put the book's title in my head, and I scribbled it down as a potential idea for a drawing. In the ensuing days, as I thought more about it, I realized there was more material than a single drawing could take on. A few pages full of scribbled half-ideas later, a book idea was born.
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