Here Are Some of the Illustrations that Arrived This Week

Here are some of the illustrations that have arrived so far this week. 

Don't forget to check back later to see if Katie W. Stewart has commented.

Above: Chapter 1 by Callum from Highfield School. Thugodore bullying Tigotha is rather chilling! Look at that wicked grin!

Above: Chapter 3 by David from Highfield School. It's Simon starting school. I like the way that David has made Simon look really kind and friendly.

Above: Chapter 5 by Annabel from St Edward's - Micromaniac lets go of Toby when he sees a puppy. Phew!

Above: Chapter 6 by Chloe from St Edward's - a lumipoo momp climbs up an old lady's skirt. (One of the funniest moments in the whole book!)

Above: Here's another Chapter 6 illustration. This time by Ella from Queensgate Primary. That momp looks very menacing. No wonder the lady is screaming!

Above: This illustration by Tyler could be used for chapter 8 or 9. It's Toby versus Micromaniac action! 

Above: Chapter 12 by Lacey. A boy goes to answer the door and there's a lumipoo momp outside. Is that Simon, I wonder? The zebra-striped jumper makes me wonder if it's Thugodore!

Above: Another Chapter 12 illustration, this time by Emily from Queensgate. I like to details.

Above: Chapter 16 illustration by George from Highfield School - the mobility scooter in all its glory.

Above: Tigotha looking happy near a zebra so this must be Chapter 20. This one's by James from Highfield school.

Above: Anti-Galactic Sauce Co poster by Josh. A great poster. I had envisaged posters being portrait (rather than landscape) because the book will be portrait. But then again, readers will have to rotate their books to look at our map, so perhaps it doesn't matter.

Thank you for all the illustrations I've received s far. Keep them coming in!

Title Suggestions - Invasions, Madness and Fright

Here are a few title suggestions from St Edward's School:

Lumpioos Invade - Matthew

I like this one. It's short, simple and implies action. It might make a reader wonder what a lumipoo is - a hook!

A Monster Problem - Matthew

Also short and sweet.

A Monster in Fangleland - Planet Zorbit - Katy

This has a ring to it, doesn't it?

Fangleland Lumipoo Invasion and the Turbo Toddler's Big Night - Andrea

Wow! What a long title. It gets lots of info in.

The Lumipoos Strike Back - Leah

This one also implies action and might make the readers want to find out what a lumipoo is.

Monster Madness - Sebastian

This is certainly accurate. Our book is going to be crazy!

Monster Mayhem - Joe

I like this for the same reason as Sebastian's.

Elite Monster Revelations - Corey

That one's a bit different - interesting.

Who's Afraid of the Lumipoo Momps? James

This has a nice ring to it and reminds me of other titles like 'Who's Afraid of Mr Wolf'.

The Very Annoying Tubster of Terror - James

Just one annoying tubster?

Week 7 Task - Choosing a Title

We now know exactly what's going to happen in our monster book. That makes it a brilliant time to choose a title.

A good title should:
- make people want to read the book
- give readers a clue as to what the book is about

There are many types of book title:

Relating to a Main Character's Name
e.g. The Tale of Peter Rabbit; The Story of Tracy Beaker; Winnie the Pooh

Relating to the Characteristics of the Main Character
e.g. Diary of a Wimpy Kid; The Very Hungry Caterpillar; The Worst Witch, Demon Dentist

Relating to of a Place in the Book
e.g. Treasure Island

Relating to the Plot
e.g. The Day the Tiger Came to Tea, The Troll Trap, We're Going on a Bear Hunt, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

Relating to an Object in the Book
e.g. The Dragon Box, Pirate Pete's Potty

Relating to a Mixture of Characters, Places or Objects
e.g. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

I want you to think carefully about our book. What aspects of it would make an interesting title?

Tip: If you're stuck, try thinking of your favourite book titles and substituting some of the words for words relating to our monster book.

Please email your ideas to rosen.trevithick@gmail.com

Funniest Line in the Book So Far

This is my favourite line from the book so far. It's in Chapter 6

Just as Simon was about to say, ‘Excuse me madam, there is a lumipoo momp up your skirt!’, the old lady let out a piercing yelp.

My Illustration Diary

I decided to draw an illustration of my own, using Katie's illustration guide. Here is a diary of my progress,

I prepared my desk. It's nice and tidy like Katie suggested. I sharpened my pencils and got my ruler, fineliner and rubber ready.

On the left is Katie's monster drawing guide.On the right is the section from the synopsis that I chose to illustrate. I picked Chapter 12, where Summer Slimyspikes turns up at Simon's house with a scroll of new laws.

I decided I'd draw a 16x6 cm illustration to go at the top of a page. So, using a pencil, ruler and set square, to draw guidelines.

Next I used How to Draw a Monster Part 1 and a soft pencil to sketch the shape of Summer Slimyspikes. I also sketched the outline of Simon. He's bending over because Simon is taller than a lumipoo momp.

Then, still using How to Draw a Monster Part 1, I used my pencil to add some details.

I went over all the lines I wanted to keep, with my black fineliner.

After that, I erased my original pencil markings. Then using How to Draw a Monster Part 2, I shaded in my illustration.

Finally, if my illustration was used in the book, the page might look like this.

Don't forget to check the blog comments to see what Katie has to say.

Week 7 Tips - When Drawing is Too Fiddly

If you're finding drawing in a space 8x9 or 16x6 cm too difficult, here's a tip to make it easier.

Draw a space twice as big it will appear in the book. So 16x18 or 32x12cm.

I will be able to shrink it back to size on my computer, giving you more room to draw.

If you double the size of the drawing area, you will be able to use a normal black felt tip (instead of a fineliner) for your outlines.

I Just Finished Drafting Chapter 3

A quick update on progress:

I just finished drafting Chapter 3. It wasn't quite as weepy as writing the first chapter, but there were some moments where I was on the edge of my seat (even though I know what happens!)

You will have a chance to help with writing some of the later chapters.

Also, our editor, Olivia, has sent me some feedback on the beginning of Chapter 1, ready to help us with Week 8 - Editing.