Stories start in all kinds of different ways. Sometimes a friend’s gift presents me with an idea; other times world events send my imagination reeling. Last summer the wildfires in Canada blanketed US cities in orange smog. I was inspired to write a slightly dystopian story about a girl who lives in a camp for climate refugees. Her baby sister can barely breathe and with her parents’ attention elsewhere, the girl slips away to spend her days exploring the dead forest. There she meets the Witch of the Woods who turns out to be a healer who runs a seed bank. I can see the artwork in my mind’s eye but only a talented artist like Purple Wong can turn that vision into reality. Here’s one spread in progress, starting with my sad sketch:

A few more edits and we’ll be ready to move on to the next illustration…stay tuned for more sneak peaks!

Many thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway for The Oracle’s Door on Goodreads! We had over two thousand entries and books for the twenty-five winners went out late last week. We’ve got two reviews posted already and hope to get more before the pub date of September 14. I’ll be giving away copies at the National Book Festival next weekend as well. If you’re in or near DC, hope to see you there!