Author and illustrator Egan speaks at Tompkins
Author and illustrator Egan speaks at Tompkins
By: Joy Gray Mazzola
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Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments “Quirky,” “offbeat” and “disarming” are just a few adjectives used to describe the writing and illustrations of children’s literature author, Tim Egan, who spoke with students at Tompkins Elementary School on May 8.
The soft-spoken artist generously demonstrated his methods of storytelling by inviting students to participate in an impromptu story idea.
“This is how all my books start,” he told the students, as he sketched on a large demonstration board.
The comical face of a cow appeared, then the face of a pig.
“All of my characters are very neatly dressed,” Egan said, continuing his illustration. “They look like they’re on their way to pick up their wives to go to the theater. This one’s wearing an Armani suit.”
A round of applause erupted from the students when Egan completed his sketch. The familiar forms of his unique brand of illustration captured the students’ full attention.
“I draw all day in my studio and no one ever applauds when I’m done,” he told them.
Hand after hand raised in the young audience to ask questions, comment or share a quick story with Egan.
Tompkins principal Dave Andreasen believes students gain inspiration and valuable ideas for the future from speakers like Egan.
“This helps bring literature alive for kids,” he said. “It also helps make the connection between what they’re doing in school and in real life.”
Egan provided some insight into what it’s like to be a writer and illustrator as well as the processes involved in his work.
“My wife, Ann, is my best critic, so after I write a story I give it to her to read and I go outside and pace in the backyard until she’s finished,” he said. “If she only says ‘I liked it,’ I know it’s not good enough. She has to come back and say, ‘I loved it. Send it in right now’ for me to know I’ve written a good story.”
If Ann does love the story, the real work of revision after revision begins. He said about 20 drafts are written before the piece goes to his editor.
“Mistakes are a big part of what I do,” Egan said. “It’s part of the whole process called revision.”
Egan admitted that, for him, the illustrations are the most enjoyable aspect of his work.
“Writing is the hardest part and ideas come to me late at night. Sometimes around midnight,” he said. “I never get an idea in the day time.”
Rejections, Egan said, are also a tough part of the process. He said his earliest work was rejected by publishers until he began to relax.
“Ann told me she thought I was trying too hard. My stories were too complicated and she thought I should submit my simpler ideas. She was right,” Egan said.
Egan’s first book, Friday Night at Hodges’ Cafe, was published in 1994.
“It’s my favorite. Not because it’s necessarily my best story, but because it was my first success in publishing,” Egan said.
Although Egan was born in New Jersey, he and his family make their home in Los Angeles. Egan attended the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.
Traci Minjares, a second grade teacher at Tompkins School, headed the committee to bring Egan to Tompkins for the day.
“The whole thing was set up by the Kern Reading Association, although the school funds the program,” she said.
Minjares said five authors, including Egan, would be speaking at various schools in Kern County during the week. The event culminates in a dinner for the authors at the Doubletree Inn in Bakersfield.
For more information, visit timegan.com.
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