So I did a few evening courses in illustration, which then led me on to do an MA in children’s book illustration, part-time. It was just always something I did.Īnd it was when I was about 30, I was working in the magazine industry and really feeling like this creative itch wasn’t getting scratched. I don’t know many people whose parents were like, ‘Yeah, you should definitely become an artist, that will pay well.’ So it was just always there. It wasn’t a career option I took seriously, just because I didn’t grow up in that kind of household where a creative career was necessarily considered to be a serious option, like many of my peers. I’ve always lived in my imagination a lot. I’ve always been someone that’s enjoyed drawing, doodling. I took a really round about way to get here, to get to this career. MARK: Nadia, what possessed you to start writing children’s books? Limited edition prints of her illustrations are available from time to time at her Etsy Shop. You can learn more about Nadia’s work at her website, and also follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Maybe you’ll discover similar resonances with your own creative discipline.Īre you sitting comfortably? Then relax and enjoy this journey into the world of children’s stories, with Nadia Shireen. I noticed surprising parallels with my own art, poetry, and also with the challenges of screenwriting for feature films. I certainly came away from this conversation with a very different way of looking at the deceptively simple format of the children’s picture book. Whether you’re a writer or not, if your creativity depends in any way on working within an established set of formal constraints and making the most of them, then you’ll likely find insights you can use in your own practice. Nadia also talked about some of the specific challenges and opportunities of writing for children, and the importance of trusting and respecting their capacity to experience powerful emotions. It was really nice to discover that the magic of a picture book is also there in the creative process, as you can hear how much Nadia enjoys amusing herself during the writing process. If you love children’s picture books – and who doesn’t? – then you’ll find this a fascinating peek behind the curtain to see how they are made. Nadia’s books have given a lot of pleasure to my own family, as my wife and I have read them with our children over the years, so I was very pleased that Nadia agreed to come on the podcast and talk about her work. Her books include Good Little Wolf, The Bumblebear, The Cow Who Fell to Earth, and her latest, Billy and the Dragon, is released this summer. This week’s guest on The 21st Century Creative is Nadia Shireen, an award-winning and bestselling children’s author and illustrator.
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