Two things pop for me here- one, his way of keeping his secret, dark notebooks private " …it is pretty safe simply to slip it into a bookshelf at random with the phony paper cover of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or whatever printed on the spine for all to see.³ As I said in the last Book Club, this is why I throw my journals away. He has me thinking.
And two,that he illustrated everything. I struggle because my drawing seem so elementary. But it doesn't matter, does it?
I need to go back now and read more carefully as I had to skim this before I walked out the door. Darn it, Jillian, I can't ignore your posts, even when I have no time! Thanks for sharing.
Awe, thanks, Susan. I love his disguise method, but then, I worry, what if it ended up in a second-hand books store. I suppose it would be quite the surprise for whoever bought it. Haha.
And, I'm so comforted by his drawings because they aren't all that skilled--but that's what's so endearing about them! I bet you could do it too :)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was one of my favorite books when I was a kid. Learning that Dahl was a sly and secretive kid makes me like him even more. I love that his writing journey started with a perfect, well timed gift (diary). I try to be the aunt that sends those gifts.
Jillian, you are always a must read. I love seeing a new post from you. Thank you for all the time and energy you put into your posts.
I love how Dahl’s early iterations are so rudimentary. Brief descriptions and stick figures. It helps take the pressure off myself thinking I need to have a masterpiece spill out of me. Thank you again.
Oompa Loompa! What a grand unexpected way to start the week. I make my journal pages into art. One of my greatest "not to be read by anyone" lists has been painted over never to be discovered. Love seeing Dahl's thinking and creating process with all the changes and constant revisions.
This was great. I'm delighted that Dahl called his notebooks "idea books", as I do! Not that any of my ideas have blossomed in quite the way his did. Oh well 😅
I remember being fascinated reading about a composer - Beethoven I think? - who used different grades of notebook for a similar "funnelling" of ideas. First, a portable pocket notebook for rough musical ideas, which were refined in the next notebook in ink, and so forth. I've not found the source but searching I found an amusing, relatable article about Beethoven's mundane to-do notebooks..."Sugar. Spice. Wine. Macaroni. Tooth powder. Fluff up mattresses.Look for white sugar – have a sugar tin made. Have a walking stick made. Dust-broom. Hemp cord. Lettuce, bread, she is bringing it too, but how much vinegar and oil does one need with it?" https://www.classical-music.com/features/composers/beethovens-conversation-books
In creating those unlikable children who are punished for their obvious flaws, Dahl was surely influenced by the children's poetry of Hilaire Belloc, whose characters come to similar ends.
Two things pop for me here- one, his way of keeping his secret, dark notebooks private " …it is pretty safe simply to slip it into a bookshelf at random with the phony paper cover of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or whatever printed on the spine for all to see.³ As I said in the last Book Club, this is why I throw my journals away. He has me thinking.
And two,that he illustrated everything. I struggle because my drawing seem so elementary. But it doesn't matter, does it?
I need to go back now and read more carefully as I had to skim this before I walked out the door. Darn it, Jillian, I can't ignore your posts, even when I have no time! Thanks for sharing.
Awe, thanks, Susan. I love his disguise method, but then, I worry, what if it ended up in a second-hand books store. I suppose it would be quite the surprise for whoever bought it. Haha.
And, I'm so comforted by his drawings because they aren't all that skilled--but that's what's so endearing about them! I bet you could do it too :)
Ooh, I hadn't thought of that! :)
Seeing Dahl’s illustrations is so interesting! They’re almost like a super scaled-down version of Blake’s!
Yes! Totally!
So fun to see the evolution of a fave story!
It was fun for me too :)
I loved reading this. Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome, Lindsey!
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was one of my favorite books when I was a kid. Learning that Dahl was a sly and secretive kid makes me like him even more. I love that his writing journey started with a perfect, well timed gift (diary). I try to be the aunt that sends those gifts.
Merci, un plaisir comme toujours !
Jillian, you are always a must read. I love seeing a new post from you. Thank you for all the time and energy you put into your posts.
I love how Dahl’s early iterations are so rudimentary. Brief descriptions and stick figures. It helps take the pressure off myself thinking I need to have a masterpiece spill out of me. Thank you again.
Oompa Loompa! What a grand unexpected way to start the week. I make my journal pages into art. One of my greatest "not to be read by anyone" lists has been painted over never to be discovered. Love seeing Dahl's thinking and creating process with all the changes and constant revisions.
This was great. I'm delighted that Dahl called his notebooks "idea books", as I do! Not that any of my ideas have blossomed in quite the way his did. Oh well 😅
I remember being fascinated reading about a composer - Beethoven I think? - who used different grades of notebook for a similar "funnelling" of ideas. First, a portable pocket notebook for rough musical ideas, which were refined in the next notebook in ink, and so forth. I've not found the source but searching I found an amusing, relatable article about Beethoven's mundane to-do notebooks..."Sugar. Spice. Wine. Macaroni. Tooth powder. Fluff up mattresses.Look for white sugar – have a sugar tin made. Have a walking stick made. Dust-broom. Hemp cord. Lettuce, bread, she is bringing it too, but how much vinegar and oil does one need with it?" https://www.classical-music.com/features/composers/beethovens-conversation-books
In creating those unlikable children who are punished for their obvious flaws, Dahl was surely influenced by the children's poetry of Hilaire Belloc, whose characters come to similar ends.