I've always been a dreamer. Even as a child, I loved thinking up stories, creating worlds and populating them with characters (usually my Sindy dolls). I didn't stop doing this even when I was officially too old to play with dolls; I found other ways to release my imagination.
At first, it was through drawing and artwork. At school however, I had an art teacher who didn't nurture or encourage me. In fact, she flat out told me my work was terrible. So I hid myself away for a very long time. The art didn't stop, but the sharing of it did.
I changed tack and took up photography, something I am still very passionate about and you can read my earlier blog about that here. Later, I discovered writing. This outlet for my creativity has grown and grown. I find it both fun, relaxing, and challenging. But still, my fear was still there; in fact, it probably won't ever go away fully. That fear of sharing something so close to my heart.
In realising my dream of having my books published, I have had to let go of some of that fear, but it has also helped me face some of my fears about sharing my artwork. Did you know that I designed and drew my own covers for my series? I'm very proud of this fact, but, as always, just a little bit scared to let on.
I did this not because I didn't trust a cover designer to make a wonderful job but I wanted to prove something to myself. I wanted to trust myself to do a good job.
I still draw when I have the time. My covers were largely drawn on a computer with a stylus, but nothing can really replace drawing on paper!
I designed the covers for the Scottish Island Escapes series using graphic art from original photographs and drawing.
All photographs © Margaret Amatt
Cover mockup template by Mark @Covervault
Layouts made on Canva