Thursday, August 29, 2013

Monday, August 26, 2013

How To Make A Story App - Step 3


Decide what you can put into your story app that will be unique to set yourself apart from the competition.

Are you a follower or a leader? When I look at many of the story apps available in the app store I notice that many creators seem to be playing follow the leader - and some aren't even following the leaders. It's hard enough to actually make the app but to put something out that is predictable and average is a waste of time. It's already hard enough to get noticed so don't make your app forgettable by doing what the other guys are doing.

If they are all putting coloring book activities in their story apps don't add a coloring activity - unless you can do it better or different. If the other guys are making every object wiggle with a silly sound when you touch it - yeah you get the picture. We're at the front of a new technology so don't assume the other guy is doing it right. This is your app. What do you want to do? Yeah? than do it and don't look back!

Afraid that you'll do something other people will scoff or laugh at? Perfect! It's not art if there's no risk! Better to fail big and learn than to copy and be forgettable. Be remarkable.

So how can you be original? I think it's by having one or more unique aspects in your app. Suggestions:

Great story
Great artwork
Animation that is unique to your story
Great voice acting
Integrated music
Unique navigation
Teaches niche moral or principle
Appeals to a niche market
Insert other unique aspect here.

So what am I planning for my app?

1. I think Rick Walton wrote a unique story for us - but the market will decide that.
2. I'm going to work hard on the artwork so I'm hoping to impress in that category.
3. I'm working on animation that helps further the story.
4. I will hire voice actors to enhance the experience.
5. Instead of page turns my app will navigate up, down, back, and forward.
6. The story has a sustainable living theme running throughout.

Like I've written before - none of this is a guarantee of commercial success but all I can do is put out the best I'm capable of in a reasonable amount of time and then begin work on the next app.

I'm really looking forward to beginning the Kwik class in a few weeks! Learning how to program my own app without any programing experience is going to enable me to take control of my app creating bug! More info on the class here. 

Check out steps 1 and 2:

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 5.5
Step 6
Step 7
Steps 8 & 9


Wednesday, August 21, 2013

How To Make A Story App - Step 2

Consume as many Great story apps as you can (or whatever type of app you plan on making)

Often I see artists embark on a journey without knowing how people made the same trip before them. The pioneers before you encountered the same problems you're going to encounter and looking at their solutions will make your project much easier. The more you consume the more you will develop your own opinions about what works and doesn't work. In addition, when you look at great art it inspires you to be great and the ideas begin to flow.

Where can I find great story apps? I'm so glad you asked! You need to check yourself into Digital Storytime! Here's a screen shot from their site. I like to click on "Quality" and then "Overall Rating" to see what they think are the best story apps. I devour these being aware of  the commonalities of each one. Do they all have read to me files? Do they have static text or highlighted text? Do they offer them as options or are you stuck with the read to me file and highlighted text?



Next, you need to tune in to #Storyappchat every Sunday night at 9:00PM Eastern 6:00PM West Coast. This is a twitter chat where anyone is invited and there's a new topic about story apps each night. The information being shared is pure gold if you're looking to produce your own apps.

I'll be back soon with step 3 and don't forget to check out our Kwik class that begins in October 2013 - and you can always sign up for the video only version - the recorded live classes.

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 5.5
Step 6
Step 7
Steps 8 & 9

Sunday, August 18, 2013

How To Make A Story App - Step 1


I'm going to be blogging about the progress on my new story app "Gary's Place" from now until it's for sale in the app stores - and beyond - even updates on my sales figures. This is really scary because I'm promising to do something that I haven't done yet. In fact there's a voice yelling inside right now begging me to delete this and stop writing. But - here we go...

Step 1 - Start with a GREAT story!

I came up with an idea for a story about a gopher who isn't content with his home. It had a good beginning, middle, and end but I couldn't write a good manuscript because I don't have enough writing experience.  So - I approached Rick Walton, a well known children's book author and friend (over 90 published books - google screen shot above) and asked him to read my story and write it if he liked the idea. In a ridiculously short time he turned it into gold. Yes I will cut him in for a large percentage and yes it took him no time but I believe it will be worth every penny. He's been writing for over 25 years and his experience shows.

The story is THE most important part of a story app. Illustrations, music, character voices, animation, games, coloring activities, things that wiggle and jiggle won't make it a great app!

Often we don't hold ourselves to the same quality standards we expect from the goods and services we consume. We want to see movies with a great story and cinematography asking friends and family for recommendations before dropping money at the box office. But do we provide the same when writing for a book, app, or ebook? If you don't have the writing skills are you working hard to develop them? Have you considered partnering with a professional author?

I get emails, messages, and phone calls every week from authors looking for illustrators to partner with. Professional authors often have a huge back list of manuscripts that have never been published - usually much larger than their printed books. I guess a good question is will having a great story sell enough apps to offset the percentage or payment you'll have to give up to an author? I think so. I believe that a smaller percentage of a GREAT project is worth much more than a larger percentage of a Mediocre project.

Did you know there are thousands of movies produced each year? How many can you name from 2013? My point is that if you aren't producing the best who will care?

But Will, you're a professional illustrator so it's easy for you to work with professional authors. Sure - it's probably easier for me to strike up a conversation but from the sheer numbers of authors I've been approached by I know there's a huge need out there and it's only going to grow. If you're passionate and committed I doubt you will have trouble talking an author into letting you take a crack at bringing one of their stories to life.

So check back to see Step 2 as I share my progress reports!

And as a reminder - if you're worried about the programming side of making a story app we are having a class that starts in about a month to learn Kwik - the DIY photoshop plugin software that lets you create your own story app. More info.

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 5.5
Step 6
Step 7
Steps 8 & 9

Monday, August 12, 2013

New SVS Class - Learn Kwik!

I'm so excited to announce our new SVS class: Learn kwiksher. What is Kwik? It's a WYSIWYG -(what you see is what you get) plugin that works inside photoshop. It allows the user to create their own story app, digital comic, graphic novel, game, etc... The coolest thing is that you don't need to have any coding experience to use it - however - it is a bit complicated - which makes it very powerful! I have invited Alex to teach this class via our SVS classes to make it easier to get your feet wet. If you're like me you will enjoy being led through this software step by step.

Click here to check out the class

click here to check out kwik

Why am I typing? I laid it all out in this video:



Friday, August 9, 2013

Finished!

I just finished my new book!- "There Once Was A Cowpoke Who Swallowed An Ant" by Helen ketteman - A.W. ...that's it - just on a high right now and thought I'd share...

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

What should Be In My Illustration Portfolio?

In this video I give a list of items I feel every children's book illustrator should have in their portfolio. Art Directors and Editors are afraid to hire the wrong artist so make sure you're covering all the most important items. If you can think like an editor you'll be much more equipped to show them what they want to see.