I have the chance to engage/try an illustrator who is a completely different nationality and culture to me but has English as a second language. Mutual friends are encouraging us to collaborate but I have some serious doubts about how they will interpret the manuscript.
How important is it to have a writer and an illustrator on the same 'wavelength' when working on a children's picture book?
I'm an illustrator myself, so I know how crucial the relationship between writer and artist is; it's our job to take what's in your head and on your pages, and transpose that into a great cover! So the language and communication is important.
However I certainly wouldn't let that stop you from a collaboration, providing their level of English is fluent. As long a they understand the basics of what you want, then you may be surprised with how they interpret the brief perhaps from a different way of thinking culturally.
The relationship is crucial, but any artist will also want to make use of artistic license, and put their stamp on the work in some way (usually via their visual style). I've always found that the writer/artist relationship can be very creative and fruitful - you both may come up with approaches the other hadn't considered.
In this instance, I would perhaps ask for an initial concept sketch or something to really make sure that they're on the same wavelength and understanding, prior to them doing a lot of work.
Thank you Lorraine. In addition to conventional manuscripts I have an idea for a 'visual' picture book (few, if any words) but I can't draw or paint. I am sketching the book at the moment, and would be willing to try this illustrator on this particular project to improve on my own drawings.
For more wordy PB stories, I agree with you there needs to be a degree of alignment (and preferably some spark or chemistry) between the parties to give the finished product the edge it needs to impress the publishers.
I'd have thought it was vital. You have an idea of what you want the illustrations to represent, and how you want them to appear. It's your story, after all. What if your illustrator has different ideas? How are you to find a common ground?
You could suggest that this person does one sample picture for you (free or at a mutually agreed price) to see if you mesh, and then take it from there one way or another.