between text and illustration / 文圖之間

今年開始對自己的創作模式有一些思考，好一陣子都是從文字著手，有時寫到沒有畫面，自己也察覺不到，所以我想改變。

This year I started to have some reflection on my pattern of making a picture book. For the past few years I have written the text first, but the danger is that sometimes part of the text doesn't conjure up any visual image, which I might not be aware of.  

        自從去上了繪本課之後，得到很多刺激，例如說我又一再被提醒，所有好作品的出發點都是創作者本身要享受整個過程，那些外加的目的和野心必須先放在一邊。

     Ever since I attended the picture-making courses, I have gained much stimulation. For one thing, I am constantly reminded that I have to discard my ambition and focus on enjoying making a book.

        雖然在分享作品方面，我是個超級膽小鬼，可是看到同學們大方地把作品擺出來，懇切地和老師同儕討論，我也自我鼓勵，每次上課都不斷突破心防。

     I am a coward when it comes to sharing my works, but seeing my classmates present and share their stories with everyone in class, I also try my best do let go of my fear. 

        透過老師不斷問問題，加上我說出自己在創作上一直以來的瓶頸，我覺得好像找到前進的路。

     In trying to answer the teacher's questions and voicing the problem I have detected in creating stories, somehow I feel I have found a really good direction. 

        因為我老是在故事裡包含太多意涵，所以最後主題沒說清楚，又把故事弄得很抽象。老師說我可以從圖畫起，把抽象的文本具像化，再把圖串連起來。

     Since I've always wanted to include too much in my stories, I fail to express the themes successfully. Also, they are too abstract for children to understand. My teacher said that I can try starting from drawing pictures because that way I can give concrete images to abstract ideas. Then a story can be developed by connecting the images I have. 

        即使故事這次寫不好，我也不在意從頭再來。只要我可以學著把故事說好，一切都好說。

     Even if the drafts are a failure, I don't mind begin anew. As long as I can learn to tell a good story, every effort is worth it.