One thing to thank for a day / 感恩事項

知道House of Illustration和出版社Folio Society舉辦的經典書插畫比賽好幾年了，不過總覺得之前的書目很不適合我，今年開的是珍奧斯汀的曼斯菲爾德莊園，因為高中的時候很迷讀珍奧斯汀的原文書，所以不管怎樣，今年都要試試看。

I've known the illustration competition held by House of Illustration and Folio Society for years. However, I'd always felt that the books weren't quite suitable for me. This year the book is Jane Austen's Mansfield Park. Since I was very much into reading Austen's books in high school, I have a strong desire to try illustrating for the book no matter what. 

        插畫就如同很多事一樣，可以令人又苦惱又快樂，一方面因為有目標而開心，一方面卻因為不確定，於是對自己產生許多懷疑。

     Illustration, like many things, can be upsetting and pleasing at the same time. On the one hand, I am uplifted because of the goal, but on the other hand, I have to deal with my inner doubts since I am not sure of myself. 

        就在好幾種情緒的擺盪之間，我看到了誠悅把每天要感恩的事項寫出來，那麼這個週末我要感謝這兩瓶美麗的墨水，幫我找到了出路。

     As I fluctuate between these opposite emotions, I read Yueh's FB page on which she listed one thing to thank for every day. In my case, I'd like to thank for the two beautiful bottles of ink, which help me find the way. 

        當然，不論如何，更要謝謝珍奧斯汀，我因此發現為她作插畫的藝術家還真多呢！ 

     Last but not least, I have to thank Jane Austen. In fact, I've found tons of illustrators for her works! 

long and beautiful journey / 又漫長又美好

今年的信誼幼兒文學獎改在信誼的好好生活廣場舉辦，不過不管在哪裡舉辦，我都會去參加！

My yearly goal is to participate in the picture-book contest held by Hsin-y publisher and go to the award ceremony wherever the venue is. This time I decided to write only instead of making a book. My work "Sunny and Rain" is shortlisted. 

        今年的文字創作獎沒有嘉作也沒有首獎，現在的我已經學到輸贏不是最重要的事，寫一個好故事才是我的目標。這個故事的靈感來自於我去北歐的旅行，回來時我的傘上還留著北歐的雨，因此很想幫雨寫一個故事，剛好很符合今年台灣的天氣呢！

     Unfortunately, there is no winner in the category of story-writing. However, my failures last year taught me that creating a good story is much more important than winning. The inspiration for my story comes from my trip to North Europe last summer. It surprised me quite a bit to see the raindrops remaining on my umbrella when I opened it after returning to Taiwan. Thus, I was motivated to write a story for the rain. The story comes in handy in the rainy spring here! 

        寫作就是人生的反映，總是會有起起伏伏，今年寫的故事或許特別吸引人，但也許明年的故事就沒有那麼傑出，這都是很正常的。

     Writing or making picture books is a reflection of human life in that there are always ups and downs. Maybe your story is particularly amazing this year, but it doesn't guarantee that next year you'll come up with an equally wonderful one. And we all have to bear that in mind instead of taking the outcome of the contest too seriously. 

        好一陣子沒有上兒童文學的課程了，再度來到這樣的場合，不禁又激動了起來，心中對於做繪本的熱情又熊熊地燒了起來，放眼望去是一年又一年都來的熟悉面孔，大家都很努力地朝著同一個目標前進，雖然不是一蹴可及，可是想到原來自己在意的事對很多創作者也同樣重要，信念就更堅定了。

     I haven't gone to any workshop on children literature for a while. Being on such an occasion once again, the fire in me is rekindled again. Every year I get to see many familiar faces of creators who go all out for the same goal. Though the road to success is paved with challenges and frustrations, my faith is strengthened upon being reminded that the goal that I consider so essential also matters so much to many picture-book makers. 

        今年的繪本佳作得主葉曼玲小姐，作品內容靈感源自於女兒在公園裡撿的花葉種子。

     This is the runner-up Ms. Yeh for the category of picture books. Her story is inspired by her daughters picking leaves and seeds in the park. 

        今年的特別獎得主是蕭湄羲小姐，十二年前就得過大獎，她說這中間沒有創作的時候就觀察和思考，我特別喜歡這句話。

     This is the winner of the special award Ms. Hsiao. She won the award twelve years ago. During the interim when she didn't create, she spent time observing and thinking. These words really impress me. 

        從缺多年的首獎今年終於找到得主，是很有名氣的郭乃文和周見信先生，靈感來自曾經飼養的小狗。

     The winners of the best picture book this year go to the famous pair Mr. Guo and Mr. Chou. Their story is inspired by their pet dog. 

        主辦單位也特別頒發終身成就獎給藝術家趙國宗老師，同時也有他的畫展。

     The host also gives the lifetime achievement award to the renowned artist Mr. Zhou. His exhibition is also held at the same time. 

        最令人感動的則是林良老師，每年都見到他，每周在國語日報上都讀到他的文章，真是完全奉獻給兒童文學的人生，我也要那麼充滿熱情才行！

     What moves me most is seeing Mr. Lin again. Though he is in his 90s, he is still dedicated to writing for children. I definitely want to be as hard-working as he is! 

        今天的晚餐則是在螢火蟲相伴的和美山，一邊喝著蜂蜜啤酒，接下來再重新開始吧！

     To top the afternoon off, we spend my evening in the company of fireflies and a can of honey beer in the suburban hill. Well, you know what? I am going to start all anew again! 

Time to travel / 去旅行

炎熱的夏天，該坐下來乘涼，我卻一直在奔跑。本來是為了督促男孩們參加畫畫比賽，卻因此感到透心涼。思維畫了冬天去北海道的回憶。

While I should cool down in scorching summer, I am constantly running. However, in making the boys participate in a drawing contest, I benefit from the freshness of their works. Von draws the memory of traveling to snowy Hokkaido in winter. 

        楷維畫的是我們沒有記憶的旅行，他說是拜訪火山，挺有意思的。

     Kai draws a trip which we have not heard of. He says he visited a volcano somewhere. I am amused by his creativity. 

        接下來，我也要去涼涼的北國旅行了！

     Next, it's my turn to travel to cool North Europe! 

Another step / 又一步

今年年初找到了台北市最老的楓香。春天的時候，小蕙問我有沒有寫書的計畫，我說總有一天。五月偶然發現環境署辦的繪本比賽，雖然當時離截止日期只剩一個月，我卻相信自己可以做到，於是我就用三個星期做了一本書。在準備的過程中，楓香樹給了我很大的力量，我充滿了信念，然後很幸運地得到了佳作。

After finding the oldest tree in Taipei, the sweet gum tree at the beginning of the year, Huei asked if I had the plan to write a picture book for it. It was spring, and I didn't feel ready then. In May, I occasionally found the picture book contest held by the Environmental Protection Administration. By the time I learned about it, there was merely one month away from the deadline, but somehow I wanted more than ever to participate in it. During the process of preparation, I was full of faith and power, which I believe came from the tree. Very luckily, my work won the special mention prize. 

        頒獎地點選在台灣博物館土銀展示館，是很古典雅緻的建築。

   The award ceremony takes place in Taiwan Land Bank Exhibition Hall, National Taiwan Museum, which is an extremely classical building. 

        我很喜歡木造的屋頂，今天才發現台灣有這麼美麗的博物館呢！

   To be honest, I didn't know that we have such a beautiful museum in Taiwan! The wooden roof is my favorite. 

        這個比賽有分教案組和繪本組，繪本組的評審很熱心地提點獲選作品的優缺點。

   There are two categories in the contest--teaching plans and picture books. The judge points out the strengths and weaknesses of the winning picture books. 

        會中還播映前三名的繪本作品，第三名的得主陳潤芃小姐之前在信誼的比賽也得獎了。

   The top three picture books are turned into audio books presented to the audience. The winner of the third place, Ms. Chen, was also a winner in the picture book contest held by Hsin-y Foundation earlier this year. 

        第二名的作品「大樹開花」用很精細的剪紙作為表現技法，以種植大樹爲主旨，小方邊看還和我說：這和你的故事有相似的地方喔！

   The winner of the second place "Blossoming Trees" impresses the viewer with its fine paper-cutting technique while the theme of the book is about planting trees. As we watch the story, Von can't help whispering to me: You two have similar stories!" 

        第一名的作品「海邊診所」被評為幾近零缺點，畫面和文字都很簡單，可是很有力道。

   The winner of the first place "The Clinic by the Sea" is viewed as almost perfect by the jury. The images and text are extremely simple, but the story is really impressive. 

        主辦單位還準備好幾道用在地食材做成的小點，令人感受到他們的用心。

   The sponsor prepares snacks made from local agricultural crops, which warms our hearts. 

        畫繪本的都長得好漂亮！

   Picture book artists are all so beautiful! 

        頒獎典禮還有一個很棒的地方─有小小的分享會，讓我從別人身上學習，收集到很多好點子。

   Something wonderful about the ceremony is that every winner is invited to share their inspirations and experiences about making their books. I have thus learned much from the others and collected many great ideas. 

        孩子們帶著花束跑進我們的大合照裡。

   The kids run into our group picture with big bouquets of flowers.

        楷維很喜歡我的獎杯，我是帶最多親友去的人，感謝大家都來為加油！

   Kai loves my trophy a lot. I am the person that brings the most visitors with me. Many thanks to my family who come to cheer for me. 

        會後和評審請益，老師說我的文字還要再更精簡，有些圖也要更洗練，這席話是我今天最大的收穫。

   I talk to one of the judges about how to improve my work. She suggests that I work on the text and some images. Her advice is the most important reason why I have to be there in the ceremony today. 

        台博館土銀館真是令人驚艷，一走進去我便想到倫敦的自然歷史博物館，但我更加喜歡台博館，當時抱著夢想去倫敦，現在在台北實現夢想了，我愛我的當下。

   National Taiwan Museum is a really amazing place. In fact, the moment I walk in, I think of the Natural History Museum in London. However, I like the one here more. I went to London with a dream, and I am on my way to realizing the dream step by step here in Taipei. I don't love anything else more than my present. 

        最重要的是，我和我愛的人在一起！孩子們總是和我一起做繪本，當我的聽眾和小編輯，沒有他們我就不會得獎！

   Most important of all, I am with those who I love. The boys always work with me when I make picture books. They are not only my readers but also my editors. Without them, I wouldn't be here! 

The 26th Award Ceremony of Hsin Yi Picture Book Contest / 信誼第26屆幼兒文學獎

上次參加信誼幼兒文學獎頒獎典禮已經是五年前的事了，現在回想起來，其實有沒有入圍或得獎都要來看一看才行。

Last time when I went to the award ceremony of Hsin Yi picture book contest, it was five years ago. Now when I look back, I feel that whether I've won or not, I should come for a look. 

        典禮上邀請到許多兒童文學界重量級的人物和入圍的諸多年輕藝術家，是令人很振奮人心的場合。

   Many heavyweight figures in Taiwan's children's literature circle were invited along with many super young selected artists. I felt so moved to be part of all this. 

        事前便知道我沒有得佳作或首獎，但是我一點也沒有感傷的心情，，看到很多好作品就很開心了。

   I knew that I didn't win the final award  beforehand, but I didn't feel upset at all. In fact, I was more than happy to see so many wonderful works. 

       今年的首獎從缺，有三名佳作，兩名獲獎人是二十多歲的年輕女孩巫宇庭和林潤芃，最後一組是雙人創作，左邊的許智偉先生說他參加好幾次了，這真是很鼓勵人的話語啊！最棒的是頒獎人是永遠的小太陽林良老師。

   This year there was no first place. There were three winners of second place, two of whom are young girls in their early 20s. As for the third group, the winners said they are not that young.  Mr. Hsu on the left encouraged us by saying that he had participated several times. Best of all, Mr. Lin Liang was there too. He is the father of children's literature in Taiwan. 

       主辦單位認為這幾年的作品圖勝於文，所以今年徵件的項目恢復圖畫書文字獎，希望可以有好故事讓插畫家來詮釋。

   The judges have the impression that the works over the past few years have been more impressive in terms of pictures. Most artists can work on their story-narrating skills. Thus, there's the category of picture-book narratives in the coming competition. Hopefully, there will be more good stories for illustrators to work with. 

        感謝我的好朋友們蕙玲和美燕來陪伴我，很貼心的主辦單位還安排了美麗美味的下午茶，我們在我的小恐龍家庭前留影。

   I would like to thank my good friends Huiling and Meiyen for being there for me. Hsin Yi prepared really yummy afternoon tea for us to enjoy. We took a picture in front of my dinosaur family. 

        而頒獎典禮之後有小野先生的演講，主題是如何說一個好故事，雖然小野沒教任何的寫作技巧，我們卻在他說的無數故事裡又哭又笑，這就是說故事高手的功力吧！

   The famous writer Hsiao Yeh was invited to give a talk on how to tell a good story. Though he didn't teach any writing skills, we laughed with tears during the whole speech. He definitely showed how a good story-teller should be. 

        今天過後我要更加努力，一輩子都要寫故事和畫故事！

   This is such an uplifting day. After today, I will definitely work harder and dedicate my life to writing and illustrating stories! 

A HUGE LEAP / 一大步

今天收到信誼的掛號信之前，心想：之前沒有入圍的信也都是這麼薄薄一張‧‧‧‧‧‧不過打開之後在電梯裡只差沒跳了起來，這是我第四次參加信誼的繪本比賽，終於入圍了，雖然不知道能不能進入最後兩終兩名，但對我來說已經是很大的一步。

Before I opened the registered mail from Hsin Yi Foundation, I thought, "The rejection slips from the past few years were also this thin ... " But the surprise this time really made my day. This is my fourth time participating in the contest, and my work is finally shortlisted this year. Though I don't know if I'll make it to the final two, for me, this is already such a HUGE leap.

        雖然我不是天才型的繪本家，但慢慢地，也開始找到了方向，不過我覺得更重要的是企圖心，最近隨著春天的到來，我又有了新的動力，從現在開始，我要更義無反顧地把寫繪本和畫繪本這件事做好，我想我會離目標越來越近，我相信在多元的市場裡一定有我的位置！

   Compared with excellent picture book makers, I was not born with the talent. However, slowly, I've found my direction. With the coming of spring, I've found new impetus. From now on, I will work harder to write and draw picture books. I feel that I am getting closer and closer to my goal and that there will be a place for me in the diverse market!

Miss Moon / 思思與月亮

一個半月沒有寫網誌了，因為我想要全心全意準備信誼的繪本比賽。

Because I'd like to be devoted to the preparation of the annual picture book contest of Hsin-yi Foundation, I haven't updated my blog for one and half months.

        今年的心情和往年很不一樣，腳步沒有那麼趕，我學會享受這整個過程，雖然很多時候對自己不滿意，或者到最後要印刷的階段，我無法操控所有的變因，不過很幸運地在最後幾天把稿件交出去了。

   I noticed my change this year. I learned to pace myself and enjoyed the process. Though there were moments when I was upset with myself or when I couldn't control the printing quality, yet, I was lucky enough to submit my story before the deadline . 

        想要偷懶的時候，楷維會繞過來監督，並且不斷地問：你為什麼沒有在畫圖？讓我心生罪惡。孩子們也會問：你為什麼都沒有得獎？雖然我也不知道，他們還是很體貼地說：可是我很喜歡耶！

   When I felt like lazing around, Kai would act as my supervisor asking constantly, "Why aren't you drawing? How did the story go?" He made me feel so guilty that I had to crawl back to the study. Kai and Von also asked, "How many times have you participated in the contest? How come you never won?" I didn't have any clue either, but they'd comfort me with their sweet talk: We love your books a lot!

        為了想要找到較優的印刷行，跑了很多家店，其中一家老闆對我說：這個印出來就是會有不可預測的白點，我想評審要看的不是精美的印刷。我想了很久才找到答案，今年這個比賽對我來說已經不是我和其他人的競爭，而是我對自己的要求，因為比賽是短暫的，而這本書的內容記錄的是思維的人生，還有我對自己的期許。

   To look for a better printing shop, I made much research in person. One of the owners said to me: I can't assure if white dots won't be there, but I bet it's not the printing quality that the judges will focus on. I pondered over his words for a long while, and that finally led me to a clear-sounding answer: To me, the contest is no longer about the competition this year. It's about me and myself. After all, the contest is temporary, but this book records Von's childhood and my self-expectations. 

        這週去看了伊朗電影「我們都是這樣長大的」，看到每個畫面都像看到我的人生，雖然中間有些憂愁苦惱，但我最後的結論都會回到：這一輩子可以一直畫圖，我真是個超級幸運的人！

   I went to the Iranian film The Rooster Trademark Paper this week. Every scene so reminded me of my own life. Although I couldn't help feeling anxious and frustrated while preparing the bookn, I always came to the same conclusion: Being able to draw on and on for my whole life, I am such a blessed person!

Miss Sun Rides the Subway / 太陽小姐搭地鐵

我的故事「太陽小姐搭地鐵」過了遠傳電子繪本的初選，請到這裡幫我投票吧，謝謝你！

My story Miss Sun Rides the Subway was on the list of chosen works for the picture book contest held by FETnet. Please vote for me here. Thank you so much! 

My Book / 我的書

過了兩個星期每天做數小時電腦排版的生活，今天終於把我的書送去信誼比賽了。這兩週裡得到很多人的幫助，包括家人看了我同一張圖無數個版本，辦公室的同事每天被我糾纏問Indesign和Photoshop，連印刷公司的員工也無償地幫我修檔案，遠在義大利的凱特也拉我一把。好像是說，當你很想達到某個目標時，全世界都會聯合起來幫助你。

I spent hours doing the layout for my book every day during the past two weeks. Today I finally sent the book to the publisher for the picture book contest. God showered me with help during this period of time. There was Caterina in Italy, who read the book for me before I started the layout design. My family had to go through the repeated process of selecting the best image out of several similar ones for me. My colleague Anna in the office was constantly pestered because of my ignorance in Indesign and Photoshop. Even the employees in the printing company offered their help without charging me extra. I feel because I wanted to achieve the goal really badly, the whole world was united to help my dream come true. 

印成書之後念給楷維聽，聽到我說這本書之後就會離開我們一陣子，他很捨不得。不過當我的星星正在飛翔之際，離下個比賽的時間不到一個月，我心裡還有好多好多要說的故事⋯

After I had the book printed, I read it to Kai. He didn't want to part with the book upon hearing that it would be away for a while. Well, when my stars are flying, I have less than one month before the next competition is due. And there are so many other stories I want to tell...