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Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Creative and Colorful Illustrations

May 4, 2023 by Jim Potter 2 Comments

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(To  listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)

Creative and Colorful Illustrations

Copyright 2023 © by Jim Potter

The above image, created by Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions, is trademarked as part of our branding.

Everyone’s heard the expression about how something is so special it’s “icing on a cake.” The icing is an extra step. It makes something that’s already excellent, even better.

When I complete a draft of a book, I print it out and assemble the pages in a three-ring binder so I can hold the work in my hands. I also make sure that I have the title of the book displayed on the cover. Sometimes, I’ll even add a rough drawing of how I want the final, professional cover to look.

My old-fashioned, tactile routine of assembling mockups, without a hint of illustrations, never prepared me for the exciting visual world of colorful art and design required to build a children’s book.

Looking back, I feel like I’ve been a colorblind author. As I marvel at color illustrations created by Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions, I feel like it’s my first springtime when I appreciate the beauty of a wide assortment of sensuous flowers.

K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play, my first children’s book, is written. Now, Gina continues to add images to enhance the reading experience to our targeted audience of 5th and 6th grade level students. I’m pleased to say that professional illustrator Laiso has already surprised me with her imaginative, creative, and colorful work. Her illustrations knock my socks off!

Here are a few illustrations that we’re using in K-9 Kudzu in the first three chapters. A small portion of each chapter is included with each illustration. If you haven’t heard, K-9 Kudzu is a German shepherd police dog who is the narrator of this book.

Color illustration by Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions from K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play. To be published summer 2023.

“A” is for Accident

One time, Tom left me locked in our car for too long. Eventually, I needed to pee. When Tom didn’t return, I had an accident. It wasn’t planned. I didn’t do it on purpose. It was an accident.

I’ve been on duty with Deputy Jennings when he’s worked car accidents. In the summer, the asphalt on the highways can get so hot it feels like my feet are on fire. In the winter, I’m glad to be wearing my heavy coat.

After an accident, Tom always asks the driver, “What happened?” I’ve heard a lot of responses. Sometimes the driver blames another driver. Other times people admit to falling asleep or texting on their phone.

I’ve also heard people blame dogs for running out into the road. I don’t take it personally. I know dogs who don’t have a lick of common sense.

Illustration by Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions.

*

“B” is for Badge

The letter “b” is the first letter in badge, but it’s also the first letter in ball. I love playing with my blue ball. Tom picked that color because he knows it’s easy for me to see.

Deputy Jennings and I both wear a silver-colored badge that’s in the shape of a star with six points.

Both of our badges say, “Sheriff’s Office.” Tom’s badge also has his radio call number, “431.” Mine says, “K-9.” As a bonus, my badge is personalized with my name, “Kudzu.”

*

Color illustration, Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions.

“C” is for Car

Every day—or night—when I work on patrol with my partner, Deputy Tom Jennings, he’s always using his car, computer, or camera.

While Tom drives our SUV, I’m usually in my kennel, which is located behind the front passenger’s seat. Since I don’t wear a seat belt, the kennel—or crate—is for my safety, not because I’m being punished.

Some states have dog restraint laws. They require the driver of the vehicle to secure their dog with a seat belt or crate when the vehicle is moving on the road. Other states have laws against distracted driving. That means drivers can get a ticket for having a dog on their lap.

On traffic stops, I’m always ready to assist Tom. If he’s outside the car and needs my help, he can press a remote button on his belt that opens the door of our SUV.

Tom can be funny. I try not to laugh at him when he gets tangled up in his seatbelt. He has more trouble getting out of the car than I do. Of course, I’m much faster. I have four legs and I’m in shape. Toms big. He tells people he’s “jumbo size.”

Our SUV is solid blue, but I’ve seen officers driving cars that are other colors. Some are black and white.

*

Until next time, happy writing,

 

 

To contact Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions, click on the following Facebook link.

http://www.facebook.com/IntegritaProductions

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Comments

  1. alex says

    I can NOT wait for this!!!!

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      YES! I know the feeling. It takes longer to birth a book than to give birth to a child.

      Reply

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Karleen Wilson-Moon

Terrific story relevant to today’s social issues . . . well written . . . likable characters . . . insightful perspective from an insider in law enforcement.

Larry Kruckman, anthropologist

Jim Potter displays ethnographic skills in Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, creating vivid scenes and fascinating characters. The Greeks had a word for subcultures and people’s behavior: ‘ethos,’ or ‘ways of being.’ In colorful, sometimes marvelous detail, this novel captures various people and settings . . . the ethos of rural Kansas: a… Read more “Larry Kruckman, anthropologist”

Steve Becker

I’m impressed. It was an excellent read. . . . I hope you continue with more projects in the future.

Morgan Penner

Taking Back the Bullet is a novel that provides the reader with a window into the world of law enforcement. As the novel unfolds, the reader is able to see how split-second decisions alter the lives of the main characters in the story. Taking Back the Bullet also explores how humanity is impacted by mental… Read more “Morgan Penner”

Sean McArdle, Winchester, England

Retired police officer Potter’s novel centers on very disparate characters and through the tried and tested means of gradually introducing each one, builds a sense of anticipation about what is going to happen to them. This often used methodology is not easy to do well but is superbly handled by Potter who knows how to… Read more “Sean McArdle, Winchester, England”

Jane Holzrichter

I finished it last night around midnight. What a great piece of work. It kept me intrigued all the way to the end.

Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist

Jim Potter has done it again! After his book, Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told, Jim has written another great work. In Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, Jim Potter takes us on an insightful journey into the lives and relationships of numerous characters. Jim is such a talented storyteller… Read more “Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist”

Diana Dester

Good story line, building the characters along the way. Great job!

Wynona Winn, PhD, retired school superintendent

Three main characters walk different paths but with the same destination – each coping with his or her self-discovery, self-identity, and self-realization. Much like their earlier counterparts – Huck Finn and Holden Caulfield – their journeys are often joyous, often tedious and often tragic.

Judy Hawk

. . . I was impressed with the Native American information as well as the depth of character development . . . .

John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement

I enjoyed your book. When I am looking for a new read, I always read the first page, last page and choose a random page somewhere in the middle before I decide to buy it. You had me on all three pages. I also like reading a book where you can relate to the characters… Read more “John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement”

Sheryl Remar

I enjoyed the different stories of this book because Tom, James, and Suanna, the three main characters, represent in their own way the different struggles with themselves and society’s idea of what is normal.

Rebecca Schillaci

As a former law enforcement officer, I found the story very relatable as it details the life of a law enforcement officer and the struggles some face throughout their careers. . . Taking Back the Bullet is a journey of understanding, respect, and forgiveness . . .

Dennis Perrin, educator

Masterful storytelling, exquisite character development, so real as to HURT and HOPE, a real page turner. Begs for stage, screenwriters, and visual episodic development a.k.a. TV series . . . Thanks Jim Potter for telling it like it is AND providing us visions of how it could be. Well done!

Rebecca from Proud Police Wife

Taking Back the Bullet is an emotional, yet captivating novel. Jim Potter does a superb job of intertwining each character and putting their individual identities on display. All law enforcement storylines are a true reflection of Potter’s years as a police officer because they are realistic and relatable. This is a book I highly recommend.

Denise Low, author of Jackalope (Red Mountain Press)

Jim Potter is a cop, retired, but he brings deep understanding of this job to his novel Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery. This layered novel has literary dimensions as characters explore crisis situations. Congratulations to this fine writer for his debut novel.

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