How to Write and Illustrate Your Own Fable 

Writing Tips

There's a lesson or moral to be learned.

It involves animals, plants or forces of nature.

It's short, direct, and has mainly action.

It's universal; cross-cultural and ultimately, reinforces what makes us human.

Start with the lesson you want to teach.  (Theme)  What's your advice?  Examples: It's better to cooperate than fight; believe in yourself; follow your heart.

Choose the characters.  Who will teach the lesson?  Who should learn the lesson?

How will the lesson be learned? (Plot)  How will your story unfold?  What's the event that will teach the lesson?

Think about dialogue and different voices and describe the setting.

Refine the moral.

Put it all together.  First draft, second draft, third, and final. Edit!  Edit!  Edit!

Illustrating Tips

Who are the main characters?  What are they doing? What is the focus of the story?

How much space do you have for your illustrations?  Do you want the words on the same page as your picture?

Capture the essence of the story visually by focusing on the main characters and their interaction.  You don't have to draw everything.

What do you feel when you read the story?  Try to convey that emotion.

Research your characters to draw them.  Use real plants, animals or photographs or have fun with your imagination and create fantasy characters.  The most important object should be larger, have more detail, or be highlighted in some way.

If you want to add color to your drawing, choose a medium (paint, crayon, markers, pencils, etc.).  Complementary colors: red/green, blue/orange, yellow/purple used next to each other provide interest and contrast.  Put the most exciting or interesting colors where you want people to look.  Textures (ie. brush or crayon strokes) can also express movement or feeling.  Exaggerate or change the colors of your plants or animal characters for drama.  You don't have to use realistic colors. How about a yellow sky?