I’m doing an illustration course at the moment and as part of that I’ve been drawing every day. This has usually taken the form of a #ShapeChallenge where I’ve used a specific shape posted on Twitter to inspire a drawing.
Furious Bird. You can see (my badly executed version of ) the shape that inspired it, at the bottom of the picture.
Sometimes I’ve found that inspiration takes me a step further and the drawing then prompts me to write something. In the case of ‘furious bird’ it was a limerick:
There once was a furious bird
Whose anger was easily stirred
From morning ’till night
He would squark, shout and fight
‘Till he dropped dead of stress (so I heard).
I’m normally one for happy endings but frankly, furious bird kinda had it coming. I didn’t like him very much. I get the feeling he was berating people for not being just like him. (Hmm, it’s possible furious bird has a story beyond the scope of this limerick!)
Feel free to supply an alternative ending if you think furious bird deserves rehabilitation. Perhaps he’s just misunderstood? #savefuriousbird 
Absolutely brilliant as always! But I have a teeny suggestion – STOP protecting your characters, sometimes you just have to kill them off
xx
I mean, obvs you killed him off, but you then asked for alternative endings…
I know, I’m terrible – such a softy! #keepfuriousbirddead
Maddy recently posted…furious bird
I feel like you have a children’s book somewhere in there…
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You could be right! x
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I love it, and what an awesome picture. Wish I could draw! I am never going to think of twitter as a benevolent bluebird again.
It hadn’t occurred to me that it looked like the twitter bird! But now it seems like the perfect representation of the angry, judgemental side of twitter. Interesting… Thanks for commenting, Cara. xx
Maddy recently posted…the zipwire to inspiration
The end of this actually made me snort my tea, brilliant! Love it, and feel no need to provide an alternative ending
Sara | mumturnedmom recently posted…On being the mother of an extrovert
Thanks Sara, glad it made you laugh… or snort tea! Yes, I think furious Bird may well have deserved it. xx
Hahah! Amazing. And there are SO MANY angry birds on Twitter! #proseforthought
Thanks Sarah, and now I’ve realised the Twitter bird link, it seems a really quite accurate depiction of parts of Twitter!
Maddy recently posted…for the love of shoes
that made me laugh out loud … love it! #prose4t
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Thanks Antonia!
Maddy recently posted…for the love of shoes
I think it’s wonderful that you’ve started drawing Maddy. I can see what fun you’re having with it. I rather like Mr Furious bird. The shape challenge is a great way to get drawing, I’m enjoying following your illustrations very much. I’ve also been following your posts about picture books as I’m trying to get one finished at the moment so your tips are so valuable at the moment. Tor xx
Ooh, that sounds really interesting about your picture books Tor – I’d love to hear more! Glad my posts have been useful. Feel free to link up to #whatImWriting with any posts about writing-y stuff. There are lots of lovely talented people in our little writing community. Have always loved you illustrations xx
Maddy recently posted…for the love of shoes
Brilliant. I assumed it was the Twitter bird too. That is a very suitable ending for a very furious bird. The moral of the story is don’t be such a grumpy bird. Could all learn from that??
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Yes I think we all could and certainly ‘don’t be full of rage’ is something to live by! Thanks Kirstie. x
Maddy recently posted…for the love of shoes
I love this just the way it is!! And your drawings get better and better. Brilliantly done once again. Thanks for linking to Prose for Thought xx
Verily Victoria Vocalises recently posted…Song for the Weekend #9 – Confusion by The Electric Light Orchestra
Thanks Vicky, your comments always make me smile! xx
Maddy recently posted…for the love of shoes
Flipping brilliant as always!
He definitely had t coming
x
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