Unlocking Creativity: Shadra Strickland’s Surprising Secrets to Writing with Impact

Who are you?

Hello there! I am Shadra Strickland, author/illustrator and Chair of Illustration at the Maryland Institute College of Art.

What do you write?

I write picture books and poetry for now.

Though I’ve been illustrating books since 2009, my writing didn’t take off until years later. My mother was an English teacher, so reading and writing were a part of my childhood daily life.

The stories that I have published are big, loud rallying calls to play and center around joy and community. Most reflect my own childhood experiences. Though I am beginning to expand and write about subjects that are somewhat less familiar, there will always be some hint of my experience as a child in the South. The joy, the sunshine, the big-heartedness, the ease of language that shows up in my work — that is all directly tied to my upbringing in Atlanta, GA. The next few stories that I have written are in prose rather than the two rhythmic texts that have been published — they will focus more on relationships and small moments rather than the big bold books that I currently write.

Creating is not easy. Writing comes slightly easier to me than illustrating — think sprint vs marathon — but they both have their pain points. The spark of an idea is always exciting, and being in the ideation and research space can help that idea take shape as beautiful and unexpected gems. There are moments of great joy when something comes out the way that I envision it in my head, but more often than not, the journey is perilous and riddled with self-doubt. When I have crossed the finish line and the final book shows up at my door, I can tap into the magic of it all, and yes, I do end up loving it.

Where do you write?

The initial writing can happen just about anywhere — trains, cafes, dining room table, etc- though I never write in my art studio. The work of finishing a manuscript and editing happens in my office at a black desk lacquered in big beautiful flowers. One day I’ll write something romantic to do the desk justice.