Charles Vess illustrates Neil Gaiman's "Instructions"

[ellenkushner]

. . . and it was my idea, mine mine mine!

I remember it quite clearly: Neil & Charles & Karen were in town for the Blueberry Girl signing at Books of Wonder in March** - we had a lovely dinner all together (with Charles' old roommate Mike Kaluta, and my old college pal Mimi) at our place, brilliantly cooked by Delia with spectacular desserts by our houseguest (Neil said, "Next time I'm in town, if I can't get a hotel, could I sleep in your guest room?" "Only if Mim's not already in it," I said, to which he most gallantly replied, "For such a chocolate mousse, I would gladly sleep on the sofa!" oh, and his friend Kira joined us for dessert as well, and then we tried all of Delia's hats on her. Neil knows such lovely people! As do we).

The day after the signing Charles & Karen came over (with Mike, I think, as he lives nearby & they were staying with him) and we all hung out in the livingroom, a bit subdued as we'd heard the bad news about Neil's dad, I think, but happy to be together. Charles showed us pictures of his Titania fountain, which D&I had seen under construction last summer. Enchanted & enchanting. We were all blissing out about the instant success of Blueberry Girl, and Charles said, "My new probably-agent says we should do another one right away. But Neil doesn't really have time to write something new, oh dear, what shall I do.....?"

"Instructions!" I yelled, jumping up in my enthusiasm. "Neil's poem! It's perfect! It's in the bathroom! [Well, it is. Neil sent signed editions out to everyone one New Year's. We framed ours, and it looks gorgeous right next to Terri Windling's "Briar Rose"* It is a rather splendid bathroom] Everyone loves it." Charles looked dubious - or maybe he was just tired. "Think," I coaxed, "of all the great bits you'd get to illustrate. Besides, it is a great work of art and deserves it. Everyone loves it....."

But don't just take my word for it. Ask Charles Vess, who replies: "It's funny, but I really don't remember you saying that, but then, there were a bounty of lovely thoughts/ideas flying about your living room that night, so I have NO doubts that you did.

That being the case then, thank you so very much for suggesting the idea as I'm having such a ball painting these images."

Oh, really? Then who did? Charles says: I remember Neil calling or e-mailing to suggest that I adapt his poem. And my countering with the idea of an illustrated collection of ALL his poetry.

"Good idea," he said, "but first let's just do Instructions."

Hmph.

Um, OK. Ask Neil, who Tweeted: "brilliant. I think a lot of people had the same idea at the same time (steam engine time as Fort said)."


So even though Charles doesn't remember, and Neil says it was the hive mind, I just want everyone to know that I Said It First. I remember.

Here are Charles Vess's sketches for Neil Gaiman's poem, "Instructions"


**(And, yes, I think it's hilarious that I posted lots that weekend - but never mentioned the visits or the dinner.)

* It's not this piece of Terri's, but one somewhat like it.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Oh, those are lovely. What a wonderful thing to have set in motion.

[tithenai.livejournal.com]

I hereby throw in my lot with your recollection of events!

I love that poem. I remember it being one of the first I read on the Endicott Studio's Coffeehouse page, along with Terri's "Invocation" (that became "Night Journey") and Jane Yolen's ... Argh, what was it called! Pins? Scissors? The one about the Fates!

[shweta-narayan.livejournal.com]

Yay! Love that poem :)

I think it's odd that Charles Vess is talking about making the protagonist non-human so that they could be either gender or any race, however; the poem seems steeped in particular mythologies, to me, and those mythologies would not let me see the protagonist as being of my ethnicity.

Similarly, Vess's art is steeped in mostly-European mythologies, which I love, but I'd have a hard time seeing any image of his that wasn't explicitly Indian as such.

So it seems like a nice idea, and all, but totally unworkable, to me.

er, to clarify

[shweta-narayan.livejournal.com]

"unworkable" = just the "any ethnicity" notion.

The images are glorious and the poem, obviously, works as what it is. It's just the notion of making it something it isn't that doesn't work for me.

[theniwokesoftly.livejournal.com]

I squeed when I saw your entry title and I'm rather agape at the illustrations in the link. Absolutely gorgeous.

[wildwose.livejournal.com]

I believe you Ellen, and I think it's just about the neatest thing I have heard in a while. One of my FONDEST memories of Spoutwood Fairie Festival this year, after getting my copy of Blueberry from Charles there, was reading it at our camp to big group of little girls and their moms. Awesome.

I have loved instructions since I first read it, which I can't remember when that was, and when I heard this, I could instantly see it. We are having a yard party followed by a campfire at our home. Sort of to celebrate summer, 40th anniversary of Woodstock, and my little girl turning six, all rolled into one. I will read "Instructions" at the fire tonight. Looking forward to this.

Kubiando!

[themaskmaker.livejournal.com]

Brava, Ellen! A better idea never was!

I canNOT wait for my copy.

[csecooney.livejournal.com]

*I* believe you.

I would also like to see your bathroom.

[yaoi-in-exile.livejournal.com]

Uhh!! I cannot stand that! I swear, the *only* reason Gaiman beat out TPOTS for the '06 Hugo was because of his reputation, and because of Vess's illustrations, that weren't even his doing! Booo...

Also, framed poems in the bathroom ftw. x3

[yaoi-in-exile.livejournal.com]

And: what makes it all worse is that I just went and saw the illustrations, and recognize the poem exerpts from the Wolf at the Door anthology I remember owning in middle school, that poem having been one of my favorites. Curse you Gaiman, cuuurse yooouu!

The only thing redeeming the anthology's sentimentality now is Delia's story...not that I knew I'd know of all these names in seventh grade. :P

[(Anonymous)]

I don't remember beating out TPoTS for the 06 Hugo. I'm pretty sure I withdrew the only book I have that was nominated. Not sure I've ever beaten TPoTS for anything have I, ilustrated or not.

Perhaps you are posting from an alternate universe in which I did. For a book Charles Vess Illustrated, that were not even my doing.

On behalf of the Charles and I from that universe, I apologise...

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

TPOTS wasn't even nominated for '06 Hugo -so I guess it took more than Vess & Gaiman to edge it out . . . . But, my dear lovely "yaoi-in-exile" - how happy you make me, to picture you finding & reading WOLF AT THE DOOR when you were young(er)! Thank you for that image. We send our work out into the void, and never know what lovely people are being corrupted I mean made happy by them.

[yaoi-in-exile.livejournal.com]

I know now, I know, and I feel completely awful for holding a grudge about it for years now - and completely stupid, as well. I really have no idea *why* I thought that in the first place...only that I saw something like it online, and...nh. *whimper*

Book fairs were always one of the only bright points in middle school, but I do remember liking Wolf at the Door more than usually, and it kept me company on many a bus ride home. :3 I still have my copy, and was completely flabbergasted when I found it again last year and actually recognized many of the names!

Corrupted, psht! That would have happened anyway. xD

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

Well, Neil & I - as longlost brother & sister - have had a delicious sibling rivalry for years . . . I will never forget, though, at the World Fantasy Convention in 199whatever it was, when I was up for Best Novel for THOMAS THE RHYMER, and he & Charles were up for "A Midsummer Night's Dream" for best Novella(?), Neil nervously darting from table to table, shaking everyone's hand and earnestly saying, "I hope you win!" And then we both won! He is a generous soul, and I love him dearly.

[yaoi-in-exile.livejournal.com]

Ohh, now I feel even more awful~! I tend to hold grudges, and I've been on a crusade against an apparently wonderful person. I hate these moments, and I just feel I can't apologize enough to him. And I don't even know him. :(

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

Try to stop holding grudges. It's a nasty habit, which turn you into a horrible old lady that people avoid. Seriously: start practicing giving them up now on principle, and it will get easier as time progresses, until you remember it simply as a youthful indulgence.

The good news is: apologizing once is sufficient. Especially when it's to a nice person. Apologies exist to be accepted, and then life goes on with goodwill. Those who do not accept heartfelt apologies are grudge-holders, and will become wrinkled and saggy before their time.

But it is sweet of you to hold a grudge on my behalf.

I hereby release you!

[yaoi-in-exile.livejournal.com]

Um. I...just looked back at some records, and...I have no idea just *why* I've thought this was so. For years. Holding a grudge and all. And now I've been horrible to you and made an idiot of myself. I'm sorry - please allow me to eat foot.

What's even worse is that you have turned out to be completely civil. I'm very sorry.

[(Anonymous)]

Fascinating: Charles didn't say it to me. Which is why I think it's Steam Engine time. Or just that sometimes, you and I share a brain.

(Incidentally, if you're not using the brain, can I have it on Wednesday?)

x

Neil

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

We do sometimes share a brain, this is true. (checks calendar) I'm afraid I need it Weds., though, darling, as that's the day Holly Black & I are going in to Random House to meet with our editor on the new Bordertown book, and I don't want to look stupid. Meeting ends around 2, though, and you can have it after that if you like.

[talkstowolves.livejournal.com]

Oh, brilliant, Ellen! I love this story and will subscribe to your version. ;)

[t-windling.livejournal.com]

So glad to know people remember A Wolf at the Door fondly, and that the gorgeous, gorgeous poem that Neil so kindly contributed to the book is going on to a splendid new life. That's made my day.

[wildwose.livejournal.com]

Please excuse me for bringing all this up again, but now that it is out, and I have read it by faerie light to a group of young little pixies, I wanted to say thank you, and that I am very glad you came up with the idea ;-)