Hello. In a book I am currently writing, I wish to incorporate more visual elements, such as illustrations at the beginning or middle of chapters. I have a passion for drawing and anything art, and I want to express that in the book. Plus, I feel like adding detailed illustrations can both help readers visualize characters and settings, as well as place emphasis on certain scenes. The only problem I have with this is my book is aimed at an older audience, preferably ages 16-25, and I'm not sure if this would be appropriate or not. Can someone give their two cents on this little conflict of mine?
I feel like pictures won't get in the way, especially if you put them in as kind of a… bumper image? I don't know the exact word, but the game Asura's Wrath does what I'm talking about. During the middle of the chapter (usually a spot where you'd cut to commercial break as a kind of cliffhanger), they'd put some bumper art of the game right before you go back into the thick of things. I also remember some versions of classics like Mutiny on the H.M.S Bounty and Tom Sawyer having a line art illustration on every other page, though I think that might be a bit much, especially if it's a long book.
Other than that, if the art's good, I say go for it! Do something to stand out from the crowd! your wallet will certainly appreciate it if all goes well.
Japanese light novels often have illustrated pages dotted around in them, and it (sometimes) works really well. I think it would be awesome to see more of that in western books, you should definitely try it. At least then if people don't like it, you tried something new.
Maybe keeping the drawings simple, not letting them distract you from the words, would help the drawings seem more natural. They would probably be a really good thing to have in your book, as long as you don't overdo it and have too many.
If you've ever read the Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica then the author as a full-page illustration at the beginning of every chapter with a quote at the bottom that shows which scene it's about. I thought this was a good way of doing it. Also, another series I've read had an illustration at the beginning of every part that shows a key scene but not it a way that reveals too much
If you've ever read the Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica then the author as a full-page illustration at the beginning of every chapter with a quote at the bottom that shows which scene it's about. I thought this was a good way of doing it. Also, another series I've read had an illustration at the beginning of every part that shows a key scene but not it a way that reveals too much
AAHHH I FREAKIN' LOVE THIS SERIES!
