Trial and error is common in any endeavor. We learn by the error, as well as from the successes of the trial. We figure out what works, and then we repeat this once we’ve ironed it out.
But there comes a point when nothing seems to work. No matter what we try, no progress is being made. This has occurred with me when working on a cover for one of my books. I’ll experiment with the colors, the design, the title placement, and no matter how much I modify them, nothing seems to work.
At some point, I question my own ability, and wonder if I should just hire someone or give myself a break. When you reach that level of frustration, you really want to quit.
But if I work on the cover long enough, I’ll come to realize that I was actually going in the wrong direction. The problem had nothing to do with the color scheme, design, or the title placement. The problem was the concept of the cover. I had to start over, look at it from a different angle.
After a few hours of working on this new cover, I’ll discover that it’s ten times better than what I had originally designed.
What I’ve learned about making my own covers is that it isn’t the details that are the most important thing, but the concept behind it. The concept is what conveys a certain look, mood, and appeal. No matter how many variations I might come up with on a design, starting over can be the best step forward.
Fallton Havenstonne 