We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ethan Roffler . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ethan below.

Alright, Ethan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

How did you learn what you do: From the very beginning of early childhood when I first learned to grasp a crayon, I was drawing on every surface I could find. Much to the dismay of my parents. My bedroom ended up looking like an eclectic selection of Jackson Pollock’s smashed together with the fanciful ramblings of a childhood thought process. I always knew that I wanted to create fun worlds for a living, but I was never given any direction on how to approach that dream that seemed larger than life and completely impossible.
It wasn’t until my early 20s that I finally decided to take the leap into the entertainment conceptual art industry. Not really knowing what to do I started reaching out and messaging leading industry professionals with questions on how to grow within the field. Most of the time I never got a response back but the handful that did give me golden advice that I still use today.
After a few years in that field, I learned that I absolutely hated it, I would spend hours working on a project and creating something. By the time it went through the pipeline, it was turned into something that no longer felt like my own.
It wasn’t until my lovely wife told me we were expecting our first child that it all clicked for me and I switched to children’s books. I absolutely love it, the creation of a children’s book is a truly special thing that is full of imaginative whimsy that no other book genre can match. From start to finish, every aspect of the process is a delightful experience.

Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process:

This is a tricky question because the learning process for me isn’t about the goal it is entirely about the process and journey to the goal.
I spent years trying to learn my craft, long hours honing a certain skill, and then wishing it was easier.
However, looking back, I don’t think there is a single thing I would change because, through all of the highs and lows, it made me who I am.

I don’t think there is a magical answer to speeding up the learning process and making the path to mastering your craft easier. It is all about the time you are willing to put in and prioritizing the fundamentals of the industry.

What skills
Do you think were the most essential?

Networking and communication were hands down the most essential skills by far. I was a fairly introverted person when starting out and quickly learned that good communication skills went a long way. You may not think you have a strong portfolio, or that you’re not the best at your craft. But if you have strong communication skills and can concisely relay your vision, the beautiful portfolio can oftentimes become secondary.

To learn this skill a began to make it a point to try and talk to more people, not just with a half-hearted greeting, but with genuine interest and question.
It was difficult at first, but the more I did it the more I began to learn that it was an art all of its own.

What obstacles stood in your way

The biggest obstacle when starting was having no background or experience in the industry. Trying to learn key points while building a business was a monstrous endeavor that I wouldn’t recommend when starting out.

Ethan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, my name is Ethan Roffler, I am an award-winning illustrator and founder of Stories Untold Services. Currently living in scenic eastern Idaho. Married with two wonderful sugar bugs, three Guinea pigs, and a teeny tiny mouse.
I spend most of my days painting, enjoying the beautiful outdoors, and searching for the ever-elusive desert gnomes.

I started in the concept art world and made the switch to children’s books after discovering my wife and I were expecting our first child.
When first starting and trying to learn about the book industry, it became increasingly frustrating with how much lack of information or misinformation there was. No one wanted to truly talk about what the book creation process looked like from start to finish, the key elements for a successful book, etc.
That is when the idea of Stories Untold was born. We help educate new and veteran authors alike on how to build a game plan for launching a book and help them through the entire creation process.
We offer industry professional services for every part of the book process. From developmental, cover design, interior design, and illustration. We try to offer everything an author may need along their writing journey

It is a special kind of wonderment when you get to see new ideas and a world that starts as just an idea, comes to life, and turns into something truly beautiful.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

This entire business started out of frustration from trying to learn the industry myself and the lack of information that was available. I firmly believe that everyone has at least one story inside them that they want to tell the world. We want to make that dream possible and available to all.

Our goal is to help educate and build authors up, setting them on the right paths to success. The world of publishing can oftentimes be incredibly overwhelming for new authors who are just starting their journey.
We are here to take that burden away and bring the joy and love of writing back.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

When an author comes to us with a wonderful book idea, it is such an incredible thing to watch as the story comes to life. Every story is different, every world is brand new and full of wonder.

As an illustrator, my favorite part in the entire process of a children’s book is the storyboarding
It’s when I get to sit down with the author and starting at the very beginning of the book, go through it entirely and discuss each illustration, key element, composition, story flow, world, seasons, etc.
This is the part of the process where the book really comes to life vividly and colorfully.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://storiesuntoldservices.com/