One thing that I found helpful and really motivating was finding my artist ahead of time, actually. During the story planning process we bounced ideas off each other and I really think it worked so well for the synergy of the art and story. When I first starting thinking of my story, one of my first thoughts was "OMG I have to ask Itz if she'd be willing to illustrate this," because as I was thinking of the story in my head, I was seeing pictures of it in her style. I didn't know her from Adam, hadn't ever talked to her, but I got up the guts and PMed her out of the blue and just asked. It's not how it's done, but I just couldn't see anyone's style but hers. She accepted, and was not only instrumental in getting my ideas to gel but was also an AMAZING resource for the celtic pagan holidays and the significance of the Oak King, both of which are central themes to Light of Arthur.

In short, if I had an option, I'd ask that artists and writers be matched at the very beginning so they can work through ideas together and have that synergy, too.