Debbie Ridpath Ohi's Blog, page 9

137 Rejections, Perseverance and More: Advice From Debut Picture Book Author Stephanie Lucianovic (THE END OF SOMETHING WONDERFUL, Sterling Children's)

Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic has dug many holes, cried lots of tears, and laid an entire garden’s worth of flowers on small and not-so-small graves. And she has never ever dug her Something Dead up. She the author of Suffering Succotash: A Picky Eater's Quest to Understand Why We Hate the Foods We Hate. The End of Something Wonderful is her debut picture book. Stephanie lives in Menlo Park, CA, with her two sons, two cats, and one husband. You can find out more about Stephanie at Grubreport.com, on Twitter at @grubreport and on Instagram at @grubreport.

About THE END OF SOMETHING WONDERFUL: Written by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic, illustrated by George Ermos, published by Sterling Children's (Sept.10, 2019). Children love their pets very much—and when the animals die, that loss can be hard to process. The End of Something Wonderful helps kids handle their feelings when they're hurting and can't find all the right words. In a warm, understanding, sometimes funny way, it guides children as they plan a backyard funeral to say goodbye, from choosing a box and a burial spot to giving a eulogy and wiping away tears. Most of all, it reassures them that it's not the end of everything . . . and that Something Wonderful can always happen again.

Q. Could you please take a photo of something in your office and tell us the story behind it?

That right there is a wooden spoon signed by the renowned Jacques Pepin. I also have a signed glass saucepan lid which my husband has safely tucked away to make sure nothing ever happens to it. Some years back, way before I even thought I'd be a children's author, I was a food writer and editor in San Francisco. During that time, I had the opportunity to work in the back kitchen of one of Jacques' cooking shows, Fast Food My Way. It was one of the most intense, exhilarating, and exhausting things I've ever done.

Every morning, Chef Pepin would come into the kitchen, have his coffee with us, and go over the shot list recipes for the day. We got to ask him questions about how he wanted things prepared and, more often than not, Chef would pick up one of our knives and demonstrate just how he wanted something prepped. Basically, ever morning was an intimate cooking lesson from one of the most celebrated chefs of our time. Apart from everything else he has done, the man was personal chef to Charles de Gaulle and has cooked for President Obama!

I had long been a huge Jacques Pepin fan -- dating back to me watching his cooking show with Julia Child in Boston -- so this was a tremendous experience to have and it is one I will always treasure. It's also apt that my "desk," such as it is, is actually a freestanding countertop in my kitchen. Underneath are shelves that house all of our plates and bowls, but the top has been completely given over to my jobs as author and mom.

Q. What advice do you have for young writers?

The rough, painful, horrible bits that you encounter on your journey are the exact same things that will get you to the top of the mountain.

So, this advice comes by way of my favorite NBA player, Andre Iguodala, who said, "Can't climb a mountain if it's smooth" when the Golden State Warriors were going through a tough time. He said he was quoting Spice Adams, a former football player for the San Francisco 49ers. But when I looked up this quote, I also found that Aretha Franklin said something similar to Ebony magazine in 1964: "It's the rough side of the mountain that's the easiest to climb; the smooth side doesn't have anything for you to hang onto." (It actually looks like the origins of this quote go way back and might in fact be unknown, but I had never heard it before.)

However, after hearing Andre say it, its profundity hit me hard. Like, you really can't climb a mountain if it's smooth. If you try to climb the side where everything seems smooth and easy and less painful or challenging, you'll just slide back to the bottom without achieving anything and without learning anything.

I'm not leaning into the outdated trope that says authors must suffer, suffer, SUFFER! to be successful, but try to look at the tough spots as vital hand and footholds on your climb. The rejections, the crappy writing days, the bad news, the comparison to other writers -- they happen to all of us. Don't let them trip you up to the extent that they prevent you from getting where you want to go. Instead, realize that climbing over the rough spots and continuing upward and onward builds strength you will use in the future and that is an achievement on its own.

I got 137 rejections before I got my offer from Sterling for THE END OF SOMETHING WONDERFUL. Every single one of those rejections got me to where I needed to go. They got me to a published book.

Q. What are you excited about right now?

I'm excited to return to LA SCBWI in early August. I went three years ago -- when I met you! -- and it was my first SCBWI conference ever. It was wonderful and inspiring, but it was also completely overwhelming. I didn't have an agent back then and was sort of terrified and confused and desperate. But now I have an agent and books coming out so I think this one will feel very different. More chill.

I'm also equal parts terrified and excited about my The End Of Something Wonderful book launch coming up on Sept 21st, 2019 at Kepler's in Menlo Park. Finally, I’m excited to finally be able to talk about my first middle grade novel which is being published by Clarion in 2021. It’s called The League of Picky Eaters and I can’t wait to introduce the world to it.

About the above image, Stephanie wrote: "A few years ago you took a found object I tweeted at you and turned it into something amazing. It was my avatar for a long time (and probably will be again) and I believe your kindness and generosity in creating that for me brought me luck. I got my agent very soon after."

:-)

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For more interviews, see my Inkygirl Interview Archive.Also see Advice For Young Writers and Illustrators, a compilation of tips generously offered by children's book creators I've interviewed over the years.

I'M WORRIED on the Stephen Colbert show!

TOTALLY thrilled to find out that Michael Ian Black was on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert talking about our newest picture book, I'M WORRIED. Book mention starts at around the 4:18 timestamp. And he talks about the first two books in the I'M... series, too: I'M BORED and I'M SAD, woohoo!

I had no idea this was going to happen. I only found out when a friend of mine who lives in Berlin emailed me saying that he just saw my book on the Stephen Colbert show. Of course I immediately went online to find the clip.

Michael also mentions I'M HAPPY as our next book together - I am sooooo excited about this as well, and can't wait to get the contract (and see the mss)!

And thanks so much to those who have told me about how I'M BORED, I'M SAD and I'M WORRIED have helped their young readers; I so appreciate it!

Tips for SCBWI conference newbies, second-timers, plus a CHALLENGE for the many-timers

Only a few days until the annual SCBWI Summer Conference in LA! You can follow the action via the #LA19SCBWI hashtag and (once the conference begins) the SCBWI Conference Blog. I'll be at the conference on faculty, including hosting the Life Drawing Lunch on Sat. Aug. 10th from 12:30-1:30 pm - do come! The deal: you bring your lunch and the conference provides the model. Hone your life drawing skills at this free session. For more details and to confirm scheduling in case of changes, please check the schedule in your registration packet.

If you see me, PLEASE do say hi....but please keep reading. :-)

The following is a slightly updated version of my annual post; I hope some of you find it useful. 

This comic applies just as much to SCBWI-NYC as SCBWI-LA

To those attending an SCBWI conference for the first time: I'M EXCITED FOR YOU! As some of you already know, my career got jumpstarted at an SCBWI conference. 

In addition to an updated version of my SCBWI newbie tips, I've also added a list of other people's tips; the list of links is at the end of this post. 

 

If you're a conference newbie who is nervous, I encourage you to browse my SCBWI Conference Newbie comics. I created these when I was a nervous newbie as well! So many people think I'm an extrovert, but I'm actually very much an introvert and was terrified (to the point of sweating palms, pounding heart, hating the idea of having go up and introduce myself over and over) about attending my first regular SCBWI conference back in 2009. If you're an illustrator, also check out my post over on the KidLitArtists.com blog.

I've posted advice for first-timers before and will post it again at the end of this piece, but now that I've attended other SCBWI annual conferences, here is some additional advice I have for those who have attended more than once:

Don't get offended or disheartened if people you've met before don't remember you.

This is something I've learned from both sides. As a 2nd- and 3rd-timer (and so on), I've sometimes gone up to a person or group I've met and had my confidence deflated when it becomes clear they don't remember me at ALL from the previous year. My inner reactions ranged from embarrassment, humiliation, irritation, frustration and even brief anger ("I guess I'm just NOT IMPORTANT enough for xxx to remember!! Hmph.").

Having attended many times now, I've learned the following:

- I'm terrible at remembering people unless I've had multiple conversations or interactions with the same person.

- Even then, especially if I'm tired or am in a noisy crowd (remember what I said earlier about being an introvert?) or have met many new people in a row just before, I may still forget having met someone before.

I still accidentally re-introduce myself to people whom I've met before, sometimes whom I've met EARLIER IN THE CONVENTION. I'm always horribly embarrassed when this happens. 

Make sure your name badge is easily visible.

Also, when I approach someone whom I've met before but with whom I don't have constant contact, I usually try saying something that will help remind them of our mutual context, or remind them of having met at xxx. Until I'm sure they actually do remember me, I try very hard NOT to put them on the spot (e.g. I don't say, "So, what did you think of my most recent post?" etc.).

When someone does this to me (subtly or unsubtly :-) setting the context and helping me remember), I immediately feel more at ease with them and am more likely to want to chat with them in the future.

Another tip: if someone DOES remember you, never assume that they're up-to-date on all your exciting news. I've had the occasional person react badly when they realize I'm not aware of their new book ("?? But I posted it all over Facebook!") I never assume anyone reads all my posts or keeps up with all my news. People have busy lives and different priorities.

Something else I've learned: even so-called Big Name authors and illustrators can be insecure. I am faaaar from being a Big Name, but having had a bit more experience at conference-going now, I also realize how some of the Big Name types who seemed standoffish to me actually weren't.

Be gracious, be forgiving and try very hard to assume the best about a person rather than the worst.

And I apologize ahead of time if I don't remember your name or re-introduce myself. :-\

And here some tips for first-timers who feel nervous about attending for the first time, or are normally very shy or introverted and dread the idea of having to meet a lot of new people:

1. Be brave and make the first move. You'd be surprised at how many other attendees feel exactly the same way as you do. Introduce yourself to people you sit beside, stand in line with, notice standing alone.

2. TAKE BUSINESS CARDS. Yes, even if you aren't published yet. We're all going to meet a lot of people over the weekend, and taking away a business card from an encounter or introduction will help the people you meet remember you. If you're an illustrator, take postcards or make sure a sample of illustration style is on your business card.

3. Have realistic expectations. Don't expect to be "discovered" at the conference.

4. In my experience, you're much more likely to meet new people if you're alone. If you're always chatting and hanging out with the same person or people, you're not as approachable. I'm not saying that you SHOULDN'T hang out with people you like, of course! Just keep in mind that as a group, you're probably not going to meet as many new people as someone who is by themselves.

5. If you're on Twitter/Instagram, write your Twitter/IG handle on your name badge somewhere.

6. A few practical tips: Bring layers (in case a room is colder/warmer than you expect), browse faculty info ahead of time, take the time at the beginning of each day to get organized.

But most of all: TRY TO HAVE FUN. 

***** A CHALLENGE TO THE "MANY-TIMERS" OUT THERE ****

Try to remember what it was like when you attended your very first event, or how insecure you felt in the beginning. Then make it a personal challenge to find at least one lost-looking or nervous conference newbie who is sitting or standing alone. Introduce yourself, chat with them, find out what they're working on, perhaps (if appropriate) offer some advice.

Give good karma and it WILL come back to you.

Here are some other tips offered by others about attending SCBWI conferences:

Tips for introverted children's book illustrators attending the SCBWI Summer Conference for the first time - my post on KidLitArtists.com

Top Tips For The SCBWI Conference Newbie Of 2018 - by Candy Gourlay on WordsAndPics.org.

The Do's and Don't's Of Conference Etiquette - by Donna Bowman Bratton (2014 conference handout)

Jolie Stekly's tips for SCBWI conference newbies after they arrive at the conference - this was for a conference in 2012, but SO much great info here.

SCBWI Conference Tips For Newbies - by Heather Powers, geared especially toward illustrators.

Tips for Attending A Writing Conference - by Valerie R. Lawson

Tips On Attending A Writing Conference For The First Time - Amy on Sweet Tooth Communications

Comic for writers: Best Birthday Gift

#BookADay: THE SEASON OF STYX MALONE by Kekla Magoon (Wendy Lamb Books)

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More info: Donalyn Miller's #BookADay Challenge - My #BookADay Archives (also see my visual #BookADay archive on Padlet, Flickr and Pinterest).

At some point, you just have to let go.

Advice For Young Writers, Debut Picture Books and Three Questions With Ishta Mercurio (SMALL WORLD, Abrams)

 

Ishta Mercurio is an author and actor. Raised in Cincinnati, she has traveled to England, Scotland, Italy, France, and all over the United States. She now lives in Brampton, Ontario, where she films and photographs plants and wildlife, from the tall to the small, in her backyard. I met Ishta through our local Torkidlit group and CANSCAIP. You can find out more about Ishta and her work at her website IshtaMercurio.com, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

SMALL WORLD is Ishta's debut as a picture book author! The gorgeous illustrations are by Jen Corace. Thanks to Abrams for sending me a copy. Wow, check out what was beneath the dust jacket:

Lyrical writing and (as I mentioned above) stunning illustrations, plus I *love* that the little girl grows up to be an astronaut.

SMALL WORLD comes out from ABRAMS Books for Young Readers on July 2, 2019. Read more about Small World on the publisher's website.

Synopsis: "This geometric meditation on wonder follows Nanda as she grows and her wonder at the world and all that it holds--from cogs and wheels to fractals in snowflakes--grows with her, from the circle of her mother's arms to the city and countryside and all the way to space." Check out the reviews at Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Shelf Awareness!

Q. Could you please take a photo or video of something in your office and tell us the story behind it?

This is a little wind-up "bug" that I got one year for Christmas. I've always loved mechanical things, especially the ones where you can see the parts as they move and you can figure out how they work. Computers kind of mystify me, because so much of how they work is based on electrical signals and code. It's all hidden. (My kids understand them, but I don't!) I'm a physical person, and I like playing with things with moving parts, where I can see the cause and effect of how those parts fit together and what they do and what part each piece plays in the working of the machine.

Q. What advice do you have for young writers?

When in doubt, throw it out! We say this about food that you think miiiiight have gone bad, but you're not completely sure, right? But it's true of writing, too! If you're not absolutely sure that a draft or a scene or a sentence is working, throw it out! I get really hung up on the words that are there, and putting them where I can't see them--either in an Outtakes folder or by printing them and filing that draft away and then deleting the words from my manuscript--allows me to move on and to try a different approach. And thrown-out words are never wasted. They all help hone in on the heart of the story you're trying to tell. As long as you keep the heart of the story at the front of your mind, you can throw out everything you've done and know that whatever you write next will be one step closer to the truest, best version.

Q. What are you excited about right now?

SUMMER! I love summer. Feeling that hot summer sun on my skin is one of my favorite things.

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For more interviews, see my Inkygirl Interview Archive.Also see Advice For Young Writers and Illustrators, a compilation of tips generously offered by children's book creators I've interviewed over the years.

Poll Results: What Editors and Agents Look For In Social Media

In prep for my Social Media Masterclass for Authors and Illustrators at SCBWI-Illinois, I posted a survey for editors, agents and art directors and 25 responded. Only one freelance art director responded (feel free browse art directors' responses in the similar poll in 2014, which also includes responses from editors and agents), but there were 11 responses from PAL editors, 10 responses from agents, and 3 responses from "Other". For those that don't know, PAL stands for "Published and Listed" and PAL Publishers are traditional publishing houses that do not charge money to authors or illustrators. You can find a list of PAL Publishers on the SCBWI website. Be aware that these industry surveys are informal, and are answered mainly by those who follow me on Twitter - I posted the link to my survey on Twitter, FB and Instagram. Most respondents chose to remain anonymous or asked me not to identify them publicly; I included attribution for those who gave me permission. Thanks to all who participated!

Summary and Takeaways:

Overall, the results were very similar to my poll from 2014. In general: when editors, agents and art directors look you up online, the main turn-offs include unprofessional behaviour and overall negativity. Before they commit to working with you longterm, they want to find out more about you. Make it easy for them to find out more information about you: keep your website updated and easy to navigate, make your portfolio (for illustrators) easy to find, make it easy for them to contact you.

If you read the comments, you will notice that different people are looking for different things. Don't feel overwhelmed! In the end, you need to figure out how YOU want to use social media. What are your specific goals? What type of connections do you want to make? You will save yourself a great deal of time and frustration if you are working toward a particular goal (rather than "my publisher wants me to be on social media so here I am"). Jane Kelly recently interviewed me about social media on the SCBWI Wisconsin blog; feel free to browse for tips. And if you're an up-and-coming illustrator attending SCBWI-LA this year, I encourage you to apply for the Social Media Mentorship For Illustrators Award.

MORE DETAILS AND COMMENTS FROM THOSE WHO ANSWERED MY SURVEY:

**** Also see comments from my 2014 survey.

In answer to the question "How important has social media been in your discovery of new clients / book creators?", 40% said it was somewhat important, 36% said very important and 24% said not very important.

In answer to the question "When you are considering taking on a new client / author / illustrator, do you ever research them online?", 84% said that yes, they always research them online. The remaining 16% said that yes, they sometimes research them online.

In answer to the question "If you do online research before signing on a client / author / illustrator, has your research ever made you decide NOT to sign them on?", 52% said that yes, they have (at least once) decided to NOT sign someone on after online research. 

In answer to the question "Which social media do you tend to use most often?" (check all that apply), Twitter came out on top with 96% (not surprising, since most of the respondents follow me on Twitter) followed closely by Instagram (80%), then Facebook (56%) and YouTube (32%). Also mentioned by a few: Pinterest, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Reddit. My advice: find 1-2 social media platforms that you enjoy - don't try to be everywhere!

In answer to the question "When browsing social media, do you ever browse Stories?", 28% said never, 24% said rarely, 20% chose "I have no idea what you're talking about", 16% said yes, all the time, and 12% said yes, sometimes.

COMMENTS (about turn-ons/turn-offs, what they look for, social media advice):

"I shy away from accounts that post mostly negative opinions, and anyone conservative-leaning. Other than that, humor and irony are appreciated, anything celebratory, positive or progressive, and cute animal pics. :)" - Agent

"I do like to see new work and process work as well as book promo. It’s tricky to balance but the best accounts also show personality and an awareness of other work being done in the field."

"I primarily research new illustrators and like to see a illustration portfolio within a few clicks of finding someone on social media." - Freelance art director

"Being inappropriate; someone who complains publicly about agents; someone who often leaps into heated arguments online; someone who is clearly jealous of successful people in the business." - Editor

"I appreciate genuine engaged social media interactions and value authors that can do this with ease as it is incredibly beneficial for both buzz and sales." - Jennifer Weltz, President of JVNLA, Inc.

"I look for professionalism." - Emma Dryden, Children's Editorial & Publishing Consultant, Drydenbooks

"I look for authors and illustrators who share their enthusiasm for what brings them joy, whether it’s a bird sighting or stumbling across an old comic book or sharing an esoteric fact in their research. I try to avoid authors and illustrators who are quick to “pile on” and express their outrage about the latest industry pariah (whether Junot Diaz, Kosoko Jackson, etc.)" - Agent

"Love when authors and illustrators interact with readers." - Editor

"If people have a website or blog, it should be up to date. If it can’t be up to date, take it down." - Erin Murphy, President of Erin Murphy Literary Agency

"We have to work together for a lengthy period. If you come across as difficult, rude, negative, or politically extreme it makes me think twice about working with you. There’s a lot of talent out there. Why would I put myself in that position?" - Editor

"For illustrators, extra work to see is good! For everyone, some evidence that you're not awful and don't just talk about writing is good, too. I just mostly want to know you are who you say you are." - Editor

"I look for professionalism above all. I look for authors who are effectively engaging to promote their books without stalking editors by filling up their social media feeds. That's a red flag for me. I also look always for evidence that creators are primarily focussed on developing their work and craft." - Agent

"Writers get more of a pass on social media, but for illustrators I definitely want to see them experimenting with different styles. If the rest of their work is too hard to find, or there's no link to a portfolio, that makes it harder to get interested." - Agent

Donalyn Miller's 2019 #BookADay Challenge Has Launched!

(Shortcut to this page, until next year's updated post: http://inkygirl.com/bookaday. Also see my #BookADay archives and Donalyn Miller's official #BookADay post on the Nerdy Book Club site.)

Donalyn Miller's 11th Annual #BookADay Challenge has officially launched! You can read about the history of #BookADay, guidelines and more via Donalyn's #BookADay post on the Nerdy Book Club website. While I read throughout the year, Donalyn's #BookADay challenge helps me rediscover my reading mojo. I also enjoy other people's book recommendations as well as sharing my own.

For you educators out there: Donalyn also mentions Jillian Heise's #ClassroomBookADay challenge, which you might consider for the next school year: the goal is to read a loud a picture book every day of the school year, to students at any grade level.

What I do: I read books I haven't read before but I also reread books as well, including picture books. I listen to audiobooks while I'm doing housework or other repetitive activities. I embrace all formats, not just print. I have books on-the-go everywhere in our house. Here are some of my tips for busy bibliophiles who have trouble finding time to read.

I'm trying to catch up with posting my own recommendations; you can read my text-only #BookADay archive links as well as see my #BookADay collages in my Padlet below; I also post on Flickr, Pinterest and Twitter.

 

 

Advice For Young Writers, Pride Sunday signing and more: Three Questions With Debut YA Author, Paul Coccia (CUB, Orca Books)

is a Toronto author with an MFA in Creative Writing from UBC and an avid home-baker. His debut young adult novel, Cub, is part of Orca's Soundings Series: short, high-interest novels specifically for teens. Paul lives and bakes with his nephew, three dogs and a little grey parrot. You can find Paul on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and also see Orca's interview with Paul on their blog.

To Torontonians: Paul is signing his book as well as celebrating diversity (of all types) in kids' books at Indigo Bay & Bloor (55 Bloor St. W.) on Pride Sunday, June 23, 2019 from 11:30 am - 3:30 pm; Paul is setting up a table with recommendations of books that appreciate difference. In case of last-minute event changes, please do check Paul's @pauljcoccia Twitter account closer to the date.

Quotes from a Kirkus review of Cub: "A gay Toronto foodie translates his love of pastry into love of self amid some mean-boy body shame." "The tough truth of marginalized communities attacking their own is difficult to face but accurate in its exposure of toxic behavior; Theo's shaky navigation is inspiring." Find out more about Cub on the Orca publisher site.

Q. Could you please take a photo of something in your office and tell us the story behind it?

My younger brother left Saint Dolly photo on my desk for a few weeks before making it clear that she was meant for me.

I think he bought it online but it is one of the few non-work things on my desk. Saint Dolly usually sits on top of my hard drive along with a gnome but as I was working in the garden, she came outside to hang with a different gnome crowd. Saint Dolly reminds me the value of a cup of ambition, working hard (at least 9 to 5), dreaming big (at least as big as a blown-out wig), and keeping a sense of humor particularly about myself.

Q. What advice do you have for young writers?

I first tried to get published at 17 years old and have a drawer of rejections that were mailed to me (that’s how it was done back then!) No one even read my manuscript. Admittedly, it may not have been that great. It took me almost two decades before I had my debut book, Cub, release when Orca Books took a chance on an unknown author. In those almost 20 years I didn’t get published, I worked on myself and at improving my craft. I was lucky enough to be able to pursue studying writing in university. I signed up for writing groups, entered contests and made a point of actually sitting down to write when I could have been distracted by other things. I pushed myself to explore new genres, try new forms or new styles even if only as an experiment, knowing that if I didn’t challenge myself, I wouldn’t grow. When I failed, and there were some epic fails (I’m likely never going to be a poet, for example), I tried to learn at least what didn’t work and why. The reward was the act of doing, not getting a contract or a book on the shelf, but producing work that I felt was done to the best of my ability and making me stronger.

As a result of making myself stretch out of my comfort zone , I walked away with more skills in my writer’s toolbox and the ability to keep acquiring skills. I had to learn it’s not being selfish to say no, to make time for your self-expression/art, to allow other people to do for themselves, and that my wants and needs are as valid as other people's. I’m still learning this. I think it can be hard, especially when you’re not feeling you’re having professional success to see pursuing what you do as worthwhile and not to let self-doubt stop you. It’s great to be able to pay your bills doing what you love to do and exciting to see your work out in the world, but until that happens:

- Be passionate about each project, particularly for yourself.

- Learn a lot, especially from those who know more and are willing to share.

- Don’t be afraid to fail epically because you can grow by trying new things, but will stagnate if you don’t.

The little things build up, sometimes when you’re not noticing, and you end up able to approach each new project with more than you had to give before.

Q. What are you excited about right now?

I’m really excited to be doing some baking! I’m sketching designs now of cakes for my nephew’s Pokemon-themed birthday.

I’ll need to ask him and his mom what their ideas are and that’s always fun to incorporate someone else’s ideas into a design. While I’m not a professional artist/illustrator or a professional baker, combining art and baking is a side of me that is not normally in use when I’m working on writing a book. It’s very different skills and sometimes those skills bleed into my written works (I did write a book about a teen baker!) I find that working with food as a medium reminds me that things don’t always go as planned, cake can have its own ideas about how it should work and settle, and that adapting to those unexpected challenges can be frustrating and rewarding… and if it all falls apart (and sometimes it does), you can eat and destroy all evidence.

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For more interviews, see my Inkygirl Interview Archive.Also see Advice For Young Writers and Illustrators, a compilation of tips generously offered by children's book creators I've interviewed over the years.