My very first Illustrator Interview!

A friend on Twitter recently did an #illustratorslift and that inspired me to write this post. I’ve heard of #writerslift, but not the illustrator version. What a great idea. I love the Twitter #writingcommunity. There are so many writers to talk to and learn from. And they’re all so supportive and kind.

I have an interview lined up with Eumir Fernandez, illustrator of my book, The Magic Telescope, later down the road when he’s not so busy. So, I needed to think of someone else.

Then I realized I live with two brand new illustrators! My sons, Robby and Johnathan (AKA Tumbug), recently helped illustrate my newest book, Zombiesaurs. Why not ask them?

So, I did.

First a little backstory. I wrote Zombiesaurs years ago and always wanted to see it as a beautifully illustrated picture book. I sat with it for years trying to decide if I wanted to hire an illustrator or go through a traditional publisher and use their team.

Then I read J.K. Rowling’s book The Ickabog and saw the lovely illustrations by children from all over the world. It was a charming idea. My kids love to draw (dinosaurs especially) so I asked them to help me.

It took a bit of trial and error deciding on the paper and mediums to use, trying to get them to scan in properly to make digital files, etc. I’m sure there’s room for improvement, but I love our book.

I’m not trying to brag, but I am proud of the hard work my kids put into this and of their patience. Sometimes I requested them to draw something differently and they did it with minimal complaint. They also helped and gave input on the cover and book layout and design. They’re great helpers!

They’re also dino experts, which came in handy as we added content to the back of the book about the real life counterparts of our Zombiesaurs.

I asked them these questions and typed exactly what they said.

1. You’re a bit young to be illustrators. How old are you? (Of course mama knows, this is for the interview. )

Robby: I just turned 12.

Tumbug: I’m 8.

2. Tell us a little about yourself.

Tumbug: I have blue eyes.

Robby: I also have blue eyes and I like dinosaurs.

Tumbug: Me, too!

3. How does it feel to see your illustrations in a printed book?

Robby: It feels good.

Tumbug: I don’t know…

4. What is your favorite drawing that you drew in Zombiesaurs? Why is it your favorite?

Robby: The one with the Shunosaurus. I don’t know why; it just is.

Tumbug: I guess the Compsognathus. Because it’s tiny and green.

5. What is your favorite illustration overall?

Robby: Um, I don’t really know.

Tumbug: I guess the ankylosaurus.

6.Was it fun working as a team to get the book finished?

Robby: Kind of. Yeah.

Tumbug: I guess it was.

7. What was the hardest part of illustrating Zombiesaurs?

Tumbug: Figuring out what to draw.

Robby: That was it for me, too.

8. Do you want to illustrate more books in the future?

Robby: Why not?

Tumbug: Yeah. Zombie Pigs!

9. What do you want to be when you grow up?

Robby: I don’t know yet.

Tumbug: I don’t know.

10. Is there anything you’d like to say to our readers?

Tumbug: Pterosaurs aren’t dinosaurs.

Robby: I can’t really think of anything.

Thank you both very much for doing this interview, boys! Mama loves you.

I hope you enjoyed our interview, dear readers. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments!

If you’d like to get a copy of Zombiesaurs click here. I hope to also have it available on B&N soon.

Thanks for reading and God bless.

~ T