What originally made you want to become an author and illustrator?
I don’t know if my love of writing and drawing is the result of or the reason for my love of books, illustrations, and comics, but I literally don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to do these things.
In your opinion, what makes a great story?
That’s either a very hard or a very easy question to answer. I have a pretty broad definition of what a story is so I think what it really comes down to for me is just whether I am moved or not. That could be the characters, it could be the events, it could just be a quiet moment perfectly rendered, a surprising observation, a thoughtful phrase, or a silly joke. Whether it’s Maurice Sendak or Jillian Tamaki, Gabrielle Vincent or Oliver Jeffers, my favorite authors—especially Children’s authors—seem to be able to make an interesting book out of almost anything.
Describe a typical workday in your life as an author–illustrator? Do you have any unusual habits?
I think most people who do what I do will agree that our days are embarrassingly boring. After getting the kids off to school, I try to spend a bit of time reading before getting into production mode—either writing or drawing. The only quirk maybe is that when I’m writing, I’m just writing. I don’t do any drawing at all and that can go for weeks or even months. And the same goes for when I’m drawing. Also, I don’t think people fully understand how much of writing is staring into space with your brow furrowed. Sometimes you’re sitting, sometimes you’re walking around in circles. Also, there’s the talking to yourself. So much talking to yourself.
What messages or themes do you hope readers take away from your book?
I think most people see the book as a book about perseverance—which it is—but I hope there is also something a little more specific in there: a suggestion that in difficult moments, creativity is just as important as will power and determination. I also hope there is an understanding that the parents are right to be afraid for the kids, just as the kids are right to push ahead; both things are true and both emotions are important.
What advice do you have for kids who are interested in writing or illustration?
Just do it! And finish it! Don’t be afraid to be terrible at it. Terrible will either pass or it will become part of your style. So many people say to artists, “I could never do what you do,” and I always think, “that’s only because you didn’t do it.” You have to start a thing. And you have to finish that thing. And then you have to start another thing.m able to write.