1. Please share what you would like about your author "origin story." What got you started with writing and drawing?
I think most kids draw, but most also grow out of it. They lose interest or just find something more interesting. But I just didn't stop. I love telling stories using pictures. I think part of it is because I grew up with comics. But then again all of my siblings, who also read comics as kids, didn't continue drawing once they reached seven or eight years old. And in elementary school, I loved writing narrative essays for English class.
2. Please share what you would like about your creative process and how this changes based on the demands of the type of book you are making.
My process with graphic novel/prose hybrids and graphic novels are pretty similar. With both, I have to decide what parts should be in pictures, and what parts should be in text, and that largely has to do with the stories I'm telling. I also have to consider the tone of the story and the target age group.
3. What elements do you consider when creating illustrated novels?
For me, the story has to be right for this format. It's a little different from pure graphic novels or prose—where almost any stories could be adapted to these formats. But for a hybrid novel, the pictures and the prose have to work together in such a way that brings out the themes of the story, and not be superfluous. That's my thinking for now anyway. I can't guarantee that in the future I wouldn't be so exacting.
4. How does your process change when working on a graphic novel?
It's pretty similar, but I guess I have more room to play with page layouts. And there's also more of a page constraint than with a hybrid as graphic novels (especially for middle grade) are printed in full color.
5. What message do you have for young creators?
Sometimes when you have a concrete goal (eg. I want to be an author!), something you love can become less fun, especially when it seems like you're not advancing toward your goal. So... remember to have fun!
6. Your books are so much fun -- any particular creative inspirations you'd like to share?
I read a lot, and I think I read pretty widely. There are some genres I like more than others but now and again, I'd dip my toes into genres I find difficult to get into, and sometimes I find gems.
I also watch a lot of TV and movies. I particularly love the works of Studio Ghibli.
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