Writing a good Picture Book (PB) is an art. It
includes the ability to tell a story in a few hundred words, with strong
characters, a tight plot, drama and an empowering message for kids; the very
elements, in fact, of a ‘novel’. I have tried and fall short of such an
accomplishment. However, today I am pleased to introduce you to one person who
has achieved this landmark. Just check out the long list of her publications
below.
Patricia storms is an award-winning editorial
cartoonist and
author/illustrator of children¹s books and humour
books. Her cartoons have been published in numerous magazines and newspapers
including Reader¹s Digest, The National Post, The London Times and The London
Evening Standard.
Her newest picture book, NEVER LET YOU GO (Scholastic Canada, 2013) has been described as
‘profound’ with ‘exuberant illustrations’, and has been published in numerous
languages. She lives in Toronto, Ontario with her husband and two fat cats in a
cozy old house full to the brim with books.
AMM: Welcome
Patricia!
PS: It’s a pleasure, Ann Marie.
AMM: Why Picture Books? Why not middle grade
or young adult?
PS: I've been asking myself that question a lot
lately why am I more drawn to picture books, more comfortable in this world.
As I've gotten older, and
gradually become more comfortable in my own skin,
I have accepted the fact that I have a very child-like quality in my
personality that needs to get
out from time to time. If I allow myself, I can
easily tap into a part of me
that remembers exactly what it was like to be a
kid, and to experience all
those very raw emotions fear, rage, joy,
humour, confusion, humiliation
all that fun stuff. Also, I've always been drawn
to cartoons & comic strips
(that's how I learned to read as a kid) and I
know that I have a knack for
condensing emotions & ideas into pithy works
of art (in the past I've
created a lot of one-panel gags as well as
greeting cards & political
cartoons). I see picture books as being somewhat
similar to say, one panel
gag cartoons the picture book story is shorter
than a novel and is very
image-based. But of course less words does not
equate into less quality. I
recall reading somewhere recently where picture
books were described as
"portable art galleries". I love that.
I have an interest in middle grade books but I
just cannot connect to young
adult. I'm not sure why. Possibly because being a
teenager was not a time in
my life that I'd like to go back and explore?
AMM: I
fully get that. My teenage years left their mark on me as well. Still, do you
think you¹ll ever try your hand at a middle grade or young adult book?
PS: I think I might
create an illustrated middle grade book one day. I have a
couple of ideas that I think are intriguing, so
who knows? But the chances
of me ever writing a YA novel are pretty slim. Of
course, never say never,
as they say.
AMM: I agree. Yet since we’re on the topic of
‘Never’… I know your latest book, Never
Let You Go, is very special to you? Would you like to share why?
PS: NEVER LET YOU GO is the first book where
I really reached down and tapped into my inner child. I realize that this
sounds a bit corny, but it's the
truth. I cried a lot when I created this book.
Let's just say it was an
opportunity to work out a variety of personal
issues. A writer friend of
mine recently told me that if you're crying when
you're creating your book,
then it will more than likely be that much more
powerful when it reaches
your readers. And she was right! I have actually
witnessed women breaking
down in tears as the read the story. That's a new
experience for me!
Love is holding on tight and knowing when to let
go.
In this warm, funny book, an adorable penguin
learns that Mom or Dad "will never let you go." Safely assured by the
steadfast love of a parent, the little penguin can begin to explore its world
bit by bit ‹ draw a picture, chase the stars, even throw a tantrum ‹ secure in
the knowledge that a doting parent is always waiting in the wings.
AMM: When did you first know you wanted to write
for kids?
PS: I
remember in high school illustrating some fun kids’ poems for a writer
friend of mine (who is still my friend to this
day, and who is also a
published author!). I can still recall her saying,
"Maybe you'll create some
kids’ books one day!" I remember thinking to
myself, I'd love to, but I just
could not figure out how to go about doing it. I
also recall seeing the
movie 'Turtle Diary' as a teenager, and being
really engrossed with the
movie. The story has a character in it who writes
& illustrates children's
books. I can recall thinking, gee, I wouldn't
mind that kind of life. The
movie was based on a novel by Russell Hoban, by
the way. He wrote quite a
few children's books, including the popular
"Frances the Badger" series,
which was illustrated by his then wife, Lillian
Hoban. Anyway, the desire
was always inside me, even if I wasn't fully
aware of it.
AMM: That resonates with me so much, Patricia.
I’ve learned that if you truly want something, you’ll find a way to get it. If
not, life will give you clues. The challenge then, of course, is to notice
them.
Do
you have any tips for PB writers?
PS: Read,
read, read! Read the classics of the past, as well as what's selling
today. Try and figure out which picture books
appeal to you the most. That
will help you find your own voice when it comes
to writing. Of course, the
other mantra is, write, write, write! Let go of
being self-conscious (a
problem I struggle with) and just spill out the
stories. Worry about
cleaning them up later. And I've said this before
be aware of what's going
on in the industry, but don't let it overwhelm
you (and trust me, right now
it IS overwhelming, because there is just SO much
information and advice out there). Eventually you have to turn off all the
noise, and be alone with
yourself, and get lost in your own stories. Don't
try to be the next 'Mo
Willems. Be YOU!
AMM: Such great advice; thank you for sharing. You
also illustrate. Tell me about that. And do you illustrate your own books?
PS: I
started out in the publishing business as an illustrator. I knew I wanted
to write and illustrate kids’ books, but in the
beginning, I just wanted to
be published! Also, of course, I wanted to be
paid for my art. So I
illustrated humour books and educational books as
well as book covers before I finally got into children's trade book
illustration. I keep getting the
numbers wrong, but I believe that I have actually
illustrated 21 books so
far. For three of those books, I have been both
author and illustrator. One
book was an adult-themed humour book, and the
other two are picture books THE PIRATE
AND THE PENGUIN and NEVER LET YOU GO.
I have discovered that I prefer to write and illustrate my own picture books. I
think it is a creative control thing. Also, that's how I amused myself the most
when I was a kid just writing and drawing my own stories. It just feels good
to do it.
AMM: Doing
what you love! That’s definitely one of the keys to happiness. Finally, can you
share some fun facts about yourself?
PS: Hmmmm...well, I have a terrible weakness for
peanut butter & good quality cheese. I try to limit my consumption of these
two delicious foods, but I don't always rise to the challenge.
Whenever I draw with a pencil, I have to wash my
fingers and the pencil with
soap and water. I have very moist hands, and I
can't stand holding a greasy
pencil. Both my drawing hand and my pencil have
to be super dry.
I love coffee.
And I like to have a cup near me when I'm at my drawing
table. There have been many occasions when I have
been inking a drawing with
a brush, and instead of dipping my brush into my
inkwell, I have dipped it
into my coffee. And then knowing this, I still
will finish my cup of coffee,
because, well, I hate to waste good coffee!
AMM:
LOL. Thanks again for joining me today, Patricia.
Here is where you can find Patricia Storms:
Website:
Facebook Fan Page:
Twitter:
Amazon links to Patricia's books:
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