Don’t worry. I’m not going to interview myself. Or these two characters. I used OUTSIDE THE BOX in my post title because it was this book’s acceptance …
…that sparked this year-long feature. (If you’re new to PBB, I’m chatting each month with a picture book creator who’s also writing in other formats.)
Back in the late 90s, when I started writing, I thought I’d write picture books. Only picture books. Especially after I wrote a middle grade novel in 2000. It was submitted to 5 editors, 2 of whom I did revisions for, which weren’t enough. So I put it in a drawer and resumed writing picture books. I know, 5 rejections? Nothing! But I was a newbie, and in the drawer that manuscript remained (yep, still there). Picture books were so much more manageable, anyway, when our kids were young and involved in pretty much everything.
Fast forward to 2008. My then-agent sent my I HATCHED! manuscript to National Geographic Kids. I asked her to, because I’d met a NGK editor at an SCBWI conference, and we’d had a lovely visit. As it turned out, she’d been laid off AND the editor who replied said they didn’t (yet) do fully-illustrated picture books…but they liked my voice and would I maybe be interested in writing 4 books in a new series on a work-for-hire basis?
Pretty sure my YES came before my next heartbeat. National Geographic? C’mon. Did I know how to write what they’d described as narrative nonfiction? No. So what? I’d learn.
This work-for-hire project whet my appetite for more, and saying yes quickly became a habit. I still do occasional work-for-hire books. Why? Because 1) it feels good when somebody wants your work, 2) I’ve always been proud of the finished product, 3) kids & educators eat them up, 4) they’ve driven many school visit invitations, 5) I’m able to write them and work on pbs simultaneously.
So how did I end up writing a graphic early reader? Accidentally. Throw in dogged perseverance and, let’s face it, the process of elimination.
I first wrote Thunder & Cluck as a picture book. Rejected. So my agent, Tricia Lawrence, asked me to expand T & C’s adventures into a 3,000 word chapter book. Did that. Rejected. Tricia suggested I try it as an early reader.
What did I know about writing early readers? Nothing. But I was too invested in these two yahoos to give up on them. I went to a library and checked out an armful of early readers. Studied those, then went to work, mostly with the delete button, until I had a 300-word, dialogue-only story.
What’s it about? Friendship in the Cretaceous age. This first book is the duo’s Meet Cute. If pressed to define the vibe of their relationship, I’d have to say that falls somewhere between Elephant & Piggie and Bugs & Daffy.
Tricia submitted it, and 8 months later I got an out-of-the-blue call from her. She’d heard from an editor at Simon & Schuster. They wanted Thunder & Cluck to be a launch title for their new line of graphic early readers. Um, what? A graphic early reader? That was a stunner. Another stunner: Not only could I expand the story to 500 words, I should add notes detailing body language and facial expressions and emotion. Wha-? As a picture book writer, that felt so strange. Strange and yes, please.
Will I keep writing picture books? Yes. Work-for-hire projects? Yes, occasionally. Early readers? Oh, yeah. I’m hooked. I’ve already written the first 3 books in another series, which may or may not be graphic. Or even acquired. Time will tell. I’ll soon be playing around with a chapter book series, too. Which may go nowhere. Don’t care. I count it all as part of the growth process, whether or not it works out.
Now that all that’s out of the way, I can finally share the amazing prowess of illustrator Miles Thompson. LOOK AT THESE!!! I am continually floored at the way he brings these two characters (and their colorful world) to life. The man can do ANYTHING. And he agreed to a chat. Score!
JE: Welcome, Miles! Could you tell us a bit about the process of finding the right look for the characters of Thunder & Cluck?
MT: To start to characterize these two primitives I went back to the most primitive means, pencil and paper. “If it ain’t broke…” they say. Paper is where comics are viewed ( – were in the past) so it’s only logical to start there – where it will end up, paper.
When I am asked to design a new character I start in mechanical pencil, scratching out very small doodles, I try a few things to keep it loose and fast at first. Then, I draw something I like and I know I will finish but keep scratching around on other things… I mess around – something else something else – something else I LIKE … this is the practice. THEN! YES! ink lines with a Pentel brush pen. Drawing with pencil my breathing is relaxed and my lines are light, because when I switch to black I connect my lines with my breath for focus. I reshape my brush tip, I inhale deep, I point and start to exhale slow and then do my business with lines, curves, ins and outs, textures, all requires focus, so I breathe consciously into my strokes. Breath calms the mind, you can release all anxiety of any error in line by exhaling smoothly and slowly to create a steady hand. My practice is part silly (pencil), part discipline (ink), and it’s because I didn’t have a choice when I grew up, thank goodness. Computers are helpful, but only so much.
JE: Boy, do I understand the necessity (and the power) of messing around. After you get acquainted with a story, how do you begin working out the technical aspects?
MT: The best way to think big (sometimes) is to start small, to imagine you can shrink the WHOLE book into a line of boxes. Each box is important but some are special, not all boxes are that PERFECT PICTURE MOMENT. But, in fact the “common” or “average” panels introduce you to the characters’ behavior, they show and tell the entire story, they highlight those WHAMMY panels so that they POP! There is a music to comedy, and comics, and tragedy, we all must listen. That’s why stories are still so alive today, especially in pictures! It’s all a design game, so I try to work backwards most of the time from the BIG roughs to the nuance that really kicks off the entire sequences. In short, I start it off with a few key BIG scenes for fun, and then go straight to the beginning and work straight through that line of images to the end. Creating a sense of growing urgency, or comedy, takes some going back and forth, just like rereading a sentence to make sure you GOT ALL OF IT!
JE: Sounds like a lot of trial and error, and, like most artistic endeavors (like writing!), an enjoyable PROCESS. Were there any scenes in this first book that had you stumped? As I said above, I tell people you can do ANYTHING, because I’ve sent you some doozies!
MT: Thank you, I appreciate that! The way I work: I put all of it in, way too much, I put everything into the challenges especially because there is a joy in problem solving. That way whatever falls out makes room for what matters. In comics that is strictly character drawing, which is acting, it’s also action, and both require space. In our first book, because I hadn’t drawn them so much, they only “grew” a little as doodles. Thunder and Cluck stretched and EVOLVED in book 2 in more ways than one. Book one as a foundation was certainly a lot of scratching and experimenting with ONE GOAL: do not go too too far! THAT for ME is always a challenge, editing. Thank you for offering me such a challenge! The doozie stumper was for me in going far enough in opposite directions but still have Thunder and Cluck be a complimentary duo. They have to fit, and work naturally, I think that they do, happily and I think we do too! I don’t believe there is a thing that could stump them, they’d figure it out.
JE: You nailed it, that’s for sure. When I’m scrolling through one of these PDFs, taking that first look, I’m continually murmuring, “Oh, my gosh, Oh, my gosh, Oh, my gosh…”
So…if you wrote your own graphic story, Miles, what would the topic be?
MT: I can’t say, we must wait and see. I am in no rush, I am actually writing a BUNCH of things now in a myriad of different settings and times, I think because I am so used to dealing with story in animated cartoons. Reading and writing is a blast! I’m the same with paintings, a million and one things waiting for a growth spurt to come to life, all promising. Haste makes waste, we have enough of that already on this beautiful planet. I’ve been waiting a long time to write a book and I am SO glad to be a part of Thunder and Cluck. I bet they make it to the big screen! 😉
JE: *typing w/fingers crossed* For the hundredth time, I am beyond grateful our editor tapped YOU for these books, Miles. You’ve made them astoundingly FUN, and I can’t wait for kids to get their hands on them!
——————————–
Thunder & Cluck, Friends Do Not Eat Friends has been named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. I hope you’ll all check it out! This series is designated Level 1, but a teacher friend tells me they’d also be terrific hi-lo books. This is enormously heartening to hear, as I used to work as a substitute teacher’s aide — often with middle graders who had reading difficulties. I remember how frustrated they’d get that the books they could read were too young and cutesy. Never dreamed there was a chance I’d hit their easy-but-funny sweet spot with one of my own books.
Meanwhile, you know how we love giving away books! Comment below, and you’re automatically entered. Your odds are better-than-average this time, as Simon & Schuster has consented to send out THREE paperback copies to lucky winners. Yaaaayyy!!!
You can follow Miles on Instagram: @miles.thompson and on Twitter: @ThompsonMiles
What a wonderful post, Jill! I loved hearing from you and Miles about your series together, and can’t wait to read it!
Thank you, Alli! Hope you enjoy it.
What a wonderful journey! Looking forward to reading!
Thanks, Anita!
Super fun series concept and the execution looks so engaging. Already recommended to my 5 and 7-year-old niece and nephew. Thanks for sharing the origin story, Jill.
You’re very welcome, Carrie. Thanks for helping get the word out!
Congratulations, Jill and Miles! Can’t wait to read these.
🙂 Thanks, Jody!
Wow!! This is such an amazing story! And the books look AMAZING! Congrats on all of it!
Kind of you, Rebecca! Thanks.
This is so fun! Thanks for sharing!!! Keep it up!
Miles made it irresistible. 🙂
I have really enjoyed your “outside the box” series and hope it continues! Happy Birthday to Thunder and Cluck. This sounds like a fun and funny series. Congrats!
Thanks, Mary. More OUTSIDE THE BOX features are on the way. 🙂
Jill you do such amazing work and Miles’s artwork enhances the story of these two fun characters. I can’t wait to read them! Congratulations lady.
Thanks so much, pal!
Congratulations, Jill and Miles! This series looks so much fun! The art work is wonderful!
I’m over the moon about the artwork myself, Kim! Thanks for visiting.
Wonderful interview, Jill. Congrats to you and Miles! I know kids are going to love Thunder and Cluck!! I can’t wait to read the whole series!
Thanks, Jude! 🙂
The Thunder and Cluck books are just adorable. The characters are likable and have great stories. The artwork is amazing. My grandkids love dinosaurs and having an early reader book with fun, talking dinosaurs will make them so happy! Great job Jill! It is good you were persistent. You hit it out of the park!
Sweet of you, Debbie!
This is such a great read! Looking forward to this series!
Wait till you see the colors in the next one. Mind-blowing!
Love the perseverance over the years with these characters! Congratulations on this series and future ones!
Thank you, Kim!
Great post! I love your Out of the Box series. Thanks for sharing Miles’ perspective. Fascinating!
You’re very welcome, Kathy. The whole illustration process fascinates me, too.
What a delightful interview! You two make a perfect duo!!
Thanks, Norene! 🙂
This looks super cute and my readers are going to love it!
I sure hope so, Jessica!
These books look FANTASTIC Jill! What a great series. Congrats! Don’t you love how you never know what cool projects will pop up? I’ve had some surprises along the way too.
Thanks, Suzanne. Those surprises are part of what makes the writing life so fun, yes? I do love a roller coaster. 🙂
This is ‘series-ously’ fantastic stuff!
Hooray for many more Thunder & Clucks!
Fingers crossed, Cathy!
THUNDER AND CLUCK make me chuckle already, Jill and Miles! Yes, kids at a somewhat “older” age need these books, too. Fun stuff. And congrats to you both.
Thank you, Kathy.
These look great! Can’t wait to read!
Thanks, Jeannette!
Congratulations, Jill and Miles! These characters look and sound irresistible!
Wait till you see all of Miles’ illustrations. Mind-blowing! And the next one is even more colorful.
I have a t-Rex crazed daughter-in-law who will love these. Can’t wait to read them both.
Oh, good! Hope you win!
Congratulations Jill! Your preserverance with this story is amazing. I will definitely keep this in mind with my own writing. Thanks for sharing!
Or stubbornness. 🙂 You’re welcome, Ashley.
Congrats! Your story is inspiring
Thank you for sharing
I can never bear to give up on characters I love.
This looks sooooo adorable! Congrats on the new series!
Thanks, Eileen!
Congratulations on this fabulous new series! I can’t wait to share it with my kids. Loved hearing the story behind the story.
Thanks, Aimee! Hope you win. 🙂
Ooh! Adding these to my lists for my own writing mentor texts AND for my striving early readers at school. You just continue to amaze me! Thanks for all you are putting out in the world!
Well, that just made my day, Noelle. 🙂 Thanks, and you’re welcome!
Congrats, Jill & Miles! It looks adorable!
Thanks, Maria!
This looks great! I enjoyed reading about your journey to write these books. It was also great to read your interview with Miles. Congratulations to you both!
Hi Mark! Thanks so much. 🙂
Great post, Jill! Clever book and great illustrations!
Thank you, Cathy!
The story behind Thunder and Cluck shows how important flexibility (and bravery!) is for a writer. Congratulations, Jill and Miles, on creating this dynamic dinosaur duo!
Thanks, Janet!
This is great! I just ordered Thunder and Cluck to my library order!
Yippee! I appreciate it.
Jill,
Congrats! Ever since you told me the title of the series I’ve been waiting to read these books! I love the names Thunder and Cluck and can’t wait to meet them!
Hope they make you laugh, Penny. 🙂
Jill, you are a talented, prolific writer. Congratulations on ALL these beautiful books!
I’ve been at it a lonnnng time, Kathy. 🙂 Thanks!
Congratulations, Jill, for stretching your mind! What an interesting story!!
Well, sometimes we need to shake things up, right? Thanks!
My 8yo will live this book. Thanks for writing it!
Oh, I hope so, Candy!
The books looks amazing! Congratulations!
Thank you, Roberta!
These are so vivid and adorable! You both should be proud! Congratulations!!
Thanks, Dedra!
These books look amazing. Kids will love them! Congratulations.
Sure hope so! Thanks, Claire.
This was so interesting to read! I loved reading all of the backstory for how this book came about. Thank you for sharing! And what a fun giveaway.
Thanks for entering!
This series sounds and looks absolutely fantastic. Congratulations, Jill and Miles!! I can’t wait to read the whole series and know some kids (and adults) who are going to LOVE it!!
I’ll bring it next month. 😉
Thanks Jill! Fabulous interview. I enjoyed learning how your series came to be. Congratulations!
Interviews teach me something new every time, Mary. Thanks!
Jill, I loved hearing about your journey, esp. how you say YES!!! I do too, and figure things out later 🙂 And what a great interview with Miles. I loved learning about his process–how he breathes and draws! The play. Buckling down and doing the work. The books look wonderful. Congratulations!!! I will be looking these up and even better if I win a copy. Haha!
Ha, best of luck in the giveaway, Vijaya! 🙂
Huge congrats, Jill! Thank you for sharing your journey from picture book to chapter book to early reader. This looks like so much fun, and I love the illustrations. I’m looking forward to reading this.
Thanks, Tess. Hope you like it!
Looks great! Cannot wait to read!
Thank you, Laurie!
Hmmm will have to order this for my library…and for great nieces and nephews. Thanks for posting, Jill!
Yippee! Thanks, Barb!
I really enjoyed reading about the process and journey behind Thunder and Cluck, as well as reading about Miles’s process. I have been super curious about how the interest in graphic novels for the picture book audience from publishers was going to be addressed, and it’s interesting to see this approach from Simon & Schuster. It looks like EXACTLY what my 4-year-old would be into.
Thank you, Matt. Hope your little one likes it!
Love this post, Jill – and the book! Go, go, go!
Thanks, Michelle!
Graphic PBs! Love ’em. Way to go!
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