A GRAND DAY with Jean Reidy!

Jean: Hi Andrea! It’s so great to be back. I love and learn so much from Picture Book Builders. And it’s always such an honor to be a guest interviewee.

Ah, yes. The spark. 

I always say that a “spark” is an idea that takes up residence in both my head and my heart. And I’ve found that being a grandparent does just that. It’s been this beautiful extension of the love that I feel for my children combined with a more seasoned perspective. And while I never stop worrying, that perspective translates into a new-found freedom, an experienced ease and a devotion to time spent with my grandkids. I can’t get enough. 

So, as a doting “Nonnie” and children’s author, I seemed destined to write a book on the subject.

But, as much as I cherish my grandkids and adored my own grandparents, I was always intimidated by the prospect of writing that book. I didn’t have the words, or maybe more importantly, the frame in which to tell this very personal, yet universal, story. 

Then one day, I received an email from my agent with a single piece of art from the amazing Samantha Cotterill. (Oh gosh, how I adore her work! Have you read Thankful by Elaine Vickers and illustrated by Samantha?) The piece was a 3-D illustration of an older character (a grandparent) dancing with a younger character. And it was captioned A GRAND DAY. Bingo!!! There was the framework. What might a special day between a grandparent and grandchild look like? I could write that book.

Jean: Certainly, after fifteen books, my well of writing, publishing and creative experiences is a little fuller. I’ve written more stories – published, rejected, in-progress and resting in a drawer.  I’ve presented at and attended more workshops. I’ve received more critiques and editorial letters and have had more enlightening conversations with my agent, editors and writing buddies. I’ve gotten to know more and more young readers and listeners. And I’ve read more books. 

And I’m so grateful for all of it.

But with that well so full, the process has become more … humbling. Hah! I sometimes think it was easier when I didn’t know what I didn’t know. And information overload can induce creative paralysis for me. 

So, I’ve had to become more intentional about giving myself time and space to play, to journal, to write poetry, to brainstorm. Without judgement. Turning off my internal critic. Trusting the process. And challenging my story to be better, while remembering that I can’t control all the variables in publishing. I’ve become a big fan of setting a timer and working on a piece using only a pen and paper. Try it. It’s amazingly liberating. Although I’m still looking for my perfect little “pomodoro”! 😊.

But one thing never changes – I love working at my craft and bringing my readers and listeners the best story I can write. 

Andrea: I can’t tell you how much I needed to hear that. I’ve been feeling a little creatively paralyzed myself, and allowing myself to play and daydream sounds like the way to go. (I think this will be my resolution for 2023!)

The 3-D art by Samantha Cotterill in A GRAND DAY is absolutely amazing. I particularly love how the different sets of grandparents/grandkids are of varying ethnicities and abilities. I know that typically authors and illustrators are kept apart. Did you and Samantha have any discussions about the characters and settings during the illustrating process? Or did you include art notes in your manuscript?