Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!
Where we celebrate new books by Michigan's children's book authors and illustrators
Congratulations to Lisa Wheeler on the release of her new book, Dino-Thanksgiving!
Congratulations on the release of Dino-Thanksgiving! This is the latest in your Dino-Holiday series, right after Dino-Halloween. Could you tell us a little bit about what inspired this series?
Thank you! The Dino-Holiday series was suggested by the team at CarolRhoda/Lerner books. I'd written ten of the Dino-Sports books, and they felt that this would be a terrific new series where kids could see their favorites from the first books, celebrating various holidays.
What’s your favorite thing about writing for a larger series of books? What would you say is the most challenging part?
Writing a series like this allows me to give the characters their own distinctive personalities. For instance, Triceratops and T. Rex are born leaders, while the Pterodactyl twins are always up to some form of mild mischief.
The hardest part is finding some cohesion. In the Dino-Sports series, I basically did a play-by-play of whatever sport the dinos were involved in. But for the Holidays series, this wouldn't work. So for each of the books, I've found that having one or two characters involved in a repeating 'gag' that comes full circle at the end, has helped with cohesion. For instance, in Dino-Thanksgiving, Compsognathus (Compy), a very small dinosaur, keeps saying, "I'm hungry. Is it time to eat?" This plot line comes full circle at the end.
Writing a series like this allows me to give the characters their own distinctive personalities. For instance, Triceratops and T. Rex are born leaders, while the Pterodactyl twins are always up to some form of mild mischief.
The hardest part is finding some cohesion. In the Dino-Sports series, I basically did a play-by-play of whatever sport the dinos were involved in. But for the Holidays series, this wouldn't work. So for each of the books, I've found that having one or two characters involved in a repeating 'gag' that comes full circle at the end, has helped with cohesion. For instance, in Dino-Thanksgiving, Compsognathus (Compy), a very small dinosaur, keeps saying, "I'm hungry. Is it time to eat?" This plot line comes full circle at the end.
When it comes to day-to-day writing, what does your process look like? Do you have a daily routine or strategy, or is it more unstructured?
While I am a morning person and get more done if I'm up-and-at 'em early, I don't have a writing routine. (I gave up on that once my husband was home all the time.) But I do try to do something 'writing related' every day. Sometimes that might be a school visit or a book signing. These days it's more like puttering on a book of poems I started years ago, revising unsold picture books or answering emails from readers.
While I am a morning person and get more done if I'm up-and-at 'em early, I don't have a writing routine. (I gave up on that once my husband was home all the time.) But I do try to do something 'writing related' every day. Sometimes that might be a school visit or a book signing. These days it's more like puttering on a book of poems I started years ago, revising unsold picture books or answering emails from readers.
What do you like do to stay inspired and fill that creative bucket? Do you have any tricks or tips for when you feel stuck?
I think much better when I'm in motion. When I really need to get my brain juices flowing, I take a walk-- alone! I also have found inspiration while being a passenger in the car on a long trip, cleaning my house, and for my next book, tiling the shower.
I think much better when I'm in motion. When I really need to get my brain juices flowing, I take a walk-- alone! I also have found inspiration while being a passenger in the car on a long trip, cleaning my house, and for my next book, tiling the shower.
What advice would you give to an aspiring author looking to write or plan for a longer series of books?
Truthfully, the Dino-Sport series didn't start out as a series. I wrote Dino-Hockey as a standalone book. When CarolRhoda/Lerner was interested in buying it, they asked me to change the ending. (My original ending had the dinosaurs playing eternal overtime on the ice, like skeletons in a museum.) I didn't want to pick a winner, but I figured if I had to, I'd keep the ending upbeat by having the dinos look forward to soccer season.
This turned out to be a great decision because soon after, my editor asked me to write Dino-Soccer. All the rest of the books were requested.
If I went into this pitching a series, it may have been turned down. Publishers don't always want to take the risk of supporting a series when the first book hasn't proven itself.
Truthfully, the Dino-Sport series didn't start out as a series. I wrote Dino-Hockey as a standalone book. When CarolRhoda/Lerner was interested in buying it, they asked me to change the ending. (My original ending had the dinosaurs playing eternal overtime on the ice, like skeletons in a museum.) I didn't want to pick a winner, but I figured if I had to, I'd keep the ending upbeat by having the dinos look forward to soccer season.
This turned out to be a great decision because soon after, my editor asked me to write Dino-Soccer. All the rest of the books were requested.
If I went into this pitching a series, it may have been turned down. Publishers don't always want to take the risk of supporting a series when the first book hasn't proven itself.
I’m sure this is a question many a kid has had, but I had to ask: what’s your favorite type of dinosaur?
I love Triceratops! I have a thing for woolly mammoths and I think the shape of a triceratops--big and bulky--puts me in mind of what an elephant or mammoth may have looked like in dinosaur form.
I love Triceratops! I have a thing for woolly mammoths and I think the shape of a triceratops--big and bulky--puts me in mind of what an elephant or mammoth may have looked like in dinosaur form.
What’s on the horizon for you? Any fun projects or new ideas coming up?
I'm very excited about my next book!
On March 23, 2021 Someone Builds the Dream will be released by Dial. The illustrations have been done by Loren Long, who is well known for the Otis the tractor picture books as well as being the artist for Barack Obama's Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters and many other picture books.
Someone Builds the Dream is the book of my heart. It celebrates and pays homage to working class skilled tradesmen and women. I come from a blue collar background and married a blue collar worker. Yes, we need architects, designers, scientists and engineers. But for their dreams to become realities, we need carpenters, masons, electricians and more!
I am so proud to honor the men and woman of our country who are essential to build our dreams.
I'm very excited about my next book!
On March 23, 2021 Someone Builds the Dream will be released by Dial. The illustrations have been done by Loren Long, who is well known for the Otis the tractor picture books as well as being the artist for Barack Obama's Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters and many other picture books.
Someone Builds the Dream is the book of my heart. It celebrates and pays homage to working class skilled tradesmen and women. I come from a blue collar background and married a blue collar worker. Yes, we need architects, designers, scientists and engineers. But for their dreams to become realities, we need carpenters, masons, electricians and more!
I am so proud to honor the men and woman of our country who are essential to build our dreams.
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| Learn more about Lisa's upcoming book here. |
A little bit about the book:
It's time to give thanks!
Dinos big and small prepare for their favorite feast.
Join in the laughter as they cook lots of food, watch football, play games, and of course...eat!
Dinos big and small prepare for their favorite feast.
Join in the laughter as they cook lots of food, watch football, play games, and of course...eat!
A little bit about the author:
Award-winning author, Lisa Wheeler has published over 45 books for children. Her newest books include People Share With People, Even Monsters Go to School and Dino-Halloween. Lisa Makes her home in southeast Michigan with her husband and adorable dog, Frankie. Visit Lisa's website at: www.lisawheelerbooks.com
Congrats, Lisa! I've enjoyed your books for many years and always appreciate your new ideas!
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