People can be inspiring. Am I right? Sometimes they do things or say things, and it makes you think YES! I can do things and say things too! These interviews give us the chance to quiz the people who are inspiring us right now, and Michelle Robinson is definitely on The List.
Part picture books author, part lovely, lovely, lady - Michelle is a wonderfully inspiring person, a general powerhouse, and - hurrah! - she agreed to answer a few little questions for us. Isn't that nice?
When did you first realise that you wanted to be a published author?
I wanted to be an author as soon as I started falling in love with other ones, around the age of five or six. I worshipped the likes of Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl, Dick King Smith and Jill Murphy, and couldn’t think of anything else I’d rather be than just like them. I really got the bit between my teeth about getting published once I’d been writing professionally as a copywriter for a few years. I started to feel more capable and legitimate as a writer and realised that the only thing stopping me from going for the dream was inaction. I started writing stories in my free time and just kept at it. I also read a lot of new and classic children’s books - and still do.
How did you get an agent?
I attended an Arvon Foundation course and somehow managed to pull a blinder in the workshops, showing off my skills in front of the wonderful tutors (Malachy Doyle and Vivian French). They recognised that I almost knew what I was doing in terms of writing picture books. After the course, Malachy offered to review my stories then put me in touch with his agent, Celia Catchpole, once he thought I had a bulk of strong work behind me. Celia sold my first story at auction at the Bologna Book Fair shortly after, then took me on as a client. Hallelujah.
Have you ever experienced Writer’s Block?
Not really, I think it’s a cowardly excuse (I really hope that doesn’t come back and bite me in the bum). I call it ‘The Fear’ because it isn’t an external ‘block’, it comes from within. If I stop writing for a length of time I build the act of writing into something harder than it actually is then, when I sit back down to write, I’m not sure where to start. I keep The Fear at bay by chipping away at something whenever I’m able. I juggle projects and when the writing’s not flowing, do admin instead. I do allow myself complete breaks, but I no longer let The Fear bother me. I recognise it for what it is and know it’ll melt away once I knuckle down to work.
How does it feel to see your characters brought to life by an illustrator?
Amazing. It’s a total thrill and a privilege, I get the tingles every time.
What is your favourite part of the book-making process?
The whole picture book process is sheer magic from the first word to the last.
The part when the first draft comes together in a satisfying way, and you know the story is so strong it’s destined to be printed.
The part when you get made an offer for it and it’s confirmed - IT’S A BOOK!
The part when you find out who’ll illustrate it and you have to relearn how to do cartwheels, then realise you’re too old and floorboards are really quite unforgiving.
The part when you see the first very raw roughs and it confirms what a brilliant book it’s going to be.
The part when you see the final artwork and you start daydreaming about the spinoff TV show and cuddly toys.
The part when you receive the advance copy in the post and you walk around the house hugging it (gently so as not to hurt it) and take it to bed for an entire month.
The part when it comes out and you get excited because it is Actually Real.
Pay day is quite useful, too.
And there are all the re-readings to kids in schools, bookshops, libraries, hospitals and on laps at home that ice the cake again and again and again.
Is there one particular review, nomination or award that has felt particularly special to you?
Someone recently blogged about an event I did with Kate Hindley in North London for our book How To Wash a Woolly Mammoth. The blogger’s son was a reluctant reader, but took his signed copy into school and insisted on reading it to his entire class because he’d enjoyed it so much. I’m still grinning about that.
If you could have afternoon tea with any author and/or illustrators (dead or alive), who would they be?
AA Milne, Dr Seuss and EB White. Ooh, and my friend Candy Harper because I hardly ever get to see her these days.
What are your views on the picture book market right now?
I think it’s very exciting, particularly in terms of illustration styles, BUT . . . I’m not excited by much of the writing coming out of illustrators - sorry, folks. There are great texts out there not making it while some pretty duff ones are getting made because they look gorgeous. Kids are getting short changed. Great stories need great art; great art needs great stories - otherwise it’s not a great book, just an okay one. I like to hope that there are some awesome author/illustrator pairings out there waiting to be made and nurtured for repeat collaborations - not exclusively, but just to have some more solid ‘team brands’ would be good. I also believe we need to consider how we package added value into printed books. People expect so much from everything these days, and when money’s tight any added extras are bound to help sales - that’s why I produce audio games to accompany my books. I think digital needs to be seen as an opportunity and not a threat - I could waffle on about that for ages.
If you could change one thing in the world of picture books, what would it be?
It’s high time the Donaldson/Scheffler domination thing was given a run for its money - lovely as they are, I’m sick of seeing nothing but their books in certain chain stores. I’d love to be the one to knock them off their perch.
Describe yourself in five words
Silly writer. Opinionated! Loves children.
Thanks very much to Michelle for taking part in our interview. We love you and your books!
PS If you're interested in writing picture books (or even if you're not), have a look at Michelle's rather fantastic Story Making Masterclass video here.
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