With Christine McFaul
Photo supplied by Dawn Quigley
I love the voice and character you created in Jo Jo! Was she always clear in your mind or did you go through iterations of her before getting to that final version?
Thanks for loving Jo Jo’s voice! I am a quiet, reserved person around groups I don’t know well, but I always am thinking snappy comments in my head. So, I thought: what would it be like to have no filter, be in 1st grade with a little different take on the world, and have it set in a contemporary setting? I wish I was like some writers who work on crafting a character, but I see whoever pops up in my mind. It’s like Jo Jo showed up and I just started following and documenting her hijinks. I’m really just a secretary taking down what she does in my mind!
Humour, especially for this age group, is not always easy to write. What is your approach? Did you ever find yourself laughing out loud while concocting some of the more humorous exchanges?
I LOVE laughing and having fun in life. I’m a professor for my “day job”, and sometimes I feel it’s very formal and stuffy. I take my work very seriously, but I don’t take myself seriously at all. I found writing in the first person works best for me with Jo Jo since I can imagine what she is seeing and feeling. I find myself even sitting differently as I’m writing about her- and my head does a lot of moving back and forth as she “explains” things to the other characters. Thanks for thinking my writing is funny! My own kids just roll their eyes at me most of the time and tell me I’m not supposed to laugh at my own jokes (says who??!). I haven’t laughed out loud yet reading Jo Jo, but I’m so glad others do.
The book tackles some very relatable problems, such as friendship dynamics and worries over vaccinations, but it also carries some more subtle explorations of what it means to be successful at school. What would you most want young readers to take away from this story?
I taught in K-12 for 18+ years and have two kids of my own, so I’ve seen many common themes over the years with young children: wanting/trying to make friends, losing friendships, being hesitant of vaccinations, love of pets and figuring out how this “school thing” works. When I was teaching I loved helping students find their way to “be successful”- and not necessarily”book smart.” I’ve had a very talented 1st grader create amazing artwork, another student was incredible with geometry, still others had success in understanding how to be a friend. I hope young readers will first, be happy and joyful reading Jo Jo Makoons, and then to also see how many ways there are to live and interpret the world.
The illustrations in this book are fantastic. What was it like working with Tara Audibert? Were her illustrations how you pictured the characters/scenes while you were writing them or did they surprise you?
I love Tara’s illustrations! She truly made Jo Jo come alive with her rendering of the little Ojibwe 1st grader. I look at all of the cute details she puts into each drawing (the little box of rocks under Jo Jo’s bed is SO cute, AND her bear pjs). I’m just going over Tara’s illustrations for Jo Jo book #2 (out this spring), and I’m just amazed at how she can interpret my words to make the book even better and funnier.
What do you think is the key to writing a first person narrator for the 6-10 age range? Any dos or do nots for creating a strong, memorable, and believable character?
It helps to write for young children if you’ve been around them a lot (e.g., teacher, parent, relative, worker) because they most definitely have a unique way of looking at the world. I have readers and an editor who helped point out words, or concepts, that a 7 year old wouldn’t say. It also helps, I believe, that I was a reading teacher for young children which lets me know the vocabulary grasp and how long a sentence, chapter should be, etc.
Do you have any advice for anyone who may be thinking of writing a Chapter Book series? What advice would you give to writers in general? Either about writing for children or navigating the publishing world? What have you learned that’s been key to your success?
Do it! Also, read tons of mentor texts that you’re trying to write. Also, it’s key to have a writing community. My inspiration for writing the Jo Jo Makoons chapter book series was born from a rejection. I had a picture book rejected in the spring of 2019 (and rightly so! It wasn’t ready to go on submission). Then, Muscogee author and educator Cynthia Leitich Smith said, and suggested I try a chap book asking “I wonder if you might consider writing a young chapter book?; I thought: Well, I can’t write a chapter book because I’ve never written a chapter book before. But then, a little spunky little Ojibwe girl began running around in my mind making me smile at her antics! And the Jo Jo Makoons chapter books series was born. All because of a suggestion. :-) Jo Jo is a team effort.
Can you tell us anything about the next book in the Jo Jo Makoons series? Do you have any other projects in the works?
Well, the second Jo Jo book is all about her trying to figure out how to “be fancy” for an upcoming special event. And, as we know, Jo Jo interprets things very uniquely. There will be plenty of laughs and heart-happy moments.
Also, I’m working on about four new projects (and so WHY do I not get off Twitter and write??!!)
What is your must-read book recommendation? What has inspired you or taught you the most about writing?
I don’t have a writing degree, but my greatest writing teachers have been reading the amazing books coming out in the last few years (especially by BIPOC authors). I learn from every book I read! I believe that reading is 50% of my writing process since that’s how I get inspired and learn about the craft of writing. Also, my writing critique group really helps as we all support our work, but also give honest feedback because we want everyone to succeed.