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Welcome to Part Two of Jodi Moore's author interview. If you have not yet read Part One, you can find it HERE. You won't want to miss the complete look into Jodi's personal writing world.
Were there any particular mentor texts that inspired you in the creation of the Dragon series? (Or another one of your upcoming published books?)
I think every book you read becomes a mentor text in a way. Each one becomes a part of you, interwoven into your creative tapestry.
When I was a toddler, my mom worked outside the home, but every night, she’d bring a book home for us to share. I soon learned to associate books with love.
Were there any particular mentor texts that inspired you in the creation of the Dragon series? (Or another one of your upcoming published books?)
I think every book you read becomes a mentor text in a way. Each one becomes a part of you, interwoven into your creative tapestry.
When I was a toddler, my mom worked outside the home, but every night, she’d bring a book home for us to share. I soon learned to associate books with love.
While it’s so hard to narrow the books down, I suppose there were certain “tails” that planted the seeds that would ultimately influence Dragon’s characters and conflicts. My husband and I had our boys enrolled in book clubs before they were born. Of course, they were always enthralled if the stories involved dragons. One of our family favorites was (and will always be) THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A DRAGON.
Inspiration for MY Dragon? Of course. NO ONE wants to be ignored.
Inspiration for MY Dragon? Of course. NO ONE wants to be ignored.
Who doesn’t love a perfect partner in crime?
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I love the second person narrative for so many reasons: for inviting the reader into the book; for giving them power; for allowing them to immerse themselves in both the joy and the consequences.
I could go on and on. There are so many wonderful books out there! Each one has inspired me in its own way.
Interestingly enough, I probably read more books in mentor-fashion once Shari expressed interest in publishing WHEN A DRAGON MOVES IN. It was important to me that the readers decide whether Dragon was real or a figment of the boy’s imagination. But that presented a challenge. How do you draw a character that may or may not be there? Both Shari and I researched for over a year, seeing how others had dealt with “imaginary friends”. Some of the books we investigated included:
I could go on and on. There are so many wonderful books out there! Each one has inspired me in its own way.
Interestingly enough, I probably read more books in mentor-fashion once Shari expressed interest in publishing WHEN A DRAGON MOVES IN. It was important to me that the readers decide whether Dragon was real or a figment of the boy’s imagination. But that presented a challenge. How do you draw a character that may or may not be there? Both Shari and I researched for over a year, seeing how others had dealt with “imaginary friends”. Some of the books we investigated included:
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What do you feel is the BEST way for picture book writers to utilize mentor texts? Read them out loud, see what speaks to you, what gives you all the feels.
Can I choose all of the above? First of all, I believe it’s essential to read a story out loud to get a sense of its rhythm and musicality, whether or not it rhymes.
Second, I love how you phrase the question “see what speaks to you”. Because that’s exactly what you have to do with picture books. You need to study the artwork and realize how much of the story is told through illustration. And you have to remind yourself that it’s critical to allow room for the artist to present that other half as only he/she can.
And yes, I want – I NEED! – to feel all the feels. Plot is important, but I need to care about the characters that are being affected. I want to laugh out loud. I want to tear up. I want my heart to simultaneously expand and squish. The characters have to be believable, well developed and layered. For me, it’s emotion that solidifies the lasting impression.
An example of a book that gave me all the feels at a recent bookstore trip?
Can I choose all of the above? First of all, I believe it’s essential to read a story out loud to get a sense of its rhythm and musicality, whether or not it rhymes.
Second, I love how you phrase the question “see what speaks to you”. Because that’s exactly what you have to do with picture books. You need to study the artwork and realize how much of the story is told through illustration. And you have to remind yourself that it’s critical to allow room for the artist to present that other half as only he/she can.
And yes, I want – I NEED! – to feel all the feels. Plot is important, but I need to care about the characters that are being affected. I want to laugh out loud. I want to tear up. I want my heart to simultaneously expand and squish. The characters have to be believable, well developed and layered. For me, it’s emotion that solidifies the lasting impression.
An example of a book that gave me all the feels at a recent bookstore trip?
Finally, I think it’s important to read new mentor texts as well as ones that made an impression upon you as a child. The current ones help us to understand what’s selling today; the older ones help connect us with our inner child. And I don’t know about you, but I think I write better picture books when my five-year old self is guiding my hand, and my thoughts.
Recently, I’ve been working on a picture book manuscript where the main character enters a fantasy world to deal with a devastating challenge. I worried the concept might be too complex for my target readers. Then I read BEEKLE, and was reminded once again that we are writing for the most discerning, sophisticated and important audience in the world.
Our children.
Recently, I’ve been working on a picture book manuscript where the main character enters a fantasy world to deal with a devastating challenge. I worried the concept might be too complex for my target readers. Then I read BEEKLE, and was reminded once again that we are writing for the most discerning, sophisticated and important audience in the world.
Our children.
Learn more about Jodi in Part One of this interview.
 | Jodi Moore is author of the award winning WHEN A DRAGON MOVES IN (Flashlight Press, 2011), its newly released sequel, WHEN A DRAGON MOVES IN AGAIN (Flashlight Press, 2015) and GOOD NEWS NELSON (Story Pie Press, 2012). Jodi is the proud, (admittedly) neurotic mother of two talented young adults and never ceases to be amazed at how far the umbilical cord will stretch. She loves connecting with readers through school and book events. Jodi lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, Larry, and an ever-changing bunch of characters in her head. Follow her website at www.writerjodimoore.com and blog: https://kidsinspiringnewdirections.wordpress.com/ |
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