An Interview with Peter Brown

Peter Brown is the author and illustrator of many award-winning and bestselling books for kids. His middle-grade novel, The Wild Robot, has been adapted into a major motion picture by DreamWorks Animation.

Today, Peter is sitting down for a conversation with Sarah Baker.

Sarah congratulates Peter on his many achievements—he has a lot to celebrate!

Peter shares that he was a pretty shy but artistic kid, able to focus on projects for long periods of time. From a young age, he took his creativity seriously.

There’s a lot of nature in Peter’s books, and Sarah asks about that connection. Peter grew up in New Jersey, near the Delaware River, and spent a lot of time in nature. After moving to the city as an adult, he found that being in nature remained a source of comfort. Writing nature-centered stories helped balance out his life as a city dweller—it was a way to reconnect with his childhood and find comfort.

Peter shares that he has always been struck by the fact that, while humans are animals, we are so disconnected from the wild. He notes that kids (especially young kids) have a stronger connection to that animal side, but we as adults now much farther away from it.

Sarah asks Peter, as he moved toward The Wild Robot, at what point he knew this book was going to be different. He wondered what would happen if there was an intelligent robot in the wilderness. At first, he thought it would be a picture book. In thinking about making readers care about the robot, he came up with the idea of the robot adopting a wild animal in the forest. That's when he knew there was more to the story and additional characters, so he started exploring it as a middle-grade novel.

Peter was nervous about writing his first novel, so he made some rules for himself. He outlined and figured out every little detail. He then tackled each chapter as if it were a picture book, which made it feel doable for him.

Peter's illustration process, which focused on simplicity, informed his writing in The Wild Robot. He forced himself to keep both simple.

Peter says he couldn't have made this book earlier in his career—he needed all the experiences that came before.

As a final question, Sarah asks Peter for his best piece of advice for the writers and illustrators in the room.

Peter shares, "If you have stories you really love, they will help you work through the tough stuff... because you need to finish them. Pick projects you really love... You're going to do your best work if you really love what you're doing."

Q&A With SCBWI Illustrator Advisory Committee

Last event of today: Q&A with the SCBWI Illustrator Advisory Committee: Peter Brown, Priscilla Burris, Pat Cummings, Laurent Linn, Cecilia Yung and Paul O. Zelinsky. They also invited two Illustrator Coordinators to join in: Dana Carey (Global Illustrator Coordinator) and TeMika Grooms (U.S. Illustrator Coordinator).

One of the frequently asked questions was to how illustrators could submit their work to Laurent and Cecilia, and Laurent gave specifics during the session as well as posting info in the chat.

Some of the other topics discussed:

Topic: Is it ok to submit a picture book as an author-illustrator team rather than separately?

Cecilia said that while most art directors and editors prefer finding their own illustrators, she says it's fine to submit as a team. However, she points out that if they don't like either the art OR the writing, you're more likely to get a rejection. Also, be wary of coming across as too controlling, which may turn off potential publishers.

Topic: Is it ok if I post multiple art styles on my website?

Priscilla says it's ok to show multiple styles on your website as long as it's well organized.

Cecilia says she only wants to see things "that you're really really good at." Be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses re: techniques and styles. She points out that if you're unable do this, then an art director may wonder if this would affect your work while illustrating a picture book.

Laurent advises illustrators against trying to emulate styles that you think others want to see. "You be you." Paul Zelinsky strongly agrees. He says that if you try to be like everyone else, you're less likely to be satisfied in your career down the road.

Topic: How do I find out which specific people at a publisher who might like my work?

Pat advises looking at current books that you LOVE, then you have a better chance of finding an editor and art director who might have the same tastes. Pat says  The Original Art catalog may help track down this info.

Topic: If a publisher is closed to unsolicited submissions, does that also apply to art?

Laurent says not necessarily. He points out that he welcomes postcard samples at any time, for example. 

Topic: Where can I find critique groups?

TeMika Grooms encourages illustrators to reach out to their regional groups and get involved with their local critique groups. She also says to check The Book (mentioned in next paragraph) for useful info as well.

Other takeaways:

Dana Carey strongly recommends illustrators check out The Book: The Essential Guide To Publisher For Children, available as a free PDF (for members) on the SCBWI website. The Book has a TON of essential info covered in the Q&A, critique groups, publishers, etc.

TeMika Grooms: Stay the course. Make sure you keep work on improving your craft. Remember self-care. Take breaks, but don't let the breaks go too long.

Paul Zelinsky: When you feel stopped or discouraged, try some new art material. Even if you're not planning to use it for your book illustration work, it can help jumpstart your creativity again.

Pat Cummings: Find your community. She also encourages illustrators to attend regional conferences, which could be a great way to meet people in the industry you want to work with. Do what you love, put it out there, and believe in yourself. 

Priscilla Burris: If you're blocked, try putting on some music you loved from your early teen years (or earlier!); sometimes this can help bring out a different part of you that you've forgotten. Don't be predictable. Be you. Let the characters speak to you as you sketch daily. Let them move you.

Peter Brown: Don't be too precious about your work. Remember that publishing is a business. Be able to take constructive criticism. Be an idea factory. It won't be as painful if you're rejected if you have lots of ideas.

Cecilia Yung: Remember that the eyes are the windows to your soul. Eyes, eyebrows, eyelids, directionality. Squeeze as much emotion as you can from the eyes. If you're having a challenge, then you should rethink how you draw eyes.

Laurent Linn: It all comes down to purpose. What do you have to say, and why do you want to say it? That is what is going to make your art stand out. 

And that's a wrap on today's programming!

Peter Brown: Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Illustration

Peter Brown has won for Mr. Tiger Goes Wild! And we have all, indeed, gone wild for Peter's incredible illustrations:

Peter thanks Lin for all of the drink tickets she gave him last night. Which explains a lot.

He went to school for animation not too far from where we are having the conference. Peter found halfway through school that he hated animating and couldn't figure out why, until he tried taking a children's book illustration class and realized that was what he loved because it allowed to tell his own stories. Shortly after this epiphany he found SCBWI. Peter's been a member for 15 years and loves the community of the group and the incredible bank of knowledge he's garnered from the membership resources and conference going.

Way to go, Peter!

Peter will be speaking at tomorrow's always fabulous Illustrator Intensive.

A recent photo of Peter, be sure to say hi to him!

The Art of the Picture Book Panel begins!

Lin introduces the picture book panel, from Left to Right, Moderator Arthur A. Levin, Shadra Strickland, Oliver Jeffers, Marla Frazee, Raúl Colón and Peter Brown.

Peter Brown: The Pre-#NY14SCBWI Interview by Jaime Temairik

Ready to snort milk out your nose? Grab a glass and click on this link to check out the hysterical chat Jaime Temairik had with conference faculty member Peter Brown.

Go read it now,

laugh,

watch the videos (one is fascinating, the other is some sort of lesson about all the things you shouldn't do in a book trailer - or maybe it's all the things you should)

and then check out all the information about the upcoming SCBWI Winter Conference in New York City, February 22 and 23, 2014. While the intensives on Friday February 21 are sold out, there are a limited number of spaces still available for the main Saturday and Sunday of the Conference.

We hope to see you there!

Illustrate and Write On,
Lee

#NY12SCBWI Pre-Conference Plate Design by Dan Santat and Peter Brown!

SCBWI Team Blogger and Illustrator Jaime Temairik has thought out of the box on this pre-conference interview, way out of the box, and it's genius!  She connects with former pair figure-skaters (author/illustrators) and #NY12SCBWI faculty Peter Brown and Dan Santat to get their balanced career diet info.

It's funny, and inspiring, and very thought-provoking.  After all, what would YOUR balanced career diet be?

It's not too late to register to see Dan and Peter / Peter and Dan yourself at the Lucky 13th Annual SCBWI Winter Conference in New York City, January 27-29, 2012!

We hope to see you there.

Illustrate and Write On,
Lee