{"id":1422,"date":"2008-08-25T00:01:02","date_gmt":"2008-08-25T06:01:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1422"},"modified":"2013-07-29T11:58:31","modified_gmt":"2013-07-29T17:58:31","slug":"seven-questions-over-breakfast-with-lane-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1422","title":{"rendered":"Seven Questions Over Breakfast with Lane Smith"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is Lane Smith<\/strong><\/a> with his wife and book designer extraordinnaire, Molly Leach<\/strong><\/a>. We told him this would be one of our breakfast interviews, but we didn’t expect him to attempt to take a chunk out of his own face. But that’s the thing with Lane: You never know what<\/em> to expect. After gently talking him into lowering the fork and having something else for breakfast, he’s considering either oatmeal or Cheerios, fresh OJ, and one small cup of decaf,<\/font> adding that it’s a boring breakfast. For the record, we don’t think it’s boring, but we’ll just pretend he didn’t say decaf, which is the devil’s blend. But, hey…to each his own. <\/p>\n

Here are 7-Imp’s Seven Reasons Why We’re Super-Nerdy Excited That Lane Smith is Here Today For a Chat:<\/p>\n

1).<\/font> He has a Bachelor of Awesome. See below. <\/p>\n

2).<\/font> He is one of the most inventive, most unpredictable (in the good way), most entertaining, and most imaginative contemporary illustrators whose work displays a tremendous respect for children and possesses a sharp, irreverent, wisecracking humor. Cases in point (just some of many): 1991’s Glasses (Who Needs ‘Em?)<\/strong><\/em><\/a>; 1995’s Math Curse<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, written by Jon Scieszka<\/strong><\/a>; 2001’s Baloney (Henry P.)<\/strong><\/em><\/a>, received and decoded by Scieszka; and 2004’s Science Verse<\/strong><\/em><\/a>, also by Scieszka — all published by Viking. <\/p>\n

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3).<\/font> He has done the illustrations for—or written and illustrated—some of our favorite picture books. And these are books that are similarly adored by countless teachers and librarians (public and school), on account of they are WICKED FUNNY and great story-time reads. His books also have a slew, to be precise, of awards and honors attached to them (including a 1993 Caldecott Honor<\/strong><\/a> for The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales<\/strong><\/em><\/a>), and you can usually hear children squealing loudly over any book he’s created or helped create. Cases in point (again, just some of many): The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs<\/strong><\/em><\/a> (published by Viking in 1989; written by A. Wolf, as told to Jon Scieszka<\/strong><\/a>); John, Paul, George & Ben<\/strong><\/em><\/a> (published by Hyperion Books for Children, 2006); last year’s Cowboy and Octopus<\/strong><\/em><\/a> with Scieszka (published by Viking); and, as already mentioned, the only and only, the screamingly funny, and the groundbreaking The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales<\/strong><\/em><\/a> (published by Viking in 1992; written by Scieszka), the<\/em> very book that made so many of us fall in love with and\/or want to study children’s literature. <\/p>\n

4).<\/font> He and his wife Molly Leach make such a great team. Her groundbreaking, visionary book design skillz are the perfect match for his off-beat illustrations. Together they’ve totally changed the rules in the world of children’s book publishing. <\/p>\n

5).<\/font> His studio is in an old one-room schoolhouse! (Sorry to keep doing this to you, but — see below.)<\/p>\n

6).<\/font> He was also the Conceptual Designer for the 1996 film version of Roald Dahl’s classic James and the Giant Peach<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

7).<\/font> His two newest picture books: Madam President<\/strong><\/em><\/a>, which he wrote and illustrated, and Big Plans<\/strong><\/em><\/a>, written by Bob Shea<\/strong><\/a> (both published by Hyperion). <\/p>\n

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Big Plans<\/strong><\/a><\/em> is about a young boy, clearly in a punitive time-out in the corner of the classroom, who is plotting his future while staring at a world map on the wall. And his future involves many big things (with his mynah bird sidekick), including ordering around “BIG SHOTS, BIGWIGS, and MUCKETY-MUCKS,” as he’s all dressed for success; catching the game-winning pass in the big football game; becoming mayor, then President of the United States; flying to the moon (“As soon as we’re safely on the ship, I will summon my remaining strength to tell that hat and bird, ‘I got big plans, BIG PLANS, I say'”); and much more. Wrote School Library Journal<\/em>, “Smith’s vivacious illustrations make this a book to pore over as there are new details to notice with each reading.” <\/p>\n


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Not to be outdone by what Kirkus Reviews<\/em> calls “the poster boy for unbridled ambition,” there is Lane’s Madam President<\/strong><\/a><\/em>, the tale of a little girl who imagines what her day would be like if she were the country’s leader — and it involves much more than just some kickin’ pants suits. She’s got funerals to attend (in her case, her frog’s); stuff to veto (the school’s performance of Little House on the Prairie: The Musical<\/em> and the cafeteria lunches, to name a couple); handle press conferences gracefully (“I know you are, but what am I?”); keep the peace; and even clean her own room. The best part of the book, other than Lane’s wonderfully manic illustrations? Publishers Weekly<\/em> put it well: “Refreshingly, Katy skips the hand-wringing and never questions whether a girl could become commander-in-chief — instead, she behaves as if she is president already, fulfilling official duties at home and in school.”<\/p>\n


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There’s lots more from Lane about Madam President<\/em> at this Publishers Weekly<\/em> interview<\/strong><\/a> from July. <\/p>\n

And, well, there are lots more reasons it’s fun to have Lane here, but let’s get to the interview already. Let’s get the basics from Lane as we set the table for our breakfast:<\/p>\n

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7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Lane, we asked Adam Rex and Jon Scieszka in previous interviews how they got to be so awesome (see here<\/strong><\/a> and here<\/strong><\/a>, respectively). We only reserve that question for the Truly Awesome, and here you are. So, how’d you get to be so awesome?<\/font><\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: Again, it\u2019s boring. I took the usual route: Awesome School. Got a BA (Bachelor of Awesome). Four year program. Actually, what most people don\u2019t know is I flunked out first year and had to go to Awesome Summer School (A.S.S.). You\u2019d think it would be a major bummer but you know what? . . . It was awesome. <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Can you list your books-to-date?<\/font><\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: {Ed. Note: Lane actually took the time to answer this, bless his big heart. As true Southerners, even though one of us is displaced, Eisha and I are required to say “bless his big heart.” Instead of having a big, honkin’ long list in the middle of the interview here, I’ll put it at the bottom of the interview, for those who want the Complete Lane Smith Experience.} <\/em><\/p>\n


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A book dummy sketch from <\/em>John, Paul, George & Ben<\/center><\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What is your usual medium, or -\u2013 if you use a variety -\u2013 your preferred one?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: Each piece is usually a variety; collage. Whether by hand or digital. I like to mix it up. I work in oils, pen-and-ink, I collage in actual photo bits or gum wrappers. I like the end result to be textural and grungy. Printers are always trying to correct the specks and splatters in my artwork – they assume they are the result of printing error. <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: When you collaborate with Jon<\/strong><\/a>, do you work in tandem throughout the book’s creation, or is a more traditional arrangement, in that Jon gives you text and then you have at it?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: We don\u2019t work in tandem. But we do ride a tandem bike. We pretty much agree on creative stuff but are in constant disagreement over who gets to ride in front. <\/p>\n

My wife, Molly, is looking over my shoulder and has just read the above answer. I can tell by the look on her face that that was a really silly response. Okay, here\u2019s how we really work: Jon writes a story, gives it to me, I work out the art, give it to Molly, she works out the type then we all get together and tweak stuff. Then we turn it in. Then we take a spin on our tandem bike. (Not really.)<\/font><\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Where are your stompin\u2019 grounds?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: In the rural, northwest corner of Connecticut.<\/p>\n


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Lane in front of his studio with Pretzel, his Secret Service Cat<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n


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Pretzel, in close-up, protecting Lane…or at least thinking about it<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Can you briefly tell us about your road to publication?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: A magazine illustrator (Rolling Stone<\/em>, Time<\/em>, NY Times<\/em>, Ms.<\/em>, Sesame Street<\/em>, etc.), I wanted to do books. I painted Halloween images at night after my editorial assignments were finished. I eventually had enough paintings for a book and took them around to publishers. One bit (Macmillan), and those paintings became my first children\u2019s book, Halloween ABC<\/strong><\/a><\/em>. The publisher felt like the art needed text, so they called in veteran author Eve Merriam<\/strong><\/a> to add spooky poems. The book turned out great. Not so great, there was a strike that year at the printing plant, and our Halloween book came out in November. {Ed. Note: The book was redesigned by Molly Leach and rereleased by Simon & Schuster in 2002 as <\/em>Spooky ABC<\/strong><\/a>, pictured here.}<\/em><\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Can you please point us to your web site and\/or blog?<\/font><\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: www.lanesmithbooks.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: If you do school visits, tell us what they\u2019re like.<\/font> <\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: They\u2019re like us, only smaller. They often get sick and give you their germs. They\u2019re sweet. They\u2019re naughty. They\u2019re funny. Sometimes they\u2019re in the third grade, sometimes second or first. (Can you tell that Molly has left the room?) <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: If you teach illustration, by chance, tell us how that influences your work as an illustrator.<\/font><\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: I don\u2019t teach. I would be a horrible teacher. I have a hard time criticizing others’ work. <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Any new titles\/projects you might be working on now that you can tell us about?<\/font> <\/p>\n

\"FlorenceLane<\/font><\/strong>: I am working on a book with my idol, Florence Parry Heide<\/a><\/strong> {pictured here}. It\u2019s about a princess who floats. It\u2019s called Rescuing the Princess<\/em>. I wrote to Florence nearly twenty years ago to tell her how much I loved the Treehorn<\/strong><\/a><\/em> books that she did with Edward Gorey<\/strong><\/a>. It\u2019s taken us all this time to finally collaborate. Better late than never. It will be out in 2009. <\/p>\n

I also wrote and illustrated a book called, The Big Elephant in the Room<\/em>. It comes out Spring 2009. <\/p>\n

* * *<\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

\"Mmm.Okay, the table’s set, and we’re ready to sit down and talk more specifics over coffee with Lane — this time it’ll be six<\/em> questions over breakfast. And, because we love his books so much, we’re even going to have some decaf<\/em> with him. <\/p>\n

And we’d like to extend hugely huge thanks to him for taking the time to stop by, especially since he tolerated Jules’ questionnaire for illustrators (which is set up in a very template-esque way that makes it a bit easier for us to format and post these interviews, thus giving us time to do even more Q & As with illustrators) — but with a couple questions thrown in that are specific to his career. In other words, Jules thanks him for being a good sport about the weird format. <\/p>\n

For the record, we’d love to chat with Molly, too, and maybe we can talk Lane into passing the questions on to her.<\/font> <\/p>\n

1.<\/font> 7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What exactly is your process when you are illustrating a book? You can start wherever you\u2019d like when answering: getting initial ideas, starting to illustrate, or even what it\u2019s like under deadline, etc. Do you outline a great deal of the book before you illustrate or just let your muse lead you on and see where you end up? Can you also address what the design\/illustrating process with Molly is like for books on which you collaborate?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: If it\u2019s a book I\u2019ve written, the initial idea usually comes from a sketch. <\/p>\n

I then create a story around the sketch. I write and rewrite constantly. I\u2019m a visual person, so the writing is much harder than the art. When I feel like it\u2019s in pretty good shape, I show it to a few close friends: Molly, my agent Steve Malk<\/strong><\/a>, my pal Bob Shea<\/strong><\/a>, the UPS guy. They usually have lots of comments. If they\u2019re good, I steal them. <\/p>\n

Next I do a book dummy. I do lots and lots of sketches, looking for the tone and style of the book. I then experiment with color and technique. Some books are in pencil, some oil, some pen-and-ink. Most are a hodgepodge of all. When I have the dummy together I show it again to friends and family. They have more good ideas. I steal them. <\/p>\n

I then show it to the editor. He or she usually has ideas, too. I steal them. <\/p>\n

Then I just plow ahead and do the book. I can\u2019t stop until it\u2019s finished. I work everyday. I e-mail Molly art as I am working on it, and she designs the typography around it and e-mails it back to me. Sometimes I adjust the art to fit with her type. Sometimes she adjusts the type. We go back and forth this way until the book is done. <\/p>\n

I then show it to my Mom. She says stuff like, \u201cGive Madam President a big flowery hat, kids will adore that.\u201d Or \u201cMake that Big Plans<\/em> kid more lovable. You want grandparents to buy it, don\u2019t you?\u201d \u201cWhy does Stinky have to be made of cheese? Gingerbread is better.\u201d She has lots of ideas. I don\u2019t steal them. <\/p>\n

2.<\/font> 7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Describe your studio or usual work space for us.<\/font> <\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: I work in a turn-of-the-century one-room schoolhouse. I am surrounded by books, globes, a big chalkboard, cursive type all around the walls. <\/p>\n


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\n\"Pretzel,<\/p>\n

3.<\/font> 7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: As book lovers, it interests us: What books or authors and\/or illustrators influenced you as an early reader?<\/font> <\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>Lane<\/font><\/strong>: The Boxcar Children<\/strong><\/a><\/em> by Gertrude Chandler Warner<\/strong><\/a>. The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet<\/em><\/strong><\/a> by Eleanor Cameron<\/strong><\/a>. Dr. Seuss<\/strong><\/a>, Charles Schulz<\/strong><\/a>, Maurice Sendak<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n

4.<\/font> 7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: If you could have three (living) illustrators or author\/illustrators—whom you have not yet met—over for coffee or a glass of rich, red wine, whom would you choose?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: See, you got me with that \u201cliving\u201d clause. I think I\u2019ve already met most of my favorite living authors: Sendak<\/strong><\/a>, George Saunders<\/strong><\/a>, Remy Charlip<\/strong><\/a>, Florence Parry Heide<\/strong><\/a>. Oh, I suppose it would be great to have dinner with David<\/strong><\/a> and Amy Sedaris<\/strong><\/a>. Oh and David McCullough<\/strong><\/a>. And Doris Kearns Goodwin<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

But back to those dead authors, there\u2019s a thought! Imagine all in one room: Flannery O\u2019Connor<\/strong><\/a>, Dr. Seuss<\/strong><\/a>, Italo Calvino<\/strong><\/a>, Edgar Allan Poe<\/strong><\/a>, Ambrose Bierce<\/strong><\/a>, Ruth Krauss<\/strong><\/a>, Thomas Jefferson<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Of course, they\u2019d be dead. The conversation, you know, might be minimal.<\/p>\n

5.<\/font> 7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What is currently in rotation on your iPod or loaded in your CD player? Do you listen to music while you create books?<\/font><\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: When I illustrate, I listen to a bunch of stuff: Tom Waits<\/strong><\/a>, Nina Simone<\/strong><\/a>, Tex Ritter<\/strong><\/a>, Neko Case<\/strong><\/a>, early Staple Singers<\/strong><\/a>, Johnny Cash<\/strong><\/a>, Fats Waller<\/strong><\/a>, Nicole Atkins<\/strong><\/a>, The Effin Gs, Bob & Ray<\/strong><\/a>… <\/p>\n

6.<\/font> 7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: If I told, then they\u2019d know. <\/p>\n

The Pivot Questionnaire<\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What is your favorite word?<\/font><\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: “Waffles.”<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What is your least favorite word?<\/font><\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: “Probe.”<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What is your favorite curse word? (optional)<\/font><\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: “James Lipton.”<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: Drawing and painting.<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What turns you off?<\/font><\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: A little switch just below the hairline. Also the Clapper\u2122. <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What sound or noise do you love?<\/font><\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: Birds. <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What sound or noise do you hate?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: Birds hitting my window. <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?<\/font><\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: I can’t do anything else. <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What profession would you not like to do?<\/font><\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: Politics. Or food service. <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?<\/font><\/p>\n

Lane<\/font><\/strong>: “We\u2019ve been waiting for you. Scieszka is here. Hit by a truck (big pink truck with a bow on top). Shea is here. Head injury. Slipped on some new socks. Saunders is here. Mauled by angry Gappers. Come on in. Make me some new stories. I\u2019m sick of trucks, socks and Gappers.”<\/p>\n

* * * * * * *<\/center><\/p>\n

Lane’s response to the books-to-date question:<\/p>\n

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