I did an email interview with writer/illustrator David LaRochelle a few weeks ago and the edited version of the interview (plus the review of his latest book Absolutely Positively Not) appears in Star Mag today.
The trouble is we never ever have enough space to run interviews in full. Luckily there's this blog where I can post the whole thing, unabridged.
Star Mag Speaks to David LaRochelle
First Set
Could you fill us in about your background? Is LaRochelle a French name?
I have lived my whole life in Minnesota, in the United States. When I was a kid, I enjoyed reading, drawing, and annoying my older sister. I also watched a lot of television, which is odd because I never watch TV now. At college I majored in Art and English, and hoped to work as an illustrator for a greeting card company. When that plan failed (I was told that I could not draw well enough), I decided to become an elementary school teacher instead. LaRochelle is French-Canadian, from my father’s father’s side of the family.
How did you start out in the “business”?
While I was teaching school, I was submitting drawings and poems to a children’s magazine. A friend convinced me to send a children’s story that I had written, A Christmas Guest, to a local publishing company. I was surprised when they decided to publish it. That became my first book. I took a leave of absence from teaching to see if I could make a living as an author and illustrator, and that is what I have been doing ever since.
I feel very fortunate that my first book was accepted by the first publisher I sent it to; this gave me the confidence to keep going when I received dozens, actually hundreds, of rejection letters on subsequent stories.
What came first? Writing or illustrating?
I was submitting both writing and illustrations to magazines when I got my first book published. It was a book that I wrote, and was illustrated by somebody else. My second book was a story written by another author, but I was the illustrator. Most times authors do not get the chance to choose their own illustrators. I’ve always hoped to illustrate one of my own books, but so far editors have always had a different artist in mind. I don’t mind too much because they have always chosen such good illustrators.
Of the books you've written and illustrated have you any favourites?
I’m especially fond of my picture book The Best Pet of All, partially because it has been received so well both by young kids and adults. It is fun for me to read out loud when I visit kids at school, and Hanako Wakiyama’s retro-style illustrations are far better than anything I could have ever imagined myself. My first book, A Christmas Guest, has been out of print for many years, but I still get email messages from people across the country saying that the book has become a part of their Christmas tradition; this is very rewarding for an author to hear. And finally I like Absolutely, Positively Not because so many people have told me that the story makes them laugh out loud, and I think laughter is a good thing!
What inspires you as a writer and illustrator?
Two of my stories, The Best Pet of All and A Christmas Guest, were originally written for writing contests (I love to enter contests). My story The Evening King was inspired by imaginative games that I used to play when I was a little boy. The books that I have illustrated have naturally been inspired by the stories that the authors wrote. I keep lots of notebooks and sketch books filled with ideas for stories and doodles; sometimes something I jotted down years ago inspires me to start a new story.
Do you prefer writing or illustrating?
The nice thing about illustrating is that when I am hired to draw the pictures for a book, I know that I will be paid for my work. When I write a story, I may send it out to a dozen publishers and never have it accepted. Still, I think I am most proud of the stories that I have written, because I am the one who generated the idea to begin with. The books that I have written are the ones that I feel the closest to.
How did you get the idea for Absolutely Positively Not?
A friend and I were out for a walk and we happened to pass a group of teenagers having their picture taken, all dressed up for their high school dance. My friend told me that he hated dances when he was in school because he was always pressured into taking a girl as a date, despite the fact that he was never attracted to women. I began to wonder how a teenage boy, who is not attracted to women, could avoid taking a girl to his school dance. My answer was that he could take a dog instead! I wrote a humorous short story based on this idea, called Taking Alice to the Prom. The story was a hit, and I decided to write more about the main character.
Steven is a really likeable character. Is he based on someone you know?
I’m glad that you think Steven is such a likeable character, because if he is based on anyone, he is based on me! Like Steven, I was a nice, but rather un-hip teenager. Like Steven I was scared to death that somebody might discover I was attracted to men, and I did all sorts of ridiculous things to prove to myself, and the world, that I was absolutely, positively not gay. And like Steven, when I finally decided to be honest, I was a much happier person.
Did you find it hard writing about a sensitive topic in the context of a young adult novel? What was it like putting yourself in the position of a confused young boy?
The biggest challenge for me in writing this book was making the transition from writing a picture book-length story to writing a 200-page novel for teenagers. I never thought I could write something that long! When you write picture books, you have to be very succinct; there is no room for background information about the characters or detailed descriptions of the setting. In a novel, the author has to paint with words some of the descriptions that would otherwise be shown in the illustrations. It took me a long while to flesh out the characters and setting of this story; fortunately my editor was very patient.
I did not find it difficult writing about a teenager who was confused over his sexual orientation because that’s exactly who I was growing up! Also enough years have passed since I’ve come to terms with being gay that I was able to write about the topic sympathetically, but with some objectivity as well.
Do you think your depiction of Steven’s parents’ reaction to his sexual orientation is accurate?
Parents react in many different ways when they discover that their son or daughter is gay. I was fortunate in that both of my parents were very supportive. My father was the first person that I came out to, and the first words out of his mouth were “I love you.” I wish all gay teenagers could have such supportive family. My father also related a story similar to the one that Steven’s father in the book tells, about knowing gay people in the army. My dad, like the father in the book, did not have the politically correct terminology for homosexuals, but that didn’t matter. It was clear to me that he was showing his support and love, no matter what terms he used. The mother has a harder time dealing with the news, and buries herself in denial, similar to Steven’s. Like most parents, she wants her son to be happy and safe, and at first she thinks that those things are not possible for someone who is gay. But she, too, comes around, and in the end wants to fuss over Steven’s prospective male date the way that she had fussed over his female dates. She goes through her own slow “coming out” process, and I think that is typical of many parents.
What sort of feedback have you received about the book?
I was worried that the book might offend some people, not because it is sexually explicit (which it is not), but simply because it deals with the subject of homosexuality and teenagers. However, the only feedback I have so far received has been positive. I’ve heard from several retired clergymen applauding me for writing about this topic. I’ve heard back from a gay teenager who thought the portrayal of Steven’s crush on his male teacher was very accurate. And I’ve heard back from a lot of folks who have said how much they enjoyed the humour.
Have you any plans to write a sequel to Absolutely Positively Not?
When I finished writing Absolutely I said to myself, “I am never going to write another novel for teenagers again – it is just too much work!” But now that some time has elapsed since I’ve finished the book, I don’t feel so adamant about that declaration. I’ve had several people ask, “What happens to Steven next?” and although I don’t have any current plans to write a sequel, I am no longer saying, “Absolutely, positively not!”
This book will probably help lots of kids. Were there any books that you found helped you when you were a teenager?
Unfortunately the only book about homosexuality that I found when I was young was similar to the out-dated book that Steven finds in my story. It listed some very unhelpful ways that were supposed to prevent a child from being gay.
Did you read a lot as a child?
I loved to read as a child. My parents always made a point of bringing my sister and me to the library during the summer so that we had access to books when we weren’t in school.
Who were your favourite authors?
When I was a child my favourite authors included C.S. Lewis, who wrote the Chronicles of Narnia, Edward Eager who wrote Half Magic and other fantasy books in which ordinary children stumble across magical enchantments, and E. Nesbit who wrote Five Children and It and The Railway Children among others.
What are you reading at the moment?
I am halfway through Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan, a beautifully written chapter book for children about a young girl in Mexico whose life is suddenly turned upside-down when her wealthy father is killed by bandits. I am also reading Open Christianity by Jim Burklo, a thoughtful discussion of a more welcoming/affirming spirituality.
Who are your favourite children’s/young adult authors/books, and picture books?
Boy, I have too many to list them all! Some of my favorite chapter books, besides the ones I read growing up, include Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary, Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko, and Frindle by Andrew Clements. Oh, and Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech!
My favorite picture books include I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems, How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman, and The Dirty Cowboy by Amy Timberlake and Adam Rex. I could go on and on with my favourites! There are so many excellent children’s books to read; it makes me happy just to think about my favourites!
Who are your favourite illustrators?
Trina Schart Hyman was an incredibly gifted illustrator, and it was a shame when she died this past year. I love everything that Peggy Rathmann has illustrated (The Day the Babies Crawled Away, Officer Buckle and Gloria, etc.). I am also a big fan of Don and Audrey Wood (King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub, The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear, etc.). And I can’t forget Leo and Diane Dillon who have such an astounding range of styles, each one exquisite.
Do you have any advice for children/teens who say they want to write or draw for a living?
My advice is pretty basic. If you want to be an author, read. Read, read, read. The more that you read, the more that your writing will improve. As an adult, I still find that if I have been reading a lot, my writing flows smoother. And second, I would encourage aspiring authors to write. That sounds obvious, but a lot of people who have never written a story in their lives tell me they want to have a book published. You may have to write many, many duds before you create one that sparkles with life. That’s just the nature of writing.
The same holds true for artists. I’ve heard it said that you have to draw thousands of poor drawings before you can start to make good ones, and the sooner you get those bad drawings out of the way, the better.
And finally I would encourage young people to write and draw for the sheer love of doing it. Being an author and illustrator is a lot of work, but don’t lose track of the joy that is part of creating stories and pictures.
SECOND SET
What is your favourite place to read?
Out the back door of my second floor apartment I have a small deck with potted plants. When the weather is nice, it is the perfect place to sit in the evening and read.
Who is your favourite novelist?
My favorite authors are writers for children; those are the books that I usually choose to read for my own pleasure. I can’t pick one single “adult” author, but I loved The Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All by Allan Gurganus.
Who is your favourite character?
I think Joey Pigza, in Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key and its sequels, is a fantastic character. He is kind-hearted, funny, sympathetic, and completely out-of-control with his wild energy. He gave me a lot of insight into the hyper-active students that I had when I was a teacher.
What is your favourite play?
Such tough questions! How can I pick a favorite? One play I particularly enjoy is Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along. This musical is told backward chronologically, and it deals with the idea of being true to your art.
What is your favourite quotation?
Simple as it is, the motto “Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You” is a pretty good guide for life.
What is the first book you can remember reading?
I remember reading Dr. Seuss’ “Fox in Socks” with my dad, and laughing till we cried over the silly tongue twisters.
What is the most erotic book you’ve read?
The Man Who Fell in Love with the Moon by Tom Spanbauer. It is a beautifully written tale set in the Gold Rush of Idaho during the 1880’s.
Do you have a comfort book that you re-read?
I love To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and it is always a joy to revisit that book
Who would be your ideal literary dining companions?
For 15 years I was a member of a gay book club; the other guys in the group were pretty darn good dining companions. Otherwise I’d love to sit and eat with anyone who is passionate about children’s books.
Which author, dead or alive, would you like to go on a date with?
Walt Whitman. I think he would be very romantic!
What book do you wish you had written?
There are many books I wish I would have written! I think Beverly Cleary’s Dear Mr. Henshaw is a masterpiece of children’s literature. It is both funny and touching, without every being sappy. It is a very accurate portrayal of the emotions a child might experience when his parents are divorced. It also a great book for any young person who is interested in becoming an author.
Which book would you make compulsory reading?
I’m glad that there aren’t any books that are compulsory reading, but Conundrum by Jan Morris taught me to be more open-minded toward people who are different than I am. That’s something it never hurts to be reminded of.
I am searching for a 4th grade teacher by the name of david larochelle from minnesota. i was in the 4th grade in 1987 at morris bye elementarty school. I have never forgotten mr larochelle cuz he was my most favorite teacher ever. im pretty sure i have found him here in this interveiw i googled. if you or anyone on this site can get a hold of him i would love to hear from him. please email me back with any info!
Posted by: shawn gooderum | Friday, October 26, 2007 at 10:46