Marie Boyd studied chemistry in college and is a law professor. She loves spending time outside, whipping up new creations in the kitchen, and—of course—quilling! She collects colorful paper and cuts it into narrow strips, which she uses to create modern, bold, colorful images that come off the page. Just a Worm is her first book for children. Marie lives in Columbia, South Carolina, with her family. Connect with her at marieboyd.com or on social
media:
Instagram @artistscholar
Twitter/X: @MarieBoydAuthor
1. Do you every get stuck creatively? If so, how do you get unstuck?
Mary, thank you for having me on your blog! I’m excited to be here.
I do get stuck creatively. I’ve found that working on creative projects regularly, even if it’s only for a few minutes, helps me avoid getting stuck as often. When I’m working on a project, I always try to write down what I plan to do next on it before I stop working. That makes it easier for me to jump back into a project even if I only have a few minutes to work on it and if I do have an extended break in which I don’t work on it, I don’t lose my place. When I get stuck, I’ll go on a walk, work on another project, or take a break.
2. When do you write and illustrate? How often and where do you create?
It depends on what I’m writing, but I do a lot of my writing for children in the evenings, on weekends, and during school breaks. I try to write at least a few times a week, but other commitments often get in the way. For a long time, I thought that to write I had to be sitting at my desk in my home office, but as a mother to young children, a wife, a daughter, and a friend with a career outside of children’s writing and illustrating, I’ve realized if I want to write I have to do it when and where I can. Recently that means I write on my phone while I’m waiting for my kids at their activities or before I go to bed.
3. Do you ever feel lonely being a KidLit creator? If so, how do you deal with that?
I spend a lot of time around other people, but sometimes I still feel lonely. I don’t think it’s a function of my particular career choices. I see it as part of being human.
Co-working with friends has helped me feel more connected. We will jump on a video call and, after a brief check-in, will set a timer for 30 minutes and write. At the end of the 30 minutes, we will report on our progress and if we are planning to keep writing, our plan for the next 30 minutes.
Investing in friendships and connections within the children’s writing community has also helped me feel connected to other writers and illustrators, many of whom I have never met in person. I participate in several different groups of writers and illustrations. I’ve enjoyed getting to know so many brilliant and kind children’s book creators and their work and celebrating their successes. For example, the writing critique group that I participate in has been a tremendous source of joy for me.
4. Where did you get the idea for Just a Worm? What was your inspiration?
When my son was younger and we went on walks, I often told him “It’s just a worm” when he saw worms on the sidewalk after rainstorms. One day, I started thinking about how a worm might respond if it could understand my words and that question led to JUST A WORM.
I illustrated JUST A WORM with a cut paper technique called quilling. I created each illustration out of strips of paper that I shaped, layered, and glued to create a three-dimensional garden. My quilled art was then photographed for the book.
I spent a lot of time outside in my parents’ yard as a child. The plants in Just a Worm are inspired by plants in my and my parents’ yards.
5. If you read this book to a room filled with kids, what message would you want them to leave with?
When I read JUST A WORM to kids, including my own kids, I hope that it will encourage them to look more closely at the environment around them, consider the power of words, think about the special role that they play in their family or community, and recognize that everyone has something to contribute to their family, school, and community.
6. Who should read this book?
I wrote JUST A WORM for everyone who has ever compared themselves to others and felt that they have fallen short.
Thanks again for having me on your blog Mary. Happy reading and writing!
Are you a traditionally published picture book or middle-grade author or illustrator? The Six Questions Blog is scheduling creators for Fall 2024 through Summer 2025. Email mary@boonewrites.com if you're interested.