Lost interview...

About a year ago I did an interview for a company that was recently sold to another company ("Names! Give us names!"). Therefore, my interview never saw the light of day and probably made the one-way trip to the shredder (hopefully recycled soon thereafter). Anyway, I just remembered this and really hate to see these things go to waste, because I always have a lot of fun doing them. So here you go!


How did Pinky develop his great love for marshmallows?

Pinky’s love of marshmallows started early on. Being nursed exclusively on tetrasodium pyrophosphate and modified corn starch, marshmallows were the natural second dietary step for a young pig with a sweet tooth.

How did you come up with the concept of Max and Pinky?

Originally, the stories were all about a boy named Max who was getting ready to do things like ski and swim. Everywhere he went he brought a little stuffed animal that closely resembled a pig’s head. No joke. But as the stories evolved the pig started to take a more active role, and it was suggested that maybe this pig should walk and talk. So he developed legs and a shocking command of the English language. Of course, the name Pinky is an old Eaton family name that was brought over from the old country.

When did you realize that you wanted to write and illustrate children’s books?

Well, I’ve been writing and illustrating stories since I can remember, but it took awhile to realize that what I was doing translated perfectly into picture books for children. Probably because when creating a children’s book I just write a story that I personally enjoy and find funny. And as it turns out children often find these same things funny. Certain acquaintances may argue that this is because I haven’t mentally matured beyond the level of a four year old, but I think that kids are smart and they can really get some surprisingly subtle humor. And nothing says subtle like a dirty diaper joke!

What is your process for writing books? Illustrate then write or vice versa?

Very popular question amongst us writer/illustrator types. Of course, the answer is always boring, so lately I’ve been trying something new. The first thing I do is pick up the phone and randomly dial country codes that start with three. The first person who picks up says something, and I yell “Pick a number or a poem and make it schnappy!” I then count the seconds until they hang up and make this the age group I’m writing for (I was once on the phone for 83 seconds, and the resulting book was panned by AARP magazine). Once I’ve got my age group, I run to the bookstore and start ripping pages out of their dictionaries while running up and down the aisles screaming “Words! Words! Give me words! Hahahahaha!” On my way out I scrape together as many of the torn pages as possible, which can be difficult in handcuffs. Next, I have my cellmate straighten and flatten the collected dictionary pages (they aren’t always up for this) while I circle every fifth word. Finally, I’ve got a list of words I can use in the story. Here’s a sampling: cruet, cryptocrystalline, leguminous, linalool, pseudoepigraphy, sestertium, sonobuoy, truck, and ziggurat. Now, if I can’t manage to write a story using all of these words, I post bail and start the entire process over again. So, in short, I write then illustrate. Good question.

Do you have plans for another series or stand-alone children’s book?

I’ve got plans that’ll blow your mind! Wait, make that visions! Yeah, lot’s of visions! I foresee a world where people can speak with family members across the country while walking down the street. A world where thousands of musical albums are carried with you in tiny white boxes to be listened to while running and waiting in airports! A world where cars beep when you’re going to back into something and grocery store doors open automatically! And in this world I’ll have written a serious stand-alone children’s book called LITTLE BOOGERS. Should be good.

Have you received any interesting fan mail since Max and Pinky have been published?

My favorite bit of fan mail is from a father who wanted to let me know that his son, who is being potty trained, refuses to go without his copy of Best Buds. What kind of psychological baggage this may cause the little guy remains to be seen. Either way, it’s the kind of success story that let’s me know I can make a difference in this world.

How long does it take you to complete a book from start to finish?

The entire editing process can take almost a year. The revising, redrawing, redoing, removing and recycling can really add up (although I try to stay on top of the recycling by bringing cans back once a week). Of course, the time it takes for an idea to become a story can really vary. BEST BUDS was brewing in my noggin and sketchbook for a long time, whereas the basic plot of THE MYSTERY came together in an afternoon.

We've enjoyed visiting http://www.maxandpinky.com for the blog entries, fun stuff (e-card, printables, etc.), drawings and more. What else do you have up your sleeve for Max and Pinky's site - anything new?

I like to keep my sleeves fairly clear of clutter, but I do have some things in the works for Max and Pinky’s site. Soon, I’ll be adding “Drawing with Maxwell” video clips where I show exactly how to draw some my favorite animals and characters. Should be a lot of fun for kids and excruciatingly disappointing for my old art professors.

Who are some of your favorite picture book creators?

I’ve got a few favorites. One of them is Regis Faller. If I had to pick a world other than Max and Pinky’s to live in, it would be his. Pretty much any illustrator who makes you feel something whether it’s the smell of night, the taste of dirt or just plain comfort is alright in my book. Not my literal book, but… aw, you know what I mean!

What experiences/individuals influence you to write children's books?

It’s funny because most of my motivation to create children’s books comes when I’m reading books for grown-up adult-type people. It’s when I’ve finished reading something serious like Conrad or maybe Blood Meridian that I’m most inspired to sit down at my desk and say, “I’m going to write a story about a groundhog with a driver’s license.” I have no idea why. Maybe I want to contribute something and that’s the only way I know how.

Your website depicts a serene, pastoral view from your drawing table. Is it like this in real life?

Through the iron bars of my window I have a lovely view down the rutted dirt road to the abandoned glue factory, and on a clear day I can even see the smoke stacks down at the industrial medical waste incendiary facility. Actually, I live in the Adirondack Mountains and consider them to be one of the most gorgeous places in the world. Hundreds of miles of mountains and lakes in every direction. If I could somehow introduce cynical talking horses and vacationing polar bears to region it would be a perfect little world.

Do you discipline yourself to write/draw every day, or do you work whenever you feel inspired?

I think that while inspiration may occasionally find you away from your desk, most of the time you aren’t going to get anything done unless you’re constantly working. I do my best to discipline myself to write and draw everyday. That’s why I started doing a sketch-a-day on my blog. It forces me to sit down and at the very least create one little drawing everyday. And that way, when my grandma calls it seems like I’m hard at work and not checking my email dozens of times an hour…

Quilt

I was recently sent a picture of this bi-polar disorder awareness quilt featuring one of my old polar bear sketches. Thanks to John and Jennilyn for sending it along!

Here's the original:

Mystery Poster

Here's a poster I recently did for the October 14th release of The Adventures of Max and Pinky: The Mystery. I thought you might like to see the steps that a simple little illustration goes through.

First off I sketch out ideas in a little notebook:



I sketch and sketch until I know what I want:



After the notebook, I go to drawing paper and draw everything lightly lightly lightly in pencil:



I go over the pencil with black ink (and never miss an egotistical chance to sign my name):



I then scan the line drawing into the computer and color it in photoshop. This is the version I sent off to the publisher:



The designers at Random House (who are infinitely more computer savvy than me) will add a book cover, web site, ISBN, price, etc., and in the end it'll look basically like this:



I'll be sure to show you what the final product looks like in the next couple of months!


Your bud,
Maxwell

and a crab

Quick Monday Morning Seagull Swim

July Drawing Drawing Winner!

Congratulations to Carolina P. from *TBA* on winning the July Drawing Drawing! Thanks to everyone who entered. I'll be getting the August Drawing up soon, but for now I'm off to do a little camping for the weekend!

More Penguins