When I opened the envelope containing PAPER MICE, I let out a small GASP! because it was so sweet and lovely. LOOK:
The mice! The color palette! The wood grain! The blue flowered cape! The setting sun!
Marvelous, I thought. So I emailed Megan.
Megan, the book’s opening line is so simple, yet so enticing. “With a snip and a clip, and a clip and a snip, the paper mice were made.” Was this also the first line you wrote? Or did it take a lot of revision to pare it down to just the most essential words?
I just checked my first draft and that is the first line I wrote. Actually, the beginning of the story is still very much intact from the first draft, but after about one quarter the way in, it’s completely different now.
At first I set up the story with that voice, but then jumped into a much different, more dialogue-heavy style. After sharing my first draft with my critique group, everyone gave me similar feedback that they liked the first part best and was there any way for me to carry that kind of feeling through the whole story. So that was my challenge—to take that kind of old fashioned, lyrical voice that had come to me at the beginning and then try to continue that throughout while also telling an active and meaningful story.
Does that lyrical voice come naturally to you? Or did you dig deep to uncover it?
I think being able to get into the voice and mood of a piece in general is kind of one of my writing superpowers. That’s one of the things I’ve always enjoyed and that I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback on from even before I was published. But it took me a lot of digging to discover that I could write picture books (I was focusing on novels for about eight years before I really tried writing picture books). And it has taken me a lot of time and many, many (many!) practice projects to understand plot, story structure, and character development.
What is one of the most important lessons you’ve learned about picture book plot, story structure or character development?
How interconnected the three are, and that the plot must develop authentically from the characters wants, needs, and actions.
This is now your fourth picture book. Is there anything new you learned about the process of making a picture book during this project?
I feel like I’m always learning with every project! With Paper Mice, I learned to dig deeper (even when I think I’ve already done so) to really find the theme of the story.
“They were only paper mice, but even they knew night is a mouse’s day…” The mood of this story is perfect for bedtime. What do you think Della and Ralph read before their bedtime?
I think they both like fairy tales and adventure stories, though nothing too scary right before bedtime!
Since the adventures of the Paper Mice are secret, do you have any behind-the-scenes secrets about making the book?
Well, when I was just starting out with publishing, I made a list of “dream illustrators”—artists and illustrators who I dreamed of working with someday. And Phoebe Wahl, though I didn’t even know if she was interested in illustrating kids books at that time, was at the top of my list! I never told anyone about this list. Imagine my surprise when my editor told me that she’d found the perfect illustrator for PAPER MICE—Phoebe Wahl! It was such a serendipitous moment and has always made the project feel extra-special to me.
Speaking of extra-special, I heard you had a rather exciting auction for another project recently.
I’d love to! I recently sold a middle-grade graphic novel (in a very exciting seven-house auction) to Scholastic! The book is called ALLERGIC and is about animal-obsessed girl who is about to finally get a dog of her own—only to discover she’s allergic to animals. It’s inspired by my own experiences growing up allergic to all animals with fur or feathers (but is fiction). Michelle Mee Nutter is my amazing illustrator co-creator on this project—her art is incredible, and I’m beyond thrilled that we could team up. ALLERGIC is scheduled to come out in 2021, and then we will be making a second graphic novel together for Scholastic as well.
Wow, that is amazing! Circling back to PAPER MICE, what aspect of this book do you hope readers will most connect with?
I hope most of all that readers find it a cozy and comforting read, one that makes their life a little less overwhelming and a little bit sweeter and more fun.
PAPER MICE is a delightful, cozy nighttime adventure. It was released this week and is now available anywhere books are sold. Thank you for chatting about it, Megan!
Would you like a copy of PAPER MICE?
Leave a comment below and a random winner will be selected in a couple weeks!
Good luck!
Megan Wagner Lloyd is the author of Finding Wild, Fort-Building Time, Building Books and Paper Mice. Upcoming titles include the picture book The ABCs of Catching Zs as well as the graphic novel Allergic. She lives with her family in the Washington, D.C. area. Visit her at meganwagnerlloyd.com.
115 comments
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May 24, 2019 at 8:18 am
Mary Warth
Thanks Megan and Tara for a lovely interview! I really enjoyed reading about the voice and mood of PAPER MICE.
May 24, 2019 at 8:19 am
Wendy
PAPER MICE looks adorable! It has a Beatrix Potter quality to us (her mouse stories were my favorites!) Thanks for sharing your book’s journey, Megan. And thank you, Tara, for sharing Megan with us!
May 24, 2019 at 8:19 am
ShellyHY
Paper mice sounds wonderful! Thank you for sharing your story!💗
May 24, 2019 at 8:20 am
Joan Swanson
How wonderful that one of your all time favorite artist got picked to work with you on your book. It was meant to be!
May 24, 2019 at 8:27 am
pollyrenner
I’m so excited to read PAPER MICE now…off to the library!! Congrats Megan and thanks for sharing your story:>
May 24, 2019 at 8:32 am
bamauthor
This book looks delightful. I just love the cover and the crisp language.
May 24, 2019 at 8:36 am
karinlarson
PAPER MICE is beautiful! Congratulations on your success, Megan. It was wonderful to hear about your journey. I look forward to reading your work.
May 24, 2019 at 8:36 am
Brian Yanish
Can’t wait to read this book. Just with those snippets it evokes such an interesting feeling. Thanks for sharing.
May 24, 2019 at 8:37 am
karinlarson
PAPER MICE is beautiful. Congratulations, Megan. I was wonderful to read about your journey. I look forward to reading your work.
May 24, 2019 at 8:44 am
evelynchristensen
What a charming idea for a story, Megan! I can’t wait to read it. Congratulations and thanks for sharing with us here.
May 24, 2019 at 8:54 am
Mary Lou
I’d like to be in Tara’s critique group! This is a very special book–both the text and illustrations!
May 24, 2019 at 8:55 am
Jessica Potts
Those illustrations!! 😱
May 24, 2019 at 9:11 am
Sylvia Grech
Looks like a very sweet book. Congratulations!
May 24, 2019 at 9:16 am
C.L. Murphy
Gasp-worthy indeed!
May 24, 2019 at 9:20 am
Sue Heavenrich
Great interview! And yes, what a wonderful way to begin a story, with a snip and a clip!
May 24, 2019 at 9:21 am
Veronica Jorge
Congratulations, Megan and Phoebe! Would love to win a copy.
May 24, 2019 at 9:21 am
Mike Karg
This is lovely poetry!
May 24, 2019 at 9:22 am
colleenrkosinski
This story sounds wonderful!
May 24, 2019 at 9:25 am
Linda P. Epstein
Loved the discussion about creating story here…
May 24, 2019 at 9:27 am
Michelle Kashinsky
This is beautiful! Can’t wait to read it, congrats!!
May 24, 2019 at 9:32 am
Deb Sullivan
What a great story to publication! Look forward to reading PAPER MICE!
May 24, 2019 at 9:41 am
Brenda Huante
This sounds like such a sweet book and I can’t wait to read it!
May 24, 2019 at 9:44 am
Johanna Speizer
It does look like a lovely read. I wish finding the right voice for a story was my superpower! Gotta work on it. Congrats on a lovely Pb and the graphic novels coming.
May 24, 2019 at 9:53 am
Sherri Jones Rivers
What a lovely story and the art is so crisp and clean. Magical!
May 24, 2019 at 9:55 am
writersideup
This book DOES look so sweet and cozy 🙂 I love bedtime books. And a BIG CONGRATS, Megan, on the Scholastic deal!
May 24, 2019 at 9:56 am
Katie Giorgio
Oh this looks just adorable…can’t wait to read it!
May 24, 2019 at 9:56 am
https://katiewalsh.blog/
I love anything by Megan! Thank you, Tara for highlighting her new book. Can’t wait to read it!
May 24, 2019 at 9:56 am
laura516
This looks delightful! Congrats!
May 24, 2019 at 9:57 am
Jane Heitman Healy
Congratulations and continued publishing success, Megan! This lesson: “How interconnected the three are, and that the plot must develop authentically from the characters wants, needs, and actions” is a great take-away for me. Thanks for the interview, Tara!
May 24, 2019 at 9:58 am
Suzanne Lewis
Oh gosh! just the kind of picture book I would have loved as a child, and now get to share with my granddaughter! Lucky me!
May 24, 2019 at 10:11 am
Judy Bryan
I can see why you gasped, Tara, PAPER MICE looks lovely and magical! I’m looking forward to reading it. Congratulations to Megan and Phoebe!!
May 24, 2019 at 10:12 am
June Sengpiehl
What a charming, creative book. Sounds like writing it was a lot of fun.
May 24, 2019 at 10:18 am
Angie
Adorable! Love the life of mice at night and the beginning is captivating. I need to read more! Congratulations!
May 24, 2019 at 10:31 am
danielledufayet
This book looks so sweet…perfect for winding down. I’ll be looking for this one!
May 24, 2019 at 10:33 am
tpierce
Congratulations, Megan! I am SO excited to hold this book in my hands. Well done!
May 24, 2019 at 10:38 am
nicolepopel
Love the title!
May 24, 2019 at 10:47 am
Garnett Natasha
Congratulations, Megan, on Paper Mice. Kids are going to love the night time adventures.
May 24, 2019 at 10:54 am
Leah Kolidas
What a sweet looking book!
May 24, 2019 at 10:57 am
Kassy Keppol
Too fun!
May 24, 2019 at 11:05 am
Janet McDonnell
Ohmigosh, I am swooooning over this book! The art! The words! Can’t wait to see it.
May 24, 2019 at 11:25 am
Carole Calladine
Thank you for sharing your writing journeys. Can’t wait to read Paper Mice.
May 24, 2019 at 11:28 am
Susan Johnston
Congrats, Megan! This looks adorable.
May 24, 2019 at 11:28 am
Shelley Couvillion
The art for paper mice is amazing and I loved reading your interview 😍
May 24, 2019 at 11:45 am
SuZan Klassen
What a cute idea. It seems to me that your concept and mood, plus the whole “paper mice” idea would have made it easy for the illustrator.
May 24, 2019 at 12:20 pm
chardixon47
Congrats, Megan! Love the charm and concept behind your story. I look forward to reading it 🙂
May 24, 2019 at 12:20 pm
Lori Alexander
How wonderful–thanks for sharing!
May 24, 2019 at 12:33 pm
Sheila Wipperman
Thanks for sharing your wonderful Paper Mice story. Love the illustrations, too! Congrats, Megan! 🙂
May 24, 2019 at 12:42 pm
Nadia Salomon (@Nadia_Salomon)
Congratulations Megan! So happy for you on Paper Mice and Allergic.
May 24, 2019 at 12:52 pm
lindaschueler
What a lovely looking book! I can’t wait to read it!
May 24, 2019 at 12:57 pm
Poupette Smith
Great post, unique PB idea, and charming illos. Thanks!
May 24, 2019 at 1:21 pm
Aimee Satterlee
I can’t wait to read Paper Mice. It looks so charming and sweet. Wishing you continued success!
May 24, 2019 at 1:26 pm
Gabi Snyder
How fantastic that you ended up with your dream illustrator for this project! Congrats, Megan, and I can’t wait to read PAPER MICE and ALLERGIC!
May 24, 2019 at 1:47 pm
Lisa Riddiough
This PB is right up my alley. Thank you, Tara and Megan. Great interview!
May 24, 2019 at 1:50 pm
Darshana
Great interview Tara and Megan!
May 24, 2019 at 2:21 pm
Cindyb
Sounds like an adorable story. Thanks for sharing the story behind it with us.
May 24, 2019 at 2:45 pm
Karol Ruth Silverstein
Wow! This books looks and sounds unbelievably sweet! Can’t wait to see/read the real thing!
May 24, 2019 at 2:50 pm
Virginia E Neil
I first saw Phoebe Wahl’s artwork in a magazine, Taproot, and fell in love with it. I think it’s absolutely perfect for your story. Lovely!
May 24, 2019 at 3:02 pm
Lynn Becker
This looks absolutely lovely–I’m looking forward to reading it.
May 24, 2019 at 3:10 pm
Mary C
This books looks like a sweet and fun adventure to read to my children! We enjoy Megan Wagner Lloyd’s other Books, they’re so magical!
May 24, 2019 at 6:53 pm
Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez
Oh my, this was such a wonderful interview, thank you both! I just adore the passion you exude with your questions, Tara, and Megan,I absolutely love your kismet story about your Illustrator! I did the same, though I didn’t wrote names down, just looked at portfolios on SCWBI’s website and then come to find out my favorite illustrator had become a friend through the kidlit411 swap page❤️ I love this lyrical old timey voice too, can’t wait to read about this exciting pair!
May 24, 2019 at 3:25 pm
grahamslc
Making life a little sweeter and less overwhelming is such a lovely goal.
May 24, 2019 at 4:03 pm
kathydoherty1
Such a delicious, intriguing book!
May 24, 2019 at 4:08 pm
Cindy Fox
I love the playfulness of the mice! So cute!
May 24, 2019 at 4:14 pm
Melanie Ellsworth
Congratulations, Megan and Phoebe. This looks like a gorgeous read!
May 24, 2019 at 5:02 pm
Melissa Bailey
What a great interview! And thanks for the beautiful sneak peeks into the book! Gorgeous illustrations + lyrical story = winning combination! Can’t wait to read this one!
May 24, 2019 at 5:17 pm
Linda Mitchell
I love that this author recognizes her writing super power! Paper Mice looks beautiful. I know it will be a hit with readers. Many congratulations.
May 24, 2019 at 6:20 pm
rosecappelli
Looks like a great book! Congratulations!
May 24, 2019 at 7:56 pm
Lynn Alpert
Looks like a fun book! Congrats!
May 24, 2019 at 8:04 pm
Karan Greene
This book sounds cozy and comforting indeed!
May 24, 2019 at 8:24 pm
Gloria Amescua
It sounds like a fascinating book!
May 24, 2019 at 8:36 pm
Lori Menning
I was lucky enough to see this book’s transformation at a conference with editor Sylvie Frank. Lovely book! Congratulations!
May 24, 2019 at 8:46 pm
Laura U
This looks wonderful. Thank you for your insight!
May 24, 2019 at 10:08 pm
Shauntrell Leaks
I’d love to read this book to my 1st graders 😄.
May 25, 2019 at 7:42 am
Linda
What a beautiful colouring style in these illustrations.
May 25, 2019 at 8:43 am
Kathy Halsey
The art and the words are SO perfect together. This book is magical. Yes I want to win it. Great interview.
May 25, 2019 at 9:18 am
Michelle
I love the lyrical style of that first line. Really hooks you and pulls the reader in!
May 25, 2019 at 10:16 am
Jessica Trudel
Thanks for sharing this interview! I’m in the querying trenches with several picture book texts and it’s encouraging to read about another non-illustrator who is making it in the picture book industry. 🙂
May 25, 2019 at 10:31 am
authorlaurablog
Just lovely! How amazing that the lyrical first line was there from the beginning. 💜
May 25, 2019 at 11:03 am
58chilihed13
adding to my “purchase for the grandchildren” list!
May 25, 2019 at 12:05 pm
Kathy O'Neill
I love the looks of it already and the little bits of text you showed. This will be a book I will want to use in conjunction with several related art projects I do each year with 1st graders!
May 25, 2019 at 2:42 pm
Judy Sobanski (@jkspburg)
Great interview, Tara! Megan, I love the voice you created for Paper Mice. I can’t wait to read about their adventures!
May 25, 2019 at 3:48 pm
Sheri Rad
Interesting process and will look for the releases of the new books. Thanks for this.
May 25, 2019 at 5:56 pm
Violet C
What sweet, warm illustrations! It’s often a challenge to create warm, night time illustrations. And a wonderful, imaginative idea to feature paper mice as characters. It’s always helpful to learn of other writer’s writing process. Thanks for sharing this interview.
May 25, 2019 at 10:21 pm
Nancy Riley
This looks like so much fun! Good luck, Megan!
May 26, 2019 at 12:29 am
Heather Preusser
Sylvie Frank shared this manuscript at the RMC SCBWI conference this spring, and I feel in love with the story; it’s so sweet!
May 26, 2019 at 7:53 am
Marie
I loved reading about Paper Mice!
The opening lines of the book are lovely and make me want to find one of my grandchildren, sit down, and read!
May 26, 2019 at 9:59 am
Jay
Thanks for a great interview. Love the voice that you created.
May 26, 2019 at 11:50 am
Writer on the run
Megan,
Congratulations on your 4th book! Love the illustrations and the story is so sweet!
May 26, 2019 at 1:01 pm
Keila Dawson
That first line is a great hook. And this book sounds perfect for crafty kids. Congrats!
May 26, 2019 at 1:13 pm
Jill M Proctor
Megan, I LOVE your story! Talk about serendipity . . . to my surprise, a family of mice moved into my house yesterday. My cat and I live in a tiny house on wheels, so there’s not much room for roommates. I haven’t risen out of bed yet this morning ‘cuz I didn’t get much sleep – my new roomies were up and down and all around all night. I can’t wait to read Paper Mice to find out what they were up to! Thanks to you and Tara for your delightful post! (I’ll be shopping for a humane mouse trap today.)
May 26, 2019 at 4:34 pm
Nancy Furstinger
As an animal lover, I’ll be adding this book to my expanding list, and will be eager to read Allergic (which thankfully I’m not)—kudos!
May 27, 2019 at 11:11 am
Wendy Wahman
Ooh, this one’s a keeper. Gorgeous art and the text is lovely and lyrical. Looking forward to “Allergic” too.
May 27, 2019 at 12:38 pm
LeeAnn Rizzuti
Looking forward to reading PAPER MICE, Megan. Thanks for sharing this sneak peek.
May 27, 2019 at 3:48 pm
Deb Cushman
PAPER MICE looks like a delightful book! I love the feel of the story, the illustrations, and the mice they depict!
May 27, 2019 at 4:49 pm
Genevieve Petrillo
I’m pretty sure paper mice would be allowed to play in our house at night. If they were real mice, Mom would likely burn the house down and we would move…
Love and licks,
Cupcake
May 27, 2019 at 5:28 pm
Carol Gordon Ekster
The book looks beautiful and I absolutely love the first line! Congrats on your #kidlit successes! Very exciting.
May 27, 2019 at 8:22 pm
Arlene Schenker
Looks wonderful! Can’t wait to read it.
May 27, 2019 at 8:59 pm
mariagianferrari
Congrats, Megan!! So excited for this book since I know it holds a very special place in your heart!! <3<3
May 28, 2019 at 8:44 am
ptnozell
This new picture book looks lovely! Congratulations, Megan, on this & your upcoming graphic novel.
May 28, 2019 at 9:27 am
Michelle O'Hara Levin
I would I would I would like a copy of this beautiful book. Please and thank you!
May 28, 2019 at 11:04 am
Rebecca Van Slyke
Megan, I’m SO thrilled about your latest book! Much aloha!
May 28, 2019 at 12:57 pm
Christine Pinto
I nice reminder of how important the voice of a picture book is. I can’t wait to read it! Thanks for sharing your process.
May 28, 2019 at 3:20 pm
shannonstocker
This story and the artwork look like they’ve been paired perfectly – just gorgeous! I look forward to reading it.
May 28, 2019 at 3:30 pm
nicolesalterbraun
I love when books are lyrical. It’s something I strive for w/ my picture book WIPs. Can’t wait to read it
May 28, 2019 at 7:45 pm
Lauri Meyers
I love how it looks like a classic picture book!
May 28, 2019 at 10:43 pm
seschipper
Sounds like a match made in heaven!
It seems to have all of the “necessities” to become a classic! Congratulations!! Looking forward to heading to the “Indie bookstore to purchase this PB! 🙂
May 29, 2019 at 9:23 am
curryelizabeth
I can’t wait to read it in full. This looks adorable and I love the “vintage-y” feel. Congrats!
May 29, 2019 at 7:17 pm
Pat Miller
Lovely story. Congratulations on it, and on your upcoming two books with Scholastic. Impressive achievement!
June 1, 2019 at 8:50 pm
marty
What an engaging title. These two mice look charming. Can’t wait to read the book!
June 2, 2019 at 3:09 pm
Lenora Biemans
Such a fun interview and a charming picture book. I love that you got your dream illustrator by surprise. Congratulations on all of your projects!
June 11, 2019 at 7:27 am
Connie Currie
Mice are my favorite picture book characters. Many years ago when I was children’s librarian in the Sayville Library on Long Island, I read every mouse story I could put my hands on to the preschool story hour children. I had a mouse hand puppet Murgatroyd and he helped me turn the pages.
June 13, 2019 at 9:46 am
Lucky Jo Boscarino
Hey Megan, greetings from NJ and congrats on the new book. I look forward to reading it. Following you on Insta too.
January 1, 2022 at 8:31 pm
Jennifer Sniadecki
Thank you for sharing!
It’s hard when writing picture books to focus on character, setting, theme, and all the rest, all at once! Paring down is not my forte.
My family and students LOVE Allergic, as the story really resonated with real lives of children. (Not a happy-ever-after-all-is-great plot)
Happy New Year!
January 2, 2022 at 4:52 pm
Kiralee
What a beautiful opening. Thanks for sharing
January 2, 2022 at 5:24 pm
Jennifer Wright
Great advice about creating a list of dream illustrators. Thank you for sharing your insight!