KidLit
Interview with
Molly McNamara Carter
How did your childhood experiences and travels influence your passion for storytelling and writing?
I remember being on the couch with my Dad and having him point to words as I sounded them out, then very clearly the moment when it all clicked for me, and I realized that all those sounds made words, and all those words made stories. After that, I couldn’t get enough.
Stories were a way to escape,
as well as a way to
experience all the things I couldn’t do.
I definitely feel like books helped raise me. Being exposed to people and places around the world has fed my imagination. I feel like the more I travel, the more I have to pull from in telling stories.
I'm a cheerleader for writers and illustrators. What does the cheerleader represent to you? How have others cheered you on in your writing journey?
Gosh, I have had so many people cheer me on! My husband and three children most of all. They often read for me, brainstorm with me, and give me criticism and feedback. They never sugarcoat it for me, which is so helpful and makes me a better reader. My parents, sisters, inlaws and so many friends cheer me on as well. Always supportive, and excited to hear what I’m working on and read what I write. I have a weekly critique group that I couldn’t live without now! We meet weekly, and these ladies have become my writing sisters. They cheer me on, encourage me, and push me, all while speaking the same language in the writing world.
What inspired the dystopian world depicted in "Before," and how did you approach creating a believable yet unique setting for your characters?
I first got the idea for Before in 2020. I was thinking a lot about the chaos of the world at the time, as well as what was happening with immigration. I felt so sad that our world was experiencing such an upheaval, and I really started to think about the privileges I had. I have done nothing to be born in the country and situation I have been born into. I began to think about what it would be like to have to leave the country or place where you were born and wondered what that would look like. I loved the idea of a girl who had to leave a place that was supposed to be safe in order to save someone she loved. I also was curious to depict a world that didn’t have some of the freedoms that I enjoy, who didn’t have a choice.
The protagonist, Wren, faces numerous challenges and dangers on her journey to save her brother. Can you discuss the process of developing Wren's character and her evolution throughout the story?
Wren’s story came together rather quickly for me. My son loves the outdoors, we were in the car for a couple of hours one day and I picked his brain asking about all the things that Wren could encounter on her journey, then I figured out how she’d deal with them. I wanted Wren to have a little bit of rebellion in her, but also not be someone who was rebellious to all authority. She wants peace and safety (I’m saying that in the present tense because I’m currently working on the third book and thinking a lot about Wren). Even though she was ready to rebel, all of her resistance was based on saving the people she cares about. She isn’t rebelling for the sake of causing problems, she has a goal that is most more important.
The relationship between Wren and her little brother is central to the story. Can you talk about the themes of family and sacrifice explored in the book?
I had a younger brother who passed away from cancer when he was seven. I really thought a lot about my love for him and what I would have done to save him as I was writing. I remember being young and feeling so hopeless, knowing that there was nothing I could do to save my brother. I wanted Wren to be able to save hers. I would have given up anything to save him, so it wasn’t hard to imagine that Wren would feel the same way.
"Before" has received acclaim for its relevance to contemporary issues and its reflection of societal concerns. How did you weave these themes into the fabric of your dystopian tale, and what messages do you hope readers take away from the story?
Mostly by trying to imagine what life would be like if you took some of the negative things in society to the extreme. Even though it’s a dystopian adventure that gets your heart pounding, the real premise is love. The book is truly about Wren’s love and sacrifice for Kael. I’d love it if readers grew in appreciation for the freedoms they have, but more importantly, for the people they care most about.
Can you share a bit about your creative process when writing children's books? How do you come up with ideas for your stories? When and where does inspiration strike?
Gosh, this is a hard one because the answer is everywhere and anywhere! In the most random places or times. I will email myself ideas all the time, but it’s the ones that don’t leave my head that I usually end up writing. I love people-watching, so if I’m somewhere and not reading a book, I’m watching people. It’s great for character-building. A lot of times I will have an idea, write it out, then take my dog for a walk and think about it. If I wake up in the morning while the house is still quiet my head is usually filled with ideas a lot too.
Where are you, the writer, in your books?
I probably try to channel the main character mostly. I really try to put myself in their shoes. I was an avid journal writer as a teenager and have pulled my journals out before, trying to get the voice right, or just get in that space.
What inspired you to delve into illustrating as well as writing your books?
Ironically, I took an illustration class and the teacher said that art isn’t a skill you’re born with, you learn it and she believed that anyone could learn. I’ve always been creative and always been crafty, so I thought why not? The book I’ve illustrated, ‘The Little Green Pumpkin,’ is paper collage art, which is really fun for me. I’ve loved paper and paper art for as long as I can remember.
If I gave you a megaphone and the whole world would listen, what one sentence would you shout?
Find the light,
Share the light,
Be the light.
How do you balance the need to entertain children with the desire to convey meaningful messages through your books?
For me, the message comes after I’ve figured out the story. No one wants to have didactic stories. They want to be entertained, inspired, and seen.
I think the real delivery of a message
when it really works,
is when it’s so woven into the story.
I do want my stories to bring light into the world, but sometimes, that light is just a smile on a child’s face.
These two are really just about imagination. I think children are really good at using their imagination, but sometimes, as we get older, we stop doing that. It’s a much more interesting world if we continue to use our imagination, so I love encouraging that, and I love the way these fantastical elements engage children.
Sometimes, you just need to laugh!
Your illustrations are vibrant and engaging. Can you tell us about your artistic style and the mediums you prefer to work with?
As I said before, I really love working with paper. I used to own a scrapbook company, and loved art that uses multiple mediums. ‘The Little Green Pumpkin’ is done in collage paper art. I love putting all the elements together, it's just really fun for me to play with paper in any form. I do a lot of digital art now, but still use paper as my base and elements in the digital art.
This story came directly from a personal experience. A good friend of mine was visiting with her boys. She was sharing with me the decline of her father-in-law who had Parkinson’s Disease, meanwhile we were trying to fit in all of the activities that we wanted to do while they were visiting and our kids kept just stopping to play, one in particular, sweet Charlie. I couldn’t get those two things out of my head. Her father-in-law passed away before the book was published, but I got to share the manuscript with his wife, in France. It was a really special project.
"The Little Green Pumpkin" carries a message of embracing one's uniqueness. What inspired you to write this story, and what do you hope young readers take away from it?
My daughter and I were on a hayride at the pumpkin patch, and when we rounded the corner, we literally spotted a green pumpkin! That, too, wouldn’t leave my mind. I was a kid who often felt like I didn’t fit in and was really shy, so this topic really resonated with me.
You've translated "The Little Green Pumpkin" into Spanish as "La Calabacita Verde." What motivated you to create a bilingual version of your book?
Every year for a long time, our family has traveled to Mexico to participate in house building mission trips. It’s been such an incredible experience. After ‘The Little Green Pumpkin’ came out, we were there, and the woman whose house we were helping build was a teacher. I went home and worked with my publisher to have it translated. It was so exciting this last year to take the book with me and share it with the little boy whose house we were helping with!
How do you approach marketing and promoting your books, both as an author and an illustrator?
Marketing is NOT my favorite part of my job, but I feel like I finally accepted that not only is it part of it, but I need to do what works for me, what feels authentic for me, and the rest I set aside. I want my followers to be able to trust me and want to follow me. I will never have the prettiest posts or be the most engaging, but I will be me.
Can you share any memorable experiences or interactions you've had with young readers or their parents?
After I “Wait For Me” came out I was at Tucson Festival of Books doing a signing at my publisher’s booth. A mom and her son came in, and I could tell the little boy was interested but needed a little more attention. I sat down on the ground and went through the entire book with him, letting him find the snails on each page. He was so darling and engaged. The mom chatting with one of my publishers, who told me afterward that the boy had cancer and, because of that, was isolated in a hospital room during COVID. The only adults he had interactions with were doctors or nurses who poked and prodded him. She said he never interacts with adults. She was emotional about it. It was pretty touching.
Another near experience was a mother who bought The Little Green Pumpkin, her daughter read it and it opened up a really important conversation for them about worth and fitting it. The mom was so excited to share that and grateful for the opportunity to have that moment with her daughter.
Your website showcases a variety of your artwork beyond book illustrations. How does your artistry influence your writing, and vice versa?
I think being an artist really helps me when writing picture books in particular. I create a dummy of all the picture books I write even if I’m not illustrating them. It helps for flow and to visualize where the illustrations should tell the story and where the words do. It’s really helpful to understand how illustrators work. I do love what an illustrator adds to a book, the way they tell the story along with the author.
"Jesus said, 'Come Follow Me'" is a religious book for children. What inspired you to write it, and what message do you hope it imparts to young readers?
I was working with the children in our church group when I wrote that. I really felt inspired to write something that makes following Jesus simple. Really, it’s about doing good and loving a life with goodness and light.
Of course, I always love hearing positive feedback about my work. It makes my day. Especially when it’s a child or teenager who loves my work. That’s who I write for, so I love earring they love my work. As far as negative, that’s okay too. There are some really popular books I’m not a fan of. My work and my tastes aren’t for everyone and that’s okay. I love what I do and feel so blessed to be able to do it. I write for my readers and for myself because I have to write. Not everyone likes tomatoes, but for me, a perfectly ripe tomato off the vine is magical to my tastebuds.
As an author and illustrator, how do you manage your time between writing, illustrating, and other pursuits?
Honestly, most of my work time is spent writing and editing, which makes me so happy. If I’m in the middle of an art project then I allocate more time for that. Otherwise, art is kind of a break for me. It’s a lot of fun.
Can you tell us about any upcoming projects you're working on, either in terms of writing or illustrating?
Yes! I’m super excited to be working on the third book in the Leadership Rebellion series. Before it came out in 2023, it was from 13-year-old Wren’s perspective. The second book, After, comes out in January 2025 and is from a different perspective, but it all ties together. I’m currently writing book three. It’s exciting, and things might get a little intense, but I’m so excited about it.
It’s also a challenge because now I have these two perspectives of this world that I will be tying all together. I also have another middle-grade book about a girl who is really, really shy and has social anxiety as well we a huge crush. This one comes out in November 2024. This one is special in that I really pulled from my own social anxiety as a teenager and tried to really make it authentic. It’s also really funny… at least I think so! I also have a new picture book that will be coming out next year about inclusion and making room for others. I’ve had some sneak peeks from the illustrator and I’m so excited about it.
What advice do you have for aspiring children's book authors and illustrators who are just starting their careers?
Keep going! You have to want it enough to keep going. It’s a tough industry, but if you’re someone who has to do it, you just have to, like me. Then do it. And keep doing it. Do it for the love of writing. I love Confucius's idea that if you do what you love, you won’t work a day in your life. Do it for the love of it. And READ. Read widely, read curiously, read voraciously.
How do you incorporate diversity and representation into your storytelling and illustrations?
Of course all my work comes from my own experience or imagination, but I think we’ve all had moments where we felt different or didn’t fit in. I try to be aware of that and be sensitive to that always.
I heard Lois Lowry speak some years ago, and she said that...
The best way to fight the darkness in the world
is to create more light.
That’s my mission. I want to create light and share it. I hope my books bring light into people’s lives. Whether it’s a smile or a laugh, inspiring them to be better, reaching out, sharing, including, accepting, helping, whatever it is, sharing the light.
Where can my readers find you next?
I had a really busy spring, but still have one more story time and book signing scheduled before summer. April 27th, I’ll be at Barnes & Noble in Chandler, AZ, from 11-1.
I love to meet readers!
Anything else you'd like to add?
Thank you so much for the opportunity! I love talking about books and writing. Thank you for supporting authors, encouraging readers, and sharing your light!
Happy Easter!
Molly
Wow, Molly! Thank you for this incredible interview. I learned so much about you and your books. I'm excited that you are bringing more light into our world. You are an inspiration to us all. Keep going! We need you and your hopes and dreams to fill us up and give us joy.
If you'd like to support Molly in her writing journey, you can find her here:
Website: Molly McNamara Carter
Facebook: Molly McNamara Carter
Instagram: Mollymac_car
And as always, if you'd like to be featured....reach out! I am your Creative Cheerleader.
Write~on,
Angie
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