Interview: Author-Illustrator Kimberly Gee
On Kimberly's latest graphic novel series "What's Cooking, Arlo?"
Over the years, I found that one of the best ways to improve my creative skills is to learn from other creatives. It is a great way to expand our knowledge from big-picture-career-paths to nitty-gritty details in creative habits.
I am very excited to interview author-illustrator Kimberly Gee today. I knew Kimberly through a SCBWI Summer Conference more than 10 years ago. Not only is she super talented and hard-working, she is also one of the nicest human ever. Her latest 4-book graphic novel series, What’s Cooking, Arlo?, follow Arlo and his friends in celebrating food and friendships. They are perfect for early readers!
Maple: Welcome, Kimberly! Thank you for taking the time!
Kimberly: You’re welcome. I love to chat with you.
Maple: Let’s start with getting ideas. How did you come with the story idea for What’s Cooking Arlo?
Kimberly: The story idea came together from several unrelated “wisps” of ideas! I had a little 2” x 2”pencil sketch of an elephant in an apron and I scribbled next to him, “cooks up moods” and “miserable stew” and “happy pie”. That’s all I had, and he sat in my file for years.
The first version of the character Arlo and the title What’s Cooking, Arlo? came when I made a promo card (maybe 2016?) with an illustration of a chubby little rhino baking. The promo card was designed as a book cover. Arlo was well received, and there was some interest in his story. At that point, he didn’t have one. And then I remembered the elephant in my idea file. Scratch the elephant, enter Arlo!
As far as the my muse for the character himself, I was inspired by my daughter Claire. She’s quite the chef and an eager and helpful friend. She basically lives the series. Even in her college dorm, she’s baking cakes and cobblers and gathering friends.
Maple: Can you share with us your creative process?
Kimberly: It’s a long, curly-q road with lots of switchbacks and uphill stretches! AND it captivates me.
Generally, my process in my studio is workman-like once I’m there. I show up and sit down and draw for a long time. Before I get in there, though, I like to dilly-dally. That could mean taking little idea strolls, listening to podcasts or books, maybe watering the garden, and just generally puttering…noticing the quiet, beautiful things. That’s ideally. If I can’t dilly-dally, I get in there anyway. This is my work, after all. (And, yeah, there was far less dilly-dallying when my kids were younger).
Maple: What were some of the challenges you faced in the process? How did you overcome them?
Kimberly: Challenges? Nah.
NOT!
Specifically, in this series, there were a lot of challenges to get the idea to gel into book form. The first format I tried was as an early reader, because I knew from the beginning that the idea lent itself to a series. There tends to a lot of dialogue in character-based early readers. With all those “he saids” and “she saids”… I just couldn’t get the text to sound anything but clunky. It’s quite different than picture book text. At this point, it was frustrating because so much WAS working; the premise was working, the world was darling, and I loved the characters. BUT IT STILL WASN’T WORKING AS A BOOK.
Somewhere along the way, after letting the project “rest” while I worked on other projects, I had the idea to try it as a graphic novel. That was the key! That was the biggest creative hurdle. I was really rolling then, until the next challenge presented itself, which was probably when I remembered I do not know a thing about making a graphic novel.
Maple: I’m so glad the stories are ultimately in graphic novel format! I love that! What do you hope readers take away from the book series?
Kimberly: I hope they try the recipe-activity at the end of the books, that breaks down into ingredients some things that went into the making of the mood. I hope they’re inspired to cook up good things, especially with friends. I secretly hope they’re inspired to make a bit of a mess, too. Go outside, plant a garden, and stomp in a muddy puddle, even!
Maple: That’s wonderful! What are you currently working on?
Kimberly: Picture books! I have 2 picture book ideas in the process of being dummied up.
Maple:Yay for picture books! Last question: Where can we get your beautiful and fun books?
Kimberly: Anywhere! Though bookshop.org is a favorite, as it promotes local bookstores.
Asides from the wonderful What’s Cooking, Arlo? graphic novel series, Kimberly has also created many fantastic picture books. Check them out!
Kimberly has recently joined the Substack community! (Yay!) There, she discusses all things picture books! How exciting! Don’t miss it!
Thank you for a great interview, Kimberly! We really appreciate it! (⑅ ॣ•͈ᴗ•͈ ॣ)♥
This was so great! Arlo looks darling and my big graphic novel reader will love them, and I remember she loved the Bear books when she was younger, about the age of my youngest now, so off to the library website I go to put them on hold! And, as a former indie bookseller (I only stopped to be a ninja warrior athlete, true story) I LOVE that you promoted bookshop.org at the end!
It's always fun to talk to you! Thank you for having me. I'd love to invite you over to my space sometime. xoxo