FG Dave Manousos

Meet Writer and illustrator, Dave Manousos

May 2009 SFC Featured Guest

Writer and illustrator Dave Manousos has provided us with a unique glimpse into his illustrious career. In 2004, Dave decided to write and draw for children. Life is Good & Other Reasons For Rhyme is the first of the “Life Is” series, with two additional titles, Life Is Weird & Other Rhyme For No Reason and Life Is Crazy & More Rhymes For No Reason, to follow. Dave is a member of The Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and now a happy member of JacketFlap.

He credits his inspiration to the lyrical genius of John Lennon, the nonsensical writings of Lewis Carroll, and the colorful magic of Walt Disney. Come along for this fulfilling interview with Dave to read how he achieved his dreams of publishing his writings and drawings.

Your new book Life Is Weird and Other Rhymes for No Reason is scheduled to be released in May 2009. Please share with us your inspiration behind your series.

The series popped into my head while sitting around the table with friends. Life is good, weird, and crazy. Wouldn't you agree?

Being a writer and illustrator, what comes first for you? The words or illustrations?

With the shorter poems it’s illustrations first. I’ll sketch out a character and it’s as if they begin talking to me in rhyme. In the longer stories such as “A Trip to the Zoo,” “Land of Reverse,” etc. the words come first.

In your past career you were the creative end of balloonist and later a graphic designer—what led you to writing for children?

I have had the desire to write for children since the age of nine, ever since I had read the poem “Father Williams” by Lewis Carroll. Funny rhyme indeed!

While in the balloon business, I did many Big Event Balloon Releases. I often was asked, “Where do your balloons go when you let them go?” I wrote “The Day it Rained Balloons” in 1983. The story is about a brother and sister who take a journey in an airship in search of their lost balloons. The balloons pass through a colorful mist and transform into Humalloons. Due to the children’s perseverance and love for balloons, the Humalloons agree to fall back to earth at the same time. Thus the title, “The Day it Rained Balloons.”

What or who influenced you to become the writer and illustrator you are today?

I don’t think there is any one person or thing that has influenced me. I am inspired by John Lennon, Walt Disney, and Lewis Carroll. I’ve always had a knack for rhyme and making people laugh, and I have been drawing and painting since I was four or five years old.

Your illustrations are quite humorous. Are any of your illustrations inspired by people you know?

Probably a mixture of personalities—when I am drawing I am not thinking of just one individual. For example, when I drew the illustration of the rather robust woman yelling at her cat for stealing the fish, I wasn’t consciously thinking of anyone in particular, although it does resemble my brother’s mother-in-law.

In conversations do you find yourself imagining the other person as an illustration?

I really never thought of that. Hmm... I’m thinking now maybe if I was more aware of the person’s physical appearance, my illustrations might improve. Hmm...

Beyond writing and illustrating your own books, do you illustrate for others?

Yes. I recently completed illustrations for Kevin Tillman’s story, Transparent Pillage. It is a children’s book about the illegality of the Iraq War. I was hesitant at first to take on the project, but it was intriguing and challenging to do something different.

I also just completed illustrations for T.D. Cretella’s The Adventures of Bobo and Dodo. This was a fun project. Who wouldn’t enjoy hanging out with a Blue Dodo bird.

Please share with us your collaboration process with a writer on illustrations?

I read their manuscript, pick their brain; sometimes they will give me crude drawings. From there I create the characters, do a cover, and then lay out the storyboard. Through the process, I am pretty flexible when it comes to changes. I want to make sure the client is totally satisfied with the finished project.

How are you contracted for your illustrations services?

I will sign a non-disclosure agreement. You would then send me your manuscript and any other ideas in words or pictures you might have. Once I look it over I will then give you a fee. The breakdown per illustration usually ranges from $250 to $500. (Negotiable based on the time and how fun the project is.) I require a 50% deposit upon signing a contract with my client. The remaining 50% is to be paid upon completion.

I can be contacted at dave@daydreambooks.com

You may review my work at http://www.daydreambooks.com and http://www.jacketflap.com/profile.asp?member=Dman

I am sure you have amazing stories to tell of your childhood, being one of 11 siblings. Have you used any real life stories in your creative process?

To this date I have not come up with any stories from my childhood, although I actually have a project entitled “Seven Sisters,” a book which is down the road a bit, most likely after "The Land of Reverse" and "A Trip to the Zoo."

Please share with us your latest project.

My latest project, which I am very excited to be working on, is entitled “The Land of Reverse.” It’s a story about a boy who cannot get to sleep. He tries everything he can think of when the idea pops in his head to pretend he’s sleeping. I originally wrote it in 1987, and it has since been revised. It is currently being reviewed by a publishing house. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Here’s a taste.

It was late one night, I just couldn’t sleep,

I tried everything, even tried counting sheep.

Restless as any one person could be,

I’m wide awake! And it’s bugging me.

I tried to fall asleep hanging off my bed,

Even tried sleeping standing on my head.

Hours upon hours, I lay here awake,

How many tick tocks is it going to take.

Suddenly! I thought up a crazy thought.

I’ll sleep without sleeping. It’s the best thought I got.

So I shut my eyes, shut them real tight.

Went ten miles left, then ten miles right.