Ellie Lieberman - Storyteller, Word Magician, and Illustrator
Words are magic, and Ellie Lieberman has been enamored with the magic of storytelling since before she could hold a pencil. She learned how to write so she could write her stories. Though her books vary between ages and genre, one element that is always a guarantee is the light in the dark, from the flicker of a candle to dragon fire.
1. If you could pick a single fruit to create a story/artwork/picture around, what would it be?
I already wrote a couple books about fruit. There's Ben's Little Tomato and Peggy's Little Pumpkin. (Pumpkins and Tomatoes are categorized as both fruits and vegetables). In that same series, where Ben learns the little but important things in life through gardening, plants, and nature, I'm also planning on books about peaches and cranberries!
2. Where do you get your ideas from?
Anywhere and everywhere! The Butter Thief started because I love word origins and came across the origin of the word "butterfly" in a book my husband bought me at a library sale. I was also inspired by my very first basset hound, Basil, as well as my love (and previous work with) fairies! From there, I created an entire series. Currently, there are 4 books in the Basil Basset Books series, with many more in the works.
Busy Bee was inspired by this very magical and wondrous experience my mom and I shared at dusk in our garden. As the sun was going down and the Texas Moonflowers were beginning to open, an entire swarm of bees began dancing in and around the flowers.
3. What or who was your biggest inspiration to enter your field?
My mom! Not only is she an avid reader herself, but she's also an author. According to her, I became a writer so I could write down my stories, but I also became a writer at her keyboard. She'd let me stay up past my bedtime and she would read me what she'd written that day. To be that close to the magic made the idea of being an author feel tangible, possible, real.
4. Do you prefer to work alone or with others?
Both can be a lot of fun and I definitely recommend trying your hand at both! I've worked as an illustrator for others and to be able to help bring someone else's vision and story to life in that way was an incredible experience.
This year, I stepped back from illustrating for others to focus on bringing my own stories to life. Illustrating takes a lot of time for me, so it's nice to focus on my own stories that I've been eager to share.
That being said, I have participated in anthologies, but I absolutely had a ball working with my husband and my mom on My Basset Has the Sneezles. It was a lot of fun telling a story with two other people, collaborating on what we wanted to happen and what we wanted the illustrations to be. One of the other books that I'm eager to share, I worked on with my brother and my mom, and it is near and dear to all three of our hearts.
5. What did you like to write and read as a kid?
My all time favorite children's book is My Mama Had A Dancing Heart by Libba Moore Grey, illustrated by Raúl Colón. I also absolutely loved Linnea in Monet's Garden, as well as other children's books about the French artists, Monet and Degas. Other series that ranked among most-loved included Madeline, Nina Nina Ballerina, and Magic Tree House.
As a kid, I would often draw a picture on one half of a page and write a story about what I drew on the other half. I also loved creating stories with my Barbies or stuffed animals, playing pretend with my friends (which is its own form of storytelling), and I loved telling stories to anyone who would listen, especially if they were a captive audience. I would make a story start from the time the keys were in the ignition to the time the car was parked.
6. Do you prefer ebooks, printed books, or audiobooks most of the time?
I have a processing disorder that makes audiobooks difficult for me, unless it is a story I am already very familiar with. Ebooks have been wonderful as an affordable way to support fellow indie authors. However, printed books are my favorite. I love collecting them and being surrounded by my hoard. Really pretty hard covers are a favorite!
7. Do you write more than one thing at a time?
Always! I write like I read! I always have multiple projects going on at once. I like jumping between things. It seems to be how my brain works best!
8. Do you let people read your work before it is finished?
I do! My mom always complains I give her too many spoilers. She'd like to read a book of mine someday where she doesn't know everything going on.
I also try to have beta readers for my stories. One of my beta readers is the fabulous Joharra Harper! She helps me spit-shine my stories into the masterpieces I wind up publishing! She's also a very talented author in her own right!
9. Do you write on the computer or freehand?
I prefer freehand to write. I feel my best writing comes from pencil and paper. That being said, the notes app on my phone has been incredibly helpful for when I'm out and about or writing in bed late at night. Freehand, though, often allows for an extra layer of edits when I transcribe from my notebook into my word doc.
Even when I use digital artwork, I start with a paper and pencil sketch.
Ellie, thank you for the fantastic insight into your writing journey! Please follow Ellie on social media and find her adorable children's book, The Butter Thief, in our Bookshop. Keep shining!
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