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Mazie Lovie - Illustrator and Writer

  • Writer: litkidsmagazine
    litkidsmagazine
  • 15 minutes ago
  • 4 min read

Mazie Lovie is an illustrator and writer from Ontario, Canada. Her first book, The Lucky Poor, is a memoir about her experience moving into a Habitat for Humanity house as a kid. But her favourite stories to tell are about regular kids experiencing magical things in real life, or in fantasy.


1. Out of all your projects, what was the hardest piece to create?

My first full length graphic novel, The Lucky Poor, was the hardest project to create. Not only was it the longest project I've ever completed, it took so long to write and draw that many pages. But also, since it's about my life, and talks about some very personal things, it was very hard to put some things on the pages, sometimes I would randomly realize I was crying while drawing! However, it was very cathartic, it was hard to do but made me feel better about those difficult things.


2. Why did you begin writing? Was it because of a person or something else?

I've been writing and drawing since I could pick up a pencil, there's always been a part of me that just wanted to tell stories and I never questioned it. I decided to do it as a job because I realized I wanted to inspire others the same way I had been inspired by my favourite novels and comics.


3. What is something in your field that you don't yet know how to do, but you would like to learn?

For writing, I want to learn how to write a good mystery. I think having a bit of mystery in any type of book makes it a bit more fun and engaging. 

For illustration, I draw digitally, so it's been a long time since I really worked with paint or other traditional mediums. It's not that I don't know how, it's just been so long that I kind of forget how. So one of my goals for 2026 is to draw more art on paper, rather than on my iPad.


4. What is your schedule like when you’re writing a book?

When I'm writing a new book, that is my favourite way to start the day. I'll wake up early, brush my teeth and get dressed, then I'll eat my breakfast while I'm writing. I'll write for 30 minutes to two hours, until the creative juices are gone, then spend the rest of the day working on other things, like my art or doing chores.


5. What are common traps for new authors/artists?

I think a common trap for both new authors and artists is giving up and not trying again. Hey, we all get frustrated when things don't go right! I give up on stuff all the time, but I come back to it later. I get frustrated with how a drawing is coming out? I'll leave it for an hour, or maybe a day, but I don't give up forever. Try again, or keep working away at it!


6. What are the essential characteristics of a hero you can root for?

Any form of kindness and drive. They don't need to be kind to everyone they meet, but I can't root for a hero that is mean to everyone. And as for drive, I want to read about a character that has goals, wants, or problems they are actively trying to solve. Characters that just get pushed around by other characters and things are kind of boring to me.


7. Does anyone in your family read your books?

As far as I know, most of my family has read my book! I've been told my little sister reads it almost every night, her copy looks very well used.


8. How do you get over “writer’s block”?

I stop trying. Writer's block is my brain telling me I need a break, I'm putting too much pressure on myself. I tell myself I'm not going to try to write or draw, I need to find something else to do. I'll read, watch a movie, or do a craft, something I don't do often. This usually kickstarts my creativity very quickly, but the key is to not expect or want that to happen.


9. Do you write more than one thing at a time?

Yes! I plan out my stories before I write them, so during this stage, I work on a bunch at once, until one of them is fully cooked up in my mind. Then I'll focus on writing that one until the script is completely finished.


10. What is a bad drawing and what is an ok drawing?

I believe the only bad drawing is one that's meant to be mean to someone else. An okay drawing is one that I might not be completely happy with, but practice is practice! You learn something from every drawing you make, and every story you write. A great drawing is one I had fun making, and am happy with how it looks!


Mazie, thank you for taking the time to share your story and creative advice with our audience! Be sure to check out Mazie's graphic novel, The Lucky Poor, available in our Bookshop. Keep shining, everybody!







 
 
 
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