Interview: Mark Sommerset talks about Because You Are You

Mark Sommerset is the author of a diverse range of best-loved picture books including the hilarious 'Baa Baa Smart Sheep' series. His books have been published in 13 languages across 16 countries, picking up a number of literary and design awards along the way, including the Children’s Choice Award for Baa Baa Smart Sheep in the New Zealand Children’s Book Awards, and Book of the Year in the New Zealand Book Design Awards for Two Little Bugs.  Mark talks to NZ Booklovers.

Tell us a little about Because You Are You.

Because You Are You is a gentle story about imagination, playfulness and the precious bond between parent and child. It’s also about love and respect, individuality, and the joy and wisdom of nurturing healthy dreams and pursuits in our kids.

What inspired you to write this book?

Littlemouse first came to mind immediately after presenting an early rendition of Baa Baa Smart Sheep to a potential publisher. The publisher thought Baa Baa was hilarious, but felt a little unsure how the market might react to such cheeky humour (It’s not for everyone right?!). On the drive home I got to thinking about what might be created were I to work on something more heartfelt and meaningful, and the image of this sweet little mouse imagining a life full of possibility and adventure popped into my mind. Little did I know I’d end up chasing that little mouse around in my imagination for over a decade before the full story would land.

What research was involved?

Being a child, being a parent, and taking an interest in both :)

What was your routine or process when writing this book?

I’ve never had a structured routine or writing process. In some ways, I’m very ill-disciplined! I write only when I feel truly compelled to write. That’s not to say I’m not thinking about characters and storylines - I’m doing that all the time. But over the years, I’ve found that trying to make things happen - forcing ideas, or pushing myself to write just to feel I’ve achieved something - always results in the work falling short somehow. Writing, for me at least, is a mysterious process that involves a different sort of discipline - that of patience and trust: patience in knowing the essence of a story is always being distilled in the mind and trust that it will appear on the page when it’s ready.

How did you work with the illustrator, Dine?

Don’t you just love Diine’s illustrations for this book? She has captured the connection and emotions of the characters so beautifully. Diine and I actually met in Queenstown at a market. I had embarked on publishing the book independently (as with my earlier books) and we started working on it together. Shortly after, a chance meeting with Scholastic Publisher, Lynette Evans, led to a new partnership being formed. It was great in that Diine and I were able to be in regular contact throughout the project, and everyone involved in editorial and design had the chance to provide input at all stages of development. It was a really fun and collaborative process.

What did you enjoy the most about writing this picture book?

Without a doubt, the hours and hours I got to spend daydreaming up scenarios and imagining Littlemouse and Mamamouse so content and happy in their own little world. I also really enjoyed the editing process - selecting and revising every word or turn of phrase to extract the maximum amount of meaning, while balancing it with rhythm, cadence and rhyme etc … my idea of fun!

What did you do to celebrate finishing this book?

I’m not great with goodbyes. Having laboured on something for so long, and enjoyed the process so much, letting go can be quite difficult. That said, I couldn’t be happier with the end result and Diine’s wonderful work. It’s also nice knowing Littlemouse and Mamamouse are no longer just an idea and are now free to scamper into the imaginations and homes of other people.

What is the favourite book you have read so far this year and why?

I’m really interested in human psychology and spirituality, and constantly seek to understand and integrate whatever insights I can around existence, purpose, love, meaning, relationships, inner peace and so many other things. This year, Siddharta by Herman Hesse was the book I dived deepest into. I also enjoyed splashing about in the pages of the Bhagavad Gita and other esoteric, scientific and philosophical texts.

What’s next on the agenda for you?

I have two more picture books on the cards with Scholastic (aimed squarely at the funny bone again) and something completely different: a book of four to five short stories/parables for adults, including a 43 stanza Edgar-Allan-Poe-esque archetypal fairytale/poem called The Bog Man Prince and the Butterfly Queen. Like Because You are You, I started it over 10 years ago, and it took every moment of that to find its final form. Writing and rewriting The Bog Man Prince has been my greatest joy as an author to date, and I could happily play around with it for another 10 years. But in my heart I know it’s finished. Time to let go again.

Scholastic NZ