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88 Cups of Tea
88 Cups of Tea
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Ryan T. Higgins on the Importance of Looking at Your Story in Small Chunks

  • 3 minute read

Ryan T. Higgins is the bestselling author and illustrator of the picture book “Mother Bruce” which received the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award and the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor.

In this episode, Ryan walks us through the storyboarding and editing process of illustrating his children’s books and he delves into the importance of looking at your story in small chunks to avoid overthinking about your book as a whole. Ryan shares tips on breaking into the publishing world and landing representation, and how to self-publish and promote your work. We also discuss ways to prevent writer’s block and why it’s so important to have a critique partner to help grow story ideas.

Happy listening!

Xo,

Yin

PS. If you enjoyed this episode, I’d really love your support in growing our community by subscribing to us on iTunes, and leaving a rating and review. These specific steps help to increase our visibility on iTunes which really helps new listeners discover us. A huge heartfelt thank you for your time and support! You can click here to go directly to our iTunes page!

“Every day is Friday for authors and illustrators.” 

-Ryan T. HigginsTweet: “Every day is Friday for authors and illustrators.” -@RyanT_Higgins #writerslife #artist #amwriting via @88cupsoftea

“At the end of the day it’s what makes the story better.”

-Ryan T. HigginsTweet: “At the end of the day it’s what makes the story better.”-@RyanT_Higgins #writerslife #artist #amwriting via @88cupsoftea

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

  • Ryan shares the storyboarding and editing process of illustrating his children’s books 
  • Why it’s crucial to have a critique partner to help grow story ideas 
  • How to self-publish and promote your work 
  • Advice on breaking into the publishing world and landing representation 
  • Ways to prevent writer’s block 
  • The importance of looking at your story in small chunks to avoid overthinking about your book as a whole 
  • How Ryan manages his social media presence without over sharing his work

About “Bruce’s Big Move”

With four geese, three mice, and a very grumpy bear all crowded into one den, Bruce is ready for a new home in Ryan T. Higgins’ “Bruce’s Big Move”, the hilarious follow-up to Mother Bruce. Mr. Bruce, our favorite curmudgeonly bear, shares his home with not only his geese, but rowdy mice besides! Fed up with their shenanigans, Bruce sets off to find a rodent-free household. But as usual, nothing goes quite according to plan. . .

A hilarious sequel for fans of the previous Bruce books, as well as a standalone discovery for new readers, Bruce’s next reluctant adventure is sure to keep kids and adults alike giggling from Ryan’s deftly incorporated, unexpected humor. In Bruce’s Big Move, family sticks together, sometimes whether they like it or not. As in previous Bruce books, the story celebrates relationships and togetherness without ever dipping into the saccharine.

Learn More About Ryan T. Higgins

Ryan T. Higgins is an author and illustrator who likes the outdoors and cheese sandwiches. He is NOT a grumpy old black bear, but he DOES like making books about one—starting with the best-selling Mother Bruce, which received the E. B. White Read-Aloud Award and the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor. He lives in Maine with his wife and kids . . . and too many pets.

Books & Resources Mentioned in Ryan’s Episode:

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson  

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Comic Series by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird

Berenstain Bears by Jan, Stan, and Mike Berenstain

Greg Pizzoli 

Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)

The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield

Krazy: George Herriman, a Life in Black and White by Michael Tisserand

Say ‘Hi!’ to Ryan

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