Today I get the pleasure of welcoming my local friend and author, Pam Vaughan. Pam is here with her humorous debut picture book, MISSY WANTS A MAMMOTH with illustrations by Ariel Landy. Keep reading to learn all about the inspiration behind this wonderful new book and for your chance to win a signed copy of it or a 30-minute AMA with Pam.
And if you are local to Massachusetts you can check out one of Pam's upcoming events including one I am lucky enough to join her for on 10/13 at my local indie, Tidepool Bookshop. We hope to see you there!
AH: Welcome to The Backstory and thank you for joining us and sharing the inspiration behind MISSY WANTS A MAMMOTH.
First off, please tell us a little bit about your story.
PV: MISSY WANTS A MAMMOTH is a humorous sibling story written in all dialogue about younger sister, Missy who wants a pet mammoth. She has already imagined all of the fun things they are going to do together like take bubble baths, teach him tricks, and go on picnics. Her older brother, Mason, knows one mammoth-sized problem with her plans…He does his best to be patient with her, but once Missy gets an idea in her head, nothing (not even the fact that mammoths are extinct is going to stop her from getting her fuzzy new friend.
Included are mammoth fun facts and hints of Missy’s pet mammoth hidden in the illustrations.
AH: Pam this book is so much fun! I love Missy's personality and voice as well as her dynamic with her brother. I recently read this to my students and they were instant fans. I am looking forward to using it again later in the year as a mentor text for a writing project.
AH: What’s the story behind the story? What was your inspiration? Where did the idea come from?
PV: I was in bed thinking about a new story idea. I asked myself to think about two opposite things in the same story. What would that look like? What are those things? Or who are those characters? As I let my mind drift, I came up with a spirited Missy, who wants things she seemingly can’t have…and her practical brother, Mason, who so patiently tries to break the news to her.
AH: Amazing! I love how this idea generated from this brainstorming strategy and how any of our readers here could give this strategy a try and come up with a million different story ideas. I also think this would be such a fun prompt to try with kids and see what they come up with. Either way, I am glad it led you to Missy and Mason who were the perfect characters for this book!
How did you approach going from this seed of an idea to what is now MISSY WANTS A MAMMOTH? Was it something undeniable you had to write immediately or did you need to sit with this idea and let it grow for a while before it found its way to the page?
PV: Oh my gosh! Missy’s exuberance and voice forced me to get out of bed and immediately write down everything she had to say. She is so much fun and I love listening to her responses to Mason! My critique friends were very encouraging about Missy and Mason and they gave me confidence to keep working with these characters.
AH: Yes! They each have such distinct voices and personalities that it is no wonder you couldn't wait to see what they had to say.
AH: Did MISSY WANTS A MAMMOTH undergo any major changes/revisions from the original version? If so, what led you to make these changes?
PV: I wouldn't say major changes. So much of this story has remained since my original draft. But I incorporated feedback from critique partners to make the manuscript tighter and stronger. I also applied to the #PBChat mentorship in 2019 and was fortunate enough to have, award winning author, Ankia Aldamuy Denise take me on as her mentee. We worked weekly for three months. Anika really helped me get the story to the next level. I’m so grateful to Anika! After the manuscript was acquired, my editor, Alison Weiss, helped tweak it even more with her insightful questions and suggestions.
AH: It is truly amazing how many hands and hearts go into getting a manuscript to publication.
AH: Are there any books/authors that you feel influenced your work on?
PV: Too many to name. I’m incredibly appreciative for all of the help and support I’ve had on my journey. As I’m sure you do, I read and study a ton of books. But early on, I received a pass on this manuscript and was told by an agent that all dialogue doesn’t sell. At first I believed it, but after the sting of the pass subsided, I questioned it. I went to the library and searched for all-dialogue picture books. As it turns out, there were LOTS! So I decided that perhaps that comment was an opinion and not a fact.
AH: Good for you! In this industry it can be very easy to let our manuscripts get away from us based on the feedback of others, especially those gatekeepers. I love that you questioned their opinion and had the courage to stick with what initially felt right for you and Missy.
Where do you tend to find your inspiration or your sparks for ideas?
PV: I find them everywhere and anywhere! On walks. Driving. In the shower. Doing the dishes. Listening to people talking. From personal experiences. Attending workshops. Reading other books. And, of course, the voices in my head, like Missy’s! They just start talking and I do my best to capture what they say. That is totally normal, right?!
AH: Totally normal! I do think that the ability to recognize and capture all of those ideas is a skill. The more we work at the skill and become aware of it, the more those ideas come flooding in.
Do you have any upcoming projects or news you would like to share with us?
PV: I’m super excited to have another picture book coming out next summer: It’s called, Tenacious Won’t Give Up, illustrated by Leanne Hatch (Knopf Books for Young Readers). It is about a girl who can do anything…except ride her bike. Tenacious is determined to ride her two-wheeler in the upcoming wheel parade, but when trying her hardest isn’t working, she has to figure out another way.
AH: I am so excited that we have more to look forward to from you! Tenacious sounds wonderful and like a book many kids will relate to whether it is specifically riding a bike or to the idea of perseverance. I can't wait for this one!
Where can people connect more with you?
PV: My website: www.pamvaughanauthor.com
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pamvau.12914/
Bluesky: @pamvau.bsky.social
Twitter/X: @pamvau
The illustrator is Ariel Landy:
AH: Readers be sure to check out Pam's website to stay updated on her latest happenings and be sure to connect with her on social media.
Also, please consider supporting Pam and MISSY WANTS A MAMMOTH in any way you can.
This could include:
- ordering from your favorite indie
- marking as want to read on Goodreads
-leaving a review
- making a library request
Pam, thank you so much for sharing all about MISSY WANTS A MAMMOTH. This book is so much fun and I loved learning all about your inspiration.
GIVEAWAY!
Pam is generously offering one winner their choice of a 30 min AMA or a signed copy of Missy Wants a Mammoth.
Ways to enter:
1. Retweet my tweet about this blog post. Additional entry for tagging friends!
or
2. Leave a comment on this post.
or
3. Post about this interview on social media and tell me in the comments that you did.
Each method earns an extra entry!
ABOUT PAM VAUGHAN
Pam Vaughan has never had a pet mammoth, but if she did, she wonders if her mammoth would enjoy doing some of her favorite things with her, like taking walks and playing ice hockey. Pam is the co-ARA of New England’s SCBWI chapter and the director of Whispering Pines Writers’ Retreat. She lives with her family across from a pond on a cul-de-sac in central Massachusetts.
ABOUT ANDREW HACKET
Andrew Hacket is a writer, second-grade teacher, and father of three. He is also the author of Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea, Curlilocks and the Three Hares, and Hope and the Sea. Andrew recognizes that being a kid is hard and he writes to create ways for kids to see themselves in stories and characters, to accept and overcome their insecurities, or to escape for just a little while through the power of their imaginations.
What a cool concept! I mean who doesn't want a ,mammoth?? I know Pixel & Ink does series, so will there be a book 2??
Pam!!!! I am so thrilled to see Pam and Missy here on Andrew's blog. I've had the good fortune of meeting Pam IRL and reading Missy and it was all the most delightful. Congrats on Missy's release! I hope everyone loves her as much as I do!
This book sounds fabulous. Humour can be so hard to do, so congratulations on this release!
Sounds like a really fun story! I can't wait to read it!
Thank you for sharing this story! I'm adding it to my library list right now!