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Back to Featured Interviews >> MEET TIM EGAN
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| Tim Egan |
I went to Art Center College of Design to become an illustrator. I didn’t start writing stories until after I graduated. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it, in spite of how frustrating it was at times. I began by writing greeting cards for Recycled Paper Greetings and I was very encouraged by my wife, Ann, to try writing stories. The first few that I attempted were not good and were rejected by publishers, but I kept at it and eventually found a voice that fit my odd characters.
What was your first job when you graduated from college?
I was a graphic designer/illustrator for magazines and advertising agencies. I’ve always loved great design in everything, from cereal boxes to architecture. I created logos and brochures (and still do) for a variety of clients. It’s always been a fun and challenging part of my career. Well okay, it isn’t always fun, but most of the time it is. Still, nothing compares to children’s books and I’m so fortunate to have found a place in this wonderful field.
Do you focus on fiction or nonfiction? Which do you prefer? Do you find one easier than the other?
I always write fiction, although I suppose it’s all based on real life in many ways. I write about things that I find interesting and most of the time I use talking animals in my stories. They help me write funny stories about serious subjects. For some odd reason, I just never tire of drawing pigs in tuxedos. I’ve never actually seen a cow or a pig speak and I’m sure if I ever do, I’ll run away.
Have any of your books earned special recognition?
The books have received many Parent’s Choice Gold and Silver awards and others, like the Irma Simonton Black Honor Award and Publisher’s Weekly Flying Starts Award. They’ve also won Oppenheim Toy Portfolio awards and others. All the DODSWORTH books so far have been Junior Library Guild Selections! DODSWORTH IN PARIS was in the 2010 Elementary California Collection and DODSWORTH IN NEW YORK was in the 2009 Elementary California Collection.
Which of your books did you most enjoy writing?
I love working on the Dodsworth books (DODSWORTH IN NEW YORK, DODSWORTH IN PARIS, DODSWORTH IN LONDON). They’re early reader books and they’re great fun to work on. They’re a bit different from the picture books I’ve done in that I have to keep everything as simple as possible and still try to make the story interesting enough for young readers. I love simplicity although I find that it can be very difficult to achieve. Like most writers, I spend more time rewriting my stories than anything else. I start out with a grand, detailed, muddled story and spend months simplifying it until it looks like I wrote it in no time (I wish). I just finished writing DODSWORTH IN ROME and I hope to keep Dodsworth and his crazy duck traveling all over the world.
When is your next book going to be in book stores?
My next book, DODSWORTH IN LONDON, is due in stores in November, 2009. After that, DODSWORTH IN ROME comes out in 2011.
Do you like to include humor in your stories? Or adventure? Or mystery?
I love humor and adventure in all my stories (and in life in general). The books about Dodsworth and the duck combine both for me, which is why there so enjoyable to work on. I’ve tried writing more serious books, but they always seem to wind up humorous anyway. There may be something wrong with me.
What do you most want the students to get out of your school visits?
I hope to encourage everyone to create as much as possible. I think it’s a shame that many people abandon creativity at a young age. We’re all much more creative than we give ourselves credit for and I think we learn a lot about ourselves by making things. I love seeing things that other people make.