Bryan Chick: Surprises Are the Best Part of Writing
Bryan Chick is the author of the acclaimed Secret Zoo series, which has sold nearly one million copies. He lives with his wife and four children in Clarkston, Michigan. Follow him on Facebook.
Bryan Chick
In this interview, Bryan discusses how writing is like putting a puzzle together with his new middle-grade novel, Wayfinders, his hope for readers, and more!
Name: Bryan Chick
Literary agent: Mark Gottlieb
Book title: Wayfinders
Publisher: Blackstone
Release date: March 12, 2024
Genre/category: Middle-grade Fantasy
Previous titles: The Secret Zoo; The Super Sports Society (forthcoming by Andrews McMeel on May 7, 2024)
Elevator pitch: In Wayfinders, a grieving 12-year-old girl and her neurotic father must travel in a beat-up Winnebago to return a group of lost fairy-tale creatures to an enchanted forest while eluding the pursuit of a witch and her criminal gang.
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What prompted you to write this book?
It’s hard to know exactly, because so much happens organically. I set out to write a book, started populating the story with people I’ve met or imagined, and the rest just happened. Everything is a puzzle piece that gets put together. Sometimes the picture looks nothing like the one on the box.
How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?
Five years, but I was working on other stories during the same time. Two early drafts were completely discarded. I kept coming back to the title of Wayfinders. Who is trying to find their way, and to where? The characters grew more interesting and complex, which made everything else easy to figure out.
Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?
I’m always surprised by how fantastic the people are in this business. From the editors to the marketing team, everyone at Blackstone is fabulous. To see people rally around your book and treat it with such care is heartwarming.
Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?
If there weren’t any surprises, I probably wouldn’t write. Surprises are the best part. The plot shifts in a way I hadn’t outlined. A character takes control of her own life. The perfect prose appears on the page. These are the best moments—the drug that keeps me writing.
What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
I want them to be thrilled and satisfied. I want them to read the book twice. And I want them to walk away with a better understanding of themselves and the people around them. I guess it’s what all authors want for their readers.
If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?
Outline, but don’t be afraid to ignore your notes when it feels right. The story has a life of its own.
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