Brian Anderson: Carry a Notebook Everywhere
Brian Anderson is the author of The Conjurers trilogy and several picture books. He is also an optioned screenwriter and the creator of the syndicated comic strip “Dog Eat Doug.” He lives in North Carolina with his family, which includes a herd of rescued dogs and cats. Find him at BrianAndersonWriter.com, or follow him on Instagram @dogeatdougcomics and @briananderson_writer and Facebook.
Brian Anderson
Photo Credit Tammy Anderson
In this interview, Brian discusses the process of writing his new graphic novels for middle grade readers, Sophie: Jurassic Bark and Sophie: Frankenstein’s Hound, his advice for other writers, and more.
Name: Brian Anderson
Book titles: Sophie: Jurassic Bark and Sophie: Frankenstein’s Hound
Publisher: Marble Press
Release date: October 15, 2024
Genre/category: Middle Grade Graphic Novels
Previous titles: The Conjurers series
Elevator pitch: Sophie: Jurassic Bark and Sophie: Frankenstein’s Hound are the first two books in a new graphic novel series for middle grade readers, full of mini adventures, pop culture spoofs, sharp jokes, adorable illustrations, and a sneaky dose of heart.
Bookshop | Amazon
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Bookshop | Amazon
[WD uses affiliate links.]
What prompted you to write this book?
My dog, Sophie, was the original inspiration for the comic strip. I always wanted to give her a bigger playground, and graphic novels were the perfect way to expand her adventures. When things ended with the syndicate, I had to choose between fighting or giving up. I didn’t like either option, so I decided to create my own path and bring Sophie to life in graphic novels and animation.
How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?
It wasn’t a long process. I mapped out the “Sophie” series about two years ago. It was scary to step off that cliff, but I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.
The biggest challenge was transitioning from the daily, four-panel format of the comic strip to the longer story structure of graphic novels. Sophie has a specific arc in each book, and it was like fitting a jigsaw puzzle together to figure out where her imaginative adventures fit into the story.
One advantage of graphic novels over daily strips is that you can write the entire story first and revise it until it’s exactly how you want it.
Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?
The biggest surprise was having a publisher that was 100 percent behind the books. And the incredible team at Marble Press was a huge help every step of the way.
It took me a while to learn to rely on the team at Marble Press, since I’d been doing everything on my own for almost 20 years. They reminded me that I could always reach out for help. I couldn’t have done it without them.
Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?
Absolutely! Even after all these years of drawing the comic, I was blown away by how much more there was to these characters on both an imaginative and emotional level. When I was writing the comic strip, I sometimes felt like I was running out of ideas. But with the expanded canvas of graphic novels, I realized I had only scratched the surface.
What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
My biggest hope is that readers, young and old, fall in love with Sophie the way they did with the comic strip. I know young readers will identify with Sophie as they are both on the same journey (minus the tail and the drooling issues).
I’ve always been proud of the fact that the comic strip was loved by kids and their parents. These are books that have laughs for all ages. So, my biggest hope is that families enjoy reading them together.
If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?
That’s a tough one because I’m always learning new things. But one thing that’s always helped me, even when I’m feeling stuck, is to carry a notebook everywhere. The brain is always working on the story in the background, even if you’re not aware it’s relentlessly trying to fix that plot hole in the second act. The solution might pop into your head at a random time, and you have to be ready to catch it.
And here’s a piece of advice I learned from creating the “Sophie” series: If you’re not heading in the right direction, don’t be afraid to change course. Take a moment to plan your new path and start building your own track. It might be scary at first, but you’ll eventually have your own railroad steaming towards your goal. That’s why I’m answering these questions about the “Sophie” books today.
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