Graphic Novel of the Week for August 17: Emiko Superstar

Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki

I'm a big fan of Mariko Tamaki's books, so I was super excited when she agreed to do a short Q&A with me for the Word Out! Blog about her latest graphic novel Emiko Superstar.  Mariko is also the author of the highly acclaimed graphic novel Skim, illustrated by her cousin Jillian Tamaki.

Margaret (M):  What was your inspiration for Emiko?  Is "the Factory" based on any real life experiences?

Mariko (MT):  I started doing spoken word and performing on various stages during my third year at McGill University in Montreal.  It was definitely an incredibly inspiring and scary time for me.  Being up on stage was very transforming, it forced me to be something more than I had been before, which was pretty shy.  When I had a chance to write another YA book after Skim, I wanted to try and capture that experience a bit, the experience of becoming an artist, a freak of another sort (the sort you are in high school).

The Factory is a combination of a variety of different stages and arts groups I've been a part of since I was a teenager.  It's also inspired by a variety of goth bars I used to go to--which were not dissimilar crowds from your average arts scene.  The characters are very much bits and pieces of people I've shared stages and goth dances with.

I think in some ways Emiko was inspired by a lot of experiences I've had as "the new girl."

(M) What did you enjoy most about writing Emiko Superstar?

(MT) Emiko Superstar was my first time writing a comic script proper, so to speak.  When I worked on Skim with Jillian it was a very hands off process as far as the visuals were concerned, I wrote a script that was essentially a theatre script focusing on the narrative and the dialogue.  It was the perfect set up for Jillian and I as a team.  Then, with Emiko Superstar, I had to learn how to 'write' comic book pictures, DC comics style, which included learning all the comics terminology and structure.  I had a lot of amazing help from my editor Shelly Bond and my illustrator Steve Rolston with that learning process.  I'm so happy to have that in my arsenal now, that experience.

(M) Do you have any advice for teens who would like to write a graphic novel of their own?

(MT)  Anyone who wants to write anything should just start writing.  Write out what you want to write about.  Make zines and enter literary contests.  If you want to write comics and you can't draw, use photographs and clip art or find an amazing illustrator with the patience to work with you.  START, is basically what I'm saying.

(M) What do you like to read?  Any favourite YA authors or title you could recommend?

(MT) I love a pretty wide variety of stuff.  Right now I'm working my way through my first Manga, recommended by comic guru Peter of The Beguiling, including a book called Dragon Head by Minetaro Mochizuki.  I'm also a huge fan of Chuck Klosterman, an American writer of non-fiction (lots of rock journalism), and I just grabbed his new book Downtown Owl.  Other than that I'm a huge fan of Canadian writers including Emily Schultz (try Joyland to start), Zoe Whittall, and Douglas Coupland.  For some Canadian Young Adult content I would try ex-Montrealer Cecil Castellucci, author of comic The PLAIN Janes and Beige (non-comic).  The best YA book I've read in a long time was Frank Portman's King Dork.

(M) Do you have any projects that you are working on or planning that you could tell us about?  Can we see more of Emi or Skim in the future?

(MT) There are no plans to sequel either Emi or Skim.  I think they're both going to live outside of any fiction I'll write.  Right now I'm working on a book about freshman year at University.

(M)Thanks, Mariko!

Margaret is a Teen Librarian who is looking for a great book to read next.

Comments

[Fatima A.]

AT last!!! I'm first to comment. THIS RULES!!!

[Kyle]

Emiko Superstar sounds like a good graphic novel to read!

[David]

I like the interviews with the authors.

[Anusan]

cool gotta check out the book.

[Sarah C.]

She reminds me of my friend at school, who was also "the new girl". She is similarly very artsy AND she goes to goth bars!

Hopefully, I'll have the chance to read this book before summer's over.

[Tasfia]

this looks like a really good book to read... perhaps a bit...girly? i can tell from the title... lol!
but, i like girly books. : p

[Yujing]

Cool!~
Although doesn't look like the typical Japanese-styled graphic novels (mangas), it looks nonetheless interesting!
I'll be sure to borrow this from the library and read it for myself.
Thanks for the recommendation~~

[Jenny Chau]

this book sounds kool, maybe i will try this book out soon

[KIRAN]

the interview sure sounds great ! i have never read a book which has anything related to goth... so im looking forward to read this book. i also love reading comics!

[Sakshi]

Interesting
WIll Surely Read!!

[Alicia]

i think im gonna check it out

[Yalinee]

the book sounds great

[Lola]

It's seems different from usual graphic comics, which is refreshing. We need something different or somewhat of a change now nad then. I think I will read it.

[Negin]

i read this book before but i really like the idea of the Q&A with the authur.

[Alan H.]

@Negin: We've been really fortunate in having so many of the authors whose books were chosen for Word Out lend their time and attention to us.

[C.]

I can somehow relate to this, so this seems really cool to me. Mariko gives good advice to aspiring writers as well!

[Devi]

Book sounds great!!

[Devi]

I read a book by Melissa de la cruz. Its called 'the ashleys'. I like that book
It was pretty good book.

[Akhila Ananth]

I read this book last week!

[Shell]

usually dont like graphic novels but this one sounds okay

[Kiu]

Oh! I read this book before and I thought that it was unusual. A bit sad too, for Emiko.

[Shel]

cute book!

[Palomaa]

Wow ive never read this. just finished reading vol28 of hana yori dango though.

[Billy]

Interesting...

[Billy]

Interesting,,,