Posted by Nate Williams

The idea of a friendship between a little girl and an anvil does arouse curiosity. What inspired Lucy and the Anvil?

Many of the best ideas spring from unexpected combinations. Inception is a fine example, wherein Christopher Nolan marries the notions of dreaming and corporate espionage. Little girls and anvils are a similarly unexpected union. The trick, of course, is finding just where and when such disparate entities should unite. 

Describe the process of working together.

We avoid any ideas we don’t love in equal measure, which shortens the list of potential projects considerably. But when we do embrace an idea, we start with one long phone call, then retreat to our respective studios and work alone. We trust each other to make the right decisions. It’s actually quite rare that we critique each other’s work.

What were some of the creative challenges?

Only Lucy’s final design was not an immediate decision. Everything else we decided over the course of an afternoon. We readily admit that not all our projects treat us quite so kindly. 

What makes a good children’s book? 

The best children’s books are those that any child, in any era, truly cares about. That is to say, we truly care about the welfare of Peter Rabbit, the Pevensie children, and Bilbo Baggins. We all catch our breath when they’re in danger, and we smile in relief when they win out. If a child doesn’t care, the story fails. This is also true of children’s film. Just because a premise is unique doesn’t mean it merits telling.

What makes a good character?

The best characters, good or evil, are always imperfect. A great hero always has some ugly flaw or weakness, and an unforgettable villain always has a softer side, or even logical motivation. This is one of the big keys to HBO’s success with shows like Deadwood, The Wire, and Game of Thrones.

Do you think about your audience, or do you just create something you love and hope for the best?

Our first audience is always us. Fortunately, many people do seem to share our taste. Many, which is not to say all. But in the age of the Kardashians and “Gangnam Style,” being on the fringe of common popularity is often more appealing than being at its hub.

Will this book have a sequel? 

No, Lucy and the Anvil is, now and always, one very simple story with a definitive beginning and end. There is no sequel. But there may well be other ways to tell the story. Film certainly springs to mind.

Why did you decide to self-publish instead of pursuing an established publisher?

Most publishers possess molds, to which they steadfastly adhere. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, mind you. Many of these molds produce magnificent, unforgettable books of absolutely sterling quality. And, needless to say, others produce books about rainbows and flying ponies. We just decided that Lucy and the Anvil probably doesn’t fit an existing publisher mold.

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There are so many ways for kids to be entertained today. What makes a picture book special?

In many ways, it’s the sheer volume of today’s entertainment – and the speed at which it’s consumed – that makes a picture book worthwhile. With angry birds and autobots rushing at us from every possible direction, it’s an increasingly rare sensation to set the pace of consumption oneself. Lucy and the Anvil was designed for bedtime in particular, when that pace slows considerably.

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