With most of my books, there are some parts that pop up right away, and other parts I have to wait for.

I had a general outline of subjects. The way I start my days is my husband brings me a thermos of coffee up to the bedroom.

I generally have an idea where I want to go, but I don't know how I'm going to get there.

Ideas mostly come from the work itself. Often when I'm drawing, the words will be bouncing around in my head, and when I'm writing, ideas about the drawing happen.

In the bedroom time I have generated thoughts, and then in the studio I take those thoughts and try to shape them into something.

It's one of my favorite times of day. I'll have an array of notes, things that I want to think about. Something will start to take shape, and I'll play around with it. It's not usually an intense time. It's sort of a playful time. But it's when some really good thoughts arise.

I'm heavily influenced by Edward Ardizzone, how he has people talking in little speech bubbles. I love those. And also Edward Gorey. Those are two of my favorite people.