A Conversation with Margaret Finnegan
“Be Kind to Yourself.”
“A’a was a Hawaiian word Hank discovered in one of his rocks and minerals books. It described a kind of explosive lava flow where the lava moved and cooled at different rates. The top of the lava cooled faster than the bottom of the lava, which meant that on the surface the rock became rough and prickly and sharp, while on the bottom the rock became incredibly heavy and dense. A’a was how Hank felt when he had a meltdown. His world fell out of sync like his body was moving at different rates. On the surface everything became prickly and sharp. Sounds, textures, colors, smells poked him until he felt punctured and bruised. But even while that was happening, part of him felt heavy, dense, immovable. A’a was just how it sounded—two long awes signaling two awe-inspiring and simultaneous methods of destruction. A’a was the worst feeling ever. A’a was the thing he didn’t like about having autism.” –We Could Be Heroes by Margaret Finnegan (this quote appears on page 9 and it was the moment that hooked me).
WE COULD BE HEROES is a Junior Library Guild Selection, middle grade novel by Margaret Finnegan. In a time when I’m very much feeling like my brain and body are out of sync, when it seems like I’m simultaneously becoming prickly and sharp yet entirely worn down, when I’m quite literally feeling as dense and immovable as a metamorphic rock, this story helped me feel better. It served as a nice distraction to *gestures at everything* while also helping me feel lighter and hopeful. It’s the kind of story that you’ll want to carry with you like Hank’s well-selected trio of rocks kept in his pocket for when things get scary and unpredictable.
Okay, this is the part of the intro where I realize I haven’t really said what the book is about yet so here’s a brief summary from Margaret’s website:
When ten-year-old Hank Hudson accidentally sets his school on fire, Maisie Huang thinks she has finally found someone brave enough to help her rescue a neglected dog named Booler. Together the two outsiders will create a friendship born of difference, imagination, and a commitment to being the heroes of not only Booler’s story, but their own.
Over the last several weeks I’ve been fortunate to exchange several emails with author Margaret Finnegan as we discussed the inspiration and creative process behind WE COULD BE HEROES as well as how important it is to laugh during otherwise dark times.
Our conversation follows:
Dane wrote on February 23rd at 8:45am:
Hi Margaret,
With WE COULD BE HEROES just days away from being out in the world, I think it would be cool to take a moment to look back at where this book started. What were the beginning stages like for writing We Could Be Heroes? What was your early inspiration for the story? Then, if you don't care to share, how long did it take to get from day one of starting the project to sharing it with beta readers & friends?
Margaret responded on February 25th at 3:10pm:
You know how writers sometimes say a story just poured out of them. That is what happened with this book. As I recall, Hank and Maisie—the main characters of the book—were solidly Hank and Maisie right from the start. And I just had so much fun telling their story, which is not to say that I didn’t spend a ton of time revising (I did) or that I didn’t get frustrated sometimes (again, I did), but it is to say that I really liked these characters, I enjoyed spending time with them, and I had some inkling of where I wanted the story to end up.
This story is very personal for me, and maybe that is why it spilled out so readily. WE COULD BE HEROES is the story of a boy with autism, a girl with a secret, and the neglected dog with epilepsy that they try to help. Guess what? Both of my daughters have epilepsy. My older daughter also has autism. Her name is Elizabeth and she is such a highly-sensitive reader that—for a long time—she refused to read any new novels because she was so worried that something really sad would happen to the characters. But she loves to read, so she would re-read all these middle-grade novels that were familiar, fun, and safe. So I wanted to write a book for her, one that I could guarantee would be full of love and kindness. Also, I wanted both of my kids to see their experiences as people with disabilities represented on the page. We all know how vital that representation is, and here is the thing about special needs moms: If we can’t find what we need in the marketplace, we make it ourselves.
I can’t say exactly how long it took to write this book, but—as a person who also works fulltime—it seemed to go pretty fast. I think it took about a year and a half until I was asking people for feedback. My daughters—who are now young adults--read the manuscript too. I wanted their perspectives on my depictions of autism and epilepsy, but I also wanted them to feel comfortable with me writing about experiences that have made such a big impact on our lives. Luckily, they are amazing advocates for people with disabilities, and they both agreed that this was a story that needed to be told.
Dane replied on February 26th at 10:54am:
That’s a really great answer. I love that you saw the need and decided to create your own story. I’m sure this book is something your girls will cherish for their whole lives. I got my preordered copy of We Could Be Heroes in the mail yesterday and I’m so excited to start it.
The cover is so great. Who designed it and what was the cover selection process like?
Also, you mentioned writing this book as you worked a full time job, as someone that also works a full time job and tries to cram in my writing whenever I can, I’m curious what your writing process is like? Early mornings or late nights? Daily word count goals?
Margaret wrote on February 26th at 12:38pm:
Thank you so much for pre-ordering. I hope you like it! The cover is by Alexandra Bye and the book design is by Karyn Lee. I was not involved in the cover selection. One day I received an email that said something like, “Here is the cover! Isn’t it great!” Fortunately, I did think it was great. Both Alexandra and Karyn did fantastic work.
In addition to writing, I teach at a university in Southern California. As any teacher will tell you, there is a lot invisible work there—lots of preparing and lots of grading. In order to maintain my writing practice, I keep my teaching work very organized by prepping as much as possible during the summers. That way, during the school year, I can usually have some predictable writing windows. However, those windows get smaller and smaller as the semester progresses and I have more and more grading to do. It is a balancing act, and it is always shifting. I sometimes have words counts. I sometimes have hour counts. It changes depending on how many responsibilities I am juggling.
Here is the thing that helps me: I feel like my mental health is better when I am writing, so that keeps me going. However, my mental health is also better when I am not overwhelmed and when I am getting enough sleep. So I don’t beat myself up about it. I will probably never be a person who writes a book a year. That’s okay. I like my day job! I wouldn’t want things to change.
I’m loving it! Keep those questions coming!
We Could Be Heroes released February 25th, 2020 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Dane wrote on February 28th at 11:42am:
I definitely agree that writing helps my mental health. I’m not as good about not beating myself up when I’m too overwhelmed with work and other things to meet my daily word count goals though. So hopefully I can learn to take your advice and relax about it some. I will never be a book a year writer either, as much as I’d like to be.
What was the process like working with an editor for WE COULD BE HEROES? Have you had experience working with an editor before this book? If so, how was it different this time around?
Margaret wrote on February 29th at 12:40pm:
I loved working with my editor. I am trained as an historian and I’ve actually published a very serious and grown up book on the woman suffrage movement. That process was totally different. My editor bought the book, but she did not give me much feedback. Instead, she sent it to three blind peer reviewers for their insight. Those reviewers were tough, and I had to synthesize their feedback and address it without really any support—although I was much younger then. Maybe I could have asked for support?
The process for WE COULD BE HEROES was much more of a partnership. My editor would send me these long edit letters that were very supportive, but these letters also asked me to go deeper into the characters. It helped that we both wanted the same thing: the best version of WE COULD BE HEROES possible.
Well, even when you have a great editor, it is kind of stressful. I wouldn’t even be able to open her edit letters for several days after they arrived. I would just have to walk away and steel myself. I ate a lot of chocolate when those letters came.
Dane wrote on March 2nd at 4:20pm:
Haha, I'd say that's a good approach to dealing with editorial letters.
Each book holds its share of challenges and lessons, so with that in mind, what lessons did you learn during the writing process of WE COULD BE HEROES? What were your biggest challenges (internal or external) that you faced as this book came to life?
Thanks again Margaret, take all the time you may need. I'm loving your answers.
Margaret wrote on March 7th at 5:57pm:
Dane! Thank you so much for your patience! This week was crazy! Three school visits, the book launch, and my regular work. Let me get back to your questions.
I learned that I really like writing for kids! I’m trained as an academic and so this was a totally new experience for me, but I loved it right from the start. It was freeing and fun to inhabit Hank and Maisie’s world. And since it was fun, I kept writing even when I was tired or discouraged. So I guess the lesson here is that you should make sure you enjoy the process. And, frankly, if you aren’t enjoying the process why are you doing it at all?
I am always challenged by the competing demands upon my time—but what writer isn’t? I think the biggest challenge for me has to do with promotion. I am not a natural salesperson. I always feel like I am bothering people. I never want people to feel obligated to buy or read my book or to think I am shaking them down for cash. But, at the same time, I need people to buy and read my book! And if I can’t stand up for my book, who can? Who will? It was so hard for me even to invite my friends to my book launch. I was like, "I’d love you to come to this thing. It’s going to be fun, but you’re probably too busy—don’t worry if you can’t make it." But here is what I learned: One, people want to come! People want to support you! Two, at least for me, it was worth investing part of my advance in a publicist. I think that was one of the smartest things I did because it helped me avoid a lot of anxiety, and it saved me a lot of time, which I could then devote to writing.
Dane wrote on March 13th at 10:01am:
Margaret! Now it’s my turn to apologize. I’m sorry for the delayed response. Work has been busy lately and when I’m not working I’ve been so distracted by EVERYTHING. It's so easy to just keep refreshing the different news pages—and when I say "news pages," I really mean I just scroll through Twitter incessantly to see what new developments are going on in the world right now. It's crazy.
I’m not a natural salesperson either. I’m truly terrible at it. If I ever try to get someone to come to a concert, a fundraiser, whatever, I’m practically talking them out of it the whole time like: “Hey, it would be cool if you came to this thing, but then also there are crowds, it costs money, and besides there’s so much to stream anyway so you’re probably better off staying at home.” But you’re right, the majority of people usually want to support artists and they won’t know to read a book or check out an album/watch a show/support a good cause/whatever unless someone tells them about it. So with all that said, yep, hiring a publicist sounds like a great idea. Hopefully, people are loading up on books to just stay home for a while anyway.
I live in a super small town in Southern Illinois. The Covid-19 stuff hasn’t really gotten that bad here yet (unless you’re wanting to buy toilet paper or hand-sanitizer). I’m curious what it’s like where you are? Have you had to cancel any book events?
And then, do you have any advice for writers/creative people that are trying to make stuff right now when it’s so easy to be distracted from all that’s going on?
Margaret wrote on March 13th at 10:32am:
It is surreal and unlike anything I have ever experienced. I am in Los Angeles, and, luckily, my book launch and the school visits I had lined up right when the book came out happened early enough that they were not affected by the beginning tide of the virus. But now we are in social isolation mode. The university where I teach has moved to fully online classes for the rest of the semester. I don’t have a problem with teaching online, but it all happened very fast, which means I have not really been able to focus on my own writing. Hopefully that will change soon. I do have a reading scheduled next week. Will it be cancelled? Who knows! Mostly, I worry about my community. Disneyland is closed! Many stores are empty. What is going to happen to all those workers or to anyone who cannot work remotely?
I find creative work a very good distraction from personal and worldwide drama! So, for me, carving out a time to write will really need to be part of my self-care. Be kind to yourself. If that means finding time for more creative work, do more creative work. If that means focusing on your garden or your kids or whatever, then focus on those things. And maybe limit your media consumption. Sometimes all we need are the bullet points, not the fine print.
Dane wrote on March 16th at 2:28pm:
This will be my last question and it’s a fairly simple one: with social distancing now in full swing, are there any books, movies, or tv shows that you’re excited to finally catch up on? Any recommendations for anyone feeling trapped at home?
I’m going to finish reading Wanderers by Chuck Wendig and Don’t Read the Comments by Eric Smith before moving on to Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel and We Could Be Heroes by you! Then I will surely continue watching the West Wing (currently on S4, the Bartlett Administration would’ve handled this whole thing much better that’s for sure) and Better Call Saul, mixed in with my hundredth re-watch of The Office. Also, our kids just started watching the Simpsons on Disney + which should keep us occupied well after this whole thing hopefully chills out (though I’m seeing now why my mom wouldn’t let me watch this show as a kid).
Margaret wrote on March 17th at 12:35pm:
The darker the times, the more I need to laugh. So I seek out comedies, usually those that come in short sit-com size doses that I can squeeze between work projects. A new favorite is Mythic Quest (]Apple TV+). It’s a workplace comedy centered on a gaming comedy. Charlotte Nicdao may be my new favorite person in the world. But this social isolation is also giving me the travel bug, so I am also loving Travel Man (Hulu). It’s about how much fun you can squeeze into a mini-break with Richard Ayoade. For Kid’s lit, I just finished New Kid by Jerry Craft (the graphic novel that just won the Newbury Prize). I thought it was great!
Best wishes, happy writing—and don’t touch your face!!!!
(Sorry about that last one. It just makes me laugh because every time someone tells me not to touch my face my hand instantly reaches for my face.)
Margaret Finnegan is the author of WE COULD BE HEROES, which is available on Indiebound, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and most anywhere else books are sold. For more information, you can visit Margaret online at www.margaretfinnegan.com and follow her on Twitter!