To read the review of  MONKEY MADE SOCKIES  CLICK HERE

Today, Norm and Lily Goldman, reviewers for Bookpleasures.com are to have as our guest Shannon Grissom  Shannon is the author of Monkey Made of Sockies, and an award-winning artist, Grissom is the host of the television series, “Give Your Walls Some Soul.” A San Jose, Calif., native, she began oil painting in 1992 and became a fulltime artist in 1999.

Good day Shannon and thank you for agreeing to participate in our e-interview.

You are quite welcome Norm and Lily!

Norm & Lily

Shannon, what is your background in children's literature? Is there an underlying message in your book for kids? Why did you feel compelled to write this book?
 
Shannon:

I was compelled to write this book as I enjoy sharing laughter with others. It’s like a getting a big hug. I smile every time I see Monkey Made of Sockies and want to share him with the world. The underlying message for kids and adults is simple. Happiness is a choice. The child in the book has made happiness a priority by choosing the monkey. I confess I do not have a background in children’s literature. However, by the time my next book emerges, I shall have a good one to talk about.

Norm and Lily:

Who came first, the monkey, the horsie or the bunny?

Shannon:

No chicken or egg scenarios here! The monkey always comes first. The first monkey painting is a story in and of itself. There was a painting competition that required the artist to create a painting using a pear and a fish and relate it to someone you knew. So I took Mom’s monkey and combined it with an old black and white photo of her and her cousin. Then I added the fish (goldfish crackers) the pear and a kazoo. Why the kazoo? Mom was a music major with a sense of humor. Oh she was fun! I never did enter the competition. Instead the painting became the inspiration for the book. I must send the promoters a “thank-you”.

Norm and Lily

Are the images oil paintings or acrylics? Did you take pictures or did you paint the plush animals from scratch?

Shannon:

All of the paintings are created using oil paint on canvas. I love the richness of oil colors. As an aside, the paintings are larger than life. Most are 36’x24”. Everything is so large in a child’s world. The large scale of the paintings helps me see life through the eyes of a child.

I paint both from life and from pictures. I set up each scene, play with the monkey and then take pictures. Yes, play. Monkey Made of Sockies cracks me up while I’m posing him. From the photos I refine the composition. Once I get the composition right, I go back to the still life and start painting. I’m becoming less and less referential as time passes. These days I’m making up a lot. I just finished five new Monkey Made of Sockies paintings with much of the reference material coming from my imagination.

Norm and Lily:

Why did you choose “Grammy” over “Mommy” since the toys belonged to your late mom?

Shannon:

I’m laughing. What can I say? I’m Grammy. It’s all about me!

Actually it’s not really all about me though I wrote the book from my grandchildren’s point of view. Monkey Made of Sockies is a tribute to my Mom. My sister says his lips are just like our Mother’s! And it is Mom’s wonderful sense of humor that is reflected in the monkey.

Norm and Lily:

Why did you take close-ups when you could have easily created more paintings?

Shannon:

Great observation! Most of the close-ups serve to punctuate the smile of the monkey. You’ll notice that close-ups of the monkey are extreme, while the other subjects are medium close-ups. I felt that the rhythm of the images needed to coincide with the rhythm of the text.

Norm and Lily:

We just “luv” your fluffy colors. How did you manage that?

Shannon:

Thank you! Tons of mixing! Painting silly things gives me a license to use bright colors. I push it and stop just before the colors become “screamers”.

Norm and Lily:

How did you think of putting a smile on the Monkey’s derriere? This is very funny!

Shannon:

Thanks! The actual Monkey Made of Sockies has the heel of a sock on his behind. So the framework for a mouth was already in place. I thought it would be funny to add the smile on the behind so that the monkey would be grinning whether he was coming or going. I laughed hard as I was painting! I’m still laughing. It’s good to crack yourself up!

Norm and Lily:

What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while writing your book? How did you overcome these challenges?

Shannon:

Oh, there were challenges. Seems like all my journeys have challenges. Writers repeatedly advised me not to write in rhyme. Then there was my inner critic who reminded me that I might want to stick to my day job (painting). Despite internal and external resistance I followed my heart instead of my head. I willingly put blinders on so I could proceed down the road. It was the only way I could stay focused.

Norm and Lily:

Any unique ways you'll be marketing your book that is different from how others authors market their books?

Shannon:

I am so new to this industry that I’m not sure if my ideas are different. Yesterday I sent books to many of the stars in Hollywood who are new mothers. I devoted three episodes of my television show instructing viewers how to paint sock monkeys. It airs on the web as well as television. In fact one Monkey Made of Sockies episode won a W.A.V.E. (Western Access Video Excellence) award this year in the instructional category. Additionally, I will have a television crew come out and film me during a reading at one of the local schools. I do believe in hitting my market from many angles. I just finished reading 1001 Ways to Market your Books by John Kramer and I intend to try many of the ideas in the book. Marketing is something I work on daily, like painting and writing.

Norm and Lily:

What is next for Shannon Grissom?

Shannon:

Lots of good stuff! I’m busy writing and painting A Monkey Made of Sockies sequel. I have an agent who is working to license my Monkey Made of Sockies images on a variety of products. She is also marketing my local television show to major networks. And I’m working on a song to accompany this book.

Norm and Lily:

Is there anything else you wish to share with our readers?

Silly is good!

Thanks once again and good luck with your book.