Today, bookpleasures.com is excited to feature Elise Marie Dubois, a  creator whose work appeals to fans of children's literature, followers of her  acting, and those interested in fantasy stories. 

You may know her voice  from animated shows like Nickelodeon's Lego City Adventures and  DreamWorks, Puss in Boots, or perhaps you've seen her comedic talent on  stage at Second City and UCB. 

Now, this acclaimed actor, comedian, and writer is venturing into an  exciting new realm with her captivating debut picture book for young  readers, Everly Book One: The Familiar. 

This shift can inspire admiration  and curiosity about her creative journey. 

So, how does a career built on sketch comedy and blockbuster animation  translate into crafting a heartfelt fantasy adventure filled with ancient magic,  and animal companions? 

Join us as we explore the magic behind the  pages and learn how a master of comedy created a world of fantasy in our  exclusive interview with the remarkably talented Elise Marie Dubois. 

Norm: Good day, Elise, and thanks for taking part in our interview. 

This is your first work of fiction for kids. After a successful career in acting  and comedy, what was the specific spark or idea behind Everly's world that  made you say, "This is the story I need to write, and I need to write it now"?  

Could you share a particular moment or inspiration that sparked the story? 

Elise: I started creating kids content for my YouTube channel Elise’s Toy  Time, a few years ago. 

One week I would perform a silly song, the next  week I would teach sign language with my deaf dog Dory, and the week  after a brand new short story I would create with illustrations I painted.  

Everly was one of those quick stories I performed and I loved her so much I  felt compelled to flush out her story more.  

Norm: Your background is in sketch comedy at places like Second City and  UCB. How much of your characters were developed through improvisation,  and did you ever "workshop" their voice or personality as if they were a  character in a sketch? 

Elise: As a sketch comedian I always begin with a character as I write. I  need to put myself in their shoes and build a whole world so they’re  believable to the audience.

If is a lot of fun to put on Everly’s pointy shoes  and dive into her world! 

Norm: As someone with an extensive background in animation, which is a  highly visual medium, how much did that experience influence your  descriptions and your direction for the book's art? 

Were there specific  scenes, where you had an evident animated-like vision in your mind? 

Elise: I love animation because it very much follows the rule of comedy:  show don’t tell. I decided to try my hand at a graphic picture book because  it allowed me to show the jokes as I wrote the story. 

One specific example  is when Everly is asking the sloth a question. I zoomed in on her face and  the sloth’s face more and more to show how long the sloth takes to make a  one word answer.  

Norm: Is there one specific image in the book that you feel most powerfully  encapsulates the heart of Everly's journey so far? If so, which one is it, and  why does it resonate so strongly with you? 

Elise: At the end of the story Everly and Octi are flying back to school on  her talking broomstick. Everly succeeded in her first task and the illustration  shows that now it’s on to the next adventure with her new best friend by her  side.  

Norm: You co-created The Real Housewives of Shakespeare, a brilliant  comedic concept for an older audience. What was the most challenging— or rewarding—part of shifting your writing voice to create a fantasy world  for young readers in Everly?

 How did your previous work influence your  approach to world-building? 

Elise: I’ve worked a lot with kids over the years. I’ve volunteered with an  amazing group called Young Story Tellers. They have voice actors come to  kids schools and act out scripts the kids have spent weeks working on. 

I  also performed with Story Town an improv show that would create a whole  new fairytale based on the kid’s suggestions. I love making kids laugh. My  Everly stories are a continuation of that aspect of my creative life.  

Norm: Having worked within huge established universes like the LEGO  franchise (Lego City Adventures, The Lego Movie II), what was the most liberating aspect of building your own magical world and its rules from  scratch for Everly's story? 

Elise: Having worked over the years with such comedic power houses it’s  always an honor to be part of someone’s vision and to help create  characters in their world. As an improviser I love being part of a team. 

However, it was a blast to try my hand at being the sole creator and  bringing not just a few, but all the characters to life.  

Norm: As both an actor and a writer, do you find yourself 'performing' the  dialogue as you write it? 

Was there a particular scene in Everly where you  could vividly hear the characters' voices, and it felt like you were writing a  script for one of your animated shows? 

Elise: That was the coolest thing about creating a graphic picture book. I  felt like I was writing a storyboard for a new animated show. I know how  every character would sound.  

Norm: Your series, The Real Housewives of Shakespeare, plays with  classic literary figures in a modern way. In Everly, you use some classic  fantasy tropes (the chosen one, the animal companion). 

Did your work  modernizing Shakespeare inspire you to put your own unique spin on these  beloved fantasy elements? 

Elise: For me comedy is taking a person’s expectations and completely  changing the answer. 

Whether it’s giving Lady MacBeth a cleaning supply  company, creating a comedy musical about the Salem Witch trials where  the girls are being punished for wanting to learn science and math or a  gorilla and cell phone falling in love.

 I love writing about strong funny  females that think outside the box.  

Norm: Performing live comedy at UCB provides instant audience feedback.  Publishing a book is a much different process. 

How has the transition been  from the immediate gratification of a laugh to the more delayed, personal  feedback you get from readers? 

Elise: It’s rewarding in a completely different way, but just as special. It’s  always thrilling to hear audiences laughing at what you’re doing. 

But it’s just as amazing to get a note from a mother saying her child loves my book and  can’t stop re-reading it.  

Norm: Where can our readers find out more about you and Everly Book  One: The Familiar? 

Elise: Everly is on sale at Amazon! I’m currently working on Everly Book  Two: The Potion.  

Norm: Everly's greatest challenge is believing in herself when she feels  overshadowed by others. As a performer in a competitive field, is that a  theme that personally resonates with you, and was it essential for you to  explore that for a young audience? 

Elise: I think every artist struggles with self-doubt. There will be a lot of  struggles, but keep persevering. The important thing is to keep believing in  yourself.  

Norm: As we end our interview, given your multifaceted career as an actor,  writer, and creator, do you envision Everly's world expanding beyond  books?

Could you see it becoming the kind of animated series you've  worked on for networks like DreamWorks or Warner Bros.? 

Elise: I truly hope so! As an actor I would love to bring these characters to  life! As a writer I’m so happy she’s already making kids laugh all around the  world. 

Norm: Thanks once again and good luck with all of your endeavors