I’ll admit, I’ve been a fan from afar of Samantha Berger’s for quite some time. Mostly just of the “let me stalk her on Facebook” kind, but recently I decided to do something about it — invite her to be a featured author for 12 x 12. I mean, just check out her current headshot! Now THERE is a picture book author!
Who better to kick off October than someone with books titled, BOO LA LA, WITCH SPA and CRANKENSTEIN? They’re spooky-good and monstrously fun. So please welcome, Samantha!
Samantha has graciously offered the three books featured in her post as prize for one of our 12 x 12 members! Better start writing!
Julie, thanks so much for having me on 12 x 12!
It’s an honor to be….(drumroll, please) ONE OF THE FEATURED 12!
(insert 12 hoots and hollers here: ________________________________________________)
Once upon an interview, someone asked me how I got into doing “mash-up themes” in my picture books.
I stood there, silently, and blinked twice.
“Um….mash-up themes? Er…could you elaborate a little on the question?” I asked, not understanding AT ALL what she meant.
She explained.
“Well,” she said, “There are a lot of books about being cranky. But your book CRANKENSTEIN, is a mash-up of an emotions book, with a monster book.”
I had honestly never thought about it like that.
“And there are hundreds of bedtime books in the world. But your book SNOOZEFEST, is a mash-up of a bedtime theme, and a music theme. Together. I’ve never seen that.”
Suddenly, I was the one asking questions.
“Of course!” She replied. “There are endless Halloween themed books. But witches going to a spa? That’s glam meets gross-out! You’re the Mash-Up Queen.”
I took this information (and newfound title) and sat with it for a minute.
I never set out with the intention to create “genre mash-up books.”
My ideas come to me much more organically (and sometimes in my SLEEP!) but it’s interesting that my books can be perceived that way, just by me being true to myself.
Everyone writes in his or her own way, and that should be honored, but the way that I write goes a little something like this:
*Tell the stories you’re *compelled to tell*, the ones that will make you BURST if you don’t tell them.
*Tell your story like pure, uncensored YOU. Let your voice be heard, loud and clear, right through the page.
*Never talk down to your audience. They’re way smarter than anyone knows.
*Read your stories out loud, that’s what picture books are all about!
*Create a story that isn’t in the world yet, but SHOULD be. Longs to be!
*Don’t worry about genre labels like “mash-ups.” Worry about telling a great story that emotionally connects with those who read it, whatever age they might be.
*And (and this one I can’t stress enough) don’t ever let the way people label or categorize your work, stop you from doing something NEW.
For me, just when people think they know exactly what to expect from me, that my work is funny and punny and irreverent and smile-inducing…I will SURPRISE THEM ALL, and show them a side of myself they never saw coming.
People are dimensional. Honor ALL your dimensions.
*Be YOU, put YOU in your writing, and create a new genre, they’ll have to explain to YOU!
Now go, write, Writers!
Samantha Berger writes and writes and writes (she even wrote *this*).
She has written picture books like CRANKENSTEIN! illustrated by Dan Santat (Little, Brown, 2013), A CRANKENSTEIN VALENTINE (Little, Brown December, 2014), WITCH SPA illustrated by Isabel Roxas (Dial, August 2015), and SNOOZEFEST illustrated by Kristyna Litten (Dial, January 2015).
She also has written picture books like SANTA’S REINDEER GAMES illustrated by John Manders (Cartwheel, 2011),MARTHA DOESN’T SHARE, and MARTHA DOESN’T SAY SORRY illustrated by Bruce Whatley (Little, Brown 2010, 2009), which won a Parent’s Choice Award Honor.
She has written cartoons and promos for Nickelodeon and other networks. She has written comic books and commercials.
She has written movie trailers, theme songs, slogans, magazine articles, poems, TV-books, sticker books and professional books.
You name it, Sam writes it.
And when she ISN’T WRITING…. She’s doing voice-overs, traveling the world, and helping rescue dogs.
THEN…
she writes about that, too!
93 Responses
Samantha, thank you so much for your inspiring words. I especially like: “People are dimensional. Honor ALL your dimensions.”
By the way, I read CRANKENSTEIN! to my kindergarten class last year and they really enjoyed it! Lots of fun ways to use it in the classroom. I’ll have to look for A CRANKENSTEIN VALENTINE!
The Crankenstein books are hands-down favorites in our house. Thanks Samantha!
Fantastic advice. I especially liked this: Create a story that isn’t in the world yet, but SHOULD be. Longs to be!
I love Halloween books – can’t wait to see Boo La La Witch Spa!
LOVE this – so encouraging to me. And I ADORE Snoozefest! Thanks for sharing, and being here!
Best author photo EVER. And entirely good advice. Happy Halloween, Samantha!
Fun post! Maybe there were clues in Samantha’s childhood: possible peas and carrot medley mashed in with her potatoes?
Dear Julie,
That is a very funny comment!!
Thanks, Samantha! I love your photo and “mash-up” concepts you’ve used, even if you didn’t realize you were doing it. This post is full of bits of wisdom; thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks for the encouragement to let our voices be heard, Samantha! I love reading Snoozefest and Crankenstein with my kids. We will look for Witch Spa!
Great post, Samantha! Thank you for reminding us of the importance to write the story we are compelled to write and to “Be YOU, put YOU in your writing,” I especially liked your advice to “Create a story that isn’t in the world yet, but SHOULD be. Longs to be!”
LOVE your work, and I can’t wait to see what’s next! Thanks so much for the encouragement.
Thanks for being a 12×12 author. Loved, loved Snoozefest!! Thanks for the advice.
Love the witch pic! Thank you, Samantha, for sharing tips and your inspiration. I especially relate to “Let your voice be loud and clear, right through the page.” A forceful piece of advice to keep me moving forward with my mss.
The trailer is so fun. And your advice is fantastic. Thank you.
Thanks for the advice and for putting your stories out in the world. I’m glad Crankestein was one of those stories — that’s one my family can definitely relate to!
Samantha, Thanks so much for sharing your words of wisdom. Love the advice to “let your voice be heard, right through the page” & I very much look forward to reading Boo La La Witch Spa in this season of witches and pumpkins. Julie, perfect choice as we head into Halloween!
Great message at the right time. I’ve tried a lot of different approaches, and I’m just now beginning to understand what works best for me. Can’t wait to read Witch Spa. Thank you!
Just looking at Samantha’s picture makes me want to read her books!
Samantha, I adore SNOOZEFEST. It is one of my all time favorites. And your comment to “be YOU … and then they’ll have to explain YOU” really strikes home. Thank you for an wonderful and inspiring post.
I’ve thought about trying to write a “mash-up” and here you write them without even realizing you’re doing it! Thanks for the great post.
Thanks for the inspiration! I love the trailer for Snoozefest.
So much great wisdom here. Am invigorated now!
Great advice…glad to see I’m not the only one “bursting” to tell my stories!
Thanks for the advice. Encouraging and inspiring!
I LOVE A Crankenstein Valentine and featured it on Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday: http://jilannehoffmann.com/2015/06/12/a-crankenstein-valentine-perfect-picture-book-friday/
Great advice on following your own call, rather than chasing someone else’s. Cheers!
Awesome post! I love your books!
Love this post! Thank you!
“Tell the stories you’re *compelled to tell*, the ones that will make you BURST if you don’t tell them.”
I LOVE THIS QUOTE!!! It’s why I always carry some journal or device to be able to write things down when they strike me 🙂
I just read “Boo-La-La Witch Spa” the other morning. A great mash-up picture book indeed!
Appreciated the advice to be ourselves as writers.
So, Samantha, what you’re saying is we should write? Write our stories? 😉 I love the idea of being true to our selves — all our selves — and to write what we must. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Samantha, for sharing your ideas. Your house must be so much fun!
I love that: honor all your dimensions. I’ll do that!
Dear Samantha,
Thank you for a fun, entertaining and inspiring post. I think it encourages people like me who just don’t always feel comfortable in the more “zany zone” but want to play and experiment with it. I am eager to check your books out at our local library to read.
Love this inspiring post!
I thought the post was terrific–then I got to the last line, she rescues dogs, and have fallen head over heels in love. Thanks for sharing, Samantha & Julie.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this! Thanks so much for sharing. I hadn’t heard of your books before but they sound so funny and original. I can’t wait to grab my copy 🙂
Samantha,
I have read your “Martha” books and “Crankenstein”, and will be looking for the witch books and snoozefest.
What fun writing you do and you truly enjoy it. I am taking your last few ideas and printing them for the kick in the pants I need to get going. Thank you.
Your head shot reminds me of WICKED! I love the unique twists of your books. I also love your advice. Do what you love then write about it. Lovely start to October even though I didn’t get a chance to read your post until the 19th.
This post is a testament to BEING creative with every ounce of one’s being. Loved the photo and playfulness of these inspirational words on writing! Thanks for sharing.
I love this: “Be YOU, put YOU in your writing, and create a new genre, they’ll have to explain to YOU!” A very inspirational post.
Just when i thought there’d was nothing left to say about Haloween! But there are great all year long.
Love Crankenstein, and will now absolutely check out the rest of these. Thanks for the incredible pep talk, Samantha!
I love these books! Perfect for Halloween, but also good all year long. I think kids would love them any time.
You’re absolutely right!~ We have to write the story–whatever that is. Mine don’t often fit neatly into a specific genre. I don’t let that bother me. If someone (publisher/agent) likes it–they’ll tell me what I need to do to “fit” where they think it should go. But, the story is THE STORY. That’s what counts.
Excellent post, Samantha! So full of energy, inspiration and fun — now THAT’S a great mashup!
So perfect for today…and everyday. Thank you for your sharing your creative energy with us.
Great post – thanks!
Wonderful advice, Samantha…and I love your book titles…so much fun!!! Congratulations on all of your success…you are the perfect person to give us tips. 😉
Love this encouragement to write our stories and to experiment with different kinds of stories!
I love how you created your own genre just being who you are as a writer. I hope to be that brave as I write, too. Thank you, Samantha.
Wonderful post, Samantha! And glad to see that ideas also come to other writers in their sleep! 🙂
BIG fan of your books, but you knew that 🙂 Boo La La to you!! Happy Halloween!
Love your amazing books!
I wonder how many writers fall into a category like “mash up themes” accidentally. Great advice!
Lots of great advice. And inspirational too. Thanks for sharing.
I absolutely love the witch look! Gonna have find those books at my library!
What a great post! I just have to be me! Thank you for the inspiration!
I love your books and your post. Thank you.
I just finished a two week writing unit for my third graders using Crankenstein. They were so inspired!
What a great post! Authentic writing. Be who we are in our books. Write about things that are meaningful and unique. Great advice. I can’t wait to read your books.
Such a great post! I love your message to “write the book that isn’t in the world yet but should be.” And I love the books you’ve brought to the world!
Thanks for sharing your excellent advice and enthusiasm for writing. Love the fun photo too!
Great post! I’m looking forward to reading your books 🙂
Very inspiring post– Thank you Samantha! Awesome photo too.
Thank you very much for your blog post. It was the inspiration I needed to start the week.
Thank you for your inspiring post and advice!
Thank you for the great advice!
Hi Samantha – great photo, btw! Thank you for your encouragement and advice. I loved Snoozefest!
Thanks so much for your fun post! Love your author photos!
Thanks for an inspiring post. You’re absolutely right – if you’re not true to yourself, it shows in your writing. And it’s not nearly as much fun!
Great advice thanks for sharing!
I really feel as though the story I wrote this month fills all of the criteria on the list.
So well timed for me. I love that I can create a new genre! Fantastic work AND inspirational advice.
Samantha, Thank you for the inspiration and encouragement. I love your fun writing style, and adorable author photo. 🙂
Samantha, Great advice and a GREAT author photo, too!
“Create a story that isn’t in the world yet, but should be!” has got to me my favorite among your pieces of advice. That’s the kind of spirit behind resubmitting a story you know should be told, over and over, until just the right partner is found to help get it out into the world!
Inspiring post, Samantha!
Samantha, I have been taking your advice and honoring all my dimensions.. I am writing 12 PB drafts and have joined PiBoIdMo for the second year. I am also trying my hand at writing a novel with NaNoWriMo. Plus making two quilts and 3 blankets for Christmas. I look forward to reading your books to my grandsons. I will add buying your books to my list of things to do. : )
I had so much fun reading this post. Samantha’s books are a hit in my school library!
Fabulous post on being true to your own writing! Thank you!
Such a straight forward and honest post. I love when I read something that highly successful people write and feel like they are just a regular person like me! It makes me feel like I can do this too!
My favorite: “Tell the stories you’re *compelled to tell*, the ones that will make you BURST if you don’t tell them.”
Yes.
Thanks for the advice and for being a rescuer of dogs!
What fun! You got my imagination running and it won’t stop 🙂
Thanks for the advice and being a rescuer of dogs!
I think Crankenstein is brilliant! I look at it all the time and wonder, why didn’t I think of that?
Great post and great advice. Thank you.
Great post! Thank you?
Great post, Samantha! Love the mash-up advice. Everyone in our house loves Crankenstein!
Thanks for your inspiration!
I love the idea of mash-up themes! The possibilities are endless!
Spooky good comments!
“Honor ALL your dimensions”…great advice, that I see you are indeed living. Thanks for the encouragement.
Love the commitment to total creativity. You personally enter into the world you create. Thanks for the inspiration.