I have a couple of manuscripts that are now in double-digit revisions that I’m still not satisfied with. Not all of my stories travel that same path, though. All told, it was a fairly smooth writing and revising process. After their feedback, I did a little more fine-tuning. Then I fine-tuned the story over the course of a month or so before I took it to my critique group. But when I saw Dan’s art, I thought, “Aha! That’s it exactly!”īianca: How long did it take you to complete writing The Pout-Pout Fish?ĭebbie: I completed the first draft of The Pout-Pout Fish within about a week. Fish looked like when I was writing the story. I’m not a visual person, so I really didn’t have an idea of what Mr. His art is delightful, and he created a lively vibrant world for Mr.

And sharing the book with kids – that’s absolutely the best!īianca: How did you get paired with illustrator, Dan Hanna?ĭebbie: My editor at Farrar, Straus & Giroux selected Dan, and I couldn’t be happier. Fish is a good reminder to me about the importance of attitude, and of the significance that a small gesture of kindness can make in the life of another.īianca: Is The Pout-Pout Fish your first published book?ĭebbie: It is, and I’m still pinching myself! Having a book in print is a truly wonderful experience. I think we’ve all encountered a Pout-Pout Fish or two in our travels and we’ve all had moments of being sure that our mood and outlook are determined by forces beyond our control. Fish isn’t modeled after any particular person, but I do think he’s a bit of a familiar type. Fish modeled on anyone in particular?ĭebbie: Mr. I started writing The Pout-Pout Fish that same day.īianca: Is Mr. He smiled and then pouted right back, and as we pouted back and forth, it struck me that the two of us looked like fish. I was trying to tease him out of his grumpy mood, so I made an exaggerated pouty face. And wait until you read the description of her next book to be published, it sounds hilarious – but you’ll have to read the interview to find out more …īianca: The Pout-Pout Fish is such a fun book, what was the inspiration behind it?ĭebbie: The story grew out of an actual pout! My elder son, who was about four at the time, was having a grouchy afternoon.

Recently, I posted a book review of The Pout-Pout Fish, by Deborah Diesen, and now here comes the fun part … an exclusive interview with the lovely author.

The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen