Karen Vermeulen is the author of the new graphic memoir Good Luck to Us All. An artist, illustrator, and teacher, she lives in Cape Town, South Africa.
Q: What inspired you to create Good Luck to Us All?
A: I'm an overthinker and an oversharer. I just have a compulsion to turn my
life experiences into an entertaining story or cartoon. And it makes me happy
when my bad decisions can bring entertainment to others and make them feel seen
and better about themselves.
When I was travelling in 2016, I challenged myself to draw a daily cartoon and
post it on Instagram.
They were little slices of my backpacking experiences and observations, and Jessica from Catalyst Press loved them and asked me if I wanted to pitch a book idea and turn my little cartoons and captions into a graphic memoir of sorts.
I loved the idea; I mean, I already have all these thoughts
and ideas. And it's been a dream of mine to be a writer and illustrator, so I
couldn't pass up the opportunity.
Q: Did you work on the text first or the illustrations first--or both
simultaneously?
A: Kind of simultaneously. Sometimes, the illustration ideas come first, and
other times, the writing. I'll do a rough draft and jot down the ideas for the
illustrations where they would live in the text. Then, I'll do a version with
rough illustrations included.
After that, it's back and forth between refining copy and illustrations. And if left to my own devices, I would just keep editing and refining illustrations till the end of time. I need editors and deadlines to get me to let go and hand over the book.
And then I just quietly panic about mistakes and all the
things that can go wrong. I'm both chaotic and a perfectionist, and that is not
a fun combo. I drive myself insane.
Q: Your cat is a major character in the book--how would you describe your
relationship with him?
A: Don't get me started on talking about my cat! I adore him; he is my child,
my soulmate; we are basically the same person at this point!
We spend practically every minute of every day together. And when I've been
through some dark times, he was a little floofy goofball who made me laugh and
pulled me through.
The last few years have been rough, and I've really struggled with my mental
health at times. If it weren't for Henry, I don't know if I'd still be here.
I just couldn't think of anyone who would give him the
child-free, pet-free, over-the-top adoration, cater to his every whim, constant
attention, pampered and spoilt lifestyle he has grown accustomed to with me.
And he loves me, too. So, I felt that I had to be here for him, even when I
didn't want to be here for me.
Non-cat people think cats are so aloof and don't care about humans, but this is
not true. Henry loves being held; he comes and looks for me when I'm out of his
line of sight, and when he is purring on my lap, he looks up at me with these
dewy eyes of love that totally melt my heart.
My cat taught me more about love than any human has ever done.
Q: What do you hope readers take away from the book?
A: I love the idea of women reading my book and feeling like it's OK to
struggle, to be imperfect, to go through messy, rough life stuff, and to become
a little unhinged—and that they are not alone.
I'm not one of those women who will make you feel bad about yourself. No “compare
and despair” here. You'll probably compare and feel like actually, you're doing
OK.
And, of course, to just have a laugh. I highly recommend using humour as a
coping mechanism.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: Next, I'm working on a wordless picture book for kids, “written” and
illustrated by me. The idea is there; I just have a lot of illustrations to do
now.
I also do project work and teach. So, I'm busy illustrating a kids’ picture
book and wrapping up some book cover designs. I have an online course all about
writing, illustrating, printing, and publishing kids’ picture books starting in
October. And then, of course, I need to get onto marketing my book!
Juggling all the freelance balls. And I can't juggle. So, I'm busy and
stressed!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: Well, I hope to do a lot more writing and illustrating for adults; I have a
few ideas floating around for my next book.
Getting this one out has been really hard! There has been a lot of self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and procrastination. But I think/hope the next one will be easier because at least it won't be my first time again.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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