Q&A with Rex Ogle

  

Photo by Dustin Wooten

 

Rex Ogle is the author of the new middle grade graphic novel Fruitcake. It's the third in his memoir series that also includes Four Eyes and Pizza Face. He lives in Los Angeles.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Fruitcake, the latest book in your graphic memoir series?

 

A: First loves are hard, but unrequited queer love is even harder. Though my story took place in the ‘90s, the experiences are timeless and the feelings are universal.

 

I hope Fruitcake will help young readers navigate their own complex feelings. When we’re young teens, there is so much going on in our heads and in our hearts, and it can be extremely complicated to navigate.

 

I believe it’s good to show kids that difficult emotions are possible to overcome. Not only can you survive after devastation, you can also thrive. 

 

Q: How was the novel’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?

 

A: When I was a kid, I got called LOTS of names. It was painful at the time. But now, as an adult with a few decades to reflect, I wanted to reclaim those hurtful names. First with Four Eyes, then Pizza Face, and now with Fruitcake.

 

When I was a boy, my mom’s boyfriend (who would eventually become a father figure for 12 years) called me a fruitcake. He didn’t say it with any hate; he was simply calling it out. When I was a teen and understood the implications of that word, I was hurt. But now, I kind of love it. Heck, I may or may not even have a tattoo of it. 

 

Q: What do you think Dave Valeza’s illustrations add to the story?

 

A: Dave Valeza is a natural born artistic genius. I sent him reference pics from my childhood, and when I first saw the sketches, I was completely blown away.

 

He captures all kinds of emotions in even the most basic moments: a character leaning against a school locker, or  another eating at a lunch table by themselves. Honestly, without Dave, this book wouldn’t be the same. I am eternally grateful to have him as my creative partner.

 

Q: What impact did it have on you to write this book, and what do you hope readers take away from it?

 

A: Writing memoirs is interesting. It’s especially painful at first, diving back into childhood trauma, but so many of today’s youth experience similar heartaches, and I hope they see that if I can survive the agonies of hormonal teenage feelings, so can they. There is always hope, and I try to make that a theme in all my middle-grade stories.

 

Q: What are you working on now? Will there be a fourth volume in the series?

 

A: Currently, I have a few projects coming up that I’m super excited about. The one I’m looking forward to most is a middle-grade graphic novel horror series with Scholastic/Graphix.

 

It won’t be out for a few years, but when it does release, I hope a lot of kids get nightmares. Haha! I mean that in the most loving way possible. After all, as a kid, I loved getting scared with movies and haunted houses.

 

As for a fourth volume in the series, I’m working on something. . .

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Middle-grade graphic novels are flooding the market, and I couldn’t be more proud to be included on shelves with so many talented creators. It truly is a dream, one that I plan to chase for the rest of my life.

 

I want to provide kids with a library of stories that provide shortcuts to better living and finding joy. After all, books can be a great comfort in a time of need, and I can’t wait to make more.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Rex Ogle.