Bridget Heos
Photo by Heidi Hartman Photography
Bridget Heos is the author of 13 young adult nonfiction books and the Expecting Animal Babies picture books. Prior to being a children’s book author, she wrote for several newspapers and magazines, including The Christian Science Monitor, The Kansas City Star, and Missouri Lawyers Weekly. Bridget lives in Kansas City with her husband and three sons.
Interview
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
I claimed it was The Giving Tree, but in fact it was The Stupids Die (by Harry Allard, Jr. and James Marshall). For nonfiction, my favorite was People by Peter Spier.
What’s your favorite line from a book?
“Why does the world need another painting of a woman alone in a room? Or a hundred more paintings?” “The world doesn’t know all that it needs yet,” Pieter said, “but there will come a time when another of your paintings of a woman by a window will provide something.” From Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland.
Who are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?
Stéphane Jorisch is my favorite illustrator. Though I have never gotten to talk to him, I hope people judge our book by his cover. Two of my favorite authors are Sarah Stewart (The Gardner) and Gennifer Choldenko (Al Capone Does My Shirts, Al Capone Shines my Shoes.) But their books always make me cry!
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?
I love writing. When I type, the music from Murder She Wrote plays in my head. I think if you hear music when you do something, that should be your career. Unless the music is terrible and you’re playing an instrument.
Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?
My advice for writing—or anything else—is not to mix up the beginning, middle, and end of your story. A good story doesn’t end when the hero gets rejected, feels sad, and is utterly broke. It ends when the hero triumphs! (Unless your life happens to be a tragedy. But no! Why would your life—out of everyone’s—be a tragedy? Your life is a comedy! Don’t give up! Never say die!)
