Award winning author, Laurie Halse Anderson, is back and this time she is bringing a teenaged Wonder Woman to YA readers with the help of acclaimed artist, Leila del Duca. We recently got to ask Anderson about her inspirations, what superpower she would want, and what she is working on next (which sounds awesome and I’ve already got it pre-ordered!).
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed?
I’ve been a fan of Wonder Woman since I was 10 years old. She was the role model I desperately needed; a powerful woman dedicated to fighting for justice. Given the connections between the Amazons of Themyscira and the Mediterranean, I saw the opportunity to put teen-aged Princess Diana in the middle of both global and local travesties. Her compassion and strong sense of fairness is sorely needed in our world today.
What drew you to telling an origin story for Wonder Woman?
I was as enchanted by the idea of Themyscira as the notion of what Wonder Woman was like at age sixteen. Given that she was the first and only teenager on that magical island, I had a lot of material to work with. Leila del Duca’s stunning art perfectly reflects both Diana’s homeland and her new world in New York City.
What kind of research was involved with Wonder Woman’s origins and the real world crises brought up in the story?
I did a deep-dive into the conditions at refugee camps on the Mediterranean as well as child trafficking and gentrification in the United States.
How did writing a story for a graphic novel differ from your typical writing process?
I had to think visually and make sure that my pacing was as tight as possible. I wanted to use splash pages in exactly the right places, and I had to learn how to create scenes in which the action moved the story forward, instead of relying on just words.
Many of your stories, Tempest Tossed included, handle difficult topics. How do you decompress while writing these stories?
I take very long walks every morning. Sometimes, I take a second one after dinner. Getting outside helps clear my head and balance me.
Who are some people, real or fictional, that you find inspiring?
Maya Angelou, Ruth Ginsberg, and Professor Minerva McGonagall.
What are the little things in your life and the world in general that inspire you to write?
I am inspired by the courage of ordinary people confronted by extraordinary challenges. I look for the people who are strong enough to stand against the tide of injustice and inequity, whether it’s on a small-scale or something with global implications.
If you were a superhero, what would your powers be?
To make politicians work for the people who elected them instead of corporate donors.
Any future projects you are working on that you can tell us about? Maybe Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed 2??
Before I can think about TT2, I’m editing a fantastic anthology of real-life wonder women: Wonder Women of History. It will be published in December.
