Today, bookpleasures.comis excited to feature Elise Marie Dubois, a  creator whose workappeals to fans of children's literature, followers of her  acting,and those interested in fantasy stories. 

You may know her voice  fromanimated shows like Nickelodeon's Lego City Adventures and DreamWorks, Puss in Boots, or perhaps you've seen her comedictalent on  stage at Second City and UCB. 

Now, this acclaimed actor,comedian, and writer is venturing into an  exciting new realmwith her captivating debut picture book for young  readers,Everly Book One: The Familiar. 

This shift can inspire admiration  andcuriosity about her creative journey. 

So, how does a careerbuilt on sketch comedy and blockbuster animation  translate intocrafting a heartfelt fantasy adventure filled with ancient magic, and animal companions? 

Join us as we explore the magic behindthe  pages and learn how a master of comedy created a world offantasy in our  exclusive interview with the remarkably talentedElise Marie Dubois. 

Norm: Good day, Elise, andthanks for taking part in our interview. 

This is your first work offiction for kids. After a successful career in acting  andcomedy, what was the specific spark or idea behind Everly's worldthat  made you say, "This is the story I need to write, andI need to write it now"?  

Could you share a particularmoment or inspiration that sparked the story? 

Elise: I started creatingkids content for my YouTube channel Elise’s Toy  Time, a fewyears ago. 

One week I would perform a silly song, the next  weekI would teach sign language with my deaf dog Dory, and the week  after a brand new shortstory I would create with illustrations I painted.  

Everly wasone of those quick stories I performed and I loved her so much I felt compelled to flush out her story more.  

Norm: Your background isin sketch comedy at places like Second City and  UCB. How muchof your characters were developed through improvisation,  anddid you ever "workshop" their voice or personality as ifthey were a  character in a sketch? 

Elise: As a sketchcomedian I always begin with a character as I write. I  need toput myself in their shoes and build a whole world so they’re  believable to theaudience.

If is a lot of fun to put on Everly’s pointy shoes  anddive into her world! 

Norm: As someone with anextensive background in animation, which is a  highly visualmedium, how much did that experience influence your  descriptionsand your direction for the book's art? 

Were there specific  scenes,where you had an evident animated-like vision in your mind? 

Elise: I love animationbecause it very much follows the rule of comedy:  show don’ttell. I decided to try my hand at a graphic picture book because  itallowed me to show the jokes as I wrote the story. 

One specificexample  is when Everly is asking the sloth a question. I zoomedin on her face and  the sloth’s face more and more to show howlong the sloth takes to make a  one word answer.  

Norm: Is there onespecific image in the book that you feel most powerfully encapsulates the heart of Everly's journey so far? If so, whichone is it, and  why does it resonate so strongly with you? 

Elise: At the end of thestory Everly and Octi are flying back to school on  her talkingbroomstick. Everly succeeded in her first task and the illustration shows that now it’s on to the next adventure with her newbest friend by her  side.  

Norm: You co-created TheReal Housewives of Shakespeare, a brilliant  comedic concept foran older audience. What was the most challenging— or rewarding—partof shifting your writing voice to create a fantasy world  foryoung readers in Everly?

 How did your previous work influence your approach to world-building? 

Elise: I’ve worked a lotwith kids over the years. I’ve volunteered with an  amazinggroup called Young Story Tellers. They have voice actors come to kids schools and act out scripts the kids have spent weeksworking on. 

I  also performed with Story Town an improv showthat would create a whole  new fairytale based on the kid’ssuggestions. I love making kids laugh. My  Everly stories are acontinuation of that aspect of my creative life.  

Norm: Having worked withinhuge established universes like the LEGO  franchise (Lego CityAdventures, The Lego Movie II), what was the most liberating aspect ofbuilding your own magical world and its rules from  scratch forEverly's story? 

Elise: Having worked overthe years with such comedic power houses it’s  always an honorto be part of someone’s vision and to help create  charactersin their world. As an improviser I love being part of a team. 

However, it was a blast to try my hand at being the solecreator and  bringing not just a few, but all the characters tolife.  

Norm: As both an actor anda writer, do you find yourself 'performing' the  dialogue as youwrite it? 

Was there a particular scene in Everly where you  couldvividly hear the characters' voices, and it felt like you werewriting a  script for one of your animated shows? 

Elise: That was thecoolest thing about creating a graphic picture book. I  feltlike I was writing a storyboard for a new animated show. I know how every character would sound.  

Norm: Your series, TheReal Housewives of Shakespeare, plays with  classic literaryfigures in a modern way. In Everly, you use some classic  fantasytropes (the chosen one, the animal companion). 

Did your work modernizing Shakespeare inspire you to put your own unique spinon these  beloved fantasy elements? 

Elise: For me comedy istaking a person’s expectations and completely  changing theanswer. 

Whether it’s giving Lady MacBeth a cleaning supply company, creating a comedy musical about the Salem Witch trialswhere  the girls are being punished for wanting to learn scienceand math or a  gorilla and cell phone falling in love.

 I lovewriting about strong funny  females that think outside the box. 

Norm: Performing livecomedy at UCB provides instant audience feedback.  Publishing abook is a much different process. 

How has the transition been  fromthe immediate gratification of a laugh to the more delayed, personal feedback you get from readers? 

Elise: It’s rewarding ina completely different way, but just as special. It’s  alwaysthrilling to hear audiences laughing at what you’re doing. 

But it’sjust as amazing to get a notefrom a mother saying her child loves my book and  can’t stopre-reading it.  

Norm: Where can ourreaders find out more about you and Everly Book  One: TheFamiliar? 

Elise: Everly is on saleat Amazon! I’m currently working on Everly Book  Two: ThePotion.  

Norm: Everly's greatestchallenge is believing in herself when she feels  overshadowedby others. As a performer in a competitive field, is that a  themethat personally resonates with you, and was it essential for you to explore that for a young audience? 

Elise: I think everyartist struggles with self-doubt. There will be a lot of  struggles,but keep persevering. The important thing is to keep believing in yourself.  

Norm: As we end ourinterview, given your multifaceted career as an actor,  writer,and creator, do you envision Everly's world expanding beyond  books?

Could you see it becoming the kind of animated series you've  workedon for networks like DreamWorks or Warner Bros.? 

Elise: I truly hope so! Asan actor I would love to bring these characters to  life! As awriter I’m so happy she’s already making kids laugh all aroundthe  world. 

Norm: Thanks once again and good luck with all of your endeavors