Writer Spotlight: Loryn Brantz
Loryn Brantz is the creator of the best-selling board book series Feminist Baby, The Good Advice Cupcake, Jellybean Comics, and Blanket: Journey to Extreme Coziness, as well as being a two-time Emmy winner. She is currently a Creative Director at BuzzFeed, where her work has been as silly as Disney princesses with realistic hair and as serious as mental health advocacy. Loryn lives in New York City with her husband, architect Jake J Brotter, and (non-architect) baby Dalia. She is trying her best.
What was the inspiration for Blanket: Journey to Extreme Coziness?
This book was actually inspired by a comic I made a few years ago, which was formerly inspired by a real-life occurrence! It took a while to translate it to a children’s book, though.
How did you begin writing children’s literature?
I’ve been writing stories and drawing pictures for as long as I can remember—so it was just a natural progression as I got older. I initially went to school for traditional animation, but I missed being able to have a hand in every part of the process: story, character, colors, etc. So I started taking any book illustration job I could get while pitching my own ideas.
You’ve got a unique art style—what tools do you use to create your illustrations?
It depends on the project, but for BLANKET, I used photoshop, photographs, and various textures to create a more collaged hand-done look. But more often than not, I just use a photoshop brush on the ol’ Cintiq.
You’ve written for television, the internet, and have authored books—how does the writing process vary for these different forms?
The ideation process is surprisingly similar. The main difference, I think, is formatting and production—whether it’s printed on paper or you press a “publish” button, and it rockets into the internet-sparkle-space. For everything I do, I’m always thinking: “What do I wish I could see in this medium,” and “What would benefit people the most in this medium.”
What parts of yourself have you put into your characters?
Oo, this is a funny question! See below:
Jellybean Comics: My general human feelings—being tired, trying your best, being in love, insecurities, just trying to get through it all.
The Good Advice Cupcake: The feeling of being underestimated for acting “cute” or feminine but knowing I can f*ck shit up when I need to. Also, aggressive optimism (which comes and goes for me but is stable for Cuppy).
Feminist Baby: We both don’t like being told what to do!
Blanket: Loving to get COZY.
How do you practice self-care?
Unfortunately, I have been having trouble finding time to care for myself lately—between the pandemic, parenting, my kid’s special needs therapies, full-time job, and freelance jobs 🙃—but I do try to do this thing I call the “15 Minute Flail,” daily. I put on some music and set a timer to flail about for 15 minutes. It’s shocking how much better I feel during the day with just a little bit of moving around. I jump in place, punch the air, kick, do crunches, etc.—and then I always lay down and just focus on breathing for the last minute. Highly recommend it!
Do you have any advice for writers and illustrators on Tumblr?
Create the work you want to see in the world! Also, I always have to remind myself that with art, often the best part of the process is creating it! So don’t worry about the outcome as much—just try to be present while you’re making cool shit.
Thanks, Loryn! Blanket: Journey to Extreme Coziness is available now at booksellers everywhere. You can follow Loryn on Tumblr at @loryn-brantz-illustration. Her website is https://www.lorynbrantz.com/.
