This month, The Writing Barn is thrilled to feature Austinite Misha Maynerick Blaise, author of This Phenomenal Life.
Don’t forget to join us at The Writing Barn on May 24th for Words & Wine, where Misha will be participating in a discussion panel about This Phenomenal Life, as well as signing copies of her book which will be sold at The Barn.
RSVP HERE
Austin Author Spotlight Interview with Misha Maynerick Blaise
AUTHOR’S LATEST BOOK(S)
Tell us a bit about your latest book.
My new book is called This Phenomenal Life, and it’s an illustrated collection of pop-science factoids about how we are always connected with the universe and all life on Earth. It’s basically the kind of book you can pick up anytime you need to connect with the greater picture in life.
Where did you get the idea for your latest book?
I am very concerned about the environmental crisis, as well as issues around human rights in general. I looked deeply into why I care about these issues, and the reason is because I feel deeply connected to the world around me and I know I am interconnected with all of humanity in some way. I wanted to make a book that could inspire that sense of interconnection in the reader, but without being didactic and saying, “hey, you should care about the world!” My book is really just an exploration of interconnection, and I think the reader can’t help but feel a renewed sense of awe in this complex universe of ours.
INSPIRATION
Where do you do your writing/illustrating? Do you have a specific process?
My book involved a LOT of research, most of which I did online. After I compiled all of my research and formed a manuscript, I started the very long process of illustrating a 144 page book. I do my art in our back guesthouse that doubles as my studio. My average day of art making involves drinking a strong cup of black tea and listening to music as I paint my way through the pages. After the art is finished, I scan it and finalize it in Photoshop.
Which books or authors have inspired you most?
One book that inspired me greatly in my genre is Radioactive by Lauren Redniss. It’s an illustrated story of Marie and Pierre Curie. This book was really instrumental in helping me find my path as an author, because I’ve always wanted to do both illustration and writing, but I didn’t want to be pigeonholed into the kids’ market.
ADVICE
Do you have any advice for budding authors?
I am a big believer in the hustle. You have to just hustle and keep trying whatever outlet you feel like your work can fit in with, even if it is small. The small connections can always lead somewhere bigger. I think the best advice though is to just keep making your best possible work, and sharing what you can with the world. Strong work has it’s own energy, and people will start to connect with it. They have to be able to find it, of course, which is why it’s important to hustle and find those venues where you can show your work.
We feature a post on our site called Rejecting Rejection, where authors discuss their reactions to past rejected works. How do you, as an author, deal with rejection?
I have been rejected so many times, and I think it is really just part of the process. Trying to promote a piece of art is kind of like dating, even if the art is really high quality, awesome, and intriguing, it doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for everyone. An editor or art dealer or whoever has to feel that je ne sais quoi, and really believe in your work. I think rejection is just the process of narrowing down and redirecting until you can connect with that person or market that really gets you. It definitely took me a while when I started making books, but I ended up with an agent and editor who are the best supportive team I could have, so it was worth the wait.
AUSTIN
How long have you lived in the Austin area?
I’ve lived in Austin about 7 years. My husband and I own a green building company, Equitable Green Group, that focuses on energy efficient residential building as well as green-jobs training. Austin has been an awesome town for me to thrive as an artist and for my husband to grow his company, so the city is a great fit for us.
Misha Maynerick Blaise is a Croatian American, born in Canada, and raised in the Colorado Rockies. She and her husband are the co-owners of a green building company, and co-creators of two sons. They now call Austin, Texas home.
Misha has always harbored a deep appreciation for the wonders of the universe, and is curious about the ways seemingly disparate elements interconnect. She believes that art can open doors of creativity and freedom in a world that can sometimes seem oppressively limited.
After completing a degree in Middle Eastern studies and working for years as a youth worker in Chicago, Misha started to carve her path as an artist. After a lot of rejection and a lot of hustle, she found her visual voice and has been able to collaborate with many outstanding brands.
Misha likes night swimming, music, researching stuff, and discussing life’s big questions over a strong cup of Persian tea. She is a member of the Baha’i Faith and also serves as the website designer of the Austin branch of the NAACP.