I wrote and illustrated it for fourteen years, and I barely recognize the writing and art in its early days! This was most evident, though, when I used to work on a daily comic strip, The Pajama Diaries. Practice makes perfect…or at least it changes the style until it becomes what it’s really meant to be (that’s how I look at it).

Your talent is evident and obvious but I wonder whether your style has changed or evolved over the years?.

I try to make a list of their traits, hobbies, background, and quirks. So it’s often a struggle as I begin writing for them.

For main characters whose personalities hadn’t previously been developed, I had to start from scratch (like Jaime and Maya, who had only been known as talkative “Gossip Girls”. Kids often write to me, asking “who’s next?”. It keeps my writing fresh and challenging, and I think it holds readers’ interest. I love rotating characters within the Lakefront Middle School universe. She was already well-developed and the perfect protagonist for a story about being thrown into the spotlight – something I do again later in BECOMING BRIANNA (poor Bri). Brianna, Emmie’s best friend, was a great choice. After INVISIBLE EMMIE, I thought Emmie’s story was done…at least for the time being (although I brought her back for TRULY TYLER). This wasn’t planned until I wrote my second book (POSITIVELY IZZY). Each of the books is told from a different character’s perspective- was this planned as a series to cover each character or did it develop over time? Are there challenges with a series of books using the same characters but featuring a new voice?.As a shy kid, Emmie is more inclined to be hunched over and turn inward, whereas a more outgoing character like Jaime may strut with confidence. Whereas Bri is more sarcastic and reactionary, so a more aggressive response may be her go-to. For example, Emmie is more people-pleasing and timid, so her reaction to a situation wouldn’t be aggressive (unless pushed too far, of course!). I can usually tell if a character does something not “on brand” just by gut feeling. I just keep in mind the character’s general likes, dislikes, and overall personality. How do you ensure the character’s voice comes through the illustrations and story? In a previous interview, you mentioned using “voice” when cartooning.Erin Hamilton was recently offered the opportunity to ask Terri a few questions about her characters! Tyler, Brianna, Jaime, Izzy and Emmie are all characters in Terri Libenson’s graphic novels, published in the UK by HarperCollins.

Terri libenson becoming brianna