An Author Interview with Kerilynn Wilson, Author of ‘The Faint of Heart’

Hello, all! ^^ I’ve been procrastinating today and really just avoiding writing in general… And one of my favorite ways to procrastinate is to write blog posts! 😀 (lol, kidding, kidding!! But also this is kind of true…) Ah yes, and updating my wallpaper/background on my laptop because it is now a new season and therefore, I need an autumn background! (One that currently looks a bit like this:)

😀

But anyway, today I am super excited for this post!! I found a fantastic young adult graphic novel recently, which I’ve re-read and re-read multiple times, and it is called The Faint of Heart by Kerilynn Wilson. It is such a good book, and so heartwarming, and the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, which is why I am so excited to have the author of The Faint of Heart, Kerilynn Wilson, with us here today to talk about how she got the idea for her book, her writing/illustration process, and also the ever so complicated process of selecting a title for one’s book! ^^

Hi Kerilynn! Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview!! To start us off, could you share a bit about what The Faint of Heart is about and how you got the idea for this book?

The Faint of Heart is about the last person to keep their heart, when removing it would remove pain… but joy as well. It’s about loving the people around you even when it hurts. There’s a bit of mystery, a bit of adventure… I had fun with it. I got the idea because I was practicing making comic pages and I did a drawing of a girl walking down an alley and opening a box and when I showed it to my brother I asked him what was in the box? And he said “Her fathers heart.” And then I took it from there.  

What was it that made you want to write a graphic novel? What’s your favorite part about writing graphic novels? What’s your least favorite part?

I love graphic novels. I didn’t really grow up with them, but when I discovered them as an adult I adored the medium. The blending of text and image as a singular way to communicate is wild. There are so many ways you can take it. It’s not just drawing what’s happening, it’s an experience. Plus, I love the physicality of books in general. I recommend distancing oneself from digital media as much as possible honestly. My favorite part of writing graphic novels is doing the illustrations. I’ve learned so much about writing in recent years but the illustrations will always be my favorite. My least favorite used to be editing… I tend to like moving forward and editing can be slog, but recently I’ve really learned to embrace it, it can be a lovely process.

I love the world of The Faint of Heart! I do think that a world full of people who’ve removed their hearts is a rather terrifying prospect – could you share a bit about how you got the idea for that and what your process of worldbuilding was?

My worldbuilding process was not particularly complicated at the time… I tried to ask myself questions and my agent asked questions as well. “If this, than that” kind of thing… right now I am leaning way into world building and it looks a little different a little more nitty gritty and less broad strokes. But it is still largely the same. You pull on a thread and keep pulling till something breaks.

I loved June’s character!! And I love that June is also an artist (and also the only person who kept her heart). How did you come up with her and how do you normally discover your characters’ personalities?

The Faint of Heart is the first book I’ve ever written! So how do I normally come up with characters’ personalities? I’m still finding that out I guess. June I had an idea of a vibe for her, mainly influenced by my drawings of her, and she didn’t really change dramatically. I wanted her to have a softness in a hard world, the kind of quiet courage it takes to remain calm and kind in the face of horror. In the graphic novel I am working on now, the process was similar, I did some drawings and I had an idea from those but I’ve been much bolder in making character changes recently.

How long did it take to write and illustrate The Faint of Heart? What’s your writing process usually like? Do you have any odd/quirky writing habits?

It took me about 2.5-3 years to write and illustrate the Faint of Heart. For my first graphic novel and also my 2nd (which I am currently working on) the process was similar, lots of drawings first, then script and drawings at the same time. It tends to be a TON of work and very messy. For my 3rd and 4th graphic novel which I am planning, the process will be very different. Lots of plotting and planning up front, and sketches later. As for quirky habits, I’m not sure… but I do have 2 sweet girls, 2 years old and 1 year old, so I don’t have a work studio. I work at the kitchen table or on my couch and I tend to work at 4am.

Haha, for some reason, 2 to 4 am appears to be one of the common times authors enjoy working at! I also really love the title of The Faint of Heart! How did you come up with it? Do you ever struggle with titling your projects?

Oh my goodness YES titles are very hard. My agent came up with this title. I had a different one originally that I’d had for a long time and when marketing suggested we change it for totally valid reasons I just couldn’t think of anything else, but I loved it when she suggested that title. I DID come up with the title for my 2nd graphic novel that I can’t reveal yet, but I am very proud that I came up with it HA!

Ooh, now I’m intrigued!! (And desperately want to know more about your 2nd graphic novel!) Do you have a secret pen name that no one knows anything about? (Which is the sneaky question I ask all writers I meet…)

Alas no I am pretty boring 🙂

And finally, what’s your advice for aspiring artists or graphic novelists who want to learn how to draw and find their own unique style?

Just do it! Which doesn’t seem super helpful, I know, but the vast majority of people, kids and adults, who tell me they want to make books or draw or whatever DON’T do it. They just like to talk about it. The joy you will get from simply doing it, the process, the learning, the growth, etc is in and of itself worth it. It is far better to have the book in your hands imperfect, than stuck in your head.

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A huge thank you to Kerilynn Wilson for agreeing to be interviewed on my blog!! ^^ And I definitely agree with you on your advice for aspiring artists and graphic novelists. This is the common writing advice I give as well. One must stop talking about doing something and actually go and do it! (And, dear reader, if you’ve been talking about writing a book but aren’t doing it, then this is your sign to go and do it!)

And a thank you to you, dear reader, for reading this interview! I hope you enjoyed hearing from Kerilynn and I also hope you’ll go check out her book! Her graphic novel, The Faint of Heart, is a fantastic YA book with absolutely gorgeous illustrations that everyone should go check out. (And yes, you as well!! *snatches a pen and adds it to your to-be-read list before shoving your TBR list back into your arms and ushering you to the nearest bookstore to get it*)

Till next time,

-Isabelle

About Kerilynn Wilson:

Kerilynn Wilson is the award winning author and illustrator of the graphic novel THE FAINT OF HEART, and the acclaimed picture book ONE FOGGY CHRISTMAS EVE. Her forthcoming book A MONSTROUS BEDTIME releases August 2025. She lives in Oregon City, Oregon, but her mind tends to wander to made up places in her head filled with flying jellyfish and birds that eat the stars.

When she is not drawing she enjoys making bagels, crafting paper insect sculptures, and going on walks in the park with her two daughters and husband.