Pump Up Chats with NeonSeon, author of “Life of Shouty: Food and Fitness”

Creating Shouty Mack as a comic strip for a high school newspaper, NeonSeon developed Life of Shouty as a book series for children in 2010. NeonSeon grew up in Chicago’s Hyde Park community and currently resides in Atlanta. Honors include a Mom’s Choice Award for Life of Shouty: Good Habits.

For more information, visit www.SHOUTY.com.

On Life of Shouty: Food & Fitness

Q: Can you tell us why you wrote your book?

Life of Shouty: Food & Fitness is the second book in the Life of Shouty Series. One of the opening lines came to me and served as the basis of the book. I struggle with making healthy choices and I wanted to write a book about it.

Q: Which part of the book was the hardest to write?

In writing a children’s book about food and fitness, I was careful not to demonize or exalt any particular kind of food or exercise. I found I had to be very conscientious to do this.

Q: Does your book have an underlying message that readers should know about?

The underlying message is we all struggle with something, and like Shouty, we can overcome it.

Life of Shouty Food and Fitness On Writing

Q: Do you remember when the writing bug hit?

I’ve been writing since first grade, but it wasn’t my only outlet. I liked drawing and swimming, too.

Q: What’s the most frustrating thing about becoming a published author and what’s the most rewarding?

Seeing an idea come to life–there’s nothing better. The only frustration is it feels like there is not enough time in the day for me to do all the things I want to with Shouty. I keep trying, though.

Q: Do you have a writing tip you’d like to share?

Write it first, then critique it. I find if I critique along the way, less is accomplished.

On Family and Home:

Q: Would you like to tell us about your home life? Where you live? Family? Pets?

I love my home. I get a lot of light and my views are the treetops so it’s like living in a tree house.

Q: Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

The comfy spot on my living room couch.

Q: What do you do to get away from it all?

I go to the movies or take a trip.

On Childhood:

Q: Were you the kind of child who always had a book in her/his hand?

I loved books but I was more likely to have markers/crayons in my hand.

Q: Can you remember your favorite book?

I loved Liza Lou and the Yeller Belly Swamp by Mercer Mayer. I also liked the thrill of the Choose Your Own Adventure Series.

Q: Do you remember writing stories when you were a child?

Yes! I loved writing short stories.

On Book Promotion:

Q: What was the first thing you did as far as promoting your book?

I built the website shouty.com and started the facebook.com/shouty fan page.

Q: Are you familiar with the social networks and do you actively participate?

I’m slow to tweeting (@lifeofshouty) but we’re on facebook.com/shouty and youtube.com/shouty.

Q: How do you think book promotion has changed over the years?

That we have a “virtual” option is a wonderful thing, and with social media there are many more opportunities to get the word out.

On Other Fun Stuff:

Q: If you had one wish, what would that be?

As the saying goes, hindsight is 20/20 so I would like to get some sage advice from an older version of myself.

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world other than where you are right now, where would that place be?

That’s a hard question. I’ve traveled a lot, so I’d say I’d explore somewhere new.

Q: Your book has just been awarded a Pulitzer. Who would you thank?

My dad, mom, brother and the folks along the way who have supported me and Shouty, and believed in what we were trying to accomplish.


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