An Interview with Robert LoDolce

The Adventures of Birdfrog is my second book, but my first graphic novel. I find that painting and drawing are very relaxing for me and often help me resolve temporary anxiety. It provides a release for me and reminds me that life will go on. Maybe, as an author, I hope that my books will live on, after me. My first book, The Praying Atheist, was a written book. I searched, for many years, for enlightenment. I questioned a lot and searched for reasons for why people think the way they do and react the way they do. The absurdity of life has always fascinated me and disturbed me. Philosophy has always been an interest. Even in this book of funny illustrations, there is a lot of philosophy behind the scenes! Art helps me create the settings and allows me to make fun of myself and our crazy world.

What inspired you to start writing this book?

I was doing a painting of Edgar Allen Poe, years ago, and when I did paintings of historical people, I would listen to an audio book about their life to get to know them better. I began reading Poe’s short stories and poetry and it inspired me to write. I have an unpublished book of poetry I wrote back then and drew illustrations to accompany each poem. From there, I expanded on writing and drawing.

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

The characters in this book were inspired by people I see in life, whether sitting at a mall or walking along the beach. I exaggerate the characters and, hopefully, make them comedic. The main character, Birdfrog, was really my alter-ego. I was making fun of myself and the crazy world I didn’t feel I fit into when I was younger. When doing a painting, or drawing, I, often-times, obsess over a character. Birdfrog is neither bird nor frog, so he feels like he’s in a world he doesn’t always understand or fit into, like many people today.

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

As I mentioned, when painting historical figures, I do a lot of research. I look up meanings of words, pictures of people, what kind of life they had, and all different facets about them. With this book, I was able to let my imagination run wild and there was no need for accuracy, so it was a lot of fun. No research was needed, but I do take pride in minute details, whether the ripple of a wave, or a character’s appearance, or the design in the setting, etc. There are many small details in this book that are not even noticeable the first time you look through it. When you revisit a page, you might discover a carving in a tree or something funny written within the drawing.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I’m old, so I’ve worked in many professions! I worked in aerospace design, a machine shop before that, for my town that I grew up in, and I’m also a musician and an artist. I enjoy playing jazz on my saxophone. I live on the water, so I feel very fortunate, and every day, I appreciate the natural beauty of the beach and the power of the water to stir my imagination.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

Like most of us, growing up, everyone tried to tell me what to do. Parents, teachers, siblings, friends, and our culture, all try to tell you the direction to take in life. One day, my nephew asked me what I wanted to do. That was the day I invented Birdfrog, the character in this book. His question made me stop and think, and I changed the direction of my art and writing completely.

Where is your favorite place to write?

I love to get up very early in the morning, around 5:00 a.m., before everyone else is up, and in the quiet stillness, I write or draw, so I guess my favorite place to write is at my dining room table with a cup of coffee in hand!

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

I hope this book makes people laugh and see how silly our world can be. With all the negativity that surrounds us today, we are always concerned with morals, politics, and controversial topics in our society. I hope Birdfrog adds some levity to people’s lives.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.