I used to rely on black-and-white, and while I was working on 'Smile,' I learned to adapt to color on my end.

I've always believed in working hard, and I'm grateful that people seem to connect with the kinds of stories I'm passionate about telling.

Color can do anything that black-and-white can.

Going to so many book events keeps me connected with my readership while constantly reminding me that all the long hours at the drawing desk are worthwhile.

When I was doing 'Smile,' I was looking back at pictures of myself and going, 'Thank goodness I couldn't do the sprayed-bangs thing! Everybody's so embarrassed by that hairstyle now, but I was never cool enough to pull it off!'

All of the narration in 'Smile' is first-person. Most of the books that I grew up reading had first-person narrators for some reason. My diaries were written in this voice, and since this story is autobiographical, it just felt like a natural extension.