Six Questions with Joyce P. Uglow

Joyce P. Uglow writes lyrical picture books about nature, science, and our planet. Retired from a career in education, she is the author of Stuck! The Story of the La Brea Tar Pits (Bushel & Peck Books) and poetry in several anthologies (Pomelo Books, Hey Hey Books, The Dirigible Balloon, Northern Loon Press). Joyce loves family gatherings, gardening, nature, and traveling with her husband, Larry. She serves as SCBWI Wisconsin Assistant Regional Advisor. She is unwaveringly committed to sparking kids’ curiosity. Visit Joyce’s  website to learn more.

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1. What three things bring you joy?

I love my quiet morning writing time. Sometimes I write in my greenhouse amongst my sprouts, other times in a living room comfy chair. Whenever I can, I enjoy precious time with my grandchildren - building creations, joining them in a pool, talking with them on the phone, watching them fish, and cheering from the sidelines when they play ball. I totally get into learning from researchers, experiences out and about in nature, and from reading. My fabulous husband, family, critique partners, time in my greenhouse and gardens, and traveling bring me joy and lift me up.

2. Did you have a favorite teacher when you were a child? What made them so special?

My fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Jaske, sparked my love of creative writing. Each week, she'd turn on an audio program called Let's Write, sit at her desk to write, and we sat at ours to ink our thinking. Now, mind you, she provided no lessons on writing; it was simply time to write. Later as a classroom and special needs teacher, I followed part of Mrs. Jaske's model by writing alongside my students. However, I used mentor text, taught the writing process, AND gave my students time and space to create. My Let’s Write themed author visits are because of Mrs. Jaske. 

3. Do you ever get stuck creatively? If so, how do you get unstuck?

Our son Jeremy Uglow is an artist who paints, draws, builds, and creates exceptionally beautiful handmade books. I am fortunate to have a wonderful collection of his creative endeavors. Whenever I get stuck, I look to nature, science, family, and outdoor experiences. Jotting research notes, ideas, and rough drafts on the pages of a blank book by Jeremy is a perfect way to bring on my creativity. Writing Stuck! The Story of the La Brea Tar Pits showed me that fossil records are not stuck, they tell stories. I believe we are never stuck when we soak up what others share.

4. How was the editorial process for Stuck! The Story of the La Brea Tar Pits? Did you do any revisions? Did you have a lot of collaboration with the illustrator?

Working with the amazing team at Bushel & Peck Books is a dream come true. Editor Ryan G. Van Cleave’s thought-provoking questions, insights, and suggestions simultaneously sharpened and softened the text. I was thrilled when David Miles, B&P Books art director, asked me to look at the preliminary artwork by the uber talented Valerya Milovanova. As a part of the vetting process for scientific accuracy of Stuck!, I spoke with two scientists at the La Brea Tar Pits. After discussing the text and artwork, I provided a handful of changes to David, who in turn passed them to Valerya. I was also given opportunities to look for scientific accuracy in the final art. Valerya’s greens, blues, browns, and blacks illustrations are gorgeous. 

5. Where did you get the idea for this new book? What was your inspiration?

Two words. Smilodon fatalis. In 2018, I stood staring at a display of Smilodon (Saber-toothed cat) at the La Brea Tar Pits. I learned that more than 2000 individual Saber-toothed cats have been recovered from the asphalt deposits. I knew right then that I needed to know more and wanted to write the story of Smilodon’s ancient ecosystem. Along the way, I learned that after the dire wolves, Smilodon is the second most commonly preserved megafauna at the La Brea Tar Pits.  

6. If you could tell readers one secret about this book, what would it be?

The Tar Pits are not tar. They're formed by asphalt seeping its way to the surface. An entire ecosystem –from ancient camels to dragonflies and pollen–was captured in the asphalt over 50,000 years. The 3.5 million + fossils reveal climate change, how it impacted what the animals ate, what their environment looked like, and what made them sicken or die. I could go on and on about the incredible science, which is no longer Stuck underground. The La Brea Tar Pits is one of the world’s First 100 IUGS (Geological Heritage Sites; it’s the only one of its kind.