Six Questions with Rachel Michelle Wilson

Rachel Michelle Wilson is a children’s book author-illustrator with a sweet tooth and a dash of sass. Her debut picture book How to Pee Your Pants: The Right Way — out October 15 with Macmillan — received Kirkus and Publishers Weekly starred reviews. Her short story was included in The Haunted States of America, a middle grade anthology by SCBWI and Henry Holt. When Rachel is not making books, you can find her puzzling over a logic problem, hosting a living room dance party, or paddle boarding near her home in Washington with her husband and dog. 

You can connect with her on her website, newsletter, or instagram. 

1. When did you first realize you wanted to write for young readers?

As a kid, I loved making art, books, crafts, and funny videos. But as I got older, I started feeling nervous to make and share art. The results seemed more important than the process, perfectionism took over, and I pretty much stopped making stuff outside of class assignments. Once I graduated from college, no one gave me assignments anymore, and I found myself missing my creativity. 

I was lost for years until, when helping my mom clear out her garage, I stumbled upon a box of picture books I had collected from when I was a baby until when I left for college. Finally I realized 1) somebody made these and 2) I wanted to make these! I’ve been making them ever since. 

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

As I hinted at in the previous question, I DO get stuck. But I’ve learned ways to trick myself into doing the work. Here are just a few:

1. I get specific about what’s blocking me. Is it fear, self doubt, stress, perfectionism, etc.? The more specific I get, the better the tricks I can come up with to get back into the work. 

2. Set a timer. 10 minutes is just bite size enough for me to face the blank page. 

3. Find a mantra. Mine are “Follow the fun” and “Make a mess.” I surround myself with them. 

I actually teach a workshop for individuals and groups on this very topic to help them understand and navigate their own blocks (see my website). 

3. If you could tell readers one secret about How to Pee Your Pants: The Right Way, what would it be?

When I was in first grade, I was scared to use the bathroom at lunch, so I’d hold it. Usually I was an expert at it, but one day, I was standing in a circle of girls and the dam broke. I remember saying the words, “Uh oh!” and the horror on everyone’s face -- they had a front row seat to the show after all. 

I snuck out to call my mom and, before I could sit down to wait for her to bring me pants, the office lady said, “Stop!” I stood there in shame as she grabbed a giant roll of bubble wrap and wrapped the chair. “Okay, now you can sit,” she said. 

I turned that embarrassing moment into the book I wish I had when I peed my pants. 

4. Was this always the title for this project? If not, what other titles did you consider and how did you land on this one?

I usually struggle with titles but How to Pee Your Pants: The Right Way came to me right away. I knew it was the one for two reasons: 

1) It made me laugh out loud. Almost always my No. 1 priority. 

2) Shame and embarrassment are often tied to should. “I should have handled it better.” Like there is only one right answer. I wanted to lean into that feeling, because it is a bit absurd, a bit sad – the perfect place for comedy. 

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

I couldn’t talk about my embarrassing moment for YEARS. But in middle school while I was at a sleepover, a friend of mine peed her pants from laughing so hard. Suddenly all of us were sharing our most embarrassing moments, and the shame melted away. There is nothing like sharing personal stories with others and feeling completely accepted and understood. 

I made this book to offer a space for readers to feel like they are laughing with a friend through it all. We can’t really take the embarrassment away. And there is no one right way to handle it. All we can do is be there for each other when we’re in it. That’s why it was really important to me that the final spread is of them together with their wet spots still there. 

6. What are you working on? What’s next for you?

I recently finalized the art for my second picture book To Catch a Ghost (out summer 2025 with Scholastic) which is about a girl who has nothing to bring to Show & Tell and decides to catch a ghost. The only problem is that, in the process, she gets to know the ghost and has to ultimately decide whether or not to trap a friend. I’m very excited about it. 

Now I’m working on revising my third picture book (not yet announced but I’ll keep you posted).