Today we’d like to introduce you to Raea Gragg.
Hi Raea, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Raea Gragg and I am a graphic novelist, author, and illustrator. I’ve been writing and drawing books for over ten years now and love creating new stories that have an impact. Surprisingly, my journey to becoming an author started with my hate for reading. Growing up, I struggled with two learning disabilities: dyslexia and convergence insufficiency, (fancy words for intense double vision and blurriness). These created the perfect recipe for me to become an avid reluctant reader. However, that changed when I made a discovery in middle school – comic books and graphic novels and for the first time in my life I was able to read a book, cover to cover, all on my own. This launched a new obsession with the world of storytelling and drawing. By the time I was 15, I self-published my very first book THE FOXTROT which is a compelling YA mystery set in the swamps of Louisianna. What followed was another contemporary novel and three children’s books before setting off to college.
I then spent my four years of university creating my thesis project, a 278-page graphic novel, MUP. MUP is about a little girl who gets trapped in the future with her teenage self. The two of them do not get along but have to in order to save the world. It’s been a success with kids across the country since its release at the start of the pandemic. I am also proud to say that for many kids, it’s been their first book that they have read cover-to-cover all on their own.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The greatest challenge that we forget about as adults is the difficulty in learning how to read. From understanding the alphabet to figuring out all the chaotic rules of the English language, it’s an immense uphill climb for everyone early in life. Learning to read is by far the greatest hurdle I’ve faced yet as an author and as a person. With the natural difficulty of learning to read, accompanied with the constant distraction of screen time, most young people are reluctant readers today. This is the fire that fuels me. If I can get kids reading – especially reluctant readers – then I’m doing something right.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Using the combination of images and words in the form of comics has become my medium of choice for storytelling knowing it engages people of all ages and all reading levels. Plus, comics are fun! As a storyteller, I almost always start with human emotions before I build a character. The most important part of any story, whether it’s set in outer space or has dinosaurs in it, is the emotional journey I set a character on. My goal is to transform a character by the end of the story. A lot of narratives made for younger audiences focus on the fun and games of a story, heavy in plot. Where I try to differentiate myself as a creator in the comics world is by creating stories with emotional depth and amazing adventures.
I feel extremely honored to be doing what I am doing and to be continuing my journey as a storyteller. It’s been really fun visiting libraries and schools to meet new readers in person and on Zoom. I am just getting started in my career as a comics creator and I’m thrilled to be continuing his journey by working on the sequel to my first graphic novel MUP.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important aspect of my work? Spellcheck! Spellcheck is my friend.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.raeagragg.com/
- Instagram: @raeag
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raea.gragg
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOJm5aiHDlqzBqL5sRcOm4w
Image Credits
Lili Hamada
