# Two Whats?! And A Wow! People Who Wow Edition – Author and Illustrator Raina Telgemeier

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/wow-in-the-world-223557/two-whats-and-a-wow-people-who-wow-edition-author-and-illustrator-raina-telgemeier
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/wow-in-the-world-223557/two-whats-and-a-wow-people-who-wow-edition-author-and-illustrator-raina-telgemeier.md
Podcast: [Wow in the World](https://stenobird.com/podcast/wow-in-the-world-223557)
Published: 2026-05-08T07:01:00+00:00
Episode link: https://rss.art19.com/episodes/abef21f7-5b5d-4035-a492-c0ad04824cf6.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0
Audio file: https://rss.art19.com/episodes/abef21f7-5b5d-4035-a492-c0ad04824cf6.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0
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Duration seconds: 1476

## Resource

Graphic novelist Raina Telgemeier reveals the real-life inspirations behind her bestselling books through a high-stakes game of two truths and a lie. Discover how childhood shyness and family history shaped the creator of the Smile series.

## Highlights
- Main idea: Raina Telgemeier shares how her childhood shyness led her to hide behind a piano during choir auditions
- Main idea: The character Callie from 'Drama' is deeply inspired by the author's mother and her passion for theater props
- Practical takeaway: Creative storytelling often draws from personal family history and real-life observations
- Failure mode: Relying solely on visual elements; true comics require a balance of impactful words and illustrations
- Lesson: Curiosity and playing along with stories can help bridge the gap between childhood imagination and real-world connection

## Topics

Graphic Novels, Raina Telgemeier, Storytelling, Childhood Memories, Illustration, Creative Writing, Biography, Family History

## Chapters
- 3:00 — Hiding Behind the Piano: Raina discusses her extreme shyness as a child and the creative ways she tried to avoid being seen during school performances.
- 7:10 — Two Truths and a Lie: School Edition: A game of wits to determine if Raina's childhood stories about teachers living at school are true or fabricated.
- 11:30 — The Inspiration for Drama: Raina reveals how her mother's involvement in Glee Club and costume making influenced her graphic novel characters.
- 15:40 — Hidden Talents Challenge: Raina presents three unusual facts about her secret talents, challenging listeners to spot the lie.
- 22:00 — The Art of the Comic: A discussion on the essential elements of graphic novels, emphasizing that great comics are more than just pictures.

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## Transcript

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