Calling all BSC girlies: This one’s for you. If you’ve ever wished you could step inside Stoneybrook (or at least tag along on one of Dawn’s California adventures), you’re about to get your chance. Illustrator and adapter Arley Nopra is bringing a fresh, sun-soaked twist to the iconic series with her latest graphic novel, The Baby-sitters Club: Dawn on the Coast. Think: beachy vibes, bold visuals and all the heart you loved about the OG books, reimagined for right now. We caught up with Arley to get the inside scoop on what it really takes to bring a BSC story to life.

Girls’ Life:  How do you balance staying true to Ann M. Martin’s original story and adding your own creative voice?

I pay close attention to the main character’s perspective and the big takeaway message. I ask myself questions that will help me understand the title character, her reactions to certain situations and the reasons behind her choices. I also put emphasis on the moments that support the main message of the story. Focusing on these details allows me to brainstorm creative ways to approach each scene while staying true to the original novel.

I also take notes while reading the original novel. I often write them like I’m having a conversation with my future self, who is going to be working on the adaptation. I tell myself things like, “This is such a sweet moment! Maybe I could draw Character A reacting to Character B with tears in her eyes. A sunset in the background would work nicely here, too.”

GL: Describe your art style in 3 emojis.
💖🤡😎

GL: What’s something readers would never guess about making a graphic novel?

How many people are involved in making a graphic novel, or more specifically, a Baby-sitters Club graphic novel. My job involves reading the original story, writing the script for the adaptation and illustrating every page. But there is also a whole team of people, such as editors, proofreaders, designers and colorists, who help bring the graphic novel to life. I’m so grateful for all the hard work everyone puts into these adaptations. 

GL: Were there particular scenes from the book you were most excited to bring to life?

Dawn on the Coast was such a delight to work on because there were many opportunities to draw visually interesting locations. (Like a secret tunnel underneath a farm!) I was most excited to illustrate the scenes at Wanderland, the beach, the fair and Dawn’s backyard patio in California. I loved that they allowed me to explore a range of emotions, like feeling joy, nostalgia and uncertainty. They turned out beautifully thanks to Braden Lamb, who worked on the colors for this book!

GL: Did you have any childhood experiences that helped you to relate to Dawn and capture her emotions?

I really related to Dawn’s mixed emotions about going to California. I often travelled to Virginia for summer vacation growing up. I remember feeling excited about returning to a familiar place, visiting family I hadn’t seen in months and having a wonderful time at the beach. I also remember feeling nervous about leaving my friends behind for the summer and being far away from my parents and home. It all felt very big and complicated when I was a child, and it helped to go back to these experiences while I was capturing Dawn’s emotions.

GL: How long does it take to adapt a novel into a full graphic novel, from first sketch to finished book?

It takes about a year for me to adapt. It starts with writing an outline and script adapted from the original book. Then, I go through a process called thumbnails, which are very rough drawings of each page that include dialogue, word balloons, and sound effects. Next is pencils, which are clean and detailed sketches of each page. Finally, I go through the whole book again in the inking stage. It’s when I redraw everything with clean black lines and fix any mistakes before sending the pages to a colorist.

GL:  What advice would you give Dawn—or your readers—who may feel unsure about big life decisions?

Honestly, this is something I’m learning day to day. I’m in my 20s and I’ve had to make some big life decisions in recent years. I’m learning that it’s usually best to trust your gut and choose what makes you happiest. I had to make a choice about my career path after I graduated university. My initial plan was to become a graphic designer, but when I was presented with the opportunity to go into illustration, I decided to listen to my gut and what I thought would bring me more joy. I gave illustration a shot, and now I’m an adapter for The Baby-sitters Club!

GL: Any advice for aspiring artists out there?

Embrace mistakes and be open to learning new things. I think it’s common for beginner artists to go into their artwork feeling like everything has to look amazing, and then they feel discouraged or give up when things don’t go as planned or look a bit off. Every mistake is an opportunity to learn something new. In fact, if you’re able to spot where your mistakes are, you’re already off to a good start because it means you know exactly what you need to practice.

Check out The Baby-sitters Club: Dawn on the Coast, available now!