Interview with Author Jonathan Gould
I had the really good fortune to interview author, Jonathan Gould, the other day. He hails from Melbourne, Australia, where he spent his youth overindulging in Mad Magazine, Monty Python, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
In addition to children’s stories, he’s also written several humorous novels and novellas, one of which was a semi-finalist in the 2011 Goodreads Choice Awards. His new children’s picture book, Thomas and the Tiger-Turtle, has just been released.
Which authors have most influenced your work?
Wow – too many to mention. Generally, when I think of writers who have influenced me, I tend to focus more on those writers who have really inspired me as an adult (or maybe a not-quite-adult). One that particularly springs to mind is Douglas Adams. I suspect reading Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy more than anything else made me sit up and think, “Hey, that’s something I’d like to do as well.”
I suppose Tolkien was another huge influence (I know, what a predictable choice). His style of writing is probably not one I’d ever look to emulate, but it’s more the idea of story as a grand, sweeping thing which can totally take you away into another world. That’s always something I’d like to do with my stories, even the little ones like Thomas and the Tiger-Turtle.
I read so much as a kid, so it’s harder to pinpoint individual writers. One that does come to mind fairly easily is Dr Seuss. There are so many things to love about his writing (and drawing). The clever rhymes. The craziness. The clever way he can insert messages into the stories without becoming pushy or preachy. Quite a few readers have compared my stories to his, which is a really great compliment on my behalf. (Incidentally, the good Dr provided further inspiration just as I was starting out as a writer – the very first writing project I was involved with was a theatrical comedy review which ended up having a Dr Seuss theme).
But I’m inspired by more than just writers. I can think of other influences, including comedians (Monty Python – obviously) cartoonists (loved Peanuts as a kid, especially the sly humour and philosophising) and even musicians (R.EM. is a favourite – love the games they play with words). As a writer, I’m constantly getting messages and ideas from other artists in other media and thinking about how I might be able to turn these into stories.
How do you get humor across to younger readers?
I’m not sure that I really try. Certainly, when I’m writing my more adult stories, I do tend to think, “Ok, I need a funny bit here.” But with my kid’s stories, it’s a little different. I tend to focus on the story only, trying to make it as strong as it can be based on a central idea.
Sometimes, that central idea can be quite humorous (maybe that should be often, rather than sometimes), but other times it isn’t. Once I do have the idea, I don’t try to force humour out of it. I just try to work the story through to its logical conclusion. If there is inherent humour in the idea, that humour should play itself out. If not, then I don’t try to place it there.
Sometimes, the humour that is in there isn’t necessarily for the kids anyway. While I’m not deliberately trying to go “nudge nudge” for an adult audience, there are times when I can’t resist putting something into a story that I know is over the head of the children. For example, there’s a sequence in Thomas and the Tiger-Turtle when Thomas demands that the turtle eat him. The turtle responds by saying, “Can I just lick you a bit?” This to me is a highly Pythonesque line that made my chuckle when I wrote it. I’d be hoping it would make adult readers chuckle as well. I certainly think that a good children’s story should offer something for adults as well, but as I said before, it shouldn’t be forced.
Ultimately, it’s not a major concern when I’m writing. For a children’s book, the number one thing is to write a story that will engage younger readers. I hope Thomas and the Tiger-Turtle will do that.
What message do you want readers to come away with after reading Thomas and the Tiger-Turtle?
Again, I’m not sure if there’s a precise message. I hope readers will enjoy the story.
The story didn’t come to me with an inherent message. The main focus when writing the story was on developing a couple of strong and empathetic characters.
From my point of view, I can empathise with both of them. Sometimes, like the turtle who wants to be a tiger, I wish I could be far more than I seem to be. Other times, just like Thomas, I get frustrated at things not being what they’re supposed to be.
I suppose young readers will read a message about accepting who you are and being proud of it.
You can find Jonathan at his website www.jonathangouldwriter.com and his new children’s book on many internet sites including Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Tiger-Turtle-Jonathan-Gould-ebook/dp/B00KC8FG7C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400327895&sr=8-1&keywords=jonathan+gould+tiger
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