Why did you name the school Lovecraft Middle School? Why not something like Dunwich Middle School?
I’m asked this question quite a bit. The short answer is, I wanted to get the name “Lovecraft” on the cover of the book. I wanted booksellers and librarians (many of whom might not be diehard Lovecraft fans) to see the covers and understand that these were kid-friendly books set in a very safe and accessible version of Lovecraft Country.
When did you realize that you wanted to write?
There was never really any moment of realization; writing is just something I’ve always done, going back to the 4th grade. I was always making comic books and writing skits and staging puppet shows. And I was always very, very interested in creating books. I used to think something was wrong with me because I didn’t have any other hobbies or interests!
Did you have to do any research for this book?
I read a ton of Lovecraft, even though many of his ideas and themes are probably beyond the grasp of a middle-grade readership. I tried to lift the most accessible stuff. This project also gave me a great opportunity to revisit some of the books I enjoyed as a child. I bought a lot of battered paperbacks online.
Did you ever become bored with what you were writing? If so, how did you solve this problem?
These books were placed on accelerated schedules so I never had any time to become bored with them. Boy, I wish I had time to become bored with them! But I am balancing the writing of these books with the demands of a full-time job (and the demands of my family), so I am grateful for every hour that I get to spend imagining and improving the world of Lovecraft Middle School.
If you could spend an hour with just one person (living or dead), whom would you choose? Why?
I always give a different answer to this question (because it’s so hard to name just one!) but today I’m going to say Vince Gilligan. He’s the mastermind behind Breaking Bad, which is hands-down my favorite television show of all time. He’s an incredible storyteller – I feel like I’ve learned so much about plotting & character & motivation just by watching and studying Breaking Bad -- and I have a million questions I wish I could ask him!
Thank you!
Thank you, Charles Gilman, for answering my questions.
If you would like a copy of Professor Gargoyle to add to your library, I have provided an Amazon link below.
