Posts Tagged mg mystery

The Witching Hour: Interview with Author Jordan Kopy

Jordan Kopy headshot as a witchFor Halloween, we have the perfect author interview with Jordan Kopy, author of the Theodora Hendrix series. Not only is Jordan’s favorite time to write midnight—the witching hour—but she’s here to talk about her latest middle-grade novel, Theodora Hendrix and the Curious Case of the Cursed Beetle, which is set at Halloween in a haunted mansion with members of the Monstrous League of Monsters (MLM) and one human girl, Theodora. So, how did a human girl end up surrounded by scary creatures and with a Mummy for a Mom? And how did a cursed beetle end up in the mansion? And what problems will it cause? Are you curious? Me too!

Although you’ll have to read the book to find answers to some of those questions, I was also curious about the author, so I’ve asked Jordan a lot of questions to find out how she comes up with such spooky ideas.

Hi, Jordan, so happy to have you with us today. I hope you’re ready for a trick-or-treat bag full of questions. Here’s the first:

Did you have any childhood dreams? If so, did they come true?

I always dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer. I practically lived at the dance studio when I was growing up. Unfortunately, an ankle injury put an end to those aspirations. I then wanted to be an actress – but life had other plans for me!Jordan dancing

Did you love to read as a child? If so, can you tell us some favorite books?

I did! My nose was always stuck in a book. As far as some of my favorites, I adored anything by Roal Dahl – Matilda in particular – and Tamora Pierce’s Alana adventures. I also devoured the Harry Potter series and the Goosebumps series respectively.

What was an early experience where you learned that written language had power?

What a great question! When I was five years old, my mom read me a picture book we’d picked up from the library. I can’t recall the title, only that it was beautifully illustrated and that it told the tale of two troll best friends. In the end, one sacrifices himself to save the other. A beautiful flower grew in the spot where the first troll died, which the remaining troll lovingly tended to for the rest of his days. By the time my mom had finished, I was sobbing. I couldn’t stop! So, that experience certainly stands out as the moment where I learned that the written language has power.

What was your biggest fear when you were young? Did you get over it?

I used to be petrified of sharks. There were many years where I flat-out refused to dip so much as a toe in the ocean. I’m mostly past it now – though I do still get a wee bit anxious going into the water unless its crystal clear!

What advice would you give to your younger self?

To take more chances – to not be so afraid of failing that you never take any risks.

Would you be willing to share an embarrassing elementary school moment?

Presented without comment.Jordan in Dare T-shirt

Is your past woven into the story? If so, how?

Only bits and pieces: like Theodora, I was very much a misfit when I was growing up and had a tough time making friends. Similarly, I share Theodora’s distaste of “rules for rules’ sake”… And I also tend to disregard these! So, those aspects of the story stem from my own history. But beyond those two instances, this tale is very much Theodora’s own.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I first considered becoming a writer when I was around 22. By 23, I knew I wanted to be one! I had been working in finance for about a year at that point. The hours were long and grueling, so attending dance classes or participating in local theater was out. Still aching to do something creative, I decided to try my hand at writing. The rest is history!

What drew you to writing?

The same thing that drew me to ballet and to acting – escapism! I love entering a new world, meeting a new character…the brilliant thing about being a writer is that you not only get to disappear into these things; you get to create them! It’s very, very cool.

What is your favorite and/or most challenging part of being a writer?

My favorite part about being a writer is the moment when I’m working on a new idea and the pieces begin to click into place. When I eventually come up for air, it’s not unusual for me to find that several hours have passed – that’s when I know that I’ve come up with something worth pursuing. My least favorite part of being a writer is facing the rejection which inherently accompanies a career in the arts – the highs are so high, but the lows are so low. This industry definitely requires a thick skin!

Have you had any careers besides writing?

I have – I previously worked in financial services for thirteen years.

Jordan and her little sister dressed up for Halloween

Jordan and her little sister dressed up for Halloween

How did you come up with the idea for Theodora Hendrix?

My mom was visiting me, and we were watching one of our favorite films, My Cousin Vinny. The actor who played the judge, Fred Gwynne, also played Herman Munster on The Munsters, a television show from the ‘60s. My mom pointed out this fact repeatedly – at least a dozen times – which must have stuck with me, because the next morning I woke up with an idea for a story about a human girl being raised by a family of monster superheroes. I jumped out of bed, grabbed my laptop, and began to write. Two hours later, I had written the opening chapters of what would become my debut novel!

What inspired you to write about a human girl among monsters?

I love a “fish out of water” tale, so when the idea for a story about a little girl growing up with a family of monster superheroes popped into my head (see above!), I couldn’t wait to dive in. I had so much fun creating the various monsters and thinking about what it might be like to live in a mansion-full of them: normally, we think of the monsters as the strange ones, but in Theodora’s case, she’s the odd one!

Are the characters based on anyone you know?

Not really. I might borrow certain characteristics here and there from people I know, but I don’t tend to model my characters after them. For me, a lot of the fun in writing is in imagining what could be, versus what is – I don’t want too much of my “real” life to infiltrate the fantasy!

Did you have pets while growing up or now that made their way into the story?

Camy the cat in a vampire costume

Camy in her vampire costume

I had many pets while I was growing up: hamsters, fish, cats, dogs…I miss them all dearly. Sometimes, they do make their way into my stories: I had a clever black cat, Mischief, who appeared as (a magical version of) himself in my first, unpublished manuscript. And my current cat, a lovable but naughty Maine Coon named Camy, is the inspiration for Bandit, a masked vampire cat, in the Theodora Hendrix series.

What gave you the idea to focus on Egyptian artifacts and curses? And did you have to do research?

While I was drafting the first book in the series, I especially enjoyed writing the character of Mummy. In addition to being Theodora’s – well, mummy, she’s also a fierce warrior who runs the Monstrous League of Monsters’ Reform School. For the series’ second book, I wanted to explore Mummy’s backstory – just how did she come to possess such a unique and impressive assortment of skills? – and that’s where ancient Egypt came in. I loved learning about different mythologies when I was growing up, so it was a great deal of fun to revisit some of those stories!

Since the book features a Halloween party, can you share any holiday traditions or foods you enjoy at Trick or Treat time?

My favorite Halloween tradition is watching Hocus Pocus on the final Saturday night in October. Every October, my husband and I watch Halloween-themed movies all month long, but we always save Hocus Pocus for last. It’s such a great, campy film!

Can you tell us a little about the other books in the series?

Sure! Book One is Theodora Hendrix and the Monstrous League of Monsters, Cover for the book Theodora Hendrix and the Monstrous League of Monsterswhere we first meet Theodora and her monster family. We’re also introduced to Dexter Adebola, Theodora’s first-ever human friend; Ms. Frumple, Theodora’s horrible head teacher; an evil villain who shall not be named – yet; and a mysterious narrator. The final and third installment is Theodora Hendrix and the Snare of the Shadowmongers. It sees Theodora and Dexter going on a grand adventure in New York City, where they meet a slew of new monsters – some of which have the terrifying ability to destroy other monsters’ powers and to give humans unending nightmares for life. In the end, Theodora uncovers the truth about her human parents and just why it was that they abandoned her in a haunted graveyard some ten years earlier.Cover of book: Theodora Hendrix and the Snare of the Shadowmongers

Is there anything more you’d like to share about this book?

I had such a blast writing it – and I hope you all have a blast reading it, too!

The novel has so many funny moments, do you have any tips for writing humor?

Thank you very much! The best tip I have is to be yourself – what do you think is funny? If you’re laughing at what you write, there’s a good chance that your readers might as well. I also find it helpful to consider the following:

  1. Know your audience. Different age groups will find different things funny, so it’s important to keep who you’re writing for in mind.
  2. Try different techniques. Satire and irony might work well in one scene or story, while slapstick might be more effective in another. Others still might benefit from unexpected twists, hyperbole, puns, wordplay etc.
  3. Don’t force it. If the humor feels contrived, or if the timing or the context is off, the joke might fall flat. In that case, it might be better to hold off; not every scene or story requires humor in order to be effective.

Did you leave anything out of this book that you wish you could have included? If so, what?

No, I don’t think so!

Cover for the book Theodora Hendrix and the Curious Case of the Cursed BeetleWhat do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I hope readers walk away from this book and think, wow, that was so much fun! I also hope that young readers, especially those who might identify as misfits (I’m with you!), walk away feeling encouraged that the traits which others might view as “unique” are the very things which make them special – and which true friends will appreciate.

Illustrator Chris Jevons created the humorous art. Did you have any input into the character design or scenes?

Chris is unbelievably talented – I’m so lucky that our publisher paired us up! We worked closely in terms of character and setting design: I’m a very visual writer, so I make a point of including descriptive language in my prose. When we were first starting out, I pulled that verbiage into a “character description” document and shared it with Chris so that he had an idea of each character’s major characteristics; it’s super important that the artwork matches the text – otherwise, readers might get confused. We were both thrilled with the end result! I would love to work with him again someday.

Do you have any message or advice for the teachers and parents who will be sharing your book with their students and families?

I wanted to tell the story of a young misfit who was beginning to find her voice – and building the confidence to use it: I’m passionate about empowering young girls and women to speak up for what they believe in. I’m also passionate about encouraging children to appreciate each other’s differences, and I hope this also comes across in Theodora’s various friendships with humans and monsters alike. In addition to these, there’s also a theme of found families, which the series makes a point to celebrate.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on two very different manuscripts: the first is another middle grade comedy-horror while the second is a dark young adult contemporary fantasy. I’m having tons of fun writing both!

We also asked Jordan a few random questions:

Can you share your favorite game or toy from childhood/middle school days?

Scrabble! I used to play with my late grandfather – I only beat him once!

Did you ever run away from home?

No way, I was too much of a scaredy-cat for that!

When do you like to write?

I’ll write whenever, wherever! But my favorite time to write is at midnight, the witching hour: it feels like the whole world is asleep except for me (and maybe Camy) …My imagination really seems to come alive in those quieter, moonlit moments.

Ooo… that makes me shiver. If you want more thrills and chills, be sure to pick up a copy of Jordan Kopy’s latest book.

About Theodora Hendrix and the Curious Case of the Cursed Beetle:

If you think monsters don’t exist, just ask Theodora Hendrix. The second in a brilliantly funny new series, perfect for fans of Amelia Fang.
 
After facing down an evil hag, a thieving skele-crow and an army of the undead, ten-year-old Theodora Hendrix is certain she can handle anything – that is, until she meets the unpleasant Inspector Shelley and her even more unpleasant pet rat. Shelley and Ratsputin have come to spy on the MLM, and are determined to make trouble at every turn. Then Theodora makes a discovery of her own: a cursed beetle. She needs to destroy it without attracting the attention of the inspector – and fast. The stakes couldn’t be higher: if Theodora fails, her beloved monster family will rot in the dankest, darkest prisons of Transylvania. . .

About Jordan Kopy

Jordan Kopy is a born and raised New Yorker who now lives in London with her husband and poorly behaved (but lovable) cat. A financial services professional by day (no idea how that happened), Jordan spends her nights with ghouls, witches, and the occasional evil hag. She’s the author of the Theodora Hendrix middle grade series. For more information, follow her on Instagram @Jordan_Kopy or find her on her website at JordanKopy.com.

Interview with James Ponti – Author of CITY SPIES: CITY OF THE DEAD

I had the good fortune to interview James Ponti, author of the CITY SPIES series, this week. James’s fourth book in the series, CITY SPIES:  CITY OF THE DEAD comes out February 7.

I’m ashamed to admit that I am a little late to the CITY SPIES game, but I can’t wait to jump in and read them all.

 

Please tell us a little bit about your latest book, CITY SPIES: CITY OF THE DEAD.

It starts with a heist, which is so much fun to write. The City Spies have to break into the British Museum and steal something for the government. (Which means I had to figure out how to break into the British Museum.) In the process, they get swept up in a massive cyber-assault on venerated London institutions like Parliament and the Underground. To thwart the attack, they have to journey to Egypt and look for answers in the tombs among the Valley of the Kings. I wanted a story with elements that were up-to-the-minute modern alongside those that were ancient and mysterious. And mummies. I wanted mummies.

And, not for nothing, the fact that it involves breaking into a museum late at night can be traced directly back to the one book that found its way into my heart when I was a young reader. A certain book that shares its name with this website!

 


This series is incredibly popular. Colby Sharp of Nerdy Book Club said, “Books like this are why kids love to read,” which is high praise. What inspired you to write these stories and/or these characters?

First of all, I nearly fainted when I heard Colby say that on his video. My goal was to write a series that young me would’ve wanted to read. I was an extremely reluctant reader, so I keep that in mind when I work on the books. I tried to include the elements that grab me most as a reader – mystery, humor, adventure, and family. The actual idea was spurred by a trip my wife and I took to visit our son when he was studying in England for a year abroad. We went to London and Paris and had an amazing time. That trip and those elements came together to make City Spies.

 


Everyone says writing is a process. Could you share a little about your writing and/or research process?

I wish I had a process, but it seems to change all the time. Sometimes a story starts with characters and other times a plot. City Spies started with a setting. But for me, I really need those three ingredients before I can start cooking.

Right now, I’m finishing the first draft of City Spies 5, which comes out in 2024. Five books into this series, I still have to find all of those elements, but I also have to make sure they don’t seem too similar to what happened in the previous books. The main character changes from book to book, so with City Spies I start with who’s going to be the lead. Then I figure out what amazing location I want to write about. Then I try to work out a mystery/mission that feels organic to the combination of the two.

As for research, it’s extensive. For recent books, I’ve had long interviews with the former deputy director of the CIA, a leading Egyptologist, and a praying mantis expert who works for National Geographic in the Amazon. (My job is really fun that way.) I try to visit the locations when that is feasible. (I.e., when there isn’t a worldwide pandemic.) And the best part is when I get special tours. My wife, editor, and I got to look around the behind-the-scenes area of the New York Public Library to research a big action scene in book 5. It was FANTASTIC!

 


We know no writer is created in a vacuum. Could you tell our readers about teacher or a librarian who had an effect on your writing life?


I was blessed with great teachers from elementary school through college. My Mount Rushmore includes Herman Prothro (elementary), Dale Tyree (jr. high), Judith White (high school), and Abraham Polonsky (college). Judy White was my eleventh grade English teacher and she was amazing. She saw potential in me and pushed me as a writer. She encouraged me. She wrote notes to me in the margins of my work. She circled the opening paragraph of a paper I wrote about Robert Frost and next to it wrote “WOW!” That singular wow helped get me through self-doubt for years. She was also the hardest grader of any teach I’ve ever had and that was just what I needed.

I kept in touch with her after school and as I began my writing career. Unfortunately, she passed away before this success came along. She would’ve been over the moon about it. I love her so much, that I’ve used her name as the name of a teacher in virtually every book I’ve ever written. I just want her to be part of it.

 

What makes your books a good pick for use in a classroom? Is there any particular way you’d like to see teachers or parents use it with young readers/teens?

 

I come from a family of teachers and always write with them in mind. My wife teaches high school and told me that I had to do things for teachers that are free and require little set-up time. I try to live up to that challenge. My website is very educator-friendly and Simon & Schuster is setting up a Digital Classroom Dossier that has anything and everything teachers could use in a single location. I asked a bunch of educators what would be useful and we’ve got curriculum guides, videos, worksheets, downloads, links, interviews, graphics, you name it. They’re all just a single click away.

As for using City Spies in the classroom, in addition to the dossier, it’s important to know that virtually everything in the books is real. I research inside and out so that if you’re reading about an Egyptian tomb, the Great Wall of China, or Muir Woods in California, your students can go online and explore further. I put in tons of facts that I find interesting hoping it sparks interest for readers and educators. I also try to incorporate core subjects in each book. Math classes can look at codes and patterns. A science teacher can talk about the different technologies, old and new that the team uses. I always connect historic events and true to life people with the adventures they’re on. And, in addition to the reading in the books, I try to include literature. There’s an entire throughline about poetry and Robert Burns in two of the books.

All of us at Mixed-Up Files are huge fans of independent bookstores. I see that you are going on a 10-stop tour of independent bookstores across the country. Do you have a favorite Indie that you’d like to give a shout out to?

I could never pick a favorite Indie. I visit them all the time. My wife and I did a vacation to Boston last summer and managed to squeeze in fourteen indies while we were there. Overall, in the last few years, I think I’ve been to nearly one hundred of them. They are the lifeblood of our industry and I love how each one has its own distinct flavor with different quirks and qualities that make them what they are.

 

Can you give us a hint about what we can look forward to next from you?

I’m going to write City Spies at least to book 6 (and hopefully more), so that’s exciting. Book five has a jet-setting mission that takes the team to Venice, Washington, and New York. I’m also writing the first book in a new series.  It’s called the Sherlock Society and it’s a mystery series featuring multi-generational family in South Florida. The first one comes out next year and I am so excited about it! (I hope readers will be too.)

 

James Ponti is the New York Times bestselling author of three middle grade book series: City Spies, about an unlikely squad of five kids from around the world who form an elite MI6 Spy Team; the Edgar Award–winning Framed! series, about a pair of tweens who solve mysteries in Washington, DC; and the Dead City trilogy, about a secret society that polices the undead living beneath Manhattan. His books have appeared on more than fifteen different state award lists and he is the founder of a writers group known as the Renegades of Middle Grade. James is also an Emmy–nominated television writer and producer who has worked for many networks including Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, PBS, History, and Spike TV, as well as NBC Sports. He lives with his family in Orlando, Florida. Find out more at JamesPonti.com.

 

 

 

Thanks so much to James for taking the time to talk with us.

CITY SPIES: CITY OF THE DEAD releases February 7 and is available at bookstores everywhere.

You can see more purchase options at:  Simon & Schuster.

 

Are you a CITY SPIES fan? Are you about to be? Let us know in the comments below.

 

 

 

 

 

Why Writing Kid Constantine Was No Mystery for Ryan North

Mystery of the Meanest Teacher Cover

Mystery of the Meanest Teacher CoverRyan North, whose credits include an award-winning runs of Adventure Time, Jughead, and The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl recently wrote a middle grade graphic novel featuring John Constantine, one of my favorite DC Comics characters, and I got the opportunity to sit down and talk with him about it.

MUF: I’m Mimi. I write for From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle Grade Authors, a blog for people who love middle-grade books (parents, teachers, librarians, kids, writers, etc.). It’s an honor to be able to interview you. (My husband is also a fan. He’s the one who introduced me to Dinosaur Comics).  And congratulations on the Eisner nomination this year.

Ryan North: Aw thank you, Mimi!  That’s very kind.  I’m excited about it!  And say hi to your husband for me. 🙂

 

MUF: So, tell us about The Mystery of the Meanest Teacher?

Ryan North: The Mystery of the Meanest Teacher is a middle-grade graphic novel about a younger version of Constantine – Johnny Constantine, but he prefers you call him “Kid”.  Kid Constantine has to escape from the UK to the United States after one of his capers involving ghosts and demons goes wrong. When he arrives at his new boarding school in America, he discovers his spells don’t work as well as they used to, so he’s left scrambling, faking it till he makes it – but luckily he soon discovers he’s not the only magical kid there.  And he’s going to need all the help he can get when one of his new teachers seems to have it out for him personally, and might be a real-life witch…

It’s a stand-alone graphic novel, so you can read it knowing nothing of the character (or even DC Comics!) but if you do, there’s some fun little secrets you might pick up on.

 

MUF: I’ve gotta admit, Constantine is one of my favorite DC characters, but he’s not exactly kid-friendly, why did you choose Constantine for this project?

Ryan North: Right?  He’s basically the last DC character you’d ever expect to be in a middle grade graphic novel.  I was working with DC on another project that got bogged down unfortunately, and when they said “Hey, what about Kid Constantine?” I laughed at the idea – always a good sign!  And I quickly realized that he actually transforms into a 13-year-old version of himself very easily.  That idea of trying to cover for what you don’t know, trying to act like you’re super cool and in control even though you have no idea what’s going on – it’s something that I think feels pretty universal to most of us, and to both Adult and Kid Constantine.  So there weren’t actually a lot of changes I had to make!  The adult version has a lot of bad habits that we altered (instead of smoking, Kid has a lollipop sticking out of his mouth at the start of the book) but beyond that there really wasn’t a lot to change, to adapt for younger readers.  So I loved that the idea sounded so wild, and really wanted to see if we could pull it off.

 

MUF: You do a great job of capturing Constantine’s wit in a way that’s accessible for kids. Was writing young Johnny difficult?

Ryan North: No, it was actually pretty familiar!  Like I mentioned before, Constantine goes through some pretty relatable stuff, so all I had to do was remember what it felt like being the new kid, being somewhere where I don’t know anyone, and I could tap into that pretty easily for Constantine.  And while some of the fun is seeing him cover for what he doesn’t know, he’s also a really clever guy, and it’s always fun to write clever characters.  They get in the best zingers.

It’s funny – if you look at the Wikipedia article for John Constantine, there’s a section called “In real life“, where several (several!) of the authors who have written Constantine claim to have met him in real life.  I kept my eye out for any young kids in a trenchcoat while I was writing – it would’ve been way easier to write the book if I could just ask Kid Constantine what he’d say and do in particular situations! – but unfortunately I never spotted him. So far, anyway…

 

MUF: I love that you included Etrigan as a “young” demon and that his rhyming is forced. It’s such a cool nod to his lore. What other Easter eggs can eagle-eyed fans catch?Etrigan- A character in The Mystery of the Meanest Teacher

Ryan North: Haha, thank you!  Etrigan was the hardest character to write because he speaks in rhymes.  It would always slow me down when I got to him, until I finally started writing placeholder dialogue for him: it had what I wanted him to say, but didn’t rhyme, and then I got to go back and spend an afternoon composing poetry that said what I needed it to say.

Beyond the lollipop visual reference I mentioned earlier, there’s also elements in what Constantine and his new friend Anna wear that references the costumes they wear as adults.  The artist of the book, Derek Charm, told me that the challenge in designing the characters was that we wanted them to look like their adult versions, but still look credible as kids: their outfits had to be something a 13-year-old would wear.  Constantine wants to look cool all the time, so it’s no surprise to me that he’d have a t-shirt printed with a design that makes it looks like he’s wearing a tie.  I wanted a shirt like that when I was a kid.  Still do, really!

 

MUF:  Also, was it hard coming up with all of those rhymes and/or was it difficult to make them sound stilted?

Ryan North: Hah – well, the secret is that it’s never hard to make a rhyme sound stilted, so that was good at least!  As hard as Young Etrigan was to write, Adult Etrigan would be even harder, because there he’s got his rhymes down pat.  I tried to use iambic pentameter for his rhymes at the start until I realized Etrigan is speaking a second language here, and he’s definitely not as good at it as his adult version is, so that became a bit less precise in his speech.  But honestly, I just went for walks and tried to think of different ways to say what he wanted to say until I came up with one that worked!  I like to think out loud when doing character voice writing, so my Secret Writing Technique is to wear a headset with a mic on it when I’m walking.  That way, passers-by think I’m a very important businessperson on a very important call and not a random guy trying to make a demon in his head have better rhymes.

Kid Constantine in The Mystery of the Meanest TeacherMUF: In the book, Constantine and Anna have a few tricks up their sleeve, what do you wish that you had a magic spell for?

Ryan North: Kid Constantine mentions at one point having an anti-blushing spell, and for most of my life before 20 I would’ve loved to have that power.  But these days I’d love a spell that would let me learn faster.  Every time I try something new there’s such a gulf between what you want and what you can accomplish, and yes it just takes practice, but that means you make a lot of just okay cookies before you unlock the really good stuff.  So that’s a shortcut I’d gladly take, thanks magic!

 

MUF: And similarly, if you were able to sneak into an otherworldly candy shop, what would be your go-to snack?

My favourite food is ice cream, so if I could find a ghost who’s spent their entire afterlife perfecting the art and craft of ice cream production, unlocking levels of flavour and delight that simply aren’t reachable or teachable within a standard-issue human lifetime… I would be there in a heartbeat.

MUF: I read in your bio that you studied Computer Science. How do you go from Computer Science major to creating award-winning graphic novels?

Ryan North: I always kinda did both at the same time!  I started my webcomic, Dinosaur Comics, in 2003, when I was in undergrad. (It’s still running today – you can read it at qwantz.com!)  Then I kept up the comic through grad school (I studied computational linguistics) and then when I graduated I faced a choice: keep doing comics, or get a real job.  And it was really easy to keep doing comics, because all I had to do was fail to get a real job!  Super easy.  So since then I’ve used my CS knowledge to develop different services that help comic creators, and get to live the best of both worlds.  It’s an unusual career path but it’s one that I recommend!  All of us have lots of interests and I don’t think you should have to pigeonhole yourself so early in your life – do different things!  If you can, do different things simultaneously! 

MUF: What were your favorite books and/or comics as a kid? Who were your influences?

Ryan North: The earliest book I can remember loving is The Monster At The End of This Book

The Monster at the End of this Book Cover

by Jon Stone and Michael Smollin. If you haven’t read it, it’s a great Little Golden Book where the fourth wall doesn’t exist, and Grover is afraid because he knows there’s a monster at the end of the book.  He does all he can to stop you from turning the pages of the book – building walls that you smash through with your mighty page-turning strength, and so on, until you reach the end, and he finds out the monster… is him, loveable ol’ Grover!  And then he’s really embarrassed.  It just blew my mind that books could do that, that you could have this object in your hands that was physically like all the other books but told a story in a different way.  I still love that, and lots of my projects involve playing with the potential of the form like that.  That’s actually one of the things I love about comics: it’s still a young medium and there’s still discoveries about the basic form being made.  You can do things in comics that haven’t been done before, and I think that’s really incredible!

 

MUF: What advice do you have for someone wanting to write comics or videogames or basically just be like you?

Ryan North: The greatest advice I have for someone looking to do writing is to start doing it, keep doing it, and put that work online.  This has two benefits: it makes your commitment public, so now you have to keep writing to keep that commitment up (this is why a webcomic works so well: if you say you’re going to every day, you’ve got to do it!) and of course the more you write the better you get at it, even if you’re not trying to improve.  There’s no way you can spend a few years writing a comic and not get better at writing comics, it’s just how our brains work.  The other thing putting your work online can get you is an audience: people who like your work and want to support it.  This helps you in a bunch of ways, but one of the first things it does is make you realize you’re not alone and people are interested in hearing what you have to say.  For an early writer, that was really big for me.  It made me feel like there was a purpose to it, that it wasn’t just me talking to myself!  And of course, when your work is online people can see it and maybe, on day, say “hey, I really like the writing that person did, I wonder if I could hire them to write for me?” and that’s literally how I went from writing a webcomic for free to being paid to write comics for other people too.

Ryan North Comic Books

 

MUF: What would fans be surprised to find out about you?

Ryan North: I’m really tall, but also, taller than you think even if you think I’m really tall.  I’m that tall.  Other than that I don’t think I have that many secrets!  Unless of course this is a ruse to get people off the trail of my many startling secrets!

 

MUF: What are you working on now?

Ryan North: I’m working on a few unannounced projects I can’t really talk about, but I will say that Derek Charm and I have been trying to do more books together for a while and hopefully some of those will bear fruit soon!  I’m also working on something that’s sort of a spiritual successor to my first nonfiction book, which was called “How To Invent Everything: A Survival Guide for the Stranded Time Traveller”.  (That book has also found a lot of middle-grade readers: turns out we’re all kinda interested in seeing if we can rebuild civilization from scratch if we ever get sent back in time!)

MUF: How can people follow you on social media?

Ryan North and Noam Chompsy

 

Ryan North: I’m not really active anywhere but Twitter, where I’m @ryanqnorth !  I’m also @qwantz on Instagram, where I sometimes post pictures of my dog, Noam Chompsky.

MUF: And, that’s all I’ve got. Thank you for your time, and the opportunity to interview you.

Ryan North: Thanks Mimi!  These were really thoughtful questions – I appreciate it!

 

The Mystery of the Meanest Teacher is out now! And I enthusiastically recommend it to anyone who is interested in spooky, mysterious adventure comics with smart, sarcastic heroes, as well as anyone who is a fan of the grown-up Constantine comics.