Q&A with Luna Guthrie, author of Goosebumps - The Making of Cult Kids’ TV
-This is your first book. What did you write before this?
I've been a professional writer for thirteen years, and the industry has brought a lot of variety my way, but my main focus has always been film journalism and criticism. I've been a critic for a number of entertainment publications, as well as a features writer, and my work has always centered on the entertainment industry and the horror genre.
-Why did it take so long for you to start writing books?
I always knew I wanted to do it, but felt it was important to hone my craft and get plenty of experience under my belt. Then, to be honest, as many writers do, I became too introverted, and worried that I wasn't up to the challenge. But I got to a point where I knew waiting any longer was just wasting time, and I didn't want to let the opportunity pass me by, so I took the plunge, and almost immediately found that working on the project renewed my confidence.
-Why did you choose to write a book about Goosebumps?
My generation is going through a real nostalgia kick, and rediscovering favorite media from childhood has been a major part of that. I realized that there was a huge fan base out there who still loved this show, and now, as adults, they care much more about what goes into making such a hit series. I wanted my first book to be about something I could spend a long time working on, and my favorite '90s show was the perfect candidate.
-How long did you end up spending on the book?
Almost two years. It was a long-term labor of love, for sure.
-How does the finished book measure up to what you had planned to write?
It definitely turned out differently than I had initially expected. I learned a lot throughout the writing process, and had to adapt the shape of the book as I went along, depending on what information I could access and which people I managed to talk to. You can only do so much when writing non-fiction, and if the information isn't there, then it just isn't there, so I ended up having to refocus some parts to make up for the gaps in the story. But I'm very pleased with how it turned out.
-How many people did you interview for the book?
Dozens! With Goosebumps being an anthology series, there were a lot of people who dipped in and out of its production, and each had a very unique perspective to offer. I spent two days a week for months at a time talking with people who worked on the show, so I always had at least one meeting to look forward to at any given time.
-What was the biggest challenge of writing this book?
Translating verbal anecdotes into some sort of linear story. Interviewing people and hearing them recount their memories was the easy part, but then came the hard work of sorting all that information, picking out the gems, linking accounts between different interviewees, and figuring out how to put it all together in a way that felt like a cohesive narrative.
-What was the most rewarding part of writing the book?
It has been a rewarding experience in so many ways, but I was particularly touched by how many people thanked me for giving them a reason to reflect on what was almost invariably a very happy time in their lives and careers. They loved Goosebumps, and they loved that other people loved it, so at times, it felt like chatting to an old friend about their life, and that was a real privilege.
-Do you have any future projects lined up?
I got asked quite a bit about what my next book would be when I was interviewing people, and I certainly have a few ideas. I'm not sure I can follow such a huge act as Goosebumps, but the whole experience has confirmed how much people love to look back on media that shaped them, so there are a few nostalgic '90s hits that I may well explore in the future.
-What did you learn from writing this book that you'd apply to future projects?
Organizational skills would probably be the main thing. Now that I've completed a book project from beginning to end, I know how I would better organize my time and resources, and hopefully streamline the writing process in the future. Maybe my next book will only take one year!