Squeetus exclusive: Brian Selznick

Yes, you heard right--Brian Selznick! I had the opportunity to read The Invention of Hugo Cabret as an advance reading copy before it came out. I loved it at once. The story is new and fascinating, the illustrations gorgeous. The style is unlike anything ever done, and I remember thinking at the time, "Good for Brian Selznick for daring something so different, and good for Scholastic for supporting him. I hope this pays off."

Ha. Has there ever been such a decorated children's novel? Let me list some honors off the top of my head:

• Caldecott Medal
• National Book Award Finalist
• Quills Award
• Al Roker pick
• NYT Best seller (for months and months)
• Book Sense Book of the Year
• Film option to Martin Scorsese

And all much deserved. Not only is this a terrific book that draws in avid readers and reluctant readers alike, its author is a stand-up, darn fine, terrific fella. And cute too. (He fell hard for Maggie at age two months. For the last time, Brian, no, you can't take her home with you!) And here is our guest of honor, the man with the golden hand.

ME: Hugo Cabret is a completely novel novel. The early, silent movies were also very novel, and sometimes frightening to viewers who had never seen one before, as you explained in the story. I love that you told a story that in part is about a new art form and you tell it in a new medium using art. I'm going around and around.... What I mean to say is, how much did the subject matter influence the form of your book or did the silent movie-esque illustrations crop up organically?

BS: The form of the book and the content of the book kind of developed together.  I knew I wanted to make a story about Georges Melies, who in 1902 made the first science fiction film A Trip to the Moon, and the more I learned about him, and the more movies I watched, the more the story came together.  I realized I could make the book read like a movie and suddenly the idea of filling the book with "mini silent movies" made alot of sense.  I also like the idea that I'm using a new way to tell a story about an old way of telling stories that at the time was itself a new way.  I just saw Gypsy on Broadway, and in one sense it's about the death of Vaudeville, but when Gypsy was created it told this story in an incredible new way with songs that revealed the psychology of the characters.  I would hope that Hugo could be a little bit like that, using something new to talk about something old, so that it's all made modern and relevent to the audience.  Does that make sense??

[Yes! And how cool.]
If there were two rugby teams, one made up of Caldecott winners, the other of Newbery winners, which team would win and why? What if they were having a dance-off?

This is a very important question and I'm glad you asked.  We must remember that the Newbery award was first given in 1921 and the Caldecott was first given in 1938, so many of the players would be very very old.  In fact, some of the players would probably be dead, which in general slows people down quite a bit. This would make the Rugby game quite challenging, and I'd say the same goes for the dance-off. 

Or we can look at it another way.  I know that not all Caldecott winning books have words, and not all Newbery winning books have pictures, but the goal of a good picture book is usually to have the words and the pictures work perfectly together, each bringing something to the story that the other can not.  If we accept this as true, then perhaps what we'd have is a perfect tie on the Rugby field and a beautiful unending magically choreographed dance-off. 

Either that or the Caldecott winners would kick the Newbery winners butts.

[Unless the Newbery Honor winners got involved, 'cause we can jitterbug. A very important skill in rugby.]
I know illustrators who say they have boxes and boxes of their art and don't know what to do with it. What do you do with yours? Do you throw it away? Sell it? Put it on your walls? Give it to friends? Keep it in a storage unit?

I don't throw anything away.  I have all my art stored in flat files (long thin flat drawers) in my studio.  I am running out of room and am trying to figure out where I can put more flat files in my already crowded apartment.

[I could help store some for you...on my walls.]
Do you find your creative process is much different when writing than when drawing?

All my ideas start as stories.  The writing always comes first when I'm writing and drawing, and I find it much harder to put together a story than to work on the illustrations.  It's always nice to illustrate someone else's story because I don't have to think up the story myself.  But there's always the challenge of figuring out how exactly the pictures will enhance the story, so they don't just repeat all the information that's already in the text.

Is there a question you've never been asked that you've been waiting for?

In fact, I've been waiting for someone to ask me "Is there a question you've never been asked that you've been waiting for?" Now, at last, I won't have to wait anymore. Thank you for finally asking it.

Hooray! That's what we're here for at squeetus. Thank you, Brian. Can't wait to see what you come up with next. No pressure or anything...

Comments

[Sylvia]

Better go hunt the library!

[Q]

Can I take Maggie home with me? Just for a little bit? Please?

[Heather]

That was a wonderful interview and I am so glad you had it. It was so fascinating to see the "inside scoop" of Mr. Selznick's masterful work. It has certainly been one of the most talked about books of the year and I love it. That is awesome that he knows you and Maggie (and who couldn't help but love her and want to take her home?).

[Marcus Aurelius]

This book is seriously kinda awesome. As for the desire to take the Maggles home, I have none.

I love that munchkin and would not wish to see her so traumatized.

And for the edit, if so desired: First line, an extra "I" in "Selznick"

[Mrs. Mordecai]

I loved The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Thanks for doing this interview!

[Somnite]

Most interesting! I loved his book. Being an artist myself, I was drawn to the beautiful illustrations.

I love interviews of this kind!

[Celes]

Coolio. Thanks for the interview! I haven't read this yet myself, but it's only a matter of time before I can get my hands on it...

[Kelsey]

This was especially cool, having read and loved the book (Shannon's site tipped me off--go figure) and because I'm interested in (eventually) going into illustration, so it's always great to learn more about that.

Okay, I know this is kind of random, but does anyone what the font is that's used on the cover of The Goose Girl and its sequels? Or where I could download it?

[Miss Erin]

Invention of Hugo Cabret is an AMAZING book, reading it was a surreal experience. I positively squealed when it was announced as the Caldecott winner. Another fab interview, thanks, Shannon!

[Julie Campbell]

What a great interview! My literate family (ranging from 4 yrs. to 35 yrs.) just finished and LOVED The Invention of Hugo Cabret! I am excited to share it with my older brother--a big silent movie fan. What a great merge, words and illustrations that tell part of the story! Thanks for the great entertainment Brian and to you Shannon for your great writing.

[calandria]

I read this aloud to my 5- and 7-year old and we were all equally captivated. But they wouldn't let me stop reading when I got tired or had something else to do! And then they wanted to read it again. And then they wanted to read more about Georges Melies on the internet. I was amazed and enchanted by the novelty of this book, but what dumbfounded me was it's power. That after reading it, my little kids felt like they could not rest until they knew more about Melies. I've read many, many books to them but none has had the same effect as Hugo Cabret.

Thanks for doing this interview! Fascinating.

[shannon hale]

Thanks Marcus! Fixed.

[Chelsea]

Hugo Cabret was so cool and fascinating! I think it's awesome that even though we (as a human race) have been writing books forever, people still find new ways to tell a story.

[Shayla S.]

I have never read it but I am so excited to! thanks for letting me know about the amazing book.

P.S I will try and do that for the book I am writing!

lots of love Shayla

[Shayla S.]

okay for the record I am about to die if I don't meet you. I live really close to salt lake and I ABSOLUTLEY ADORE YOUR BOOKS.

All i ask is for you to email me and say you read this. I will seriously die. I am writing a fairy tale too. So far the name is called Princess ME. You insired me to write my book. Thank you thank you thank you!!!

My email is [email protected]

You remember Shannon Hale that you have an amazing talent. You have a gazillion fans out there. Everyone loves you. Don't forget that.

P.S You don't know how cool it would be if you emailed me!!

lots of love Shay Shay

[Melissa]

Thanks for the great interview!! He is fabulous.

Newsweek recently had an article on YA books.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/136961/page/1

Shannon - YOU are part of the golden age of YA literature!! :)

[Ruby]

Great interview. I loved the question and answer about the rugby teams. Mr. Selznick makes a great point about the ages of the players on such teams. Perhaps the teams would be evenly matched. Anyway, the Newbery authors should challenge the Caldecott winners to a game of Scrabble. Just be careful, never let the Caldecott winners talk you into a game of Pictionary, instead.

[Heather]

Melissa, that Newsweek article was awesome. Thanks so much for posting it!

[Ellenboro]

Sorry I'm late. English class is KILLING me!

I loved "The Invention of Hugo Cabret." I borrowed it from my school's library. I was the first one to borrow it and when I went to borrow it again I found most kids were daunted by the size of it. (I thought it could have been much longer and I still would've read it.) But when I told them the story was great and what it was about like a gazillion (does that number exist?) kids checked it out! They all liked it. Except this one kid who got to the 20th page and gave up. He NEVER reads! He watches the movies when we have to write book reports. I don't know how he still hasn't gotten an F in class.

Anyway, great interview. Great book. Keep writing 'cus I want more. (Both of you) =D

[Virgil]

Very slick. I note a recent theme of illustrators. Why?

[Charity]

I keep hearing about and seeing this book. I guess it's time to go check it out at the library. I have to admit that I wasn't interested in the story content at first because I was so facinated by the drawings. I love Brian Selznick's illustrations! I just read a book he illustrated...Riding Freedom by Pam Munoz Ryan. Thumbs up for both the author and illustrator. Just bought Goose Girl this week. First time reading it and first Shannon Hale purchase!

[Brinnan]

Hee hee. I have the initials of "BS" too. How unfortunate of us!
:]