Write Now with Charlie Greenwald

Who are you?

Hi! I'm Charlie Greenwald. I am a copywriter and children's book author based in Stamford, CT.

What do you write?

So far, I've written four books! Well — I've co-written three, and written one on my own. I co-wrote The Rescues book series from Red Comet Press with my Dad, Tommy Greenwald. He is also a children's book author (you might know him from his incredible sports-centered books, like Game Changer, or the hilarious Charlie Joe Jackson series)! The Rescues book series is about two scrappy, overlooked shelter dogs, Moose and Bear, who become a bonded pair and get adopted together. Those books were illustrated by the wildly talented Shiho Pate, an illustrator from California. My Dad is one of the best writers I've ever had the pleasure of knowing, so I've learned a lot from him. He's written songs, plays and books. We decided to work together after feeling inspired when our own family dog, Coco, lost her eye to a disease. We wanted to tell a story that gave voice to overlooked dogs and why every shelter pet deserves a loving home. Jeff O'Lantern, my new book, is my first solo title. It's illustrated by Jelke van Antwerpen, this incredibly imaginative illustrator from the Netherlands who is particularly skilled at drawing Halloween-themed scenes and delightfully spooky creatures. I'm so blessed to work with illustrators from all over the world. Jelke is a true genius.

I write at home at my desk. Sometimes, I will write from a coffee shop, where they have a particularly delicious white chocolate mocha and brownie. But I tell myself that I can only get the brownie if I finish 5-10 pages. Needless to say, I am usually productive at the coffee shop, and when I am not, I leave with a murmuring belly.

In terms of tools, I always write with Google Docs. I need to know everything is being saved in real time. If I make changes, I'll create a copy of the document and start over. I think I wrote Jeff O'Lantern in full at least 6 or 7 times. My friend Harrison Hill, a non-fiction writer who wrote the spectacular The Oracle's Daughter: The Rise and Fall of an American Cult, writes everything down by hand. I can't do that. My wrist already hurts too much from replying to political texts in my family group chat.

When do you write?

I prefer night writing during the week, and morning writing on the weekends. If I'm not cooking, or exercising, or spending time with my wife and dog, I need to try and write. Even if it's only for 30 minutes. I like listening to music when I write, and that really helps me. My music taste is all over the place — I love jam bands like Phish, Goose and My Morning Jacket, but I also love downtempo bands like Zero 7, Massive Attack, etc. — and the long instrumentals help me get into a zone. I also do think deadlines are crucial. You have to set a date in your mind and chip away at it. I often say, jokingly, that writing is like a long-distance relationship: if you have a light at the end of the tunnel, or a fixed-in-stone calendar date that you're working towards, you can stay motivated! 🤣

Why do you write?

Any type of art inspires me: music, movies, paintings. If I see something that moves me, I try to let the swell of emotions propel me to my computer and pour out what I am feeling in my stories. I don't leave diary entries, but everything I've ever written has been influenced by other people's work. When I was in college, I wrote a play called Surprising Simon with my closest friend, Jeremy Vandroff — maybe the funniest person on planet earth. We were so inspired by Seinfeld episodes that we wanted to write a play that felt like a Seinfeld episode but with entirely new characters, but with the same cynical characters, intermingled plotlines, and amusing debates about the culture of manners. It was some of the most fun I've ever had, writing that play.

Writing books is much the same thing. The Rescues was directly inspired by our family dog who lost an eye, but I am also continually inspired by children's books and stories that move me. I love The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. I love Stellaluna by Janell Cannon. I love Holes by Louis Sachar. That book is a multi-layered masterpiece that works as a comedy, as a drama, as a mystery and as a thriller. It's insane. The amount of well-defined characters, the multiple timelines, the inventiveness of the setting and the world-building... nothing quite like it. I think about it often. Are my characters changing by the end? What are the little moments along the way that get them there? Are things that are mentioned at the beginning coming back at the end? Holes did that beautifully with the yellow-spotted lizards. Thinking of great stories and retracing their steps helps to keep me in check when I'm working on my own.

Jeff O'Lantern was inspired by my love of Halloween. When I was growing up, I always loved watching my friends and neighbors decorate their houses and put on epic costumes. The playing pretend aspect of it was so much fun. I also loved candy, like all kids do (and adults). Jeff is a character who wants so badly to fit in on Halloween night... but he's not as spooky as his brother, Jack, so he has a hard time. Until he doesn't. When I was writing it, I thought about all of my influences... but also my childhood. I want kids to look around in wonder at the street Jeff lived on and root for him to find his place.

How do you overcome writer's block?

A lot of writers don't finish books at all. They get bogged down in self-criticism. The writing isn't good enough, my characters stink, the ending is terrible, etc. I've done it many times. You just have to finish the first draft; you can re-edit it as many times as you want after that. But getting to the last page is the hardest part of writing. Deadlines are essential. And as much as you can, try and write personal stories. Draw upon your own life. Inventing characters out of thin air is harder than re-shaping a person or an assortment of people you know into one fictitious person. Of course, you have to change some things... you don't want to be sued!

Bonus: What do you enjoy doing when not writing?

An excellent question. I love music. I love going to concerts. I saw Tears for Fears a few years ago and it was mind-blowing. They're one of my favorite bands of all-time. Hearing Head Over Heels live was a true high point in my life. I have a dog, a rescue mix named Momo. He's part Chihuahua, part Boston Terrier, part Pekingese. He's perfect. I love getting Kouign-amanns at bakeries.  They are flawless French pastries, and a good one is enough to turn a bad day into a good one. I also love playing tennis. I just moved out of New York and into the suburbs. Thank God. Playing tennis in the city is almost as expensive as luxury childcare.

My thanks to Charlie Greenwald for today's interview.