Ask the Author: Charles Graeber
Answered Questions (8)
Charles Graeber
Not much has changed for Charlie- he's not going anywhere. His attitudes are evolving, though I'm told this is not unusual for a sociopath, out of general population. He is however responding to inquires re: other previously unclaimed victims. Nothing definitive yet. His memories are shaped by his perception of himself, and he's had plenty of time to think.
Many updates in the lives of the characters, some very serious and deeply personal. I'll see to what extent I can share these moments. As for the hospitals, same old thing- everyone involved got raises and promotions. But a grand jury is still possible! Spread the word on the book and maybe we can finally get one. And finally of course there is the film scheduled for 2020, optioned by Darren Aronofsky, of whom I'm a huge fan, with Eddie Redmayne and Jessica Chastain currently attached, which should be excellent! Thanks for the great question Carolyn!
Many updates in the lives of the characters, some very serious and deeply personal. I'll see to what extent I can share these moments. As for the hospitals, same old thing- everyone involved got raises and promotions. But a grand jury is still possible! Spread the word on the book and maybe we can finally get one. And finally of course there is the film scheduled for 2020, optioned by Darren Aronofsky, of whom I'm a huge fan, with Eddie Redmayne and Jessica Chastain currently attached, which should be excellent! Thanks for the great question Carolyn!
Charles Graeber
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Charles Graeber
I don't know if you're still interested, these were all four years ago! But they're similar to a point, then entirely different. They're hard for different reasons. But I was always writing books, then cutting them down into magazine stories, that's what I realized. Articles are too short for me to do anything but read, generally. I need to wallow and spin and not know where I'm going for a long time, then find my way out to a phone booth. That's a book.
Charles Graeber
Not really. Or rather, differently. I'm far more afraid of fire than I was ever before. And more conscious of what can go wrong, and the people inside the uniforms. ButI don't assume anything about the institutions themselves. And in fact, my takeaway was about both the exceptionally bad and the exceptionally good, or rather, the commonly good people working in these places, how much they care and how much they give. What I don't worry about it a serial killer. You can't worry about these things.
Charles Graeber
I was born in Iowa. I'm not sure if that answers it, because I'm from everywhere after that point really, and those are the experiences and familiarities I mine.
Charles Graeber
Writing is a way of figuring out what you think. Or visualizing ideas on paper. Or organizing yourself. Or-- many things. I draw everything before I write it. But the drawings aren't quite right.
I was a poet, before that a cartoonist, a painter- I still am, but less so, especially the poetry. Poetry is weaponized language, or, less aggressively, concentrated consciousness. Just add water. But you can do other things in less concentrated form, employ tools of narrative and timing and give it a beat and pacing...all the creative forms aspire to the condition of music anyway I think. Right?
I was a poet, before that a cartoonist, a painter- I still am, but less so, especially the poetry. Poetry is weaponized language, or, less aggressively, concentrated consciousness. Just add water. But you can do other things in less concentrated form, employ tools of narrative and timing and give it a beat and pacing...all the creative forms aspire to the condition of music anyway I think. Right?
Charles Graeber
This is an excellent question, because the moment I answer it, poof! We cancel each other out.
Also I had no idea there was a whole thing of questions here. When the book first came out there was suddenly a lot of noise and I missed a great number of personal inquiries, I am sure. I appreciate you taking the time to ask however. Meanwhile, this seems to be...four years old, this question. Exactly the amount of time I was spending on the next book. Another rabbit hole.
Also I had no idea there was a whole thing of questions here. When the book first came out there was suddenly a lot of noise and I missed a great number of personal inquiries, I am sure. I appreciate you taking the time to ask however. Meanwhile, this seems to be...four years old, this question. Exactly the amount of time I was spending on the next book. Another rabbit hole.
Charles Graeber
No that's just his name, as it is mine. People call us both Charles now, because that's what's on the driver's license. But if you know the person, and it's not a newspaper's formality or a court appearance, you call them by their name, as they are known to themselves, just as I attempted to depict him as he was, rather than as he only appeared. Any fondness or pity is something that happens to the reader, in moments, when you humanize a human. That in no way excuses his actions, which also speak for themselves, and are damningly detailed in the book, I hope. Formal names protect us, they keep us from being vulnerable. I wanted to strip that away. It's somewhat uncomfortable, isn't it? I thought so. But that was the point, too. Thanks for the question!
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