How do I work this? Where is that large automobile? Oh, we aren’t singing “Once in a Lifetime” by the Talking Heads? Fine, fine. I’m Jeff Giles, silly! I’ve been writing about pop culture off and on since the late ’80s, and along the way, I’ve done all sorts of things — published a newspaper, ran a record label, released albums of my own music and music by other artists, launched websites, and even written other books. But I never thought I’d end up writing a novel until Langley barged into my brain and said hi, which just goes to show you how delightfully surprising life can be.
2. Since “Where do you get your ideas?” is a terrible question, what made you want to write this book?
I think a lot of creative types have ideas that they try to shoo away for whatever reason, but those ideas keep coming back and tugging at the ol’ mental shirtsleeve until you finally give in and say “FINE, LET’S SEE WHERE THIS LEADS.” Such was the case with Langley Powell. I was thoroughly amused by the idea of a skeptic dying and being immediately annoyed to discover that he has become a ghost, but I had no plans to write a novel, and in fact didn’t even think I had it in me to pull it off. Still, the concept kept reminding me it was waiting for my attention, and the more I thought about it, the more I really wanted to read the thing.
When the COVID lockdown hit in the spring of 2020, I had a week’s vacation booked from work and suddenly no trip to take, so I figured I might as well spend that time exploring Langley’s story; initially, I planned on writing it as a collaborative novel with my dear friend (and Humorist Books editor) Brian Boone, but after the first few chapters, he very kindly pointed out that this seemed like something I needed to finish on my own.
3. How did you keep writing this book?
Once I got past the overwhelming conviction that I wasn’t a novelist, Langley was really a whole bunch of fun to write. Following that first week, I set aside big chunks of my weekends to work on the book, and by November of 2020, the first draft was finished. Some tinkering followed, but all in all, once that initial momentum was established, these characters told me what they wanted to say and where they needed to go. Chalk one more up for giving in to ideas that won’t stop nagging you.
4. Who is this book for, anyway?
Initially, I viewed this as a semi-educational comedy for middle grade readers, but once I started shopping it around, numerous folks were quick to tell me that this is not that. (There isn’t any sex or serious profanity, or even much in the way of violence, so I still think it’s fun for the whole family.) Under all the jokes, I think it’s really a story about learning to accept your perceived shortcomings, make peace with yourself, and let go of the toxic stuff that burdens you, and these are messages that I think anyone could benefit from… especially when they’re surrounded by rampant silliness and unexpected cameos from dead celebrities.
Jeff Giles!
5. Any darlings you had to kill?
In retrospect, I think one of the nice things about writing this type of story is that anything can happen, so any goofy set piece or random line of dialogue you have your heart set on can be justified if you want it enough. As far as I remember, there were no deceased darlings this time out, but maybe that just means the knives will be extra sharp for the next book.
6. What are you working on now?
I’m currently at work on three books. One is a collection of interviews with people who’ve been through an experience that forced them to start over in some fundamental way — job loss, divorce, serious medical diagnosis, that kind of thing. The goal with that project is to illustrate that while these major resets are often terrifying, they also often lead us to stronger, more fully realized, and even happier versions of ourselves. The second project is a collaboration, so I probably shouldn’t speak out of turn, but it’s music-related, and also non-fiction. Finally, I’m currently about 7,000 words into the next novel, which will be an L.A.-set detective story that I’m envisioning as a sort of modern-day Chinatown with jokes. Know any publishers who might be interested in that kind of thing?
