Interview: Greg MacLeod talks about Grumble's Bridge

Greg MacLeod’s debut children’s picture book, Grumble’s Bridge, was inspired by playful moments with his nephew, Max.

An ex-school principal, Greg now works as an art teacher, coach and mentor, supporting people in education and other fields. He continues to perform and direct in the Dunedin theatre community. Greg talks to NZ Booklovers.

Tell us a little about Grumble’s Bridge.

Grumble’s Bridge is about a curmudgeonly troll who is desperate for some sleep, but because trolls sleep during the day, he keeps being woken by animals wanting to cross his bridge. In the end, he gets a wake-up call of his own.

What inspired you to write this book?

Every Tuesday our family heads over to my mother-in-law’s house for what we call ‘Cheesy Chewsday Dinner’. My nephew, Max (three, turning four soon), has enjoyed the attention of the older cousins, aunts and uncles, and his mama. Over a few Tuesdays we began playing a game we called ‘the bridge’. This was a game loosely based on the tale of The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Heidi, my wife, and I would play this game, taking turns at being the troll. Heidi would play a fairly sanitised version and allow the animals to cross freely. I was not so easy to play with.

This often involved me lying on the carpet with my head under a footstool, often after a busy day at school, while Max manipulated his plastic animal figurines and I volleyed every hurdle I could his way. I would try to be as difficult as possible. He would say, ‘Can I cross the bridge?’ I would put on my best troll voice and say, ‘No! Go away!’ Max would come back with a whole lot of suggestions and try to convince me his animals needed to cross the bridge. It was a lot of fun, and Max liked to suspend disbelief. I had to be careful not to be too scary as the troll, so I set about writing a picture book for Max over the Christmas break.

What research was involved?

I already knew the bare bones of the story from all the versions I had read and listened to when I was young, so I had that sitting in the wings. My father had recently died, and I felt like Grumble was a bit like him - gruff on the exterior, but really a bit of a softie on the inside.

How did you work with the illustrator, Herb MacDonald?

This being a debut for me, I had no idea what to expect. Lynette and the team at Scholastic were to send me options, but in the end it was just the one - Herb. I looked over his portfolio and agreed that he’d be perfect. I immediately loved his illustrations, and I could see he had a great sense of humour, which is very important to me. He sent through some character development sketches and we all agreed that they had hit the nail on the head. Herb squirrelled away for a time and sent through some pencil sketches that roughed out a plan. I made a few notes and then he set off creating the finished artwork. The book came back and, once again, I only had a few minor tweaks to suggest.

The first direct communication we had was after finishing the book. Everything else was discussed through our editors. I think we were a great pairing because we seemed to just get each other. Upon completion I thanked him for his magic. He replied, “Yes, I think it is some kind of magic. I don’t know how words and images come together and take a life of their own and become something new.”

If a soundtrack were made to accompany this book, name a song or two you would include.

It would have to be something by David Bowie. I’m a singer and a major Bowie fan. We are planning a big Bowie tribute in July, so I’ve been thinking about him and listening to his music often. ‘Underground’ from the Labyrinth soundtrack feels like a good fit.

What did you enjoy the most about writing this children's picture book?

Completing it! I am a great starter and not the best finisher. I always knew that my original ending was weak, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Working in a team was just what I needed. The editing team and Herb all gave feedback. They gave me time to go away and draft different endings. They told me to take my time and not to worry about it too much if it didn’t land straight away. I guess my favourite part was heading off for a run and then coming back and knowing I had the end. I sat down, finished it, and sent it through, and they loved it. Perhaps it will not be that easy again. However, I enjoyed that part of the process the most.

What do you think children will enjoy about it?

I’ve been a teacher for 20 years and I have always promised myself not to patronise children or be sickly saccharine. I feel that young people appreciate this. As an actor I also know that children love the right level of fear in storytelling, as long as it’s followed up with a resolution. I think that’s what Max enjoyed in our game. It was a wee bit scary and that added to the fun. Of course, the original story has obviously been around for hundreds of years, so it has certainly stood the test of time, a familiar repetition and then an upsetting of that rhythm. Grumble’s Bridge was written with that purpose in mind.

I hope it will also appeal to sleep-deprived adults who want a bit of quiet. Perhaps adults will relate more to Grumble, while younger readers may see themselves more in the other animals who blindly go about their daily business. In saying that, my intermediate-aged students all agree that sleep is very important to them!

What did you do to celebrate finishing this book?

I did a little dance in my living room, holding my advance copy with a grin on my face like the Cheshire Cat.

What is the favourite book you have read so far this year and why?

I am reading The Names by Florence Knapp. It’s tragic and sweet and very real. It’s fresh and feels like unique storytelling.

What’s next on the agenda for you?

I’ve written another picture book that I’ve sent through to my editors, fingers crossed! As I mentioned before, I am also producing and rehearsing for BOWIE: A ROCK TRIBUTE in Dunedin at Knox Church. Heidi and I held a wake for Bowie in 2016, and ten years on I am still grieving, so we are launching a show in July as a nod to his genius: www.bowie.co.nz

Scholastic New Zealand