Ian Billings is the author of Tolly Grimpen’s Tales of Grot and Horror — a collection of horrid and chilling tales from the maniacal mind of Ian Billings, illustrated by the equally mad genius of Hunt Emerson.
In this Q&A, Ian discusses the delicate balance between horror and humour, working with the legendary Hunt Emerson, and the influence of his extensive career.
Tolly Grimpen’s Tales of Grot and Horror by Ian Billings & Hunt Emerson is available now!
Tolly Grimpen’s Tales of Grot and Horror is an anthology of spooky stories for children. What inspired the creation of the book?
It’s a book which had been rattling around my little head for years. I wanted to do a series of gothic comedies for kids so listed all the famous gothic novels like Dracula and Frankenstein and Dr.Jekyll then wondered how I could turn them upside down and place children at the centre.
Were there any particular books, movies, or experiences that sparked the idea?
Every gothic horror movie ever!
The stories in the book perfect blend of horror and humour. How did you approach writing in a way that is both funny and scary without overwhelming younger readers?
You’re right it is a balanced and delicate blend. It’s important not just to have joke after joke but let the story breathe a little and let the characters find their situations.
The characters in the book — like Florence Gallop and Edmund Dollop — are unique and memorable. How do you go about creating such distinct and quirky characters?
I’ve worked in over 2000 schools and I’ve met a lot of Florence Gallops. The trick to creating comics is to take elements of your own character (or someone else’s) and then exaggerate to the point they become absurd and laughable.
Do any of them have roots in real people or experiences from your life?
Yes, but I’m not going to name them in case they sue.
Ha! You’ve had a diverse career, from pantomime writing to acting and stand-up comedy. How do these different creative outlets influence your writing, particularly in this book?
I love doing both. Each is a contrast to the other. If I’ve spent days and days doing stand-up or panto then there’s nothing I like more than to sit down for a few weeks and write a new book. Likewise, when I’ve been sitting down for a few days writing a new book there’s nothing I like more than getting out and doing some stand-up or panto!
The stories in this collection have a playful use of language and plenty of wordplay. How important is language in creating the atmosphere of your tales, and do you have a favourite word or phrase you used in the book?
The bouncy language makes the text buoyant and fun. I love to use alliteration and lots of internal rhymes which give the whole story a hoppy, skippy feel.
This book is illustrated by Hunt Emerson, a renowned cartoonist. How did the collaboration with Hunt come about, and how do you feel his illustrations enhance the stories you’ve written?
Hunt is one of the greatest cartoonists in Europe. I came across his work when he used to illustrate the records of a radio programme called The Goon Show. I loved his work and contacted him and we’ve worked on lots and lots of books together.