*Unless you’ve been living under a rock, everyone has heard of The Walking Dead. The franchise started out as a hit comic book series and has transitioned into an iconic television series. But, did you know the saga is made up of more than pencilled art and television episodes? Two novels – The Rise of The Governor and The Road To Woodbury – exist and they are cowritten by franchise creature Robert Kirkman and award winning author Jay Bonansinga. Bonansinga, a New York Times Best Seller and indie film maker, was kind enough to chat with me about his career as an acclaimed author, the Walking Dead books, and about his life in general. You can read my interview with Jay Bonansinga below!
Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself?
Okay, I am a novelist and screenwriter based in Chicago, totally a Midwestern boy, who was weaned on Rod Serling and Night Gallery, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, and old black and white Bette Davis movies that my grandma let me watch late at night when I was 10. My ultimate image of evil is Cruella DeVille from the original 101 Datamations, an image which has haunted me my whole life. There’s a little Cruella in The Governor.
How did you know you wanted to get into writing? When do you think you became a real author?
I wanted to be a writer when I first laid eyes on Rod Serling. Not because he was a great writer — he was — but because of his look. I wanted to be that cool guy in the funereal black coat with the narrow lapels and black tie, with the cigarette. And I guess I knew I was a real author when I got the first edition of my first book in the mail from the publisher (THE BLACK MARIAH, 1994, Warner Books) and I saw that glorious foil paperback cover with the demonic 18-wheeler on it. Oy ve that was life changing. Incidentally, this same book — once developed into a movie that never got filmed, directed by George Romero — will be available from crossroadpress.com in all digital formats!
You’ve also taken on the role as film maker. Can you tell readers about some of your work in the film industry?
Well, I have been a working screenwriter for fifteen years. I’m a member of Guild, with about a half a dozen original screenplays sold. Only one has yet made it to the screen: STASH starring Tim Zazurinsky and Marilyn Chambers, which I also directed. I also have a masters in film and have directed music videos, and feel like the visual storytelling I learned as a screenwriter has informed my prose to the max!
Can you tell us about your first published book? What was that experience like?
I already mentioned THE BLACK MARIAH, but that was one of the greatest experiences of my life, not only because it was my first born, but also because I got to work with and become friends with and an admirer of the great George Romero!
THE WALKING DEAD: RISE OF THE GOVERNOR.. May I ask how you landed in the position to write a book with Robert Kirkman?
Yeah, I wish I had a cool “meet-cute” anecdote, but it was simply because my manager, Andy Cohen of Grade A Entertainment, knew David Alpert and Steve Emory at Circle of Confusion (the company that produces the TV show). It’s always who you know, ain’t it?
How did it feel to be on the The New York Times bestseller list for writing about zombies?
The thing is, not only is it one of the coolest things that ever happened in my career but Robert Kirkman reminds me of George Romero in so many ways. They are both bearded, down-to-earth, funny sweethearts who will crush your skull if you fuck with their work, but neither man takes himself very seriously. Robert is a dream to work with. I know it sounds like a show business cliche but it’s true. He gives me an outline with all the twists and I turn it into 100,000 words of prose.
THE WALKING DEAD: THE ROAD TO WOODBURY… The second time around was it easier to write a book for the franchise? Was it difficult trying to maintain originality within the franchise?
Actually, no, maintaining originality is not a problem because of the depth and richness of the mythology. It’s a little like saying, “Don’t you ever get tired of being in love with your girlfriend Jilly?” I fell in love with the Walking Dead world…and it’s pretty damn vast.
If you had to choose one original character from the books that you wrote, who would be your favorite?
I would say Lilly Caul of WOODBURY. She is totally a simulacrum of my girlfriend Jilly, and she’s a badass, fascinating character whom I truly have grown to love.
Have any of the material you wrote specifically for the books popped up on the television screen? If so, how did that make you feel?
The answer is…yes, I think it has happened, and it makes me feel like I’m Winnie the Pooh snorkeling in a pot of honey laced with ecstasy. Last week the Governor mentioned that his last name is Blake, and he talked of his wife’s death. This is stuff is, if I’m not mistaken, directly from the book. God bless you, Robert Kirkman.
Have you ever been on set of The Walking Dead at all?
I’m sorry, but I cannot reveal this.
For any aspiring writers out there, what is your advice for them?
Don’t write what you know as much as write what you love to read. Write that thing you jones for but you cannot find. Write something that YOU yourself would shell out money to read.
*Thank you for doing this interview with me, Mr. Bonansinga. For any interested Walking Dead fans or anyone who enjoys reading a good book, you can find more of Jay’s work at the links below. Also, remember to keep an eye out for more another Walking Dead novel this September with The Fall of The Governor.
Official Website: https://www.jaybonansinga.com/
Novels on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jay-Bonansinga/e/B000APU1OK
Novels on Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/jay-bonansinga
Jay on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JayBonansinga
Jay on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JayBonansingaFanPage
