character and playing a character are similar in that
Growing up, I used to see ghosts. I think a lot of kids
both require you to mentally become someone else.
do. Mine usually appeared as flashes (and usually in
the state in which they died). Sometimes, I’d feel a
Do you hope to see your own books adapted for
film? Would you like to play a part in bringing
them to the screen, through writing the scripts or
acting in them?
presence in the room with me or something would
brush against my cheek. When I was fifteen, we
moved to this eerie house that was full of strange
happenings. I would hear footsteps dragging along the
landing and the chandelier in the foyer would rattle
Film and television adaptations scare me because it
with each step. We called it The Boo Radley House
means giving creative control to people who may or
and if I didn’t believe in ghosts before, I sure did after
may not share your vision. I would want to be
that!
involved in a number of capacities, but that isn’t
always possible In Hollywood and so you run the risk
of seeing your book turned into a train-wreck on
screen. As long as a book stays a book, at least you
know it's safe!
Does Ghost House mark a new direction in your
writing, or does it extend on themes you have
explored in your earlier work?
Ghost House is still a paranormal themed novel for
young adults so it’s in a similar vein to the Halo
As an actor, you have spent a good deal of time
trilogy. I think it focuses more on relationships rather
working in Los Angeles. What are your
than exploring the forces of good and evil. Even
impressions of life in LA?
though some of them are ghosts, I think the characters
are perhaps more real. I am currently working on a
John Cusack recently said in an interview,
novel, that is completely modern and ai med at an
“Hollywood is a whorehouse and people go mad.” I
adult audience.
would have to say I have a love/hate relationship with
the city. LA is definitely a place that attracts people
with big dreams but it's also full of broken dreams.
You have to be very grounded to live here and choose
the people you consider friends very carefully.
Were there any special challenges that you faced
in writing Ghost House?
My biggest challenge was deciding whether I wanted
Grange Hall to be a plantation in Virginia or a manor
You recently published the first book of your new
house in England. I originally went with the Southern
trilogy, Ghost House. It has an interesting
setting until I took a trip to the UK. I stayed in
dedication: “For the ghosts of my childhood.
Hampshire/Berkshire area and toured some of the
Without you, I might have grown up normal.”
manor houses and estates. You can almost feel the
Could you tell us more about the meaning of this
history seeping from the walls and then the decision
dedication?
was made.