Terrance Griep Writer "Scooby-Doo"

Interview with: Terrance Griep
Job: writer
Comic book: Scooby-Doo
Publisher: DC Comics
Interviewed by: Allen Klingelhoets
jazmaonline.boards.net/
Field Marshal


Allen: You sure have been busy writing new Scooby-Doo stories. I wanted to do follow-up to last spring Jazma interview.
  It is great to have you back for new interview.
  How are you doing, Terrance?

Griep: Above ground and mobile, thanks.

Allen: Why do you feel there is an audience for Scooby-Doo comics?

Griep: As much as any comic book has any audience, here's what I believe is the root of the SCOOBY-DOO concept's popularity: at its core, SCOOBY-DOO is just a retelling of the Hansel and Gretel myth. It's really about clever children outsmarting menacing adults.
  SCOOBY is the marketable star, but without his human friends, he's a quadrupedal comedian sans straight man.

Allen: Tell me about some of your recent Scooby-Doo stories. How are they different from your many other  Scooby-Doo stories?

Griep: I've been working on DC's SCOOBY-DOO for over ten years now, since issue #1. That's a legion of  retellings for the same fershlugginger plot. These days, I hope I'm a better writer who comes up with cleverer storylines and cleverer resolutions in order to keep from repeating myself. It gets harder each and every time out, but, like a particularly warped Bat-Villain, I really enjoy the extra effort.



Allen: Take me through some of research you did on present stories. Example: the Rainbow Serpent in issue # 147.

Griep: That particular story started off with the location--when coming up with a batch of plots, I realized I personally had never taken Scooby and his friends to Australia. Once I decided to go in that literal direction, I resolved to tell a story that had nothing to with kangaroos, boomerangs, or throwing shrimp on the barbie.  
  So I explored the Aborigine culture and found my monster in the Rainbow Serpent. The harsh reality of pre- colonized Australia makes for a harsh cosmology.

Allen: What was your inspiration for "A Horror in One" story in issue # 144?

Griep: My contribution to that issue features a story where Fred competes in a mini-golf tournament. That idea was teed from a phase of plotline-generating where I went through the bios of each character, including SCOOBY, and tried find stories within their backgrounds.
  Fred's an athlete, so I wanted him to participate in some sporting contest that got visited by a monster. Mini-golf seemed like the most visual, general-audience-friendly possibility. Funnily, I've since discovered that Shaggy is a mini-golf champion himself.

Allen: How has the Mystery Machine evolved through your time writing Scooby-Doo stories?

Griep: Not a lot. Within the cartoon's continuity, it's ranged from rickety relic to James-Bond-esque über- vehicle. The comics have always favored a standard-issue van accentuated with some detectivey tech.

Allen: Do you know the story history of Mystery Machine? Who actually created the idea for the Mystery
Machine?

Griep: Its storyline history is that Shaggy found it as a wreck, the Gang restored it, then painted it up in  accordance to their hippiecentric outlook on life. Up to that point, Daphne's father, who finances Mystery, Inc., was their reluctant chauffeur. I don't precisely know who created the Mystery Machine in our real world. The original Scooby franchise was kicked between creative and corporate folks for two years, so it's hard to tell four decades later.

Allen: I want to ask a few questions I'm really curious about. How do you, as an adult, find a way to
communicate a story for kids?



Griep: An old rule of thumb, within fiction writing, is, "Write for yourself." When writing Cartoon Network books, I just write for the eight-year-old version of myself. I always proofread the dialogue twice, reading once as an eight-year-old boy and once as a full-grown adult. And I never, ever write down to kids.

Allen: Do you have some set guidelines by present Scooby-Doo editor Harvey Richards? If you write Scooby- Doo stories for a general audience, how do you not bore adults? Is it easy to get to wordy for your intended  reading group?

Griep: Harvey's articulated his vision eloquently. Guidelines do exist, but I treat them as privileged information. As for the adults, I hope the mystery itself and the in-jokes can keep them in. I think if story were boring for adults, it'll be boring for kids, as well. Oh, and as for your last point, Friend Allen, I hope I'm more disciplined than wordy.

Allen: What are some of your favorite Scooby-Doo stories that you wrote?

Griep: I remember SCOOBY-DOO #9 because it's my twin sisters' favorite. During the course of that story, the chase takes place after the unmasking, so some of the other conventions get reversed. SCOOBY-DOO #147 was the first time I got to write those groovy diving suits into a storyline--so awesome. SCOOBY-DOO #148 features a stampede of sumo wrestlers that is, without a doubt, the funniest thing I've ever written in any medium. I hasten to add that I enjoy the work of the other writers on the book. I feel grateful to be the company of such skilled and talented storytellers.



Allen: Did you ever create a monster that you would like to have future return appearance?

Griep: Sure. All of them.

Allen: What are some of the basic things expected in a Scooby-Doo story?

Griep: A monster, a mystery, at least two suspects, a Scooby Snack bribe, a chase, a trap, a backfire, an
unmasking, and an explanation.

Allen: How in a script do you try to relate to the artist what to draw? Do you try to use short sentences or long text?

Griep: I try to be Hemingway, but I sometimes morph into Faulkner--I allow myself that indulgence twice a  script, at most. I include in each of my scripts a note to the artist, bequeathing him or her with absolute veto  power.

Allen: You have often mentioned Joe Staton is your artist of choice. Do you happen to know if you will be  working with him again? I noticed you have been having various artists adapting your scripts. I have not seen Joe do art for several months. How do editors choose artist for scripts?

Griep: Joe's working on other projects just now. I'm sure each editor has his or her own criteria for choosing  artists, and, specific to Scooby, the Cartoon Network rightly has some say-so, as well. I'm delighted with the  artists with whom I'm collaborating, and I'm delighted not to have to decide who does what.

Allen: What is harder for you, writing about Scooby gang or monsters they face?

Griep: Oh, man--Scooby and the kids are my best friends. Writing them is no problem. The monsters' motives are actually the toughest part of writing Scooby. Not the villains, mind you--the monsters that they're pretending to be. Defending indigenous burial grounds from desecration has been done to death--literally.



Allen: How does it feel to be working on the characters of Scooby-Doo Gang? Which are your favorite
characters to write about?

Griep: I'm still gaga about all of them. What I enjoy most about writing them isn't so much an individual character as the relationship between the characters. In particular, I love developing the dynamic between Fred and Shaggy. Fred's too cool-headed and good-natured to get mad, ever, but I imagine a brave boy like Fred would find a coward like Shaggy at least a little grating.

Allen: Do you find yourself to have lots of detective skills?

Griep: If a ghost or a werewolf is involved, absolutely--I'm an expert and a connoisseur.

Allen: Have you ever scared yourself while writing Scooby-Doo stories?

Griep: In the middle of the night, I was researching an alleged alien abduction--the Valentich disappearance-- and a friend snuck up on me without intending to, and I almost screamed.

Allen: Are you working on more Scooby-Doo stories?

Griep: Oh, yeah--constantly. If I ever hear the word "hoax" or "fraud" in the news, I immediately look up the  story and try to dovetail a fake ghost into it. I'm constantly on the Scooby-make.



Allen: I recall from a prior interview that you also wrote magazine articles for other source of writing income.  Let's take a moment to contrast the difference between writing comics and writing magazine articles. Take me through some of the media differences.

Griep: The important similarity is that both revolve around storytelling. My magazine writing is mostly either humor or profiles on living, breathing humans. But in both media, my work features a beginning, a middle, and an end. The main difference is that I have to be more careful with real people because they arrogantly expect me to be factual.

Allen: It was interesting when I interviewed your alter ego.
How do you feel wrestling makes you a better writer?

Griep: I'll pause here and remind Jazma's visitors that, in addition to my glamorous career as a professional writer, I also work as a professional wrestler. That said, before wrestling came into my life, I wrote constantly which, looking back, exhausted me and exhausted the work. Now I have to balance travel time and the actual wrestling with the physical act of writing, a discipline that improves both. And wrestling is a parallel form of storytelling, as well--an extremely physical, bruising kind of storytelling, admittedly, that catalyzes the time I spend in front of the computer.

Allen: How did wrestling inspire you for your story in issue # 148?

Griep: My story in SCOOBY-DOO #148 is set during a sumo wrestling tournament. The brainstorm for that one came from my realization that the backstage workings of a professional wrestling card are at least as interesting as the actual ring work--sometimes we produce pay-per-view quality conflicts backstage, but the fans never know about them. I know Mystery, Inc., have been involved in a professional wrestling mystery before, so I opted for sumo, which fascinates me to no end.



Allen: How have things been going for SpiderBaby wrestling wise?

Griep: Awesomely well. After months on the side of the angels, I turned back into a villain. SpiderBaby is a much darker character now--he's lost his sense of humor. I am having SO MUCH fun.

Allen: Terrance. What would you like to say to people that have not seen you wrestle? How can someone find out where you're wrestling? Also, what wrestling class do you wrestle at? Are you presently wrestling as solo act or part of a team?

Griep: If people are interested in following my wrestling career, their best bet is to friend me at Facebook:  www.facebook.com/thespiderbaby. I do a thorough job of keeping my many, many, many fans posted on the  particulars of my matches. The current version of SpiderBaby is so gloomy and so sneaky, no other wrestler will put up with him, so I'm a solo act.



Allen: Have you learned any new wrestling moves since our last interview?

Griep: Oh, sure. I've added mostly dirty stuff to my move set. In the wrestling game, if you're not getting better, then you're getting worse. That's why I love it.

Allen: Have you ever suffered any serious injuries while wrestling?

Griep: Nothing serious. Tweaked my back, got dumped on my head during a particular match of which I  remember next to nothing--all just another day at the office.

Allen: Do you have any thoughts of retiring from wrestling?

Griep: Before and after every single match.

Allen: How many events a year is SpiderBaby wrestling at?

Griep: As many as possible--usually between 50 and 80, I'd guess.

Allen: Is it true SpiderBaby wrestled with Darryl Hall? Was he musician or someone with same name?

Griep: Just the same name...but anyone who wrestles The SpiderBaby is doomed to sing the blues.

Allen: I picked up a flyer from last years Minnesota comic book convention Fallcon. I noticed you are guest of 
honor at Gaylaxicon. Tell me about this event and when and where will it be held.

Griep: It's an annual, international SF, fantasy, horror, and comics convention, with an emphasis on LGBT creators and characters, which'll happen in my hometown of Minneapolis this year, from October 9 to October 11. As you mentioned, I'm one of five Guests of Honor. And many other guests will be attending.

Allen: You certainly live an active life style. Are you still doing charity work for ALS? Refresh my memory how  this came about and how to donate.

Griep: Thanks for asking. Yeah, I'm doing the Walk to Defeat ALS to fund anti-ALS research. If your visitors are interested, they can learn more at ALS

Allen: Do you own any pets?

Griep: Just peeves--lots of those.

Allen: Do you ever get asked to go to places to read your Scooby – Doo stories? Do you do book signings?    What are some of your future convention appearances?

Griep: I've done other readings of my fiction and nonfiction, but comics don't lend themselves to that sort of  presentation, as the teeny-weeny pictures are at the storytelling's core. I'm happy to do signings at any store-- m, within reason--that thinks my presence would be helpful. As for convention appearances, Gaylaxicon is the only one I'm doing in the foreseeable future. The major comic conventions have gotten too big for their own good...or for my good, anyway.

Allen: Were you surprised to have your picture in Scooby-Doo # 145 letter page?

Griep: Ha. Yeah. I'll mention to Jazma's visitors that you yourself took a photo of me at some convention, 
then cruelly sent it to DC who cruelly published it in the letter column. I considered getting chagrined at this 
flagrant violation of my mojo, but then I remembered that SCOOBY is about the commingling of comedy and  horror, so printing my photo seems wholly appropriate.

Allen: You have been teleported to a remote island. All you have is your detective skills as Scooby –Doo writer. You notice a character with hunched back. This is a land of past Terrance Gripe Jr. Scooby-Doo stories. Which issue contained a story about a hunched back character? Answer will return you to your home location.



Griep: You're assuming I'd want to return, Friend Allen. I'd much rather live on an island populated by Scooby villains...but, for the record, the hunchback appeared in SCOOBY-DOO #85. He was a good guy.   
  It's funny you should pick that story, which is set in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, as I used the middle names 
of my favorite Catholics, my mother and my sisters, as onetime characters.

Allen: You have been returned to your home location. What is best way to contact you?

Griep: Sp1derBaby@aol.com; www.facebook.com/thespiderbaby.

Allen: What future projects are you working on comic wise and magazine wise?

Griep: I'm waiting to hear on pitches at DC and elsewhere. Until they're approved, I shouldn't talk about  them...but I'll have lots of SCOOBYs getting published in the coming months.

Allen: What do you feel the future holds for Scooby-Doo comic?

Griep: Lots and lots of mysteries, I'll wager.

Allen: What fuels your curiosity?

Griep: Not knowing things.

Allen: I feel this is great place to close interview. What would you like to say to readers that have not tried  Scooby-Doo stories?

Griep: It's a comic book about fun--the fun of not knowing, the fun of playing along by figuring things out, the fun of being scared, kind'a, and the fun of friendship. I think putting a book like this on one's pull-list tells  publishers that the market place can support positive books, and, speaking as a fan, I think that's a vital  message to send. Thanks for your questions, Friend Allen!



Allen Klingelhoets