My clearest memory was visiting the set in a shutdown aircraft factory in Southern California, where they were building the lake. They said, “Here, you can help us make a decision.” They led me into this room where they had kind of giant casserole dishes of water and different squares of cement painted different shades of gray, and they said, “We’re trying to decide what shade of gray to paint the bottom of the lake.” It was the most boring thing I’d ever looked at in my life.
I don’t yet know how to write for kids, but the Handler that comes through in this interview is precisely the kind of frank and humble writer I’d love to become. I should start by not presuming to compare myself with him.
Also awesome about Daniel Handler? He once subscribed to The Cupboard, and then he renewed his subscription.