PUN INTENDED
Charles Ghigna has a new book of puns, and he’s not afraid to use them.
Many know Homewood poet Charles Ghigna as the author of the popular children’s book The Father Goose Treasury of Poetry: 101 Poems for Children, and yet he has written over 100 books for adults and children published by Random House, Scholastic, Simon Schuster and Disney to name a few. His poems have been published in numerous journals and magazines including Harper’s, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, The Saturday Evening Post and The Wall Street Journal. Ghigna’s newest book for adults is Southern Bred: A Memoir of Gothic Poems, and his latest book of light verse, Puns Not Guns, will be published this month. Ghigna will be in the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at the Summit, Saturday, October 25 , from noon to 2 p.m. signing the book. For more information visit his website at FatherGoose.com.
What prompted this set of puns?
I started writing light verse pieces many years ago just for fun. On a lark, I sent a few to the Saturday Evening Post and The Wall Street Journal. I was surprised when they published them and asked for more. A year or so later Tribune Media Services picked them up for national syndication.
How long does it take you to write a pun?
Some come quickly. Some are stubborn. Depending upon the idea and my initial inspiration to capture it in words and rhyme, it usually takes less than an hour.
Do you use humor to reveal a truth?
Poetry and light verse usually pack a punch in just a few words. The challenge in writing light verse is to be as insightful and
incisive as possible while wrapping it all up with a dash of humor.
Is it easier to write for an adult or a child?
Great question! I’ve honestly never thought about it that way. Sometimes I try to look at the world through the eyes of the kid,
and sometimes my old eyes get in the way. I usually just let the
idea take me where it wants to go.
Did you always know this is what you wanted to do?
I’ve been writing and teaching most of my life. I started keeping
a journal in high school, and just never stopped writing.
You write in your attic, which you call the Treehouse. When do you write, and how long do you write when you get started?
I’m up here writing in my treehouse most every day when I’m not traveling. I like to write early in the morning and late at night.
I do a lot editing in the afternoon.
Can you write us a pun about how this book would be a
great holiday gift?
Creating puns is lots of fun
When you are a writer.
The trick to writing funny puns—
Try to keep it lighter.
Buying puns for gifts is fun
When you are a buyer.
But do not ask the punny one—
He may just be a liar
