An Interview with David Levithan

1. How is it collaborating with authors to write a book?
It's fantastic. The key, I think, is to still have your individual part (whether it's every other chapter, or it's a certain part of the book) while at the same time getting that back-and-forth energy from working with someone else. It's different in specifics with every person I've collaborated with, but there's definitely always a buzz from seeing what the other person throws my way -- and what I can throw back.


2. You have a huge fanbase, is there anything crazy that has happened? If so, what was it?
Well, the whole thing is crazy in a way -- you write a book in relative isolation... and then suddenly it brings all these new people into your life. But probably the strangest thing that's happened that I didn't foresee is that a few people have gotten tattoos with phrases from my books. It makes everything seem so...permanent.


3. Do you have a set amount of books that you plan on writing?
Oh no. As many as I can, I'd say.


4. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Just the usual advice: to write and write and write and read and read and read and then write some more. Don't worry about getting published. Just try to get it right.


5. I know and have heard of numerous people who look-up to you. How do you feel about teens who look-up to you and your books?
Probably it's a mix of "I'm not worthy!" and "That's awesome!" I think the books really are the objects of the admiration -- and to get that response is incredible. And, hey, I got to be who I am because I looked up to all the right people (including my super cool parents). And I'm still who I am because I look up to the right people. I find that most admiration is two-way.


6. Is there anything that would like to add?
That I'm still jealous you have a Salvatore jacket. (He was talking about Khy)



Thanks you so much to David Levithan for doing this interview! You are an amazing author!