Ask the Author: Brent Hartinger
Answered Questions (25)
Brent Hartinger
Wow that's a really good question! In fact, my book BAREFOOT IN THE CITY OF BROKEN DREAMS is based on something that really happened to me. It wasn't until after it was over that I realized it was basically the plot of the movie SUNSET BOULEVARD, which is why the book ends up having so many nods and Easter eggs to that movie.
Brent Hartinger
Contact me via email please, and explain your situation. [email protected]
Brent Hartinger
Hmmm, they should all be available. You don't see ANY of the books there?
Brent Hartinger
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Brent Hartinger
I just read a very good book: THE ONLY CHILD by Andrew Pyper. Gothic thriller. I read an okay book: WHEN SHE WOKE. Dystopian fiction about a girl who has an abortion and is forced to be turned "red" for 16 years. And I read a disappointing book: LAST YEAR by Robert Charles Wilson (who I normally love).
And I have a TON of other books downloaded and ready to go!
And I have a TON of other books downloaded and ready to go!
Brent Hartinger
Well, I still have fond feelings for Xena and Gabrielle. I also love Sam and Frodo, because let's face it, they're TOTALLY a couple.
Brent Hartinger
Well, in fairness to me, plenty of people really like the new books (sales have been fantastic). And I'd argue the new Russel trilogy is actually very different from the earlier books.
But your feedback is noted. And you'll be happy to know I have lots of other projects in the works -- both novels and movie projects.
One thing you should know is that authors usually don't have a lot of control over what actually gets released, and when. It can take 2-3 years for a publisher to release something once they buy it (and it can also take at least that long for my agent to sell it). And that's after I spent a year or two writing it.
The point being, a lot of what I've written in the last five years is sort of in a "holding pattern," as my agents and publishers decide exactly when to put it out there. I have no say.
The Russel books are completely different, because I published them myself. That's how I was able to release these three latest books in a little over a year. Plus, I wanted everyone to have the whole trilogy as soon as possible.
But as I said, your feedback is noted!
Brent
But your feedback is noted. And you'll be happy to know I have lots of other projects in the works -- both novels and movie projects.
One thing you should know is that authors usually don't have a lot of control over what actually gets released, and when. It can take 2-3 years for a publisher to release something once they buy it (and it can also take at least that long for my agent to sell it). And that's after I spent a year or two writing it.
The point being, a lot of what I've written in the last five years is sort of in a "holding pattern," as my agents and publishers decide exactly when to put it out there. I have no say.
The Russel books are completely different, because I published them myself. That's how I was able to release these three latest books in a little over a year. Plus, I wanted everyone to have the whole trilogy as soon as possible.
But as I said, your feedback is noted!
Brent
Brent Hartinger
Oh! Thanks so much for letting me know. I've let the Simon & Schuster online folks know about the typos, since they're the only ones who can correct them.
Thanks for taking the time to alert me. :-)
Brent
Thanks for taking the time to alert me. :-)
Brent
Brent Hartinger
I used to. But the more I write him, the less like me he seems. We definitely have a lot in common: we're self-conscious, generally optimistic, and too neurotic. But he's funnier than I am, probably more of a risk-taker, probably less neurotic (!!), but maybe more self-absorbed.
In terms of looks, he's a little taller, and isn't losing his hair (as I was at age fricking 21!).
One way I've put it in the past: he's not me, now or when I was his age. But he might be like me if I was his age in 2015.
Either way, I don't think of him at me at all. He's definitely his own person, with his own life and his own friends and travails.
Thanks for asking!
Brent
In terms of looks, he's a little taller, and isn't losing his hair (as I was at age fricking 21!).
One way I've put it in the past: he's not me, now or when I was his age. But he might be like me if I was his age in 2015.
Either way, I don't think of him at me at all. He's definitely his own person, with his own life and his own friends and travails.
Thanks for asking!
Brent
Brent Hartinger
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Brent Hartinger
Oh, that's a great question!
Russel is like all of us: *sometimes* he's happy, and hopefully he's changing and becoming more sure of himself as he gets older. But he's human, so nothing ever stays the same. Emotions are fleeting, even the positive ones. Onto the next challenge in life! I actually think that's one of the major themes in the series: nothing lasts forever, so cling to the good times when they're here, and look for the beauty and excitement in the mystery that is the future.
Russel tends to be happy at the end of most of my books about him, and here's why: I think he's ultimately an optimist. Because he's the one "telling" the stories, it makes sense to me that he would generally want to leave them on a positive note.
Thanks for the question!
Brent
Russel is like all of us: *sometimes* he's happy, and hopefully he's changing and becoming more sure of himself as he gets older. But he's human, so nothing ever stays the same. Emotions are fleeting, even the positive ones. Onto the next challenge in life! I actually think that's one of the major themes in the series: nothing lasts forever, so cling to the good times when they're here, and look for the beauty and excitement in the mystery that is the future.
Russel tends to be happy at the end of most of my books about him, and here's why: I think he's ultimately an optimist. Because he's the one "telling" the stories, it makes sense to me that he would generally want to leave them on a positive note.
Thanks for the question!
Brent
Brent Hartinger
I love Em too, but alas, she's gone for good (at least she's not in THE ROAD TO AMAZING). Gunnar has a pretty fun storyline in the book (IMHO!), but, unfortunately, he's still single.
Part of the problem with a writing a series of books is that after a while you have too many characters to include, so some have to be cut. I guess Em was one of them. :-/
But thanks for asking!
Brent
Part of the problem with a writing a series of books is that after a while you have too many characters to include, so some have to be cut. I guess Em was one of them. :-/
But thanks for asking!
Brent
Brent Hartinger
I'm finishing THE ROAD TO AMAZING right now, which is the third book in the Futon Years trilogy. The first four-book Russel YA series, that is seven books total. THE ROAD TO AMAZING will be the last book for the time being.
But I would very much like to write about Russel again, and hopefully I'll get a chance in a couple of years.
It will probably be the next stage of his life. The first series (four books) was his teen years, the latest series was his early to mid 20s (three books), so the next series (when and if I write it) would be Russel in his late 20s. I have a pretty good idea what it would be about, but I haven't written anything out yet.
But if and when I start, I will definitely post all about it on social media, and on my website. :-)
Oh, and I definitely have lots of other book and movie projects coming up that I think you'll like too.
Thanks for asking!
Brent
But I would very much like to write about Russel again, and hopefully I'll get a chance in a couple of years.
It will probably be the next stage of his life. The first series (four books) was his teen years, the latest series was his early to mid 20s (three books), so the next series (when and if I write it) would be Russel in his late 20s. I have a pretty good idea what it would be about, but I haven't written anything out yet.
But if and when I start, I will definitely post all about it on social media, and on my website. :-)
Oh, and I definitely have lots of other book and movie projects coming up that I think you'll like too.
Thanks for asking!
Brent
Brent Hartinger
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Brent Hartinger
Good question! I was thinking lots and lots of things. Remember, the book was written back in the 90s, so there weren't a lot of other books like it.
But mostly I was thinking:
(a) about my own life as a gay teen, years before.
(b) about my work with gay teens.
(c) about how I thought it would make a good story, especially since it hadn't really been told yet. Who doesn't love an underdog story? And (especially back then), there are no greater underdogs than gay teens. The whole world -- their friends, schools, families, religions, and government -- sometimes really IS out to get them! Or at least disapprove of them.
If you're curious to hear the whole story of how the book came to be written, here it is:
Thanks for the question!
Brent
But mostly I was thinking:
(a) about my own life as a gay teen, years before.
(b) about my work with gay teens.
(c) about how I thought it would make a good story, especially since it hadn't really been told yet. Who doesn't love an underdog story? And (especially back then), there are no greater underdogs than gay teens. The whole world -- their friends, schools, families, religions, and government -- sometimes really IS out to get them! Or at least disapprove of them.
If you're curious to hear the whole story of how the book came to be written, here it is:
Thanks for the question!
Brent
Brent Hartinger
Oh, sure, Kevin is a LOT like Michael (my husband) in many MANY ways, and our relationship is a lot like theirs. It didn't start out that way when I was writing the first Russel books -- in fact, Kevin was more like a different guy I had dated. But Kevin has grown up, and sort of evolved in Michael in major ways. Meanwhile, I've been IN a long-term relationship for almost 20 years, so I draw upon what I know.
There are so many things Michael does that make me go, "Awwww," from the way we cuddle, to his sometimes "colorful" taste in workout clothing. He's a keeper!
And I don't mind questions. That's why I'm here!
Brent
There are so many things Michael does that make me go, "Awwww," from the way we cuddle, to his sometimes "colorful" taste in workout clothing. He's a keeper!
And I don't mind questions. That's why I'm here!
Brent
Brent Hartinger
Yup, that's Russel and Kevin. Or at least one version. And they're definitely the same models.
Since the new books are a series, I wanted the covers to all look similar. So we chose a photo shoot of one set of a models. If you'll notice, Russel is wearing the same shirt in both photos! But maybe he just likes that shirt, right? Ha!
Brent
Since the new books are a series, I wanted the covers to all look similar. So we chose a photo shoot of one set of a models. If you'll notice, Russel is wearing the same shirt in both photos! But maybe he just likes that shirt, right? Ha!
Brent
Brent Hartinger
This is a very good question, and a logical one, given that BAREFOOT in set in Hollywood in the world of screenwriting.
Honestly? I wasn't really involved in the making of GEOGRAPHY CLUB, the movie. The book was optioned (for a second time), the producers talked to me from time to time, but I had no creative input. I didn't write the screenplay, or really even offer suggestions. I did visit the set for four days, and it was great, and a made some good friends. Some of the stories I heard from those friends may have played a part in the book, and just the general atmosphere of being in Hollywood, definitely. But nothing more than that.
So what IS the book based on? I lived in Los Angeles for a couple years, had a lot of meetings and encounters, and I had an experience VERY similar to the Mr. Brander one. And I've been involved in a few other movie projects over the years (two different ones right now). Plus, a lot of my friends are writers and filmmakers, and I've heard all about their experiences, both good and bad.
It's ironic that the one film project of mine that actually got made, I didn't have much to do with. Not sure what that means! ;-)
Thanks for the question, Peter.
Brent
Honestly? I wasn't really involved in the making of GEOGRAPHY CLUB, the movie. The book was optioned (for a second time), the producers talked to me from time to time, but I had no creative input. I didn't write the screenplay, or really even offer suggestions. I did visit the set for four days, and it was great, and a made some good friends. Some of the stories I heard from those friends may have played a part in the book, and just the general atmosphere of being in Hollywood, definitely. But nothing more than that.
So what IS the book based on? I lived in Los Angeles for a couple years, had a lot of meetings and encounters, and I had an experience VERY similar to the Mr. Brander one. And I've been involved in a few other movie projects over the years (two different ones right now). Plus, a lot of my friends are writers and filmmakers, and I've heard all about their experiences, both good and bad.
It's ironic that the one film project of mine that actually got made, I didn't have much to do with. Not sure what that means! ;-)
Thanks for the question, Peter.
Brent
Brent Hartinger
I like parts about all the books: the beach place scene in Geography Club; the Rainbow Crow story in The Order of the Poison Oak (including the part Russel adds later); what Min learns about what really went on in that park in Double Feature; Wade’s passion and philosophy of life in The Elephant of Surprise; Vernie Rose in The Thing I Didn’t Know I Didn’t Know, and also the reason why Gunnar is obsessed with Bigfoot; Mr. Brander in Barefoot in the City of Broken Dreams, and also the final scene, which perfectly captures my own philosophy of life.
In order, I’m most proud of: Barefoot in the City of Broken Dreams, The Thing I Didn’t Know I Didn’t Know, and The Elephant of Surprise. But that might be because those are the newest books, and I always like what I’ve done most recently best.
Thanks for asking!
Brent
In order, I’m most proud of: Barefoot in the City of Broken Dreams, The Thing I Didn’t Know I Didn’t Know, and The Elephant of Surprise. But that might be because those are the newest books, and I always like what I’ve done most recently best.
Thanks for asking!
Brent
Brent Hartinger
Heh, he's definitely a big part of THE ROAD TO AMAZING. (In fact, I'm toying with the idea of telling the story from his POV, but I'm not sure yet. I need to write a few more chapters until I'll know for sure.)
Part of me wonders: maybe the reason he's (hopefully) attractive is that he has a bit of mystery. We don't know exactly what he's thinking. Plus, we see him from Russel's (rosy) perspective.
It's a real conundrum!
But yes, you'll definitely see more of him in BAREFOOT (which I know you've read) and even more in THE ROAD TO AMAZING, coming next March.
Thanks for the question, Robin!
Part of me wonders: maybe the reason he's (hopefully) attractive is that he has a bit of mystery. We don't know exactly what he's thinking. Plus, we see him from Russel's (rosy) perspective.
It's a real conundrum!
But yes, you'll definitely see more of him in BAREFOOT (which I know you've read) and even more in THE ROAD TO AMAZING, coming next March.
Thanks for the question, Robin!
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