Jay’s Comments (group member since Oct 22, 2012)

Jay’s comments from the Ask Jay Asher & R.J. Palacio - October 23, 2012 group.

Lucy wrote: "Jay in Thirteen Reasons Why Clay goes to the Red Stop and buys a candy bar. ......How did you decide which bar to choose and what's your fave (this question is open to R.J too) hahahha.
(I'm sorry I tried my best to make it different, okay *shrug*) THANKS GUYS!"
I love when I'm able to say, "I've never been asked that question before!"
I don't believe I had a reason to choose that candy bar other than it being an great candy bar and the sound of its name fitting with the other words around it. (Yes, I think about those things.) My favorite candy bar varies day-to-day. In any year, I probably devour Skor bars more than any other.

Shelly wrote: "I have read The Future of Us and so have some of my students. We have a question for you. Did you consider any alternate endings to the book? We think it ended nicely, but wonder if you considered having a more dramatic ending?"
That was always the precise tone we wanted for the end of the book. When we first came up with the concept, and then realized what we wanted the characters to understand by the end of the book, we knew we couldn't end things with all storylines wrapped up nicely. There couldn't be many big revelations. It had to be an acceptance and appreciation of how things are, despite what the future may or may not hold.

Tess wrote: "What did you think of co-writing with someone? What are its advantages? Disadvantages?"
Carolyn Mackler and I still talk quite often about how easy and magical it was to work with each other. Before we began the actual writing process, we discussed what we did and didn't like in other books and movies. We found that we have very similar views on what makes a good story. So whether we were brainstorming, writing, or editing, we were shooting for the exact same goal. It made writing so much easier and much more fun than writing alone.
The main disadvantage was that Carolyn's a much faster writer than I am, so I'd feel guilty when it took me ten times longer to complete a scene.

Maria wrote: "When you were writing "Thirteen Reasons Why", how did you come up with a way to write such depth and ideas in a way that is so beautiful? Was this book a spontaneous idea, or did it take time to come to you? And most of all, how did you come up with the personalities, looks, ideals and beliefs of all your characters?"
I had a close relative who attempted suicide 9 years before I came up with the idea for 13RW. Around that same time, I came up with the idea to tell a story with two simultaneous narrators, one being a recorded voice and one being the thoughts of someone listening. After working on other projects for many years, both that subject matter and structure came together as a fully formed concept.
I don't like to outline, so I allowed myself to know only a sentence or two of what each "reason" would be about. When it came time to write each chapter, the characters just showed up and did their jobs. I didn't search for them. They were just there. I never had an experience before or since where that happened, so I guess I should consider it a blessing that it even happened once.

Jessica wrote: "In both your books, there was an element of using "old" technology to keep the book from being dated. As a writer, I found this a fascinating idea. In the end notes to 13 REASONS, you explain a bit about why you used cassettes; can you talk about how the 'historical' setting worked in FUTURE OF US? "
When we decided to have our characters see their futures through a social networking site, if we'd been looking at a future for today's teens, it would've requred the book to contemplate where our current world is heading. That future-predicting would've taken the story away from what we wanted to be the focus: relationships.
That's one reason we set it in 1996. But it also let us see the present through the eyes of people living not that long ago. That allowed for some fun analysis of how much social networking has changed us in a relatively short amount of time.
By the way, since my first book was about communicating on cassette tapes, and my second was about dial-up internet, I thought I'd let you know that my third book is about communicating via carrier pigeons! That's BREAKING NEWS right there!!!

King wrote: "Would you consider making a sequel out of Thirteen Reasons Why? Like a story that continues where Skye and Clay left off their story from Thirteen Reasons Why? One more question I have for Mr. Asher, what book are you planning to release in the future? I mean what genre, would you consider writing a book with a Dystopian type of genre?"
I have an idea for a companion novel to 13RW, but not a sequel. It would delve much deeper into the stories we already know than a sequel could, but I probably won't write it because the original has meant so much to so many people, I don't want to tamper with that.
As far as future books and their genres, I would never rule out any type of book. Before I came up with the concept for 13RW, I never considered writing a serious book or a book for teens. I wanted to write funny books for young kids. The most interesting story to me is the one I'll write, no matter what it's about or who it's for.

Cassie(TheReadingFantic) wrote: "...what was the inspiration for writing The Future of Us, and were Josh and Emma based off any real people in your life?"
When trying to come up with a premise that intrigued both of us, Carolyn Mackler told me about a conversation she had with her dad while in high school. He mentioned that, somewhere out there, her spouse was also living his life. Maybe she knew him already, but she probably didn't. We began talking about how it would've affected our teen years if we knew who we were going to end up with. Would those relationships have meant as much? Would heartbreak have been easier? Then we brainstormed the most interesting way to find out that info.
When we began working on the book, Carolyn and I barely knew each other, so we did talk a lot about our own teen years. Sometimes one of us would say something and the other person would find a use for that info in one of our characters, but only if it worked toward the story we wanted to tell. The only person who looks like someone in real life is Sydney. Carolyn asked me to describe what my "Sydney" in high school looked like, and that's her.

Mara wrote: "How come at the end of The Future Of Us you didn't elaborate on the subject of Kellan's ---------? My best friend and I really want to know! And we're also wondering if ---- and ---- end up together or what? One more question......ARE YOU GOING TO WRITE A SEQUEL!? :D "
We have a great idea for a sequel, but we probably won't write it. There are just too many brand new ideas to work on!
And yes, I added hyphens into the above question. Haven't you heard of SPOILER ALERT!?!? :-) So why did we keep some things unanswered? Because the main thing we wanted to say with the novel is that, yes, it's important to think about who you want to be in the future and to realize you can start becoming that person now. At the same time, you can never know for certain how things are going to turn out, so you need to also live in the moment and appreciae what's around you right now. So if our characters have to be okay not knowing those answers, then you have to be okay with it, too.
(But I totally know the answers!)

Emma wrote: "I've known someone who has committed suicide and was wondering where you got the inspiration to write a story like that?"
A close relative attempted suicide when she was Hannah's age. The character isn't based on her, but my understanding of the issude was definitely influenced by our discussions.

Tasnuva wrote: "My name is Tasnuva and I have read your book "13 reasons why," and I absolutely loved it. Since I was bullied during my high school days, I understood what Hannah went through. But what I want to ask is that was suicide the best option for Hannah? Don't you think it sends the wrong message for people who are being bullied? Wouldn't it have been better if Hannah stood up for herself with or without Clay's help? "
If you read the book, identified with Hannah (as you did), and are still able to say that what she did wasn't the best option, you are correct. That's the book I wrote. If I had been preachy about suicide being wrong, most people wouldn't have let the book speak to them on a personal level. Emotions need to get involved with a book like this. If you find yourself frustrated with Hannah, great!
Suicide does happen. Every time it happens, it shouldn't have happened. But if every book about suicide has the girl or boy stand up and make their lives better, that wouldn't reflect reality. In my mind, it would also further the problem of not honestly discussing this complex issue.
As well, it's important to show someone going through the pain of losing someone to suicide, as Clay experiences. And that can't happen if everyone survives.

Kc wrote: "How does it feel knowing you've significantly impacted, changed, and in some cases, SAVED the lives of so many young people with your debut novel? (I cannot thank you enough for that).
"
It's a concept that's almost impossible to fully appreciate. There have been times, speaking at a school, where teens tells me the details of what they've been going through and how the book helped. I've gone back to my hotel room afterward and couldn't do anything but sit on my bed, stare at the wall, and reflect. It's a huge blessing to me to know that people allow my book speak to them.

Julia wrote: "How long did it take you to write the books?"
It took about 3 years to write THIRTEEN REASONS WHY, but I was working on several other manuscripts at the same time. At one point, I didn't work on it for 6 months while I finished another project.
It took 8 months to write THE FUTURE OF US. Carolyn Mackler and I were using the upcoming birth of my first child as our deadline. As it happened, we turned in the manuscript the very day my wife went into labor!

Kayla wrote: "I read Thirteen Reasons Why and even though it was great, I couldn't help but think that Hannah Baker sounded almost unsympathetic at times. Was she a hard character to write?

Also, do you have any tips for a girl struggling to completely finish writing even a single story of her own? :)"
She was a very easy character to write because she felt so real the moment the concept for the book came to me. My job was to simply let her speak. And I agree, there are times when it can be very hard to sympathize with her. Writing the book, there were times where I became so frustrated or upset with her. But I didn't want her to be flawless because no one is flawless. I felt it was important for readers to notice where she could have done more to help herself, or where she contributed to making things more difficult for herself, because that's how life usually happens.
As far as finishing your story, don't be afraid to step away and work on other things. If that story needs to be told, you'll come back to it, maybe more inspired than you are now.

Gzchealsea wrote: "I love thirteen reasons why and would like to know your opinion on suicide"
There is ALWAYS someone to talk to or ways to make things better. Those ways may not be easy or immediate, and it may feel like no one will understand, but everyone is worthy of help and everyone can get it. Unfortunately, suicide does happen, often because it doesn't feel like things will get better and it doesn't feel like anyone will understand. Because it does happen, I felt it was important to write about it in a very honest way. There was, and still is (though it's getting better), such a stigma around the issue that it can be hard to have an honest discussion about it. But that's the only way to deal with an issue like this.

Chlo wrote: "I really like thirteen reasons why and I want to know if you found the book hard to write - weren't you too emotionally attatched to Hannah to let her die?"
Sometimes it was very hard to write. I really liked Hannah, despite some of her flaws, and it felt horrible to write the scenes that I knew needed to happen in order to tell her story. There were times I had to stop writing and go walk around the block a few times before I could continue, but I always felt it was a story that needed to be told, so I knew I'd finish it. And yes, I did have a way for her to realistically live at the end of the book. But out of respect for the seriousness of suicide, that couldn't happen.

Casie wrote: "Who is it your story is about? How did you get into such detail about this persons life without actually going through it yourself?"
The story is about what happens to Hannah, but I consider Clay the main character because Hannah's story is filtered through his understanding. And while I haven't experienced her specific situations, I can understand her emotional reactions to those things. Part of that is because I have friends and relatives who've experienced some situations similar to hers, and we've talked about those things. But I also think, if people really try, we can all understand each other even if we don't agree with what the other person's doing. There are plenty of things Hannah goes through that makes me sympathize with her. There are other things she does that I don't agree with, but I can still understand it from her perspective.

Chlo wrote: "I just wanted to know if you guys had any tips? Anything that got you through the hard times? Times when you thought your book was boring and no one would read it, times when you felt like you were just re-writing a book you read before, times when writers block had you wanting to punch the wall in frustration...
I only work on a book when I'm inspired, and I edit as I go along. Part of the reason is that I know I'm an easily discouraged writer. If I wrote something "just to get it down" and then looked at that horrible writing the next time I sat down, I'd probably walk away from that manuscript for months. So I usually work on several things at once, and one of those stories is always itching to be worked on.

Jasveen wrote: "I have a question about The Future of Us, for Mr.Asher. Why did you choose not to reveal the disk's origin? Was it to avoid a sci-fi/ supernatural element? "
A decision we made early on was that the main thrust of the story had to be the relationships and not the fantasy element. That was there, and the characters do wonder about it, but we wanted the story to feel as real as possible. At times, we did brainstorm ideas for answering that question, but it always took the focus off of the relationships way too much.
In the end, we decided that if Josh and Emma didn't know, then the readers couldn't know.

Ilanit1997 wrote: "i would like to know if you ever thought how long did it take for Clay to get over Hanna's death and if he ever did got over it? for example when he goes to college, has it still effects him? was his love life damaged?
why did you decide that hanna's story should be on tape?"
Honestly, I haven't put too much thought into figuring out Clay's future. I have wondered at times, but I ended the book where I did because that's the precise moment when my entire reason for writing the story comes to an end.
I thought telling Hannah's story would be more visually interesting if told on tapes, and it gave Clay tangible items to work with as opposed to just downloading her story. But more than that, if I tried to use the most modern form of technology, and the characters treated it as modern, it would now be outdated. I began writing that book ten years ago! Because cassette tapes are old fashioned, and Clay treats them that way (not knowing if he has a way to play them), it keeps the story from being outdated.

Jonathan wrote: "What struck me is the crossover nature in both novels, appealing to young adults as well as college students and professors. Was this intentional by both of you or a welcome side effect from your writing styles/content? How has this changed the way you prepare for your next novel, is this crossover novel idea in your mind? "
I very specifically wrote for a teen audience. I've found that most books written about teens that are also, or primarily, for adults have a nostalgic sheen over those years. I didn't want that at all. When adults read my book and understand it, I love it. But it's purely a bonus.