Christina
asked
Jeff Zentner:
I just finished your book today and I am still processing my emotions- it's so beautiful and well written. I didn't want to leave it when the last page was over. As a YA librarian, this is definitely one worth recommending to me teens. Anyway, I was curious who you identify most with: Travis, Lydia, or Dill? (OR someone else in the novel.)
Jeff Zentner
Great question! To write the three, I essentially split my personality into thirds and gave each character a third to hold.
To Dill, I gave my sense of the world—its beauty, my struggles with faith, my love for music, and my struggles with feeling like external forces defined me.
Travis got my nerdiness for the things I love, a ferocious loyalty to friends, and a desire to live a courageous life.
Lydia got my sense of humor and desire to leave my mark on the world.
All three are some of me; none are all of me.
To Dill, I gave my sense of the world—its beauty, my struggles with faith, my love for music, and my struggles with feeling like external forces defined me.
Travis got my nerdiness for the things I love, a ferocious loyalty to friends, and a desire to live a courageous life.
Lydia got my sense of humor and desire to leave my mark on the world.
All three are some of me; none are all of me.
More Answered Questions
Cielbert
asked
Jeff Zentner:
Hi Jeff! I'm about to read your debut novel and I was just wondering whether you're religious and or spiritual in person? (You can skip this question if you don't want to answer it btw :) ) Also, do you think religion is an important element to tackle in a young adult book? What can you say about the lack of diversity in YA novels in terms of religious characters?
A Goodreads user
asked
Jeff Zentner:
How do you keep from getting heartbroken when someone writes negatively about your work?
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