| Interview with Brent Hartinger |
First off, thanks so much for joining us for an up-close and personal interview for TeensReadToo.com! My
name is Jen, and I’ll be your server toda…oh, wait, wrong job! Anyway, thanks so much for taking time out
of your writing schedule—which I’m sure is busy!—and answering a few questions for your readers and
fans.
Uh, could I get a Coke? Oh, wait, wrong answer!
Actually, I’m happy to be here. Flattered to be asked.
Let’s get some of the typical interview questions out of the way first. When did you first know that you
wanted to be a writer?
Well, looking back, it seems really obvious that I was born to be a writer. For example, I started writing and
publishing a weekly newspaper in the third grade. It was called The Weekly Worm, a name that I still love. I
was always doing some creative project with my buddies: not just the newspaper, but also haunted houses,
movies, prank phone calls to the nuns who taught us (warning: don’t try this in the era of caller ID!).
So when I graduated from college, I knew I wanted to do something creative with my life. I’d always enjoyed
writing fiction the most, so I told the world, “I am going to be a novelist!” And the world promptly dumped
gallons of cold water all over me.
Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?
Um, it was a very loooooooooooooooooooong road. And very bumpy. Let’s face it—that was one damn
crappy road!
I wrote eight novels, twelve plays, and fifteen screenplays before I had any real success. Oh, I won a lot of
contests, and had a lot of plays produced and screenplays optioned, and had a ton of encouraging letters
and lunches with editors and agents. But right before anything ever went anywhere, it would all evaporate
right before my eyes. My Big Break “almost” came about thirty times. So by the time it finally did come, I was
very skittish and depressed.
That said, along the way, I learned a lot about both the craft and the business of writing. So when I finally
had a shot, I knew all the stupid mistakes to avoid—how important it is to be nice to people, for example. All
those who you meet on the way up? If you’re not nice, they’re really going to enjoy it when you’re on your
way down again. And this business is all about cycles. Eventually, everyone is on their way down.
Anyway, when my chance came, I was definitely ready to capitalize on it. I think that explains my “success”
more than anything.
Tell us a little bit about either your latest or upcoming release. If you could only tell your readers one thing
about the story that had to convince us to buy the book, what would it be?
I like all my books, but I’m really excited about this one.
It’s called Grand & Humble, and it’s a mystery about two boys, one popular and one a geek, and the
shocking secret of how their lives intersect at the corner of Grand & Humble.
It has a “twist” ending, and I guarantee you won’t guess it! I’ve already heard from a hundred or more
readers, and everyone has been surprised (and pleased!) so far.
What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?
Most of my books are based on something that happened to me that I thought was really, really
interesting—something that I thought would make a terrific story.
I think a truly great story idea is a beautiful thing, and coming up with an idea like that is almost an art in
itself. Too many writers start writing the first idea that intrigues them, which is a big mistake, IMHO. I
probably reject twenty or thirty ideas before I finally land on one that I want to spend a year of my life writing.
I like to tell aspiring writers that the best story is the most interesting character you can possibly imagine on
the most important day or week or month of his or her life. Find a story like that, and you almost can’t go
wrong!
Let’s hear about your family, who I’m sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!
You’d think that, wouldn’t you? Unfortunately, my parents weren’t very happy that I decided to become a
writer. Go figure.
That said, my brother and his family are very excited for me. My brother tells me that sometimes when he
uses his credit card, people will say, “Do you know Brent Hartinger?” That makes me laugh, because my
name is Brent Hartinger, and that never happens to me. (Okay, it has happened once or twice!)
And my friends and my partner of thirteen years, they’re all very excited for me. They’ve always been my
biggest supporters. They’re my “real” family anyway.
Now for some fun facts. What’s your greatest comfort food?
Oh, the list is endless. My favorite food is fresh rolled spring rolls with peanut sauce. But I also love pizza,
pho, marshmallow peanuts, and dried soy nuts. Not all at the same time, however!
What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?
Well, this is embarrassing. I check my email, check my phone messages, and maybe check my Amazon
ranking.
I know, I know, I’m pathetic. But you’d be surprised by how many authors do exactly the same thing.
If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would surprise
me the most?
Well, there are no stuffed or frozen dead bodies, if that’s what you’re getting at.
On the plus side, you might be surprised by all my swimming trophies and awards. I was a darn good
swimmer in high school (most valuable swimmer four years in a row—a first in the history of the school!).
On the negative side, you’d probably be appalled by all my old self-penned Dungeons and Dragons
modules. I was, and am, a total gaming geek!
Everyone asks the question about “if you could be a tree, which tree would you be?” so I want to know: If
you could be a color, which color would it be, and why?
Ahhh! I would probably be orange or red, because I can be, uh, a little passionate about things.
But my favorite color is green. Kinda makes sense when you think about it.
Who is your favorite cartoon character? Which cartoon character is most like you?
I’ve always thought that Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid is kind of hunky, at least for a cartoon
character.
As for who is most like me, he’s not a cartoon character, but my friends say I remind them of Kermit the
Frog. I think it’s because Kermit is kinda brainy, and he gets really excited about things, throwing his arms
all over the place. I totally do that, both when I’m happy and mad. And that disgusted look that Kermit gets
when he wrinkles his nose? I admit I get disgusted with the world quite a bit. And hey, my favorite color is
green!
I don’t mind, because who doesn’t like Kermit?
If you could beam yourself to anywhere in the world (“Beam me up, Scotty!”), during any time in history,
where and when would it be—and why?
Everyone probably says Egypt, circa 3000 B.C., but you gotta admit, that would be pretty cool!
It’d also be fun to be there when the first little life form evolved in the primordial goo, and also when the first
“fish” wallowed its way out of the ocean onto land for the very first time.
So what’s your favorite type of music to listen to? Favorite musical artists? Do you listen to music while
you’re writing?
I’m a big alt country fan. The Dixie Chicks, Johnny Cash, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, EmmyLou Harris, Lucinda
Williams. In fact, EmmyLou Harris is playing right now—“Prayer in D Minor,” I think.
Listen to music while I’m writing? Are you nuts? What with the Internet and a kitchen full of marshmallow
peanuts and dried soy nuts, I have a hard enough time staying focused as it is!
Do you have any favorite T.V. shows? Movies you watch over and over again? What was the last movie
you saw at the theater?
Right now I watch 24, Scrubs, Veronica Mars, and Battlestar Galactica.
Favorite past shows are Xena: Warrior Princess, Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Sex and the City, and Six Feet
Under.
Movies? Definitely Star Wars (only the classic first three, the others suck!), The Lord of the Rings trilogy,
The Planet of the Apes, anything Sinbad or Ray Harryhausen, Fantastic Voyage. I love cheesy sci-fi!
Last movie? I saw V for Vendetta, which I absolutely loved.
You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?
Life can be absolutely fantastic, but you have to make it happen. Definitely go for your dreams, because
you only live once and you’ll regret it your whole life if you don’t at least try. That said, be smart about
pursuing your dreams: learn the business of whatever you want to achieve, and get out there and network,
get to know the people who are doing whatever it is you dream about.
Finally, surround yourself with thoughtful, supportive, positive people (and dump the sour, small-minded,
back-stabbing losers!). The older I get, the more I understand that by far the most important thing in life—
really the only important thing in life—is to love, and to be loved in return.
One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?
Oh, I’ve got a ton of stuff in the works. A movie and play version of Geography Club. A second Geography
Club sequel (coming in January 2007) that is two complete books in one—one from Russel’s POV, and one
from Min’s POV. A play version of Grand & Humble. And the first of my fantasy novels, coming in 2007!
When do I sleep? That’s a good question, actually.
It’s all at my website, which also has links to my blogs: www.brenthartinger.com.
Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!
Thanks! I really like anyone who really likes books and wants to get other people to really like books too.
Did that make sense?
name is Jen, and I’ll be your server toda…oh, wait, wrong job! Anyway, thanks so much for taking time out
of your writing schedule—which I’m sure is busy!—and answering a few questions for your readers and
fans.
Uh, could I get a Coke? Oh, wait, wrong answer!
Actually, I’m happy to be here. Flattered to be asked.
Let’s get some of the typical interview questions out of the way first. When did you first know that you
wanted to be a writer?
Well, looking back, it seems really obvious that I was born to be a writer. For example, I started writing and
publishing a weekly newspaper in the third grade. It was called The Weekly Worm, a name that I still love. I
was always doing some creative project with my buddies: not just the newspaper, but also haunted houses,
movies, prank phone calls to the nuns who taught us (warning: don’t try this in the era of caller ID!).
So when I graduated from college, I knew I wanted to do something creative with my life. I’d always enjoyed
writing fiction the most, so I told the world, “I am going to be a novelist!” And the world promptly dumped
gallons of cold water all over me.
Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?
Um, it was a very loooooooooooooooooooong road. And very bumpy. Let’s face it—that was one damn
crappy road!
I wrote eight novels, twelve plays, and fifteen screenplays before I had any real success. Oh, I won a lot of
contests, and had a lot of plays produced and screenplays optioned, and had a ton of encouraging letters
and lunches with editors and agents. But right before anything ever went anywhere, it would all evaporate
right before my eyes. My Big Break “almost” came about thirty times. So by the time it finally did come, I was
very skittish and depressed.
That said, along the way, I learned a lot about both the craft and the business of writing. So when I finally
had a shot, I knew all the stupid mistakes to avoid—how important it is to be nice to people, for example. All
those who you meet on the way up? If you’re not nice, they’re really going to enjoy it when you’re on your
way down again. And this business is all about cycles. Eventually, everyone is on their way down.
Anyway, when my chance came, I was definitely ready to capitalize on it. I think that explains my “success”
more than anything.
Tell us a little bit about either your latest or upcoming release. If you could only tell your readers one thing
about the story that had to convince us to buy the book, what would it be?
I like all my books, but I’m really excited about this one.
It’s called Grand & Humble, and it’s a mystery about two boys, one popular and one a geek, and the
shocking secret of how their lives intersect at the corner of Grand & Humble.
It has a “twist” ending, and I guarantee you won’t guess it! I’ve already heard from a hundred or more
readers, and everyone has been surprised (and pleased!) so far.
What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?
Most of my books are based on something that happened to me that I thought was really, really
interesting—something that I thought would make a terrific story.
I think a truly great story idea is a beautiful thing, and coming up with an idea like that is almost an art in
itself. Too many writers start writing the first idea that intrigues them, which is a big mistake, IMHO. I
probably reject twenty or thirty ideas before I finally land on one that I want to spend a year of my life writing.
I like to tell aspiring writers that the best story is the most interesting character you can possibly imagine on
the most important day or week or month of his or her life. Find a story like that, and you almost can’t go
wrong!
Let’s hear about your family, who I’m sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!
You’d think that, wouldn’t you? Unfortunately, my parents weren’t very happy that I decided to become a
writer. Go figure.
That said, my brother and his family are very excited for me. My brother tells me that sometimes when he
uses his credit card, people will say, “Do you know Brent Hartinger?” That makes me laugh, because my
name is Brent Hartinger, and that never happens to me. (Okay, it has happened once or twice!)
And my friends and my partner of thirteen years, they’re all very excited for me. They’ve always been my
biggest supporters. They’re my “real” family anyway.
Now for some fun facts. What’s your greatest comfort food?
Oh, the list is endless. My favorite food is fresh rolled spring rolls with peanut sauce. But I also love pizza,
pho, marshmallow peanuts, and dried soy nuts. Not all at the same time, however!
What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?
Well, this is embarrassing. I check my email, check my phone messages, and maybe check my Amazon
ranking.
I know, I know, I’m pathetic. But you’d be surprised by how many authors do exactly the same thing.
If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would surprise
me the most?
Well, there are no stuffed or frozen dead bodies, if that’s what you’re getting at.
On the plus side, you might be surprised by all my swimming trophies and awards. I was a darn good
swimmer in high school (most valuable swimmer four years in a row—a first in the history of the school!).
On the negative side, you’d probably be appalled by all my old self-penned Dungeons and Dragons
modules. I was, and am, a total gaming geek!
Everyone asks the question about “if you could be a tree, which tree would you be?” so I want to know: If
you could be a color, which color would it be, and why?
Ahhh! I would probably be orange or red, because I can be, uh, a little passionate about things.
But my favorite color is green. Kinda makes sense when you think about it.
Who is your favorite cartoon character? Which cartoon character is most like you?
I’ve always thought that Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid is kind of hunky, at least for a cartoon
character.
As for who is most like me, he’s not a cartoon character, but my friends say I remind them of Kermit the
Frog. I think it’s because Kermit is kinda brainy, and he gets really excited about things, throwing his arms
all over the place. I totally do that, both when I’m happy and mad. And that disgusted look that Kermit gets
when he wrinkles his nose? I admit I get disgusted with the world quite a bit. And hey, my favorite color is
green!
I don’t mind, because who doesn’t like Kermit?
If you could beam yourself to anywhere in the world (“Beam me up, Scotty!”), during any time in history,
where and when would it be—and why?
Everyone probably says Egypt, circa 3000 B.C., but you gotta admit, that would be pretty cool!
It’d also be fun to be there when the first little life form evolved in the primordial goo, and also when the first
“fish” wallowed its way out of the ocean onto land for the very first time.
So what’s your favorite type of music to listen to? Favorite musical artists? Do you listen to music while
you’re writing?
I’m a big alt country fan. The Dixie Chicks, Johnny Cash, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, EmmyLou Harris, Lucinda
Williams. In fact, EmmyLou Harris is playing right now—“Prayer in D Minor,” I think.
Listen to music while I’m writing? Are you nuts? What with the Internet and a kitchen full of marshmallow
peanuts and dried soy nuts, I have a hard enough time staying focused as it is!
Do you have any favorite T.V. shows? Movies you watch over and over again? What was the last movie
you saw at the theater?
Right now I watch 24, Scrubs, Veronica Mars, and Battlestar Galactica.
Favorite past shows are Xena: Warrior Princess, Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Sex and the City, and Six Feet
Under.
Movies? Definitely Star Wars (only the classic first three, the others suck!), The Lord of the Rings trilogy,
The Planet of the Apes, anything Sinbad or Ray Harryhausen, Fantastic Voyage. I love cheesy sci-fi!
Last movie? I saw V for Vendetta, which I absolutely loved.
You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?
Life can be absolutely fantastic, but you have to make it happen. Definitely go for your dreams, because
you only live once and you’ll regret it your whole life if you don’t at least try. That said, be smart about
pursuing your dreams: learn the business of whatever you want to achieve, and get out there and network,
get to know the people who are doing whatever it is you dream about.
Finally, surround yourself with thoughtful, supportive, positive people (and dump the sour, small-minded,
back-stabbing losers!). The older I get, the more I understand that by far the most important thing in life—
really the only important thing in life—is to love, and to be loved in return.
One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?
Oh, I’ve got a ton of stuff in the works. A movie and play version of Geography Club. A second Geography
Club sequel (coming in January 2007) that is two complete books in one—one from Russel’s POV, and one
from Min’s POV. A play version of Grand & Humble. And the first of my fantasy novels, coming in 2007!
When do I sleep? That’s a good question, actually.
It’s all at my website, which also has links to my blogs: www.brenthartinger.com.
Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!
Thanks! I really like anyone who really likes books and wants to get other people to really like books too.
Did that make sense?
