Tom

Tom

Tom Leveen was born and raised in Arizona, where he lives with his wife. Party is his first young adult novel. Tom is the artistic director of Chyro Arts Venue, an all-ages performance space hosting live music, theatre, visual art, and independent film.  He’s enjoyed watching new, YA bands taking the stage at Chyro over the past three years.

Q&A with YA author Tom Leveen

Where did you get the idea for Party?

Party started as several incomplete short stories I was working on, all at the same time, several years ago.  Then on my honeymoon on the California coast, I got an idea for a character who ended up being Beckett.  I asked my wife to write down a quick paragraph description of her as we drove out of Santa Barbara. That’s when I started looking for a story to put her in, and it slowly came to me to put all these unfinished stories together and create one longer piece.

How long did it take to write the book?

All togther, probably a year, starting from my first trip to Santa Barbara.  It took about three years to get from a first draft to the book being on shelves.

Why did you choose Santa Barbara?

It’s just a really cool sort of town.  Very laid back and casual (but then, I was on vacation, so maybe I’m biased.)  The weather was great, the beach was cool, and I guess I just liked the vibe. Totally worth visiting if you get the chance.

Which character is most like you?

There’s a part of me in all of the characters.  But I’d say closest would be some weird mix of Morrigan and Josh.  (Especially the bit about Morrigan and her car…almost a true story.)

What famous writer/s would you like to hang out with?

If we were going to be talking about writing primarily, I’d have to say Shakespeare.  He was like, the J.J. Abrams of his day, no joke.  I’d like to meet Orson Scott Card again, because I made an enormous jackass of myself last time I met him. (Long story.)  I’d love to meet Ray Bradbury, as he’s been an influence for many years. (If anyone knows him, have him call me!)  Joss Whedon, Joyce Carol Oates, the guys who wrote “UP,” Brian Jacques.  Beyond that, I’m really happy to hang out with pretty much any writer–particularly YA authors, because we seem to have a lot in common about how we see the world.

Are the strawberry wheatgerm pancakes and the burritos really that good?

Yep.  Totally not exaggerating those.

What happens the next day?

That’s a great question; I have no idea.  Maybe some day we’ll find out!

What is the theme of Party?

Well…my first answer is, what do you think it is?  I want readers to take from it whatever speaks most to them.  For me, personally, the theme is about talking.  If everyone would say what was really on his or her mind, a lot of problems could have been avoided.  I think it is summed up best when Ashley screams, “Say words!” 

Who should read Party?

Everyone, obviously!  But really, I think it should be read by anyone who’s ever felt betrayed by a friend (as it shows what might be happening on the other side); by people who feel they were treated unfairly by other students or their parents; and by parents, because honestly, too many parents aren’t involved and really need to be.

Are the characters based on people you know?

Strictly speaking, no.  More loosely, yes.  When I say “loosely,” I mean loosely.  I would say a lot of the characters are “vaguely reminiscent” of people I know, or myself.  But not “based on.”

What was high school like for you?

At the time, of course, I thought high school was the worst place on earth.  But the truth was, I was having a great time.  I think we should all have fun in high school, because “real life” (whatever that is) will be waiting.  My friends and I were in no hurry to grow up, and we had a blast.   A lot of it hurt, too — but overall, yeah, it was awesome.  We didn’t really drink, though, and didn’t actually party that much.  We were having too much fun!

Did anything in Party really happen to you?

…Yes and no.  I like to tell people that Party is 100% truth and 0% fact.  What I mean by that is, some of the incidents are based on real-life events that happened either to me or that I witnessed, but the actual events as depicted in the book are entirely made up.  I say it’s “truth” because I think a lot of people will recognize themselves or their friends right away — again, not because it’s a recitation of real-life events, but because the events in the book will probably trigger a lot of memories for a lot of people. 

What kind of research did you do?

Not a lot; most of it was about Santa Barbara, and I tweaked some of the facts to fit the book better.  And it’s possible I’ve been in the back of a police car.  (Possible, I said.)

How do you write from the perspective of another gender or race than you?

The same way I write for any character.  I can’t write books about 30-something white guys all the time; how boring would that be?!  The great thing about reading and writing is that you and I can see and understand what it’s like to be in someone else’s shoes — if we’re honest about it.

What is your next book about?

My next books are in the process of being rewritten and revised, so I can’t say for sure.  Believe me, you’ll be the first to know as soon as I do!  I will say that three are contemporary, like Party; the others have elements of horror or the paranormal.  (No vampires, werewolves, or fairies though.  Zombies…maybe.)

Have a question for Tom?  Email him at: tom (at) tomleveen (dot) com.

“Remember, Mr. Montag, the public stopped reading of its own accord.” Professor Faber, Fahrenheit 451