Jean-Paul Malfatti
asked
Robin Reardon:
Congrats, Robin, I do enjoy reading what you write and how you phrase it! And my question is: How can you understand gay teens in such a deep and clear way?
Robin Reardon
Great question. The answer is rather complex, but I’ll do my best to explain. Once I began to take writing seriously, which meant I devoted time and effort to refining my craft, I realized very quickly that my best fiction-writing voice is that of a teenager. Whenever I tried to write in a more adult style in my exercises, it came off as either pedantic (yuck!) or a little too melodramatic. But then it occurred to me: who are the most melodramatic people we know? Teens, of course. Everything is always the most important thing in the world, or it’s “whatever.” And I love that teens between 15 and 17, depending on the person, tend to bounce between “I have everything figured out, and adults know nothing” and “I’m stupid and unimportant, I don’t know anything about anything, and nothing in my life is working.” That dovetails nicely with melodrama.
The next part of the question is why gay teens. As an author, I think the most enthralling stories to write are those where there is emotional conflict, and the cognitive disconnect between what science and human compassion tell us about sexual orientation/identity and the stubborn refusal of those who say, “My mind’s made up; don’t trouble me with facts” is fertile ground for stories. I’ve had many gay friends throughout my life, men and women, and some of the ways in which they’ve been treated by people who won’t open their minds have horrified me enough for me to have done some research into the subject. Add into that mix the fact that while the percentage of people who are gay is probably not higher than 10%, about 33% of teen suicides are teens who are gay or who were bullied because they were believed to be gay.
I write about gay boys for two reasons: 1. I was a real tomboy as a kid, and I had three brothers. 2. I’m not gay myself, so as a woman, I know what it feels like to want a man. A lesbian friend once asked me if I would ever write about lesbian teens, and all I could say was that I’ll need to be a better writer first so I can put myself in that mindset.
Sorry this is so lengthy, but I hope it gives you a little insight into my work. Thanks so much for asking. Keep reading!
The next part of the question is why gay teens. As an author, I think the most enthralling stories to write are those where there is emotional conflict, and the cognitive disconnect between what science and human compassion tell us about sexual orientation/identity and the stubborn refusal of those who say, “My mind’s made up; don’t trouble me with facts” is fertile ground for stories. I’ve had many gay friends throughout my life, men and women, and some of the ways in which they’ve been treated by people who won’t open their minds have horrified me enough for me to have done some research into the subject. Add into that mix the fact that while the percentage of people who are gay is probably not higher than 10%, about 33% of teen suicides are teens who are gay or who were bullied because they were believed to be gay.
I write about gay boys for two reasons: 1. I was a real tomboy as a kid, and I had three brothers. 2. I’m not gay myself, so as a woman, I know what it feels like to want a man. A lesbian friend once asked me if I would ever write about lesbian teens, and all I could say was that I’ll need to be a better writer first so I can put myself in that mindset.
Sorry this is so lengthy, but I hope it gives you a little insight into my work. Thanks so much for asking. Keep reading!
More Answered Questions
Brent Hartinger
asked
Robin Reardon:
I know you write about gay teens (quite well!), and I also know your publisher doesn't classify them as "young adult." Do you see yourself writing YA? Does it bother you you're not in that category? Or do you find it freeing? Does this make it less likely to find your books in school libraries? Similarly, how do you see your audience?
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Oct 07, 2014 11:22AM · flag
Oct 07, 2014 05:45PM · flag