this is an interview by teen reads.com about ONE of my fav writers...enjoy

INTERVIEW
April 13, 2006Markus Zusak is the award-winning author of four young adult novels: THE UNDERDOG, FIGHTING RUBEN WOLFE, GETTING THE GIRL and I AM THE MESSENGER. In this interview with Teenreads.com contributing writer Brian Farrey, Zusak discusses the appeal of reading and writing, and describes his experience in Germany while researching his latest novel, THE BOOK THIEF. He also addresses the similar threads that run through his work and even shares a poignant childhood memory.Teenreads.com: One of your greatest successes in THE BOOK THIEF was making Death a character with depth whose musings wax philosophical at nearly every turn. How much Markus Zusak is there in Death, and vice versa?
Markus Zusak: I guess there's a little bit of death in me, but it's probably true for everyone. I think I just applied the thought of how scared I am of death and reversed it. I thought, 'What if he or she or it is haunted by everything he sees humans do?' In that way, he's also like all of us, because we all have the same reactions to each other's behavior. Also, I had more empathy for Death when he was vulnerable like that.

TRC: In "The Word Shaker," the book-within-a-book in THE BOOK THIEF, Max weaves a parable for Liesel about the power of words to at once destroy and create. In the world today, who do you think is winning --- the people who use words to destroy or the word shakers?

MZ: What a question! Probably like always, it's pretty even, and the word shakers most likely feel lonelier because the destroyers are louder. Maybe the point is also that this is internal as well as external. We all have stories about ourselves that shame us, but also ones that give us the feeling that we're okay after all.

TRC: You traveled to Germany to do research for THE BOOK THIEF. What was that experience like? What did you take away that you didn't know before you started?

MZ: It was great. I humiliated myself sometimes when I spoke German (I'm pretty rough with it), but that's all part of the experience. It was great to simply walk around the streets where the book was set --- to see the river where I'd imagined Rudy jumping in to rescue Liesel's book. Research-wise, I found some things that were impossible to find in Australia, like certain records and annoying, hard-to-get trivial information. A good example was discovering the seasonal habits of apple trees, just in case someone out there would pick me up on a mistake. On a strange note, I did something a little sentimental, or superstitious...I carved Rudy and Liesel's names into a tree with a coin. It was at the river, and my fingers were really sore by the end of it. I wonder if the names are still there.

TRC: A common thread in all your books is respect and the characters who seek it. Ruben and Cameron. Ed Kennedy. Liesel and Max. All have varying degrees of success. Do you believe that the need for respect is a trait inherent in humans, and, if so, how have you seen that trait bring out the best and worst in your life?

MZ: I've never thought of the similarities between the books in that way, but I think I equate that idea with hunger. The Wolfe brothers are hungry to survive and prove themselves to the world and each other. Ed delivers people from one spiritual place and sense of self to another. And Liesel and Max show love and respect by sharing stories. As for myself, I only know that writing has given me that sense of self worth. Without writing and stories, I know I'd be miserable. I'm just lucky I decided early on what I wanted to do. Also --- and to finally answer the question now --- I think that a sense of respect is definitely inherent in humans. I guess we all want that kind of affirmation, from other people and from ourselves.

TRC: In a recent interview you said, "It's the little stories that define us, our existence." What's the littlest story you can tell about Markus Zusak that helps define you and your existence?

MZ: God --- these questions are incredible (in a good way)!One of my best memories of growing up is catching my first proper wave, surfing across it, with my brother cheering from the shore. My brother and I hated each other and loved each other, but that small memory shows me that we were really best friends.

TRC: How do the responses to your books from readers differ in Australia from the responses in the US? How are they similar?

MZ: I've actually noticed no differences at all. I just seem to get more responses from America, since it's a much bigger country.

TRC: Talk about your discipline as a writer. What routines/habits do you have for where you write, when you write, and how you write?

MZ: I try to write in the mornings, from about 7 till 11:30, then have a long break, then maybe do another few hours later in the afternoon. That changes towards the end of a book, when the hours become a lot longer. There's also a lazier routine, usually in summer, when I'm more likely to start work around 10 and move everything back. That's usually just because I picked up surfing again and go early in the mornings.

TRC: You've described THE BOOK THIEF as a challenge to write, taking nearly three years to complete. What sorts of writing challenges do you embrace? What challenges, if any, do you shy away from?

MZ: I'm basically a non-confrontational person. I shy away from blowing my horn at someone in the car (I think I've done it three times). I also agree with people rather than argue --- I can't help it. As for writing challenges, I don't know. I guess I shy away from writing certain genres. Fantasy. Crime, and so on. The challenge I take on is no different from any writer --- the doubt. Struggling to believe that the book is working is the greatest problem, but if it wasn't there, finishing a book wouldn't be the achievement that it is.

TRC: When you sit down to write, how much do you know about the story and the characters before you start, and how much of it comes from the process of experimentation while writing?

MZ: I generally have the start and the end first. Then I have other kinds of check points I want to go through. It's a bit like running a race, but once you've gone through each stage, you find that things will move around. You'll need to do certain parts up to a hundred times before you can move on. You might even find the end a little to the left or right than you originally planned. A good example of that is THE BOOK THIEF. Originally, Liesel was going to be arrested for book thievery, but when I made it to the end, it simply wasn't right.

TRC: THE BOOK THIEF is, among other things, a love letter to books, writing, and the power of words. What excites you when you write?

MZ: I love the idea that there can be one gem on every page of a book. It can be an image, an idea or a piece of dialogue --- anything. If there's one gem on every page of a hundred-page book, that's a hundred good reasons to read it.

TRC: What three elements does a book need in order to grab your attention as a reader? What are you reading these days that's making you take notice?

MZ: The first thing is the gems I just mentioned, the second would be story. While it's nice to have the gems, if the story doesn't captivate me, it makes finding the great images that little bit harder. Lastly, I think voice. Someone once told me that voice is everything, and they were probably right. If you can hear the characters or the narrator talking, they can almost tell you anything and you will go with them. I am currently reading the Australian classic, CLOUDSTREET, by Tim Winton. It is all of the things I've just mentioned.

TRC: Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to us! Final question: Can you tell us anything about what's up next for you?

MZ: I'm starting work on a new book now. I'm not sure how long it will take, but it's called BRIDGE OF CLAY. I'm afraid of it at the moment, but that's probably a good thing.Click here now to buy this book from Amazon.com.Click here to get the audiobook from Audible.com.-->
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Interview
Aussie newcomer Markus Zusak brings readers into the gritty and often violent world of dogfights and underground boxing matches in his new, semi-autobiographical novel, FIGHTING RUBEN WOLFE. Read on as Teenreads.com writer Tammy Currier chats with Zusak about his backyard boxing days, his unique writing style, and much more.

Teenreads: Where did the plot line for FIGHTING RUBEN WOLFE, your latest YA novel, come from? Is it autobiographical in any way?

MZ: The plot came directly from my characters. I started out with these two [larrikan] brothers from a struggling family at the dog track and took it from there. I usually find that once I have the characters in a strange situation, I might stumble over an entire story.As far as being autobiographical, it is my first book, THE UNDERDOG, that most resembles actual events in my life. In FIGHTING RUBEN WOLFE, it is generally the feel of it that is most autobiographical, especially the relationship between the brothers. That's my brother and me all over --- not giving each other an inch at home, but willing to die for each other in the world.Teenreads: If so, which of the brothers, Ruben or Cameron, do you relate to most?

MZ: I'm definitely closer to Cameron. His thoughts, concerns, and fears come from me. The only time a little bit of Rube comes out in me is when I have to perform in schools or writers' festivals. Like everyone, I like to prove myself once in a while.

Teenreads: Your depiction of amateur boxing was vivid and violent. How much research was involved?

MZ: To be honest, not much. I did enough fighting in my backyard with my brother and his friends when I was growing up! That was enough to give me what I needed for this book. I used to spend a lot of time walking around Sydney, and that was where I envisioned the fights taking place.

Teenreads: Have you done any boxing yourself?

MZ: Only in the backyard --- and being younger and smaller than my brother, he really used to beat the crap out of me... We only had the one pair of boxing gloves so we decided to have just one glove each. It was all a bit of fun, really, until we got caught. Being kids, though, we kept doing it. We had to.

Teenreads: FIGHTING RUBEN WOLFE is about much more than boxing. It's about identity, dignity, loyalty, and love. What, if anything, do you hope your readers will take away from this book?

MZ: In a way, I hope for a combination of things. I do hope they feel the themes of fighting for your own dignity when it seems to be stripped from you everywhere you go, longing to make yourself into something, as well as the themes of love (no matter how little it is shown) and loyalty. But I also hope that people notice the style of my writing --- the different imagery I use and the shortness of it. I'm most attracted to writing that can describe something without detail --- where few words can have a lot of impact. Last of all, I hope people can feel the combination of humor and struggle. I feel that it's not only determination that gets us through hardship, but laughter, too. If people can both laugh and be inspired, I feel like I've done a good job. But I can only hope...

Teenreads: You've stated that, as a teen, you had no idea what you wanted to be when you grew up but that you understood the importance of stories. Why are they so important? Entertainment aside, what purpose do they serve?

MZ: Stories have always told me where I was from. Both my parents were immigrants to Australia, and their hardships and struggle to live decent lives are probably the basis of everything I approach. Also, when I see my friends, we laugh and carry on, and it's our stories that give us that laughter. I guess without stories we'd be empty.

Teenreads: Becoming a writer was very important to you. When did you first set pen to paper?

MZ: I was 16 and my first book was an absolute shocker. Like with most things, it takes me a while to adjust and get it right, so it took me several attempts. By 18, I'd finally written a manuscript. For the next few years, I struggled with ideas, always starting but not believing in myself enough. Then I wrote my first published book, THE UNDERDOG, just for fun, and gradually it became more intense, and I had the combination I wanted --- humor and passion --- and it was published.

Teenreads: Are there any books or writers that were particularly important in your development as a writer?

MZ: My favorite writer is Roddy Doyle, who wrote the Barrytown Trilogy, but I'm also a big fan of Hemingway. An Australian book, MY BROTHER JACK, is also a favorite of mine. Mostly though, it's where I'm from and my working-class upbringing that has influenced me most.

Teenreads: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

MZ: I was a writer for six years before I was ever published. Sometimes we get caught up in finding a publisher, but I guess the most important thing is to believe that what we're writing is being done because it's in us and deserves to be let out. The other thing I'll say is to laugh about it a bit. I'm happiest in my writing when I just relax and have a bit of fun. My biggest mistake, a lot of the time, is being too hard on myself.

Teenreads: How has writing changed your life?

MZ: Writing has given me a purpose. Stories are part of me now, and it's everything I want to be. It gives me a chance to talk in schools and share stories, and now that I've been published in the USA and in Europe, I'm hoping to travel more and just write, rather than work in other jobs as well.

Teenreads: And finally, are you working on anything now? If so, can we get a sneak preview?

MZ: I just finished the last book in the Wolfe trilogy. It's called WHEN DOGS CRY and centers on Cameron Wolfe's desire to treat a girl right. There are beer iceblocks, girls, kindhearted barbers who can't cut hair at all, crowded train rides, a sticky situation between Cameron and Rube, and Cameron's final stand for himself and his brotherhood with Rube. --- Interviewed by Tammy L. CurrierBack to top.
INTERVIEW
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INTERVIEW
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