Teens@Random

Random Buzzers is excited to welcome David Levithan to the Random Buzzers forums this coming Monday August 31^st! David is the author of Boy Meets Boy, How They Met & Other Stories, co-authored Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and is getting ready to release the upcoming Love is the Higher Law.

Love is the Higher Law intertwines three different individuals going through the catastrophic events that took place on 9/11 and how their lives are forever reshaped.

Join us as we begin to chat with David Levithan on Monday August 31^st through September 11^th about his upcoming novel, his past work, and any other questions you may have for him. Drop by his thread now to leave your questions, comments, and a warm welcome to the Random Buzzer boards!

David has written a special message for you in anticipation of his visit:

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Dear Random Buzzers,


Love Is the Higher Law is a book I never intended to write, and never would have dreamed of talking about-and yet here I am, with it just published, and talking about it everywhere I go. This probably requires some explanation.

On September 11, 2001, I was in my office, reading an e-mail, when a co-editor of mine said a plane had hit the World Trade Center. We went to the roof deck and saw what had happened-and then stayed there for the second plane hitting, and everything after that. Every now and then, I would run back down to my desk and write about what was going on. At the end of the day, I sent it to my friends, to let them know I was okay, and to give a sense of what it was like to be where I was-about twenty blocks from the Trade Center, far enough away to be safe, but close enough to be shaken.

In the weeks and months that followed, I wrote a few more mass e-mails to my friends about 9/11-and that, I figured, would be the extent of my writing on the subject. The idea of writing a novel set during those days and weeks and months was a ridiculous one. How could I possibly convey what it was like to be in New York then? How could I possibly capture all of the falling apart that happened  . . . as well as the coming together. It was a very confusing time for all of us, and I didn't think fiction (or at least fiction written by me) could effectively go there.

So what changed my mind?

Well, time.

Over time, I realized that there were stories to be told. Over time, I realized that I was in danger of forgetting what it was like to be a part of that moment. Over time, my readers went from being teens at the time of the events to having been in elementary school, or preschool. Soon, I would have readers who hadn't been alive at all on 9/11.

So that made me want to write about it.

I didn't want to write a memoir. Instead, I wrote three characters-Claire, Jasper, and Peter-who each have their own journey from 9/11 forward. I am very, very aware that this sounds extremely depressing, but I promise you, the book is as much about the coming together as it is about the falling apart. Because being in New York-indeed, being in America, or the world-at that time was as magical as it was horrible. Because in the shadow of a huge tragedy, millions upon millions of people became their better selves. We forget that, over time. But it's true.


Just as I was hesitant to write the book, I was initially hesitant to talk about it. But not anymore. I'm really looking forward to hearing what you think about the book, and answering any questions that you have. When writing about 9/11, an author has to know that each reader will bring his or her own history and reflections to the work. I'm encouraged by that, and think the conversations will be richer for it.


Thanks,
David