Twitterview: Steve Brezenoff

Welcome to another Twitterview. This month, Steve Brezenoff is here to talk about Brooklyn, Burning (reviewed here), gender, and a whole lot more. Like usual, there's a giveaway of this book at the end, but I think more importantly, what I want people to do after reading this is to participate in Steve's #FridayReads project -- those who have read Brooklyn, Burning or have read reviews of it know that at the center of the story are the ideas of gender and homelessness, and through participating in his #FridayReads project, you can help raise money for YouthLink.


Pitch Brooklyn, Burning in 140 characters
Two summers and two loves, gentrification and arson in Greenpoint.


What inspired Brooklyn, Burning?
I was going for a love song vibe at first--"me" to "you." The ambiguity was initially an accident.

What drew you to write Kid and Scout without gender?

An accident for several hundred words. I ran with it partly due to a listserve with some very old-fashioned ideas.

What was the writing process like in creating gender neutrality/interchangeability?

It came more naturally than I'd have thought. I think it frustrates my editor, publicist, and reviewers, which is fun.

In BB and Absolute Value of -1, you write the voice of both genders authentically. Do you find one harder/easier/more interesting to write?

I don't give a lot of thought to the narrators' genders, believe it or not. I give thought to the character, and try to keep the voice real.

As I asked with last month's Twitterview, what's your take on/experience with gender appeal to your novels? Do you write with one in mind?

I don't. I just write what I want to write. It's not even what I necessarily want to read. I get that most YA readers are girls. That's ok.

What's your take on the notion that guys "don't read?"

First of all: boysdontread.com. Second, as a teen, I stopped reading for personal enjoyment. I picked it up again later.

Setting plays a key role in Brooklyn Burning. Why Brooklyn?

I <3 Brooklyn, for one thing. For another, the historical aspects took place in Brooklyn. Also, it just came out that way.

What should readers walk away with from Brooklyn Burning?

A receipt! Lol. No, seriously. I just want people to get anything from it at all. Literally anything.

Who or what do you write for?

Mainly I write because I like to write. But I also like controlling people's minds, which is possible with fiction.

You've written other books, but why the shift for a teen audience? Is it intentional or is it led by the story?

My work for younger readers has been work-for-hire. When it comes to what I prefer to write, it's mostly YA. The shift is illusory.

What was your most influential read as a teenager?

The Catcher in the Rye

Who are your top three writing influences?

JD Salinger, John Gardner, SE Hinton. Probably.

Who do you believe is breaking ground in YA right now?

Am I allowed to say Carolrhoda Lab? If I'm honest and immodest, that's the answer.

What's the best writing advice you ever received?

Butt-in-chair. It might be the ONLY good writing advice I've ever received.

What's your best writing advice to give?

See above. Also: objective correlative

What is your writing routine?

When I come up with one, I'll let you know.

What gets you jazzed to write?

Reading great writing

Do you have a writing soundtrack? Care to share a bit?

I have a different for every project. My current project is full of Bjork, Nick Drake, and Mastodon. Figure that one out.

What's next for you?

Lunch. Oh, you mean a project. I'm working on another one that examines gender a little, and also love vs. envy, and online gaming.

Favorite ice cream?
Dark Chocolate Zin from Izzy's in St. Paul!

Want a copy of Brooklyn, Burning? Fill out the form below, and I'll pick a winner at the end of the month.