|
Mr. Saywell, as an author and architect, how difficult is it to juggle two very different professions?
In some ways, very. Because you are sort of pulled in two directions simultaneously. Whichever activity you are involved in absorbs your attention and concentration, and you are always thinking, in the back of your mind, ‘I should also be doing that.’
But it’s also FUN! You are never bored, because you switch ‘hats’ often, whether during the day, or week, or whatever. But obviously, you have to love both things you’re doing. Just as you have to love what you’re doing in life, even if it’s only one thing every day. All I can say is, I sure wouldn’t want THREE careers!
How did you first get started in writing and what other kinds of books do you write?
By accident, sort of. My co-author [and great friend] Evelyn McFarlane came up with the original idea for the teen book “If…”. We were convinced that the conversational game of it that we used to play with other friends would make a cool book.
I was a bit skeptical at first, but I have always liked writing, so one night, after hearing her rave about this idea for months but not actually write it, I sat down at my powerbook and decided to test her idea out. Half an hour later, I had over 100 If questions, and a tingling feeling down my spine. I called her and proposed we do it together.
That was the beginning of a great collaboration, and a bestselling series. We have written two other similar books as well as the six “If…” titles [“How Far Will You Go?” and “Would You?”]. I have also co-authored, with another friend, a book coming out this summer called “Dilemmas”, which is a lot of fun.
In my spare time I try to write novels. But that’s a whole other ballgame, and I really don’t know if they will ever be published.
How did you come to write a book for teens?
Well, the “If…” series is now quite well-known and very successful. We have tried to aim the “If” structure at various themes we thought could sustain it, such as Love and Sex, the Soul, and Parents.
But from almost the first, we thought an edition specific to young teenagers would be great. People that age are so fascinatingly alive to thought, to ideas, to culture, and of course it is a particularly magical phase of life.
A book series that attempts to probe and provoke, and to help people learn about themselves and each other seemed perfect for an age-group that is so into that to begin with. Adolescence is a phase of unprecedented self-discovery, so “If…” is right at home.
Having grown up in Asia, do you think there is a difference between teens in Asia and teens in the U.S.?
Yes and no. There are subtle cultural differences country to country, and of course variations in social mores and habits, etc. But underneath that, teens share most things in common the world over, and probably always have. The fundamental issues of that age, and of growing quickly into adulthood, are the same the planet over.
The context of those issues may change from place to place, and circumstances and distractions to, but basically, teens in Vietnam, Korea, or Hong Kong go through the same experiences as teens from Toronto, Chicago, or San Diego. And they could communicate with each other in seconds, on those issues, if language were not an issue. That is also why popular music is universal.
What do you do that most appeals to teens?
Have fun in life. That’s being totally honest. Obviously, I haven’t been a teen for some time, though I sure remember it, and remember loving it. But I would say that living a little bit out of the box gives young people a bit of encouragement to look ahead at their lives with excitement and adventure.
It’s not all a pre-ordained script, and you never, ever know what’s coming down the road. If you greet it all [the good and the bad] with open arms, life can be ok. No, more than ok.
What advice would you give a teen that would one day like to be a successful writer?
That’s a tough question, believe it or not. If you had asked me at age 12 or 14 whether I expected to write books one day, I’d have said ‘impossible.’ But then, I was into different things then. I wanted to build skyscrapers!
I’m not going to lie and say it’s easy and that anyone can do it with a little luck. Fact is, you need a lot of luck, and even more perseverence and stubbornness. But isn’t that true of anything creative? It doesn’t matter whether you want to dance, write, act, sing, play tennis, or be a great parent, all creative acts pull a lot out of you, test what you’re made of, and make you a better person too.
The point is, do it with passion, and because you want to try it with your whole heart. And never, never, never be afraid of failure. Write a novel that stinks. So what? Most novels stink [even the published ones], but the writers still did something other people didn’t; they tried. Worry about the quality later, as you learn, but first just get it going.
Believe me, you’ll learn a hundred times more about yourself from writing a lame book, or painting a crap picture, than you will not bothering. And who knows, you may well surprise yourself.
What do you feel is wrong with teens today? What do you feel should change?
To be honest, I hate that question. I mean, I don’t blame you for asking it, but it’s a lousy way to ask it, and it’s so common. What’s ‘wrong’ with adults today? Or preschoolers? Nothing. Everything that always was.
Teens, first of all, are each and every one, unique and different. Perfect? No way. But valid and trying to make it through what’s probably life’s most challenging age. You know what, give me a young teen for dinner company anyday; conversation will be more interesting. And besides, I’ll get some great tips on good music!
TeenFX.com has very active message boards where teens can discuss topics that range from relationships to politics. Do you think these sounding boards add to or help teens deal with today’s stressful environment?
No question about it. The internet is NOT the Second Coming, but it does offer a few things that never existed before, and this new structure for communication is one of them. Why else would these forums be so popular? Because there was a need. Life is stressful and always has been.
I have always imagined that there has never existed an age when people didn’t say their environment was more stressful than ever before. And is the stress of modern teenagedom greater than a hundred, or four hundred years ago? We don’t know. But it IS stressful, or can be, no doubt about it. And the chance to talk, listen, exchange views and fears and ideas, is great medicine for it.
What would you like to tell teens about yourself?
I’m sure their own lives are WAY more interesting, so not much to tell. I like living all over the planet, because it’s small, and life is short [despite what it seems to them!] and that makes it such a cool adventure. And I like trying different things.
Rules can constrain life, but I do live by one: Be happy in what you are doing, or stop doing it. And never keep at something once you realize you’re no good at it. There will be others who can do it just fine. Try it, absolutely, and give it your best shot, but when you know in your heart you aren’t so good, move on. Otherwise you’ll never discover your true talent. I guess that’s two rules.
Do you have any questions that you would like to ask the teens?
Are you enjoying your life?
If not, why not? How can you fix it?
I envy teens, I really do. Not because I want more time in life, or because I don’t love being other ages, but just because being a teenager is unique, and literally everything is possible. Everything.
Oh, and one other question: have you checked out our book?
|
EMAIL
FRIENDS
MY OPTIONS
NEWS
FX PRIZES
CONTESTS
INTERVIEWS
WHO'S ON
SHOP
