Ask the Author: Matthew Landis
Answered Questions (8)
Matthew Landis
Hey Prisha!!!! So I've got five books published so far—number six on the way this August! I'm so glad you loved IT'S THE END, that's my FAVORITE one of them all!!!
Matthew Landis
Chrissie! Great catch. I've updated it, thanks!
Matthew Landis
Kate! Glad you and your son enjoyed Oliver. That kid is special to me, what a fun and nerdy story to write. Partly autobiographical LOL.
My teaching is the #1 influence on my writing: thematically, but primarily voice-related. My recent novel, IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD AS I KNOW IT, which takes place at the same school as PRIVATE NOBODY, was inspired by two students who faced apocalyptic life scenarios. So thematically it's more of a basis, rather than directly lifted. Rarely do I use an exact student, but rather a "type" of student I've had, and then puzzle piece the rest of their personality.
Voice-related, I'd say, is the biggest influence. I've spent 13 years with middle school kids, so I know their lingo. That's likely my greatest insider info, allowing me to be super authentic without much research. Kids talk a certain way, and it's easy to spot inauthentic dialogue. My goal is never do that. EVER.
I'd say less influence on writing to teaching. Mainly I write stories that move me, which are usually based on kids, not the other way around.
Thanks so much again for checking my stories out, and please continue to do so! The third novel in the series will be out in Fall 2021 about another group of kids, same school.
Take care!
My teaching is the #1 influence on my writing: thematically, but primarily voice-related. My recent novel, IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD AS I KNOW IT, which takes place at the same school as PRIVATE NOBODY, was inspired by two students who faced apocalyptic life scenarios. So thematically it's more of a basis, rather than directly lifted. Rarely do I use an exact student, but rather a "type" of student I've had, and then puzzle piece the rest of their personality.
Voice-related, I'd say, is the biggest influence. I've spent 13 years with middle school kids, so I know their lingo. That's likely my greatest insider info, allowing me to be super authentic without much research. Kids talk a certain way, and it's easy to spot inauthentic dialogue. My goal is never do that. EVER.
I'd say less influence on writing to teaching. Mainly I write stories that move me, which are usually based on kids, not the other way around.
Thanks so much again for checking my stories out, and please continue to do so! The third novel in the series will be out in Fall 2021 about another group of kids, same school.
Take care!
Matthew Landis
ONE OF US IS LYING, SCYTHE, and THE SECRET PLACE
Matthew Landis
Movies and music. Strong themes really speak to me, as do moving melodies and lyrics.
Matthew Landis
Start with one idea and develop it to a really, really solid idea all the way through. Don't just get excited about something cool, work a little, then give up. That's what I did and that's why it took me so long to actually finish a book. Also share with other writers to get critique; this also would have saved me years.
Matthew Landis
Freedom to create a story you deeply love.
Matthew Landis
Read like crazy. Read more. And then read some more—all genres, usually not even what I'm writing in.
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