David’s Comments (group member since Apr 11, 2012)

David’s comments from the Q&A with David H. Steinberg group.

Yes, Safety Not Guaranteed looks like the surprise hit of the year! (No, I didn't write it. I wish.)

Glad to hear you're into it! I think the number one theme is that everyone knows graduation from high school and going off to college is exciting, but they don't tell you it's also pretty scary. The emotions of that age make the transition-- saying goodbye to life-long friends and going off to explore the world on your own-- a sad and traumatic time, as well as one of excitement and optimism for the future.

I haven't seen a good comedy in a while. I heard 21 Jump Street is great but I haven't seen it yet. Project X was a big disappointment.

The characters are mostly original but of course there's going to be similarities to real people in any characters an author creates, that's just the nature of being subconsciously influenced by real relationships. But the characters start out as archetypes--the player, the monogamous guy, the guy who can't get laid, and the stoner--and then I add layers and create unique characteristics. Take Pike. Sure, he's "the stoner." But so is Spiccoli from Fast Times, and Pike is nothing like him. That's because my job, if I'm doing it right, is to create three-dimensional characters that seem real. Character is revealed through action as well as dialogue, and by the end of the process, the characters are supposed to be fully formed. But because they started out as archetypes, it's natural to see people you knew in each one. So that's the long answer. The short one is: yes, my friends think the characters are all based on real people even though they aren't.

Oh, and thanks for getting the Q&A started!

Chapter one is a 100% true event (including the lawnmower) and I was driving. It's funny, as an adult, I look back at those reckless incidents and think about my own kids, how close we were to getting ourselves killed, etc., but I also miss that feeling of being invincible. Modern brain research has discovered that 17 year old brains aren't fully developed in the judgment region, but isn't that what's fun about being young? It's like when Dylan says to Noah, "Let's do something irresponsible!" The book is written in the present day from the POV of these four guys, but it's also got my POV of a man in his forties looking back on this magic time where crazy things happened, and it was scary and exciting and overwhelming all at the same time.

There are a few other things that are kind-of true stories, but any time one of the characters has any success with girls, you know that was part I had to make up!

What are you watching? Seen any good movies? I know the movies I've written have been of varying quality and success but hey, it's a collaborative medium. Be nice.

I've been writing an advice column for aspiring screenwriters for 12 years. Ask me anything.

This is the Q&A part where you ask me anything you want about the book. My main goal here would be to convince you to give it a try! I know guys will love the book, but I've found a surprising amount of resistance from women who don't think an "American Pie" book is going to be their cup of tea. Well, you might be right. But the story is surprisingly sweet and has a lot to say about how friendships change after graduation. Ask me anything!

Hi, welcome to my very first Goodreads Q&A. I'm going to answer questions about my new book Last Stop This Town, plus anything else you'd like to know about movies, screenwriting, television, or killing a man with your bare hands. Thanks!