Sometimes we have thoughts that even we donโt understand. Thoughts that arenโt even trueโthat arenโt really how we feelโbut theyโre running through our heads anyway because theyโre interesting to think about. If you could hear other peopleโs thoughts, youโd overhear things that are true as well as things that are completely random. And you wouldnโt know one from the other. Itโd drive you insane. Whatโs true? Whatโs not? A million ideas, but what do they mean?
Jay AsherI felt I had a very innocent childhood and I feel privileged by that. But as an adult, I know that there were people who didn't have that. There are a lot of teens who haven't had as easy a childhood as me, and having literature that explores these "darker" parts helps relieve the burden and stress they may be feeling. As a writer, there is often a temptation to draw back when we write for teens - to preserve their innocence. But the reality is, if someone has already had that innocence taken in their life, then not writing about it is just brushing it under the rug.
Jay AsherNormally when a person has a stellar image another person's waiting in the wings to tear them apart. They're waiting for that one fatal flaw to expose itself.
Jay Asher