DL: My favorite was the Freddy the Pig series, by Walter Brooks. Freddy solved crimes and wrote poems. The issue of bacon never arose as far as I can remember.
3.SR: I read in another interview that you were a philosophy major at Rutgers. What led you to this major? Somehow, philosophy seems such a serious major and your so darn funny, David. Not that philosopher cannot be funny. Just an odd combo, perhaps?
DL: Philosophy is about solving problems and making connections. Humor is about making unexpected connections, and writing a novel is really an extended exercise in problem solving. Also, once you become a novelist, it helps if you can remain philosophical about things like poverty, rejection, and celebrity picture books.
4.SR: You have written many books and you also write short stories. How are these two types of fiction different for you when you are writing? In other words, is your approach different for each?
DL: Writing a story is like taking a day trip. If I drive twenty miles to check out a tourist attraction or try a restaurant, there isn't much at stake if I make the wrong decision. With a story, I can try just about anything. Sometimes, this takes me to a place I never expected. Writing a novel is like visiting a foreign country. It's a much larger investment, and requires a bit of planning. With a novel, I need to make sure I'm not boarding the Titanic or showing up in Finland with a pocketful of pesos. Though I still find myself in unexpected places, which isn't a bad thing as long as the surprise is a good one.
5.SR: Which of your characters is most like you?
DL: I'd say I'm a combination of Martin from Hidden Talents with his big mouth and Ellis from Flip with his hyperactive imagination and ability to expect dreadful outcomes from even the most minor of undertakings.
6.SR: Your teenage characters, like Chad Turner and Jason in your great novel "Dunk" are so realistic. How do you stay stay in touch with this teenage world? I also think you may be close to someone like the Bozo? I loved this book, it is great!
DL: My daughter is a teen, though not for much longer. So I've had a parade of young folks coming through the house. I visit a lot of schools each year, so I get to meet an amazing variety of teens. And I try to avoid being current. I'm not writing about teens in 2005, I'm writing about people who happen to be of a certain age.
