Author John Green spoke candidly about the teenage experience during a recent event at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow. The encounter began with a challenging navigation through a crowd of fans, leading to a quiet moment in his dressing room before the interview commenced.
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Green expressed a deep interest in the lives and questions that teenagers grapple with, noting their exploration of complex themes such as love, loss, and politics. His characters, including Miles Halter, Colin Singleton, Quentin Jacobsen, Will Grayson, and Hazel Grace Lancaster, all resonate with young readers, showcasing a range of relatable traits crafted through thorough research.
When asked about his next writing project, Green indicated uncertainty, sharing, "I wish I knew. I don't know… I'm working on a few things and I never know which one is going to end up being a book." He mentioned a previous idea for a zombie apocalypse novel, which ultimately did not materialize, leading to the vastly different theme of his most recent success, The Fault in Our Stars. Fans may need to be patient for his next offering.
In response to a critical article published by the Daily Mail on the popularity of 'sick lit,' Green remarked on the condescending nature of the piece, stating, "I'm tired of adults telling teenagers that they aren't smart, that they can't read critically, that they aren't thoughtful."
Green admitted that he often cried while writing his novels, especially during Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, which are more autobiographical and personal to him. He recalled feeling a mix of emotions during the drafting process for Paper Towns, where he initially thought it was superb before later deeming it unsatisfactory.
During the event, Green shared amusing anecdotes, including a memorable request from a fan the night before, who asked him to write a proposal in a signed copy of The Fault in Our Stars. The girlfriend said yes, much to Green's relief. He also praised fellow authors like Malorie Blackman and Markus Zusak but highlighted MT Anderson's The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing as his favorite, noting its length and depth.
As a token of appreciation, the interviewer gifted Green a DVD of a beloved Doctor Who episode, which he received with enthusiasm. Following the interview, Green engaged with the approximately 1,000 fans waiting for him outside, signing books and enjoying the connection with his readership.