20 QUESTIONS WITH NED VIZZINI
Book cover image used with permission of
Free Spirit Publishing.
"Ned who?" you ask? Ned Vizzini is the teenage author of the hilarious book TEEN ANGST? NAH....
TEEN ANGST? NAH... is a series of true stories that Ned first started putting to paper when he was 15. Looking for a sane outlet for his frustration and confusion, Ned took to writing his experiences down in an effort to cope. The result of that endeavour is a candid and interesting look at the life of one teen, warts and all (minus a vulgarity or two). You won't want to put this book down, even when you've finished reading the last page.
Ned's writing style is "Seinfeld-esque". He is witty, intelligent and surprisingly fresh. He has an edge, he has attitude and man, does he have writing talent. Whether you're an adult, a teen or a little of both, you'll laugh out loud at Ned's portrayal of teen angst. Don't miss his book, if you do you'll be missing out on one of the best reads of the new millenium.
THE QUESTIONS
In the book you say you started writing about what happened to you to help you deal with the frustrations of teen life - did it really help?
Absolutely, writing helped me deal with high school... MORE
Your writing style is hilarious, are you that funny in real life?
I'm funny in real life... MORE
You went to a high school for the academically gifted - do you think that your experiences at that school are typical?
Well, my school was a weird place, no doubt about it... MORE
You were in high school when the school shootings started happening - any thoughts? Are teens today more violent and/or more apathetic?
Blame for the school shootings rests directly on the parents, no question... MORE
Girls - you don't say much about them in the book, have you learned anything more since high school that you want to share?
The only thing I've learned recently is, try to date outside your race, social class, age group, etc... MORE
Parents - yours come across as kind of goofy but basically easy to get along with, is that really how they are? Any tips for teens?
My tip for teens is to use your parents. They're smart... MORE
Virginity and sex - almost absent from the book, what are your thoughts on the role they play in the life of the average teen?
Sex is what corporate America uses to sell teens... MORE
You admit to drinking while underage - is this common in teens? Do you think the drinking age is too high?
Teens drink, but they know it's bad, and they feel guilty about it... MORE
Is there anything you regret about your high school experience, anything you wish you had tried or hadn't done?
My regrets are social and mostly girl-related... MORE
What 5 words best describe your generation? Why?
Rich, motivated, smart, Nintendo, and trying-hard-to-be-jaded... MORE
If you could change one thing about your generation what would it be? Why?
I would love for us all to just boycott TV for a year... MORE
What do you consider a positive strength of your generation? Why?
We all want that cash, and I don't think we're afraid to work for it... MORE
Moxy Fruvous - what's the deal with that? Why are they so great? Do you identify with any of the music of your generation? Why or why not?
Moxy Fruvous... one of the things I latched on to in order to get some individuality in high school... MORE
When I was a teen the Cold War ended and the Berlin Wall fell - what world events (if any) do you think have helped shape the identity of your generation? Why?
I'm a silly guy with a book (Teen Angst? Naaah…, mindless plug), and I shouldn't speak for anybody... MORE
What do you hope teens will get from reading your book?
The nicest comment I have gotten from teens is that they read the book all at once... MORE
Tell us about what DIDN'T make it in to your book?
The time I took lots of drugs and bit the head off a bat... MORE
Are you planning a sequel?
I'm just not as interesting as some people would like to think... MORE
How hard was it to get published? In the book it sounds like it "just happened", was it really that simple?
To do anything for four years requires stubbornness, and that's the trait that has served me best... MORE
Any advice for aspiring young writers?
Breaking into the writing industry isn't like becoming a movie star - you don't need inside connections... MORE
Ned, what do you see yourself doing for a career: going in to politics (you'd be great) and if so how do you think the underage drinking will be handled by the press? What about a career journalism? Do you have any faith in the media to report facts without sensation?
I don't need to pry my insides open in the name of politics and let everybody see what's inside... MORE
More- Q&A 1 thru 10 - Q&A 11 thru 20 - The Full Interview