Todd Strasser: A Self Portrait
Todd Strasser Revealed
About Todd Strasser
Revealing Questions
- Q. How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
- A. Waiting and wondering what will happen next _________________.
- Q. What is your motto or maxim?
- A. If you wait long enough, something will happen
- Q. How would you describe perfect happiness?
- A. Surfing.
- Q. What’s your greatest fear?
- A. Not surfing.
- Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
- A. Hawaii.
- Q. With whom in history do you most identify?
- A. John Doe
- Q. Which living person do you most admire?
- A. John Doe
- Q. What are your most overused words or phrases?
- A. John Doe
- Q. What do you regret most?
- A. Being John Doe
- Q. If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
- A. To say no
- Q. What is your greatest achievement?
- A. My children
- Q. What’s your greatest flaw?
- A. My children
- Q. What’s your best quality?
- A. My children
- Q. If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
- A. John Doe
- Q. What trait is most noticeable about you?
- A. Repetition
- Q. Who is your favorite fictional hero?
- A. Cartman
- Q. Who is your favorite fictional villain?
- A. Cartman
- Q. If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
- A. Captain Edward John Smith "I'd turn around if I were you."
- Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
- A. No waves
- Q. What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
- A. Surfing
- Q. What’s your fantasy profession?
- A. Surfing
- Q. What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
- A. I don't know
- Q. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
- A. a cornucopia (who thinks of these questions?)
- Q. What are your 5 favorite songs?
- A. Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini
On Books and Writing
- Q. Who are your favorite authors?
- A. This week, Sherman Alexie, Michael Chabon, Frank McCourt, MT Anderson, Bob Dylan, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Tune in again next week
- Q. What are your 5 favorite books of all time?
- A. Whatever those guys wrote
- Q. Is there a book you love to reread?
- A. The Yiddish Policeman's Union
- Q. Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
- A. Don't.
- Q. What comment do you hear most often from your readers?
- A. Can I have a free book?
- Q. How did you come to write If I Grow Up?
- A. I speak at many well-to-do suburban schools where young people have wonderful resources and great opportunities. In recent years I've begun to visit much poorer, inner-city schools and I am dismayed by the lack of resources and opportunity. This feels very unfair, especially in a country like ours.
