Bennett Madison

July 10th, 2006 · No Comments

NEW VOICE Bennett Madison lives in Brooklyn, New York, where he enjoys spending time with the many Lulus in his life. He is currently pursuing his life-long goal of becoming a receptionist. His novel, LULU DARK CAN SEE THROUGH WALLS, is available from Penguin/Razorbill.

Can you describe LULU DARK CAN SEE THROUGH WALLS for our readers?
Lulu Dark is a girl detective whom I created as sort of a response to Nancy Drew. Lulu is everything that Nancy isn't: she's smart but sometimes lazy, good-hearted but not especially thoughtful, and, like many teenagers, her affect is constantly vacillating between intense passion and total apathy. She marches to the beat of her own drummer and that drummer is playing Cheap Trick.

The book's a mystery of sorts, but it's also about finding your own identity, and about the fact that being perfect is not even much of a virtue.

Who were your favorite authors growing up? Who are your favorite authors today?
I was obsessive about books growing up. If there were seven books in a series, good. If there were a thousand, way better. My earliest obsession was with the OZ books, when I was six or seven years old. I read the original 14 by L Frank Baum and then tried to track down the obscure ones by later authors. I remember noticing that they were considerably crappier, but I didn't care. After that, I became entranced with Ann M. Martin's BABYSITTER'S CLUB books, as well as the many spin-offs. That lasted for a few years before I figured out they were supposed to be for girls and switched to X-Men comic books instead. I also loved Daniel Pinkwater, Lloyd Alexander, JD Fitzgerald's GREAT BRAIN books, Harriet the Spy, Diana Wynne Jones, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor and later, Francesca Lia Block. And much as I'm always disrespecting her, I did love Nancy Drew.

These days my favorite writers are Mark Doty, Lorrie Moore, Amy Hempel, Edith Wharton, Cookie Mueller, Lynda Barry, Michael Chabon, Tom Spanbauer and still Harriet the Spy and Francesca Lia Block. I don't read as much contemporary YA as I should. The last YA book I totally loved was Joe Weisberg's 10th GRADE, though I think it's shelved in the grown-up section.

How do you approach a new story? Some authors plan, some don't. Some outline, some don't…
I don't like planning. I hate outlining. I prefer to start with a riff, and build on that until it takes on a life of its own. Unfortunately, the Lulu books, being mysteries, need to be thought out in a lot of detail ahead of time. My wonderful editors at Penguin Razorbill, Margaret Wright and Kristen Pettit, have been great at holding my hand and coddling me in this phase, despite my whining and tantrum throwing.

What are your plans for your next novel? Can you give us a peek?
I'm currently at work on LULU DARK AND THE SUMMER OF THE FOX, which should be out next year. I've also decided that fantasy blockbuster trilogies are the way to go if you want to make a real living, so I'm going to try my hand at that next. It is going to be a gay fantasy extravaganza set in a parallel universe ruled by evil but studly cowboys and Marilyn Monroe. When I sell it, I'm going to use the enormous advance to buy a Rolls Royce and an elaborate scepter.

Is there anything special you like to wear or do while you write? Where is your favorite place to write?
I write in the nude except for a pink ascot. Unfortunately I can't work at home because of too many internets to surf and reality programs to be watched. I like to write in cafes, but it has to be the perfect one, and New York is not a big cafe town. The best one I've found here is DOMA in the west village, but it's not nearly as good as the really grimy, tacky one I frequented when I lived in DC. The lighting is just a little too perfect. I prefer seedier spots, so if anyone knows of one, please tell me. (Please don't suggest BIG CUP though; that's just gross.)

Are you interested in visiting libraries or schools? If so, how can interested teachers and librarians contact you?
I'd love to visit anywhere that will have me. I give a mean lecture and I also do many impressive party tricks.If you want to reach me, visit my website at www.bennettmadison.com, or email me at bennett.madison@gmail.com.

What is a question you wish interviewers would ask-but never do?
Too few people ask about astrology. I am an Aries. Which is totally the best one, by the way.