Markus Zusak, author of the international bestselling book, The Book Thief, shared personal stories and insights about being an author with Darien High School (DHS) students.
Markus Zusak
Markus Zusak
Zusak, who lives in Sydney, Australia, presented with a combination of humor and seriousness about writing to more than 600 students in attendance in the school’s auditorium last week.
“When you are a writer, you basically hate yourself all the time. You always have doubt hanging around your shoulders,” said Zusak. “There is only a 1 in 1,000 chance when you are a writer that you will ever be published. You have to believe that you are that one.”
Zusak started the assembly sharing an anecdote about revenge on his older brother, who at times tormented him. In the story, Zusak replaced a hard-boiled egg with one that was not. His brother, who had a habit of cracking hard-boiled eggs on his head before eating them, ended up covered in egg yolk.
“The unexpected is always the best moment of the story,” said Zusak.
Zusak said that writers use small details to create authenticity. He also stressed the importance of experimenting, and need to constantly read and revise. When asked by a student how he dealt with writer’s block, Zusak said he was a bad model.
______________
— an announcement from Darien High School
______________
“I usually go surfing or take a day off, but that never works,” said Zusak. “You always have to come back to the desk for more. You get your best ideas while you are writing, not while you are walking on the beach.”
Zusak’s visit was coordinated by DHS Library Media Specialist Jackie Bennett in conjunction with Barrett Bookstore and Random House. Zusak is on a 10-city tour of the United States to celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Book Thief.
On the Random House website, The Book Thief is described as: “One of the most enduring stories of our time, The Book Thief is just a small story really, about, among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist fighter, and quite a lot of thievery.”