Head back stage for a behind the scenes glimpse into the mind of Tim Federle, CPL's Author of the Month for May. Federle shares is love of musical theater, talks about what inspires his writing and the surprises of being a new author.
Where did you get your idea for this book?
Five, Six, Seven, Nate! is the sequel to Better Nate Than Ever, my debut novel about a small-town teenager who runs away from Pittsburgh to crash an audition for E.T.: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL. I got the idea for both books when I was a coach for the child stars of Billy Elliot on Broadway, after 10 years of dancing in various shows myself—including as an original cast member of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. I wanted Five, Six, Seven, Nate! to capture all the funny, high-drama stuff that really happens backstage on a big-budget show.
What was your favorite book when you were growing up?
Matilda was such a revelation to me as a kid, because I remember thinking it was so brave of an adult—the author, Roald Dahl—to write characters who weren’t always nice. That felt like the real world to me, where some people are your friends and some people are harder to get along with. Books tell you things about yourself and the world you might not have even known.
How old were you when you started writing?
I wrote TONS of stories when I was a kid, but something about 18 years of homework made me put the writing away for a while. I rediscovered the magic of telling a tale when I was in my late twenties, and wasn’t being graded anymore. That really released me from the pressure of being good. I could just be myself on the page.
What is your favorite word?
Optimism, or chocolate.
What is your favorite book about Chicago?
Beaver Is Lost, for sure.
Any final words?
Chicago is such an incredible theater town: I hope any kid who has ever stood on a stage (or might have a teeny tiny dream to someday be a rockstar, actor, or even work backstage on a show) will check out both NATE books.
Find out even more about Tim Federle and Five, Six, Seven, Nate!
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