[video transcript of @/americanbaron in an author interview, punctuation added:
So all these things actually happened, right?
Right. But some stuff is real?
No, it's pretty much all made up.
But there are some general allegories for what's true in your own life, right?
In a way, I guess... but again, it's a work of fiction.
Right. So, the main character—it's you, right?
Well, it's fair to say it's almost impossible for there not to be some elements of the author in each character—
The main character of the book, Damien, steals from his grandmother. Why did you do that?
I didn't personally steal from my grandmother.
Then why would you make Damien do it?
But do you think these are the values we should be promoting in this anti-grandmother climate?
'Anti-grandmother climate'—?
Well, I, along with other readers, am a little uncomfortable about the anti-grandmother messaging.
There's no messaging in this book.
A-at least not an intentional one—
But do you think we should be rooting for characters who steal from their grandmothers?
You're not necessarily supposed to root for Damien.
Then why is he the main character?
I thought he was interesting.
But don't you think people will read your book, and think it's okay to steal from your grandmother?
No, I think most people will think this is a work of fiction—
Do you think stealing from your grandmother is an admirable thing to do?
I'm not personally advocating for what Damien does.
But didn't you make Damien?
That doesn't mean I am Damien.
Then why did you make him like that?
Because I wanted to explore what kind of character would do that.
So: you didn't steal from your grandmother?
But hypothetically speaking . . .
. . . why did you steal from your grandmother?
