TIM FEDERLE

The biggest difference in writing a sequel is that now there are expectations. But also - and this is the awesome part - now there are fans, too!

My dream is to try to reach as many kids and readers who might need an unlikely hero to connect to.

'Five, Six, Seven, Nate!' opens on my 13-year-old protagonist packing up a duffel bag and bidding his Midwestern town goodbye, heading off to start rehearsals for his New York City debut in 'E.T.: The Musical.'

I think for me the trick is not to aim to impress or to even try to make people laugh but instead to tell the truth.

You can't tell the story of a 13-year-old boy who knows every lyric to 'Phantom of the Opera' without also referencing how much teasing he gets at school.

I'm from the ADHD generation, to be honest - I genuinely was on Ritalin in middle school - so I'm most comfortable with a hundred things going on at once. It's deadlines that get pesky.

The thing I miss about performing is being with people.

My mother had a book club that would dissolve into opening wine.

Are we absolutely certain that Becky Albertalli didn't just steal the diary of a hilariously observant teenage boy? Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a pitch-perfect triumph of wit and wordplay that feels timelessly, effortlessly now.

Basically the most fun part about the first day of anything is buying all the supplies.

The thing I miss about performing is being with people.

My mother had a book club that would dissolve into opening wine.

My dream is to try to reach as many kids and readers who might need an unlikely hero to connect to.

The biggest difference in writing a sequel is that now there are expectations. But also - and this is the awesome part - now there are fans, too!

'Five, Six, Seven, Nate!' opens on my 13-year-old protagonist packing up a duffel bag and bidding his Midwestern town goodbye, heading off to start rehearsals for his New York City debut in 'E.T.: The Musical.'

You can't tell the story of a 13-year-old boy who knows every lyric to 'Phantom of the Opera' without also referencing how much teasing he gets at school.

I think for me the trick is not to aim to impress or to even try to make people laugh but instead to tell the truth.

I'm from the ADHD generation, to be honest - I genuinely was on Ritalin in middle school - so I'm most comfortable with a hundred things going on at once. It's deadlines that get pesky.

Are we absolutely certain that Becky Albertalli didn't just steal the diary of a hilariously observant teenage boy? Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a pitch-perfect triumph of wit and wordplay that feels timelessly, effortlessly now.

Basically the most fun part about the first day of anything is buying all the supplies.

The coolest thing you can become is yourself.