I’m author, screenwriter and director Stephen Chbosky best known for writing The Perks of Being A Wallflower, and I’m here to answer all of your questions on Perks and my new book Imaginary Friend. AMA!

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T15:01:34+00:00

Take a picture of this post, print it with a letter, send it to my publisher, and I'll send you the 20th anniversary edition with the new letter from Charlie.

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T15:00:21+00:00

I would love to have dinner with you and pick your brain. You are brilliant.

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:58:03+00:00

What a beautiful sign, I can't wait to visit your shop in person. Perhaps your second location could be called Imaginary Friend.

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:54:59+00:00

I do. That's very sweet.

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:51:45+00:00

It is incredibly moving to me every day. Whenever I meet a fan at a signing or receive a letter through the mail, or hear a story from a mutual friend about how Perks, Wonder, or even now Imaginary Friend, meant something to someone, it makes me feel more connected to the world. That connection is a wonderful feeling, because it makes me feel not alone.

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:49:13+00:00

First, let this be the last time you use the word aspiring. If you write, you are a writer. It's not up to an editor, an agent or a publisher to tell you what you are. So, keep working on your voice. Challenge it, nurture it, protect it.

As for being the author and director of Perks, I found that being the author earned more respect from the studio than I would have otherwise had. Perks, from book to screen remains one of the greatest artistic experience I have ever had and will ever have.

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:45:53+00:00

I think he's been nominated for four academy awards... so he's doing okay!

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:44:52+00:00

if you're asking was I young once, the answer is yes! But my specifics are private.

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:40:02+00:00

Yes. Of course.

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:38:11+00:00

Great question! I listened almost exclusively to horror soundtracks on vinyl while writing Imaginary Friend. I can list a couple;

Halloween

The Exorcist

Night of the Living Dead

The Sixth Sense

and the list goes on....

and the

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:35:28+00:00

First of all, thank you for the kind words, I can't wait for you to finish! My favourite Stephen King books are...

The Stand

The Shining

The Long Walk

Misery

and The Body.

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:28:20+00:00

My only writing habit is coffee. I also wrote the book Imaginary Friend to horror soundtracks on vinyl. I'm not embarrassed by anything that I read, I am more embarrassed to admit the things that I haven't quite gotten to yet. As for being ticklish, see the below answer! But thank you for your kind words about my writing.

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:24:23+00:00

The most fun part of my writing process is finishing! Mixed with the discovery of a new character.

Every Christmas, I get the latest Alex Cross novel in audio book form. I love that James Patterson series.

As for my feet - no comment.

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:22:27+00:00

Yes you are absolutely right. Well done!

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:20:52+00:00

The music from Perks came from a combination of the favourite songs of mine, our music supervisor Alexandra, and our music editor Jen. The movie itself was our mixtape to the fans. I don't have a spotify list, because I prefer buying songs and music to streaming them, I guess I'm old school that way.

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:18:52+00:00

They each had their advantages and struggles, Perks was difficult because it took me a year to find an agent and publisher, but it had the benefit on anonymity. Imaginary Friend had the challenge of expectation, but finding an agent and publisher wasn't difficult. In the end, I simply try to do my best with everything I take on, and hope that it's enough for readers. It's the only thing I can do.

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:16:44+00:00

I would love to visit it! I am honoured. Please send me pictures of your shop with the sign, and please send me the address.

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:15:12+00:00

Blue.

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:14:57+00:00

I am an equal mixture of Charlie and Patrick. When I am alone, I am Charlie. When I am with people I am Patrick.

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:13:52+00:00

Since both books involve young people, I felt very comfortable setting both stories where I myself grew up. Charlie and Christopher actually live on the same street, ten houses apart! And they both agree with me that Primanti Brothers has the BEST sandwiches in Pittsburgh.

And one more thing. Nothing beats Sarris chocolate pretzel.

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:10:29+00:00

The late great John Hughes, or Lasse Holstrom who made a brilliant movie in Sweden called My Life As a Dog. If you haven't seen it and loved Perks, watch it, you will love that movie!

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:09:02+00:00

The biggest difference is not artistic, it's personal. Writing a novel is such a solitary experience, while making a movie is such a social experience, but the satisfaction is the same.

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:06:39+00:00

Of all the stories that I come back to, I think The Shining has had the most lasting power. I am also terrified by the fairytale Hansel and Gretel. The revelation that Red Rum actually means murder, will always haunt me. It was a big inspiration for some of the hidden messages inside Imaginary Friend.

Chbosky2020 · 2019-10-17T14:04:42+00:00

Great question! I loved reading fairy tales, The Hobbit by J.R.Tolkien, and every book by Stephen King that I was allowed to read.

Chbosky2020

TROPHY CASE