Be a Genre Breaker
Unwind and its
sequel Unwholly can easily be
classified as dystopian. When Shusterman was questioned about the genre and his
opinion, he was visibly unfavorable. Not that he disapproves of the dystopian
genre, but that he sees his books outside of a genre classification, and even
outside of an age classification. Dystopian is currently a popular genre, but
when it’s no longer on the forefront of public consciousness, the books within
that genre might go by the wayside. Shusterman’s books are meant for not only
those that enjoy dystopia but also those that enjoy adventure, science fiction,
thrillers, teen and adult fiction. In essence, it’s a genre breaker. It’s not
meant for just one classification, or just one set of people. So when writing,
one shouldn’t strain to write within one genre, because sometimes the best
books can’t be labeled.
Let the Character Lead
When Shusterman writes, he asks questions of his characters to
discover their emotional paths. After formulating emotional arches for each
character, then he begins putting words to paper. However, when writing, sometimes
the character will react differently or more truthfully than they did in the
original outline. If something no longer makes sense, if the character’s
reaction is no longer genuine, then it’s time to adapt. Holding to the original
outline can diminish your writing, as good ideas can fall to the page before
the author realizes what’s happening. Don’t be afraid to adapt, and to let your
characters lead.
Not taking sides can further your
story
The concept of Unwind
is based in the controversial issue of abortion. Years before the book takes
place, the Second Civil War was fought between the pro-choice and pro-life
camps. To end the war, a law was enacted which abolished abortion, but allowed
parents to “unwind” children between 13 and 18 years of age. Since unwinding re-used
nearly 100% of the body’s parts, it was not considered murder and therefore was
legal. In Unwind, Shusterman does not
take a stance on abortion, but merely tells a story of what happens in this
futuristic fiction world. In not taking sides, he broadens the appeal and the
reception of the book, and does not alienate readers. He shows the effects of
such a law but does so through his characters stories. The author’s opinion is
blissfully unknown, which makes the message—one concerning the fictional act
of “unwinding” more so than abortion—resonate with readers.
If you want to kill all your
characters, it might be time to take a break
“And then everyone jumps off a cliff and falls to their death.”
If you ever have the desire to write that on the next page of your story, then
it’s likely that you are a little worn. And it’s probably time for you to take
a break. When asked about his writing habits, Shusterman said that he can go
back and forth to and from different projects, depending on what needs to be
done and when he needs a break. Returning to a project a day, or week or even
months later will bring a new perspective and renewed energy. So don’t be weary
of setting a piece aside and return to it when the inspiration is flowing, or at
least when you’re ready to make some (less homicidal) words appear on the
screen again. 
Thank you, Mr. Shusterman for visiting Indiana for the release of your outstanding sequel, Unwholly. Can’t wait for the third and final book in this trilogy!
DISCLAIMER:
This post in an unofficial account of the event with Neal Shusterman on August 29,
2012 at the Barnes & Noble in Greenwood, IN. The views that I present in
this article are my interpretations of the event. They do not necessarily
represent the opinions of Neal Shusterman, Simon and Schuster or any affiliates.
