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	John Neufeld

Q & A WITH THE AUTHOR OF APRIL FOOL

* What inspired you to write APRIL FOOL? (Jocelyn Kelley, Kelley & Hall)

My own midnight stopped heart. It occurred to me that, as in all else, what I was experiencing wasn't unique. I thought maybe if I started to write about it, the symptoms would ease. They did.

* Describe the plot.

A man of a certain age, aware of his physical deterioration and onrushing demise, is only too ripe for a final fling, or affair. He finds this. But he is also married. Now what, especially since the new object of his affections

seems to return them? He makes a decision which, in one's imagination, is common enough, but very very rarely acted upon. In a word, he's over his head, and he pays for it.

* Did you decide to have George involved in politics because of the current political climate?

Not really. I wanted an articulate hero. George is. That his expertise is public relations, "spinning," just gave me the opportunity to have a little fun with the current administration. The book is, after all, I hope, an entertainment.

* Do you think George's hypochondria led to his obsession over Valerie?

It helped. George has a tendency to focus intently -- inwardly and outwardly. He is certainly self-involved. He knows his feelings may be too heated for reality, but he has them, nonetheless.

* Did you do any research about hypochondria for the book?

No. It's mine and my doctors will happily certify it.

* What is your favorite scene in the book?

Too many to single out, because I really love these

people. Certainly the first meeting between Valerie and

George. The scenes with Frank, the barman and putative

director of assassination. The cocktail party scene where

George reflects upon the country and its past/future. And

the last scene, both Peg's and George's.

* Which writers inspire you?

At this time of my life, very few. The writers who have

inspired me are common enough, given the age in which I

grew up: Evelyn Waugh, Kingsley Amis, John Updike,

John Cheever.

* Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Yes. You must love and know history. And then get to

Carnegie Hall on your own...practice, practice, practice.

* Can you tell us a little about your background?

Hesitatingly. Rather privileged. Good schools. Travel. Uncensored reading, since a child. When I had to begin to think about getting a job, there really was only one area I liked: reading and writing. That meant publishing, into which I leapt quickly. Then, when my first two books did so well, I jumped out again. A mistake. I liked the cameraderie of an office and, after all, had been productive while working in one. I shouldn't have given up my "day job."

* You've written thirteen young adult novels, was it difficult to make the swicth to adult fiction?

I'd been writing for adults since 1975 at the same time, so it wasn't at all difficult. It was, in fact, freeing. I was able to write about what concerned me, not about growing up. My early books, both for children and young adults, do reflect what concerns me, of course. Any of their topics will indicate what I feel is important, and where I stand on issues. APRIL FOOL joins a very select group in my work where I started out simply telling a story and didn't know until long after I'd finished what the "message" of the book was. It's always best to write a story, and let the message or theme go hang. If one wants to enterain readers, and bring them back again, one doesn't want to mount a soap-box.