I think if I were writing the next American teen novel, I'd probably want to include the challenges that seem to be most prevalent today as opposed to when I was a teen. In the years since I was a teenager some things have stayed the same, like teen pregnancy, the temptation of alcohol and drugs, and the universal struggle to fit in. One of the things that has changed in my view, is the intensity and methods of bullying. I think the novel that I'd like to write would deal with bullying, but not just from the victim's perspective, but the bully too. I think it would be an interesting study to learn what makes the bully tick, much like Rowdy from Alexie's novel. We all know what extreme bullying can result in for the victim, but I wonder if by beginning to understand the psyche of the bully we might be able to prevent some of the violence. I would set the novel in the suburbs and have the characters be very relatable, with all the concerns and problems of typical 14 year olds. I would present the characters, even the bully, with all their sides, not just the stereotypical one-dimensional "bad" bully, "good" victim. I loved that Alexie's setting was a southwestern Indian reservation. It wasn't the typical ghetto or San Fernando Valley location. My hope is that the novel would show that the bully character is often a victim too of one form or another of parental abuse. Thankfully, my kids' school has zero tolerance for bullying, but who's to say that one day they might encounter a grown-up bully, and I'd like them to be aware of just what might have made them that way. It's not that my novel will prevent anyone from becoming a bully or being the victim of one, but if it can lead to a better understanding of the conflict, then we're one step closer to solving it.