The book centers on Avery, a boy experiencing unimaginable loss.
In the process, Walton reveals a whole world of Averys for the reader to explore.
For Walton, who previously wrote the queer novelAnything Can Happen,I Felt a Funeralmarks a heartbreaking encore.
Credit: Monica Schipper/Getty Images; Halie Johnson
DAVID LEVITHAN:Your first novel,Anything Could Happen, was a beautifully straightforward coming-out and coming-of-age story.
Why did you springboard into such a different approach for this book?
WILL WALTON:I think my narrator inAnything Could Happenhas a very deliberate goal.
But inI Felt a FuneralIve got Avery, whos trying to tell a story he hasnt yet processed.
A loved one has died, and his mom is grappling with alcohol addiction and recovery.
These events complicate his perception of … everything … himself included.
A couple times Ive even referred toFuneralas a live novel an illustration of a story thats still in progress.
As the author, I was drawn to that.
I think its symbolic of the grieving process, as well as the process of leaving childhood behind.
It was so exciting.
DL:I Felt a Funeralexists on two queer literary continuums those of queer poetry and queer YA.
Can you talk about your influences as you fused the two?
Theres alsoI Crawl Through It, by A.S. King, which slayed me, and Billy Merrells life-givingVanilla.
On the non-YA side: For a long time Ive been inspired by the work of Eileen Myles.
Their bookInferno: A Poets Novelreally cracked something inside of me.
Its some of the freest writing Ive ever read.
… As soon as I heard this, I was like, Oh, wow!
My rough edges are gorgeous, vital!
It was so liberating.
Where did that come from?
Hes a nervous person.
He has a leg injury.
He gets horny when his best friend is around.
Those impulses make sense in the way so little else does.
But the sex inTributestays sexy; it isnt sad or unhealthy; it is revelatory at times.
Much else in the novel is sad, sure.
I think its similar for Avery inFuneral.
… Also, Im so glad you used the word sexy!
Im afraid there is still not enough healthy, sexy gay sex in commercial media.
DL:One of the themes is how reading queer stories and poems helps Avery understand his queer self.
What are some of the books that helped you understand your own identity?
Also,Weetzie Batand Eileen MylessCool for You.
But I came to those books knowing and recognizing that I was queer already.
WW:Hurricane Child, by Kheryn Callender, is a book people need in their homes.
I read it in one sitting, and I was spellbound.
Its rooted and unpretentious and unlike anything I can call to recent memory.
After I read it, I met Kheryn, and I was kind of starstruck by them.
Also, Becky Albertellis follow-up toSimon vs. At one point, Leah is driving by a bookstore (the one where I work!)
and she sees two boys walking down the street holding hands.
Its me and my boyfriend, Tyler.
