Green's new novel explores fame

Hollywood, Ending follows two young actors meeting and falling in love while making a movie about Andy Warhol. The book examines the commodification of art and the attention economy.

Green's first adult novel

After decades writing bestselling YA fiction including The Fault in Our Stars, Green is publishing his first novel for post-high-school readers. His website FAQ once said he had no interest in writing adult books.

He was afraid of adulthood

Green admits he had anti-adult bias as a younger writer. "I really was afraid of adulthood. I thought of adulthood as this almost zombie apocalypse virus that came for you."

“I really was afraid of adulthood. I thought of adulthood as this almost zombie apocalypse virus that came for you.”

What fascinates him most

Green is drawn to inflection points, the moments when life changes direction. A German reporter shared Dylan Thomas's poem about a ball's arc, which Green sees as a metaphor for aging and the moments that matter most.

His characters face major transitions

Juniper Castillo, a former child star, tries to transition from teen idol to serious actor. Her costar Kai is plucked from obscurity and unaware how completely his life is about to change. Both are barely legal drinking age.

Green sees himself in Juniper

Like Juniper, Green is ambitious and admits he can be difficult to work with because of his desire to make good stuff. He freely acknowledges that when he started writing and vlogging in the mid-aughts, he yearned for fame.

The Fault in Our Stars changed everything

In 2012, The Fault in Our Stars catapulted Green to nearly J.K. Rowling-level fame. He went from making a modest living to becoming a genuine celebrity, famous enough for People magazine exclusives.

He's not Tom Cruise famous

Green notes there's a world of difference between being writer-famous and Movie Star famous. Tom Cruise will never sit down for an interview where all questions are on the table, but Green still can.

“Tom Cruise is never going to sit down for a conversation like this, where all the questions are on the table.”

He uses fame to decrease world suck

Through his Foundation to Decrease World Suck, Green and his fans have raised about fifty million dollars to build a hospital in Sierra Leone and ten million for tuberculosis research.

His philosophy on wealth

Green tells donors that there is no difference between enough and enough. He argues that if you have enough money, there's no point in having more than enough, so you might as well give it away.

“There is no difference between 'enough' and enough. There is no difference between me and Elon Musk. We both have enough.”

The book's media training scene

A publicist named Ellen teaches Kai how to stay on message: use pre-approved adjectives, never volunteer information, and remember that a journalist can't quote a look. Green has clearly absorbed these lessons himself.

“If you don't want to answer a question, don't say anything, because a journalist can't quote a look.”

He's happy with his adaptations

Four of Green's seven books have been adapted into films or limited series. Unlike some authors, he says he's happy with how his books have been adapted and doesn't feel burned by Hollywood.

He won't write screenplays

Green has no plans to adapt Hollywood, Ending himself. He admits he can't write screenplays, having tried years ago on Paper Towns with poor results. He only wants specific producers involved.

His complicated feelings on Rowling

Green feels sad about J.K. Rowling's statements on trans issues. He says supporting her work now directly supports efforts at the erasure of trans people and won't watch the upcoming HBO Harry Potter show.

“Supporting her work now is directly supporting efforts at the erasure of trans people, and that makes me really sad.”

Always chasing the next thing

Green still feels like his younger self, always thinking about the next project. He paraphrases Jim Carrey: even after achieving success, you go to bed thinking you're on your way to finally being happy.

The contradiction he can't escape

When confronted with the contradiction between telling donors that enough is enough and always chasing the next project, Green laughs and admits it's a good point. The tension remains unresolved.

“That's a good fucking point, man. That's a good fucking point.”

Art is fundamental to being human

When asked what he hopes people take from Hollywood, Ending, Green says the book is about the power of art and love. He believes making and engaging with art is fundamental to the human experience.

“Making art and engaging with art is fundamental to the experience of being a person.”

He delayed posting the museum photo

After asking himself whether he was taking a photo for himself or for Instagram, Green eventually posted a photo from the museum trip. But he waited almost twenty-four hours before sharing it.