I definitely feel like a more socially aware individual after Doing It.  No, I’m not talking about my sexual exploits, but rather those of Jonathan, Ben, and Dino, three teenage guys whose sexual lives are explored in vivid detail by author Melvin Burgess in his appropriately titled novel Doing It.

The book is about that time in a teen’s life when, as perfectly described by Burgess, “You want sex, but no one wants to do it with you, or you’re scared to do it.”  

After reading Doing It, I was fortunate enough to score an interview with the Manchester, England-based author who, although well over the age of his central characters, accurately captures the topic most teens are focused on: SEX. 

SEX, ETC.: Not many young adult authors write from the guys’ point of view. What inspired you to write from this perspective in Doing It?

Precisely that, because the whole area is so neglected. Male sexual culture is definitely less PC [politically correct] than female; a lot of people find it disturbing and difficult, because it often revels in what’s rude and coarse and funny, rather than the touchy-feely stuff, which is there, of course, but tends to be more private. 

When the book came out over here in the UK, it got a lot of support, but predictably, there were some fairly outraged reactions as well. The thing that was so odd about those reactions was how much the critics misread the boys. 

Most readers have seen a great deal to like in Jonathan, Ben, and Dino. They’re funny and vulnerable, clumsy, hopeful. They want to be liked, and they’re genuinely concerned with people, including their girlfriends. It was as if because they made crude jokes in private, the rest of their behavior didn’t exist. 

I think boys and men, in general, have had a rough deal in the media over the past few years. On advertisements, the men are all comic buffoons; on TV, the women are able to get their lives together, while the men flounder at the edges. Girls are [portrayed as] sensible and clever, boys are confused and ridiculous. But in real life, boys are a good deal more than that.  I wanted the book to be something of an affirmation. 

When you think about it, sex is one of the biggest things in our lives. It can be dirty and beautiful, ridiculous and graceful. It looks good and tastes good and feels good—it does you good.  Not only that, but it is the basis for some of the most important relationships in your life. Surely this is something to be celebrated.

SEX, ETC.: Were your characters’ situations inspired by your own personal experience?

Yes, some of it is based on my own experiences. The three boys were based on kids I knew when I was that age, so it was a bit of a journey of rediscovery.

The research for the book was fun. I just asked everyone I knew—all ages, men and women—for their early “knobby” stories.  Everyone has one at least. They can be touching, sordid, embarrassing, funny, erotic, odd—all sorts.

One of the nicest things for me about writing Doing It was this: I’ve always looked back on that time of my life as a difficult one. You want your independence, but you have no power of choice. You want sex, but no one wants to do it with you, or you’re scared to do it.

Writing Doing It reminded me that actually a lot of it was really rather good—there was a lot of fun, a lot of friendships, a lot of gorgeous fumblings. 
 
SEX, ETC.: Do you have a favorite character, one you identify with the most?

I suppose that would be Jonathan. I was pretty neurotic myself when I was that age, worrying about stupid things and completely tied up between wanting to do the right thing and wanting to have fun at the same time—wanting to join in and yet not feeling quite at home.

SEX, ETC.: How do you feel about the new ABC show Life as We Know It, which is based on your book?

I’m always pleased when people take my stories and put them into another medium—it’s very flattering. A lot of writers get very wound about it and have very strong ideas about people staying true to the book, but I don’t worry about that. Even if they did the book on ice with trained hamsters in the starring roles, they wouldn’t change one word of my book. 

Obviously it’s been Americanized a lot. It’s also been toned down, which is a pity. But if the show gets really going, they’ll be able to relax a bit in that department. I’ve seen the pilot and I enjoyed it. It’s basically what the book is—an affectionate look at teenage lads and sex, and that’s fine by me.

SEX, ETC.: What messages do you hope to send readers of Doing It?

I’d like the book to be affirming. I’d like it to remind people that sex is fun as well as important, rude as well as beautiful, funny as well as serious—that there’s no such thing as “thought-crime.” And that the real bullies of this world are those who want the whole world to think the same way they do: who want to tell you how to think, what sort of jokes you may or may not make, as well as what’s right and wrong.

Editors’ Note: For more about Melvin, check out his Web site.