'Writing anything is incredibly vulnerable': Daniel Devenney

Daniel Devenney is a bookseller, a Dolly Parton fan, and a debut author of Counting Down with Theodore Brown, a YA novel about Theodore who has a unique ability: when he looks into a person's eyes he sees the exact number of days he'll spend with them. It's hard to make friends when there's a literal countdown!

He talks to Kete about the messages in the book and his favourite New Zealand reads.

Kia ora Daniel! Thank you for chatting to Kete. Can you tell us about Counting Down with Theodore Brown? How did the idea for it first take shape?

Absolutely. Thanks for having me. It’s a coming-of-age love story with a twist. Theodore is an introverted college student with a unique ability. When he looks into a person’s eyes he sees a number: the exact number of days he’ll spend with them. Naturally, this has messed with his head and affected all his relationships. So, he mostly keeps to himself. Until he meets someone special and decides to take a chance again.

The idea came to me after I applied for my New Zealand residency, when I found myself questioning whether I could live so far away from my loved ones in Ireland. I was torn because I’d fallen in love with Aotearoa, but I couldn’t stop thinking about how many days I’d have left with my family if I chose to stay. I began to wonder: would I make the same decision if I knew those exact numbers? Theodore Brown grew from there. I’ve always had an interest in psychology, and I became fascinated by how such an ability would shape a person. 

Was there a particular message or theme you felt was essential to explore in thestory?

The story explores our basic need for connection and the importance of communication. Theo’s journey highlights the joy close relationships bring to our lives, and the dangers we face when we isolate ourselves. It’s also hella queer and diverse, just like me and my world. It’s a story about mental health, identity, sexuality, friendship, love, loss, and the impermanent nature of the human condition. I wanted to write about life, and the universal triumphs and tragedies we all experience. 

Music plays a big role in your book with each chapter named after a song. How did you choose the songs for each chapter?

I create a soundtrack for every project. Each character has their own unique playlist. It was important to me that the themes and lyrics of the songs fit each chapter as closely as the song titles. I listen to music constantly and find it deeply therapeutic, so there’s a huge catalogue stored in my brain. After finishing a chapter, I’d ask myself what I’d listen to if I were in Theo’s shoes. I also started collecting vinyl. I researched this a lot for the character and became obsessed. Now I spend as much time in record stores as I do bookshops. The more time I spent with Theo, the more the line between us blurred. 

You are a big Dolly Parton fan! Without spoiling too much, there is a visit to Dollywood in the book. What research did you do to write this part of the story?

This was so much fun to research. I went down such a deep rabbit hole, I feel like I’ve been there. It involved hours of travel vlogs, along with reading and watching reviews of the amusement rides, restaurants, food, and every other attraction. It felt like I was planning a trip myself. It’s high on my bucket list now for sure. I want to take the book on the Lighting Rod, just so I can say I experienced it with Theo and Lil.  

Who do you hope reads Counting Down with Theodore Brown?

It was written for a YA audience, but I believe the best stories can be enjoyed by anyone. The most rewarding part is hearing people tell me the story helped them process their own anxiety, heartbreak, or loss. That’s been my greatest accomplishment. I wanted the story to be as relatable and accessible as possible. There’s nothing fancy or elite about my writing, but it’s honest and full of heart. 

You’re also a bookseller. What’s your favourite part about working in a bookstore?

Being constantly surrounded by books is both motivating and inspiring, and getting to talk about them with passionate readers is a joy. I believe the right book, in the right hands, at the right time, can be lifechanging. So, I’ve never taken the responsibility as a bookseller, or writer, lightly.  It’s surreal to see myself on the shelves alongside some of my heroes now. I walked into a store recently and spotted my book face-out next to The Hunger Games…I felt like I was dreaming.  

And finally, what’s your favourite NZ book?

New Zealand produces some of the most innovative poetry in the world. Hera Lyndsay Bird’s self-titled collection was the first kiwi book I ever bought, and it’s one I return to again and again. Her work is intelligent, funny, and outrageously honest. She’s a genius! I’ve also read Head Girl by Freya Daly Sadgrove multiple times. I have so much admiration for poets. Writing anything is incredibly vulnerable; with fiction, at least, you can hide behind a character. Poetry is more naked. I regularly recommend both of these to poetry aficionados and anyone looking to dip their toes into poetry for the first time. 

Counting Down with Theodore Brown is in all good bookstores now.