Some students remember Mr. Favetta as a HAP teacher back at Edison Middle School, whose philosophical readings and logic explications challenged and excited bright thinkers. Others enjoy his enthusiasm and insight presently as a teacher of English, creative writing, and mythology at the high school, where he’s worked since 2014. But for all the chapters he assigns, the tales read aloud in class and the ideas up for debate, he has recently given his community the gift of literature in his own impressive way, with the publication of a new novel.

“Falling from the Ground,” is a young-adult science fiction adventure novel following teenagers Olivia and Allison, who get caught up in the supernatural evils of Cape November, an old, practically deserted shore town. The unsettling aura of the supposedly haunted place is heightened when Allison’s mom and dad go missing, leaving it up to Allison, Olivia, and Allison’s brother Michael to crack the mysteries of Cape November and save those who have gone disappeared under its evils.

Such creative expression has always been a part of Favetta’s identity. A love for imaginative storytelling in his childhood gave way to an interest in fiction writing as he entered adulthood. Likewise, his debut novel reflects his keen synthesis of the characters and stories of his own life with the styles of some of his favorite literature.

But writing the book was far from a clear-cut, fast-paced process. The book’s story was conceived back in 2008 during a trip with his wife to New Jersey’s southernmost tip, Cape May. Writing the book in the years since proved to be an elaborate challenge, even testing his fortitude as an author.

“This was my first time writing a novel, so it took a long time and I made many mistakes,” he explained. “I lost count of the number of times I had to rewrite the entire thing, or cut and redo entire sections. There were many times when I thought I should just give up, but I didn’t because it has been a lifetime goal to publish a book and I did not want to let that go without a fight.”

A sense of thoroughness and desire to spruce the novel with literary insight stemming from multiple perspectives guided Favetta along the way. As an English teacher, this was especially important.

“An author’s first allegiance is to the story and the characters, but as a teacher, I am constantly discussing literature with students, so I wanted to make sure that my novel had enough meat on it to spark some discussion and debate.”

Characters take part in discussions of morality, philosophy, and reality in the midst of the ensuing action. People from Favetta’s own life are embedded within the characters of the text; Allison and Olivia are amalgams of his past students, who take part in a HAP-like programs in their school. Cape November’s Italian restaurant owner Olga is directly modeled from his late Aunt of the same name. Other interpolations are more subtle, drawing from the personalities of his wife and two daughters to enhance the characterization of his protagonists. Sometimes, though, he had to step outside the elements within his own grasp.

“Olivia is gay. Her mom is white and her dad is black. Her parents are also divorced. It was challenging for me to write in her point of view because her experiences are the farthest from my own,” Favetta said. “I had to stretch myself to understand the world as she might see it to make her characterization as authentic as I could.”

With the last rewrite of the final chapters, Favetta felt like the book was finally falling into place to his satisfaction. At last, the book was published through Can’t Put it Down Books, part of Open Door Publications. It was a personally rewarding experience for him, but an interactive one for West Orange High School: students and faculty voted among three options for the book’s cover via a display in the LMC in the weeks preceding publication.

Favetta encourages Mountaineers and all aspiring writers to improve their craft by reading classic literature from a writer’s perspective, paying careful attention to word choice, imagery, and poetic devices. Find outlets for your work, he says, like literary magazines, school newspapers and websites.

“Writers are like car thieves. We we steal as much technique as we can, take it apart, change the paint and sell off the pieces. Write often, but if you can’t set aside time daily, don’t stress out and don’t give up, just keep getting back on the ride.”

“Falling From the Ground” can be purchased as a paperback book or e-book on Amazon. For more information, check out toniofavetta.com.