Author Interview with the Great Wendelin Van Draanen

Wendelin Van Draanen came into my radar when I won her book FLIPPED from Liesl Shurtliff's book contract party. (You can check out Liesel's MG fairytale retellings here). But back to FLIPPED, it's a little book with a big, big heart. Years later, as I do little things like admire an old-growth tree or tend my chickens, I think of Bryce being afraid of Juli’s home-grown eggs. For the record, fresh eggs, with their wonderful dark yokes, cannot be beat;)

My fifth-grade daughter handed me THE RUNNING DREAM and informed me I had to read it, and now. It's part of North Carolina's Battle of the Books for the 2016-2017 school year, so tons of middle schoolers will be reading this incredible book, and that makes me all kinds of happy.

An award-winning and inspiring novel.  When Jessica's dreams are shattered, she puts herself back together—and learns to dream bigger than ever before. 

Jessica thinks her life is over when she loses a leg in a car accident. She's not comforted by the news that she'll be able to walk with the help of a prosthetic leg. Who cares about walking when you live to run?

As she struggles to cope with crutches and a first cyborg-like prosthetic, Jessica feels oddly both in the spotlight and invisible. People who don't know what to say, act like she's not there. Which she could handle better if she weren't now keenly aware that she'd done the same thing herself to a girl with CP named Rosa. A girl who is going to tutor her through all the math she's missed. A girl who sees right into the heart of her.

With the support of family, friends, a coach, and her track teammates, Jessica may actually be able to run again. But that's not enough for her now. She doesn't just want to cross finish lines herself—she wants to take Rosa with her

When I contacted super famous Wendelin, I was amazed at her kindness, quick response, and willingness to be interviewed on Sporty Girl Books.

THE RUNNING DREAM was reviewed here back in March by Anna, (click here for her take). This book is deeper and more satisying than I expected.  It didn't only focus on main character Jessica and her struggles to run again, but it focused on seeing people, not their condition. Before the accident, Jessica lived in her world of athletes and carb loading, practices and meets. But once she's forced to slow down, she sees people she hadn't even noticed before. She makes friends with Rosa, a younger student with cerebral palsy, and their relationship is the sweetest part of the story for me.

This story felt realistic, from not knowing who she was anymore, to battling insurance, to clueless people trying to be helpful, and her struggle to trust anyone's true interest in her. I'd expected Jessica to run again, but I hadn't expected what she'd achieve by the end of the book. Her story of doing something so much harder for someone else and in the process making herself into a better runner fills me with happiness.

Let's welcome our author. Wendelin, thank you for being on Sporty Girl Books! From your website, "My stand-alone novels have each come from an idea that gripped me and wouldn't let go. In some cases, the idea shot straight through my heart. When it happens, it's like I have no choice but to face the characters and write their stories." Can you tell us about that experience with THE RUNNING DREAM? 

I ran the New York City marathon as part of the Exercise the Right to Read literacy/fitness campaign and was really touched by the incredible display of spirit and determination present at the finish line. People in all sorts of physical conditions and people with incredible physical challenges willed themselves to finish that 26.2 miles. Witnessing their willpower and determination was so inspiring. It took everything I had to get over the finish line myself, and that was under regular conditions. How could you go that distance as an amputee, or with muscular dystrophy; or blind? 

So the seed was planted there, and watered by my experience as a classroom teacher. A big goal among educators is inclusion, but it’s not always easy to get students to go from the theory of inclusion to the actions required to bring outsiders into their circle—or at least make them a real presence in the broader community. So the notion of a “regular girl” who hadn’t given much thought to the special needs kids on campus finding herself as part of the special needs community really resonated with me. She could become a powerful voice for inclusion—and convey what it feels like to sit at that table. 

What grew from that was a desire to model friendship—what would a real friend do to get someone through their dark days? When we’re young we don’t have much experience with this. What do you do when a friend goes through something awful, is depressed, or acts like she wants the world to leave her alone? It’s natural to feel out of your depths or awkward, or just lost. It’s natural to find more comfortable friendships away from all that. So the Fiona character shows us what a good friend does. At some point we will all need a Fiona in our lives—and at some point we’ll likely be called upon to be a Fiona for someone else. It’s helpful to get ideas on how to be that. 

I'm always impressed with marathon runners and the inner strength they have to have. I'm glad that experience planted a seed. What events did you run in high school? Did you have a favorite? Could you talk about your own experience with Rigor Mortis Bend?

I ran the 400, 200, and relays which included those distances. I guess the 400 was “my” race, even though it is a killer, and there is a Rigor Mortis Bend. Jessica runs the 400 because I know it intimately.

I'm not surprised one bit that the 400 was your event. As I watched Olympics track and field, I thought of Rigor Mortis Bend. I appreciated Jessica’s tough math teacher, Mrs. Rucker and wonder if she or Vanessa’s mom was the anonymous contributor. Did you have a teacher like Mrs. Rucker?

I will not give up the identity of the anonymous donor in print! After all, she wanted to be anonymous, right? And although I taught math, I didn’t have the tough exterior Ms. Rucker has. It’s interesting to draw from experiences from both having been a student and having been a teacher. When you’re a student you don’t realize your teachers have real lives and their own drama outside the classroom. They’re mostly just homework-generating machines. When you’re a teacher, you’re reminded daily of your own trials and tribulations growing up and there are things you wish you could convey to your students, but because you’re an adult your words will likely not sink in. And so, despite your best efforts, you watch them learning things the hard way. Flipped was mentioned in the introduction—it was very much a case of wanting to talk to my students. So is The Running Dream and Swear to Howdy. I’m careful not to let what I want to convey override the story, but it’s definitely there, nudging contemplation. 

Back in April you blogged Bust Through and Bloom, about the three year anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombing where you spotlighted two girls who lost limbs and have overcome, Heather Abbott, and Adriane Haslet-Davis. Heather Abbott wears stilettos and has a foundation to help other amputees have customized prosthesis and Adrianne completed the Boston Marathon this year. In the post you said "Adrianne and Heather show us that there's a choice you make in your heart when faced with the cruel things life may throw at you." Could you talk more on this point that resonates so much with me?

I personally know people who have experienced setbacks much smaller than Heather or Adrianne and have let those setbacks poison their lives. It really is true that it’s not what happens to us in life, it’s how we react to what happens to us. Most of us will face hard days in one form or another. Part of getting through them requires a vigilant fending-off of negative thoughts because, in the long run, it’s the negative thoughts -- resentment, bitterness, hatred and the like — that will destroy you. 

Well said. As someone who's been trying to become published for 6 years, it's a comfort reading that it took you 10 years to publish--and look at you now with 30 solid books and a multitude of awards. Can you tell us what kept you going during that time? It would seem that's a similar spirit and drive that Jessica needed to keep pushing.

To be honest, if I’d known it was going to take me 10 years of getting up at 5 AM to write for an hour before going to work, I might have decided to sleep in. But I didn’t know! And every day I told myself, Today could be the day! until, finally, it was.  I have an incredibly supportive and optimistic husband (Mark Parsons, who is also a writer), and that helped a lot. It was during this Time of Rejection that we developed the philosophy of keeping “Hope in the Mail” – we actively submitted our work and in doing so created a steady stream of rejection letters back to our mailbox. But by having work out there, we could face each day with the notion that Today could be the day! 

I love the concept of Hope in the Mail. I might take on Hope in the Email, myself. What was your favorite book growing up? 

I loved books with humor, adventure, and mystery. And I loved series books! Each new title was like spending time with a good friend. I read a lot of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys when I was growing up. The Sammy Keyes mysteries are influenced by that, as well as by seeing girls like Sammy as students in my classroom. Sammy is the girl I wish I’d had as a friend growing up. She’s in middle school, an outsider, funny, tough, and smart. She’s the character who got me out of bed at five in the morning to write. The series – 18 books and its overarching storyline – just wrapped up last year. New covers are coming in 2017 – something I’m super excited about. 

Wow, an 18 book series. That is an accomplishment. Do you have a favorite sporty read?

Since I’ve just talked about Sammy, what springs to mind are Sammy Keyes and the Sisters of Mercy – Sammy plays softball and there’s a lot of it in this title. Also Sammy Keyes and the Wild Things – a backpacking /camping adventure that is very active and funny, and also shines a light on the value of protecting Earth’s endangered species.  

Anything else you'd like to share with our Sporty Girl Community?

Keep working toward your dreams! Take it step by step, page by page, day by day…you’ll be amazed how far you go!

Thank you so much for taking the time to be on our blog!

My pleasure! 

I love that you and Robin McKinley both have whippets! 

I didn’t know that! Whippets are awesome J

Wendelin not only writes and runs, but she's also in a Rock-N-Roll band. Here's Wendelin with her band, Risky Whippet, playing at a Sammy Keyes Party.

SaveSaveSaveSave

Find the incredible Wendelin here: Website * Twitter * Facebook * Instagram *

Author Interview with the Great Wendelin Van Draanen

Wendelin Van Draanen came into my radar with I won her book FLIPPED from Liesl Shurtliff's book contract party. (You can check out Liesel's MG fairytale retellings here). But back to FLIPPED, it's a little book with a big, big heart. Years later, as I do little things like admire an old-growth tree or tend my chickens, I think of Bryce being afraid of Juli’s home-grown eggs. For the record, fresh eggs, with their wonderful dark yokes, cannot be beat;)

My fifth-grade daughter handed me THE RUNNING DREAM and informed me I had to read it, and now. It's part of North Carolina's Battle of the Books for the 2016-2017 school year, so tons of middle schoolers will be reading this incredible book, and that makes me all kinds of happy.

An award-winning and inspiring novel.  When Jessica's dreams are shattered, she puts herself back together—and learns to dream bigger than ever before. 

Jessica thinks her life is over when she loses a leg in a car accident. She's not comforted by the news that she'll be able to walk with the help of a prosthetic leg. Who cares about walking when you live to run?

As she struggles to cope with crutches and a first cyborg-like prosthetic, Jessica feels oddly both in the spotlight and invisible. People who don't know what to say, act like she's not there. Which she could handle better if she weren't now keenly aware that she'd done the same thing herself to a girl with CP named Rosa. A girl who is going to tutor her through all the math she's missed. A girl who sees right into the heart of her.

With the support of family, friends, a coach, and her track teammates, Jessica may actually be able to run again. But that's not enough for her now. She doesn't just want to cross finish lines herself—she wants to take Rosa with her

When I contacted super famous Wendelin, I was amazed at her kindness, quick response, and willingness to be interviewed on Sporty Girl Books.

THE RUNNING DREAM was reviewed here back in March by Anna, (click here for her take). This book is deeper and more satisying than I expected.  It didn't only focus on main character Jessica and her struggles to run again, but it focused on seeing people, not their condition. Before the accident, Jessica lived in her world of athletes and carb loading, practices and meets. But once she's forced to slow down, she sees people she hadn't even noticed before. She makes friends with Rosa, a younger student with cerebral palsy, and their relationship is the sweetest part of the story for me.

This story felt realistic, from not knowing who she was anymore, to battling insurance, to clueless people trying to be helpful, and her struggle to trust anyone's true interest in her. I'd expected Jessica to run again, but I hadn't expected what she'd achieve by the end of the book. Her story of doing something so much harder for someone else and in the process making herself into a better runner fills me with happiness.

Let's welcome our author. Wendelin, thank you for being on Sporty Girl Books! From your website, "My stand-alone novels have each come from an idea that gripped me and wouldn't let go. In some cases, the idea shot straight through my heart. When it happens, it's like I have no choice but to face the characters and write their stories." Can you tell us about that experience with THE RUNNING DREAM? 

I ran the New York City marathon as part of the Exercise the Right to Read literacy/fitness campaign and was really touched by the incredible display of spirit and determination present at the finish line. People in all sorts of physical conditions and people with incredible physical challenges willed themselves to finish that 26.2 miles. Witnessing their willpower and determination was so inspiring. It took everything I had to get over the finish line myself, and that was under regular conditions. How could you go that distance as an amputee, or with muscular dystrophy; or blind? 

So the seed was planted there, and watered by my experience as a classroom teacher. A big goal among educators is inclusion, but it’s not always easy to get students to go from the theory of inclusion to the actions required to bring outsiders into their circle—or at least make them a real presence in the broader community. So the notion of a “regular girl” who hadn’t given much thought to the special needs kids on campus finding herself as part of the special needs community really resonated with me. She could become a powerful voice for inclusion—and convey what it feels like to sit at that table. 

What grew from that was a desire to model friendship—what would a real friend do to get someone through their dark days? When we’re young we don’t have much experience with this. What do you do when a friend goes through something awful, is depressed, or acts like she wants the world to leave her alone? It’s natural to feel out of your depths or awkward, or just lost. It’s natural to find more comfortable friendships away from all that. So the Fiona character shows us what a good friend does. At some point we will all need a Fiona in our lives—and at some point we’ll likely be called upon to be a Fiona for someone else. It’s helpful to get ideas on how to be that. 

I'm always impressed with marathon runners and the inner strength they have to have. I'm glad that experience planted a seed. What events did you run in high school? Did you have a favorite? Could you talk about your own experience with Rigor Mortis Bend?

I ran the 400, 200, and relays which included those distances. I guess the 400 was “my” race, even though it is a killer, and there is a Rigor Mortis Bend. Jessica runs the 400 because I know it intimately.

I'm not surprised one bit that the 400 was your event. As I watched Olympics track and field, I thought of Rigor Mortis Bend. I appreciated Jessica’s tough math teacher, Mrs. Rucker and wonder if she or Vanessa’s mom was the anonymous contributor. Did you have a teacher like Mrs. Rucker?

I will not give up the identity of the anonymous donor in print! After all, she wanted to be anonymous, right? And although I taught math, I didn’t have the tough exterior Ms. Rucker has. It’s interesting to draw from experiences from both having been a student and having been a teacher. When you’re a student you don’t realize your teachers have real lives and their own drama outside the classroom. They’re mostly just homework-generating machines. When you’re a teacher, you’re reminded daily of your own trials and tribulations growing up and there are things you wish you could convey to your students, but because you’re an adult your words will likely not sink in. And so, despite your best efforts, you watch them learning things the hard way. Flipped was mentioned in the introduction—it was very much a case of wanting to talk to my students. So is The Running Dream and Swear to Howdy. I’m careful not to let what I want to convey override the story, but it’s definitely there, nudging contemplation. 

Back in April you blogged Bust Through and Bloom, about the three year anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombing where you spotlighted two girls who lost limbs and have overcome, Heather Abbott, and Adriane Haslet-Davis. Heather Abbott wears stilettos and has a foundation to help other amputees have customized prosthesis and Adrianne completed the Boston Marathon this year. In the post you said "Adrianne and Heather show us that there's a choice you make in your heart when faced with the cruel things life may throw at you." Could you talk more on this point that resonates so much with me?

I personally know people who have experienced setbacks much smaller than Heather or Adrianne and have let those setbacks poison their lives. It really is true that it’s not what happens to us in life, it’s how we react to what happens to us. Most of us will face hard days in one form or another. Part of getting through them requires a vigilant fending-off of negative thoughts because, in the long run, it’s the negative thoughts -- resentment, bitterness, hatred and the like — that will destroy you. 

Well said. As someone who's been trying to become published for 6 years, it's a comfort reading that it took you 10 years to publish--and look at you now with 30 solid books and a multitude of awards. Can you tell us what kept you going during that time? It would seem that's a similar spirit and drive that Jessica needed to keep pushing.

To be honest, if I’d known it was going to take me 10 years of getting up at 5 AM to write for an hour before going to work, I might have decided to sleep in. But I didn’t know! And every day I told myself, Today could be the day! until, finally, it was.  I have an incredibly supportive and optimistic husband (Mark Parsons, who is also a writer), and that helped a lot. It was during this Time of Rejection that we developed the philosophy of keeping “Hope in the Mail” – we actively submitted our work and in doing so created a steady stream of rejection letters back to our mailbox. But by having work out there, we could face each day with the notion that Today could be the day! 

I love the concept of Hope in the Mail. I might take on Hope in the Email, myself. What was your favorite book growing up? 

I loved books with humor, adventure, and mystery. And I loved series books! Each new title was like spending time with a good friend. I read a lot of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys when I was growing up. The Sammy Keyes mysteries are influenced by that, as well as by seeing girls like Sammy as students in my classroom. Sammy is the girl I wish I’d had as a friend growing up. She’s in middle school, an outsider, funny, tough, and smart. She’s the character who got me out of bed at five in the morning to write. The series – 18 books and its overarching storyline – just wrapped up last year. New covers are coming in 2017 – something I’m super excited about. 

Wow, an 18 book series. That is an accomplishment. Do you have a favorite sporty read?

Since I’ve just talked about Sammy, what springs to mind are Sammy Keyes and the Sisters of Mercy – Sammy plays softball and there’s a lot of it in this title. Also Sammy Keyes and the Wild Things – a backpacking /camping adventure that is very active and funny, and also shines a light on the value of protecting Earth’s endangered species.  

Anything else you'd like to share with our Sporty Girl Community?

Keep working toward your dreams! Take it step by step, page by page, day by day…you’ll be amazed how far you go!

Thank you so much for taking the time to be on our blog!

My pleasure! 

I love that you and Robin McKinley both have whippets! 

I didn’t know that! Whippets are awesome J

Wendelin not only writes and runs, but she's also in a Rock-N-Roll band. Here's Wendelin with her band, Risky Whippet, playing at a Sammy Keyes Party.

SaveSaveSaveSave

Find the incredible Wendelin here: Website * Twitter * Facebook * Instagram *

Interview with Dawn Green, author of IN THE SWISH

If you missed my Tuesday post and review of my favorite sporty read in over a year, click here. 

Today, Dawn was kind enough to join me on Sporty Girl Books for an interview. She's just that awesome;)

Dawn with best friend Kim at the 2015 Women's World Cup in Vancouver. She still quite the sporty girl today.

1. Could you share which sports you’ve played growing up and which ones you play today?

If it had a ball I played it. I grew up playing volley, fastball, soccer, swimming, basketball (of course), golf, and tennis. Today it is much tougher to find the time to play but I do get time to coach basketball at various levels and with different groups, and I also try to get out and do other active things like running, kayaking, and hiking – I am hoping to try climbing soon. One of the great things that sport gave me was the active mindset, which has stayed with me into adulthood.   

2. It sounds like you do a lot. I hope you get on the rock soon. I am addicted to sport rock climbing. Could you share a memorable moment from your own HS basketball career?

I have two very memorable moments but they both happen off the court and in unique ways. The first was when I was 16 and a few members from my junior team went to watch a Canada vs. US women’s basketball exhibition before the 96’ Olympics. A couple of us had been following the US team in the media – it was such a good time for women’s sports – and I was a pretty big fan of the game… anyway, after the game we snuck into the back of the arena and got autographs from Sheryl Swoopes, Rebecca Lobo, and Jennifer Azzi. I’ll never forget the moment when the entire team (from Dawn Staley to coach Tara VanDerveer) walked down the corridor. I don’t get star struck very often, but I was then.   

The second moment comes from my coaching career. A few years ago I was co-coaching a senior girls’ basketball team. It was a team made up of “athletes” (mostly soccer players) but not really any true basketball players. We had no business finishing in the top ten of our province but we did, purely on how well we played as a team. During the final game – a consolation game for 5^thor 6^th – the clock was winding down, we were down by more than 10, and it was clear that our team was going to lose, but the girls on the bench asked if it was okay if they rushed the court when the buzzer went. I’ve never heard or seen a team rush the court for a loss but it was one of the most amazing acts of sportsmanship I have ever seen. They lost the game but rushing the court was about celebrating the season they had, it was about the team not the game, and it was beautiful.  

  

3. What memorable experiences. I can totally envision your team rushing the court. And, I like that your first memory gets a cameo in IN THE SWISH! As a coach, what would be your advice to sporty girls trying out for a new season?

TRY! Even if you think you might not make it and other sporty girls intimidate you, try anyway. You never know what sport you might like, or what sport might like you for that matter. You also can never know what you bring to a team. You might not be the fastest or best shooter, but maybe you can out-rebound everyone or you work harder than anyone else. Coaches all want hard workers over those who are talented but lazy or have a bad attitude. Work hard, be the one who runs all the way across the line, dives on the floor for every lose ball, and cheers for her teammates. 

4. Great advice. Do you have a favorite “coach” saying that you share to inspire your team?

One of my personal favorites comes from my grandfather, “The offense can only play as well as the defense lets them.” It’s simple but profoundly true. 

Something else I tell my players is to never focus on the last play, always focus on the next play. It’s too easy to dwell on the missed shot instead of thinking of taking your next shot.

AND of course, DEFENSE isn’t just something, it’s everything.

5. Oh, you coaches always talking about Defense (j/k, mostly). It really is important:) When did you know you wanted to be a writer and how did you get started?

I never knew I wanted to be a writer but I did always know that I wanted to be a storyteller, I just didn’t know how that would manifest itself. I started thinking that I wanted to be a screenwriter and working in film. Screenwriting taught me a lot about character development and how to arc a story (in fact In the Swish started as a screenplay) but I realized that the film world wasn’t really for me. When I got a bit older I had more patience for writing full novels, and now, here we are.

6. Ooh...I'm seeing IN THE SWISH on the big screen. I read a lot of screenwriting books (SAVE THE CAT, anyone? That's a great background for writing novels. Is this your first book? 

In The Swish is my second novel. My first is another YA with a very different subject matter. When Kacey Left came out last year (2015) and is about a girl who is left dealing with her best friends suicide through journal writing. It’s definitely not as uplifting or fun as In the Swish but it does deal with some important themes surrounding teenage life.

7. I can't wait to read that one! What are you working on right now? I’m hoping for a soccer story!

Ha… well, interestingly enough the main character of my next novel does play soccer but it isn’t really a sporty girl book. I would classify it more as New Age or older YA. I’m not willing to share the title yet, but I will say that it’s a story about a pre-dystopian world (not unlike our own) and the events that unfold in order for society to let those dystopian type worlds come into being. Also, what it takes for an average everyday soccer-playing girl to become a revolutionary. 

If In the Swish does well there might be a sequel in my head, and there may just be a soccer story in there too ;)   

8. Okay, not exactly soccer, but it sounds amazing. pre-dystopian, soccer player to revolutionary. I'm in. What’s your favorite sporty read?

I mentioned this at the back of my book but In These Girls, Hope is a Muscle by Madeleine Blais, was a favorite of mine as a teen.  Venus to the Hoop by Sarah Corbett (about the 96’ Olympic team), I kept next to my bedside for a long time before passing it on to another sporty girl. And most recently I really got into Pat Summitt’s latest Sum It Up – because, well, Pat Summitt.

9. Do you have an all-time-favorite book?

I can’t say, the others might find out and then they’d be jealous.

Great answer! I struggle with this one too. I don't want my books smothering me while I sleep;) Thank you for being on Sporty Girl Books!

Dawn let us know a Goodreads Giveaway for 10 US copies is underway, so in addition to the one we're giving away, you have 10 more chances. I've linked to both below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/176039-in-the-swish

Interview with Laurel Snyder, author of Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova

Today I am so excited to be interviewing Laurel Snyder, the author of Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova. Here's Swan's Amazon blurb: One night, young Anna's mother takes her to the ballet, and everything is changed. So begins the journey of a girl who will one day grow up to be the most famous prima ballerina of all time, inspiring legions of dancers after her: the brave, the generous, the transcendently gifted Anna Pavlova. Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova is a heartbreakingly beautiful picture book biography perfect for aspiring ballerinas of all ages.

Congratulations on writing such a beautiful book. What inspired you to tell the story of Anna Pavlova?
Thank you!  It's a funny story, actually.

I was in LOVE with Anna as a kid. I was a dancer myself. But then at some point I bought an old used book, that had photos of her in it, as well as a section of her diaries, about her childhood. I'd sit and re-read that section, and stare at the photos. And sometimes I wrote things in the margins.

Years went by and  I forgot all about that book. Until recently, when I found it in my mom's basement. When I saw my own kid-handwriting, I had this rush of memory. My old obsession woke back up!  So in a way, it feels like I write this book with my childhood self as co-writer.

I loved how you started with Anna’s experience at the ballet. Most biographical picture books I’ve read start with birth. Why did you decide to start with this moment in her life?
Well, the details of her life are fuzzy. I've read a lot of biographies on her at this point, and her parentage and early life aren't well documented. So honestly, I just never thought about it. The story begins for me when she goes to the ballet for the first time.

You have so many interesting details about Anna Pavlova. How did you learn about her?
I did a lot of research, to be sure I wasn't making any mistakes, but the truth is that the book is deeply rooted in those initial diaries I read. They capture her spirit and voice so well. The later details of her life (and death) aren't in them, and for those I had to turn to secondary sources.  But I tried hard to carry the tone of that personal narrative into the later half of Swan.

Did anything about the illustration of the book surprise you?
Bizarrely, no! This was an unusual book in that way. Almost always, the illustrator sees my thoughts differently. But this was a rare case. I got the sketches and burst into tears, because Julie really did peer into my brain and pull out the pictures I'd imagined.

How long did it take you to write this book?
The first draft for this one came very easily, but the editorial process took a while. I think we revised and tweaked for about a year. But it was a very careful sort of revision. The book is so spare that any little changes felt massive. We were working with tweezers, my editor and I.

Tell us a little about your own journey. When did you decide to become a writer?
I was eight. For the record, I also wanted to be a dancer, and I failed at that (which is one of the reasons that Swan is so satisfying.)  But yeah, I started writing little books (and self-publishing them with a stapler) when I was eight.  My best friend and I wrote together some, and I wrote a lot of poems. And then in high school I started working on the literary magazine staff. From that point on, there was never any question, really. Just lots and lots of rejection and revision.


Is there anything about your journey that you were able to connect to when writing about Anna Pavlova’s life?
That's an interesting question. I don't think I really thought about it like that. I find Pavlova inspiring and passionate.  I wanted to be like her as a kid, with that kind of singleminded purpose, absolute conviction. But I don't think I'm very much like her. I'm amazingly distractible.  

Did you have a favorite book about dancing when you were little?Oh, good question! YES!  I was in love with Ballet Shoes, by Noel Streatfield. I still have huge sections of it memorized. It's a great book, but I don't think it's very widely read anymore.

Everyone should go read it now, right this minute!!

I agree. It was one of my favorite books too. Thank you so much for talking to us about Swan. To learn more about Laurel and her books you can visit her website at http://laurelsnyder.com. And make sure to check out Swan online or at your local bookstore!

Interview with Warren Firschein, author of Out of Synch

I am very excited to introduce Warren Firschein to you today. I had the pleasure of reading Warren's book, Out of Synch, a few weeks ago. It's the story of Katie Phillips, a thirteen-year-old swimmer who dreams of going to Nationals with her Synchronized Swimming Team but is being pushed by her father to place all of her energy into her traditional swimming. Katie's struggle trying to do something she loves when her family wants her to go another way is something that all tweens and teens can relate to, even if they aren't swimmers. 

I interviewed Warren to learn more about what inspired him to write this book.


What inspired you to write this book?

Out of Synch was inspired by my twelve-year-old daughter, Sophie, who has been a competitive synchronized swimmer since the age of eight. When she first joined her team I knew nothing about synchro, but through her experiences I learned what an exciting, fun, and incredibly difficult sport it is. Synchro combines swimming with gymnastics, ballet, and cheerleading stunts, and requires an unbelievable amount of strength, athleticism, and agility. Unfortunately, the sport has low visibility, and all most people know about it is from works of satire, such as the video of those fifth-grade boys performing a synchro “routine” on stage that went viral last year. I wrote the book as a way to promote the sport by introducing it to people who don’t know anything about it, and to hopefully inspire them to try it for themselves. 

Were any parts of the story hard for you to write?

Without giving away any of the plot, at times it was a challenge to write a story from the perspective of a thirteen-year-old girl, which obviously I’ve never been. Hopefully, I’ve done a credible job. Other than that, the hardest part was finding the proper balance between describing the sport in detail without interrupting the flow of the story.

How accurate is your description of the sport?

Very much so. Since many of my readers may not know much about synchro before picking up the book, one of my goals was to portray the team practices and meets as accurately as possible. Early in the story I describe a training accident during practice, and an older girl on my daughter’s team told me that it was “freaky realistic,” which made me very pleased. However, I took several minor creative liberties with the way a meet is run in order to advance the plot in certain places.

What was the book’s publication journey?

In a word, it was unexpected. Initially, I thought I’d try to get the book published the traditional way, starting with finding an agent to represent me. But while working through my final drafts, I learned that there were going to be some fairly significant changes to the sport starting with the 2014-15 season. For example, they’ve done away with trios and have drastically reduced the number of soloists who qualify for Nationals (which is now called the Junior Olympics). Instead of rewriting the story to reflect these changes, I focused on getting the book published as quickly as possible. To do so, I formed my own publishing company, which is called Chapter Two Press, and released the book myself. I’ve never owned a business before, but I think there’s a need for small presses, and I hope to publish works by other authors in the years ahead.

Katie’s dad puts a lot of pressure on her to give up synchro. What would you tell kids to do if they are being forced to give up the sport they love?

First, I think it’s important for kids in this situation to try to understand why they are being pressured to give up the sport they love. Although it may feel like punishment, that may not be the intent. In Out of Synch, for example, Katie’s father is drawing on his own experiences as a college athlete to help his daughter take the best path toward achieving a successful future. His efforts are misguided, but he is acting out of love. Once you understand your parents’ perspective, you may be able to find a compromise that will allow you to continue to compete while satisfying their wishes. For example, maybe you can offer to give up a spot on a travel team to focus on your schoolwork, and instead play in a local league. Some swimmers will get up early and swim laps before school. Sometimes being an athlete means learning to juggle many different activities, but there’s often a way to fit everything in if you are creative and think positively.

Were there any books that inspired you when you were a kid?

Of course! I loved adventure stories growing up, and I still do. I couldn’t get enough of classic science fiction, such as Isaac Asimov’s robot books and his original Foundation trilogy, but the books that affected me the most include The Hobbit and, when I was a little older, The Once and Future King, which is about King Arthur. When I was thirteen, my counselor at sleep-away camp read The Princess Bride aloud to the bunk throughout the summer, and that’s probably still my favorite book. 

What is one thing you would like your fans to know about you or your book?

Most of Out of Synch was written on a tiny netbook on the pool deck while my older daughter was at synchro practice. As for something about me, I’ve wanted to write novels since I was ten, but it took me a long time to learn how to craft a story and develop compelling characters. If there’s something you want to do, never give up, and don’t let other people convince you to stop trying to fulfill your dream. After all, if you don’t believe in yourself, who will? In a nutshell, that’s what Katie must discover for herself in this story.

Let me add that Out of Synch is available through online retailers, and you can purchase a signed copy through my website, www.warrenfirschein.com. I love hearing from my readers!

Thanks so much for doing this interview, Warren. Best of luck to you and Out of Synch.