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It's Double Team Day! I'm quizzing Liz here, while she's got me covered at her place.

Here she is in a moment of yogini calm, a photo taken several years ago, in which she describes herself as: "VERY pregnant with baby number 2, doing yoga with baby number 1." And that folks, is how seriously she takes her physical endeavors.

Here we go...

1) About those quotes in yesterday's post. Care to reflect on them? Do you have a part of your body that you feel your writing comes from?

Yep. For me, too, writing needs to be from the body in order to be ‘harmonious’. The thing about writing from just my brain is that it can sound too un-squeaky. All craft, no heart, if that makes sense. For me, there are different stages of writing. Gut, shoulder blades, rib cage. It doesn’t always feel good – I sometimes want to suppress the fluttery feeling or squeeze of it – but I am absolutely certain that there is something rich happening when I’m embodying it that way. When I simply come up with an idea and craft it, without anything that resembles a panic attack or lung constriction, it inevitably falls flat on the page.

2) What's your favorite physical activity and what have you learned from it about life and writing?

I have a dual activity lifestyle – running and yoga. These provide the perfect balance of outdoor and indoor activity, building and stretching, heart pumping and lung opening, extroversion and introversion. I have learned, from running, that a partner makes the effort easier and more fun and gives me something external to live up to. Ditto, having writing partners. And that there is no magic – you put one foot in front of the other, working to go a little further or a little faster week after week. Ditto, writing – one word after another after another. It’s the only way I know to get a draft down on the page. And also from running, that even if I don’t want to start, I never, ever regret it when I’m finished. Ditto, writing. The first five minutes are always the hardest. Yoga? I’ve learned that, in the end, it’s just me – my mind and body – that I’ve got to reckon with and count on. Ditto, writing. The partners and community and support make the long slog easier but it’s just me and my mat, errr – my page, in the end. And I’ve learned that some days are easier than others and sometimes there’s no rhyme or reason behind that. Progress isn’t always linear or logical. I have to meet myself where I’m at each day. Ditto, of course, writing. And I’ve learned that even if I don’t want to start…. Yep. Same lesson as running. And writing. That one needs learning over and over again.


3) Do you feel that exercise is essential to your mental health? (I do!)

Whoa, boy. Don’t even know where I’d be (except that it might have the word ‘institution’ in the title) if I didn’t get my fix.


4) Is there a sport/activity that you want to try, but haven't?

Over the years I’ve tried lots – everything from Nia to Masters’ swimming to climbing fourteeners to pilates. I’d still climb peaks if I lived in the mountains. I wish I like pilates but I’m kind of wimpy that way. I think the answer is, I’ll try almost anything once or thrice but I feel sure that I’ve already found the combination of things that really work for me, physically and mentally/emotionally.

5) Why do you think you're better at certain sports than other kinds? Certain forms of writing than other forms?

The only thing I can’t abide (and I know I’ll probably have rotten tomatoes thrown at me for this) are team sports. My hand/eye coordination is pathetic, which puts me at a disadvantage in terms of any ball sports and I hate feeling the pressure of a team. All my favorites are individual activities that don’t involve hoops or nets or goals. I like to depend upon – and compete against, I guess, myself. Writing – I am better at the lyrical than the narrative. I am more about sound and image and metaphor than I am about conflict. I love characters but I’m not very good at getting them to do anything. Which is kind of ironic considering this series on exercise, isn’t it?

6) Are you competitive? In sports or in writing?

I don’t know, but I wish I could say “no”. I think that feels more yogic. And more righteous. But alas. I always say that my only aim is to finish a race but then I watch the clock and try to shave off minutes in the end. And writing? I’ve gotten better about this. I used to really suffer from jealousy, but now I feel genuinely happy for other people’s successes. I think I am more driven than competitive. I try very much to make it me against me, rather than me against you. Wanna arm wrestle?

7) Is there an athlete or teacher that you admire?

I admire so many athletes who do powerful and beautiful and unfathomable things with their bodies. When I was a kid I was obsessed with the speed skaters Eric and Beth Heiden. I really love the yoga teacher David Swenson for the humor and humanity he incorporates into teaching. And there’s an amazing runner here in Austin called Gilber Tuhaboyne who survived civil war in his native Burundi and now he runs and teaches and inspires people in a big, big way. I love athletes for whom athletics are about big things like hope… peace… community.

8) What's your favorite yoga pose?

Downward dog. It tends to everything that needs tending – back, legs, shoulder girdle. And I get a nice little rosy head rush from it. I love me a little dog… (Me, too, Liz, me too!)

9) What keeps you going when you're tired? How do you motivate yourself?

Kombucha and a handful of almonds? Let me think. Sometimes I guess I don’t keep going. I’m a fan of the 15 minute nap. Motivation, though, when things are going well, just happens. Y’know how you will read until 3 in the morning when the book is just that good. I think work – writing – can be that way too. Even when my eyes are bleeding, I can’t stop. That can make the next morning’s run pretty grisly, though.

10) What would you say to those who hate their own bodies and/or hate their own writing?

Oh, man. I’d say, “I’ve been there.” But. But. I think I’d also say it’s just not worth it. I mean, I know this isn’t deeply and emotionally astute, but self-loathing, on a physical or creative level, is really unproductive. And the real way to talk yourself out of the loathing is to do something fabulous with what you’ve got. That may mean taking a brisk walk around the block or trying trapeze flying or climbing Kilimanjaro. It may mean writing morning pages or joining a critique group or finally submitting something to an editor. Doing something, I think, is always better than doing nothing. There is so much pleasure in discovering what it is we’re all capable of, don’t you think?

I do think so, and thanks, Liz! That was a lot of ground to cover....I'm going to go rest now...

(Don't forget to go to Liz's blog today. I believe I'm booked over there as the half-time entertainment!)

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Melissa Schorr began her writing career as a journalist. Her first book is GOY CRAZY (Hyperion,2006) is a thought provoking young adult novel that explores a delicate topic for many families – interfaith dating. In the book, Rachel Lowenstein tests her own beliefs, and the traditions of her family. Teens and adults are falling in love with Rachel in this warm and funny debut novel. I was excited to have the opportunity to interview Melissa, and to share the story behind her story.


Your book, GOY CRAZY, deals with the issues of interfaith dating. Why were you drawn to write about this topic?
Big surprise: like many first-time novelists, Goy Crazy really mirrors my own life story. Like Rachel, I had parents who weren’t too happy at my talent for dating non-Jewish boys in high school. And a lot of my friends and family members did end up in interfaith relationships. The great irony is, in my own life, I somehow did end up marrying the nice Jewish boy of my parents’ dreams. Go figure. But what I love is that this is a universal story many teens can relate to – dating someone your parents don’t approve of, for whatever reason.

Did you consider this a controversial topic?
Yes, but unfortunately, not controversial enough to, say, land me on the front page of the New York Times! As a novelist, I tried to be pretty clear that I really wasn’t advocating for or against interfaith dating, just telling one girl’s story, and I think most readers got that. I do think this is a powerfully important issue, and one that is affecting a lot of people today from all backgrounds.
Unfortunately, what I tell teens who ask what I believe is that there is no easy answer – this is a struggle between wanting to see your faith perpetuated, and wanting to make the best decision for your own life, and it will be up to you to someday make that choice.

What has been the most interesting response to Goy Crazy?
Actually, the only thing that has been controversial has been the use of the word “Goy” (which simply means Gentile, or not Jewish) in the title. Most people have had a sense of humor about it, but some think that word has a negative connotation and shouldn’t be used. We actually applied for a trademark, and at first, the government turned us down, saying the word was salacious and offensive. We appealed, and got that overturned! As a writer, I believe that you have to consider the context of the word, and realize it’s being used here in a fun, affectionate way.

As a Jewish author, were you inspired to write about a Jewish issue?
It was a lot of fun to be able to reflect on -- and poke fun of -- my own upbringing and experiences in the book, from bat mitzvahs to the High Holidays. But ultimately, I don’t see myself as solely a “Jewish author,” although I’m sure my background will always affect my writing.

Will we see Rachel, the main character, in any future books?
I’m not sure. At this point, there are no plans for a sequel, but who knows? Right now, I like the idea that the religion of the person Rachel ends up marrying someday is left unresolved.

Why did you start writing children's books?
Sadly, probably because I’m still mentally a teenager. Seriously, I was an obsessive reader all throughout my childhood and teens, so actually writing one of my own was a secret dream come true. Also, I didn’t think there were too many books out there dealing with interfaith dating from a teen’s perspective – especially in a funny way.

What are you working on now?
I am working on another YA novel, but something completely different than GOY CRAZY. The best I can describe it is as a doomsday, chick-lit romantic-comedy set in the near future, if that makes any sense.

What is the best thing about being a children's writer?
Getting enthused emails from teen girls, having to do “research,” like poking around YouTube and Facebook and Seventeen Magazine. One highlight was getting to go back to my own high school, Bronx Science in New York City, and reassure them that I was a nerd, too, back in my day, and look! I turned out fine. Sort of…

What is the hardest part about being a writer?
Motivating and being a perfectionist.

What do you like to read?
Really good YA fiction. It makes me insanely jealous and then helps me get motivated.

What is your favorite question you have been asked by a reader?
“Will you please write another book?”

What is your favorite holiday?
A non-existent one: “Chrismukkah.” Last year, for my book launch, we held a “Chrismukkah” holiday party – it was the best of both worlds: eggnog and Manischewitz wine, chocolate gelt and candy canes, latkes and mistletoe.

Do you have hobbies besides writing?
Seeing Broadway musicals, playing volleyball, walking Bailey, my Westie, and mostly, running after my toddler.

What are some fun facts about you?
In my previous life, I was a reporter in Las Vegas. I got to write about everything -- brothels, boxing matches, high-profile murder cases, casino openings and celebrity weddings. The craziest thing I ever did for a story? Visit a nudist colony.

Melissa, thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts. It's been great visiting with you!

GOY CRAZY will be available in paperback in the Spring of 2008. To learn more about Melissa, visit her web site at www.melissaschorr.com

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Having a policy for when you do and do not limit access to materials is always a good thing. This includes your book selection policy, your Internet use policy and your “when do we cancel a summer program when we’re getting harassed by people who think yoga is a religion”? I understand that dealing with a steady stream of phone calls and emails is unpleasant for the South Carolina library that cancelled its summer reading program due to this type of harassment from one local church, but I really wish they’d taken more of a stand and not likened this sort of pressure from one aggressive group as tantamount to a bomb threat.

The librarians got nervous and decided to cancel all the Thursdays.

“They were talking about picketing the library,” the library system director told a newspaper reporter.

The minister said he didn’t mean things to go that far, that he and his congregation had no problem with all the other Thursdays, only the evil tarot card one.

“We weren’t against the reading program at all,” he told the reporter. “We just want our children being taught the right things …”

church, harassment, kids, library, religion, summerreading, yoga

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