DANCERGIRL
by Carol Tanzman
Young Adult
www.CarolTanzman.com
5 Signed Copies will be given away on Friday, December 2, 2011!
About the Book:
A friend posts a video of me dancing online, and now I'm no longer Alicia Ruffino. I'm "dancergirl." And suddenly it's like me against the world--everyone's got opinions.
My admirers want more, the haters hate, my best friend Jacy--even he's acting weird. And some stalker isn't content to just watch anymore.
Ali, "dancergirl." Whatever you know me as, however you've seen me online, I've trained my whole life to be the best dancer I can be. But if someone watching has their way, I could lose more than just my love of dancing. I could lose my life.
Check out our Exclusive Interview with the Author here:
1) Thinking back to the way beginning, whatss the most important thing you've learned as a writer from then to now?
Location, location, location. Although character development is obviously crucial, paying attention to the setting is so important. DANCERGIRL is the first in a series of contemporary YA thrillers set in Brooklyn, NY (even though I now live in L.A.). I always go location scouting with my camera and take lots of pictures. So many times it's the smallest detail in the setting that ends up being crucial. Especially when writing action scenes, what's actually in the environment -objects, the way the moon creates certain shadows, how far the ledge is from the water's edge - helps bring a fresh perspective to the writing.
2) No matter how many books you write, I'm sure each one has it's own challenges. How was this book more challenging to write than your others? How was it easier?
The biggest challenge was keeping all the threads in balance. Like most teens, Ali has a busy life. School, the dance studio, her friends, the Internet... juxtaposing her "real" life with the thriller aspect that starts to taunt -and haunt--her was tricky. The easiest part was writing about dance. I was a performer in high school, college, and beyond (mostly theatre, some dance) so I completely understand Ali's love for performing.
3) What scene or bit of dialogue in the book are you most proud of and why?
Most of the book is tense and exciting. Ali and her best friend Jacy have serious problems - and their long-term friendship has frayed. In this scene, however, Ali has come back after a weekend away. For one brief a moment, they go back in time.
"I don't want to talk about it," Jacy says. "I don't want to talk about anything serious. Let's eat crabs, fight over the remote, and pretend things are exactly the way they used to be. Before this f---ed-up year ever started."
I grab the Batman action figure. With my best Caped Crusader voice I say, "Don't be sad, Jacy!"
He doesn't even crack a smile, so I toss him the rabbit. "Show me your stuff, One-Ear."
Jacy raises an eyebrow. "How come I have to be the rabbit? I am so clearly the superhero."
"No way! I'm Batman's Queen!"
On the word queen I move the action figure's plastic leg and kick the rabbit in the head.
Jacy extends the rabbit's paws. "ZZZZZZAP. You are so lasered!"
The battle is on. By the time Mom calls, "Dinner!" Jacy and I are laughing our heads off. Neither of us notices that poor rabbit's remaining ear hangs by a thread.
4) Considering a book from the first word you write to the moment you see it on a bookstore shelf, what's your favorite part of the process? What's your least favorite?
Unlike most authors, I really like to rewrite. Especially when I have an editor who asks important questions along with their notes. Then I really can hone the characters, their motivations, and make sure the plot has no holes (very important in a thriller). My least favorite part is marketing the book once it's published. I'd much rather hide in my room and write new stuff!
5) If you could choose one dessert or snack food that you could eat as much as you want of (and never gain an ounce!) what would it be?
Vanilla bean ice cream, farmer's market strawberries on the side, both drizzled with a "Crema" balsamic vinegar that I discovered in Italy. The vinegar adds a chocolately taste with a little bit of bite to it. So delicious.
About the Author:Carol Tanzman was an abstract chicken in a mime company, a stage manager in Germany where her major responsibility was making sure the sheep entered and exited on cue, and an award-winning theatre director. Her first YA novel THE SHADOW PLACE was on the YALSA Quick Pick List, the ALAN list of Best Books, and the CA Collection. DANCERGIRL is the first in a series of contemporary YA thrillers for Harlequin Teen. Visit the author online at: www.CarolTanzman.com.
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1 comments:
Yikes! This sounds suspenseful. So timely - seeing as there are an over-abundance of cyber-stalkers out there. I'd like to read this. Original and intriguing.
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