Gutless Kindle Edition

What Inspired You to First Write YA Sports Fiction?

Here’s how I got started. I gave a writing assignment to my eighth-grade class. The directions were simple: Write about something you care about, and write honestly. That night I sat down to work on my then-current project—a philosophical novel set in Czechoslovakia that was a total botch. I wrote a paragraph or two, then put my pencil down. I realized I’d given excellent advice to my students, and it was time for me to follow it myself. I lived and died with the Giants, the 49ers, the Warriors, the Cal Bears. I started On the Devil’s Court that night.

Talk a Little Bit about Brock, the Main Character of This Novel, and the Challenges He Faces.

I taught middle school for thirty-five years. I had students like Brock come to school, blend in just fine, seem to be enjoying a Leave It to Beaver home life. Then, during the year, I’d learn that their lives were much harder than I could ever have imagined. Because of their tough home situations, Brock (and Richie) know more about life than most of their peers, but it’s the kind of knowledge they can’t easily share.

What Do You Hope Readers Will Take Away from How You Tackle the Issue of Bullying In Gutless?

That standing up to a bully requires courage. Hunter is physically powerful; he has a highly valued skill. He’s a force at the school, a leader. Taking on the Hunters of this world is, therefore, a revolutionary act—it’s turning the established order upside down. It’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help; it’s a necessity.

Tell Us More about How Your Teaching Background Has Influenced Your Writing.

Having watched boys, in particular, struggle to finish books, a few things became clear to me. First, I try to move the story and keep descriptive passages to a minimum. Second, I write short chapters. Finally, I never think, “I’m writing for a young adult.” The books all revolve around some sort of moral choice/turning point facing the main character. The fact that the characters are young doesn’t make problems less complex, so I avoid easy answers.

Brock, for example, doesn’t go to an adult, get immediate help, and—poof—the bullying ends.

In What Ways Do You Think these Expectations Affect Teenagers in Particular?

Young adults are filled with doubt about themselves, their friends, their eventual place in the world. What they don’t learn until they’re older is that this doubt is a lifelong condition. We don’t grow out of it. So I think there’s a sense among middle and high school kids that they should be “squared away.” I try to write books in which doubt and confusion are the norm, so that they can see their own doubts and confusion as normal.

What Would You Say to any Kid Who is Currently a Victim Of Bullying but Unsure What to Do Next?

Victims often blame themselves. So the first thing I’d say is “Yes, you are right. You are flawed. But so is every other person in this world. You didn’t bring this on yourself and you don’t deserve what’s happening to you.” After that, my advice is standard. Bullying results from an unequal power situation. A bullied student needs to get help from adults, be they parents, coaches, or teachers. And if the student doesn’t get that help the first time they ask, they need to go to somebody and ask again until they do.

How Do You Tap into the Teen Voice When Writing Your Novels?

For many young people—male and female—sports play a major role in their teen years. So in my books, sports aren’t just something in the background. How the characters perform on the playing field profoundly influences how they feel about themselves the next day at school or at home. That, I think, rings true to the “reluctant” reader who is deeply involved in sports. It’s not “just a game” to them—not even close. I think my books acknowledge that truth.

Were You Interested in Sports As a Kid? If so, Which Ones Were Particular Favorites?

If a ball bounced, I wanted to play—and still do. I was generally good enough to make sports teams, but not good enough to crack the starting lineup. (Perhaps all that time on the bench observing games paid dividends in my writing.) Basketball was my favorite sport in high school, volleyball in college, and golf today. But if someone wants to play Ping-Pong, croquet, or go bowling—I’m in.