FAQs
Is Easy appropriate for my daughter?
I knew I had to make my main character a little older because the risqué scenes needed to be explicit out of respect for teenagers, who know plenty about sex already. But I also knew girls as young as 10 and 11, sometimes even younger, are engaging in sexual activity, much like my character. So I settled on making Jessica 14. The publisher marketed the book for 14 and up because of the explicit scenes, but if I could have my way, I would market it for younger ages, perhaps as young as 11. If you’re the kind of person who believes sex education causes teens to have sex, then you will disagree. (Incidentally, if you believe this, you’re wrong.) Alternatively, if you believe discussion about sex and how to stay safe is essential to keeping teens informed and safe, then you will probably agree with me. My best advice on this subject is to read the book yourself first. And, if you let your children who are younger than 16 read it, you should discuss it with them.
How do I discuss the issue of promiscuity with my daughter?
The best way to do this is simply to be honest and open. Most girls want to share what’s going on with them, but to do so they need to feel that they won’t be punished, judged, or shamed by what they say. They need to trust their feelings are safe with you. An opening dialogue might go something like this: I want you to feel safe and comfortable talking to me about sex. I’d like to talk with you openly and without judgment. My greatest concern is that you have the right information, and that you feel in control of what happens to you. I’m here if you have any questions or concerns. It is okay to continue to pursue her about it, but do try to find that balance between being very available and being pushy. If she feels you pushing too hard, she’ll back away. Thus is the dance of teenagers.
Do you have specific discussion questions for your book?
When the book was first published, I posted questions a teacher might use in the classroom. At the time it didn’t occur to me to put together a list of questions for parents who might need support talking with their daughters about the book. Then I got an email from a concerned mother wanting exactly that. What a smart idea, I thought. Here they are:
- How did you feel bout Jessica and the choices she made? If you could rewrite her story, what would you have her do differently?
- Why do you think Jessica made the choices she did?
- What do you think might have helped her to make different choices?
- Do you know anyone like Jessica? What do you want to say to that girl?
- Does your school have girls labeled as “sluts”? Why do they have this label? Do you think the myths around these girls are true? What evidence do you have that they are/aren’t?
From here, I imagine, the discussion will take on a life of its own.
How long did it take you to write Easy?
I wrote Easy in 5 months. My son was one, and for four hours, four days a week, I had a nanny for him. The book had been whole inside me for so long it just poured out during these blessed hours.
How did you get it published?
I got it published the same way most people who get published do; I wrote the best book I could, I submitted it to an agent who loved it, and he sold it to an editor who loved it.
|
