Book Blitz - Wish by Grier Cooper
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Book & Author Details:
Wish by Grier Cooper
(Indigo Dreams #1)
Publication date: December 2nd 2014
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Synopsis:
(Indigo Dreams #1)
Publication date: December 2nd 2014
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Synopsis:
For Indigo Stevens, ballet classes at Miss Roberta’s ballet studio offer the stability and structure that are missing from her crazy home life. At almost 16, she hopes this is the year she will be accepted into the New York School of Ballet. First she must prove she’s ready, and that means ignoring Jesse Sanders – the cute boy with dimples who is definitely at the top of Miss Roberta’s List of Forbidden Things for Dancers.
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Debunking Ballet
Myths
While many people admire ballet as art form, it's also often
criticized. Unhealthy body image is one of the most common complaints. But are
these criticisms based on reality or myth? Let's examine some of the most
common ballet myths and see what's real:
1. All ballet dancers are anorexic.
The average professional ballet dancer spends anywhere from
five to eight hours each day dancing their butts off; imagine how slim you
would be if you exercised that much! Ballet also naturally creates longer,
leaner lines in the body, unlike other athletic pursuits such as running, which
create bulkier muscles. Although they are slender, most dancers are
health-conscious—they have to be in order to have enough energy to get through
their long, active days...although their busy schedules mean they snack
throughout the day as opposed to eating huge meals (it's hard to be light on
your feet with a full belly!).
2. If you want to be a professional ballet dancer you
have to start taking ballet classes early, like when you are still in the womb.
Just look at ballet superstar Misty Copeland; her story
will burn that myth right out of your head. Copeland didn't begin taking ballet
classes until she was thirteen, yet in 2007 she made dance history when she
became the third African American female soloist (and the first in two decades)
at American Ballet Theater. Another classmate of mine at the School of American Ballet didn't begin ballet
until she was twelve but later went on to dance with New York City Ballet.
3. All male ballet dancers are gay. There are
certainly a lot of good-looking men in ballet but just because they put on
tights doesn't mean there aren't some hot-blooded heterosexuals in the mix. The
real-life partnership between New York City Ballet principal dancers Robert
Fairchild and Tiler Peck is not just one of the most romantic love stories
in ballet history (teen sweethearts, drama, breakup(s) and a happy ending when
Fairchild proposed in Paris), it is one of the most prominent ballet marriages
today. Other well-known ballet couples include San Francisco Ballet
Principal Dancers Vanessa Zahorian
and Davit Karapetyan, Boston Ballet principals Carlos
Molina and Erica Cornejo and Nelson
Madrigal and Lorna Feijoo, Ballet West soloists Easton
Smith and Haley Henderson. Still not convinced? Rent “The
Turning Point” (a classic ballet film) and watch Baryshnikov make his moves.
4. You have to be a twig if you want to be a ballet
dancer. While this was true during the Balanchine era, perspectives on
dancers' bodies is changing dramatically and today's dancers are more muscular
and feminine. Take a look at the lineup of dancers from companies like LINES Ballet, Cedar Lake
Contemporary Ballet and Ballet Black.
English National Ballet Artistic Director Tamara Rojo recently made it known that she's
not interested in employing underweight ballerinas. Ballet dancers such as Kathryn
Morgan, a former New York City Ballet soloist, St. Paul Ballet dancer
Brittany Adams and New York City Ballet veteran Jennifer Ringer are
becoming more vocal about promoting a healthy body image. If
you want to delve deeper on the issue, check out
"Strength
and Beauty," a documentary about ballerinas' personal
accounts of dealing with issues like weight.
5. Ballet
dancers are weak, timid girlie girls who love anything pink. If that were
true, why are droves of football players signing up for ballet? Headliner Steve
McLendon of the Pittsburgh Steelers says, “ballet is harder than anything else
I do”. Ballet dancers are not delicate little flowers, nor is ballet easy. It's
actually enormously difficult both physically AND mentally. A dancer has to
remember several ballets' worth of choreography at any given time PLUS be
strong enough to leap, turn, grande battement, and relevé for (sometimes) HOURS
on end.
6. Pointe
hurts. Stretching hurts.
It doesn't
hurt if you're doing it right! Well, okay, pointe shoes sometimes hurt when you
wear them day after day for hours at a time. But dancers build up their
flexibility and foot strength over time. It's a process where things progress
slowly. Beginning pointe classes, for instance, are very brief. If things hurt,
it's time to slow down or back off and if you experience pain when you're
stretching it's actually a clear indication that you're pushing things too far.
7. Ballet
dancers naturally dance well at parties and nightclubs. Just because
someone is a ballet dancer does not mean they'll be a hit on the dance floor at
your next party. Trust me; these are two very different types of dancing. In
fact, ballet is so regimented and precise that it's difficult for ballet
dancers to cut loose. It's much more likely they'll resemble a spastic
electrocuted chicken on the dance floor.
8.All
female ballet dancers are ballerinas. Typical cocktail party conversation:
"Oh, I didn't know that you were a ballerina!" Um, I'm not. I'm a
ballet dancer. Only the highest-ranking female dancers in a ballet company
are ranked as ballerinas. The corps and soloist dancers in the company are not
ranked as ballerinas yet.
9. Since
ballet terms are French all ballet dancers speak fluent French. Sadly, no (
je suis desolée). Just because ballet terms are in French does not mean
that we speak French fluently, nor is there any guarantee that our
pronunciation incredible...or even correct.
10.
Ballet dancers are not the brightest bulbs in the pack. Refer to item
number 5 above, for how much dancers have to remember (A LOT). This skill also
serves dancers well in school, since more dancers are choosing take college
courses in the midst of their dance careers, with the blessings of top ballet
companies including American Ballet Theater and
New York City Ballet (who offer scholarship
money to their dancers). Boston Ballet recently teamed up with Northeastern
University to offer a
program to help dancers earn their degrees while they are dancing. The
university's flexible schedule accommodates dancers' routines and the company's
scholarship fund covers up to 80% of tuition...which means there are a lot of
brainiacs on pointe out there.
As you can
see, most myths don't stand up to investigation. Whether your attitude towards
ballet is “love it” or “leave it”, you can now make an educated choice.
Grier Cooper has performed on three out of seven continents with companies such
as San
Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet,
totaling more than thirty years of experience as a dancer, teacher and
performer.
She blogs about dance in the San Francisco Bay Area and has
interviewed and photographed a diverse collection dancers and performers including
Clive Owen, Nicole Kidman, Glen Allen Sims and Jessica Sutta. She is the author
of Build a Ballerina Body and the new
ballet-based young adult novel, WISH.
Grier can be reached through her website at http://www.griercooper.com
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AUTHOR BIO:
Grier began ballet lessons at age five and left home at fourteen to study at the School of American Ballet in New York. She has performed on three out of seven continents with companies such as San Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet, totaling more than thirty years of experience as a dancer, teacher and performer.
Her work has been praised as “poignant and honest” with “emotional hooks that penetrate deeply.” She writes and blogs about dance in the San Francisco Bay Area and has interviewed and photographed a diverse collection dancers and performers including Clive Owen, Nicole Kidman, Glen Allen Sims and Jessica Sutta. She is the author of Build a Ballerina Body and The Daily Book of Photography. Author links:
Bunheads 101: How
to be a ballet dancer...or just look like one
It's easy to pick a dancer out of a crowd. You know what I
mean: dancers have that certain je ne sais crois, key traits like grace
and poise that separate them from everyone else.Whether you're a ballet
dancer-in-training or simply wish you were a dancer, here's how to get the the
look.
The posture:
Imagine you have a metal rod running through the core of your body that
keeps the spine ramrod-straight. Reach
the crown of the head towards the sky to create length in the spine while
keeping the chin high. Pay special attention to the area around the neck and
shoulders: press the shoulders down away from the ears to create the illusion
of a long, swan-like neck.
The walk: focus on maintaining an outward rotation in
the hips, which will cause the feet to splay at a forty-five degree angle in
the classic dancer duckwalk. Suck in the gut, tuck the buttocks under and cinch
the shoulder blades together, broadening the chest. Swing the arms gracefully
and move quickly—like there's no time to waste as you hurry off to your next
rehearsal.
The hairdo: Slick the hair back into a high ponytail,
taking special care to tame any and all stray flyaway strands. It is imperative
that every hair lies flat against the skull so use gel, mousse or pomade if
necessary. Separate the ponytail into two sections and tug firmly to ratchet
the ponytail into a high and tight position. Twist the ponytail until it begins
to curl around itself; continue twisting as you coil the hair into a bun. Wrap
the tail end under the bun and secure in place with bobby pins. To complete the
look a hairnet is mandatory! Be sure to choose the shade that most closely
matches your hair color. Cover bun and pin in place. Shellac the whole hairdo
with a liberal shower of hairspray.
The outfit: All clothing must be chosen with movement
in mind. Shoot for a cotton lycra blend or go for something feminine and
flowing. Choose pants or leggings with a fit that accentuates those leg
muscles. Tops should be gauzy, filmy, or ruffled, A-line, clingy, silky, or
stretchy. Extra points for cut-outs, off-the-shoulder, elaborate embroidery,
and yummy textures.
The bag: Find the largest bag you own. A tote or
duffel bag is preferred if you are going for authenticity. Stuff the bag
liberally with enough long-sleeve shirts, t-shirts, leotards and tights to last
for several days. Additional mandatory
items include: warm-up clothes, protein bars, water bottle, medical tape,
band-aids, ace bandage(s), gel toe pads, hairbrush, hairspray, stray bobby
pins, make up bag, mp3 player with headphones, sewing kit, emergency feminine
hygiene kit, deodorant, pointe shoes, ballet slippers, TheraBand, wooden foot
roller, tennis balls or other massage tool, tiger balm, lip balm, toothbrush
and toothpaste. Extra points if you have pink toe-shoe ribbons dangling over
the edge of your bag.
The accessories: This is your chance to go wild and
add a bit of your unique personality to the look. Remember that sparkle and
glitz is always better. Hair accessories with fake flowers and/or feathers and
rhinestones add flair; be certain they are secured firmly so they don't fly out
during turns. Earrings are another way to add some sparkle; choose a pair that
won't catch on hair or clothing. During the colder months, add fingerless
gloves or wrist warmers to add color and texture to what you are wearing.
Follow these simple rules and you are on your way to looking
like a true bunhead.
Grier Cooper has performed on three out of seven continents with companies such
as San
Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet,
totaling more than thirty years of experience as a dancer, teacher and
performer.
She blogs about dance in the San Francisco Bay Area and has
interviewed and photographed a diverse collection dancers and performers
including Clive Owen, Nicole Kidman, Glen Allen Sims and Jessica Sutta. She is
the author of Build a Ballerina Body and the new
ballet-based young adult novel, WISH.
Grier can be reached through her website at http://www.griercooper.com
Q & A with
Grier Cooper, Author of WISH
Why did you write WISH?
There were several factors at play when I
wrote WISH. I knew I wanted to set the book in the ballet world because dance
has shaped who I am and has been one of the few constants in my life. Many
people don’t get to experience this world firsthand and I wanted to give
readers an insider’s perspective.
I also feel strongly about the difficulties
of growing up in a dysfunctional family. I know the longterm implications from
personal experience: my mother was an alcoholic. You learn to distrust your
instincts and feelings, to play small, and to stay quiet when you know you
should speak up.
Even if your family dynamics are healthy
young adulthood is a time of huge transition and change. It’s a time to find
your voice, to clarify who you are and who you want to be in the future. It’s
not an easy road to navigate. I wrote WISH to give readers hope, to show them a
path to self-empowerment, and to help them understand they can create change in
their lives.
Describe your writing process.
I'm a very visual person so I
always begin a project by creating a vision board. I cut out pictures from
magazines that resemble the characters and settings I've envisioned and put
them together in a giant collage. The vision boards hang right next to my desk
so I can look at the characters whenever I need to. I also write character
sketches for all of my characters before I begin writing. It's important to
know your character before you put them in action.
Next I outline the whole novel,
scene by scene. I'm one of those people who likes to plan ahead – my family and
friends sometimes give me a hard time about it and call me the cruise ship
director. But seriously, it pays to plan ahead...especially when you're writing
a novel. Once I have a complete outline I look at the big picture: I make sure
transitions between scenes and chapters work seamlessly and that there's a good
balance and pace throughout. Figuring all of this out before I write anything
saves a lot of time and headache.
The first draft took me a little
over a year to write because I wrote in very short bursts, in between writing a
bunch of other things. A first draft often needs a lot of editing and I spent
quite a while combing through my novel and polishing it. I also worked with a
group of other YA writers to get
feedback and take it to the next level. My critique partners asked a lot of
questions, often about things that I hadn't thought about.
Even after the work I'd done
revising and implementing some of their suggestions my novel still wasn't quite
there. That was a little hard to sit with but I wanted the book to be as good
as it could possibly be. I tinkered some more, focusing on the parts I felt
needed more work. I also read it out loud, word by word, a technique that I've
found to be really effective because errors or clumsy language are much more
obvious when spoken out loud. This really gave it a final polish.
How did you make the transition from dancer to writer?
I've written since I was a kid;
back then I had a diary with a lock on it, which was necessary growing up in a
big family. After I stopped dancing
professionally I went back to college and took some writing classes where I
started playing around with poetry and short stories. I kept writing throughout
the years but once I became a mom I started to think more about writing for
kids. Eventually I began to transition into freelance writing and wrote about
dance and fitness. I also re-immersed myself in the Bay Area dance scene and
wrote a regular dance column where I interviewed top Bay Area dancers,
choreographers and directors. I started writing WISH at that time. Along the
way I also put a lot of time into educating myself about the craft and business
of children's books by attending conferences, workshops and webinars. Learning
to be a writer has definitely been a process; luckily it's a process I enjoy.
I'm still learning now; there's always something to improve.
What role does dance play in your life today?
I've been a dancer since I was five
and I don't see that changing, although my relationship with dance has changed
over time. When I was young, dance was something I did for fun. Later it became
my profession and now I look at it as a sanctuary, a home, a place to move beyond
my small self and connect to something bigger.
The things I've learned as a
dancer – discipline, dedication and
persistence– still serve me now. Without this foundation I couldn't do what I
do. Writing is self-paced and self-driven. No one is telling me what to do or
looking over my shoulder to make sure it gets done. It's all on me.
Today dance is something I do for
fun. Sometimes during the workday I'll take a break, put on some music, and
dance to counteract all the sitting and staring at a computer. Dance keeps me
happy.
Why did you choose to self-publish?
The publishing industry is changing
so much and independent publishing is really growing. In today's market it's
the author's name that sells a book. All writers are their own brand and must
grow that brand through marketing and promotion, whether they are traditionally
published or self-published. That is the reality. I realized if I'm doing the
work anyway, why not do it on my terms?
I also didn't want to wait years to
see my book on shelf. I have many other books in the pipeline and I wanted to
keep moving forward. I've enjoyed maintaining my creative freedom and having
the ultimate say on things like cover design. I also like knowing that after
all I've put into it my book won't expire or go out of print.
I've found the world of indie
publishing to be incredibly giving and supportive, which has been a nice
surprise. I'm really grateful to the other indie writers out there who share
their knowledge and expertise so willingly.
What advice would you give to other young dancers and
writers?
My advice is really the same for
both. First of all: dream big! Clarify your vision and make it as real as
possible in your mind., using all of your senses. Keep your thoughts focused on that vision as
often as you can. Believe it is possible.
In the meantime, work at your
craft. Strive to perfect all aspects of what you do and ask for help and
support when you need it.
When you feel ready to find work
develop a solid plan. Make a list of all potential places or companies you want
to work with. Cast your net wide and see what comes through. Follow up with
everyone you talk to. Even if it takes longer than you would hope keep going no
matter what. The difference between those who succeed and those who don't is
persistence.
Which of your characters is the most like you?
I'm a bit like of many of my
characters. I have aspects of Indigo's emotional sensitivity, Miss Roberta's
work ethic and perfectionist tendencies, and Becky's supportive nature. I wish
I had more of Monique's sass and Jesse's laid back attitude.
The cool thing about creating
characters is that even though I come up with the initial vision they
eventually take on a life of their own. I'm often surprised by some of the
things they say or do and I'll think to myself wow, I never would say that
to someone. Which is strange since the idea came out of my head. But it's
what the character would do, not what I would do.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I'll still be sitting at my desk, writing!
I hope to have at least 3 more titles out by then and be doing fun events
interacting with readers. My daughter will be a junior in high school so I'll
be actively looking for my future home on a tropical beach somewhere.
Grier Cooper has performed on three out of seven continents with companies such
as San
Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet,
totaling more than thirty years of experience as a dancer, teacher and
performer.
She blogs about dance in the San Francisco Bay Area and has
interviewed and photographed a diverse collection dancers and performers
including Clive Owen, Nicole Kidman, Glen Allen Sims and Jessica Sutta. She is
the author of Build a Ballerina Body and the new
ballet-based young adult novel, WISH.
Grier can be reached through her website at http://www.griercooper.com
A Day in The Life
of Professional Ballet Student Indigo Stevens
Like all dancers at the New York School of Ballet, Indigo
has a lot of work to do. Like any dancer at the top ballet school in the
country her days are filled with ballet classes, rehearsals, and other add-ons
like Pilates or yoga class. But she's also a high school student, with all the
same school requirements as anyone else. Add all of these things together and
every day is a very long day.
Indigo is one of the lucky ones; the ballet studio and her home and school are
all within walking distance so she doesn't have to factor in (or deal with)
public transportation (which is often unreliable at best). However, life still
gets complicated with all the back and forth between NYSB and her school. She
has to change back and forth from street clothes to ballet clothes each time,
which adds to the complication (plus it's not easy yanking off sweaty tights
quickly).
Finding time to eat is also a challenge, but Indigo has
learned to carry light snacks she can munch on the fly. Some of her favorites
include energy bars (only if they are low in sugar and have a short list of
ingredients), mixed nuts, dried fruit, and yogurt.
It's only possible for her to attend school for two periods
each day due to her heavy ballet schedule. Her school offers a work-around:
home study courses. While this may seem like a great solution it means Indigo
often has hours of homework after she gets home from a long day at the ballet
studio.
It's a good thing she loves what she does, otherwise she
might not be able to keep up with her life. On her toughest days she turns to
her favorite guilty pleasure: a frozen yogurt topped with carob chips and
coconut.
Here is a typical day for Indigo:
6am: wake up. Sew ribbons on multiple pairs of pointe
shoes while munching on health-conscious breakfast.
6:30am: contrast bath right foot to help heal
tendonitis flare-up.
6:45am: pack dance bag, make sure to bring snacks,
multiple sets of practice clothes, Tiger Balm to put on sore muscles.
6:55 am: finish English essay, half-written before
falling asleep mid-sentence.
7:30 am: get dressed
7:40 am: put hair up in bun
8:10 am: load school back pack, walk ½ mile to
school.
8:30-9:30 am: attend first period, hand in English
essay.
9:35 am: walk ½ mile to NYSB.
10-11:30 am: morning class, studio A.
11:35 am: change back to street clothes
11:40 am: lunch on the fly while walking ½ mile back
to school.
12:10-1:15 pm: Pre-Calculus with Dr. Phelps. Struggle
to keep eyes open.
1:20 pm: walk ½ mile back to NYSB.
2:30-4 pm: Variations class with Madame Glinka
4:15-5:15pm: Pilates strength training
5:15pm: power snack
5:30-6:30 pm: Serenade rehearsal
6:35pm: change back to street clothes
6:45pm: walk ½ mile home
7:15-9:15pm: eat deli sushi while reading &
completing assignment for History correspondence course
9:15-10:45pm: complete homework for pre-calculus,
biology, French
10:45pm: bath
11:05pm: bed
Final stats:
total hours danced: 5 hours
total hours of school: 5 1/2 hours
total miles walked: 2 miles
As you can see, each day is jam-packed. Keep in mind dance
classes are mandatory six days per week, with Sundays as the only day off, so
there's not much free time. But when this is the life you've chosen it's a
tough but thrilling ride.
Grier Cooper has performed on three out of seven continents with companies such
as San
Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet,
totaling more than thirty years of experience as a dancer, teacher and
performer.
She blogs about dance in the San Francisco Bay Area and has
interviewed and photographed a diverse collection dancers and performers
including Clive Owen, Nicole Kidman, Glen Allen Sims and Jessica Sutta. She is
the author of Build a Ballerina Body and the new
ballet-based young adult novel, WISH.
Grier can be reached through her website at http://www.griercooper.com
The Rules of
Ballet: A Manifesto
Indigo's ballet teacher, Miss
Roberta, is very outspoken about a lot of things, including personal hygiene
and what dancers should and shouldn't do outside of ballet classes. Ssince she
was a professional ballet dancer herself, she knows what it takes to be a
ballet dancer and how hard it is to make it. This is the manifesto she shares
her manifesto with all of her ballet students to help guide them:
Humans
are naturally lazy and dancers have to work hard to overcome this tendency.
Take a moment to look at the
average person's posture and you'll see the truth in this statement. Most of us
shuffle through life in the default setting: with our shoulders hunched over
and our heads down.
There
is always room for improvement. If you think you are a good enough dancer,
you’re wrong!
Ballet is all about reaching
perfection–your own version of perfection. There is always something to
fine-tune or something new to learn.
There
will always be someone who is a better dancer than you.
This is a difficult reality to
face but sooner or later this is true
for all dancers, whether it's due to skill or age. My first ballet teacher used
to tell us to never get comfortable or cocky because there would always be
better dancers out there. You have to stay sharp and constantly push yourself
if you want to reach the top. The good news is hard work and persistence pay
off. Work to the best of your abilities and you will forge forward.
It
takes hard work and discipline to get ahead.
It also takes ironclad willpower,
indestructible courage and ridiculous levels of confidence. But hey, no one
ever said it was going to be easy. If it were, everyone would be doing it.
If
you can’t take constructive criticism, you are in the wrong place.
By the time you reach the
professional level of ballet, you are not only able to handle criticism, you
live for it. Ballet dancers eat up “corrections” like most kids chow on candy
because they know if someone takes time to make a comment, they think you're worth it.
If
you are too tall, too fat or too lazy, pick a different career.
As stated before, this is not a
career for anyone not prepared to work their butts off. Although the physical
ideal in ballet is slowly changing it's still a much tougher road if your body
type doesn't match what ballet companies are looking for.
The
love of dance brought you here and it will carry you through your career.
Every dancer you see on stage today
started with love of ballet in their heart and the dream to become part of the
magic onstage. That love is what keeps dancers going day after day, sometimes
working through pain in various forms. But ask any dancer if they love what
they do and you'll get the same answer: Yesssssss!
Ballet
is equal parts dedication, inspiration, and perspiration.
It's definitely not for the faint
of heart, either... or for anyone who minds getting sweaty.
The
human body is a dancer’s most important tool and our biggest challenge (see
Rule #1).
As mentioned above, the human body
is naturally lazy. Dancers have to fight hard to overcome this tendency. Since
top fitness is part of the job description, most ballet dancers spend every
waking minute keeping their tools in prime shape, either taking classes, doing
supplemental training like Pilates, stretching or going for a massage (although
this last activity is far less likely).
Ballet
involves sacrifice (of certain dangerous activities…including and most
especially boys).
If you do the math you'll
immediately see why this is true. If x, the dancer, spends almost every
waking moment in a ballet studio that leaves y hours left to do anything
else. In this case y=0. But all kidding aside, there are certain
activities most dancers don't do because of the risk of injury or because they
will develop the wrong muscles: skiing, horseback riding, and circus arts, just
to name a few.
Whether you are a ballet dancer or
not, you probably have your own manifesto for life. May it guide you well. Even
if you don't resonate with Miss Roberta's manifesto, do take her advice and
wear deodorant.
Grier Cooper has performed on three out of seven continents with companies such
as San
Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet,
totaling more than thirty years of experience as a dancer, teacher and performer.
She blogs about dance in the San Francisco Bay Area and has
interviewed and photographed a diverse collection dancers and performers
including Clive Owen, Nicole Kidman, Glen Allen Sims and Jessica Sutta. She is
the author of Build a Ballerina Body and the new
ballet-based young adult novel, WISH.
Grier can be reached through her website at http://www.griercooper.com
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