Okay, what’s with the title? Is ONE BUTT CHEEK AT A TIME just a gimmick title for shock value?

            I have to admit I’ve gotten a scandalized looks and raised eyebrows when I’m asked about the title of this book. Personally, I love the title because it completely characterizes the star’s philosophy of life. Gert Garibaldi thinks putting one front in front of the other is discriminatory against people without feet—but everyone has a butt. So, she puts her jeans on one butt cheek at a time. It’s a testament to taking life as it comes and breaking it down into the parts. She’s quirky and opinionated and I think that comes through in the title. But if the word “butt” offends you—you won’t like the content in the book so don’t read it.

Is this tale autobiographical?

            I laugh every time I’m asked this question. No, I didn’t just change my name to Gert and publish my journal from high school. Among other things, I’m not nearly as interesting or funny as Gert. My high school experiences play a part of me as the writer and there are themes I feel deeply like—I hated three of the four years—in fact, hate might not even be a strong enough word—torture, insecurity, flailing—I did a lot of flailing about. But this isn’t a book that will one day show up in the memoir section of your local bookstore.

Why did you write ONE BUTT CHEEK?

            I started out writing romances—adult romances, but began to get editorial comments from another voice/character while I was working on them. This teen sarcasm became a constant distraction and made it nearly impossible to focus. So I started to give time to clear that character out of my head—I gave her her own pages. I figured I’d write ten or twenty pages and she’d shut up. She’s still talking and now she has her own series. Go figure.

You include sexual taboos such as female masturbation and noticing erections on a date —where did you get your info and did you consider not including this edgier material?

I’ve always found human sexuality fascinating (I was a trained sex ed peer counselor in high school) and I’m an information junkie so I’ve read a ton of books—not only the ones you’d expect, but books about gender and brain development, history of sexuality and the politics that always seem to be attached.  When I was writing ONE BUTT CHEEK, I worked really hard to not censor, to be frank and honest about Gert’s life—all parts of it. So she masturbates. I wasn’t even aware of the taboo status until long into the production of the book.  Sure the topic makes some people uncomfortable—I get that. It’s a small piece of her life, so it’s a small part of the book. I’m proud of it.

I’m proud to include factual information because so much of what teens hear isn’t accurate. Gert’s honest and that’s the goal of every writer—to write an authentic character who readers relate to. Maybe there’s one reader who thinks she’s going to hell or who thinks no one else does it—it’s worth the flak if that one reader feels more comfortable in her own skin.

            The internet makes it much easier to find information, but it also makes it easier to distribute misinformation—so always check the sources, stick with organizations that don’t have agendas or references that are straight forward and factual. I mentioned THE GUIDE TO GETTING IT ON  in the book because it’s one I know is gifted to younger siblings, and personally, I think it’s one of the best comprehensive books for any age and a great place to start self-education.

Since Gert’s a sophomore in high school in this book—do we get to watch her grow up? Are there more books planned?

Yes, this is a series. At the moment two books are in production that comprise Gert’s entire sophomore year. I have ideas and outlines for her through college but we’ll have to see if readers respond.  Sign up for my newsletter at OneButtCheek.com and be the first to hear about upcoming titles. J

Gert’s best friend, Adam is gay—why? And are you worried people will assume you’re gay because you include it?

Just like Gert came to me fully formed, so did her best friend Adam. The same way I knew he was a boy and her best friend, I knew he was gay. That’s who he is, so that’s who he is in the book. I don’t think homosexuality is a choice and I hope that comes through—this is his life and he’s learning how to be in it.

            *Laughing* No, I’m not worried about people thinking I’m gay. Those same people think Stephen King is a serial killer and Anne Rice a vampire!

You mention a health problem in your bio—will you elaborate?

I’m happy to talk about it, but I don’t stress it because it’s just a part of life, not a marketable quality I want shoved in anyone’s face. My freshman year in college I developed weird pain and atrophy in my legs. It took about two years and multiple specialists to find a name for it. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy RSD. (It’s changed names three times in ten years.)  By the time we figured it out I’m one of the supposedly rare cases that last indefinitely. To be honest, I got fed up with the medical system, tests, treatments and doctors.  I decided to stop being patient (as well as a patient) and go about figuring out how to live with this thing. It means my legs don’t always work, they always hurt, the hair and skin do funky things and my feet are usually colder than most deep freeze units. Now, I have a set of tools I use to cope including: meds, physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, soaks, naps and cheesy movies. I can’t schedule the good days and I can’t schedule the bad ones. So I take things as they come and totally prioritize the to-dos every minute.

What kind of books do you read?

I read almost everything. I haven’t delved too deeply into fantasy, computer programming, or math theory. Anything else is fair game. I tend to read about fifteen books at a time. It’s weird, I know. But until I get thoroughly hooked or about half way thru a book I get antsy—there are too many good books in the world to read one at a time. J If I get a hundred pages into a book and there isn’t one teensy piece that keeps me going, I stop reading it. People who feel the compulsion to keep reading until the end regardless of whether they’re enjoying it baffle me. I also turn off movies and television shows if I’m enjoying the time.

What advice do you have for writers?

            If you told me you wanted to be a concert pianist I’d ask you how many hours a day you practice—writing is a craft, it takes time and effort and practice. So if you tell me you’ve always wanted to write a book, publish your work, or have a great idea for a book that’s going to be a bestseller—I’m going to tell you to practice. Write. Period.