Girl in Motion: A Novel
Amazon Exclusive: A Q&A with Miriam   Wenger-LandisQuestion:When did you first start writingGirl in Motion?Miriam Wenger-Landis:I startedGirl in Motionabout seven years ago.  After I retired from Miami City Ballet, it took three years to gain enough distance from my   ballet career to look back and process what becoming a dancer was all about and how the ballet   world influenced me. Writing the book helped me gain closure on such a big part of my life and move   on to a college degree and a career beyond dance. I was also teaching ballet to teenagers, which   made me think about what I would have liked to read when I was a student contemplating a   professional career. The book went through so many drafts over the years and took forever to see   the light of day. Originally it followed Anna Linado through ballet school and into her   professional career, but eventually there was too much to include in just one book. I decided to   focus on her progression from student to professional, and that becameGirl in Motion.Question:You were a student at the School of American Ballet. Is your book inspired by   events from your life?Miriam Wenger-Landis:The story is rooted in my experience, but the events and people   aren't the same. There are always body issues, emotional challenges, and potential romances. I'll   admit there is a part of the book that really happened to me, but I can't say any more or it will   give away the ending.Question:Is there a character you identify with the most? Why?Miriam Wenger-Landis:I identify with Anna because I was also a shorter dancer and faced   similar challenges. I suffered from many of the same insecurities. I also relate to Jen's   sentiments of failure even when she achieves success. There was definitely a feeling of no matter   what you did it would never be good enough. Now that I'm older I can also understand the ballet   teachers' perspectives too.Question:What authors or books have influenced your writing? What dancers influenced   your career as a ballerina?Miriam Wenger-Landis:When I wroteGirl in Motion, I hoped for a voice likeJudy Blume(Forever...) meetsCurtis Sittenfeld(Prep). They're both writers that can   genuinely express what teenagers feel. I wanted to reflect the confusion, insecurity, and   excitement that come with being a teenager and Blume and Sittenfeld do it best. I'm a huge fan.When I was a ballet student my favorite dancers were Gelsey Kirkland and Darci Kistler. Once I   joined Miami City Ballet my role models were much more immediate. I was most influenced by the   people I danced with every day. One dancer in particular I always admired was Marife Gimenez. She   was a beautiful and emotional dancer and always brought an electric kind of energy to her   performances.Question:Have you considered trying your hand at other genres?Miriam Wenger-Landis:Perhaps someday.