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Cherie Bennett joined us on May 19, 1998 to discuss her book, LIFE IN THE FAT LANE. It is the story of a prom queen who inexplicably gains 100lbs. --- and what affect this weight gain has on her self-esteem and image. Our interviewer was Carol Fitzgerald and our vibrant host was MarleneT. Marlene T: THE BOOK REPORT is pleased to present Cherie Bennett, Young Adult author of TEEN ANGELS, SUNSET ISLAND, WILD HEARTS, TRASH and her latest novel, LIFE IN THE FAT LANE. Carol Fitzgerald of Teenreads.com will be interviewing Cherie Bennett tonight. Good evening Carol and Cherie, welcome! Teenreads.com: Thanks Marlene and welcome Cherie. AuthorChik: Good evening from downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. We are on the road and thus not at our home in Nashville. Teenreads.com: Can you start by telling us why you wrote LIFE IN THE FAT LANE? AuthorChik: Because out of the 10,000 or more letters I have received from teen girls in the past few years, one of the biggest topics I heard about again and again, is weight and body image. Not just from the fattest girl at school, whose life is hell, but from girls who are size 12, or 10, or 8, who spend all their time believing that they are fat and spending energy on trying to "fix" it. Teenreads.com: What did you hope to share with teens by writing this book? AuthorChik: An awareness of the unbelievable American prejudice towards "fat," an awareness of the pressure to be thin, but most of all, an empowering of my readers --- you teens! --- to define yourself in ways so much more important than your dress size. Teenreads.com: You have mentioned that you would like to have teen girls read this book with their moms. Why is that? AuthorChik: I think there's a real female power thing in America that we don't like to talk about, which is that women get less power when they become either fat or old. We're all gonna get old; that's inevitable. It's a myth that you actually lose power, of course, but is is a generational problem. Question: Ms. Bennett, what inspired you to become a writer? AuthorChik: In two words: my dad. He was a writer. A great writer. And he was the first person who told me to always follow my dreams. So I did. Teenreads.com: When did you start writing? AuthorChik: Always, as far back as I can remember. I'd love to know from my reader(s)...what inspired them to read my book or books? You can send me e-mail at AuthorChik and let me know. I am curious.. Teenreads.com: I am betting some of them loved your use of REAL language.I know many of the readers at The Book Bag have said this. AuthorChik: I use real language up to a point, but editors start getting REAL nervous when you use real real language. Teenreads.com: What other issues would you like to cover in a book? AuthorChik: Teenage pregnancy, for sure. Teenreads.com: When will we see your next book? AuthorChik: There's a new pop series called PAGEANT is pubbing right now. It's six books, about a very cool scholarship pageant, and you don't know who wins the who whole thing until the last book and I wrap up the TRASH plot in PAGEANT #6 too. Question: I loved LIFE IN THE FAT LANE, but I was surprised that you chose to have the girl gain weight for unexplained reasons. Wouldn't it have addressed the issues of more girls in America to have the girl gain weight without the disease? AuthorChik: No, I chose a disease because when people see someone fat they make assumptions about that person that are not necessarily so. For example, "She's a pig. Out of control. Lazy. No willpower." But the fact is, that none of these things are necessarily so. So with the disease, I made that that true in the largest possible way .In other words, "Fat" and "fault" are not always in the same sentence! Question: Ms. Bennett, where can we find this book? It sounds wonderful! AuthorChik: You can find it at BarnesandNoble@AOL which is KW: Barnes. And they can get it to you fast. I am happy to say it has just gone back to a 3rd print- ing. Teenreads.com: Cherie, how tough was it to write FAT LANE after the series books? AuthorChik: How hard after series books? FAT LANE was something I took very, very seriously. It took two years with Massive rewrites, very careful editing by my husband Jeff, and lots of discussion in between. Teenreads.com: By comparison, how quickly do you write the series books? AuthorChik: It takes about six weeks per book. Question: I am fat myself and wish I was in better shape--HELP! AuthorChik: Now, THAT'S a question I'd rather handle privately! Please send me e-mail or snail mail. Teenreads.com: Cherie...you like to answer fan mail...want them to write to this screen name? AuthorChik: YES, write to this screenname. I consider it a sacred trust to write back to any reader who writes to me.Teens or younger, that is! Teenreads.com: When you were writing FAT LANE did you see the entire story from the beginning, or did it shape itself along the way? AuthorChik: I had an outline of the entire story, but the specificity of it took shape along the way of writing it. That's what always seems to happen with my books. Question: After the FAT LANE Contest at The Book Bag, do you really think that magazines will change anything by reading our entries for LIFE IN THE FAT LANE contest? AuthorChik: I honestly don't know. I can't control what others do, nor can you. But we must make the best effort we can. So many of you wrote such wonderful letters-to-the-editor about FAT LANE. I do think that girls can change the world.You're their public. Make 'em listen! Teenreads.com: What ideally would you like to see teen magazines do? AuthorChik: First, include larger models all the time and not just in the "ghetto" article. Puh-leeze. The one article about how beauty comes in all sizes and shapes. Yeah, right! The rest of the mag is clothes no one over size 8 can wear! Teenreads.com: Would be terrific if they listened. Question: Why did you choose to have music be the girl's new outlet for friends in LIFE IN THE FAT LANE? AuthorChik: Music is important to me. And I think that musicians and theatre people tend to be cooler than the general public about not judging. Once you get away from I'm-too-cool-to-live rock and rollers, that is. Teenreads.com: Cherie, thank you so much for joining us tonight AuthorChik: It was a pleasure. I wish I had longer. I have the BEST readers in the world. You guys rock. Teenreads.com: Good luck with the rest of your tour...and come back soon. AuthorChik: Thanks, and we'll do this again sometime soon. 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