 Dr. Ruth Cox Chat Transcript with Chris Crutcher Adult Completed Read an Excerpt Crutcher and Dr. Cox's students discussed everything from censorship to the power of written word to courage to characters that make you tremble or cry. A great transcript about what it means to be a writer, what it means to be read. Excerpt Chris Crutcher Transcript May 1, 2003 HOST: Dr. Ruth E. Cox University of Houston-Clear Lake School Library and Information Science Program This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Now where is Chris? Linda Simpson>>Playing old man basketball? Janice Theiler>>Is it possible that he forgot? Maye Carpenter>>He's not with me Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Maybe - I got a message from Kelly saying he would be here - 4 p.m. his time. Six p.m. our time. I just checked my email for messages and no cancellations. I just sent Kelly a message - let's hope she is online. Claudia Hawn>> I had a message typed in for Chris. I got tired of waiting for him. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Hi Chris. Monika Woods>>Hello Chris! Claudia Hawn>>Richey Elem. in Pasadena Chris Crutcher>>Hi... I was told to go to room 1. But I FOUND YOU. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Oh - I am so sorry, glad you found us. I must have told Kelly the wrong room. Chris Crutcher>>Actually it sounds like what my parents used to do, tell me one place and then go the other. I’m pretty sure you haven't been talking to them because they're dead. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Nope - but I do end up in the wrong room once in awhile! Claudia Hawn>>After reading KING OF THE MILD FRONTIER, I lent it to our school librarian. She loved it as much as I did. She wishes she had the courgae to put it in our library, Chris Crutcher>>Why does she lack that courage? Claudia Hawn>>I'm in middle school and she thinks there would be a problem with the language. Chris Crutcher>>Well, if we get to the place where we talk about censorship, I'd be more than happy to address that/ Monika Woods>>I loved your book Staying Fat for Sarah, where did you get the plot idea? Chris Crutcher>>I got the idea from knowing about a girl who was burned by her father, in much the way Sarah Byrnes was. Then I asked myself, "What kind of kid could survive that?" and I came up with Sarah Byrnes Monika Woods>>Wow! Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought it was from a real person. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>What the little girl says to make sure you are OK. Linda Simpson>>Chris, I enjoyed Superboy in Don Gallo's book. Is he based on a real person? Chris Crutcher>>It was from a real INCIDENT, rather than a real person, so not really... more based on a number of people, pulled into one character; more a set of characteristics. Looks like I shut you all down. How did I do that? Dr. Ruth--Cox>>No - they are just worried about talking over each other, especially you. Monika Woods>>We just type slow! I enjoy your writing style. I felt as if I was one of the friends of the characters and watching from the side line. Chris Crutcher>>That's right... I'm the writer, write? I mean right? Linda Simpson>>How has your work as a child therapist helped in your writing career? Janice Theiler>>The first novel I read of yours was Stotan... where did it come from? Chris Crutcher>>Stotan came from a real experience in college... Stotan Week, which was much like the one you read about in the book and the rest of the story comes from that place where most fiction comes from … what if? What if? What if? Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Even crawling in the snow? Chris Crutcher>>ESPECIALLY the crawling in the snow. You don’t think I’d MAKE THAT UP, do you? Actually a true experience. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>I hate snow! No, but what a crazy coach! Janice Theiler>>Were you a swimmer? Chris Crutcher>>Yes, I was a swimmer. Actually, my coach was WAY crazier than the one in the story. My coach didn't have the sensibilities of a Max. Janice Theiler>>OK. do you ride bikes like in Ironman also? Chris Crutcher>>I have done several of the shorter triathlons... not recently. Monika Woods>>Where your classmates as competitve? Chris Crutcher>>Some of them were. I was pretty competitive, though. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>So, did you get in trouble for telling about the initiation in high school? Chris Crutcher>>Not yet, but as you may have surmised, most of those guys can't read, so they don't know I told yet. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Great comeback! :-) Chris Crutcher>>Plus, I haven't been back to my home town since I wrote it Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Maybe you shouldn't! :-) Chris Crutcher>>I take that as good advice Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Which one of your characters resembles you the most? Chris Crutcher>>I don't know... Louie Banks probably resembles me most in high school, though he was more courageous than I would have been. He has my outlook. I say that because he was the first character I created and you tend to stay closer to home in the early part of your career. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>But, you can be courageous in your books. Characters do what you wish you had? Chris Crutcher>>Exactly. Monika Woods>>On your web site i noticed that you do a lot of presentations. Do you travel to school? Chris Crutcher>>Yeah, I do travel to a lot of schools. I think yesterday was my fourth or fifth day home in all of April -- a combination of school visits and librarian and teacher conferences and book signings. Monika Woods>>Wow! Is that in your home state or all over? Chris Crutcher>>More out of state than in. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>More high schools or junior highs? Chris Crutcher>>About the same. High schools are less likely to be afraid of the content. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>That's why I asked. Claudia Hawn>>Doesn't that make it hard to write? Chris Crutcher>>Yeah, it makes it a little hard, but I write on the road; on planes and in hotels. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Thank God for laptops! Chris Crutcher>>YEA! I'm on one now. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Usually I am, but not at the moment. Monika Woods>>Have you always wanted to be writer or was it something you fell into? Chris Crutcher>>I didn't necessarily know I wanted to be a writer. It helped that I had a friend who was one, and that I got to watch him do it. But I really got into it when I was about thirty five. I'm fifty six - almost seven – now. I always knew I was pretty comfortable with words. Regina Adcock>>What is your favorite book? Chris Crutcher>>I don't have one Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Have you talked to any special needs kids based on Chris' character in Whale Song? Claudia Hawn>>I loved that book Chris Crutcher>>I've dealt with a lot of special needs kids over time. There were a lot of them in my alternative school in Oakland. I was there for most of the seventies. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>I laughed and cried when I read that book. Chris Crutcher>>That's good. That's what I was shooting for. The Heidi character there is based on a real person. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>I wondered if you had been asked to do school visits with the special needs kids because you address them so well. Chris Crutcher>>Not too often... I get the special needs classes in regular schools sometimes. But they're usually mixed with others. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>I recommend Whale Song so often to Special Needs teachers. Chris Crutcher>>I think it's a good one for them to read... I think the whole business of treating ALL kids with respect comes through in that one. I was really happy with the way it turned out. Monika Woods>>For the teachers or the students to read? Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Me too! My favorite of yours. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Monika - teachers. Chris Crutcher>>It seems to be getting favorable press. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>How are kids reacting to King of the Mild Frontier when you talk to them? Chris Crutcher>>They love it so far... though I get a lot more reaction from adults to that one. Part of the reason is that it's new and only in hardback right now. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>It hasn't been out long enough for too much kid response. Lots of talk on YALSA-BK. Chris Crutcher>>So more adults are reading it, but it also strikes a chord in looking back. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Claudia asked about the "bad word" in it. Chris Crutcher>>There's only ONE bad word? Jesus Christ, what was I thinking? Dr. Ruth--Cox>>LOL!! Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Claudia - what was it again ? Claudia Hawn>>Fuckerbitch Chris Crutcher>>That's a TRUE word. That came out of a four year old. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>One word, like that can stop a book from being purchased. How do you feel about that? Chris Crutcher>>To tell the truth, I feel that, given the context, and the importance of the word to the kid, that an incredible amount of cowardice and lack of insight is shown by people who are afraid to buy a book based on that one word. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>I agree, but that is reality, especially in Texas. Monika Woods>>Are most of your books for high school audience? Dr. Ruth--Cox>>So how do we "educate" the censors? Chris Crutcher>>I know it is, and if I worried about that kind of thing, I'd just have to quit writing. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>God, please don't do that! Chris Crutcher>>You don't educate censors... you just down cow down to them. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Thanks! That's what I wanted to hear! Claudia Hawn>>We know at our school that we have parents that will scream holy murder if it is on the shelves. Chris Crutcher>>I have never figured out why we give so much power to so few voices. And it is a courageous act to let them scream holy murder and then turn around and say, “You don’t have to let your kids read this … but you have no right to keep anyone else from it.” Dr. Ruth--Cox>>It is easier said than done for many teachers and librarians who are dependent upon their income. Censors are out to protect "everyone's kids" Chris Crutcher>>I'm not talking about the teachers; I'm talking about administrators. I don't expect teachers to put their jobs on the line for a book. But I expect "EDUCATORS" to know what that word means. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Librarians? Janice Theiler>>It is just easier for the administrators. Linda Simpson>>It's amazing the language in the movies these kids are allowed to see, but the minute those words are in print...... Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Words have power when they are in print. Chris Crutcher>>It's the administrators that I'm calling "cowards" (George W's word). Exactly. If schools or libraries had policies about free expression and told parents they have every right to censor things for their own kids, but no one else's, that would be the end of that. It has to be policy, though. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Most do- but administrators think they are above the policies. Chris Crutcher>>And I'm asking administrators to be educators first. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Once they leave the classroom they rarely are. Regina Adcock>>If parents tell their kids not to read something, that is the thing they are going to find and read. Linda Simpson>>Most of them forgot how. Chris Crutcher>>True... and that's scary... The truth about censorship is that most of it comes from the Christian Right and there is supposed to be a separation of church and state. And if schools would adhere to that, they’d have fewer problems. Monika Woods>>Do find this problem in mostly private schools? Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Perhaps an author should be proud when his/her is censored. It means it is powerful enough to cause an emotional reaction - a good thing. Chris Crutcher>>Sometimes. It depends on what the backing for the school is. I've had Catholic schools that absolutely loved my books and other Catholic schools that wouldn’t let me into their town, much less their school if they had their say. Linda Simpson>>Most of the people doing the "censoring" haven't read the books either! Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Do you get more letters or email messages from guys or girls? Regina Adcock>>But if you are in a private Christian school you have to consider what the parents will say. Chris Crutcher>>Being censored once got me on a list with Kurt Vonnegut and Mark Twain Heady stuff. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Heady company! :-) Erica Allen>>Pretty good company Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Great minds! Chris Crutcher>>Exactly. And in a private Christian school there IS no separation between church and state and they have that right because they're private. And I have no quarrel with that. I also don't have a lot of dates with Christian schools. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Being a librarian in a private school is not easy. Chris Crutcher>>I'll bet. Claudia Hawn>>When I taught in elem. a book was challenged. The librarian gave the parent a stack of forms an inch thick to fill out. That was the last heard about removing the book Monika Woods>>When you go to a school, how do you present your material? Chris Crutcher>>For one thing, I edit when I read. I let the kids and the school know that READING a book is a more intimate exercise than listening to someone read. I tell them I know there are sensibilities about language and I know I could get people in trouble is I read word for word. So I tell them I edit and I tell them why. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Beautifully said. Chris Crutcher>>Thanks. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Do you suggest booktalkers presenting your books do the same? Chris Crutcher>>I actually let them do it however they want to... not that I could change that. But I do suggest they do it the same. I also suggest that they warn readers that the language is realistic. A good story needs to be told in it's native tongue. Wanting to censor says a lot more about the censor than it does the material. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>The native tongue is usually not "politically correct." Chris Crutcher>>Yeah, and politically correct is boring and usually not believable. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Yup. Monika Woods>>How True! Chris Crutcher>>A "realistic" story lives and dies on it's ability to tell the story from the most intimate place. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>The heart or the gut? Chris Crutcher>>Both. The balance of those two things creates the "voice"; the one thing most editors will tell you you HAVE to have. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Do you have a favorite editor? Zzauthor ZzLLLS5532c>>Yeah, mine. Used to be Susan Hirschman... now Virginia Duncan. Susan retired. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Ok - outside of the publishing field! :-) Friend, etc. Chris Crutcher>>OH... actually I have a really good editor/reader, who is also my massage therapist and was a girlfriend in college. She’s always been a great reader. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Before you send it in to Virginia. Oh - good mix! Relaxing and critical in one person! Zzauthor ZzLLLS5532c>>Exactly Dr. Ruth--Cox>>No writing group? Chris Crutcher>>No writing group. Monika Woods>>Why? All the authors we have chatted with belonged to a group. Chris Crutcher>>I just have so many things going on that I don't have time for it and I'm not all that good a reader myself, so I'm not a lot of help to a group. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>You would rather not critique another author's work? Chris Crutcher>>I also don't want a LOT of feedback. I'm just not very good at it. Too much feedback makes me think too much. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>I can understand that - it is a difficult thing to do well. Monika Woods>>Thanks for the clarification:-) Dr. Ruth--Cox>>OUCH!! :-) Chris Crutcher>>I'm pretty much a natural storyteller, but I'm very suggestable, if that's a word. What was the OUCH? Dr. Ruth--Cox>>It hurts to think too much! :-) Chris Crutcher>>Yes, it does Dr. Ruth--Cox>>We only have so many brain cells to spare! Chris Crutcher>>That's right, and I'm dangerously short Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Isn't anyone over 45? Linda Simpson>>I'm not tellin! Chris Crutcher>>Probably. And forty five was a while ago Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Last year for me - woe is me! Monika Woods>>So you are more creative and rely on your own wisdom and experience. Chris Crutcher>>I have to. In the end the story belongs to the teller. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Who contacts you more - guys or girls? Chris Crutcher>>About even, I think. I get a lot of feedback from boys and teachers of boys who don't read much, but I also get a lot of feedback from girls. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>You have very strong female athletes and I love that. Chris Crutcher>>Yeah, and girls are a lot more likely to read a male narrator than the other way around. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Sad but true - I say that in class all the time. Chris Crutcher>>Yeah, it's really true. To a huge degree Dr. Ruth--Cox>>We are more flexible in what we will read. Even as adults I think. Chris Crutcher>>Exactly. I notice there's not a lot of testostorone in this room. Yes. Monika Woods>>LOL Dr. Ruth--Cox>>My male students tend to read only "guy books." Chris Crutcher>>Right. And girls will read those also Dr. Ruth--Cox>>I only have one in this class and he isn't here tonight. Linda Simpson>>Where's George when we need him? Chris Crutcher>>Flex, George. Erica Allen>>Is there one book that girls comment on more than the others? Chris Crutcher>>Chinese Handcuffs and Sarah Byrnes, probably. I've gotten a lot of feedback from girls for Whale Talk also Dr. Ruth--Cox>>The first two have strong female characters. Makes sense. Chris Crutcher>>Yes. Nobody tougher than Sarah Byrnes... mess with her and take your teeth home in a bag. Monika Woods>>Excellent character! Very believable. Janice Theiler>>And she can make you cry. Chris Crutcher>>Thanks. And she can make you cry. She makes me cry sometimes when I read about her out loud... or at least quiver a little. Maye Carpenter>>I enjoyed Sara Byrnes and plan to read & encourage my students to read more of your books. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Yes - she is a character. Sadly, her Dad is too real as well. Even in print he gave me the willies. Zzauthor ZzLLLS5532c>>Thanks. Zzauthor ZzLLLS5532c>>Scary dude. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>This is a required reading book is this class. Would it have been your choice? Of your books of course. Chris Crutcher>>Yes... or almost any of the others... Ironman and Whale Talk really get a lot of response. Sarah Byrnes is as balanced as any. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>I almost chose Ironman, but I knew I had lots of females in my classes and I wanted to turn them on to you as an author and I thought Sarah might be better. Chris Crutcher>>I think you're right Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Class - what do you think? Linda Simpson>>Yes! Claudia Hawn>>I would be happy with any of them Janice Theiler>>I agree. Chris Crutcher>>I think you should have a class where they read ONLY my books. But there may be an ulterior motive there. Claudia Hawn>>I'm ready Dr. Ruth--Cox>>I wouldn't mind - I reread them all to do the study guide! Chris Crutcher>>AAAUGH! You must have been SICK of me. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Nope - and I still love Whale Talk the best. Chris Crutcher>>That's good. It means I'm getting better Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Actually, I agree. I read them in order chonologically and I saw a progression of a sort. Chris Crutcher>>I know. I see it too Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Reassures me we get better with age. :-) Chris Crutcher>>Yeah! Dr. Ruth--Cox>>What character would you like to take out to dinner? Monika Woods>>I am going to have to read these other books before the new school year starts and do a booktalk! Chris Crutcher>>I'd love to go out with TJ from Whale Talk, but really I'd like to go out with Mr. Nak, and Lemry and TJ's dad. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>TJ's dad would be my choice. My kinda guy! Heather Alexander>>When I did my book talk the girls loved your books, they raved about Whale Talk . I have not had a chance to read it, I will Chris Crutcher>>I love that they liked Whale Talk. There is a lot of me in that book. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Mr. Nak I'd like around when I need to "vent!" Chris Crutcher>>Right. But he'd be a good guy to listen to... I liked his Texas accent Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Chris, I am so sorry - we have kept you for an hour and that is all I have asked for. You can sign off any time you would like. I am having too much fun! Chris Crutcher>>I'm more than happy to answer any more questions you might have. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Go for it you guys. Linda Simpson>>HOw has being a child therapist helped in your writing career? Chris Crutcher>>It's given me a lot of ideas for stories, but more importantly a different perspective from which to tell them. I do therapy with both kids and adults. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>We will lose a few here. Monika Woods>>It was nice meeting you and will have to have a Chris Crutcher month in the libary! Thanks! Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Are you still doing therapy? Chris Crutcher>>Yes, I don't do it as much though... I don't have as much time. Janice Theiler>>I hate to sign off but I have to go too. I really enjoyed it. Thanks! Chris Crutcher>>And let me know when your Chris Crutcher month is and I'll send pictures. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>I didn't think so, with your schedule. When are you coming to Texas again? Chris Crutcher>>I actually think I'm scheduled... but will have to look to see when. Dr. Ruth--Cox>>Looks like everyone is ready to call it a night. Chris Crutcher>>Okay... thanks for having me... it was fun. |
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