The YA Dare

I think this could be a trend.First YA author Maureen Johnson promises to go to trapeze school if her book, Suite Scarlett, makes into the top 1,000 on Amazon. It does. She will (allegedly). Despite some wholly unreasonable fear she has of trapezes, which I can't even begin to understand.Now Justine Larbalestier is asking her readers if, in connection with the research she's doing for a novel set in the 1930's, she should take Lindy Hop lessons. Justine believes she has "physical dyslexia" and that a mortifying slapstick sporting tragedy will befall her if she so much as sets foot on a dance floor. John Green, a writer who puts his money where his mouth is, has offered to donate $1000 to her favorite charity if she takes the lessons. Bravo, Mr. Green.My part in all of this is merely to mock, tease, and cajole both of these unreasonably fearful women into doing both of these things. I've even offered to join them. I already know how to lindy hop, but I've always wanted to swing from a trapeze. Plus, I've told Justine that I won't even read her 1930's novel if she doesn't take lindy hop lessons. This is actually more of an incentive for me to get her onto the dance floor, since I really want to read that book.At any rate, please march over to their blogs and apply whatever form of pressure you can think of to get them off their laptops and onto the dancefloor/trapeze.I wonder who's next. Mr. Westerfeld, care to put your fears on display? Mr. Green?