Today we have a special guest joining us, author Nora Zelevansky. Nora is a novelist, journalist and editor. As a freelance writer, she covers style, beauty, travel, design, food, wellness, health, fitness, TV and film and burgeoning cultural trends, as well as writing profiles and humor essays. Her work has appeared in publications including ELLE, Vanity Fair, Town & Country, T Magazine (The New York Times), Travel + Leisure, The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, Style.com, SELF, Salon.com, The Daily Beast and The Washington Post. She is also the editorial director for upscale wellness website, Live The Process.
I was able to do an interview via email, so check out some of the questions and answers below. WILL YOU WON’T YOU WANT ME is the book we’re talking about today.
Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I grew up in New York City with an artist father and contemporary curator mother. My sister has worked in the theater for years and is now an amazing performance coach. Basically, there was very little chance of me working outside the arts in some capacity. I left for college in California, while most of my friends stayed behind at home. That experience in part informed my newest novel, WILL YOU WON’T YOU WANT ME? It sort of begs the question: Do you need to leave your comfort zone in order to evolve or do you have to face your past no matter what?
Which writers inspire you?
JD Salinger is probably my favorite writer of all time, but there are many whom I love: Joan Didion, Dorothy Parker, Jane Austen, Tana French, Jonathan Safron Foer, Italo Calvino, Norah Ephron, Tina Fey, Amy Heckerling, Amy Sherman Palladino — the list goes on and on.
So, what have you written?
I was a journalist first and have written for publications from Elle and Town & Country to the Wall Street Journal and T Magazine (The New York Times). My first novel, SEMI-CHARMED LIFE, came out in 2012 with St. Martin’s Press. That one is more of a fantasy and satire about glamour and fame, but it’s also a coming-of-age story about someone who is stuck. My newest book is WILL YOU WON’T YOU WANT ME? It’s the story of Marjorie Plum, a 28-year-old who was the most popular girl in school, but never really evolved from there.
What inspired you to write this book?
In my early twenties, I saw some of my friends start to struggle with becoming adults. And I had my own hangups about having left New York City and pining for it. I had this conversation with my father about how my life might be different if I had never left home. That got me thinking not about my own life per se, but about the idea of being forced into change and whether that’s good or bad or both.
What is your book about?
On a thematic level, WILL YOU WON’T YOU WANT ME? is about the universal experience of life bringing change when you least expect or want it, but maybe need it most. It’s about the disorienting and uncomfortable growing pains that come with any shift in your life and the fact that you really have no choice but to roll with what you’re dealt because otherwise you get stuck. Specifically, it’s about a growing up when you’re already supposed to be grown. It’s about a young woman who can’t realize her potential because she’s too busy pining for the past. It’s told against the backdrop of the 2012 election cycle, so it’s about trying to find stability in a world that feels shake (like right now!). And it’s funny. I hope! Ha.
How long did it take you to write this book?
I always use a kind of National Novel Writing Month approach to writing a book, so I try to get a draft on paper as quickly as possible — however messy and in need of serious edits. So, I wrote the first draft in just a couple of months, but then the editing process was arduous.
What do you love about writing?
Words! They drive me. I love their power and their nuance. And I love sitting down to write something and getting immersed in that world. It’s like an escape!
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Keep writing! Also, there are so many great online outlets for writers to begin to get their sea legs these days. So, write and be assertive about sending your stuff out. Know that rejection is a big part of the process for EVERYONE, but, if it’s really what you want, keep trying!!
Are you working on any other books right now?
Yes. I have a new manuscript about which I’m super excited. It’s a bit different — a male first person voice. But it’s another late coming-of-age story and hopefully the best yet. (Fingers crossed!)
When did you decide to become a writer?
My mother tells a story about suggesting that maybe I’d become a writer when I was 15 years old and me saying, “No way. That’s too hard.” I was editor of my high school literary magazine and a writing tutor in college. And I was always that person who edited papers for my friends etc. After college, I got a job in Hollywood working to develop scripts with other writers. But it wasn’t until I was working randomly in politics and decided I needed a creative outlet that it actually occurred to me to become a writer myself. It was one of those things that made so much sense instantly — like, why didn’t I think of this before?
What is the hardest thing about writing?
The blank page. Always. And also, it is very solitary sometimes. I get jealous of TV writers sometimes — that seems so dreamy to me. Because you have the experience of writing, but then you also have a writer’s room, where you can collaborate. For better or worse, as a solo novelist, your successes and failures are your own. There’s no one else to takeover if you’re having a bum day.
Do you have a favorite place to write?
I’ve become pretty flexible about where I write since my toddler was born and I have to sort of go to random Brooklyn cafés and make it happen. But I love to just write on my couch actually. I do pine for a writer’s retreat surrounded by nature too though — that sounds heavenly. Right now, I’m on Shelter Island, writing in the sun. That’s nice too!
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Truly? I’m with my daughter and my husband, my family and friends. I’m at the park; I’m reading. I’m eating more sushi and vegan cupcakes than any one person should. I’m watching a lot of TV actually too because I think great stories are being told via that medium as well these days.
Give us an interesting fact about your book.
I sometimes steal names and random details from my real life: Marjorie’s family has a cat named Mina, which was my own cat’s name. The apartment building where Marjorie works used to be where my best friend from childhood worked. Mac’s housekeeper is named Wanda and that’s my housekeeper’s name. I did grow up on the Upper West Side like Marjorie, so the streets I describe are ones I know well.
Do you have anything else you’d like to add?
Just thank you for your time! And I hope you check out the book! Word of mouth is the most important thing to a writer, so chats like this mean a ton.
You can check out her book and buy it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indie Bound or iTunes.
She Sounds Like A Amazing Woman, This Is My Kind Of Read I Love Books About People & Their Real Life Experiences I Must Get For My Next Book To Read.
Right! I love these kind of books myself.
Thanks so much for sharing this interview! I’m an avid reader, and I love the written word. I’m always excited to read author interviews.
You’re welcome. I’m always happy to share book interviews!
Great interview. I love reading the motivations behind and author’s novel. Thanks for sharing this peak into her thought process.
You’re welcome! I love sharing book interviews. They’re always fun too!
What a great interview and her book sounds so interesting. I will have to add it to my to-be-read list.
Awesome! I hope you enjoy her book!
Good insights! This was something new for me 🙂
Great! I think it’s fun getting to know authors.
Thank you for sharing this interview, what a great read to learn more. I have heard great things about her books and it’s great to see the person behind the written word!
You’re welcome. I love reading interviews myself, so this was great to be able to ask the questions. 🙂
I can so relate to this book. Graduating high school and starting college was a shocker. You are thrusted into the adult world where there is no one to baby you. You have to grow up. But, you don’t know how to do it.
Exactly! I think many of us can relate.
I always love reading interviews so that I can truly understand what motivated someone to create something. I especially love the fact that Nora is a huge fan of J.D. Salinger–he is one of the reasons why I became an English teacher.
Awesome! I love to hear interviews too, so this was nice to be able to do the interview.
After reading this interview I want to rush out and buy Nora’s books. She’s so interesting and her new book sounds like a great read.
I’m so glad to hear that! I’m also going to be checking her books out. I think they’re going to be very interesting to read!
She sounds like a very interesting author. I’m always into finding new books to read so have to check hers out.
Great! I’m the same way. I love getting to know authors.
wow i am a huge booklover and this looks amazing! She sounds amazing, such a great post!
I thought the same! She seems great and her book sounds really interesting!
Great interview! I was really amazed with your questioning skills. I feel that I know more about the author than I would have ever known without meeting them personally.
Same here! I loved all the answers.
I enjoy these types of books that are based on true events. Something I might just have to check out this weekend.
Same here! I’m interested in reading it myself.
Great interview! Her story sounds really interesting with a very personal touch. It will be cool to see future books from Nora too.
I agree! I’m looking forward to reading them.
I totally want to read this book now.
Great to hear that!
She sounds like an amazing individual, and her book looks like it’s a great read!
I thought the same! I can’t wait to read the book.
I’m not familiar with Nora Zelevansky but I’m definitely going to be checking out her new book. It sounds very interesting and intriguing.
I’m glad to hear it! I’m looking forward to reading it as well.
This sounds like a book I will like. This is a great interview. I will have to pick up a copy.
I’m so glad to hear that! I’m going to be grabbing a copy too!
What a great interview! Very interesting! Sounds like a really great book, too! Can’t wait to read it.
Same here! I’m excited to read it as well.
This is an awesome interview! I love posts like this, it’s so great to learn about new authors, etc!
I agree! I love reading through interviews too.
What a great review! I definitely need to check this out, she seems very inspiring! Thank you for sharing this!
You’re welcome!
That is so cool that you got to interview an author! I’ve talked to a few as well, and it is so amazing to hear their stories and inspiration. Thanks for sharing this, it’s really neat!
You’re welcome. It sure is nice to hear all their stories!
I love her energy! She’s so refreshing and very entertaining as well. I would love to read her book, I’m sure it’s a good read!
Same here!
What a great interview! I’m not really familiar with her but she sounds like an inspiring woman. I’m definitely going to check her book out.
I wasn’t familiar at first either. I’m excited to read her book too.
Oh, I adore this interview! Nice one! I want this book too!
It sure does sound like a good read, doesn’t it!?
Oh, sounds like a very interesting book. It is my dream to write something like that too.
Same here! I’d love to write, I just wouldn’t know where to start.
Sounds like it was a fun interview!
It sure was!
Such a great opportunity for you to interview her and what a great interview you’ve done. Her book sounds like the kind of book that I would love to read. Will check it out.
Thanks! It sure was interesting reading all the answers too!
What a great interview. She sounds like an amazing woman. I haven’t read any of her books, but I’ll be sure to check out this one.
She does, doesn’t she! 🙂
How cool was this interview! It is so funny how the book was written around the 2012 election cycle and here we are now with such a crazy one.
Right! The interview was fun too.
I love books like this! The title caught my attention right off the start too. We just went to New York City so this would be a great book to pick up, I swear I can still smell central park from here 🙂
Awesome! I hope you’re able to enjoy the book! I’m going to pick up a copy soon too.
This sounds like a great book. I love reading author interviews. I always love learning what goes on behind the scenes.
Same here! I love to see how authors think.
Coincidentally, her first title is my favorite song as well. I find Nora very interesting! With her reputable background I think I’ll be a fan of her work from now on.
Great to hear that! I’m a fan too!
It must be nice to have a gamily like her who does related jobs such as this. What an awesome opportunity for you.
Thanks! It was fun doing the interview! 🙂
I am so excited about her book. She sounds really a nice person and full of experiences and wisdom.
She really does, doesn’t she! 🙂
I love interviews with authors. I love getting an insider view of what is going on in their minds. Most authors I have read interviews with were extraordinary people!
I completely agree! It’s nice to see what they’re thinking!
Great interview. I love reading about the author and how he/she got the idea for the book! Thanks for sharing it!
You’re welcome! I love interviews of authors as well. You get to learn so much from them.
Nora sounds like a fun and interesting novelist. I like that she puts little parts of her real life into her stories.
I agree! I really loved that as well.
Omg what a great interview!!!! I look forward to reading her books
Thanks! I had fun doing the interview. I’m looking forward to reading them as well.
Great job. I will have to add her book to my list. I am always looking for new things to read.
Thanks! I’m excited to read her books.