Jen Lancaster is a New York Times bestselling author and humor memoirist of four books: Bitter is the New Black, Bright Lights Big Ass, Such a Pretty Fat and Pretty in Plaid. Her new fifth book My Fair Lazy /em> releases on May 4. Jen's also writes a popular humor blog at jennsylvania.com.
My Fair Lazy
Suite101: For your new book My Fair Lazy, you surrounded yourself with cultural icons. Any disappointments- something you were 'supposed to' love but didn't?
Jen Lancaster:
The one thing I really wanted to like but still hate is jazz. I was anxious to gain an appreciation if for no reason other than not being annoyed when at brunch. (I maintain that Miles Davis has ruined waffles for me.) I figured if I had a better education about jazz, then I wouldn’t despise it so much. Instead, now I understand my dislike; jazz doesn’t follow the logical progression that, say, symphonic music does. And as a writer, I‘m very focused on one step leading to the next to tell a story and jazz doesn’t do this. But in the course of my study, I found out I really dug the blues and in turn that sparked a passion for African American poets. So I ended up being interested in cultural activities I’d never even considered before and I feel like I’m better for it.
Jen's Advice for Bloggers and Writers
Suite101: You've written about getting pressure from your readers to blog more often. Between writing memoirs and a personal blog, do you ever feel like you're in a fishbowl? How do you achieve privacy?
Jen Lancaster:
Lately, if in the first few sentences, I get a sense that a reader wants to complain about the frequency of my blogs, I don't finish their note. My getting mad over some stranger's sense of entitlement only keeps me from posting. That's not fair to the 99% of my audience who I love and appreciate, so I no longer afford naysayers the courtesy of my attention.
The thing is, I have a blog for two reasons- one, because I need it to keep the book audience informed of events, and two, because it's fun. If I don’t have news or I’m not feeling inspired, I don’t post. I’d rather put up a couple of good blogs in a month and lose readers to attrition than go all over-share just to keep everyone’s attention. That’s how I maintain a sense of privacy and that’s also why I never put ads on my site. I get a fair amount of traffic and could make money on the ad revenue, but I don’t want to be beholden to a sponsor to provide constant commentary.
Suite 101: What do you offer writers who ask for writing advice?
Jen Lancaster:
If you want to be a writer, write. There's no secret formula or hidden cheat. Just write. Write all the time, not because you have to, but because your world simply won't make sense if you don't. Take classes, join writing groups, do everything possible to hone your skills, READ, READ, READ, and don't worry about the business end of things. I get so many notes from people all panicked about the state of publishing and finding agents and formatting proposals when they've yet to get their words on paper. Becoming published has nothing to do with number of Twitter followers or website hits or networking and everything to do with turning out the best possible work you can. (P.S. If you go around saying you'd love to write but can't find the time, you are not ready to be a writer. P.P.S. READ. Writers are readers, period.)
Suite 101: You live in two distinct worlds- being an author, and being a blogger. How are they alike or different?
Jen Lancaster:
My blogs are really a microcosm of my books. My blog is where I'll toss up a random stream-of-consciousness paragraph or two about a situation but sometimes I'll revisit that same situation in a book and turn it into a whole chapter. I try to keep the blog and the books separate because I don't want fans to buy a whole collection of stuff they could have read for free on the web. (Caveat- sometimes I have to include a little blog material in my books because in telling the larger story, I need those stories for context.) The way I see it- my books are more like the living room-- all tidy and orderly and ready to receive guests, whereas my blog is like my family room, messy and disorganized and comfortable.
I feel like I'm less of a blogger now because blogging has become a serious business. I mean, have you seen the kind of sessions they have at blogging conferences now? Monetize your brand! Build an online community via internet networking! Grow your business using the power of social media! Honestly, I don't think I want to work that hard. Pretty much I want to post photos of my obese pit bull and occasionally mock a lippy Target cashier. I'm too lazy to be a real blogger.
What's Next for Jen Lancaster
Suite 101: Can you tell readers about your next project after the book tour for My Fair Lazy?
Jen Lancaster:
My next book is called Involuntary and the subtitle kind of says it all: From Misanthropy to Philanthropy- One Mean Girl's Attempt to Charity-Up Before Karma Completely Bites Her in the Ass. Or, My Year of Giving Dangerously. Basically, it dawned on me that I've been blessed with success and that I need to start putting some good back into the universe, so I'm spending the next year volunteering with various charities. I figure in Such a Pretty Fat, I worked on my body, in My Fair Lazy I challenged my brain, so in this book I'm doing the ultimate makeover... on my soul.
For more on the interview with Jen Lancaster, visit Pajamas and Coffee.com
Mary McCarthy - Mary T. McCarthy is the blogger at pajamasandcoffee.com and Editor of Chesapeake Family magazine.
