5 Non-Writing Questions (and One Sort-Of Writing One) with Author Anna Carey
This Is Not the Jess Show is out February 2
So, the thing about starting a newsletter like this is… I don’t love writing about myself. (That’s not a promise that I won’t, however.) I also know there are dozens of other newsletters out there devoted very specifically to areas of my dilettantish interest, like art, popular culture, books, politics, parenting, time. So, while I’m mostly regarding this Substack as an outlet for, most likely, my unique form of productive procrastination, I still want it to be worth your time and as much as possible, offer something unique. When I think about what I’m good at, what I enjoy, and what I can bring to your inbox, it’s some combination of my proud aforementioned dilettantism (as I’m wont to say, “I’ll learn anything once.”) and my love of asking people questions.
I’m also lucky enough to know quite a few writers and creative types (who I refuse to call “creatives”) but here’s the thing: when interviewed, writers and creators are posed a lot of the same questions time and again. Naturally, they’re often about writing and creating.
While I love that, I also think reading constantly about writers and their processes – which are all so different, and sometimes even different at different times for the same writer – actually further mystifies writing, instead of demystifying it. But maybe, in questioning writers about the parts of their selves that they nurture when they’re not writing, I can achieve two things: remind everyone that writers are people, too, and also provide a mini side-portal into creative minds.
So, without further ado, or a clever name for this feature (at least for now), here we go.
5 Non-Writing Questions (and One Sort-Of Writing One) for Author Anna Carey
Anna Carey has the distinction of having some of the best author photos I’ve ever seen (see above). It does help that she’s actually this gorgeous in real life. She is also extremely kind and, as proof, she was all-in for this first interview attempt. The author of many books, including the Eve trilogy and Blackbird, Anna is possessed of a truly interesting and dynamic brain that’s a font of ‘90s knowledge, which comes to use in her book This is Not the Jess Show, out February 2.
Here’s the summary:
The year is 1998: Titanic just won 6 Oscars, boy bands are dominating MTV’s airwaves, and like any other teenager Jess Flynn is just trying to survive high school. Between a crush on her childhood best friend, overprotective parents, and her sister’s worsening health, the only constant is her hometown of Swickley, which feels smaller by the day. Jess is resigned to her small-town life, until the day she discovers a mysterious device with an apple logo, causing her to question everything and everyone she’s ever known. As more cracks appear in Jess’s world, she faces a choice: can she live the rest of her life knowing it’s a lie or should she risk everything for the truth?
A fast-paced, mind-bending YA thriller packed with ‘90s pop culture references and perfect for fans of Black Mirror, This Is Not the Jess Show will keep readers guessing until the very end.
Q: What is the '90s novelty item/trend you'd bring back and why? (The caveat: It can’t
be something that's already been brought back.)
A: Gadgets & Gizmos was this store (does it still exist?*) dedicated to
weird, random things to display in your home. Strobe lights, disco
balls, lava lamps, that pin grid you can stick your hand in. I’d love
to see more bizarre and completely useless stuff in people’s homes.
The ‘90s decor aesthetic could be pretty funky.
(*I checked, and it doesn’t seem to; a store by the same name sells USB drives and cords but yawn)
Q: I suspect, based on your ‘90s trivia (Carey runs an addictive ‘90s trivia quiz each week in her Instagram stories), that you read some ‘90s era teen
mags. What was the best piece of advice and the worst piece of advice
you remember getting?
A: Oh, it was all terrible, truly! I was going through old Seventeens and
YMs and was legit disturbed by the ads, the advice, the sexualized
photos. One of the most inspiring things about writing in the YA space
is you get to see how much more progressive the younger generation is.
Teen girls today want to read about activism or Taylor Swift’s new
album. They would not tolerate those desperate get-him-to-love-you ‘90s
articles!
Q: What five things have been getting you through the pandemic (no people or pets)?
A: Meditation, MasterClass, hiking, online Zumba, old movies (Jurassic
Park, Stand by Me, ET, The Wizard of Oz, Jaws).
Q: You love miniatures. If you could have a completely accurate miniature
version of any real place -- historic or present day, public or
personal -- what would it be and why?
A: We sold my childhood home this summer. Because of the pandemic, I
wasn’t able to go back and say goodbye. I’d love to have a miniature
version of that house (exactly as it was decorated). Every inch of it
is still so vivid to me.
Q: I remember your old bio stating that you held many jobs over the
years. Which one required the most unique/random/specialized training
and/or knowledge and what was it?
A: My very first job was as a gift wrapper in a home goods store. It was
called Peter Andrews—I think it’s still there*, on Long Island. They
had crystal candlesticks, Nambe bowls, that kind of stuff, but then
sometimes you’d have to gift wrap an umbrella or a giant decorative
birdcage.
(*I checked, it is.)
Q: Do you remember when the idea for This is Not The Jess Show struck you
or how it came about?
A: More than one moment, Jess was born of a lot of little moments, of
different obsessions I have, and things I was thinking about at the
time. One afternoon I was snuggling with my dog on the couch. She
rolled over, and I noticed the scar on her stomach wasn't there. It
was like it disappeared. I had this surreal feeling...is this my dog?
How could it NOT be my dog? A similar scene ended up in the book.
For more information on Anna Carey, visit her instagram, or her website. This is Not the Jess Show is out February 2. You can preorder it here. She is also the author of The Eve Trilogy and the Blackbird series. Her books have been translated into 12 languages.
Other things I’m into this week:
Just finished The Flight Attendant on HBO Max. Stylish, grippy, addictive partly because people in it get to go places (with mixed and/or murderous results but I’m not feeling picky about vicarious thrills at the moment).
The Bachelor. Into might not be the right word but believe it or not, I’ve never seen it before. Also, is it always like this?
Obsessively checking the L.A. County Covid vaccination registration site to see if there’s a slot for my dad. Feels a bit like using the internet circa 2003 and not in a “fun! nostalgia!” way.
Paging through Studs Terkel’s Working and debating whether to Google some of the people he profiled to see if they’re still around and what they’re doing now.
Running timed miles once a week. The author Emily Adrian tweeted about this and recently wrote about it. We spoke a bit about why the time mile kind of feels great after feeling potentially a little awful and it’s partly because even if at the halfway mark, you desperately want to quit, you also know you only have a little more left to do. As I thought of it, “if I can’t suffer for the next 4 minutes, how will I suffer for the rest of my life?”
I’m also excited to watch Pretend It’s a City!, Martin Scorsese’s documentary series with Fran Lebowitz, and use it as a segue to finally watching Scorsese’s 1993 take on The Age of Innocence.
Anna Carey, your book sounds like so much fun! Can't wait to read it. Congrats!
Iva-Marie Palmer, "The Age of Innocence" is one of my favorite Wharton novels but I never saw the movie...do a review of that next!