In the 1st of our Bathkidslitfest interviews, meet Joanna Nadin, author-girl of the increds funny, My-So-Called Life.
Rachel Riley is the offspring of a depressingly unbroken home. Her mum and dad refuse to let her have a mobile phone, and have banned Ribena (too purple) and Eastenders (too common); her seven-year-old brother buys giant Des Lynam cut-outs and Will Young dolls from ebay and talks in Elvish; and the adopted dog eats her Pride and Prejudice boxed collection.
It is time to change things.
Rachel resolves that this year she will become tragic, literary and interesting - and will win the heart of Justin, the lead guitarist from Certain Death, along the way. Laugh-out-loud funny from beginning to end, this is a fresh new voice which will speak directly to teenagers everywhere.
If Bridget Jones had kept a diary when she was a teenager, it is unlikely to have been this funny!
Describe the sparkly-gorgeous Joanna in 5 words…
Short, cute wannabe prom queen.
Have you always wanted to be an author-girl and how did you make it happen?
Not at all. I wanted to be Baby in Dirty Dancing or to win the Grand National but I can’t dance and like cake too much to be a jockey. And it turned out that I was better at writing than riding horses anyway. I started out writing TV and radio scripts, then speeches for politicians. Then I got very bored in the summer holidays and decided to write a book. Amazingly someone wanted to publish it and here I am…
You used to write words for Big Tone - ex British Prime Minister, how were you able to write funny words in a book then write grown-up seriousness for Tone?
It’s kind of like being Sydney in Alias (at least I like to think so). Working at Number 10 was my serious disguise, then, when I got home, I could switch on The OC and be me again.
My So Called Life is your first book for teens, what made you want to write it - we LOVE it btw, so freakin’ funny! I have never stopped loving teen fiction and TV, but none of it was like my childhood (take Dawson’s Creek – no one has a forehead that big in real life), so I decided to write about what life is really like in dull market towns where no one has met Lily Allen or has mums who are TV reporters.
We heart Rachel Riley - is she you?!
I’d like to say no, that I was uber-cool and had very good hair, but that would be a big fat lie. She is me. I have terrible hair, a bonkers mum and a brother who used to dress up as the Virgin Mary.
What do you dig most about being an author girl?
Getting emails from people who have read and like your books is better than writing for the PM any day. Plus I get to work in my pajamas and watch Neighbours. Tell us about your writing day, Joanna…
Erm, that is kind of it. I work in my pajamas and watch Neighbours!
How long does it take you to complete a book?
About three or four months of writing but another three or four months before that of thinking.
What was your favourite book as a teen girl?
Adrian Mole - the first book I ever read that I actually recognized my life in. Or anything by Judy Blume. We used to read Forever out loud on the school field and dream of falling in love.
What’s your fave book for teens now?
I love the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants series. I think everyone feels a little bit like Carmen and Bridget and the girls at some point in their lives. (Well, maybe not Bridget. I have never felt tall and blonde and sporty.)
Who and what makes you jump-in-the-air happy?
Music. Especially The Killers ‘Mr Brightside’ and Primal Scream ‘Country Girl’. Being told ‘I love you’. Surfing on a hot summer’s day. Dancing with my little girl to Half Man Half Biscuit. What would a Joanna Nadin soundtrack actually sound like?
Pretty much like the soundtrack to Pretty in Pink – Psychedelic Furs, The Smiths, Otis Redding. Then The Killers,
What’s next in the world of Joanna?
More Rachel. I am desperate to find out who she snogs next year. What can we expect when we come to see you at Bath?
Short hair, high heels and a little black dress. And some giggles too.
The colour pink, discuss.
The only colour to wear to a prom. Preferably vintage. With gloves.
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