ReadOrama: Rachel Cohn

Rachel Cohn is a writer-girl supreme!

We heart her. We heart her books.

Her characters are some of the most real and amazing creations in all of fictionville - especially Cyd Cherise, the leading lady in Gingerbread, Shrimp and Cupcake - she’s our totes idol-girl in a Ghostworld, kooky-girl style!

Rachel has come to play in our world o’ pink and FYI: She loves cupcakes as much as we do - like you even need another reason to read on….

Describe Rachel in 5 words…
blonde buxom bubbly boring broad

Have you always wanted to be an author girl and how did you make it happen?
I have always wanted to be an author girl and I made it happen by, well, with a lot of patience, persistence, trial and error, and writing writing writing ’til I could get it right.

It’s hard for us to choose a fave RC book but we do heart Gingerbread A LOT. Who is your fave fictional character that you’ve created?
I love them all but I probably relate most personally to Norah from Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist and Miles from the forthcoming You Know Where to Find Me.

What do you dig most about being an author-girl?
Wearing my pajamas all day. And getting to hear directly from teen readers with their responses to the books.

Tell us about your writing day, Rachel…
I’m not writing much lately, to be honest! I’m focused on playing. This involves lots of cafe-hopping with friends, some travel, some yoga, and lots of DVD-watching.

What was your fave book as a teen girl?
Chances by Jackie Collins.

What’s your fave books for teens now?
I can’t choose just one. I’d say anything by Patricia McCormick, Jaclyn Moriarty or David Levithan.

Nick and Norah’s infinite playlist rocks - what would be on your infinite playlist?
Lots of alt-country and funk/soul tracks. See www.nickandnorah.com for more info.

You wrote N&N and your latest book with the ah-mazin David Levithan, what’s it like co-writing? Is it fun writing with someone else?
It’s very fun to collaborate. We do the writing all by exchange of email chapters. I’m not sure I’d be the best collaborator generally, but specifically with David, the chemistry is just very easy and special, so I enjoy it very much.
What or who makes you jump-in-the-air happy?
Friends. Sisters. Cappucinos and cupcakes.

Who are the inspir-o-girls in your world and why?
Teen readers, for their passionate love (and sometimes passionate not-love) for their favorite teen books and characters.

The quick fire, slightly superfluous, round - what’s your favourite…
Book: Franny & Zooey by J.D. Salinger
Movie: Coal Miner’s Daughter
Food: cupcake
Location: Manhattan, NY
Magazine: don’t read ‘em
Band: Belle & Sebastian
Mood: chipper

What would your advice be for would-be writer girls?
Read and read and read more.

The colour pink. Discuss.
Pink is pretty and yummy.
For more info ’bout Rachel visit her website: www.rachelcohn.com