With Jodene Wylie
Photo by Wendy Carlson
Rules for Girls was co-authored by Candace Bushnell and Katie Cotugno. We are thrilled that Candace was able to chat with us about their new release!
Rules for Being a Girl has been published at such an important time in our history. What drew you to tell this young adult story and why now? Was there a triggering event or specific moment of inspiration that started the wheels for this book in motion?
Candace Bushnell: For me, it was definitely inspired by me-too and so many women speaking out. These kinds of encounters have been going on forever. I’ve had them. And so have so many other women I know. Not exactly like this one, but similar.
You have an established career in bringing women’s voices and women’s stories to the forefront – and not always in society’s perfectly shaped packages. Is it your goal to create community for women via your books and to help women find their so-called imperfect selves within their pages? Why is it important that we keep creating and telling these stories?
CB: The world is still a very patriarchal place. There are some realities of being human that are universal. This kind of abuse towards women begins young, and follows a pattern. You see this pattern in men like Harvey Weinstein. It is important to speak about it because abusers get their power by keeping their victims silent.
How did you come to write Rules for Being a Girl as a co-authorship and what was the writing process like? Did you write a chapter and then review with each other afterwards or did you each have areas that you took care of independently?
CB: We worked very closely with our mutual editor, who put us together on the project. I’d long been an admirer of Katie’s work. I’d never collaborated on a book before, so for me, it was a bit more like working on a script, which is also a collaborative effort. That being said, I think the brilliance of the book is due to Katie!
Interspersed throughout Rules for Being a Girl are what appears to be “recommended additional reading” of short stories and books with core feminist narratives. Was this a deliberate supplement to the novel and how did you select which stories to include?
CB: It was a deliberate supplement and we all worked together to suggest books.
As she is about to embark on adulthood, Marin is put through a series of significant trials. Not only is she tasked to step out of her comfort zone to better discover who she is (leaving the safety net and security of her original friend-group behind) but she is also ushered to discover a strong voice from within. How was Marin’s character developed? How did you strategically decide the trials she would face, when she would face them, and in what areas of her life? And how did you know that you had successfully helped her find her voice?
CB: It started with a very general idea of wanting to work in this area and then it’s a question of putting down the beats (again, in this case, in an outline). Once you start putting things down, it’s easy to see the areas that aren’t working, that don’t “feel” right. So it’s instinct mixed with rewriting. And then there are polishes and it suddenly, somehow, magically works. (Or not. Sometimes books are like souffles.)
There are a number of secondary characters that impact Marin’s journey of self-discovery including Gram, Chloe, and Gray. Why was it important for these characters, these crucial figures in her life, to be present and impactful throughout her journey? What role did they play in helping her find her way?
CB: That’s a very good question. To me, it’s the kind of question I’d like readers to answer. And to ask themselves who to they have in their lives who are similar. I’d love to hear the answers!
We are always interested in reading more books! Will you and Katie be collaborating on another upcoming novel? And do you either of you, independently, have any upcoming books we can look forward to?
CB: Yes, I do have upcoming books, but I haven’t written them yet! Katie has many as well—so hopefully we will collaborate again in the future.
Cloud Lake Literary is for writers as well as readers. You and Katie have successful publishing careers. What advice would you give to aspiring authors on writing and in sharing their work with a broader audience?
Sharing one’s writing is probably one of the most vulnerable things a person can do. So you’ve got to have courage. And bravery. You have to be prepared for people who won’t like it, or simply aren’t interested. And when this happens, you have to know how to persevere. Press on, as the English used to say.
What is your “must-read” book recommendations and which books have had the most impact and influence on your writing?
Books are such a personal and individual thing. That’s the beauty of them. I have my list of books that influenced me, but they’re probably irrelevant to a lot of other writers (and readers). I think everyone should read whatever makes them feel good and helps them make sense of the world!
Photo by Wendy Carlson