Mike Cohen Photography
It’s time for this month’s #WomenWeAdmire column, and this time we’re bringing you an exclusive (and super fun) interview with Lauren Weisberger — author of The Devil Wears Prada (which turned 10 years old in June!).
Not only is she an international best-selling author, but she’s also an awesome wife and mom to two adorable kiddos (and fur baby, Stella the Maltese). With The Singles Game (her latest book about Charlie, a tennis prodigy) hitting shelves last month, we thought it was the perfect time to sit down with her for a quick chat.
Check out what she had to say about juggling a healthy work-life balance, all the details on her new book, favorite NYC hangouts, and of course, Anna Wintour.
Image: @draperjames
What was the inspiration behind your new book, The Singles Game?
I’m a huge tennis fan! I’ve been playing since I was a little girl, and I love watching the pros do their thing.
Why a tennis-inspired book vs. fashion?
Tennis is one of the only sports I can think of where the top players are recognizable by one name: Serena, Venus, Maria. We follow who they’re dating and what they’re wearing. They’re glamorous and fabulous, but not just because they’re pretty faces on the red carpet, but because they’re so supremely talented and hardworking.
What did your book research entail?
Basically, I went to a lot of tournaments — Miami, Charleston, Wimbledon, The US Open — and hung out in the players’ lounge and player dining, checked out what it was like for the players behind the scenes. I interviewed everyone from players to physios to tournament officials. It hardly felt like work, let’s put it that way.
What do you hope that readers get out of your new book?
For readers who love tennis, I hope they’ll learn all of kinds of interesting, cool, behind-the-scene details of what it really looks like to be on tour. And for readers who aren’t that into tennis, I think they can relate to Charlie’s story (plus all of her glam travel, her fun affairs, and work-life balance). So my hope is there’s something for everyone in this book.
Do you play tennis yourself?
I do. Nowhere near the level of Charlie, my protagonist, but I love playing whenever I have the chance.
Image: @emilythebibliophile
Do you identify with Charlie like you did with Andy in The Devil Wears Prada?
Yes, definitely. Not as much from a career standpoint, of course, but in her struggle to figure out what’s truly important to her, what kind of person she wants to be? Yes. I think that’s something all women can relate to.
What has been the most rewarding part of your career?
By far the best part is getting on the road to meet the readers and hear what they love — and even sometimes don’t love — about my books. It’s especially incredible when I meet a young girl who tells me that she’s never really loved reading, but she read one of my books and is now going to try another. It doesn’t get more rewarding than that.
Favorite thing to write about? Favorite book you’ve written to-date?
I love writing about all the things that women think about and experience at different stages of their lives. Which is why it’s so hard for me to pick a favorite. I relate each of them to what was going on in my life at the time — first job, single in the city, getting engaged and married, having kids. Don’t make me choose!
Image: Mike Cohen Photography
What are some things you do to create a good work-life balance?
This is an ongoing on and continuous conversation and effort for me, probably as it is for most women. I think it’s accepting that I’m never going to be the president of the PTA, the same way I’m never going to be the most prolific author. But I can try to be a super involved parent and to continue to write books I love, then that’s a huge win.
Did you have any idea that The Devil Wears Prada would be such a hit?
Zero. Zilch. None. I had no idea it was going to take off like that! It was the happiest of surprises, but it was a huge shock.
I’m sure you still get asked this a lot but have you chatted with Anna Wintour since The Devil Wears Prada came out?
Hah! No chatting. We don’t tend to travel in the same circles!
How do you deal with writer’s block?
I turn off the internet using the Freedom app so i’m not tempted to online shop, and I sit there. And sit. And sit. And eventually, you’ll put words on the screen, because you have to. They may not be great, but you’ll write something. And from there, it gets a little bit easier.
How do you shake off a bad day?
A piping hot shower and a half-pint of Graeter’s ice cream usually does the trick.
What has been the most important career advice you’ve been given?
It sounds a little frivolous, but I’ve come to believe it’s super important: written correspondence. I think there’s nothing better and more appreciated than a handwritten thank you note, condolence card, or just a note saying hello.
What advice would you give to someone looking to write a book and make writing a full-time career?
Give yourself the gift of time to work on your writing! It’s so hard to carve out time from family and career, but at least once a week try to claim a couple hours just for writing. After six months or a year of dedicated work, you’ll be surprised how many pages you’ve accumulated.
How do you keep healthy and focused while traveling?
I’d be lying if I said I kept healthy while traveling — that’s usually when the wheels come off. I eat scones in London and croissants in France and chips and guac in Mexico and just enjoy. I try to take long walks and get a lot of sleep, but I’m not much of a hotel room workout person — I lose all my motivation when I’m traveling.
What are some of your New York City spots?
I’m a huge Chelsea fan — the High Line, Chelsea Market, the amazing little coffee shop on the corner of 18th and 7th, Legend for Chinese food and Da Umberto for quiet, grown-up Italian.
Margs? Cheeseburgers? Sleeping in on weekends? What’s your guilty vice?
Am I allowed to say all of the above? Except sleep of course, because with two little kids that’s in very short supply. I love margaritas and cheeseburgers and candy, candy, candy. The cheaper the chocolate from the drugstore, the more I love it.
Anything else in the pipeline?
Of course! I’ve started on my next book, but it’s still a secret.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
