20 Questions is a Q&A interview series with authors, musicians, and everyone in between, celebrating experiences both shared and individual in the messy game of being human.
“Beach reads are the physical equivalent of a warm summer hug — and what could be more comforting than that?” Jane L. Rosen is the author of Nine Women, One Dress (translated into 10 languages), Eliza Starts a Rumor (optioned by NBC), A Shoe Story, On Fire Island, and Seven Summer Weekends. She is also a contributor to The New York Times, HuffPost, Redbook, and Tablet. She lives in New York City and Fire Island with her husband and three daughters. I got to speak with Jane about her latest novel Songs of Summer, out everywhere now, and morefor this week’s edition of 20 Questions.
What is the earliest memory you have of wanting to be a writer?
My sixth-grade teacher, Mr. Conyers, would send me around to the other teachers with my short stories for them to read. It was my first experience sharing my writing, and it made me want to become an author.
What time of day are you most inspired?
In the early morning, when my brain is not as cluttered.
Favorite book of all time?
I will say The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy, but if you ask me tomorrow, I may say something else.
What’s one vice you wish you could give up?
Reading Goodreads reviews.
One movie that will always make you cry?
The Way We Were.
What’s the most challenging part of writing for you?
Letting go of parts of a story or bits of dialogue that I love when I know they don’t serve the narrative.
The best book you’ve read in the last year?
Harry’s Trees by Jon Cohen. Nearly every week since publishing On Fire Island, someone in mourning has let me know how much the book has helped them to grieve. Harry’s Trees did that for me.
Your new novel Songs of Summer is in line with several of your previous books that could be classified under the genre of “beach read.” What do you think readers find so comforting about beach reads, yourself included?
Beach reads are the physical equivalent of a warm summer hug — and what could be more comforting than that?
The last series you binge-watched?
Tina Fey’s The Four Seasons.
How would you describe the importance of storytelling in an age of isolation?
A novel is a vehicle for travel, adventure, and romance — without even leaving home. And with online book clubs and Bookstagram accounts, it is also a vehicle for connecting with others.
The best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t give up. It’s one thing all published authors have in common — they never gave up.
If you could have one writer, dead or alive, compose your obituary, who would it be and why?
John Irving — because he captures kooky characters, and I am a somewhat kooky character.
One song that you will never be sick of?
Every chapter in Songs of Summer begins with a song. For Chapter 27, I chose “Riptide” by Vance Joy, and it has been happily stuck in my head ever since.
What has inspired you to set several of your books involving heterosexual love stories on Fire Island, a vacation spot typically associated with the gay male community?
While the gay communities of The Pines and Cherry Grove are wonderful and beautiful, they are only two of the seventeen communities on the island — each with its own personality and stories to tell.
What’s your current read?
Everyone Is Lying to You by Jo Piazza. I’m loving it!
You’re stuck on a long flight. Which world-famous musician would you want sitting next to you and why?
Bruce Springsteen. I have questions.
Favorite quote of all time?
From Alice in Wonderland: “You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret: all the best people are.”
Physical books or e-books?
Physical. I already spend too much of the day staring at a screen.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
Major in English.
What can we expect to see next from you?
I’m excited to report that Lisa Rinna has optioned my novel A Shoe Story for a feature film! And I have lots of good stuff in the pipeline!
Follow Jane L. Rosen on Instagram and her website, and get her latest novel Songs of Summer from your local indie bookstore or library.
Jeffrey Reads 