<Commence background “Jock Jams” /Monster Truck rally/pro wrestling music for this intro:>

Dude, she’s the queen of all humor memoir. The 80s-era writing champion. New York Times bestselling author– rocking the pop-collar izods and pearls. Her hot new book “My Fair Lazy” comes out in May…Ladies and gentlemen… please put your hands together and give a huge Pajamas and Coffee welcome to….

JEN LANCASTER! <the crowd goes wild>

I met Jen at her book signing in DC for Pretty in Plaid: A Life, a Witch, and a Wardrobe, or, the Wonder Years Before the Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smart-Ass Phase last year.

And before you point out how douchetastic it was for me to wear izod-pearls to try to be just like her, let me point out that she asked readers to dress in 80s for the book signing. When I arrived (I always keep my sunglasses on top of my head- I have been known to actually put ON a pair of sunglasses while another pair is on my head) and she was wearing like matching stuff, of course I swooned.

I was first in line of the 300 people at the signing (we were assigned numbers, and my sister in law and I were there first to pick up our numbers then go drink cosmos at the bar across the street). When I came up to her, all trembly and grinny and holding my book (which had come out two days before and I had already finished, you know, in case there was a quiz…) she said:

“You look cute!” And then, like Rudolph when the little Clarice reindeer says he’s cute, I of course pranced all over Barnes and Noble squealing “I’m cute! I’m cuuuuuute!”

Enough about me.

Jen was kind enough to agree to let me interview her for Suite 101- so the formal interview is over here. Go check it out! She gives a ton of amazing advice for writers and bloggers alike.

And here are the more casual EXCLUSIVE Pajamas and Coffee interview questions (squeal!):

marymac: You are a New York Times bestselling author. Do you think there’s too much media coverage about your writing and not enough about the fact that you invented the Quadstuff Oreo, possibly one of the greatest culinary achievements of all time?

Jen Lancaster:

Let’s be clear here – I don’t think there’s too much media coverage about my writing.  I welcome more coverage.  Lots more.  So much more.  Also, I’m probably more proud of the Twink-wich, which is a sandwich derived from a Twinkie stuffed into a halved Ding-Dong.  (Don’t judge.)

marymac (after trip to store to create magical Twink-wich): I was born in New Jersey and grew up listening to “Fridays With Frank” and “Saturdays (and Sundays!) With Sinatra” on our kitchen radio. I know you’re a huge fan, too. Have you heard about the new Frank Sinatra musical Come Fly With Me? How exciting is that?!

Jen Lancaster:

I was unaware.  I like the sounds of this, but to really be fantastic, I would like them to bring back the real Frank – not the octogenarian who sang those weird duets with Bono, but the skinny-tied, Jack Daniels-swilling Frank from the Rat Pack heyday.  Thanks in advance for finding a way to make this happen.

marymac: (after brief daydream of totally going to Broadway to see Frank Sinatra musical with Jen Lancaster because we are going to be BFFs now) If you HAD to sing one Karaoke song (like to survive, or something), what would it be and why?

Jen Lancaster:

It’s funny you should mention singing.  Last night while watching a bunch of wooden little girls trying (FAILING) to emote on Idol, I told my husband that I’d be a great singer if I could sing.  What I mean is I think I’d bring real passion to the stage and I feel like the audience would connect with me.  If I could carry a tune, that is.

I’d say my go-to songs in the car (ergo Karaoke) are either Ladylike by Storm Large and the Balls because it’s the ultimate grrrrl-power anthem and Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield because, seriously, how often does someone write a song about your job?

marymac: Speaking of music.. which big hair 80s band lead singer would you totally make out with, considering the fact that Joe Elliott from Def Leppard is already mine?

Jen Lancaster:

Technically this isn’t an option because he wasn’t in a hair band and also, he’s not on my team, but since it’s all hypothetical anyway, I’d choose George Michael circa 1984.

____________________________

Wow. Just wow that she let me interview her because she’s a huge inspiration and my idol and I am just so blessed and thankful and obnoxiously gushy and I will just shut up now. She rocks. That is all.

I can’t wait until Amazon sends my pre-ordered copy of her new book: My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict’s Attempt to Discover If Not Being A Dumb Ass Is the New Black, or, a Culture-Up Manifesto
which I will of course devour and bring to Jen in May (the day before my birthday- what a treat!) at her DC book signing.

Jen rocks, yo. (Check out her blog at jennsylvania.com).

If you haven’t read all of Jen’s books yet, catch up- here’s a list of all five:

Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass,Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office

Bright Lights, Big Ass: A Self-Indulgent, Surly, Ex-Sorority Girl’s Guide to Why it Often Sucks in the City, or Who are These Idiots and Why Do They All Live Next Door to Me?

Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist’s Quest to Discover If Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, or Why Pie Is Not the Answer

Pretty in Plaid: A Life, a Witch, and a Wardrobe, or, the Wonder Years Before the Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smart-Ass Phase

My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict’s Attempt to Discover If Not Being A Dumb Ass Isthe New Black, or, a Culture-Up Manifesto