Authors Interviewing Their Characters: Lauren Gershell

Lauren Gershell interviews Tatum Ferris, a spin teacher new to New York City and a character in her novel, THAT’S WHAT FRENEMIES ARE FOR.

LG: Thank you for being here and agreeing to talk to me.

TF: Oh, I am so so excited and grateful to be here. This is so cool and fun! Honestly, I just can’t believe anyone would ever be interested in what I have to say. This is my first interview ever, obviously. Also, I love your earrings- they really make your stunning eyes pop!

LG: Oh, thank you so much- I love them too. You’re so sweet! 

TF: Well, I just adore them. I could never wear something so sophisticated.

LG: Let’s talk about you! Tell me a bit about yourself.

TF: My name is Tatum Farris, and I’m a spin teacher at this gorgeous gym called Flame. I’m pretty new, but I just love it. I love teaching people and inspiring them and helping them to learn to prioritize themselves. It’s sort of a dream come true for me! Right now, I’m working on spreading the word about my class so that more people come and try it out.

LG: Tell me about your life before you started teaching at Flame.

TF: Oh, you know, I did plenty of different stuff. But that’s so boring. You know, I feel like my life is actually beginning now that I’m at Flame.  It’s just so amazing to work on the Upper East Side and I’ve met so many incredible people already! They’re all so glamorous and I feel like I’m in a movie half the time. I love movies about New York City!  Have you ever seen Maid in Manhattan?

LG: I don’t think so?

TF: Oh, you must! It has been a huge inspiration to me.

LG: I’ll add it to my list. So, is there anything you’d like to tell me about your life before you came to Flame?

TF: I don’t think our pasts really matter. It’s about our presents. And I just feel so lucky to be in New York City. I’ve always wanted to live here and I just love everything about it.  Everyone wants to live here and I feel like I’m living in a dream! If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere, right?

LG: How would you define making it?

TF: <pauses> Not losing?

LG: Not losing at what?

TF: Anything?

LG: What about romance?  Do you date?

TF: It’s not my priority at the moment. But obviously, I’d love to find someone to share my life with who would love and support me.

LG: Who is your biggest source of support at the moment?

TF: I am surrounded by bright lights everywhere! My friend Brooke who I work with is, like, the best spin teacher ever. I’ve learned so much from her though we definitely have different teaching styles. I like to build people up and she can be so tough, but people love her, I guess?  And I’ve actually met great people in my own classes! In fact, there is this gorgeous human named Julia who is taking me under her wing and being so incredibly kind to me. She wants to help me get more popular at Flame and is teaching me so much about New York and just, how to be better in every way. 

LG: So, like a mentor? A coach?

TF: Exactly! She has the most darling children and successful husband and just this incredibly perfect life. She literally has everything. You should SEE her apartment! And her wardrobe! I mean, she’s not at her fighting weight at the moment, but I’m helping her with that.

LG: Just curious- why would she want to help you?  

TF: She says it’s because she sees herself in me. I’m sort of like her project, I guess? But between you and me, I have a feeling she’s doing it for more than just out of the kindness of her heart. Not that I care or anything, but I’m onto her. She’s got it all but she’s also got issues. And her fancy friends don’t seem to want to hang out with her that much. Wait, I shouldn’t have said that.  

LG: What do you mean by “issues?” Do you think a lot of women who have it all can actually feel dissatisfaction?

TF: All I’m saying is that nobody does anything without expecting something in return. And I know she’s hoping to get something out of my success and talent.  It’s like she has a personal stake in how I live my life or something.

LG: Interesting. What is that you want out of life?

TF: I just want it all. 

LG: How would you define having it all?

TF: Um…. By having it all.

LG: You’re a spin teacher. What kind of music do you like to play?

TF: Whatever people want to hear. I just want people to love my class! I’m curious- what’s your favorite song? You seem like you have great taste in music. 

LG: What makes you say that?

TF: I don’t know, you just seem so cool. I mean, the earrings and everything about your- your entire vibe.  

LG: Well, thank you. Again. So, back to you. What’s your biggest fear?

TF: Losing.

LG: This seems to be a theme with you.

TF: Well, life is a game, isn’t it? And in games, there’s always a winner and a loser. 

LG: Fair enough. Thank you for talking to me today, Tatum. Do you have any parting words?

TF: Come take my class at Flame! And follow me on social media!

—

Lauren Gershell was born and raised on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, where she now lives with her family.  She holds a B.A. and law degree from Columbia University.  THAT’S WHAT FRENEMIES ARE FOR is her first novel.

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THAT’S WHAT FRENEMIES ARE FOR

In this razor-sharp novel for fans of When Life Gives You Lululemons, a Manhattan socialite turns her spin instructor into a fitness superstar to impress her friends. But can she keep her little project under control? Or has she created a monster?

Julia Summers seems to have it all: a sprawling Upper East Side apartment, a successful husband, and two adorable children attending the best private school in the city. She relishes wielding influence over her well-heeled girlfriends . . . but her star appears to be fading. That’s why, when stranded in Manhattan for the summer as her entire crowd flees to the Hamptons, Julia is on the hunt for the next big thing that will make her the envy of her friends and put her back on top.

Enter Flame, the new boutique gym in her neighborhood. Seductive and transformative, Flame’s spin classes are exactly what Julia needs—and demure, naïve instructor Tatum is her ticket in. But rebranding Tatum as a trendy guru proves hard work, and Julia’s triumphant comeback at summer’s end doesn’t quite go as planned. Tatum begins to grasp just how much power her newfound stardom holds, and when things suddenly get ugly, Julia realizes she’s in way over her head.

Julia’s life is already spiraling out of control when her husband is arrested for fraud and bribery. As her so-called friends turn their backs on her, and Tatum pursues her own agenda, Julia is forced to rethink everything she knew about her world to reclaim her perfect life. But does she even want it back? Witty and incisive, Sophie Littlefield and Lauren Gershell’s That’s What Frenemies Are For provides an engrossing glimpse into the cutthroat moms’ club of the Upper East Side.

Advance praise for That’s What Frenemies are For

“Pack up your beach bag and put your phone on Do Not Disturb: This modern-day Pygmalion story is juicy fun! Fans of Lauren Weisberger and Jill Kargman will delight in this delicious romp about how the other half lives.”—Jamie Brenner, bestselling author of The Forever Summer and Drawing Home

“Whether this book hits a little too close to home or offers the perfect escape, readers will love the insanity of Julia’s social ups and downs in this clever novel.”—Laurie Gelman, author of Class Mom

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Category: Contemporary Women Writers, Interviews, On Writing