Rani Shah
Author Interview - Rani Shah
Author I draw inspiration from: Mary Roach and Tina Fey—both of these authors have a casual, witty, and incredibly intelligent style of writing which I can only hope to emulate. Being a comedy writer is my dream job, so these two are an incredible source of inspiration for me.
Author Interview - Rani Shah
Favorite place to read a book: Top 3 spots:
In the bed: the one spot where you can either melt into a book or into a nap. Win win.
Airplanes: you have a tray table, a cramped seat, and nowhere to be. Bring on the books!
In the sun, preferably indoors: a nice warm spot that doubles with the perfect lighting.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with: When I think of an elevator I realize I’d want to be in it with the smallest possible creature, for 2 reasons:
1. The amount of space I’d have in this elevator would mean a small character is best.
2. The smaller (and smarter) the creature, the more likely they can poke around and help us get unstuck from this sitch.
This leaves me with Hermux Tantamouq, he’s the mouse from a book I read as a kid, Time Stops For No Mouse. It was the first book that I remember purposely re-reading because I loved all the detail in it and figured that I probably didn’t absorb it all the first time I read it.
Author Interview - Rani Shah
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author: Honestly, being the author of a book happened very unexpectedly. But when the opportunity presented itself, I knew it wasn’t something I could ever pass up. Whether it’s a book, a blog post, or an article, creating a piece of writing is grueling. Working on this book forced me to spend time, brainpower, and energy differently—but now I’m hooked and (oddly?) optimistic about being able to do more long-form work in the future.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook: Paperback, easiest to snuggle with into a comfy chair or a really chunky blanket.
The last book I read: When Life Gives You Lululemons, bought from an airport bookstand, the perfect in-flight and summer read. Before that I had just finished, In Cold Blood, which if you know about it, scars you for a while—which made me enjoy When Life Gives You Lululemons that much more.
Author Interview - Rani Shah
Pen & paper or computer: Pen/paper for inspired moments. Nothing makes your manic imagination or ideas feel alive like a scribbly page full of notes can. Computer for things I'd like to come back to, or just for "safer" ideas.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with: Nancy Drew. She’s the James Bond of solving mysteries, but like on a budget? She has the wit, the curiosity, and she seems like she’d always give me the best advice. Nancy would definitely know all the coolest speakeasies in town.
Author Interview - Rani Shah
If I wasn’t an author, I’d be a: Working somewhere as the world’s most mediocre chemical engineer, truly. That’s what I thought my “destined path” was during college. Even though my professional path didn’t start with writing, I find it almost impossible to imagine myself removed from a writing-related career now.
Favorite decade in fashion history: Indian Royalty in the 1500’s. The jewels, the colors, the palaces that they roamed while wearing literal luxury. Sign me up.
Place I’d most like to travel: The Galapagos Islands.
My signature drink: Prosecco or an extra dirty martini, made with gin. The perfect night would involve both.
Favorite artist: Hatecopy. She has this colorful and witty pop South Asian art style. One of her art prints hangs in our living room! If I could design a wardrobe around her art style, I would.
Number one on my bucket list: At this point in time, being able to attend a NYFW event. A close second would be going on a wildlife photography safari.
Anything else you'd like to add: I run my own South Asian satire news site on the side, fussclass.com. I love it, and it’s a reminder that writing for fun is something worth taking time out for—and because my pipe dream is to be a comedy writer someday so this is me pretending to be one.
Find more from the author:
Instagram: @humblejellyfish
Instagram: @raanstermonster
Twitter: @humblejellyfish
Twitter: @raanstermonster
Author Interview - Rani Shah
