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Author Chat
With Candace Bushnell
Author "Four Blondes," "Sex and the City"
Thursday, July 5, 2001; 2 p.m. EDT
Author Candace Bushnell talked about her books, the show "Sex and the City," and what the author/columnist/screenwriter is working on next.
Bushnell first came into public view with her honest look at single life in New York in a column for the New York Observer. She later wrote "Sex in the City," which inspired the top-rated HBO series starring Sarah Jessica Parker.
Her latest book, "4 Blondes," gives an insider's look at the romantic intrigues of Manhattan's elite.
The transcript follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Chicago, Ill.:
Hi Candace,
I am a big fan of SATC, and I always enjoyed your magazine articles in Glamour and other publications. Which character are you the most like? Are these women characters composites of your friends?
Candace Bushnell: Well, in the book Carrie Bradshaw is my alter ego. So she's basically me, in the book. Once something becomes a TV series, Sarah Jessica brings bits of herself to the character.
The girlfriends -- they're not exactly composites, but types of women we all know. I probably have three girlfriends like Samantha.
Atlanta, Ga.:
I would like to know if any of your stories (Platinum) are inspired by the late Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy? Eerie coincidence if not?
Candace Bushnell: I would say eerie coincidence. With that character I was really thinking about -- it was a little more like a princess Di character. It's the idea of a woman who would marry a prince. And that character, it's not you and me. She's not an "every girl." But it's a character that fascinates us, like a historical character almost.
Arlington, Va.:
Do you consult for the show? What do you think of the way the characters have evolved over the show's run?
Candace Bushnell: I did consult the first two seasons and -- to me the characters are always the characters -- and I don't think they've changed. They still have the same integrity. I think the difference is that the actresses feel more comfortable in playing those parts. Which is what happens on TV shows. After a couple of seasons, they really know the character, so I think that's what you see.
Arlington, Va.:
Good afternoon Candance!
Thought I'd submit this early in the hopes that it would get to you. Anyway, I'm just curious as to how much creative input you had when it came time to make your column/book into a television series? Did you even think the characters you talked about in your column and book would become such a part of our culture? My friends and I spend a large chunk of Monday mornings discussing the happenings of the show the night before. I think the best part about it is that there is a small part of each of the characters in all of us. That's why I can't get enough of the show. Thanks for making it okay to be a sexy, career-minded, neurotic, scared, intelligent, horny, timid woman-all in one! Can't wait to read what you write next.
Candace Bushnell: Thank you very much! For me, what's thrilling about the show is that it does depict female characters who we all know. Or we know people like those characters or we have a part of them inside us. And I think that's wonderful because it's just great to see a television show where women are portrayed the way they really are and not the way men think they are. That was always one of my goals when I started writing Sex and the City. To show us how we really are, with our flaws and all.
Arlington, Va.:
Candace, Did you always want to be a writer/journalist? Did you do anything else before you began writing?
Candace Bushnell: I did always want to be a writer and in fact I knew that I would be a writer from the age of 8-years-old. And there were only two other things I thought about being. I wanted to be a jockey, because I used to ride horses and that was a big part of my life. But my parents wouldn't let me go to the track.
And I went to acting school for about six months. But after three months I realized I was the worst actress who ever lived. So now I just act in my head. Now I play all the parts of my characters.
Washington, D.C.:
Hi. I loved the book "Sex and the City" but I thought it had a less upbeat feel to it than the TV series does. My own weird take, or do you agree?
Candace Bushnell: I think that books and tv are different mediums and I just think that in a book that books can be darker than what would work on television or in a movie. So I agree the book is darker. I actually think "4 Blondes" is darker than Sex and the City.
But as a writer, and if you're someone whose read a lot of classic books, you understand that's one of the ways -- it's a sort of classic tradition in writing books.
For instance, the books by Evelyn Waugh and "A Handful of Dust," is a very dark, funny book. So, that's the kind of tradition I'm working in when I'm writing a book.
Washington, D.C.:
Hi Candace --
What advice would you give to an aspiring writer trying to get published? Thanks - and I love your writing!
Candace Bushnell: I would say start small. Because writing is about experience and getting published. So, one of the best ways to start is by writing for your local paper or working for a magazine. And, if you want to be a writer, you have to remember it's a business and you should learn the business.
Probably one of the most difficult ways is to lock yourself in your room and try to write a novel. So, again, start with your local newspaper.
A lot of great fiction writers were journalists. Like Hemingway.
Charlotte, N.C.:
Do you have a favorite character in "4 Blondes"?
Candace Bushnell: My personal favorite is Winnie Dieke. Because I think she embodies the conflicts of a modern working married woman in her late 30s. I love her because she's so angry, but she actually has reason to be angry. Because she has to do all of the work in her relationship and she also has to have a fulltime job. And she certainly is a flawed character, but I think she's like a lot of women in her situation. She's very frustrated.
She was inspired by two married women I knew who were really mad at their husbands all the time.
Northwest, D.C.:
Bret Easton Ellis, Jay McInerney, Tama Jamowitz. Pick one.
Candace Bushnell: Well, I have to pick Bret and Jay because they're both really good friends of mine and I adore them and think they're great writers.
Washington, D.C.:
Why there is no interracial romance on the show? The only black character I remember was a lesbian. washingtonpost.com:
Were there any interracial relationships in the book?
Candace Bushnell: There were a couple interracial relationships on the show. One was with Samantha, and then the one you remember.
In the book, New York City is a place where you're a little less likely to look at skin color. We care more about what a person does, where they work. In the book, I didn't make them any particular race or nationality. They could've been of any race. It didn't seem that important.
Stafford, Va.:
I have not read your book, but I am an avid fan of the television show. I've noticed that none of the girls ever mention parents or siblings -- is there a particular reason for this?
Candace Bushnell: Well, there was one episode where Miranda went home and saw that everybody had babies and freaked out.
In my book, I didn't mention parents -- actually in "4 Blondes," both Janie's parents and sister are featured as an important part of the story. With Sex and the City I didn't feel I had enough space to put in people's parents and siblings.
But I personally am very close to my family.
Silver Spring, Md.:
Hi Candace,
What's the best advice you would give a young, single person looking for love in Washington, D.C.?
Candace Bushnell: Well, watch out for politicians.
New York City:
Is it true that one of the characters/couples in your book are based on a certain author his ex-second wife?
Candace Bushnell: Gosh. I couldn't even think of who that would be.
I'm not sure that I know any authors with ex-second wives, but it sounds very intriguing and I'm going to keep my eyes open.
Washington, D.C.:
Hi. Watch the show all the time, and liked your books very much. Quick question. The women on the show see a lot of, um, activity, yet beyond occasional talk of condoms no one really discusses the realities of sex in the 00's. At least one of these women must know someone with AIDS, and statistically at least one if not all would have some sort of STD issue. Do you think it should be addressed?
Candace Bushnell: Well, they did address it. That was on the show at the end of the third season. That is something that has been addressed on the show.
Washington, D.C.:
What's your favorite "chick book," such as "Bridget Jones' Diary," "Getting Over It," "The Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing," etc.?
Candace Bushnell: It's probably "4 Blondes." Except that I wouldn't really call it a chick book. But my favorite books about women are Anna Karenina, Madame Bovary and Vanity Fair. Even Gone with the Wind. They all feature outrageous females who step out of the bounds of society and social expectations.
Washington, D.C.:
Have you ever met the Miller sisters who all married very well? What do you think of them representing the new social elite in New York?
Candace Bushnell: I've met two of them and they struck me as being very nice girls and -- gosh, as far as representing the new social elite, I think it's great. There are also the Hilton sisters.
Wisconsin Avenue:
What do you think of D.C.?
Candace Bushnell: Well, I always love Washington, but I love doing all the touristy things -- the Lilcoln monument, which is stunningly beautiful. I once went to D.C. with a boyfriend when the cherry blossoms were in bloom. Love to go to the mall.
Washington, D.C.:
I won't be around at 2:00 so here goes,
I wanted to say first of all that I thouroughly enjoyed reading Sex in the City and Four Blondes. What I was wondering is; how much do you influence the story lines in the later seasons of Sex in the City. The First season covered much of what was in the book, and I am curious, since then has the plot been what you imagined for the characters (who obviously are not all together fictional) or what someone else imagines for them? Who does the writing for the show? What is your role?
And lastly, can we expect a new book anytime in the near future?
Candace Bushnell: Well, the people who write the show are very talented television writers and, in fact, there are different people who write the show and I am just thrilled because the book was 20 chapters. And they've done over 60 episodes. So I'm just thrilled the writers have been able to bring their own experiences and new storylines.
I'm working on another book right now and hopefully it'll be out in about a year.
Laurel, Md.:
Don't the characters have a great deal of spare time for people employed in their fields and income for people their ages?
Candace Bushnell: That's a good question. It's interesting because when I was writing the book Sex and the City I never put anybody in their office. We knew they had jobs, but never saw them there. It's really about the fun of interacting with your friends and when people ask questions like that I say it's a book or a TV series. In real life, yes, none of us have any time.
I always think there's never enough time to spend with your friends and family and it's true, we probably all do work to hard.
Arlington, Va.:
Is it true that you went to your high school prom with Washington's very own Mike O'Meara?
Candace Bushnell: Yes it is true. And Mike still talks about it. And he was a great guy and we were really good friends. In high school -- I'd known Mike since I was 6 years old. I used to go to his house and listen to Peter Frampton. How embarassing is that?
Washington, D.C.:
I have this budding theory about appetites for all things designer. Even though I could easily afford things like Blahniks and 600 thread count bed linens, I just can't see myself spending the money. I don't think I've ever been much of a label person. And no, I'm not saying I'm a better person for it -- it's just not me. Any thoughts?
Candace Bushnell: My thoughts about labels and designer linens and clothes is that I think there worth it if you plan to have them for a long time. Then you're buying quality that lasts. So it isn't about being obsessed with labels. It's just about being practical. A great pair of sheets could last you ten years and i"m somebody who -- I have clothes I've had for 10 or 15 years. They're now called vintage.
I have some from the late-80s and I still wear them.
As for how Carrie Bradshaw dresses on the show. I know the fashion person for the show and they live in New YOrk and Pat Field is an icon in New York and was one of the people responsible for the punk rock movement. She had the first punk store. It was the coolest place.
So I think for them they just really wanted the fashions to be edgy and New York City. The reality is that yes, I would occassionally show up on the set wearing Dolce Gabbana. I didn't dress exactly like that ,but in NYC women pay attention to how they dress. It's just a thing. We don't have men, we have clothes.
Silver Spring, Md.:
Hi Candace,
The characters on "Sex in the City" all have incredible bodies and yet they are constantly eating french fries, ice cream, etc. Worries about weight are never mentioned and the women rarely work out. I can't imagine New York City is really like that.
Candace Bushnell: Ooh, well, unfortunately it is.
First of all, the characters do go to the gym or to yoga. We see them often there. It's not what you eat, it's how much you eat. I eat fries once a week. I eat like 10 fries, but not every day. Again, it's healthy to eat a little of everything, including french fries. And eat your vegetables, too.
Candace Bushnell: Actually in New York City, everybody does worry about their weight. But it's also a place where people walk a lot.
20906:
Is Chris Noth as wonderful in real life as he appears on the show? Is he not the best looking man on television, or what?
Candace Bushnell: I'm sorry to say that in person he's even better.
He is just a major heart throb on and off the screen.
washingtonpost.com:
Aiden or Big?
Candace Bushnell: I have to say Mr Big. Also, for some reason my mother never liked Aiden. My mother would always say why is she going out with Aiden and not Mr. Big. But Aiden is adorable.
Washington, D.C.:
Hi Candace:
Gay men love the series and your books. Why do you think your work has found a vast audience of gay fans? Is there anything beyond sexual escapades which unites gay men and your characters?
Candace Bushnell: Well, let me put it this way. Most of my friends are gay men and always have been. I'm constantly trying to convince them to marry me. I have many discussions with my women and gay friends about the similarities of trying to date and I think my gay friends and I have come to the conclusion that it's harder to find a relationship if you're a gay men than a women.
New York City rules because it's all gay men and great women. I don't actually know any heterosexual men in their 30s, except my boyfriend.
Washington, D.C.:
How do you respond to the criticism that you have taken feminism and infused it with commercialism? Thus lessening feminism and not really showing the lives of a majority of working women.
I think that many of the things in your book are feminist -- i.e., women controlling their sex lives and working on their careers but there is also a huge emphasis on shallow and monetary things?
Have you ever addressed issues such as a wage gap or sexual harassment?
Candace Bushnell: Ya know, those are the kinds of things that I would love to address and the realities of being a woman and the struggles that women have to go through, the disrespect that we have to endure and certainly that I grew up with was one of my big inspirations because I wanted to tell things from a woman's point of view.
Unfortunately, those two topics don't lend themselves to fiction. They're better addressed in newspapers than in novels. I hope that someday I'll be a good enough author to address those things.
I think about women in Arab countries wehre women trying to go to college are sometimes prevented or even stoned to death. I find those are the kinds of things that are very important to me. I would love to have a character that went and addressed those issues and i hope I'll be able to do that in the future.
Virginia is for lovers:
Out of curiousity, your personal feelings about "The Rules?"
Candace Bushnell: I probably don't mind "The RUles" as much as other people. I think there's some good nuggets of advice and I think the idea of it is that you shouldn't put your life on hold to try to get a man and I think that's very smart advice. THough I think they take it too far. I think if someone calls you, you should probably call them back just out of politeness. But I also tell my girlfriends some of the same things. Like on the second date, don't cook the guy dinner. Until he's serious, you don't need to make it so easy for him.
Relationships that develop over time are the strongest ultimately.
Washington, D.C.:
Do you take real stories from your friends and put them in your books? If you do, do your friends get mad?
Candace Bushnell: Gosh. I don't take real stories from my friends, but I tend to -- I write about the kinds of things that could happen, but haven't really.
In 4 Blondes, those characters are completely fictional. I can't think of anything in that book that happened to anyone I know, but those are the kinds of things that happen in the world I live in.
My friends usually tell me stories and tell me to put them in my book. In fact, strangers do too. So the opposite is true.
Washington, D.C.:
What do you think of the whole Liz Grubman/Lara Shriftman/Peggy Siegel paradigm?
Candace Bushnell: I love 'em all. I know them and think they're all great.
Vienna, Va.:
Any plans for a movie based on either book? Could be great!
Candace Bushnell: Universal has bought the rights to Platinum, which is in 4 Blondes and I think they're working on a screenplay, but I don't know for sure.
Washington, D.C.:
I'm a huge fan of the show -- but then again, I'm a 30-something woman living in a city. What do you know about the show's fan base? Is it as popular in the "fly-over" states as it is in Los Angeles, New York and D.C.?
Candace Bushnell: Well, first of all, we have to remember that most of the population lives in urban areas. And I had a friend who went to a farm in Iowa and there was an old farmer man who said " I love that Sex and the City." But, yeah, I think it is popular in the fly-over states. We have Cleveland, Des Moines -- there are cities in all of those areas, so yeah I would say it is as popular. It's also popular with men.
Scotland, UK:
I would like to ask Candace if she ever learned what Carolyn Bessette, or her husband John F. Kennedy Jr., thought of her column Spoiled in the City, in which the character of CKB was clearly based on CBK, as is Cecelia in Platinum. Also, what is it about Carolyn's life that inspires you so?
Candace Bushnell: First of all, they invited me to a couple of parties and secondly, I never knew Carolyn so it wouldn't be possible for me to write about her.
Washington, D.C.:
Did you hear that a member of Tom DeLay's Christian support group is "addicted" to Sex and the City and seeks spiritual guidance to overcome this addiction? (Reported in the Washington Post magazine a few weeks ago). What do you think about that?
Candace Bushnell: I think it's fabulous. That's all I can say.
Bowie, Md.:
I've only watched on TV, never read. Did you invent their jobs to go with their personalities?
Charlotte (hopeless dreamer) manages an art gallery; Miranda (cynic) is a laywer; Carrie (better at giving advice to others than living her own life) is a reporter; and Samantha is in public relations (no explanation needed).
Candace Bushnell: I think it was more along the lines that those are the kinds of jobs women have in New York City and they just seemed to fit.
Candace Bushnell: There wasn't any sort of concious thing there.
Candace Bushnell: Goodbye to everyone and good luck.
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