Having been described as one of the funniest writers in South Africa, we guarantee that Rebecca Davis’ latest book, Best White and other Anxious Delusions, will leave you in stitches. Not only is the book entertaining, you will find its insight into social and political topics both informative and thought provoking. We got to chat with Rebecca about her influences, her motivation, and of course, her book.
GLAMOUR: What is the biggest difference between journalism and writing a non-fiction book?
Rebecca: The length! That, and when you’re writing journalism it’s generally time-sensitive pieces – so it deals with something that’s happened in the last few days. When you’re writing a book the content has to be something you can make sense of a year from now. It has to be timeless, like a Patek Philippe watch.
GLAMOUR: Your book,
Rebecca: Honestly, I just wanted to write about things that I find strange, funny or interesting. Many of the essay topics came out of slightly drunken conversations with friends. As Johnny Clegg so rightly sings, “it’s a cruel, crazy, beautiful world – fodder for rumination is all around.” (Until I googled that Johnny Clegg song two seconds ago, I thought the words were “ cool, crazy beautiful world”. But it is, of course, both cool and cruel.)
GLAMOUR: How much of your writing is based on research and how much on personal experience?
Rebecca: Because my day job is as a writer for an online publication, I spend a lot of time on the internet, and I’m constantly falling down those weird and wonderful wormholes where you’re looking for something and suddenly find yourself three hours later having read every single article ever written about foot fetishes, or something. In the book I try to balance personal anecdotes with research. In my experience, people like a personal hook to draw them into a story – I know I do.
GLAMOUR: How was the experience of writing your book?
Rebecca: Ghastly. I could win gold for South Africa in the Procrastination Olympics. I did have fun with it, and I hope that comes through, but anyone who tells you that writing a book is easy is probably on heavy medication.
GLAMOUR: Who’s influenced you the most throughout your writing career?
Rebecca: I love the writing of British journalist Jon Ronson, who tackles some serious subjects but always with a wry, self-deprecating sense of humour. I wish I could write essays like the American humorist David Sedaris – his sense of narrative structure is just impeccable. I am also embarrassingly in love with British feminist Caitlin Moran, who is one of the few writers I find genuinely laugh-out-loud funny.
GLAMOUR: What’s the biggest compliment someone can give you about your writing?
Rebecca: When it comes to Best White, that it made them laugh. That was my primary intention. Any deeper thoughts it might inspire would be a great second prize.
GLAMOUR: What made you decide to write a book? Has it been something you have always wanted to do?
Rebecca: I suppose at the back of my mind it’s always been a possibility, but to be honest publishers Pan Macmillan simply approached me, and it seemed like a good idea at the time.
GLAMOUR: How did you keep motivated while writing your book?
Rebecca: My amazing but slightly frightening editors, Andrea Nattrass and Tanya Pamplone, were highly skilled at gently cracking the whip when they needed to. Otherwise, celebrating with wine whenever I finished a chapter.
GLAMOUR: What three things should every author know about writing a book?
Rebecca: Firstly, writing a book is neither fun nor glamorous. Do not go in thinking that this is gonna be a cruise. It is not. Secondly, when you’re stuck, just start. Just write any old bollocks to get moving, and eventually it’ll come right. And lastly, only take a break when you know what your next paragraph is going to be about.
