Interview: Nancy from Nancy's Theory of Style by Grace Coopersmith

Today I'm lucky to have as my guest Nancy, event planner and heroine of Nancy's Theory of Style by Grace Coopersmith! Although her story officially hits bookstores tomorrow, May 18th, I've got her here to give you all a taste of what to expect from it.


Nancy, you use some very original words, like "thrillified". Where do you get the unusual vocab? Do people ever get confused with your unique sayings?

Language, like fashion, is a living thing. Some, such as William Shakespeare and myself, are essential to moving language forward. In fact, Shakespeare is credited with making up over 3,000 words, including some of my favorites: besmirch, bedroom, daunting, hobnob, and lackluster. I don’t mean to be smirkish or ubercompetitive with the Master, but I have inventerated over 4,000 words already! I hope to see them in a dictionary soonish.

What, in your opinion, is the ultimate rule of style?

Rules of style are like those photons shot through a something in the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle: they vary upon observation. I know it seems insane, but it’s true. What is a proper rule when one has flawless taste (such as “Real style takes risks!”) should be avoided if one is tacky on an unfixable chromosomal level. I hope I’m not talking over your head, but I did attend one of the finest universities in the nation, so I’m all about the brainpower stuff.

You run your own event planning business, Froth. Where do you derive inspiration for your work?

The problem with most people is that they follow fashion. Fashion relies upon trends, and trends fall out of fashion because they lack true style. Style is eternal. Style is a perfect pure note, it is the blue of a summer sky, it is the scent of spring rain, et cetera. I frequently seek inspiration in nature, because one cannot go wrong with nature. Then I add pirates. Everyone loves pirates.

You often seem to be very concerned with appearances. Why is this? Are you ever accused of being shallow?

It is just as easy to surround yourself with beautiful things as it is with ugly things. Why drink coffee from a hideous mug, when you can enjoy it from a lovely vintage china cup and saucer? All the little tacky things in life have the cumulative effect of making the world a more dismal place. I’m not going to lower my standards so that badly dressed grubbiards can feel better about their elastic-waist pants and Klassy Lady! Rhinestone-embellished polyester t-shirts.

Throughout your story you seemed to have a habit of spouting rules for you and others to live by. How did you establish your rules? Do you think that you're any more lenient now than you were before the story began?

Jacqueline, being myself is like having perfect vision in a land of the blue-green colorblind. My rules seem obvious to me, because I have a special gift. When one has a special ability, it is incucumbered upon one to share that ability. This is why I feel compelled to offer guidance to those less fortunate.

What you so casually refer to as “leniency,” I consider callous disregard and neglect. Now that I’m living a more fabulous life, I’m even more dedicated to helping others by pointing out their flaws.

How's your niece Eugenia doing?

Thank you for asking about Eugenia! She’s doing very well, and I’ve just enrolled her in ballet class. I loved ballet and the pink silk ribbons and tutus. Eugenia insists on wearing a Jolly Roger top to dance class, which I can tolerate. I was very upset when she wanted to wear an eye patch, but it actually helps her when she pirouettes.

Thanks for answering my questions, Nancy!

Thank you for inviting me to your magazine! Will this interview run in your French or Italian edition? Please tell me when you plan to schedule the photo shoot in my fabulous new place. My very special assistant should be included in the spread since he is exceptionally photogenic.



Isn't she hilarious! Make sure to check out Grace Coopersmith (a.k.a author Marta Acosta) at her online home for more info about Nancy and her book. Be sure to read what I thought about the novel in my review too.


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