10 Writers Whose Style Inspires as Much as Their Words

Oct 03, 2015

Their best-selling stories line the shelves at book stores nationwide, but getting a glimpse of an often-elusive author can be a less common occurrence. But just because their faces aren’t splashed across blogs and tabloids doesn’t mean they don’t have amazing style. After doing a little digging, we discovered that some of our fave wordsmiths are veritable trend setters on the fashion front, too.

1. Gillian Flynn: She had us edge-of-our-seating with her dark and twisty mystery in Gone Girl, but Flynn’s way with suspense isn’t her only strong suit. The New York Times best-selling author wore this chic and modern ensemble at the 20^th annual Critics’ Choice Movie awards last January, and we’re totally digging it. Could that hemline fall at a more perfect length? Flynn is a self-proclaimed movie geek with an English and Journalism degree whose work has been published in twenty-eight countries. She currently lives in Chicago with her husband and son and is working on her next novel. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for A&E Network)

2. Lena Dunham: Who runs the world? GIRLS! … and the HBO smash hit series Girls (created by and starring Lena Dunham) is likely where you first heard this author’s smart and witty writing. But equally smart and witty is Dunham’s style, like this feminine ’60s-inspired romper and contrasting navy sport coat. Check out Dunham’s book Not That Kind of Girl for more candor and insight from this amazing writer. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The New Yorker)

3. Zadie Smith: Elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2002, Smith has won critical acclaim for her work, which includes the novels White Teeth, The Autograph Man, On Beauty and NW. We think Smith’s style deserves some serious acclaim too though, like the gorgeous color/pattern combo in the ensemble above. If you’re contemplating what book of Smith’s to pick up first, consider On Beauty (which was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won the 2006 Orange Prize for fiction) or NW, an excerpt from which won a 2014 ASME National Magazine award for fiction. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The New Yorker)

4. Zoe Lister-Jones: Accomplished screenwriter, playwright, actress AND fashionista — is there anything Lister-Jones can’t do? She certainly has us convinced with this gorgeous pinstripe dress and contrasting makeup (yay for berry lip colors!) at the Refinery29 holiday party last December. Lister-Jones currently co-stars in the CBS sitcom Life in Pieces. Her recent written work includes the political thriller Consumed, which was co-written by Lister-Jones and Daryl Wein and premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival last June. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Refinery29)

5. Jhumpa Lahiri: PULITZER PRIZE! Need we say more? Lahiri is an incredible author, and if you have not yet had the time to check out her writing, we highly encourage you to do so. In the meantime, you can swoon over Lahiri’s style and the gorgeous colors/embroidery of the gown above, which Lahiri wore to the 71^st Venice Film Festival last year. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

6. Joan Didion: Oh Joan, we idolize you for so many reasons. While Didion’s poignant novels and stories will always top the list, we also love to love the cool and effortless style she’s had from the start. Check out the recent Céline campaign featuring Didion — it’s a-w-e-s-o-m-e. Another fun fact: Didion worked at Vogue for two years early in her career, where she worked her way from copy editor to associate feature editor. The above photo is quintessential Joan. (Photo by Brad Barket /Getty Images)

7. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Chimamanda, who holds a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University, has won critical acclaim for her novels (check out Americanah, released in 2013). Chimamanda regularly divides her time between the U.S and Nigeria (where she teaches writing workshops). We’re huge fan’s of her writing, and of her bold style — this gorgeous pale jumper is a perfect example! (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Baileys/Diageo)

8. Veronica Roth: Roth, just 27 years old, is the author of the immensely popular Divergent series (which recently made its way to the big screen). And Roth’s style? ON-FREAKING-POINT. P.S. Does anyone else think she could have totally stepped out of the Divergent movie? Check out that hair! (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

9. JK Rowling: No post on female authors would be complete without mentioning the magical JK Rowling, author of (do we even need to say it?) the renowned Harry Potter novels. Rowling’s style is pretty magical too, as evidenced in the above photo — she sure knows how to rock a skirt. (Photo by Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images)

10. Mindy Kaling: The world would be a much duller place without Mindy Kaling (and we’re not just talking about her writing). Kaling’s colorful ensembles, like the one above, are a regular source of #ootd inspiration. While you might recognize Kaling most from her work on-screen, she is as much an acclaimed author as she is an actress. Kaling completed her first book, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns), in 2011 (a New York Times Best Seller) and recently released Why Not Me?. Along with her critically acclaimed series TheMindy Project, Kaling has written 22 episodes of The Office, and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2012. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Do you have a favorite author who also has amazing style? Let us know who they are in the comments section below!

Not Close With Your Family? Here's How To Have a Joyous And Connected Holiday Season

Last year, some of us celebrated the holidays apart from our families for the first time. COVID has brought with it many changes, some of them arguably positive (like increased flexibility to work from home), some difficult (such as the realization of vastly different political and social views between family and friends), and some horrible (obviously, the health implications of a global pandemic). However, for some of us, celebrating the holidays without family members isn't exclusively due to COVID. In addition to so many of us living in different areas than our families of origin, some of us simply don't have close bonds with the people we grew up around. Sometimes, this can cause loneliness.

If you're not close with your family members, the holidays can be a difficult time. This is doubly true if you don't have a close circle of friends to call upon. But make no mistake, if this sounds like your situation, you're not alone — there are thousands of other people going through the same struggles you are. We sat down with Irad Eichler, founder of Circles, a website that connects people who are sharing similar struggles, like heartbreak, grief, or loneliness. Here are some of Eichler's tips for coping — and even thriving! — during the holiday season when you're not planning on spending it with your family, for one reason or another.

Don't Fall For "Perfect Families" On Social Media

Laura Chouette

The first VERY important step to having a joyous holiday season when you're going it alone is to stop believing the narrative that others' family situations are perfect, Eichler says.

"Remember people only post a moment in time, and only the moments when they look their happiest and best."

In addition to the fact that everything you see on social media is curated for the 'gram, it's also important to remember that by focusing on what others have and you lack, you risk failing to see the great things at play in your own life.

"These holiday periods can become a time of focusing on who and what we don't have, rather than who or what we do, and can cause a negative spiral into depressing and dreadful feelings of inadequacy," says Eichler.

Gratitude is the reason for the season, after all. So instead of only seeing the negative, try some gratitude journal prompts to help you focus on what's actually really wonderful about your life right now.

Make An Effort To Deepen New Connections

Joel Muniz

While it may seem like everyone has friends and family to spend time with during the holiday season, that doesn't mean no one is available for deepening a blossoming relationship or new friendship.

"Make a list of people you can or would like to connect with, and try to reach out to at least one of them," advises Eichler.

Reaching out doesn't have to mean a big plan or an hour-long conversation. Even a quick text letting a friendly coworker know you're thinking about them can go a long way toward deepening the relationship and moving it in the direction of closer friendship.

Don't have an acquaintance in mind? Then it's time to make new acquaintances. What's more in line with the Christmas spirit than attending a Meetup or event full of people eager to make new friends?

"Join groups with similar interests to yours, such as hiking, baking, or games. Push your boundaries and be brave - you might find new people who have much in common with you."

Give Back

Priscilla Du Preez

The holiday season is a great time to focus on giving back to your community, and coincidentally, acts of generosity and kindness are known to reduce loneliness and help people feel happier. One study found that knowing a few of your neighbors and doing small acts of kindness for them — such as cheering them up, listening to them, mowing their lawn, providing advice about local business recommendations and job opportunities, and chatting over the fence — was statistically correlated with feeling less lonely and having a lower risk of depression.

Helping out elderly neighbors can be a particularly gratifying way to give back.

"Notice older lonely people in your neighborhood or community who might have no family at all, and offer to help them," says Eichler. "These can become mutually meaningful connections, and help you 'adopt' a grandparent."

Connect With Others Online

Thought Catalog

Finally, use the Internet for its highest and best purpose: to connect people. Whether you're using Meetup to find in-person events, digital forums for having conversations about special interests, or programs like Circle for getting support from others in your situation, the opportunities to create new connections are practically endless.

"There are many interest groups that can be found digitally, where or any person can connect with others in the same life stage, going through the same challenges, or who would like to explore the same interests," Eichler states. "Meaningful connections can be formed easily in these circumstances. The Internet enables us to find and connect to people all over the world who fit this, and to whom we can become more easily attached, as we are able to find people with the exact interests that energize us."

If you're struggling with loneliness, you're not alone. Connect with our digital community of makers and creatives here at Brit+Co by following us on IG and signing up for our newsletter!

This post has been updated.

Zach Bryan & Brianna Chickenfry's Break Up Is COMPLICATED — Here's What To Know

Zach Bryan and Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia's explosive breakup is everywhere right now. From his seemingly one-sided social media posts to all the bombshell revelations she keeps dropping, it's clear this split is NOT amicable. Both parties are dropping tons of lore, info, and everything in between — including new music?! — right now, so it makes sense if you can't keep up. Luckily, I'm here to help break this breakup down for you! Here's everything you need to know about Zach Bryan and Brianna Chickenfry's relationship...or lack thereof.

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

October 22, 2024 – Zach Bryan Announces His Breakup With Brianna Chickenfry

On October 22, 2024, after some recent speculation that Zach Bryan and Brianna Chickenfry split up, Zach took to his Instagram stories. The country star said, "Addressing something: Brianna and me have broken up with [each other] and I respect and love her with every ounce of my heart. She has loved me unconditionally for a very long time and for that I'll always thank her."

He continued, noting, "I have had an incredibly hard year personally and struggled through some pretty severe things. I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to go our different ways. I am not perfect and never will be. Please respect Brianna's privacy and space in this and if you have it in your heart, mine too."

To wrap it all up, he closed by apologizing to his fans. He said, "With everything I am and to anyone I let down, I am sorry. I try my best in everything. I failed people that love me and mostly myself."

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Brianna hopped on her own Instagram stories shortly there after. She posted, "Hey guys I'm feeling really blindsided right now. Gonna hop off social media for a while and attempt to heal privately, when I'm ready I'll be back and ready to talk. I love you guys so much thank you for all of your kind words. Remember you are so loved and everything's always gonna be okay 🫶"

The Brianna got on Youtube next, posting a raw, emotional video about the situation. Sitting on the floor of her bathroom, she opened up as much as she could in the moment about her breakup. She said, "I just woke up to Zach posting on his Instagram that we broke up and I had no idea that post was going up. He didn't text me, he didn't call me. I just woke up to a bunch of texts, like, 'Are you okay?'"

Brianna, with her teary eyes and red face, explained she's been crying for "five days straight." She said, "I'm at the point where it's like, how can you give someone everything and love them so unconditionally, like through stuff that you shouldn't because you just love them and you want them... like you see the good in them?"

The internet personality said that this is all "so embarrassing" and "really, really heartbreaking." She elaborated that the couple broke up on October 21, but wanted to process on her own and "didn't want it to be public."

Much like her Instagram story, she told her audience that she'll come back when she's ready.

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

November 7, 2024 — Brianna Claims Zach's Emotionally Abusive, Wanted $12Mil NDA

Well, it appears this week, Brianna decided she's ready. On Barstool Sports' BFF's Pod November 7, 2024, Brianna gave an inside look at the breakup unlike any other. Not only did she claim Zach was abusive, but she also alleged that he offered her a $12 million NDA to "not talk about the relationship."

After saying it's been the hardest year of her life, she said. "I'm still scared right now because I'm scared of him. My brain's rewired and I'm scared to make him mad and last week, I didn't want to talk about it 'cause I was scared."

Brianna then described the alleged emotional abuse. She noted that everything was cyclical and that he would build her up only to break her back down again. "There was always another excuse as to why he was treating me so poorly and why I'm crying myself to sleep every night, why he's screaming at me," she said. "And then you wake up, it's the apology, it's the 'I'm going to be better like I need you in my life,' but if you've been through this — I don't expect people to understand emotional abuse if you haven't been through it. I hope you never have to go through it but if you've been there you know what I'm talking about."

Not only does Brianna allege she was offered an NDA, but she said that other women that came before her had to sign their own agreements. She declined the offer because she didn't want to "sign away [her] experiences and what [she] went through to protect someone that hurt [her]." She also wanted to share this experience for other women who've suffered something similar.

And when it comes to the logistics of losing out on the famous lifestyle and alleged $12 million? She said, "It was never about the money — I was with the dude because I loved the dude."

Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival

November 8, 2024 — Zach Quit Touring Amid Abuse Allegations

On November 8, 2024, Zach posted on Instagram — where he clearly loves to share all his big news — that not only is his new single "High Road" out today, but that he's also ending his tour early. Read his full statement here:

After not being home for a year and a half I drove out to my mothers gravestone in the dead of night a few days back on familiar Oklahoma roads and I came to realize just like in the past, that she never would call me again

Told her I quit touring because I got accepted to get my masters in Paris next year, I told her I was back in Oklahoma, told her about all my best friends in New York and all the nights we howled with the moon, told her about the immeasurable laughter my band and me have shared these last five years, all the calluses on my finger tips, every tear shed, told her about making it on The Rolling Stone and most importantly told her about porch swinging with my beautiful sister.
I wrote the chorus for this song a month or two back and finished it when I realized I was blessed with all these things.

I figured it was about time I released it.

Thank you guys for listening to ‘This Worlds a Giant’ last night and thank you to all the people who love me; who have truly carried the weight with me.

Seems that all these Quiet Dreams have gotten much too heavy but I’m home now and I’ll hold you through the pain.

High Road is out today and I appreciate all of you"

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83 Budget-Friendly Finds Under $30 That'll Have You Gifting Ready This Season

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