Clara Ott has just released a book called “Aufrüschbar” (Schwarzkopf & Schwarzkopf) and is on reading tour throughout Germany. This lady is living the dream: she is working as a journalist and wrote her own book, now on tour with her cute little novel and gathering more and more fans. I met her a couple of weeks ago, and when she returned to Berlin from a reading in Hamburg, we found out she knows my old friend Phil from http://avocadostore.de, THE sustainable online marketplace in Germany. That made her even more likeable.

About “Aufrüschbar”, that could be translated into “Flounceable” derriving from “flouncy” from “quillings”: When I got a copy, it took me a night to read it through, although it was 320 pages strong. It was a story about friendship, women and of course love, all set into a frame of business, fancy restaurants, so-called celebrities and all the twists of a life of a woman. Something a lot of people can relate to.

It is written in the art of pop novels of the 21st century, and it will work. Compared to “Mängelexemplar” by Sarah Kuttner, that got a lot of attention from the media just because of Kuttner’s status as tv moderator, this novel is not standing behind it at all. Other than Kuttner’s main character, Karo, a woman from media business that tells a story about a woman in the “scene” that looks down on all the theatre of media business and has to cope with her anxiety state that overcomes her now and then and ends with a hollywood happy ending,  the leading role of “Aufrüschbar” is about the life of Lotte, a normal woman who could be everyone reading the novel. It’s closer to real life and deals with realistic problems. That might be the reason “Lotte” is a bit more adorable than “Karo”.

The novel does not deal with really deep and profound philosophical questions, but it deals with life. And it is written in a light voice, it is easy to read and will not leave you with heavy questions about your existence – it will entertain you and is fitting ideally to that purpose.

Introducing: Clara Ott (2012)

Clara Ott is a freelance journalist for Zeit and Petra

This is your first novel. Please tell us a little bit about you. Where do you come from, what did you do before writing your first book?
I am a freelance journalist for different magazines or websites (ZEIT.de, Petra). I never really studied journalism or something. I guess I got all my writing skills either as a kind of natural talent or by practical experiences. Last October I moved to Berlin after seven years in Hamburg. I needed some changes in my life after spending the last summer in Italy, where I wrote my first novel.

 I call it a “surprising love-story”, because I dislike the typical chick lit.

What is “Aufrüschbar” about?
I call it a “surprising love-story”, because I dislike the typical chick lit. You regrettably just always know exactly by reading the blurb, who falls in love with each other in the end. Totally boring! The heroine of my novel, the 28-year old Lotte Rügenbach, establishes a creative tailoring named “Aufrüschbar”, which comes from making something more beautiful. She and her friend Cosima, a fashion designer, make mainstream-clothes more individual. Besides this, Lotte falls in love with the wrong men, lives in a shared flat with a womanizer and learns a lot about sex, affairs, beeing in love – and for sure, beeing herself.

Was there a purpose in writing that book?
I’ve always wanted to write a novel and started this story four years ago on a holiday at the Baltic Sea. But afterwards I hid the draft in my bed table and never showed it to anybody. One year ago, I read it again and finally had the courage to send it to publishing houses. It worked, I got a book contract and adapted it in Italy.

men who want to get to know a little bit more about what women think or feel [should read it]

Who should read it?
Every woman who is fed up with normal chick lit. And also men who want to get to know a little bit more about what women think or feel. Because Lotte meets four very different kinds of men during the story and i am sure, my male readers will be able to identify with some of them.

Where did you write it?
I started on the Isle of Rügen, than flew to Italy on wrote it on the Isle of Ischia and than in Positano. It was awesome and so overwhelming to sit there in a bikini, watch the inspiring and calming ocean and think about the novel. For me, water is very important in writing. But last week I discovered a nice little lake in Berlin, where I want to write in the future as well.

it took five months to write this novel

How long did the process of writing the whole novel take?
All in all four years to think and do some research about love and men, of course! But the writing altogether took me about five month.

Writers are known to be more personal in their first novel – to which extend can you identify yourself with the main character/s in your story?
Very good question. I really like Lotte and can identify with her in many situations. And of course some men I met in my life were perfect examples for some of the characters she meets in the novel. And I really can’t imagine how anyone can write without personal feelings or own experiences? Maybe I have to learn this for my next novels. Maybe not.

How did your family and friend react to your book?
Of course my family is proud and all of my friends were allowed to read it first. Some male friends really had to bear down their normal reading attitudes, because they used to only read thrillers or everything besides chick lit. But even some of them liked my story. And I am so happy to have friends like them, because they supported me during the whole process. And stood beside me during my years of research as a single!

Where did you get your inspiration from?
From my imagination and from real experiences. My own private life and stories of friends as well. I think, the best stories can’t be invented, because life is surprising enough and better than reality.

You have other hobbies as well?
Unfortunately, I am not good in knitting or sewing like Lotte or Cosima in my book. I am learning to play the piano at the moment and like to go running as a compensation to sit too while writing the whole day. And I really want to travel more. This summer again to italy, of course, to write again.

Is there a sequel coming?
Maybe! Would be an honour and interesting to know, how Lotte’s life is going on.

I want to write books for the rest of my life.

Clara Ott, what can we expect next?
I want to write books for the rest of my life. In combination with entertaining readings together with musicians, talking to my readers and meet inspiring authors. It makes me very happy to hear that some readers of my novel were touched or could identify with Lotte. I am sure I’ll may never win a famous book prize, but that doesn’t matter. I want to invent book characters, write down true, interesting, touching and entertaining stories and be one of millions of authors in the world. And make some money additionally as a journalist, until I can make a living out of writing. That’s what I am expecting, although my mum always teaches me not to have any expectiations in life.

You can order the book here.