Los Angeles is often described as a place where anything seems possible, but talking to it Anna Dornit becomes clear that the city is best understood as a stage for people who know how to interpret themselves. Her writing circles around ambition, desire, vanity and collapse with an unflinching clarity that denies emotion. The women in her books navigate the world with keen self-awareness and a willingness to lean into their own contradictions. They search for meaning without pretending that it will save them, and they pursue creation with the urgency of people who know that momentum can disappear at any moment. American Spirits continues this pattern. It feels less autobiographical but more revelatory, driven by the tension between wanting to create and fearing silence when the energy goes silent.
In this conversation with DSCENE magazine‘small Katarina DoricDorn opens up about pop stardom, grief, perfume, bigotry, and the recurring women who are drawn into her novels as if they recognize each other. He talks about the pull of music, the emptiness embodied in fame, the comfort of obsession, and the pleasure of writing characters who aren’t looking for redemption. Her honesty lands without theatrics, shaped by a kind of precision that mirrors the city in which she writes. Interpretive, self-aware and strangely honest in the moments when the mask slips.
What is it about LA that breeds such fierce honesty in women writers? – I didn’t know it was a phenomenon! Who are you thinking of? Also not sure I know what brutally honest means haha.
I mean that kind of raw, self-aware writing that doesn’t care about being likable. I think of Joan Didion, Eve Babitz, Ottessa Moshfegh, women who write precisely but unapologetically. Do you think that kind of honesty could only happen in a city like Los Angeles, or is it just stronger here? – I don’t think I really associate LA with honesty, more with art and performance. I’m definitely playing. Joan Didion originally wanted to be an actress and so did I. Writing, I’ve always said, is acting for shy people.
I don’t think I really associate LA with honesty, more with art and performance.
You said that American Spirits came to you after watching Renaissance. What did Beyoncé call you? – Honestly, I was a bit disgusted and it was in IMAX. I thought, why didn’t I write a pop star novel?! I guess my first novel Vagablonde was about an aspiring musician, but she wasn’t particularly talented or successful. I was like: it’s time to write about a musician who is really good!
The book feels like a eulogy to pop music and a love story with it at the same time. What is pop to you? – Interesting you see it as a compliment – how so? I definitely see the book as a pop music love story. Music was my first love. Since I was a child I was obsessed with singing and I still am. It always brought me a sense of unbridled pleasure. Unfortunately, I lack the talent and drive to pursue it as a career, but I fantasize about singing on stage all the time. Music affects people in a way that even the best writing cannot. And something about the combination of moving lyrics with moving sound and stage presence is just magical to me. Religious, honestly.
Maybe it’s because there’s this sense of loss running underneath all the glamour. Do you think pop music and sadness are somehow connected? – I think it makes sense. I’ve been listening to Robyn’s Honey a lot lately. This is a beautiful pop album about sadness. she wrote it in response to the loss of her best friend and partner. My favorite pop songs are always the sad ones.
Do you see fandom as a modern form of intimacy or as a symptom of loneliness? – Probably a symptom of loneliness. But I don’t think fandom is unhealthy, not necessarily. I think it can be a healthy coping. It can also be an unhealthy treatment and one can read the hashtag #gaylor on TikTok to see that.
Writing, I’ve always said, is acting for shy people.
Have you ever become part of a fandom yourself in a way that surprised you? – I’ve always been a fangirl. I have been a fan of the Olsen Twins for almost my entire life.
You write women who are self-aware to the point of self-destruction. Do you ever feel protective of them? – That’s interesting, I never thought that self-awareness and self-destruction were related. But I feel protective of my characters. People will say things like “I probably shouldn’t admit it, but I really related to your main character.” I’m like, you can definitely admit it to me — I wrote the bitch!
Have you ever regretted how one of them turned out? – One of my characters?
Yes. – I only regretted writing characters loosely based on loved ones who are hurt by the portrayal. Which has happened a few times, but I sincerely hope not again. I don’t know how Lena Dunham does it.
Do you ever worry that you’ll run out of ways to make a meltdown feel beautiful? – No, because that’s never really something I’ve thought about doing. I worry all the time that I’m going to stop feeling creative and I often have months where I don’t and it’s unbearable and scary, but so far the creative spark always comes back. Driving at these times is really difficult for me. I’m happiest when I’m feeling creative and writing a ton.
Music affects people in a way that even the best writing cannot.
You’ve described American Spirits as your least autobiographical book but your most personal. Which part did it take you the most from? – I think like me, my main character Blue is happiest when she’s creating and terrified when she’s not. Creation is her life force and it is mine too.
Your characters often seem like they’ve all met before, even in different books. Do you feel like you’re writing a long story about the same woman in different guises? – Well, I’m including overlapping characters because I was inspired by Bret Easton Ellis. He’s not the first person to include the same characters in non-serial literary fantasy novels, but he’s the first person I’ve seen do it. The Vagablonde featured in American Spirits is obviously the star of my first novel, Vagablonde. Jax, her Vagablonde best friend, appears in my novels Exalted and Perfume & Pain. Cinnamon, a minor character in Exalted, is a main character in a book I’m writing now. I like to think I’m creating a cinematic universe in the same way that Lana is, as Jimmy and the Color Blue and her sister Chuck appear repeatedly throughout her discography.
You once said, “I finally convinced my parents not to read my books.” I like this. Have they finally stopped? And do you ever censor yourself knowing they might still peek? – I can’t really think of anyone I know who reads my books. I wish I could censor myself, but alas, I am too real.
Obsessed with the scent, the scent, the smoke, the trail someone leaves behind. What is your earliest memory of the smell that still lives rent-free in your head? – The smell of my mom’s Noxzema face wash in the 90s. This wonderful medicinal eucalyptus. I can imagine it just by thinking about it.
I’m happiest when I’m feeling creative and writing a ton.
What perfume are you wearing right now and what does it say about you today? – I am currently wearing Nanban by Arquiste, a house I love. This to me is too good, but I like it. It smells like leather and incense and coffee. It makes me feel confident and grounded.
If you met one of your characters in real life would you date her? – God no.
What’s your favorite subreddit rabbit hole? – The Gaylor subreddit is fun in its delusion, but I think it recently went private. I look at r/fragrance and r/lanaderey occasionally. I got banned from the Southern Charm subreddit for assuming a cast member was gay.
Who is your favorite Kardashian, and be honest, because that says it all. – Chris!! She’s the only one having fun.
What’s the worst compliment you’ve ever received about your writing? – There are certain phrases I see a lot and loathe: “Sapphian chaos”. “Unacceptable female characters.” “Inseparable”. “Chaotic queer writer.”
Five female authors everyone should be reading right now? – I think everyone should read whoever wants to read! But right now I’m enjoying Frieda McFadden, Donna Tartt, Maud Ventura, Anika Jade Levy, and Paula Bomer.
I can’t really think of anyone I know who reads my books.
What’s on your playlist? – “Father Figure” from Taylor’s latest album kills moi. “Relapse” by Lily Allen. A bunch of songs from the new Sudan Archives album. Robin. Oklu. JADE. James K. Amaarae. I listen to so much music all the time it’s a problem. My girlfriend is always annoyed with my inability to tolerate silence.
Have you ever blamed a bad decision on Mercury retrograde and meant it? – No. I don’t really believe in Mercury retrograde. I feel like it always happens. I can’t be bothered.
Report. So what’s your excuse when things blow up? – My period?
When you hear the phrase The New Disorder, what comes to mind first? – Addison Ray.
I always have another novel in the works, but that one is top secret.
What’s next for you? – I always have another novel in the works, but this one is top secret.
Originally published in DSCENE “The New Disorder” issue.
