What is your year/age/major? And where are you from?
I'm a senior English major with a concentration in Creative Writing. I am 43 years old. And I'm from New York City.
What was your life like before you were famous?
The truth is my life hasn't really changed very much since I became a recognized person. But recently someone said to me that basically, being editor of Street is like being the class president. I was like, "I don't think I'm on Pierre's level of fame." Then they said, "Well you're not at Pierre's level of notoriety, but you are at fame." And that's famous, you know.
Wow, I didn't know who Pierre was.
Well, that hurts me.
How would you describe your style?
I think there are people who think that I'm alternative. And there are people who think that I think I'm alternative. But really I've never had such misconceptions. I would say that my style is more like JAP with mystique.
Was that a premeditated response?
Well, there was a period of time my sophomore year when I really wanted to find someone who hated me. And in the ensuing years, the most common reason I've heard for people to hate me is that, "Yona really thinks she's alternative, but she's not." And they're right. I'm just not. If I were at another school, I wouldn't be alternative at all.
What's your first novel about?
It will most likely be about Jews on the Upper West Side.
Who's your style icon?
Probably the buyers for Anthropologie. And the city of New York.
What will you miss most about 34th Street?
The fame.
