What Inspired The Author To Write 'Her Gangster Attitude'?

The author of 'Her Gangster Attitude' drew inspiration from gritty urban life and the complex duality of female strength in male-dominated spaces. Growing up in a neighborhood where survival often meant adopting a tough exterior, they wanted to explore how women navigate power dynamics while retaining vulnerability. The protagonist's rebellious spirit mirrors real-life figures who defy stereotypes—think female mob leaders or street-smart entrepreneurs. The story’s raw dialogue and unapologetic tone come from the author’s love for noir films and hip-hop culture, blending lyrical aggression with emotional depth. It’s less about glorifying crime and more about showcasing resilience when society boxes you in.

Behind 'Her Gangster Attitude' lies a fascinating mix of personal obsessions and cultural movements. The author has mentioned in interviews their fascination with antiheroes, particularly women who weaponize femininity to dismantle expectations. They binge-watched 'The Sopranos' and 'Queenpin' documentaries, struck by how female criminals often used wit rather than brute force.

The setting mirrors the author’s hometown during its economic collapse—abandoned factories became gang hideouts, and desperate choices fueled dramatic arcs. Research included talking to reformed offenders, revealing how many women joined crews for protection, not malice. This nuance shaped the protagonist’s backstory: she steals to pay her sister’s medical bills, making her morally gray rather than outright villainous.

Musically, the soundtrack the author listened while writing—90s gangsta rap and blues—seeps into the prose. Scenes crackle with bass-heavy tension or slow-drip melancholy. The title itself nods to Memphis Minnie’s song 'Black Rat Swing,' about a woman who 'rules the alley.' It’s this blend of history, music, and lived experience that gives the book its electric authenticity.

What sparked 'Her Gangster Attitude'? A cocktail of revenge fantasies and feminist critique. The author once described it as 'what if Bonnie Parker ran a syndicate instead of playing sidekick?' They studied historical badasses like Cheng I Sao, the pirate queen who commanded 1,500 ships, and fused that with modern street politics.

Key scenes mirror viral news stories—like a female drug lord outsmarting SWAT teams by disguising herself as a nurse. The author amplifies these real-world whispers into full-throated roars. Visual inspiration came from graffiti art and vintage mugshots, where women stared down cameras with defiance.

Interestingly, the protagonist’s signature move—using a hairpin to pick locks—was borrowed from the author’s grandmother, who escaped an abusive marriage this way. Little details like this ground the wilder plot twists. The book doesn’t just ask 'why be a gangster?' but 'why shouldn’t she be?'