TN10: Monica Corcoran Harel, Screenwriter and Founder of Pretty Ripe
Amplifying women's voices over 40, from pen to screen...
Your Age: 55
Basic bio: Monica, an accomplished author and screenwriter, is also the visionary behind Pretty Ripe, a platform celebrating kick-ass women over 40. In her role as a journalist, Monica introduced Pretty Ripe in late 2020, aiming to fill the gap left by women’s magazines that mostly cater to a younger crowd. She's currently developing a sitcom based on her New York Magazine essay “My Mom Has No Friends” for Mandy Moore and 20th Television.
Beyond the bio: For most of my 20s and 30s, I was afraid of becoming middle-aged. I thought it would be the most boring ride at the carnival. But now I know that midlife is the juiciest part of life. Wee!
What makes you a grown-ass lady?
At 55, I am smarter and sexier than I have ever been in my life. I also take no shit from anyone—except my 12-year-old daughter.
Here’s her TueNight 10:
On the nightstand: Right now, my nightstand is a messy collage of my Lexapro, my black silk sleep mask by Slip, the book The Rabbit Hutch, and a mug of tepid green tea.
Jam of the minute: Listening to Lana Del Rey’s new album and praying that she comes to LA to do a show.
First job: Hand delivering newspapers — with freshly baked donuts, which was my idea — at eight years old.
How do you celebrate birthdays: A nap and some cake with family and friends. I also buy myself a new pair of shoes, no matter what.
Misconception about getting older: The biggest myth around aging is that women become invisible. Look around. You’re impossible to miss around the people who truly matter.
What you like/hate about getting older: I love the confidence and certainty that comes with getting older. I take nothing personally. I hate that my old metal cavity fillings from the ‘80s are giving out, one by one.
Is there anything you’d like a do-over for in life: I would love to go back to my teens and 20s and wear sunscreen every fucking day!
Best advice you ever got: My mom, who is from Brooklyn, always says, “did you ask?” Meaning, ask for everything and anything, from a raise to a hug.
Who has influenced you the most and why: I can’t name just one person: It’s a conga line that includes my mom, Jane Fonda, the singer Sade, Julia Child and my friends.
Best thing that happened recently: I quit drinking 100 days ago.