I Write About My Obsessions

I write about my obsessions. I have a lot of them so I stay pretty busy. Little Pink Raincoat is a prime example of dual obsessions: men and fashion. To me, they're inextricably linked. The book is a nonfiction collection of 10 vignettes about little love affairs I've had with men and the corresponding items they inspired, or vice-versa. Be it the ultimate trench, French perfume, or peau de soie slingback, I've always believed — and intellectually I realize this is a flawed philosophy — that if I could just snag it, I could snag him. But there's always an obstacle. It's always something. Always. Either the man I love has a commitment issue or he's allergic to women or he's — to borrow a by-now all too familiar phrase — just not that into me. But! I love a challenge. It's sick. The harder it is, the more I'm attracted to it, want to chase it.

This is particularly unfortunate when it comes to clothes, accessories, and makeup, be it because they are, respectively, sold out, outrageously expensive, or suddenly discontinued. Truly, my fate seems to be to fall for unavailable men and discontinued lipsticks. Red lipsticks, especially.

I wrote Little Pink Raincoat in hopes of understanding these fatal attractions and connecting with women who can relate. And for men, too, actually, because I've noticed that the sexes approach dating very differently. That's also what Little Pink Raincoat explores. When a guy's getting ready for a date, he showers, throws on something that doesn't smell or doesn't have too many holes in it — and goes. For us, it's this Big Picture saga. Two weeks of e-mails and phone calls with your girlfriends. How soon should I do the highlights/bikini wax/self-tanning? Should I wear the mother-of-pearl pearl earrings or the diamond studs? Flats or wedge sandals? Sleep with him or not sleep with him? The angst goes on and on.

And thank God for the angst. Without it, what would writers do?

The perfect outfits exists, but does the perfect man? Little Pink Raincoat is a featured book in Fiction Readers, a group to discuss contemporary women's fiction, books, women's issues and much more. Click here to join the group.

Click here to buy the book.