“I’m over right here writing romance, which is a style that has been regarded down on for dumb causes, most of them rooted in misogyny,” says Shirlene Obuobi, whose second novel, Between Pals and Lovers, got here out final week. When she’s not writing, Shirlene works as a heart specialist (!) in Windfall and attracts cartoons. Right here, she shares 5 colourful appears and tells us about writing intercourse scenes…
Gown: Boutique Bronzeville, related. Sun shades: Amazon, related. Earrings: Jess a Little Store.
“Solely 13% of cardiologists are girls, and solely 4% of cardiologists are Black. In med faculty, I felt like dressing tremendous female would make folks see me as one way or the other much less critical than my male classmates. However after I grew to become a heart specialist, I used to be like, Screw it. I’m going to face out anyway, so I would as properly put on what I like.”
Gown: thrifted, related. Sweater: thrifted, related. Bandana: Magnificence Provide, related. Sneakers: Brooks. Bag: Aspinal of London, related.
“Once I completed my medical coaching, I spotted I had no private type however needed to. I employed a stylist, and he or she took me to Nordstrom for the afternoon. Her companies had been costly, however value it. She taught me to drag colours out of patterned garments to create one thing cohesive. My closet is now an explosion of colour, and I nearly by no means put on black.”
“I wrote my first novel within the midst of COVID. I used to be seeing horrible issues on the hospital, felt exhausted and scared, and located myself escaping by writing fiction. If I’ve free time, I’m often drawing or writing. These are my main stress relievers.”
Two-piece set: ÖFUURË. Heels: Nordstrom Rack, related. Hoops: related. Purse: Brandon Blackwood.
“Once I began writing Between Pals and Lovers, I knew that it was going to be steamier than my first guide. A lot of the protagonist’s improvement is about studying to belief, and intercourse is a major a part of that for her. She doesn’t have points with exploring her physique – she’s like, ‘I’ve a vibrator that will get me off simply superb’ – however opening up sexually with another person is totally different. I edit my intercourse scenes lots as a result of the additional I get in writing a guide, the extra I study a personality, and the extra I’m like, ‘Oh, perhaps this may really be extra true to her.’ You may inform a lot about characters from how they’ve intercourse.”
“I discovered ÖFUURË on-line a number of years in the past. The type of print known as Ankara, which is a form of African wax print. I’m Ghanaian-American, and I really like how designers within the diaspora are utilizing conventional materials in items with modern cuts.”
Reduce-offs: thrifted, related. Jacket: Kaiju66. T-shirt: related. Sneakers: “Nike Air Max 90 — Chicago Metropolis Particular,” offered out, however obtainable from resellers. Sun shades: related. Hoops: Amazon.
“I’m obsessive about Megan Thee Stallion, a lot in order that I devoted my second guide to her. She is each unapologetically horny and in addition clear about her struggles with psychological well being. Two of my favourite lyrics: ‘Dangerous bitches have dangerous days, too,’ and ‘Folks say I’m means too stuffed with myself, you proper, and I haven’t even made it to dessert.’ I purchased this T-shirt at her live performance.”
“Many individuals will see this bomber and simply suppose, That’s a really loud jacket. However a number of will acknowledge it because the jacket of a beloved anime character. I’ve cherished anime since I used to be a child.”
Blazer: related. Gown: By no means Absolutely Dressed, thrifted from ThredUp. Flats: Rothy’s. Peach earrings: related.
“I’ve this joke — nevertheless it’s additionally actual — that if I’m studying a guide written by a person and he describes a girl’s breasts, particularly as a approach to introduce a personality, I simply cease studying. They’re at all times teardrop-shaped boobs!”
“My good friend came to visit to my condo the opposite day and was like, ‘You will have loads of fruit earrings.’ As a health care provider, I discover that carrying issues like peach earrings or Air Jordans humanizes me to sufferers and provides us one thing to attach over. I’m not an enormous sneakerhead, however my pals are slowly dragging me in that course, and my youthful sufferers undoubtedly discover.”
“I’ve a tremendous mentor who has been a trailblazer for girls’s coronary heart well being. When she was arising, loads of situations that disproportionately have an effect on girls had been dismissed, however she knew they had been actual. Her work wasn’t revered for a very long time. She cemented my perception that forging a brand new path is an efficient factor. Plus, each time I see her at conferences, she’s carrying some wild, colourful quantity — not what you’re ‘speculated to’ put on — and I adore it.”
Thanks a lot for being you, Shirlene!
P.S. Extra folks share their weeks of outfits, together with a petite songwriter, who discovered the important thing to dressing her curvy determine, and a Manhattan girl with 5 nice workplace appears.
(Pictures by Sarah Petrarca for Cup of Jo.)
