“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 to be like and tells us about writing intercourse scenes…
Gown: Bronzeville Boutique, comparable. Sun shades: Amazon, comparable. 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 individuals see me as someway much less severe than my male classmates. However once I grew to become a heart specialist, I used to be like, Screw it. I’m going to face out anyway, so I’d as nicely put on what I like.”
Gown: thrifted, comparable. Sweater: thrifted, comparable. Bandana: Magnificence Provide, comparable. Sneakers: Brooks. Bag: Aspinal of London, comparable.
“After I completed my medical coaching, I noticed I had no private fashion however needed to. I employed a stylist, and he or she took me to Nordstrom for the afternoon. Her providers have been costly, however price it. She taught me to tug colours out of patterned garments to create one thing cohesive. My closet is now an explosion of colour, and I virtually 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 normally drawing or writing. These are my main stress relievers.”
Two-piece set: ÖFUURË. Heels: Nordstrom Rack, comparable. Hoops: comparable. Purse: Brandon Blackwood.
“After 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 wonderful’ – 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 find out about a personality, and the extra I’m like, ‘Oh, possibly this is able to truly be extra true to her.’ You’ll be able to inform a lot about characters from how they’ve intercourse.”
“I discovered ÖFUURË on-line a number of years in the past. The fashion of print is named Ankara, which is a sort of African wax print. I’m Ghanaian-American, and I like how designers within the diaspora are utilizing conventional materials in items with up to date cuts.”
Lower-offs: thrifted, comparable. Jacket: Kaiju66. T-shirt: comparable. Sneakers: “Nike Air Max 90 — Chicago Metropolis Particular,” bought out, however obtainable from resellers. Sun shades: comparable. 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 likewise clear about her struggles with psychological well being. Two of my favourite lyrics: ‘Unhealthy bitches have dangerous days, too,’ and ‘Individuals say I’m manner 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: comparable. Gown: By no means Totally Dressed, thrifted from ThredUp. Flats: Rothy’s. Peach earrings: comparable.
“I’ve this joke — but it surely’s additionally actual — that if I’m studying a guide written by a person and he describes a girl’s breasts, particularly as a option to introduce a personality, I simply cease studying. They’re at all times teardrop-shaped boobs!”
“My good friend came visiting to my house the opposite day and was like, ‘You could have a whole lot of fruit earrings.’ As a health care provider, I discover that carrying issues like peach earrings or Air Jordans humanizes me to sufferers and offers us one thing to attach over. I’m not an enormous sneakerhead, however my associates 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 developing, a whole lot of situations that disproportionately have an effect on girls have been disregarded, however she knew they have 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, every time I see her at conferences, she’s carrying some wild, colourful quantity — not what you’re ‘alleged to’ put on — and I find it irresistible.”
Thanks a lot for being you, Shirlene!
P.S. Extra individuals share their weeks of outfits, together with a petite songwriter, who discovered the important thing to dressing her curvy determine, and a Manhattan lady with 5 nice workplace appears to be like.
(Images by Sarah Petrarca for Cup of Jo.)
