Brash Bay Area novelist
April Sinclair started reading her novels in bookstores before
she had even picked up a publisher. Television's Politically
Incorrect told Sinclair that she wasn't compelling enough
to be on the show. We beg to differ.
Willamette Week: Dee Dee, the protagonist in
your new book, I Left My Back Door Open, is overweight
and has a slight eating disorder. What's your relationship
with food?
April Sinclair: I can relate to it to a point in that I've
struggled with food to some extent, like most people just
going into midlife, because I was a slim young adult until
I was near 30. I've never been obese or fat, but I've certainly
struggled with the 10 or 20 extra pounds. I made her [Dee
Dee] an occasional bulimic, because I didn't feel I had
the experience of what it would be like to be bulimic on
a serious basis. I could relate to it to the point where
I considered it as an option, and then I'm like, nah, that's
not me.
You've been called a leader in lesbian lit...
I saw that for the first time today, and this is a new
one. I thought it was kind of ironic because this new book,
of the three, is the least [sexy].
Are you a lesbian?
No, I don't label myself sexually. Neither yes nor no--it's
like, I'm open.
But you wouldn't say bisexual?
You could say that, but I don't like that. Bisexual just
sounds so fast, like you're always doing something. I'm
sexual. I'm uh, what is it? Bisensual. I'm bisensual. I
shouldn't elaborate; that's when people get into trouble.
Do you have any advice for women who are reluctant to
masturbate?
I wouldn't be where I am today if I didn't masturbate [roars
with laughter]. That's where I get my confidence from;
my confidence comes from a cord. I'm gonna have to leave
America now! But to answer your question, do I have advice?
I'm thinking about starting a class. I can't understand
why there's such a taboo against masturbation. It's really
ridiculous. It's a natural thing, and I think it's self-affirming.
It's empowering to masturbate, and we do not, in this society,
value it the way it should be valued.
This is sort of out of left field, but if you had to
choose between a weekend at a nudist colony or a singles
golf cruise, which would you pick?
I'd go to the nudist camp.
Have you ever gone to one?
No, but I've never played golf, so it's hard to say. If
I had to watch golf, I'd rather watch naked people. But
if I could learn to play golf, and they gave me pointers,
I'd go on the golf cruise. But if I had to just stand there
and watch, I'd go to the nudist camp and maybe, you know,
I'd have a towel. A big towel.
Are Afros making a comeback?
Yes, because of me. No, they are.
Really big Afros, too?
Not as big, but they're gonna creep up slowly.
Can I ask your age?
Fortyish and looking well.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Willamette Week | originally
published July 28, 1999
|
