books, art, music

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Not long ago, I stopped by my local Borders to attend a booksigning done by a famous mystery author. I LOVED it because she dressed exactly the way you would expect a sleuth-writer to dress: flamboyant cap with a long feather, floor length cape, and for company she carried a stuffed toy cat. Mrs. Fletcher she wasn’t, but Agatha Christie-like she was!

That signing got me thinking about what the best dressed authors should wear to book signings. Would western writers wear spurs, romance writers a sexy teddy? How about chicklit authors? As one of the most rapidly rising genres, chicklit has really blossomed in the literary scene - but what would the bestdressed chicklit author wear? I went searching.

First, I considered a Rebecca Taylor mini dress (don’t you just love the raspberry one!), but on second thought, this screamed romance writer. Hey Jackie Collins! Get over her and get yourself into one of these minis!

Next, I spun by the one-shoulder dresses; they were spectacular, but I’d save these for my nighttime signings - they definitely say “party girl”. Not that chicklit writers don’t love a good party - - but we’re going for the book signing crowd right now.

Finally, I found the perfect dress for the chicklit author: Sundresses to die for. Polka dot, prints, and island-wear - - THE match for authors like Jill Smolinski, Kate Hart, and Nadine Dajani. Better yet, I discovered these women’s strappy sandals, which, when pared with the sundress, create an ensemble fit for a New York Times bestselling author (well, unless the author is a guy!). By the way, my favorite is the Nina brand in metallic gold.

Next time YOU go to a book signing and the author’s wearing a little so-so nothing  - send her over to this blog and let’s educate her on a little style.

I guess a week of un-San Diego-like dreary weather was all it took to set my writer’s mind off on rainy day ramblings . . . including books, raincoats, and movies . . .

Back in 1932, Joan Crawford came close to burning a hole in the silver screen with her sultry portrayal of streetwalker Sadie Thompson, in Walter Houston’s Rain. An adaptation of a W. Somerset Maugham piece, Rain is about a steamy seductress who tempts all the men of Pago Pago, including a fire and brimstone preacher played by Houston.

The movie screams hot, humid passion, as the tropical Pago Pago seas crash into the shore, Crawford sizzles up the screen, the rain keeps falling, and Joan spits out at the pious preacher “You can tell them Sadie Thompson’s gone straight to hell!”

It’s only my opinion, but I’m thinking that Crawford wouldn’t have had to turn all those tricks if she’d been wearing a Burberry Trench Coat, Tamara Henriques Rain Boots, and sporting a Shed Rain Umbrella. In that gear, she’d quickly bid adios to Pago Pago and book passage to Paris on the S.S. Get Me Off This Island.

Maybe in Paris, she’d meet Rick . . . you know, before Ilsa, the Nazis, and that whole Victor Laslo thing. There, Sadie and Rick could open a Starbucks franchise, be the first to introduce the Sadie-cchino, and sit out the war in neutral Switzerland, all while perfecting the world’s first dark chocolate coffee blend. What do you think? Is it possible, or has the rain pounded down just a little too hard on my imagination?

Call me crazy, but you never know where one great raincoat will take you.

Maybe I’m confusing myself with Jackie Collins . . . but doesn’t it seem like a cool idea to splurge on an upscale Fendi as a book bag? I can’t be the first one with this idea, can I? Or is Jackie Collins already walking around New York City, toting her latest manuscript in a Fendi Hobo Bag? I’d be crushed if this wasn’t my original idea.

So I did a little research. I couldn’t discover if Jackie carries a Fendi as her book bag, but I did find a Fendi reference in her book, Lovers & Players. “Dangerous sex, family secrets, irrestible power, mega-money, and two murders equal one reckless week in New York.” In the book, Jackie has her character packing up her brushes and makeup equipment into her large Fendi carry-all. Okay, so not a book bag . . . but close enough. Knowing Jackie’s books, I’m betting that carry-all was a Fendi Spy Bag. Whadda ya think?

Whenever I travel (like all good authors,) I buy book bags; however most are canvas and either sport the name/ logo of my destination, or come straight off the shelf at Barnes and Nobel. Of course, canvas is fine for daytrips to the zoo or library, but come on now . . . . wouldn’t you rather have the fuchsia twill Fendi Tote for those prestigious book signings? Of course you would . . . why waste that royalty money on something frivolous like . . . . rent? Let’s go shopping.

Back in the day when I wrote for an astronomy magazine, I wore a special pair of tennis shoes whenever there was an eclipse. My eclipse shoes were made from a fabric printed with suns, moons, stars, and comets.

Those shoes were my lucky charms, ensuring I got great eclipse photos and even better elipse article bylines.

But now, I’m turning in my eclipse shoes for new lucky charms - - a great collection of fun shoes for the writer in everyone. Problem is, I can’t decided between the red polka dot thong sandals, the pink rockin’ round-up Sugar Shoes, or one of the hip Red Wing boots. Sometimes even the most serious authors just wanna have a little fun.

Whenever my niece cooks, she plays music to match the menu. Whenever I write, I do the same - - but now I’m wondering if my writing would pop up a level or two if I wore shoes to match my topic. You know - - lightweight hikers when writing an article about the best hikes in San Diego County, or those red polka dots while working on a round-up piece reviewing the best new chicklit fiction.

We authors can be a strange lot when it comes to our “magic”. Some of us can’t write without “the right pen”, some without “the right atmosphere”. My thing has always been “the right music.” But now - - those shoes. Just think what heights I could conquer if I just had the right shoes.

Would love to hear about your “the right . . . . . “. Leave a comment.