Deepest Red

Sexy Talk with Nicole Moore

Let’s talk about sex, or rather sexual attraction. This was the proposal that writer and arts consultant Nicole Moore put to potential contributors to the latest anthology to come out her organisation Shangwe. A collection of autobiographical and poetic writing from 19 black and mixed-race women, the writers certainly give passionate and intelligent views on what sexual attraction means to them – and what sort of people they are sexually attracted to. For London-born Nicole, editing this collection was much more than just another project. In fact the roots of the project lay very much in her personal life and an encounter that it seems may drastically change her life forever. I spoke to her to find out more.

Why a book about sexual attraction?
It is a subject that has always fascinated me. What is it that attracts us to certain people? I have always found it interesting why we fancy one person and not another. I have met people and thought they are really nice but there is absolutely no chemistry between us. Oh and I met somebody too... Somebody that reinstilled my belief in love at first sight. . I have had that feeling before, but it is always different. This time I went to Jamiaca and quite simply fell in love. It hit me hard.

Does any one else care as deeply about what sexual attraction means?
Judging by the response I got they do. It is a universal theme that we should discuss and debate. People were happy to contribute, especially poetically.

I understand you funded this book your self, why?
Because I just wanted to get on with it. Some people said afterwards you know you could have got funding for that, and I thought – now you tell me! But at least this way I got to do it my way.

You also produced Brown Eyes another anthology of writing by black an mixed-race women.
Yes and after that I vowed there would be a book two. Like Brown Eyes this book looks at important themes and analyses culture and race. Why is it that we are attracted to certain races? I know some people can love anyone from any race but others have very specific preferences.

And I know you felt you had a job to do redressing the balance of how we are portrayed in the media.
Well you don’t often get black relationshiops championed in the media do you? You see inter-racial relationships but that is just one representation. I wanted to tell the other side of the story. Give voice to the relationships that you don’t see celebrated and expressed much on TV.

So what sort of man are you attracted to?
Anyone who reads the book will find that out very quickly. I wrote a poem about the man I am in love with now and many people – especially men – have said how much they liked it.

With a theme like sexual attraction surely you got some really hot pieces of writing?
Well hot is one thing and that is fine. But I also got a few pieces that were erotica and just didn’t fit. Actually some of them were bordering on porn. I didn’t get too many of those though. Most people pitched it just right.

Have you had positive feedback about the book?
Yes, very positive. From the writing to the image on the cover people have been very positive. Some say it is nice to dip in and out of as it is not a heavy read. And, especially in the Caribbean where I have sold a few, people loved the cover.

Talking of the Caribbean, I hear you are relocating.
Yes, I am moving to Jamaica. I met and fell in love with someone there – (read the book!) and rather than him moving here I wanted to move over there. He’s a Rasta, which is something that has always fascinated me. Over the last year I have traveled over there every quarter to visit him and I just decided to take this huge step. But it isn’t all about him. It’s about getting away from the rat race too.

What do you plan to do over there?
Promote my book for a start. And maybe set up an arm of my company Shangwe there. I know there is a market for the kinds of things of I do, writing and organizing poetry events. I used to teach creative writing but I have decided that is not for me. I am much more interested in promoting the written word. And of course there is book three to be getting on with.

Sexual Attraction Revealed: A selection of creative expressions by black and mixed-race women is on sale now. Info: www.shangwe.com

posted by Andrea Enisuoh @ 2:29 PM