‘Women have felt empowered by my writing’

Enter the world of Zoe Margolis (aka Abby Lee), whose sexually candid blog-turned-book has whipped up a storm worldwide.

Your book ‘Girl With A One Track Mind’ is based on your blog of the same name. What drove you to starting such a sexually explicit blog?
I wrote the blog because I didn’t see my views on sex expressed anywhere else in the media. I wanted to challenge the stereotyped view of women’s sexuality being passive, and solely defined in terms of male fantasy. I also wanted an outlet to express the thoughts and feelings that occupied me and which I was unable to talk about in my daily life; writing the blog enabled me to experience some catharsis with this.

So, are blogs a form of ‘literary exhibitionism’?
I guess they are, yes. Blogging offers an outlet of expression that, say, writing a paper journal doesn’t. By putting one’s thoughts out on the internet, it allows the writer access to others’ opinions on their writing.

The book blurb says ‘Men think about sex every eight seconds’ - how often do you think about sex?
Probably more often; probably right now, in fact.

Have your parents read the book yet?
No, my parents have promised not to read it.

What have some of the reactions been?
Reactions to it have been great, actually. I’ve had ex-boyfriends asking me who’s going to play them in the movie!

What would you like your readers to be left with?
It would appear from the emails I have had, that many women have felt empowered by my writing, and feel they relate to the things I have talked about. If just one woman feels more confident about herself and her sexuality as a result of reading it, that would make me very happy. Men too, seem to connect with the book - many have said they enjoy reading about the emotional stuff.

Are you planning a sequel?
Yes, it’s in the works, so watch this space!
d_farhad@dnaindia.net