‘I’m Always In Love’

Do you see yourself in any of the characters?
Well, I really put a lot of myself into Bee. She was an orphan and didn't have a mother or a father, and really kind of got out of a terrible situation and had the guts to make her own life. I mean, I have never had threesomes, and there's a lot of that in the book. But maybe I should try it. It might be fun! But the freedom that Bee has sexually, I have always had.

What about Priscilla? Do you relate to her at all?
The thing I find fascinating about Priscilla is that she faked that she enjoyed sex even though it was abhorrent to her. And this is something I think many women do, for fear of losing the person they love. And I don't know what the answer is for women like that. Maybe it's really that they would like women more—and be able to fulfill themselves sexually that way—but just haven't discovered that yet.

Have you always been this open about sexuality?
I have. And actually, it's one of the things that saved me. Coming from the background that I did, and the complicated situation with my family, it gave me a sense of my identity and a sense of myself that I never would have gotten from my family.

How would you describe how sexual mores have changed from your youth to today?
Well they've certainly changed enormously—I mean, people can live together now without it being called moral turpitude, which is a big step. But in this book we're dealing with fantasy, and I don't think fantasies have changed at all because it's something that's very secretive and private. And everybody has always had fantasies, which they have not had to edit, because you don't need to expose them.

Do you think people should explore their fantasies?
Well, I think if they find a partner and there's nothing destructive about it, then yes, I think it's terrific.

What do you think about the movement for seniors to embrace sexuality?
I think it's great. Why not?

Do you consider yourself part of it?
No, I don't consider myself part of any movement. There was a magazine in England who wanted to do a story about how the book was promoting sex among old people—and I said, "Nooo, that's not what this is about." This book is meant to be enjoyed, it's supposed to be fun to read, it's not promoting anything other than that.

Who do you hope your audience will be?
Anyone who will enjoy it!

You look much younger than your age. What's your secret?
Yes. I do take very good care of myself, and I'm always in love. And by that I mean I have an appetite for life. I'm in love with beauty and things and people and love and being in love, and those things I think, on the inside, show on the outside.

© 2009