Dating Humor With A Little Attitude

D.E. Boone says, "Instead of crying about being alone, let's reflect, laugh, and throw a party." That's why the New York City native created, Legs Talk: A Modern Girl's Dating Tale. It all began a few years ago, when author Boone realized that when it comes to some relationships, there are more downs than ups. "Not everyone can relate to the unbelievably sweet sayings we often read in most gift books and greeting cards," says Boone. "In fact, most people never talk like that." 

"Many men are obsessed with a woman's body," declares Boone. Dating a man with a one track mind is tricky enough; add to the mix, a man with a leg craze, and you have a special kind of relationship book. 

Inspired by the edgier side of dating, Boone reveals what women encounter when faced with a man's outrageous obsessions. As a result, Boone departs from the typical sweet dialogue; in its place, are animated exchanges with lots of attitude. "I wanted to confront the realities of our less than fairy-tale like relationships," says Boone. "But do it in a distinctive and entertaining way." Most couples bicker from time to time - hopefully they can work it out. On the other hand, if they cannot, maybe they should split up.

"Women are actually using the book to laugh about their break ups," explains Boone. They buy the book for their friends; it is a fun get-over-him gift. Many are buying it for their boyfriends, in the hopes of getting a message across in a visual way.

At first glance, the tale combines comical banter alongside classic black and white photos. Visually, the story is told by a pair of sassy legs. However, Boone never reveals the character's faces, thus the title Legs Talk. "Leave it to up the readers imagination," says Boone. "It's like Sex and the City from the waist down."

Laced with body language, humor and rants, the most popular one includes a picture of a woman who is obviously not answering her phone. The text reads: "Every night he called me to ask if I missed him. How can I miss you, if you won't go away?"

There are thousands of people who are not happy with their relationships. At the same time, they would rather laugh than cry about it," says Boone.

Born and raised in Queens, New York, D.E. Boone is the winner of the 2001 Lou Rivers Drama Award in Playwriting from CUNY's New York City Technical  College. He studied graphic design at Touro College and earned his MBA in media management at Metropolitan College.

D.E. Boone often looks at why our field of dating is so bumpy.  He writes about life's personal challenges with a blend of sincerity, candor and of course, humor!  Legs Talk is a quirky offbeat gift book for adults. The book is a visual tale of girl meets guy, falls for guy, and finds out guy is not what he said he was. As normal as this story sounds, it's anything but. This sassy black and white picture book is told from the waist down. Photographs of a model's legs take you on this voyage from beginning to end. The pictures tell the story, but the captions pack the wallop!

"I always had a passion for writing and creating silly stuff. I used to scribble jokes and bad illustrations on napkins," said D.E. "My friends always got a good laugh from this. One day my friends and I were at a café. We were sitting next to a squabbling couple. They were talking way too loud, so I pulled out a napkin and recorded their heated one-liners. Then I put it side by side with my awful drawings."

"Who knew this screwy idea would eventually take on a life of its own?"

"The idea came when my friend was complaining about her boyfriend for the thousandth time.  Suddenly we realized that when it comes to some relationships, there are more downs than ups. At the time, my friend and I joked about creating a series of greeting cards with a theme of 'you need to do better, or you will lose me' message."

"Afterwards, we looked at tons of gift books and greeting cards. They were overwhelmingly sweet and sentimental. Greeting cards always say things like, "I'm glad I met you."  And, "Everyday I wake up and thank the heavens for you." Women don't talk like that. They say, "Why didn't you call me?""

"With pen and paper in hand, I gathered relationship stories from my female friends. At the end of the day, there was a consensus--many men just don't get it. I went back to the original napkin narrative (for some strange reason I kept it), and combined it with my friend's stories. After a while the greeting cards idea morphed into a storyline."

"In the end, I wanted to show people they can laugh at their bad relationships--so I put a gift book together. We all have experienced break-ups and failed relationships, but sometimes you don't want to deal with in a serious way. I decided to confront the realities of our less than fairy-tale like relationships -but do it in a distinctive, entertaining and invigorating way."

"As for the legs, I was inspired by old black and white film noir characters and Hitchcock movies. I noticed that women's legs were used to communicate something, especially when they were walking away. To stimulate the reader's imagination, I chose to have a pair of playful legs narrate the story."

"After a lengthy leg search for a model, I decided to go with the beautiful and lively Natsuko Koizumi.  The photo shoot with photographer Marc Burgess was more fun than effort.  We were actually laughing while we were working."

"Ironically, I didn't even consider going to a publishing house, I knew enough about design to create the book. As for publishing, I simply formed my own publishing company. Looking back now, it seems like someone else did it."

"Personally, I always thrilled when someone tells my book put a smile on their face. I am also delighted to learn that some women are buying the book for their girlfriends as a fun get-over-him gift."

"Professionally, I knew I had a quality product when I signed a distribution deal with Blu Sky Media Group. I still have the acceptance letter taped to my computer. I hope to follow Legs Talk with journals, prints, calendars, posters and similar books."

If you're fed up with the dating scene and need a good laugh about it, Legs Talk is the book for you. Give Legs Talk as a gift to women you know who have experienced love found and lost, on their own terms!

Visit http://www.legs-talk.com/

To purchase: Legs Talk: A Modern Girl's Dating Tale (2009 IPPY Bronze Award Winner - Best Gift Book )

Chic Galleria and D.E. Boone are giving away an autographed copy of "Legs Talk". Leave us your comments!  Be sure to subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter to be automatically entered in all giveaways at Chic Galleria.