Rachel Machacek
Rachel Machacek is the author of The Science of Single: One Woman's Grand Experiment in Modern Dating, Creating Chemistry, and Finding Love.
From her Q & A with Caroline Leavitt:
So what IS the science of single?--Marshal Zeringue
I think there are two parts to being single. Like, literally, learning to be single and enjoying your own company. The other part is learning to date, the inference being that one is looking for some sort of a relationship. I believe most of us are. Ultimately, it’s less of a science, more the art of delicate negotiation between embracing your singledom and being open to the possibility of something more. Seems like a no brainer, but sometimes it’s like opposing forces pulling you in two different directions, arm tendons straining.
What was really fascinating was how your relationship with Jeb actually suffered because of the book you were writing. Care to tell that story?
Oh Jeb. That relationship was going to suffer no matter what. When you get involved with someone and dig into their life, there’s always something. Some sort of issue, boundary, stuffed-to-the-gills luggage that you uncover, cross, unpack. And whatever it is that you find out about the other person, well, it’s either a dealbreaker or it’s not.
When Jeb found out I was writing a book about my dating experience, we weren’t even two weeks into dating each other and I hadn’t had a chance (found the nerve) to tell him yet. I still don’t know how he found out. But me writing about dating – writing about me and him – coupled with a number of difficult things going on in his life – it all became one big ole dealbreaker. I sort of understood. I sort of didn’t. He...[read on]
