INTRODUCTION

Gary Raisor called in October about the anthology he was editing for Dark Harvest. He'd titled it Obsessions, and that was what it was about: obsessions. This was his third call this year. Could I contribute?

At that time my major obsession was still Reprisal. I'd worked out most of the kinks in the novel, and the writing was picking up momentum. I didn't want to lose that. I had no time for a story about an obsession. But Gary's such an engaging guy I told him I'd give it a shot if I found the time.

I went back to Reprisal but frequendy found myself distracted by thoughts of food. You see, Mary and I had started a strict low-fat diet that summer in an effort to drop ten pounds each. The diet was working, but I was hungry. Always. There were times when all I could think about was food. Eating was gradually becoming ... an obsession.

I started "Topsy" before the World Fantasy Convention in Seattle and finished it when I returned to Jersey The story is written entirely in first- person vernacular. That can wear you out if it goes on too long. But "Topsy" is only three thousand words, just the right length. It was recently reprinted in 100 Hair-Raising Little Horror Stories.

(Hint: The key to clarity here is to read the words phonetically and listen to what you're reading.)