I guess that’s pretty much the business we’re in. We write stories in which a woman’s (or man’s) dreams can come true. Whether it’s a romantic suspense in the South of France, discovering the existence of shapeshifters, or making love to a vampire. Maybe you’ve always had a fantasy about participating in a menage a troi, making it with your best friend’s brother, or going on a dream vacation around the world. I’m willing to bet you can find a book written on any of those subjects.
It’s all fantasy.
For the most part, fantasy is harmless fun. Idle fascination. Something to daydream about. But fantasies can also be dangerous. They leave an unrealistic aftertaste. Just take a look in any fashion magazine. You’ll see women who are a size “0†and can wear pretty much anything they want. There are gorgeous women with size D cups, tiny waist and curves in all the right places. Trouble is, there are millions of young girls who see this as the norm. Its touted in the movies, the music videos, the magazines. Plus, where the hell do these television shows come up with the fat slob of a guy but whose wife is a gorgeous, petite blond. Give me the Roseane Show any day. Now that was more realistic. Girls are being taught that you’re not beautiful unless you look like Jessica Simpson. (Personally? Blech). They see themselves every day in the mirror… maybe a size 12, short brown hair, non-descript features and they think they’re ugly. This is damaging to these kids.
However, there is some hope out there. What I’m seeing with a lot of writers now, are more realistic heroines. Check out one of Sherrilyn Kenyon’s books. She has a heroine who is a size 12 and considers herself average looking. Jayne Ann Krentz has everyday, normal heroines … not drop dead gorgeous babes who can defuse a bomb, take out the bad guy and still have time to change the cat’s litter box. I’m seeing authors writing about heros who aren’t perfection, who leaves their dirty clothes on the floor, the toilet seat up, and whiskers in the sink.
Sure, when we pick up a book, we want to escape our every day existence. I’m no different. When I read, I want to sink myself into a world that has no bearing on my own. But we do have a certain responsibility as well.
Just something to think about.
In my current book, my heroine is about 20 pounds too heavy. She doesn’t care and the hero likes her extra pounds. I know one unpubbed writer who’s getting requests for her book that has a heavy heroine–and heavy hero. Even more unusual than an overweight heroine is an overweight hero. I’ve read her first pages, and she makes the hero sexy. The unique premise is getting interest. I hope she finds a great agent and sells it.
As for TV shows with average looking woman, just look at UGLY BETTY. The actress who plays her would be Pretty Betty in my neighborhood.
Liz, I love this message! Thanks for a great blog. I, too, get really miffed when young girls are constantly bombarded with “perfect” images. Hell, I had no clue Victoria Seceret models were airbrushed until I went to our local store and the sales gal told me. LOL. And the magazine covers can be computer enhanced to make a generous bustline where none exists. I try and make my characters real. In BUTTERFLY, my heroine is a redhead with a too-generous mouth, and all arms and legs growing up. She doesn’t grow into herself until later in life. Keeping it real in a world that isn’t, is vital imo.
I just don’t understand why little girls want to be a walking Victoria’s Secret or Calvin Klein models when nobody’s paying them to do it. No matter who’s face is up on that billboard, I’ll still look like the person that God meant for me to be. Those are the values I try to instill in my nieces.
As for writing, I feel that fantasy isn’t believable until you can lace it with a certain amount of reality. I may be of average height and weight, but I’d pick a full-figured heroine over a Paris (Prisoner No. 123123123) Hilton look-a-like any day. Why? Because that’s what my world looks like 24-7. We see various shapes and sizes every day on the streets. I don’t want my readers to feel like they’re disqualified from being a part of the adventure because they’re not blond bombshells.
I’ve always loved Jayne Ann Krentz’s heroines for just this reason! I do like the imperfect heroes and heroines, I find that I can relate so much better to them!
That’s true, Edie. I forgot about “Ugly Betty”. But even then, when you think about it, she really isn’t ugly. Sure she has braces, glasses, straight dark hair, but I see people like this every day. Do I consider them ugly? Nope. They’re perfectly normal.
Well, LaDonna, I’ve known that those photos in the girlie magazines had to airbrushed, etc. No one has that perfect of a figure. (I grew up with five brothers. Girlie magazines were a norm with them)
I remember what it was like to be a too tall, too flat chested, blah hair, and a face that broke out regularly. I couldn’t tell you if there was someone I wanted to emmulate.
I confess that in “Forget About Tomorrow” my heroine was a blond drop dead gorgeous alien, but that wasn’t who she was inside. In Dragon Magic, Jenna is fairly average and very comfortable with herself.
I personally find it amusing when these so-called “celebrities” such as P.H. are taken to task and made to pay the price for breaking the law. Evidently she felt because of her money and connections that she was above all that. Reality check, anyone?
Same here, Cyn. I’ve also noticed that beyond the initial description of her H/H, JAK rarely comments on their looks again. I think there was one book (I forget which one) where she never described the hero and I never even noticed it until the end. I had this picture in my head that came alive just through her description of his character and the heroine’s reactions to him.
We can even take the “blond” part out of it and just go with rail thin. It still sends the same distorted message. Real beauty comes from those who are comfortable with who and what they are and refuse to buy into the hype.
I also love some reality with my fantasy. And I hate the fact that girls think size 0 is the ultimate goal. I hardly ever describe my characters looks. Or once I’ve done it once, that’s all you generally get from me, LOL. I make them attractive, but nothing extraordinary.
Good post, Liz.
my heroines are ‘healthy’. For them that means they have curves. and my heroes like them just fine.
Something else I find remarkable is the fashion trends that these so called role models advocate for young girls. There is no way that a pair of jeans that look good on a size 0 – 6 model, is going to look good on a size 10 – 16 girl. Along with the short cropped tops, we have what is known as a “muffin top”. Very description, IMO.
I’m a big fan of these plus size models and think they’re far more realistic as far as fashion goes.
Healthy is good, Karin. I remember reading a book years ago … I want to say it was a Janet Daily category, where the hero was big, plain, and a little slow. However, he was also reliable, honorable and honest in his emotions. Can’t think of the name of the book, but that theme stuck with me after 20 plus years.
I like the name of Meg Cabot’s book: Size 12 Is Not Fat.
And I agree, Liz, about fashion trends. I think what they do sometimes is design the clothes for a size 0 and then just scale up the measurements instead of making something flattering for someone who isn’t rail thin.
The same thing happens with shoes. That cute little pump in a size 6 does NOT look the same as a 9!
Liz,
Great blog, and definately something to think about. I don’t think I’ve ever written a heroine who was perfect. She’s always a bit overweight, maybe soft curves instead of toned muscle.
In the WIP the heroine has wild red corkskrew curls, freckles, overweight and a snarky temperment. She doesn’t think of herself as homely, she just is herself. Not out to impress anyone.
I will admit, I like more of a fantasy when it comes to the heroes. I do like the good-looking masculine, gorgous body hero.
I guess that might be reverse discrimination?
I’ve got that book, Lynne. Its on my TBR pile. I may have to move it up since I enjoy Meg’s writing and I love the title.
I agree with you regarding the shoes. I love shoes but there are certain ones (the pointy toe ones)that make size 9.5 my feet look like clown feet. Gotta admit, I never cared for pointy toed shoes. They look uncomfortable.
I like a buff hero, too, but that’s part of the fantasy.
At the other end of the scale I read a book recently, Jennifer Skully’s “Drop Dead Gorgeous” in which the hero is half bald and wears glasses. He was still hot as far as I’m concerned. In all in how the author portrays her characters.
Coming in a day late, I think Madison Ave. has mass marketed the “perfect body,” etc., but, on the other hand, if that’s the case, and young girls emulate the size zero, why are juvenile diabetes and obesity reaching epidemic levels?
Wherever I travel, I see more young girls with big guts hanging over their belts, numerous chins, wearing clothes meant for the smaller figure. Boys, too. Maybe Madison Ave., is responsible for that, too, i.e,. McDonalds, B,K., etc.
I’m not saying the size zero is healthy, but, where are the normal sized kids?
I think what we want is a character we can identify with. No one can identify with perfection. And even most models have low self esteem. I also think what used to be considered really beautiful is slowly becoming less so. It’s like people were in some kind of bizarre plastic fog.
Or maybe it’s just me that’s changed. I honestly don’t find most fashion models that attractive. What I find attractive is people who look “real.” I guess that rubbed off from my husband.
I used to say: “Do you think she’s pretty? What about her?” Now he would tell me if he thought someone was hot, but more often than not the answer was: “too fake,” “too plastic” etc. I guess that gave me hope that while there are a few men out there that like these overinflated 20 year old nymphettes, that a lot of men just don’t go for that, and it says a lot about who they are as a person if they do. Just my 2 cents and probably a little off topic as I’m prone to do.
The times I’ve asked my husband that (Do you think he/she is good looking?), he pretty much always shakes his head in this back and forth waggle meant to indicate “Sure”. If only most people felt that way about other humans. Does this person look nice? Sure!