Tags
harlequin, heartwarming, heartwarming author, love inspired author, plus sized heroine, rubenesque, western romance author
In my head, I’m 40 lbs lighter and ten years younger. Is anyone else like that? Now, I’ve tried on enough clothes to know what size to look for in the store, but in my head, when I see a medium on a rack, I figure it should fit! Which makes me chuckle a little as I type this.
I’m NOT a medium. I’m nowhere close. But seeing myself as a medium in my head isn’t just about size, but about how attractive I feel. For the most part, we’re fed that message that tiny=beautiful. If you look at the supermodels, there isn’t very much woman under those clothes. So I catch myself traipsing along with the societal messages twisted around in my head–seeing the size medium and feeling like that’s for me, because I feel beautiful.
That’s the thing–I do feel utterly beautifully at my current size. (Somewhere around size 14-16, depending on the cut.) I don’t want to change my body–it’s done well for me! I love the way I look and the way I feel. I just need to change my mental attitude about it. Beautiful isn’t necessarily a medium. Beautiful, in my case, is plus-sized.
I’m currently starting a brand new book entitled, HIS LITTLE GIRL’S HERO for Harlequin Heartwarming. The heroine in this book is plus-sized and gorgeous. This is my second plus-sized heroine for Harlequin Heartwarming. The first comes out in October of 2018. I like writing plus-sized, beautiful heroines because I think it’s high time we start recognizing that beauty has nothing to do with a clothing size.
When I read a romance novel, I like to put myself into that heroine’s shoes and feel what it’s like to be her for a few hundred pages. And sometimes I enjoy being the tall, lithe athletic type for a little while. But what I love more is seeing a heroine who looks a lot like me, and having her be the most beautiful woman in the room. With some extra padding, ample cleavage, a softened tummy and silky skin. When the hero sees her, he’s put under a spell. Her femininity is intoxicating.
And that’s how I like to feel about myself. No need to starve yourself–just shop in the right stores and put a twitch in your step. 😉
Beauty begins in the way we see ourselves.
I once read where the average woman is a size 12-14. I don’t know if that’s true, but I’ll take it (smile).
🙂 I’ve read something similar. And when I look around at other people on the street, I think I’m pretty average.
OH MY GOSH. I was on the verge of writing this same blog. I have a few photos tacked up of what my brain THINKS I look like. hahahaha I am always in shock when I realize the inside is not the same as the outside. It never was, and never will be. And yet…I strive. Marilyn Monroe was a size 12. Okay, so I’ll shoot for a 12. Great post.
Thanks, Tina! I don’t even shoot for a twelve. I just get clothes that look great on me. 🙂 It’s easier! And I’m so much happier this way!
I’m glad you’re writing plus-size characters in a good light. I’ve been plus-size for 40 years. It’s tiring to hear the same snide remarks from people. I haven’t given it much thought to have large characters, but it’s an interesting idea.
I’ve only just started writing larger characters, and I really like it! It’s freeing!
Sometimes in stores I catch sight of myself in a mirror or security feed and wonder who that woman is for a moment. I’ll look forward to that story. Beautiful women come in all sizes.
I’m starting to catch sight of my reflection and think it’s my mom! 🙂