In our last chat, she told me to start making my heroines BBW.
"Yes, it's what's trending now."
"Oh, how wonderful that we're showing bigger women deserve love too."
"Yes. Fatten them up to a size sixteen."
I nearly choked on my chocolate. Sixteen? I haven't been a size sixteen since before I got pregnant with my youngest child over forty years ago. I confess to being a few sizes beyond that now...and I'd give up chocolate for three days to be a size sixteen again. Trending, or not.
Of course this all reinforces authors' complaints that publishers want fresh voices who write the "same old, same old" types of stories. You know, write the same topic, but differently.
Also trending now are bear-shifters. Lucky for me, my editor just edited my third bear-shifter book. She's asked for two more. Just "fatten up" my heroines.
A Highlander's Passion, Book Two Highlander's Beloved Series http://amzn.com/B00N6PD78S
Bearing It All, Book Three Highlander's Beloved Series - (Releases October 8th) http://amzn.com/B00TCI2A5E
Thanks for the post. I don't feel guilty now about the extra chocolate (smile!).
ReplyDeleteAngela, we're just above the curve. That's all. To be honest, some things said are quite comical. "Oh, but it's the latest thing!" I hang up the phone, walk around the house with my hands over my mouth and chuckle.
DeleteInteresting blog! I always thought a good story is a good story no matter what size the heroine is! But what do I know?
ReplyDeleteI agree, Karren, for in the end, we are writing about human beings and their emotions...their past pains...their fears...and what gets their goat. We get to watch them heal and change their thought processes and, in the end, find happiness and love.
DeleteHow nice to know we're almost trendy, Vonnie. LOL Hmm, maybe we're just too short. I don't think that applies to me since I'm five feet seven or eight. Fun post. Looking forward to your new books.
ReplyDeleteI'm 5'6" and well-rounded. Even my earlobes are chubby. Sometimes conversations with my editors are a hoot. I did tell her I was uncomfortable with the heat level she was making me use and she agreed to allow me to ease up on that on my wounded warrior series to come in 2016-17, but not the bear-shifter series.
DeleteThey now have some big beautiful models out there too on Period Images. I haven't looked at Hot Stock but I think it's good to have a variety of sizes in heroines. Usually they seem to be skinny and able to eat like a horse ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's great news, Rain. Heroines don't all come in size two. It makes us who are larger feel we are less desirable, less deserving of love.
DeleteIt is true, Vonnie and it's worse for young girls coming up as they haven't already figured out that there are other things that matter more. The irony is most readers of romance books are probably average sized or larger women-- which means definitely not a size 2
DeleteMy daughters gave me fits about my writing saying no one looks as perfect as heroes and heroines in the romance books. My come back was, they are seeing each other with loving eyes. I agree not everyone is gorgeous but in the eyes of the person who loves them they are. And I like that editors are wanting more realistic characters in the romance genre. Thanks for letting us know, Vonnie.
ReplyDeleteThis is great Vonnie, and good to know.
ReplyDelete