Talk to Your Daughter Before the Beauty Industry Does

There are some issues that arise in the Swimsuit Club that strike a chord in my heart. I really feel for Frannie, Jeanine, Sharona, Angela and Becky. In their own way, each of these modern girls is dealing with an identity crisis--or is it simply a beauty crisis? Or is it both? If you've been following the blog and getting to know them, you won't be surprised that each had a marked difference in how they reacted to a video I'm posting today. It looks at our modern culture's idea of beauty from a startling perspective, and raises the question: What about you? Got some talking you need to do with a young girl in your life? Got some talking you need to do with yourself?

Now, take a moment and view the video by clicking on the HEADLINE of this post. (Where it says, "Talk to your Daughter Before the Beauty Industry Does.") You'll see what I'm talking about. Then, get talking!

Here's your opening statement/questions:
What is real beauty?
And, What is it about you that is beautiful and unchanging, and can never be taken away or made ugly?

For many women, these questions don't have good answers. Can you answer them for yourself?

Here's my stab at it: I submit that what is most beautiful and real for each and every one of us can't be seen at all: it's what's on the inside that counts. Not in some wishy-washy way, but in a very real sense that our true being is a spirit, made in God's image, made to last eternally! Wow, now that's beautiful! If you can really get that: that God made you on purpose, who you are, what you are, and wants a relationship with you--forever!!--just try to catch a glimpse of how beautiful that is. How beautiful you are; Then, and only then, can you answer the questions from a right perspective.

This doesn't mean that outward appearances don't matter: in a material world, they do. But I pray that you never, ever let them matter most.

Want to help write the book?

If you know anything about me, then you won't be surprised when I say that contemporary romance isn't my usual genre. I do write romance, but my other book-length fiction is Regency romance; in other words, adventurous fun and romance during the era of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice..

I'm hard at work on my sequel to Before the Season Ends, my award-winning first book, which is why I'm inviting you to chime in now--while I take a break from finishing The Swimsuit Club,--to say what you'd like to see in the book. Read the posts on this blog, and get a feel for the characters. Then, let me know if there's an issue I haven't addressed that you think would be a good fit for the book. When I get back to work on this book, I'll take your ideas into consideration, and if I choose to add an element or character trait suggested by a reader--like you!--I'll award the person who thought it up with a free copy of the book when it's published, and a mention in my acknowledgements. If you haven 't already, you'll see your name in print!

What am I looking for? Sharona's got trust issues; Angela's got a techno-wizard of a kitchen, but no one around to put a ring on her finger. Frannie is a borderline anorexic(or not so borderline; you'll find out in the book). See the trend, here? Every lady in the club, as well as the fellows in the story, have a certain problem they really need help with. Tell me a problem you'd like to see addressed; and even which character should have to deal with the issue, if you know. Just leave your suggestions in the comment box. If you'd like to email me, tell me that in the comment box, and I'll get in touch with you. (Sorry--Tasteless SPAM forces me to cloak my email).

SO--get those ideas rolling in!