Got Character?

Remember I'm here to post about books with great characters. What's my definition of a great fictional "character"?
A heroine (in this case, not the hero, since we're talking about the softer gender, here.)whose got spunk, guts, is fallible, but leans on God when she's in trouble and when she needs answers to life's problems. She's memorable, strong enough to stick to her principles, and not afraid to fall on her knees to talk with her Father. She's not ashamed of her purity, and knows that virtue brings its own rewards.

Does that sound like you? I hope so. If not, keep coming back as I discuss character issues, and how some fictional (and real) heroines are dealing with them.

More soon,

Linore

What is Beauty?

I've raised this question before, but writer Susan May Warren got me thinking in a recent post of hers in which she discusses how to create a memorable heroine for a novel. She says it is important to make your heroine beautiful--but what, after all, is beauty? Here's an excerpt of her post:

"Beauty – what is it? An informal Warren family poll elicits very different responses:

16 year old boy: Someone who is smart.
13 year old boy: A girl who can run fast. (not sure why)
11 year old boy: Nice hair.
15 year old girl: Someone who is unique.
Married old guy: Softness. Someone who is happy and cheerful.

What makes beauty? I think we can all agree that the bible points out that beauty comes from inside, and I agree. A crabby person, regardless of how beautiful, gives off a sheen of ugly. But a lovely person who exudes kindness can be very pretty.

When we’re creating a heroine, especially in a romance, but even in a suspense, she has to possess her own beauty. This is the other Secret Ingredient to a Strong Heroine. All heroines will have something about them that makes them pretty to the hero. They could be genuinely pretty – and then, only get prettier as the hero gets to know them. Or, they could be plain, and turn gorgeous as their inner nature is revealed. The key is, the hero has to see it, and appreciate it.

For example, let’s talk about one of my favorite actresses – Jodie Foster. Love her. She’s an amazing actress. However, I wouldn’t peg her as beautiful. One of my favorite movies of hers is Maverick, where she stars as a gambler against Mel Gibson. She’s a scamp, (and he likewise), doing what she has to get to into the big poker tournament (even stealing Mel’s money!). But the more she tricks Mel, and teases him, the more she turns irresistible to him. Her scoundrel ways is what draws him to her, and they make a perfect team.

What makes your heroine beautiful? And it’s not something physical – in fact, if she’s not physically beautiful, you have more to work with. You can draw out her other features, and then as the hero begins to see her in a new light, she’ll become gorgeous to him."

Just a few more thoughts on the ethereal quality that constitutes true beauty, as opposed to the material, physical emphasis of the world and the media. If you're not a writer, keep this in mind for yourself: It's not just what's on the outside that matters. Really! If you're not yet married, ask yourself how a guy who cares about you will behave; how will he treat you? If he cares for you, the real you, and not just the "outside" you--or just himself--would he ask you to do things you don't really want to? Would he pressure you, threaten you, or, God forbid, force you to do a physical act you don't wish to?

The answer is, a big, resounding, "NO."
And don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Susan May Warren is the author of "Book Therapy", a blog for writers.
Join her list by writing to: booktherapy@susanmaywarren.com

Anti-Ageing Run Amok

Today's post isn't directly related to the issues of the Club, granted; but I still had to include it here because it INdirectly affects each and every woman (and even men, but to a lesser degree) in Western culture.

Have you noticed that the trend to reverse aging is growing into a national obsession? It's often touted as a form of women's healthcare, but when it comes to cosmetic surgery to look younger, that just ain't healthcare, folks! That kind of "care" has a lot more to do with a woman's insecurities and self-perceived shortcomings--all which translate somewhere in the brain into being unlovable--and nothing at all to do with real health.

As usual, I'm going to say that the only healthy foundation for loving who we are has to come from loving who made us! Keeping in mind that we are given value by the God of the universe, no matter our age or appearance, can help us to avoid the pitfall of buying into today's youth culture. But, before I say more, why not click the TITLE of this post and go to a great article by Andrea Mann called, "Stop the Anti-Ageing Madness!" She's got more than a few things right.
Give it a quick look. (Click the TITLE of this post to go to the article.)

Join the Club!

Have you been keeping up with the girls in the Swimsuit Club? Why not "join the club" today by subscribing to this blog? You'll be kept informed of what's going on with Sharona, Angela, Frannie, Becky and Lisa, and there's always hunky Jason to read about, too.
While the Club is quiet right now (since the author is busy on another book, alas), it's a great time to join, since you can begin by catching up with past blog posts--do it by reading just one or two a day. Often there are links to take you elsewhere, a place that is of interest to one of the girls and will be to you, too. Why? Because their lives are like yours: full of womanish growing pains, surrounded by a sin-laden, oversexed culture, and with the same deep desires, longings, and love-seeking attitudes that fuel life. Ever feel that you're alone in this sojourn, looking for love but not finding what you need? You're not alone. Like I said--join the club.

Hey, Beautiful--Get Real!

What is beauty, really? Frannie, with her ovaline face, fine-boned features and pouty lips is a looker, to be sure. But she is razor sharp with her comments, while Becky, lanky and sun-kissed and easygoing, is not a pin-up girl, but a pleasure to hang with. Both of them look to Sharona as the undisputed "beauty" of the Club, yet even Sharona doesn't match her own modeling photos! What's going on?

Think about this: Have you ever met a person with the satiny smooth skin of a magazine model? How often do you see people who are as beautiful as the pages and pages of models in magazines--not to mention films?

If you're thinking, "Not very often, if at all," you're about to find out why. They don't exist.
That's right, they don't exist! Not the way you see them on the printed page, anyway.

Yes, you get a Sophia Loren now and then, an exceptionally beautiful woman here or there, with the glam skin and all. But most women--and get this, most models--are perfectly....well, normal. They get acne, bad hair days, sallow skin, and every other malady that can afflict a woman's appearance. Their foreheads are too short or long, and their eyes aren't always spaced just right.

I came across a wonderful little video that perfectly encapsulates the reason why accepting the modeling industry's idea of what is "beautiful" can be so damaging to girls. To their credit, Dove (the soap and and beauty products manufacturer) is sponsoring the video, which shows an amazing transformation of an ordinary girl into a billboard model beauty. You've got to see it to believe it. Click the link below.

Campaign for real beauty.

A "Campaign for Real Beauty" sounds like something all women need to get on a soapbox for. (Pardon the pun) Good going, Dove!
Go on, click the link and watch!

(Look around the site--there are some neat ecards you can send to let the women in your life know they're beautiful--just the way they are. Just the way God made them.)

Be Still, My Heart! (Angela)

Woo-Hoo! Sharona's back! I am absolutely beside myself here.
Only thing is, I now have to think of a way to make her want to stay! I have missed Sharona so much. Staying in touch with email and instant messenger is nice, but it's not the same as having a friend nearby. (What can I do to make her stay? Pray! ha.) She's got the same small-town roots as me and what's so wonderful about living in a cramped apartment in NYC, anyway? With three or four locks on the door!

Her boyfriend, Patrick--I just don't care for the guy, I don't know why. Sharona is not heads over heels herself, which is actually good, because it means she doesn't have to go back for him. In fact, with Jason in the loop, something just might warm up here between them--oh, my, that would be wonderful! I can't wait for them to meet!

Of course that leaves me the "third man out," so to speak.
(I would love it if I thought for a moment that Jason was interested in me. but he's not. "That chapter is definitely closed.") But hey, at least I'd have Sharona here. It would be worth it. (I have to give Mrs. Davidson a kiss for being sick and getting her to come home! hee-hee. Now that she's out of danger, that is. On second thought, I'll bring her a big pot of my Italian stew. She loves my stew! I do, too.)

Could Fat Be Infectious?

A landmark study published this past July purports to prove that obesity is catching. To a degree.

Apparently, how your friends behave in the eating "arena" has more of an impact on you than family, genes, or prior disposition or habits. In fact, even friends you don't see often, if they are still "close" to you emotionally can impact your own weight. In a nutshell, if your best friend puts on lots of weight over the years, you are more likely to do the same, than if she stays slim.

The study's author, a Harvard professor, points out that in a sense, we've known this all along. "Who you tend to hang out with, weight-wise, is more important than who your next-door-neighbor is." Likewise, "When overweight or obesity becomes normal in a given social circle, people may be more likely to become obese themselves."

The good news? (There is good news!) It works both ways. The healthier the people you hang with, the healthier you are likely to try and be yourself. This is very true for Jeanine, as being a member of the Swimsuit Club helps her to stay motivated to swim, and eventually, even to take much better care of herself. Later posts will deal with the self-image issue, and how even overweight women have lots of power in deciding how they want the world to see them, whether they lose weight or not.

Stay tuned for more posts on weight-related issues and self-esteem! Subscribe above.

(original article by

Amanda Gardner called "Family, Friends, May 'Spread' Obesity

HealthDay Reporter

as seen in DivineEloquence Magazine, Aug/Sept Issue)

What He Doesn't Know (Jeanine)

What I wish Johnathan (that's my husband) would realize is that I did not put on weight intentionally, or to punish him, or for any reason that I know of--except having our girls. After my second pregnancy I was too tired to care about what I ate, and even though I'm not tired anymore, I still don't care. (Why should I, when Johnathan cares enough for both of us? Ha!)

He acts like my getting fat was a personal attack on him. Does he think I like walking around with all this extra weight? Okay, I like to eat, and he knew that before he married me. I was never a "skinny-minnie," you know? But when he gives me those "looks" at the dinner table, it always makes me want to add MORE food to my plate! (Sometimes I do, and then he looks even more agonized, and that makes me laugh. For some reason, there is nothing funnier than Johnathan looking terribly agonized because of my second-helpings. Just thinking about his expression at those times can make me laugh out loud.)

I love the man dearly. Just, somebody please, tell him he won't help me lose weight by walking around the house with all that disapproval on his face!

Why doesn't he just pray for me? Why doesn't he tell me he's praying for me?

Why doesn't he love me, the way I am--which just might help me become who he wants me to be? I really do want to change, but his attitude makes my resolve fizzle away. I have enough on my hands raising two, healthy, happy girls. An unhappy husband is a burden I don't need.


Don't miss Jeanine's next post, or any of the Club's! Sign up for The Swimsuit Club updates, Here

Is Modesty Making a Comeback?

An article I read this morning states that modesty is making a comeback.

Women are tired of having to choose between "frumpy" and "Desperate Housewives" (read: slutty). New fashion designers are hearing the call, designing clothes that are actually meant to be elegant and tasteful while offering modesty. Can you imagine? (I might be able to shop in the Junior Departments of major clothing chains for my daughters again!)

I know from speaking to lots of women that this is a trend girls and moms are just waiting to see happen. As the article points out, "young women who would rather cover up more have trouble finding stylish clothes that work for them."

In The Swimsuit Club, it's true that Sharona Davidson leaves a modeling career and becomes a writer instead. Becky (if you saw her post yesterday, you'll know this) wonders why, but the truth is, Sharona has that long-forgotten virtue known as modesty.

Is she a prude? No way! Anyone who listens to her thoughts as the book moves along, and witnesses what she does, will know that soon enough. But she is uncomfortable posing for the camera in lingerie--a thing most fashion models do routinely. She was also not happy finding herself having to subsist on rabbit food and supplements to look skinny enough for the job--and then portraying that as if it were normal. Have you seen how some models truly look frail? As if a good wind could send them wafting off into the air at any moment...

Skinny models do not represent an average woman!

If you are a fashion model and want to add a comment on your own experience, whether it supports what I'm saying or not, please do. We'd all love to hear from you.

Read the full article Here

Sometimes I wish I was the beautiful one (Becky)

I am thrilled that Sharona Davidson--the Sharona Davidson, the author, has joined our Club. I love that she's back in Restonville. I just sometimes can't help but notice that, compared to her, I am plain Jane.

Frannie's got a style of beauty, if you like Twiggie (I shouldn't say that! I know she's ill, and, honestly, I pray for her every night!) She could be more beautiful, if she were healthy. And Angela, is very, very pretty, even beautiful. But Sharona...well, she's got that kind of look that sets her apart. I mean, why was I surprised to learn that she used to model? All you have to do is look at her once, and then you can't take your eyes off her! I'm not sure I understand why she gave up modeling just to write, in fact.

I watch Jason and the way he looks at her, and I am happy for Sharona. Angela and I often exchange smiles when he gets "that look" on his face, (which is whenever she's around). But Sharona doesn't seem to even notice! How could she not? Any girl would be happy to have Jason as an admirer! I mean, I'm already engaged, so I wouldn't, but Sharona ought to realize what's going on here.

Woman Power (Linore Rose Burkard)

Here's a quote from an article I saw in my inbox recently:

"Women have long desired to be empowered and in control of their destinies, but it has been an uphill battle. Many countries or religions still treat women as second-class citizens or property."

As a Christian author, (writing a chick-lit book) it begs the question: How does God view women? Hasn't the Bible been used for centuries as "proof" that women are second best? Or maybe you've seen this blog and wondered why on earth would six women in today's world even want to try and live a Christian life?

You may need to explore that question at length, for yourself. But a short answer, in my opinion, is that the Christian life alone gives value to everything you are in your womanhood.

As the article goes on to point out, "Throughout history God has empowered women." In the Bible there are examples of women in such positions of power as:
Soldier/conqueror
Judge (a la the Supreme Court. A judge was that powerful.)
Queen/Ruler
Prophetess
Deaconess
Financial backers to ministries (such as for Jesus'!)
Entrepreneur
Wise Manager
Teacher and Mentor
Composer of songs
Choreographer
Singer
Prayer warrior
Chef

He also showed that women's "natural" callings such as to be wives and mothers was worthy of the highest esteem. "Jesus gave women a significant place in his life and ministry and he elevated the status of women in Jewish society." The women in the early church are mentioned over and over again for their multitudinous methods of support and help in both maintaining and spreading the gospel.

Are you woman? You are strong! Not because of a flawed idea of being "liberated" but because God created you with the freedom to be ALL that you are capable of . Be liberated into the knowledge of the One who made you to shine--whether it be by investing, starting a business, or singing in the choir. Perhaps you're home with young children. Shine while you're home!

Being a woman is not a curse. We are one-half of God's image.

Quotes taken from "The Ultimate Source of Girl Power" by Tonya Ruiz and Nancy C. Anderson (aka the Cheetah Chicks)

Visit the Chicks Here