Title: Chapter 1: Cast
I'm really enjoying what I've read so far and look forward to your updates. Love your visual inspirations for the lead characters.
I've walked both paths and understand Camille's thoughts and perceived bashing of smaller women. I think it's realistic that she may have some less than nice thoughts because being plus size you're held up against a standard that doesn't reflect you. It's a defense mechanism. It might not be right but it is realistic.
I've recently lost quite a bit of weight (Over a 100 lbs) and let me tell you life has changed. The biggest thing I've noticed is I'm not invisible any longer. So ironic that it took getting smaller for people to actually notice me. So from my perspective I understand Camille's inner dialogue.
As a black woman who suffers from a medical condition that has ravaged my once full head of hair I was excited about a character that was a proud weave wearer. If given a choice would I rock my own natural locks, heck yeah! Can I also just sport a bald head (it's that bad in some spots), you betcha. There's a third choice and it offers me the option to be creative and still stylish. So weave it is. I know your character is doing it as a protective style but I urge everyone reading to remember everyone has a story.
I guess what I really wanted to convey is that I relate to Camille. It does help me enjoy the story. The flip side is even if she were my polar opposite I'd have an open mind. Sometimes it's cool to see how the other half feel and think. Bias is usually created through life experience and isn't it fascinating how it takes shape.
I'm not knocking anyone who's submitted a review. I just strongly support the author being able to write her characters, her way. So far, I'm enjoying your pace. I love the humor and this is one I watch for updates.
Author's Response: Thank you for such kind words and I'm honored that you find Camille relatable. That's all I want her to be simply because I'm tired of the plus sized severe insecurity (although it is prevalent), the most aggravating part about being heavy is that people think it's a beauty problem rather than focusing on the health issues related to it. So as a woman who desperately wants to be beautiful, sometimes we channel our negativity into the women we consider attractive. It is not good, but it is honest.
Congrats on your weight loss, it takes so much dedication and I'm just beginning my journey to "healthy" this month. It is not easy but I've learned to stop looking at it as a challenge and more of a change. It is not a diet but an attempt to be better for myself. If you have any pointers feel free to reign them down! I often feel invisible as well and I struggle with it daily. While my thin friends have dates I have work or writing. It's not uplifting and it hurts the self-esteem feeling like it's not enough to just be me. I have to be them to get noticed ya know?
This weave thing really shocked me! I love weave I don't wear it but I love the versatility! It is such a big part of our culture and I've never felt ashamed or tired of it. Of course I want all the edges and all the weaves to be proper but as long as it looks good WEAR IT! Not everyone is comfortable wearing their hair as is and some just don't want to deal with the trials of hair. Weave is nothing to be ashamed of and I refuse to pretend like each girl in a character picture is rocking her "natural hair" it just happens to look eerily similar to Malaysian deep wave. No ma'am.
Thank you again for this review and all the others that have offered their opinions and support. I fully intend for this tale to be sweet and relatable.
Reviewer: Kimmig0414 Signed
Date: August 10 2014
