Where Genres Collide Traci Dowe YA Author

Beauty and Its Many Underpinnings

Traci Kenworth

Beauty and its underpinnings, or to be honest “traps” can hinder your character in certain situations. Some might say that beauty couldn’t possibly be a trap but think about it. All the stalkers out there. Let’s face it, some men and women, live in fear for their lives. Why wouldn’t our characters do the same?

Think of medieval times. Women were considered a prize. Wars were fought over them. Heck, women are still considered a prize to some men. There are different groups out there obsessed with what they define perfection to be. The unfortunate object of those obsessions is in a vulnerable position.

Beauty can keep a woman from being taken seriously. She is undermined just because of her looks. She couldn’t possibly have any brains to go along with them, they think. Women, most of all, can be so catty to one another, trying to one-up the other in offices or elsewhere in the race for success.

It would be nice if we could just do our work and go home and not have to deal with the office pressure. The effort to please people you’re never going to please. There’s always something about you they don’t like. Something that has to be crushed for their sakes.

Another sad reality is that a lot of women chase beauty or ageless qualities even going under the laser to take away those fine lines. Those fine lines are what make us special to the people we love. Age should be worn with grace. We shouldn’t be ashamed of who we become.

We’ve earned the miles, the respect of those around us. I worry about women who go under the laser too much. It’s so sad to see. I mean, don’t they think they are worth anything without all the pin and tuck procedures? They are more than just a face and body. They are somebody to the people who love them. It seems to me to be an addiction just like anorexia or bulimia. You are destroying your body because of some “ideal image” that doesn’t exist.

Can you imagine how tired some beautiful people get from others fawning over them? Maybe they feel isolated from those around them. Being the object of interest can be a hard thing to be. It might sound wonderful, to be adored by all. But there’s a dark underside to it all.

Think of feeling insecure that your spouse might leave you if you lost your looks. Of worrying about the crazies out there who might actually attack you to take those looks. It would be a seesaw-of-a-life. Not knowing who you could trust and who you couldn’t.

Let’s look at the other side for a moment. That of a person who feels themselves to be “plain” or even weird looking. They can be just as bruised and battered by others as the beautiful. After all, their looks often rob them of getting ahead in life. They often fall for abusers who belittle them every chance they get. Not that beautiful people don’t fall for abusers. They do as well. It’s just that for these not-as-attractive people, they find the walls in their lives often close in even further with no help in sight.

You can have the biggest heart-in-the-world and still have others dump on it. People can be petty. They can break others without much of an effort. You see it all the time on social media with the youth. Suicides. The hating. The between the locker behavior has now come out online. These fragile souls need someone to reach out to them not to be ignored.

I guess if you consider it: it’s not really nice to be on either side of the aisle when it comes to beauty. Lives fracture and with hope, rebuild. Your characters should experience such and more. We must get down to the very skin of the matter. Beauty can be both a blessing and a curse. So can the other side of the blemish.

Happenings: The house search continues. We looked at a place that needed work on the foundation and rewiring in the house. It was built in 1847. Too much work, so we passed. Two others were gone before we could even see them. The bids are going so high, it’s crazy.

I saw my heart doctor recently and got a good report. My heartbeat is coming down from the fast rate it was. My cholesterol is better. The water pills are working. He’s very pleased. I feel much better except for my arthritis in my legs. There’s so much pain in my knees. My movement is limited at times. I’m still a fall risk.

I’ve come to realize something as well with my writing. I’m slowing down a bit. I just can’t go as fast as I used to with everything. Hopefully, that’ll change down the line as things stabilize more. I don’t plan to give up or stop. Just chug-along.

I ordered checks recently and got into an argument with my bank as they charged me a fee for sending my checks to my old address. We’ve been here three years now. They said I needed to do a change of address. I did that three years ago. My account had the updated info. They said that I needed to take my check box to the post office and tell them my address changed. They already know that and only forward your mail for six months after you move. You can’t go back now and do a change of address. The thing they’re not thinking about is the box is addressed by the bank to the old address. They said the post office did that. I shake my head. Common-sense.

In other areas of upset, the park we live in is threatening to charge us a hundred weekly to mow two strips of grass not more than a couple feet because of a few dandelions that grew after it rained. They threatened another neighbor for her fence being too dirty and made her wash it from top to bottom. It is just so ridiculous. Praying the days turn fast till we get gone from here.

Some links around the web you might like:

1. Roberta Writes https://roberta-writes.com/2023/06/24/roberta-writes-a-thank-you-and-fairies-and-flowers-for-cffc-fondant-thankyou-cffc/ I participated in the Dickens Novella Challenge which finished on 16 June 2023. I am completely delighted to share that I was the winner of one of the three $25 Amazon gift card prizes for the challenge. A huge thank you to hosts Marsha Ingrao from Always Write blog (https://alwayswrite.blog/2023/06/09/2023-dickens-challenge-ending-soon/); Trent McDonald from Trent’s world (https://trentsworld.blog/2023/06/16/the-2023-dickens-challenge-closes-today/) and Yvette Prior (https://priorhouse.wordpress.com/2023/06/09/2023-dickenschallenge-please-post-from-june-9th-to-june-16th/). I really enjoyed participating in this challenge and reading other people’s interpretations of each Dickens novella and I appreciate the three hosts for their inspiration, encouragement and engagement. Robbie does such amazing, amazing creations with her baking! Just fabulous!
2. Rosie Amber https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/2023/06/25/%f0%9f%8c%baenchanting-gardens-today-we-visit-kates-garden-in-finland-gardeningtwitter-lovegardening/ Welcome to my series about gardens and their gardeners. Over the next few months I will be adding to my regular #SixOnSaturday posts with Sunday spots for fellow gardeners. So enchanting! Love this series!
3. Angel Messages https://annetterochelleaben.wordpress.com/2023/06/25/angel-messages-jun-25-2023/ I was one for many years! Loved it!
4. Meeka’s Mind https://acflory.wordpress.com/2023/06/25/the-mystery-of-saintspire-part-2/ This is so ambitious! I can’t even imagine the work that goes into it!
5. Chris the Story Reading Ape https://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2023/06/25/your-manuscript-has-been-edited-by-top-professionals-but-you-still-get-rejected-what-gives-by-allison-k-williams/ My manuscript has been edited by two top editors on the east and west coasts. Yet, it has been declined by more than 250 fiction agents who merely decline by form letter. I have no idea what could be wrong. I have a great story, but maybe for the wrong time. I am not a BIPOC author and my characters are not BIPOC, which seems to be a lot of what agents are looking for. I have to agree with the reviewer’s assessment of these submissions.
6. Smorgasbord Magazine https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2023/06/25/smorgasbord-blog-magazine-podcast-rewind-tales-from-the-garden-trouble-in-paradise-part-one-by-sally-cronin/ This week trouble is brewing in the kingdom of Magia beneath the magnolia tree that could have devastating repercussions on the fairies. I love fairytales!
7. Fiction Favorites https://johnwhowell.com/2023/06/24/stream-of-consciousness-saturday-prompt-starts-with-ab/ A guy about 300 pounds and six foot four unties me while Jessica stands, pointing a gigantic handgun at my nose. “Okay, wise guy, “she says. “You said you knew where the statue is, so now’s your chance. Get up, and let’s go.” She waves the gun in the direction of the door. The big guy steps aside to let me go first. “You wouldn’t have a spare cup of coffee, would you?” My words sound like that kid in a forgotten product commercial where he holds up a bowl and asks pitifully for some more food. Jessica tells me to shut up and to move through the door. The bright sun renders me a temporary Mr. Magoo and absolutely clueless about where to go. The big guy grabs my arm and drags me to a big black car. He opens the door and unceremoniously shoves me inside. Jessica slides in on the other side and doesn’t have to say much about making any false moves. The cold steel against my temple says all there is to say. “Now, smart ass. Tell the driver where to go before you’re sporting a third eye.” Not wanting to abort my living being status, my mumbling vague directions will hopefully buy me a little time. Jessica asks the driver if he understands where to go, and a surprising nod causes my breath to let go. Jessica gives me a jaundiced look like she knows a stall when she hears one. “You get one chance, dipshit. No statue, and you’ll enjoy a long dirt nap.” These are such fun stories!
8. Entertaining Stories https://coldhandboyack.wordpress.com/2023/06/24/odd-kind-of-productivity/ I managed about 1200 words today. Kind of lousy, but had some other projects I wanted to dedicate my time to. One of my scenes involved a steamy event, and I’m moderately happy how it turned out. Yes, me. I wrote a steamy scene. I also wanted to work on some research for my next Story Empire post. This took more time than I wanted, but I did it anyway. I roughed out the article, but am not completely happy with it. There are a few weeks left to whip it into shape, so I hope I can. This took up most of my available time. Both of my WIPs are at a transition phase. I generally think too hard on these for decent ways to get to the next event in the tale. Transitional scenes are often the biggest hold up in my work. Someday, I will defeat them!
9. Writers Helping Writers https://writershelpingwriters.net/2023/06/character-type-trope-thesaurus-lover/ DESCRIPTION: Lovers are passionate, sensual, and devoted, seeking the bliss of togetherness and love. They live life in full, show their heart in relationships, and focus on building closeness and intimacy with those they care about. Often this involves a romantic partner, but it can also manifest as strengthening core bonds with friends or family, making them feel loved and valued. Gone too far, emotions can become volatile, leading to obsession. FICTIONAL EXAMPLES: Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet); Lady and the Tramp (Lady and the Tramp); Ross Geller (Friends); Alex Forrest (Fatal Attraction)
10. Charles French Words Reading and Writing https://cindyknoke.com/2023/06/18/off-the-beaten-path-super-pods/ Beautiful shots!
11. Meeka’s Mind https://acflory.wordpress.com/2023/06/23/torvill-and-dean-perfection-on-ice/ Phenomenal!
12. Nathan Bransford https://nathanbransford.com/blog/2023/06/students-and-authors-sue-florida-this-week-in-books This week! Books! A quick programming note: there will be no new posts for the next two weeks as I do some summer traveling. I’ll still be checking email for editing inquiries, and if you’re thinking of booking a consultation call I’m now booked out clear through to August, so try to book early. Now then! Links! Little Brown Books for Young Readers Editor-in-Chief Alvina Ling and author/illustrator Grace Lin were kind enough to host me recently on their excellent Books Friends Forever podcast, where we discussed recent publishing controversies and the state of the industry. Give it a listen!
13. Word Craft Poetry https://wordcraftpoetry.com/2023/06/23/micro-season-the-iris-flowers/ Naturalist Weekly On June 26^th we will enter the micro-season of “The Iris Flowers”.  This is the second micro-season of the season called Summer Solstice.  The other micro-seasons within Summer Solstice are:
14. Writers in the Storm https://writersinthestormblog.com/2023/06/ways-for-authors-to-cross-promote-their-books/ One aspect of the book business that authors dislike is marketing their work. Not all of us are born salespeople. Some authors are extroverts who enjoy putting themselves out there, and easily juggle a day job, writing, and family time. Not all of us have this superpower and find that time to promote ourselves and our writing is difficult. People cannot read your work if they don’t know it exists. Authors need time to successfully promote their books. We can’t borrow time but we can expand our reach by cross-promoting with other authors, particularly but not exclusively with writers in the same genre. Don’t worry about competition. Readers consume far more content than any of us can write. Teaming up makes sense.