I hope you guys have been keeping up with all the great posts during the Body Image week at MyFavoriteAuthor! Personally, I’ve been so impressed by all of the posts. It was an eclectic group of writers — authors, bloggers, and commenters. Posts and comments have given me much to think about and for that I am very grateful.
First off, this is a reminder to report back on the challenge that was issued last week! Go to MyFavoriteAuthor and comment on the wrap up post there.. One (or more) winners will be chosen tomorrow from all the comments made today.
This of course says something about our culture — that every woman’s goal must be to be thinner — and something about Ivoirian culture, too, for that matter. I should say that I was not personally offended by being told I looked like I was losing weight, since most of the people who mentioned it are close friends, and know that I would like to get back to my pre-baby weight. Still, it did strike me as an odd thing to comment on. This is all a long, wind-about way to urge people to think about the compliments we do give. Instead of telling someone she looks thinner, why not tell someone she looks happy or peaceful or healthy? Why not tell someone he’s doing a good job?
So, although Body Image Week at MyFvorite Author is over, I am still going to work on simply saying, “Thank you,” — and on being more mindful of the compliments I give.
Today’s contestant is Shawna from C. Lee McKenzie’s debut novel Sliding on the Edge.
Character name: Jory Michaels
Character name: Savannah Georgina Brown
