Anyway...
I'm sure most of you are aware of the growing segment of BBW (Big Beautiful Woman, also referred to as Rubenesque) books out there. I for one thought it was about time when I first became aware of this trend. I can only read about so many perfect people before I start wondering what universe all these people come from. Since the average woman isn't exactly a size zero, the BBW heroine seemed like a breath of fresh air to me. I especially enjoy BBW books when the heroine's weight isn't the main issue. Reading about well-adjusted women who don't fit into the Hollywood/fashion model mold can often be a lot more interesting than reading about perfect women, at least in my opinion.
So what's the problem?
Well, some authors don't seem to know what constitutes the first "B" in BBW. Someone who's ten pounds overweight isn't a BBW, in my mind. I once read a book in which the heroine was upset about her weight throughout the entire story, and then she turned out to be a SIZE TEN! Um, WTF? Size 10 does not a BBW make!
What do you all think? What constitutes a BBW? Do you like BBW stories? Does it annoy you when the heroine's main issue is low self-esteem about her weight?
And here's a question: Would you be interested in reading about a BHM (Big Handsome Man), or would that be a major turnoff?
Cassandra
7 comments:
Great blog, Cass. I have read a couple of stories about BBW and I prefer if the woman's weight isn't an issue. She is who she is but not defined by weight, as long as she's healthy. I do like to see guys in the stories realize that they like women with some real curves and maybe even find them less self-centered than some of the supposedly 'perfect' women he knows.
As for BHM? I don't know. I hate to think I have a double standard...again, i think it has to do with his own self-image and that he feels comfortable and happy.
--Em
i think it was time to see more of these types of books....things like this make the book more real....it is great to read stories like this
As a BBW, I am glad that there are finally books with ladies like me!! Honestly, I like the middle ground, in that too much obsession about it irritates me but I do like a heroine that knows her size and has SOME insecurity about it. I think that is a normal reaction. (or that could just be me. LOL)
I agree with you Cassandra, a size 10 does not constitute a BBW! What does? In my mind it would be anyone over a size 1X.
As to a BHM...not sure about that one...maybe a major Alpha type????
Thanks for the input everyone. :)
Kim, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who thinks that way. It's hard to put an exact size on it, but we can certainly tell what it isn't!
Size ten. lol Nope, that's not a BBW. I think it's great we are breaking ground with the genre, but it needs to be more realistic than that size ten for sure.
One one publishing submission page, forget which, but I read that the publisher wanted stories about BBW, but that the male should always be masculine, muscular, et. I winced when I read that. Truly.
What's wrong with having an alpha male who has more to love? I've always had a thing for men with tummies. lol
That's what I thought, Tess? Why does the man have to be super muscular? Seems like sexism or something, heh heh.
I think BBW or BBM have to be at least a size 18-20+ and I enjoy reading about both of them.
Kissa
Post a Comment