Sunday, July 8, 2018

Stop Selling Yourself (or Your Characters) Short



July 8, 2018

I keep reading books in which the heroine describes herself as short. What irritates me is that they mention it like it’s a character flaw or a disfigurement—or a handicap to landing the job or the hunk of their dreams.

And some of these self-described “short” women are 5 feet, 4 inches tall!

I’m 5 feet 3, and I’ve never felt short, unless I was trying to reach a tall shelf. But to hear these women describe themselves, they got short-changed in the physical attractiveness sweepstakes, and in their ability to succeed. It irritates me every time.

Then it hit me: The characters are comparing themselves supermodels. They don’t feel like they’re going to hit the big-time unless they’re 5’7” or taller. It makes me wonder about the authors, frankly.


Great news, Ladies—and Heads Up, Authors: In the 1960’s, the average height for a U.S. woman was 5’3” (average weight, 140, just as an FYI). Today it’s 5’4”.

So quit whining, Book Characters: You’re fine.


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