It’s interesting how your perspective on a story you wrote can change. Recently I had a book accepted by All Things That Matter Press with the current title “No Mor Ugly Girls.” I signed the contract and and now wait my turn for editing.

ATTMP wants me to write the back cover blurb. Here is what I have so far:

Spirited and sardonic Auburn Halverson has never met a mistake that she didn’t then make. But on the verge of creating a stable like for herself and her two children, she finds out her boyfriend Steve is cheating on her. This takes her back to the traumatic events of her childhood. Her best friend Chad tries to help her by finally revealing he loves her and will treat her right. She wants to believe him but can only think of herself as unworthy and pushes him away. Auburn must find a way to free herself from self-hatred or lose her children.

Auburn’s story explores how so many women are judged as weak, but have, in fact, been strong too long. Life teaches people, especially women to internalize and hide the pain inflicted on them.

As I wrote this blurb, I began to wonder if I the story is mansplaining women to women. I assure you that is not my intention and I don’t think that is the result. But does this blurb make me sound like I am.

I wrote this story to honor many women’s struggle. To highlight that society passes judgement on a woman’s actions, but men cannot understand what life is like for a woman. I wanted to pay homage to the women I have known that hold their pain in secret and carry forward carrying a heavy emotional load.

I still hope this comes out as clear. Y