Yeah, right.

I was still worried about the last chapter. This morning I’ve determined that the problem is not with the last chapter, but really just the last four pages. Of course, this is not really much better news as this story line leads to the next storyline (which is another book already in draft). A substantial change here will reverberate all the way down the line.

And, yet, that is what is so clearly needed.

Hmmmm …

Such is life, eh?

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Back a week or two ago, Jenn Reese tweeted a link to an article that described a study that observed a relationship between the amount of a woman’s body a man observed and how competent they thought that woman might be. More body (more sexualized), less competent to act and plan and think. More face, more capable in those mentally-driven activities. In addition, more body (more sexualized), more in need of protection. More face, more able to fend for themselves (or I guess, more in need of tackling or whatever).

I suggested this was perhaps evolutionary in nature–by that I meant that it seems logical that a primitive male, upon seeing a female body, might be driven into protect mode. These were the established roles of the time. In addition, bodies in general–especially unclothed–are more vulnerable in general, so it takes a deeper pathology (I suggest) to want to do them any harm.

Anyway, there’s that.

I could be wrong on my hypothesis, but it made sense at the time.

But then two days ago, Lisa–my beloved spouse and partner for absolute life and beyond–sent me this link to another study that shows females who’s faces are more made up (sexualized) are perceived as more competent than those who are not.

What the ????

What are we supposed to think about this turn of events? Is the sexualization of women disenfranchising or is it empowering? Seriously? I’m completely confused here. [grin]

In all seriousness, I’m smart enough to know I don’t know much of anything for sure on these subjects. I just find them interesting to think about. However, I would suggest one thought with regard to the second article–which shows women who were more made up were perceived as more competent–to be universal. I mean, physical appearance has always been important to mens’ success, also. CEO’s were expected to be tall and thin. Sure, you could find CEOs who weren’t, but that wasn’t the norm, not the template. Generals were expected to be rugged and craggy. Quarterbacks are expected to be athletic and pretty. You get the idea. How a person looks has _always_ influenced how people perceive their intellect, regardless of whether they are male or female.

The difference is that females actually have a tool at their disposal, that being make-up. They can enhance thier appearance and still be within the norm of society.

My ugly, however, must pretty much stay out and exposed for all to see.

Is this fair?

Dunno.

But color me not surprised at all that a study found more attractive and professionally presented people were considered to be more intelligent.

Only you can say for sure.

And so I opened the hood and peered in and got to work.

I think one of the problems I have with this one is that in the root of my mind I think it has the chance to be something special. I’ve written a few novel-length works, all fairly standard fares. Good stories (I think), but not particularly unique beyond the events of the stories themselves. But this one is different. I’m not sure I’m good enough to write it as it needs to be written, and so it’s been easier to just let it sit there.

Strange, isn’t it, this writing thing?

If you like that one, you can find more stuff here or here.

While I’m on a linky role, I suppose I should remind all that my one Amazon reviewer (what a lonely guy, eh?) had these wonderful things to say about Picasso’s Cat & Other Stories.

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Yeah, the story’s coming along. As I figured, it’ll be tomorrow before I’ll consider it finished–and I’ll probably let it sit until the weekend to do a full editing pass, so technically it won’t be in a readable state until then. Fair enough. But it’s come together now and I’ve come to like it considerably more than I had earlier. Always a good sign.

It makes me feel better, anyway.

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Spent some time last night messing around with e-pubing stuff. So much to do.

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So I did my walk at lunch yesterday and the results were astoundingly good. Thirty-plus minutes of exercise in the sunshine and open air, ten-plus pages of line-edited manuscript, and a complete framework of what the story is about. Game, set, and match.

Well…not quite so fast.

I’ve used this morning to do a total edit, and now I have a few key things to add. I hope it will be done tomorrow, which means probably Thursday or Friday. Shrug. It’ll take what it takes. Then on to the next rock.

While the weather is nice here in Indiana, I’ve taken to attempting lunchtime walks–meaning I try to eat at my desk while working, then if I get time I use my actual break time to walk. There’s a nice park right next to my office building that’s ready-made for this. If I get a chance today I’ll take my little story with me and read it aloud. That’s always fun, though I have to be careful about reading too loud and making people think I’m just crazy.

Maybe that’s why people stray away from me while I’m walking, you think? [grin]

In all seriousness, though, I find that these walks do a few things. First, they get my blood pumping after a morning in corporate America–always a good thing. I come back with more energy, at least. They also get me out of the box. Walking outside gives me something different to look at, and seems to let my brain reset. It’s amazing how many times I come back from a lunchtime walk with a new answer to a problem that I’ve been working on and find that this answer is perfect. Perhaps I should call these idea walks. Sounds good to me.

Anyway, I’m asking myself right now to dig deeper into the story–I’m asking myself what the story really means to the main character. I think the plot, and the depth of character, as they stand now do a good job for the reader, but I’m feeling that if I can go that extra half-step it would raise the thing in its entirety from being a solid piece of work that’s fun to read to being a truly “good story.”

And so I’ll throw this question on the back of the stack right now, and let it bubble up during the lunchtime walk and we’ll see what comes of it.