Loved this, so many excellent points. I’ve often thought how we need more sculptures of fat religious icons too; even these personalities are often represented as trim. But why? Has anyone ever questioned this? They should.

In any event, your list of tips for writers reminded me of an absolutely phenomenal book, wherein the protagonist gains weight over the course of the novel’s action, but her gaining weight — while significant to her experiences in the world — is not a defining characteristic, nor a true driver of the plot: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie features a leading lady named Ifemelu, who is fat. In the beginning of the book, we hear that a stranger has criticized her weight, and this remark gets her to contemplating… but her character’s life decisions aren’t ultimately about being fat, and her story is richly told, heartwarming, and incredible. (The novel is also sociological gold.) There does come a point in the story where Ifemelu is slightly insecure about her body image, and this is addressed, but it’s an issue of brevity, quickly resolved.

I highly, highly recommend this book, and if you read it, I hope you like it too.

Thank you again for writing this!