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Societal Beauty Standards
Butterfly Ink follows a recent high school graduate who, while visiting her best friend, Becca on a private island off the coast of Florida, is offered a magical tattoo promising her fame and beauty. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for this story began as an idea for a picture book, which may sound crazy. My daughter had always been captivated by water application tattoos, so I wanted to create a story about a magical one. As the idea developed into a young adult novel, I also wanted to create an atmosphere that would feel as enchanting as the tattoo itself. That’s when Wellington Island came to life. Additionally, my daughter was at an age where she expressed her desire to be beautiful to resemble the girls she saw on Pinterest and Instagram. This also served as inspiration for the story’s setup.
Calli undergoes some dramatic transformations, not just physically but also with her beliefs and self-worth. What morals were you trying to capture while creating your characters?
I wanted to address the pressure that young girls feel to conform to societal beauty standards and explore the idea of self-acceptance and inner beauty. In the story, the main character discovers that the magical tattoo she receives grants her physical beauty, but she soon realizes that true beauty comes from within. Through her journey, she learns to embrace her uniqueness and appreciate her own individuality.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
In Butterfly Ink, self-acceptance was a crucial theme for me to explore. The protagonist goes through a journey of learning to embrace and love herself, flaws and all. This theme is important because it highlights the significance of accepting ourselves for who we are, rather than striving for unattainable perfection. The novel also emphasizes the idea that we can forgive mistakes. Through the characters’ experiences, I wanted to convey the message that everyone makes mistakes, and it is essential to learn from them and move forward. This theme aims to instill a sense of hope and redemption in the readers. Last, the novel emphasizes the value of true love, whether it be from friendship or a romantic relationship. It showcases the power of genuine connections and the impact they have on our lives. By exploring this theme, I wanted to remind readers to cherish and appreciate the people who truly care for them, as they bring immense joy and support. Overall, Butterfly Ink aims to inspire readers to accept themselves, learn from their mistakes, and value the love that surrounds them.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The release date for my next book, ANGELS IN THE SAND, is for January 2025. It’s about a ten-year-old girl named Jess who embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she navigates the complex emotions surrounding loss. Struggling to come to terms with her father’s untimely death and the impending loss of her beloved grandmother, Jess finds solace in the most unexpected places. As she encounters a diverse group of individuals who have all experienced profound loss and have developed a unique ability to perceive signs from their departed loved ones. These encounters prove transformative for Jess, as she learns to interpret the subtle messages that surround her and finds comfort in the belief that her father and grandmother are still with her from beyond. ANGELS IN THE SAND is a heartfelt and poignant tale that explores the universal themes of grief, healing, and the extraordinary ways in which we connect with our loved ones, even after they are gone.
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Fresh out of high school, Calli Stockton, a volunteer at a children’s horse camp in Arkansas, is feeling uncertain about what lies ahead. What better way to figure things out than to spend the summer working alongside her best friend at a private island resort off the coast of Florida?
Little does she know, this experience will change her life forever. After a chance encounter with a mysterious man offering her a magical tattoo, promising fame and beauty, suddenly, Calli’s life seems to be perfect. Or is it?
When Calli faces an unexpected crossroads, she must make a challenging decision. Will she choose the life the magic offers, or will she walk away from her deepest desires and choose the people she loves the most?
Dive into the pages of Butterfly Ink and experience a splash of magic, first love, and fame, all while discovering what it truly means to be …
“altogether beYOUtiful.”
Butterfly Ink
Butterfly Ink by Lori Keating is a compelling tale of self-discovery and transformation. The story follows Calli Stockton, a young woman whose life of fame, beauty, and fortune is upended by a magical tattoo that changes her outward appearance. Through a series of emotionally charged events, Calli learns profound lessons about authenticity, friendship, and inner beauty, ultimately leading her to a heartfelt decision to embrace her true self.
Keating’s writing is engaging and relatable, making it easy to become immersed in Calli’s journey. The character development is particularly strong, with Calli’s evolution from a superficial social media star to a genuine, self-aware individual being both believable and inspiring. One of the most poignant moments is when Calli decides to write an open letter to her followers, revealing her true self and rejecting the pressures of societal beauty standards. This act of vulnerability not only marks a turning point for Calli but also resonates deeply with readers who have felt similar pressures.
The book’s ideas on beauty and self-worth are thought-provoking. Keating challenges the conventional notions of beauty through Calli’s experiences with her magical tattoo, which initially provides her with physical perfection but ultimately leaves her feeling empty. The contrast between Calli’s superficial relationships and the genuine connections she forms when she embraces her true self is striking. For instance, the bond she forms with Daisy, a young girl at the camp, underscores the theme that true beauty and worth come from within. Keating also excels in creating vivid and memorable scenes that stay with the reader. The description of Calli and Amanda’s butterfly-themed photo shoot is particularly enchanting, capturing the magical realism that permeates the story. These imaginative elements add a layer of depth to the narrative, making it not just a story of personal growth but also a whimsical adventure.
Butterfly Ink is a heartfelt and beautifully written novel that I would highly recommend. It is especially suitable for young adults and anyone grappling with issues of self-image and authenticity. Lori Keating’s ability to weave a magical tale while addressing real-world issues makes this book a valuable read for those looking to find the courage to be their true selves.
Pages: 315 | ASIN : B0CYJQTJ1M
The Affirming Faith Community
bacon grief follows a pair of young men whose online meeting ignites a journey of self-discovery and acceptance amidst the challenges of reconciling their identities with their faith and societal expectations. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I like to say the story is forty percent true. In other words, my now husband and I met online and went through some of the journeys that Tim and Charlie go through in the book. Fictionalized memoir in that way, I suppose.
Charlie and Tim are intriguing and well-developed characters. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
To my knowledge, bacon grief is one of the only works of fiction for teens and tweens to celebrate and affirm both faith and sexuality. In most of the works for this age group and, honestly, for adults as well, faith is a common thread that LGBTQIA+ people tend to walk away from. Which is totally fine, it’s part of their story. But it isn’t my experience, and I knew there were others. Gratefully, the affirming faith community seems to be trending upward and so queer people that want faith can more easily find it. I think that’s Tim and Charlie’s experience also.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I think I’m mostly trying to put a humorous book out into the universe that is geared towards reluctant readers that will hopefully allow queer teens and tweens of faith to find themselves. I tried not to be overly didactic, but I did long for readers to feel accepted by the book and, hopefully, by a community of believers outside of it.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My picture book debut, Silas on Sundays, arrives June 4 from Wildling Press. It is a return to these themes but from a younger perspective. Silas is a gender nonconforming child with accepting parents and, ultimately, they find an affirming faith community. It’s dedicated to Nex Benedict.
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After meeting online and given the green light to attend a youth group at another church, Tim and Charlie become fast friends with more and more in common. When they consider more than friendship, Tim is faced with his reality and the choice to reconcile faith and sexuality or walk away from it all.
LITERARY TITAN 