I have a love of fairytales and fables. The first I gave my contemporary spin was Beauty and the Beast, and now I’ve penned Diamond in the Rough: An Ugly Duckling Tale. The back story on this one is… Well, there’s no easy way to say it. It’s sad. While my children were growing up, I was like the neighborhood mom. I love all of my babies.
One of my babies is a beautiful child who happened to be dark-skinned and born into a family of much lighter skin. Due to family circumstances, this child was put in foster care where her foster family also put her down for her dark skin. And of course at school she went on to be teased for her complexion.
Now she is a beautiful young woman who covers her beauty with blue contact lenses and blond wigs. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen some beautiful Black women with blond hair and I’ve also seen Blacks with blue eyes that didn’t make them look crazy (my all time favorite uncle was one of them). But the young woman I am talking about looks ridiculous in those wigs and contacts. They make her look cheap and trashy. Sorry, but they do.
I just want her to know that she’s not an ugly duckling. She’s a diamond in the rough. And if other’s don’t recognize her value and beauty, that’s their problem, not hers.
I love you, baby girl (she knows who she is)
On a sidenote, be sure to see the documentary Dark Girls.
Diamond in the Rough: An Ugly Duckling Tale
Jewel Swanson knows the music industry better than most. She won her first Grammy at the age ten. By the time she was twelve, she’d learned the darker side of the industry. The vain, shallow side that said she’d never fit the mold to be a true star. That she’d always be an ugly duckling.
Record producer, Alex Deveraux, has been in love with Jewel since they were children and she went by the stage name Swansong. Alex understands Jewel’s apprehension with his industry, but won’t let it stop him. Will his love for her shine through the ugliness of the industry and capture her heart?
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Dee Writes 
J B Williams
March 6, 2011
I’ve known some Ugly Ducklings, and some Diamonds in the Rough in my life time. Let me tell you, I think you have penned a good with this story line.
Happy reading to all!!
Deewrites
March 6, 2011
Thanks J B.
We have some serious issues in our community. This will suprise a lot of folks, but I actually sent this manuscript to one publisher. In all honesty, I didn’t think it would be picked up because of the subject matter and my writing voice is women’s fiction, not really romance. But when I read:
“…the heroine’s backstory and motivation that deals with light-skinned/dark-skinned isn’t something [publisher name removed] explores.”
What can I say. Yes I knew they probably would’t touch the topic, but to have it confirmed upset me.
Now this is a publisher that deals with baby mama drama, suprise baby drama, domestic violence, self esteem issues… But Lord forbid someone mention light-skinned/dark-skinned issues. That truly upset me.
Dyanne Davis
March 9, 2011
Dee,
That issue was why I wrote the female character in, “Let’s Get It On,” the way that I did. Congrats on doing it yourself.
Dyanne
Edwina
March 9, 2011
WTH! And they would have us believe they are so enlightened and not prejudiced!! Forget ’em. I’m happy you did what Black women have been doing since being brought to these shores: digging in and getting on with life on your terms—not theirs. I’m reading it now and loving it.
Deewrites
March 9, 2011
To say I was upset is putting it lightly. Don’t get me wrong, I know what is out there and have experienced it before and will again. And just like every other time I’ve been slapped, it will hurt. You know what I mean?
Deewrites
March 9, 2011
Thanks Dyanne,
I’m just so tired of the dumb stuff, ya know.
Beverly
March 9, 2011
I forward to reading this book as it is an issue that is still affecting our community and there needs to be more discussion on this issue – so maybe it will not be an issue anymore.
Deewrites
March 9, 2011
Thanks for the support Beverly,
I hope you enjoy the novel. It is a romance, so the main story is the hero and heroine’s love, but if this book can help opening up serious discussions on this light skin dark skin thing, I’m all for it. Let’s talk folks.
Evelyn Palfrey
March 9, 2011
Dee, I applaud you for taking the issue on. But I am not surprised that a publisher would not step into those deep waters. They have nothing to gain, except perhaps the emnity of half their readership. They always play it safe. They are in the business to make money. Apparently, we embrace drama of all kinds, so they’re taking it to the bank.
Skin color, as you know, is the elephant in the room in our community–even after all these years, and after ALL we’ve been through since we were brought to these shores. But we are not alone. That poison has been spread all over the world. Witness Viet Nam vs. Cambodia. Spain vs. Mexico. There are others. Wherever the poison-bearers go, they spread it. So it is up to us to reject the poison, to counteract it, to embrace all of our beauty–and keep moving forward. Writers like you are essential.
Deewrites
March 10, 2011
I hear you Evelyn.
Thanks a whole lot and a bunch.
Iris Bolling
March 10, 2011
Dee;
Diamond in the rough sounds very interesting. I’m ready for it.
Iris
Deewrites
March 10, 2011
Excellent Iris. I hope you enjoy it.
junyingkirk
March 12, 2011
I think it’s a great theme, Dee. Our society has been dictated as to what is beautiful for too long, and race/colour is a serious issue. I have also seen a lot of Chinese girls dying their hair blonde and strightening up their noses or whatever, to make themselves ‘beautiful’, which of course just make them look rediculous. I’d certainly check out your book. Well done!
The publisher’s reaction is so typical – many people are not prepared to see reality or to address certain fundamental issues.
Deewrites
March 12, 2011
Thanks for coming by and showing your support. I’m tired of being told what “beauty” is. Arrrrggghhh.
Sibel Hodge
March 14, 2011
Great subject. Beauty is not only skin deep!
Deewrites
March 14, 2011
Thanks for stopping by Sibel,
Have a great week.
Abigail-Madison Chase
March 14, 2011
I look forward to reading the book. The issues it raises are very prevelent in our community . How beautiful and touching that you would write a story like this with her as the inspiration….
Deewrites
March 14, 2011
Thanks for coming by Abigail-Madison. Won’t it be nice when people say this color thing could never happen and be correct.