Brittany Vantrease's Blog
December 2, 2025
Diet Culture
I had the idea to write Elaine's story based on my own.
I started writing Short and Stout after my youngest was born. I had gotten into "Onederland" for the first time in five or six years, but then, the weight gradually started to gain again.
My husband and I decided that I would stay home with the kids until they began school. Yes, they kept me busy, but I've always been the type of person who gets comforted by ice cream or other sweet treats when I'm overstimulated or anxious. I would find myself in a diet loop.
The thing is, I knew exactly what I needed to do to diet. I had been dieting my whole life because I would watch my mom diet, who would watch her mom diet.
I remember a time when I would bring a Slim Fast to school for lunch. I wasn't even fat, y'all!
It wasn't until I started writing Short and Stout that I had decided that dieting sucks and I was much happier not watching what I ate. I started eating fruits and vegetables again because I wasn't worried about the calories. Who does that? Well, I'll tell you... People who are calorie counting. They'd rather eat something they enjoy than waste it on something good for them.
I started to feel better about myself, and you know what? I don't crave those bad foods whenever I'm stressed, tired, anxious, and whatnot.
Learning to love myself the way that I am has made so much difference in my life.
Would I like to be a smaller size, absolutely! The clothes are so much cuter and not so grannyish.
As long as I can still move around without a problem, I can still play with my kids, and my health isn't at stake, I will choose to be happy and be myself. I never want my kids to worry about how they look, and honestly, I think the dieting culture is why I gained so much weight to begin with.
I started writing Short and Stout after my youngest was born. I had gotten into "Onederland" for the first time in five or six years, but then, the weight gradually started to gain again.
My husband and I decided that I would stay home with the kids until they began school. Yes, they kept me busy, but I've always been the type of person who gets comforted by ice cream or other sweet treats when I'm overstimulated or anxious. I would find myself in a diet loop.
The thing is, I knew exactly what I needed to do to diet. I had been dieting my whole life because I would watch my mom diet, who would watch her mom diet.
I remember a time when I would bring a Slim Fast to school for lunch. I wasn't even fat, y'all!
It wasn't until I started writing Short and Stout that I had decided that dieting sucks and I was much happier not watching what I ate. I started eating fruits and vegetables again because I wasn't worried about the calories. Who does that? Well, I'll tell you... People who are calorie counting. They'd rather eat something they enjoy than waste it on something good for them.
I started to feel better about myself, and you know what? I don't crave those bad foods whenever I'm stressed, tired, anxious, and whatnot.
Learning to love myself the way that I am has made so much difference in my life.
Would I like to be a smaller size, absolutely! The clothes are so much cuter and not so grannyish.
As long as I can still move around without a problem, I can still play with my kids, and my health isn't at stake, I will choose to be happy and be myself. I never want my kids to worry about how they look, and honestly, I think the dieting culture is why I gained so much weight to begin with.
November 20, 2025
How Sexy is too Sexy?
As a writer who is trying to write clean romance stories, I struggle a little to convey the yearning and want between the characters. I try to avoid words like "sexy" or phrases like "turned on" because that can allude lust. The thesaurus is my friend, in this way.
What do you think about the use of certain words?
What do you think about the use of certain words?
November 17, 2025
When is YOUR Best Time to Do Anything?
I don't know about you, but with this time change, my motivation to do things is minimal. It seems the best time for me to do anything is right when I should be getting ready for my full-time job and making sure the kids get ready for school.
Generally, I spend that time trying to pick up the never ending messy house. Like... Does nobody but me see the overflowing trash? And why do you only notice the dishes when you need a fork?
Mornings are my "get er done" time and then I have to work. By the time my work day is over, the sun is starting to set and for each inch that darkens, I'm ready to head to bed because it has to be 9PM even though it's only 5:30.
Generally, I spend that time trying to pick up the never ending messy house. Like... Does nobody but me see the overflowing trash? And why do you only notice the dishes when you need a fork?
Mornings are my "get er done" time and then I have to work. By the time my work day is over, the sun is starting to set and for each inch that darkens, I'm ready to head to bed because it has to be 9PM even though it's only 5:30.
