Writing a Novel with a Plus Sized Romantic Interest

The Hottie and the Fatty is my first published novel. It took me about a year to finish it. I had so much fun writing in Jared Kippling's POV (my male protagonist), for anyone who read the story, you already know that he's a bit of a meanie, but thanks to his quick wit and funny take in life, he comes across as a pretty entertaining character. He struggles with his growing affection for Samara, a plus sized girl who is nice and friendly but a feisty kitten when provoked.

As I was writing the story, my characters were as if acting on their own. I began to question myself, "Why was Jared having a hard time coming to terms with his feelings?"

Was it because he couldn't imagine himself having a relationship with Samara who was a plus sized girl? Do guys only care about looks?

Well, I went around and asked my male buddies what they think of that. And apparently, it's always about the looks on first meeting (girls, don't judge. we tend to be like that too). Guys won't deny that at first sight, they always check out the bootie and the boobies. The personality comes in after. My male buddies, most of them, told me that they do seek intellectual connection with their partners. A marriage of the mind, short to say. Surprised? Me too!