"A girl should be graceful, intelligent, and confident", proclaimed Oni, as she began her class presentation, standing tall and proud of the work she had done. Oni chose to present her idea of what it takes to be a good leader as a woman. She personified the very characteristics she spoke about, though she had her shy moments. "As with any leader, a woman in leadership must work hard and get to know the people she will lead."
The trials and triumphs of young girls can be both difficult and amazing. The girls in the town of Tinselee face highs and lows of life, all while learning from each situation. Life as a pre-teen and teenage girl is a myriad of experiences that include issues with self-esteem, confidence, and self-worth, but include cherished moments like gaining friends, achieving goals, and learning more about self. Many times, young girls feel alone or as if no one understands what they are going through. "Femme United" explores the world of a group of girls who, in a variety of ways, overcome life's hurdles and are drawn to a spiritual path where they learn more about themselves and each other.
As a young girl, there were times when I felt that there was no one I could express certain things to, so, in turn, I just kept them all to myself. In this novel, I tap into my experiences as a pre-teen and teenage girl as a way to show that no matter what you may face, there is someone who's going through the same thing. I want young girls to never feel as though no one understands or has experienced what they may be confronted with. This novel was also composed to show that though there may be challenging situations you'll face, it's very important to celebrate good times and to continue to build yourself and learn from everything you encounter. Some obstacles will test your spirituality, but holding tight to it will help you get through anything that may come your way.
Remember, we all face challenges, but what matters most is what you learn from them.
Ella is falling apart trying to live a "perfect" high school life. Then she meets Ren, who can see past her scars. Suddenly perfection isn't her only option.
*****
Ella Volkov is a gifted music student, but she's depressed and starting to crack under the pressure of high school. Her overbearing father won't even let her choose what instrument she plays. Then she finds herself alone at a party with Ren, her best friend's crush. She'd always thought he was rude, but after that night he's all Ella can think about. Now she's trapped. If Ella dates Ren, it will ruin her friendship with Jenny. But if she stays true to Jenny, she's losing the one person who can see past her scars. It's up to Ella to decide if she will forge her own path, or stay in the "perfect" box designed for her...
Content and/or Trigger Warning: depression, anxiety, self-harm, violence, sexual assault.
[[word count: 50,000-100,000 words]]