Archives for June 2011

Please Stow Your Ebook?!

June 27, 2011 2 Comments

**Note: Today’s blog is a follow-up to THIS one**

Last week I was on a mini-vacation. While I thought that it’d be a good idea to begin my new book for my Book Review on the plane…I was wrong. During the flight, I began to read “Click: An Online Love Story,” a book that instantly had me hooked! I was about half-way through when the pilot said that we’re about to land and I knew that it was the end of my reading time. Now, while I am beginning to get accustomed to reading the e-book way, I can see how it’s convenient, but not in this case. I had no choice, but to stow it away, for what could have given me at least twenty more minutes of reading if it were an actual book.

While everyone says that the e-book is the new way of the world, have they considered that it’s not workable in certain cases?

The battery could die
You might lose your charger, or might not have a plug that’s available
You might be on a plane and are asked to stow your book
It has a better chance of getting lost or stolen, (who is going to steal a book?)
If it gets wet or falls in water, then it’s definitely damaged, (but if you had a book, all you have to do is let it dry out)

Now I’m sure there are many more examples, but the above are my top reasons for still being partial to a real book — one I can flip through, turn down pages, indent a crease in the middle of the book (which is always a sign of a good book)…the list goes on and on.

Your Book List & What To Read Next

June 15, 2011 7 Comments

My husband has told me over and over, to stop buying books, only because we don’t have enough bookshelves, even though we just finished remodeling, but I can’t. I’m obsessed with books. Whenever I go into a bookstore, I immediately want to buy every single book I want to read…but the only thing is, it’s hard for me to read one at a time, so in order not to forget what the titles are, I buy them all — but then they get lost in my house, or get put on the back-burner, thanks to a new book. The last few months, I’ve started to think that my husband’s right…(shh, don’t tell him), so I’ve come up with a plan, and so far, I think it’s going pretty well.

A few weeks ago, while strolling around in the bookstore and trying not to buy anything, I began using my Notes application on my phone to keep track of what I want to read. Though it’s only been a few weeks, I’m surprised I don’t have more on my list. Here are the books I plan on reading and reviewing.

I plan on reading one of these at a time and eventually finishing them all…and of course, adding more as time goes by.

So, how do you keep track of what you want to read, with or without your books piling up?

Lisa Becker

June 15, 2011 3 Comments

I had heard about Lisa Becker’s book Click: An Online Love Story and knew instantly that I had to add it to my Book Review list. A few weeks later, I received an email from Lisa asking me to review her book. I was even more excited to start her book, so I moved it up on my list, (I’ll have the review up within the next two weeks). After reading up on this very talented author from other bloggers and reviewers, I wanted to have her for my next Guest Author interview. Not only is Lisa Becker true to her Chick Lit genre, but she’s also someone who I admire.

When did you start writing? I remember writing short stories and poems as a little girl and dabbled a bit in high school. But, Click: An Online Love Story is my first real attempt at a work of fiction.

What motivates you? Fear of public ridicule. Seriously, I wanted to write something light and fun that people like me could relate to. I spent a lot of time trying to capture the humor we all need to have and find in life and love.

How do you deal with writer’s block? Chocolate! No joke, I eat chocolate. If I’m stuck on a certain section or not feeling motivated to write, I give myself little chocolate incentives to get past the blockage. Judging by my thighs, I had some serious problems writing this book. 😉

Why did you choose to write within your genre? My husband and I met online on a popular dating website. After we married, I was recalling some of the hilarious experiences that I had with both traditional and online dating. I decided to capture some of them in writing and from there, a “chick lit” novel emerged.

Are you working on any projects right now? I’m a full time mom and wife to the best family ever; part time public relations professional for an international PR firm; part time professor of public relations courses at a state university in California; and I’m bringing to market a children’s education product that I’ve invented. Somehow in between this all, I managed to write a book. And, due to popular demand, I’ve started drafting notes for a sequel, currently titled Double Click. I’d love to incorporate reader feedback, so I’m hoping people will stop by the book’s Facebook fan page and tell me what they’d like to see happen next. Needless to say, there’s never a dull moment around here.

How would you spend your perfect day? I get to sleep in…until 8:30. (With two small kids around, that would be no small feat.) The rest of the day would be spent with family and friends, food and wine, laughter and great conversation. Essentially, that’s all I really need or want. Oh, and fielding a call from Oprah’s Book Club editor. That would be really nice too.

What is your advice for a beginning writer? Much like the other author advice that I’ve read before, I would say to: (1) write what you know; and (2) make a commitment to write every day.

Do you have a writing routine? If so, what is it? I started writing the book after my husband and I married but before we had kids. Then I had to take a break from writing due to the rigors of motherhood. But I had always told myself – even as a little girl – that I would write a book one day. So, I made the commitment to finish the book. I wrote in the mornings while the girls were at school or at night after they went to sleep. I made it a goal to write – even if only for a half hour – every day.

As a writer, what do you think is/are your greatest strength(s)? I think what comes across best in this particular work is a realistic and conversational tone coupled with a format that make people feel as though they’re talking with their best friends.

Is there a message in “Click: An Online Love Story” that you want your readers to grasp? I’ve said many times before, if it happened for me, there’s hope for you. And, as my grandmother used to say, for every chair, there’s a tush. Love is out there; just be patient. And concentrate on being a complete, happy and fulfilled person on your own. When you are happy and secure in your own life, you will be much more attractive to someone else.

What tool(s) do you think are must-haves for writers? A successful writer needs the following: creativity, time to write, a great editor and a willingness to alter what you’ve written to make your story stronger, better and clearer. I’m reminded of some advice I was once given. I had interviewed Charles Rosen, one of the producers of the original Beverly Hills 90210, for an alumni magazine article while I was in graduate school. And I’ll never forget what he told me, “Don’t fall in love with your words, because somebody above will probably change them.” A successful writer understands this and embraces it.

Once you finished writing your book, how long did it take before it was published? Click is a self-published novel. I explored the traditional publishing route and got feedback from multiple literary agents. One in particular explained the current economic state of the publishing industry to me. Due to the large investment to edit, produce, distribute and market a work by an unknown author, many large publishers won’t take the risk. Self-publishing is a way to get your work out there. So, once I decided to self publish, it was a matter of only a few months before my book went from finished manuscript to published work.

**Purchase Click: An Online Love Story, HERE

**Leave Lisa feedback on her Facebook page

Lisa Becker

June 9, 2011 Leave a Comment

**THIS GUEST AUTHOR INTERVIEW WILL BE COMING SOON**

My Comment On A Blog

June 9, 2011 1 Comment

Today I came a wonderful blog and I this was my comment:

What a great blog! I’m very impressed with how far you’ve come with your career so far. You’re certainly an inspiration.

As far as what to call this fun genre, I think it should stay called Chick Lit. I do not like the sound of Upbeat Women’s Fiction, no matter how proper it sounds. I think that it takes away from the fun and “upbeat,” if you will, story-lines such as these! Also, a lot of women, no matter what their age is, dive headlong into Chick Lit books at all stages in their life, some even finding it a comfort during a break-up, a death and a way to comfort themselves during the lonely thing called being single! Wouldn’t it seem odd that if you’re in the bookstore and you need help trying to find the Upbeat Women’s section. Wouldn’t you immediately be insecure about what the employee at the store thinks of you now? “Great, now they know I’m (insert emotion here) and need a pick-me-up!” Now I’m not saying that every woman would feel that way, but really, has anyone ever looked up the definition of “upbeat?” Another thing I’m thinking is that they (the non-chick lit lovers) are trying to up the age of the reader for their type of books). I wonder what Olivia Goldsmith (the author of “The First Wives Club” would think of this. I bet she’s turning over in her grave). And think of Helen Fielding, the one who brought “Bridget Jones” into our life. Oh, and one more point (I promise) — what about Emily Giffin? Her “Something Borrowed” hit theaters in early May of this year, but the book has been out for quite a while, and they are planning on making “Something Blue!” Now, she’s is one of the Queens of the Chick Lit genre and is becoming even more popular since her movie debut. So, if they are making movies out of these Chick Lit’s, how can this genre be dwindling?

Again, great blog!

If you’d love to see what sparked my engine to write something I am so passionate about, here is THIS wonderful blog.

What do you think?

How To Write A Book Review

June 7, 2011 4 Comments

I have been asked by a published author to review her book! When I received her email I was shocked that someone found me to have the privilege of sharing my thoughts on her book! I had never felt more thrilled, nor satisfied with my “professional” career as a writer, and apparently as a reviewer too!

While I have reviewed two books on my blog for fun, I’m really getting into it now and am treating it more of a job — I’m reading away, which makes me want to write, write and write! But since I’m on the book review journey, I’m wanting to improve the way I write book reviews, so I decided to look it up. HERE is the best how-to that I could find.

So, I ask you, if you review books, what are your tips on writing a book review?

USA Today Chick Lit Article

June 5, 2011 8 Comments

While clicking through the USA Today website, I found THIS article on Chick Lit books. All four of these books are new and are supposedly great for “beach reads.” It’s because of this that I think that people don’t really understand this sub-genre of Romance. Also, HERE is another article I found from two years ago.

While I love Chick Lit to be advertised (especially in highly profiled papers) these books aren’t just good for the summertime, which is the message I want to share! Yes, while the covers on the books can look like a great summer read, they are all-year-reads. I can see how someone going on vacation wants to read a fun summer book and I understand why they would pick Chick Lit — the pink woman on the cover is either sipping on a drink with an umbrella in it, she’s lying on the beach staring at a lifeguard or, along with the attractive pictures are the words “hot,” “sizzling” or “heat!” I think in this case, a lot of them are doing it for the wrong reasons. I’m not saying that everyone does this, but it seems like Chick Lit is mainly and more popular in the summer. For me, this isn’t true, because I read more in the fall and wintertime. I’m inside more and I love sitting by the fire drinking hot buttered rums and losing myself into a good book.

What is your favorite time to read Chick Lit books?

It’s Fun Friday

June 4, 2011 3 Comments

About three years ago, I found the love of my life, in wine form! It’s called Mommy’s Time Out!

I drink mostly white wines, pinot grigio’s or sauvignon blanc’s. Mommy’s Time Out’s pinot grigio is light to the taste with a slight hint of fruit, which isn’t too sweet, nor is it bitter. This wine is the only white wine that I can say that I love.

The only place that I know where to find it is at Central Market and it’s their speciality wine.

Try it and let me know what you think!

Writing…At A Real Office?

June 1, 2011 6 Comments

Right now I write at home…well, these days it’s still like a construction site, but we’re slowly making room for a new desk to go into the office. I’m looking forward to this because I am eager to complete the work around the house and for my writing life to get back to normal, along with having a daily routine! My routine when I have an office at home is lovely and I enjoy having the luxury of being at home, and multi-tasking (laundry, groceries, construction workers, etc.). While each day is different and some are better than other’s, I think that I have the ability to get my work done, even while I’m still in my pajamas. It make me feel like I’ve accomplished something, so by the time my husband gets home from work, we both can have a nice relaxing evening together, and with our cat.

On the flip side, I’ve thought about getting an office, someplace where I would have to actually “go” to work, even when I don’t want to. I would work all day at work and I wouldn’t have any distractions. If I had writer’s block, then I would have it and I’d it there until either something clicked or it was time to go home and start dinner. (Though events like this happen when I’m folding laundry, making lunch or cleaning the kitchen).

As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages of both choices:

POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES OF WRITING AT HOME:

I’d be multi-tasking with laundry, dishes, groceries and other chores that need to get done
I’d be able to stay home on the rainy days (I do not like driving in rainstorms)
I’d be in my own environment, and wouldn’t be pressured to work
I’d (not) be able to have the choice of electricians, exterminators, or any other worker being able to come over at any available time
I’d have all my writing stuff in one place, just in case I wanted to write at night

POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES OF WRITING IN A REAL OFFICE: