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Rought Sketch **UPDATED**

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DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’

 

by

 

Chauncey Anderson

(Chick-Lit)

Edited Rough Sketch, as of November 23, 2010

 

FLAP COPY:

 

Lucy Harper is in a sex starved relationship with her fiancé, Jackson Montgomery, but one day, a stranger walks by her, taking her breath away, and that’s when her need for sex becomes even stronger.  When Jackson confesses that he’s gay, their wedding is immediately cancelled, and soon, she begins a relationship with Nathan Drake, (her ex-wedding coordinator’s son) and the breathtaking stranger.  With her life finally looking up, quits her job as an assistant for her mother, and tries to become a romance/erotica writer, thanks to the encouragement and help writing scenes with Nathan, not to forget to mention, the sex…oh, the sex is damn good, but when Jackson tells Lucy of Nathan’s kiss with another woman, it might be only the beginning of another relationship gone wrong.  Finally, the truth comes out that Nathan’s mother, Deidra, is setting it all up, because she’s not a big fan of Lucy being in her son’s life.  Will they be able to get passed this, or is Nathan being set up by his mother too much for Lucy to handle?

 

CAST:

 

Lucy Harper:  She’s been in love with Jackson Montgomery since college, and she was looking forward to spending the rest of her life with him, but since he’s told her that he’s gay and has moved on, Lucy’s done the same thing.  When she begins dating Nathan, her world changes for the better, and he helps her become the woman she’s always wanted to be, and teaches her to stand up for what she wants, and she’s proud of the woman she is when she’s with him – she feels beautiful.  It’s only when Jackson tells Lucy of Nathan’s whereabouts one night, does her life with Nathan change, possibly forever.

 

Jackson Montgomery:  Is a gay man who truly loves his best friend, Lucy.  He feels so bad that he can’t please her sexually, but when he admits that he’s gay and is in a committed relationship with Bradley, he feels completed.  He’s a very busy businessman (a real estate developer), and doesn’t like dealing with Nathan Drake, nor does he like that he’s seeing Lucy, though truly wishes her all the best.

 

Nathan Drake:  He’s been his mom’s pride and joy all his life.  He grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth, but he’s never flaunted it.  He might be his mother’s bitch, but he is a thriving business owner of one of the new and most highly noted real-estate companies.  It’s known around town, that Nathan’s a major playboy, but once he sets his sights on Lucy, everything changes.  He tries to be a one woman man, and he’s tired of being set up with women by his mother, only because she thinks he’s lonely.  Nathan is determined to make sure that everyone, including his mother, knows that Lucy is the only woman that he wants, though things might be a little tricky, only because his mother is always one step in front of him.

 

Bradley Simms:  In the beginning, he plays the part of a friend of the couple, Lucy and Jackson, and as Jackson’s business partner, though we later find out, that he’s been beginning a romantic relationship with Jackson.  His heart belongs to Jackson’s.  He does feel sorry that Lucy and Jackson’s relationship didn’t work, but he wants Lucy to know he’s always been there for her, and always will be, because she was a great friend, even though, she did try and set him up with some of her female friends, more than once.

 

Deidra Montgomery:  She’s a very well-known wedding planner in Texas, and her business is thriving.  She gets what she wants, and is happy doing what she has to do to get it.  Her son, Nathan, is the one thing that is her constant, and is helping her out, but only part-time, until his real-estate business is up and running.  She thinks that he needs to settle down with a nice woman, Nikki Shelton, for example, his ex-love, one that she thought was “perfect” for him.  Deidra will pretty much do everything she can do to make sure that her son ends up with Nikki, a well-rounded woman, who is a college graduate and was in a sorority.  When her son finally stands up to her, she is stunned that he would ever consider spending his life with a woman like Lucy, only because she isn’t a college graduate.

Catherine Harper: Catherine Harper is Lucy’s mother.  She is a very respectable woman, and never has anything bad to say about anyone, except for Lucy, her only child, when her words are most critical.  These days, her marriage (to Martin) is better it’s ever has been, and so is her sex life – she’s even been known to experiment with toys that she was ashamed to think about, back in the day.  Now that she’s calmer, she’s trying to be the mother she never was to Lucy, and show her daughter that she loves her very much.

 

Martin Harper: Martin Harper is Lucy’s father.

Rachel Douglas: Rachel Douglas is Lucy’s best female friend, and confidant.

Nikki Shelton:  A college graduate and was in the sorority, Sigma Chi, at one of the most astute colleges in the south.  She works at a very well-known marketing firm.  At a size six, she doesn’t think that she’s perfect in any way, but loves the attention she gets from Deidra, and as nice as Nathan is, she is only going on dates with Deidra’s son to get business from her – after all, the wedding planning business is on a rise.

 

WORLD: Things aren’t always right in this world, but life has a way of working out…

POV: This story is from the heroine’s first person POV.

MUSIC: With or Without You by U2.  The song title and some of the lyrics relate to how the Heroine feels about sex – she will do it, with or without a man. Also, the song, Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey, because overtime, she begins to be more confidant in herself, and by the end, she’s believing in herself.

 

 

Getting Back To It

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So…I’ve not written anything good in about a month, and it’s killing me! It’s like I’ve had writer’s block this whole time — until today! Suddenly, I’m more inspired to write than I have been in the passed few weeks, and it feels great! Oh, how I can’t wait for my journey with Jackson, Lucy and Nathan to continue.

I just thought I’d share my good news!

Happy Writing, everyone!

Writing While On Vacation

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So, right now I’m on a mini-vacation and am loving it! This brought me to wonder something. Is your writing different than whine you’re in your “normal” environment? Mine certainly is…and here’s why.

1: It’s a different state of mind – While on vacation, one is relaxed. Your mind is full of peace and quiet, which allows you to write without stress. Your day-to-day disturbances aren’t going to bother you. You’re not going to be tempted to go do the laundry, make dinner, or rearrange the furniture, and your annoying pet will not be bothering you. In this state of mind, you are in a euphoria, which means that ideas are most likely, ideas are filling your mind.

2: Place – Depending on the place you are vacationing, your day is yours. You have the ability to write however, and whenever you want. You’re observing people, taking in ideas for your characters. (I’m at the beach right now, and I’ve brought a beach scene into my story, but when I’m in thre country, I’ve brought in a lot of those story lines as well).

3: Time – To me, this is a very important part of writing during a vacation. Your time is something you can be in charge of. You have the right to do what you want. Whether you write in you pajamas, staying in your hotel room each day, you have the ability to pick and choose when and how long you want to write, so use your time wisely.

4: Don’t Stress – Stressing is something you must not do while on vacation. If you don’t have anything to write, don’t worry, it will come to you. Take hour vacation, and allow yourself to do research, gathering thoughts, piecing together your story, and believe in yourself, knowing that you can do this!

5: Have Fun – While you’re in vacation, give yoursealf to have a good time, after all, you’re on vacation. If you are on a vacation where your cannot write, make quick notes that will remind yourself of what you want to write.

In the end, the combination of writing and vacationing together can be fun, so go…go have a fun writing vacation.

Writing For Another Genre? Possibly!

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Are you a Chick-Lit writer, but seem that you’re watching A LOT of crime or law shows lately, and maybe you’re considering to attempt to write a mystery or political novel?  I am one of them, so join the crowd.

Watching shows like The Good wife, Undercovers, CSI, or Outlaw, the mystery and political issues have taken over my mind, and I’m really wondering how to write within these two popular genres.  I have thought, for over two years now, about how to do this, and to this day, I have no idea.  Do you?  Knowing the lingo might help, but it can also help by being friends with a wife of a politician, a crime scene investigator, and a lawyer, which is something I’m not — though I really wish I were.

So, how do you know you write in one genre, and want to begin writing in another?  (Pray for a miracle!)  I’m only kidding!  You do research.  Go to your local bookstore or library, and read, read, read!  Read up on local events, read up on law books, and read up on crime investigations.  Learning is the best way to do this.

I admit, though I want to at least try and write out of the genre I am familiar with, I haven’t tried any of this, but want to.  I think that ‘m too afraid to venture out in the world, and try something new, but I want to, and right now, that want is good enough for me, at least for now…

Who knows…in five years, I might have another pseudonym…

The More You Read, The More You Write?

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For many people, including me, the more I read, the more I want to write.

When one does this, the reader and wanna’ be writer, is gathering information, doing research, creating characters, and developing a story line.  Yes, for a writer, reading is doing research.  If you’re a beginning writer, you might be focusing on the characters, their conflict (which you have to have in each story) and the grammar.

No matter what genre you enjoy reading, I’m sure that a little bit of that can go into your story.  For example, I do enjoy a good mystery (though haven’t been able to fine any in a long time, and have only read one), and my genre is Chick Lit, a sub-genre in Romance, when I finish the book, I’m encouraged to write.  It can be anything from a children’s book to a novel…and by finishing them, the fact that I have read someone’s book, I envy them.

By reading a book, no matter what genre it is, I am inspired!  So, here’s to all the published people out there, thank you!

Your Worst Enemy

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As I think of what to write today, I’m staring at my worst enemy — the blinking cursor.  It’s like an enemy that’s standing right in front of you, staring you down.  The flashing…over and over, tempts you, and makes your mind wonder if you have what it takes to write, which makes the cursor stop.  It can also makesyou feel defeated (especially, if you’re suffering from writer’s block).

Though you might sit there all day, playing a staring game with the cursor, know that it’s okay if you do this.  Every writer does this, even several times throughout a book.  Feel proud of yourself, and know that the following day or night, will be better.

How do we make the cursor stop?  Write.  Start writing until your heart’s content and you until enter in that last period.

My advice, don’t stress.  Just write, write, and write…and know that you can beat that cursor…

Writing Environments

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Writing.  Some people think that you write enough to fill up a lot of pages, and you’re finished, and you’re done, right?  No.  It’s not that easy, especially if you’re in the wrong environment.

What is your writing place like?  Is it in an office, sitting at a couch, in a library, a bookstore, or always on the go, writing on your Blackberry or iPhone?  Are you an organized person, who has taken down notes and knows exactly how the story is going to go, or do you gather ideas as you go?  (I’ve seen how the environment can sometimes alter both of these).

My writing environments change daily, depending on how I feel.  I might want to go out and get inspired by published writers.  In this case, I will head to a Barns & Noble, and sit in their Starbucks’ area and write away.  Other days, I will sit in the office, thinking I’m going to write, though I don’t get as much accomplished, thanks to household distractions and of course, a little thing called the internet.  Though, when I am at home and am focused, I can achieve so much, and feel that I’ve put in a hard day’s work, (though, I know it doesn’t compare to my husband’s work).

When I’m at the B&N, I am forced to write, and not distracted at all, which is nice, and it also makes my writing stronger.  (It might be because I’m very motivated (as I’ve written about previously).

At home, my environment is a messy desk in my office, papers scattered  everywhere, and with the annoyance of a crying cat (yes, the cat cries).  When I’m in the mood to write, I’ll write, and I must say, I do a damn good job at it, but when I’m not in the mood, writing at home is not fun.  It makes it a lot easier to get sidetracked, which of course, isn’t good.

To end, I encourage you to do what you feel is best for you and your story.  Whether it be writing at a bookstore or sitting at home surrounded by a messy desk, it’s important to consider your writing environment to make yourself the best writer possible.

Happy Writing!

Do Our Moods Predict How We Write?

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Overtime, I have observed that my moods determine how I write.  This might explain how my characters act, along with what they say, and how they say it.

We, as an electronic world, posts Tweets and Statuses all the time.  Do our Tweets and Status changes alter our moods:  Read this article, http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/08/03/mislove.twitter.research/index.html, and take yourself in mind…

I have many different moods, which vary daily, and can almost vary in an instant, which isn’t a good thing when you’re trying to write a book.

Sad:  When I’m sad, I rarely want to write, and if I do, my writing seems to be very dull, and not interesting at all.  My writing seems sad, and my characters are flat, and not intriguing.  My mood can be blah, which makes me write, just to write, and not because I really want to.  Usually, my thoughts are elsewhere, and though my heart might be in it, my mind isn’t.

Grumpy:  In this state, I know that I should write anyway, mostly because it always drives me out of my funk.  I sit down to write — I’m grumpy — I begin to write — my mind enters a whole new world — and at last, I’m in my happy place again…

Happy:  If I’m in a good mood, I want to write, and usually, I can write for days upon days.  My characters rise to the occasion, they are dramatic, they are round, and full of excitement.  The storyline moves along at a rapid speed, marching towards the end.  In the end, I’m happy, and am motivated to want to continue on with my story.  It’s times like this, when I know I want to write…forever!

Determined:  When I’m in a determined state of mind, I feel that I can do no wrong.  Writing is my life, and I don’t want to stop!  I have a goal in mind, and know that I will achieve it.  I am proud of myself, and I feel confident.

Overall, I think that your goal (if you have one) should always be in your mind.  Think positive, no matter what mood you’re in, and make your writing that one thing that can pull you out of whatever negative emotion you’re feeling or thinking…

Happy Writing!!

Are Celeberties Really Writers Too?

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It seems that these days, each time you turn around, a “celebrity” has written a book, or has claimed to write one.  This really bothers me, and here’s why:  For the non-celeb people, it makes us feel and think that they used their celebrity to claim another title, Writer, to their long list of who they are.  I think celebs have taken advantage of the publishing companies, in order to make even more money, and of course, when their place in the Entertainment Business isn’t going as well as they like, they decide to branch out in the world of writing.

Yesterday, I was and Barnes & Noble, strolling through the Fiction section, and I came across a book called “Priceless.”  The title caught my attention, then I looked at who the author was, and did a double take.  Nicole Richie?  Really?  Apparently, so: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Priceless/Nicole-Richie/e/9781439166154/?itm=1&USRI=priceless.  This led me to wonder, do celebrities really write their own books, or do they have someone do it for the (like a ghost writer)?  I do know that there are different cases, with different writers, and here are two that I know about:

Tori Spelling:  I must admit, I did grow up watching Tori Spelling in “90210,” and have come to love her reality shows.  I have learned a lot about her, and was most surprised that on her show, she revealed that she wrote her own books.  Together, she has written 3 books about herself, and most recently, a children’s book.

1: sTORI Telling: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Stori-Telling/Tori-Spelling/e/9781416587002/?itm=7&USRI=tori+spelling

2: Mommywood: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Mommywood/Tori-Spelling/e/9781416599111/?pt=BK&stage=bookproduct&pwb=1&

3: uncharted terriTORI: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/uncharted-terriTORI/Tori-Spelling/e/9781439187715/?itm=2&USRI=tori+spelling

4: Presenting Tallulah: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Presenting-Tallulah/Tori-Spelling/e/9781416994046/?itm=1&USRI=presenting+tallulah

Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett: From dental assistant to one of Playboy’s most beautiful women, to wife and mother, and reality show start, Kendra has done it all.  She isn’t afraid to do anything, especially let the world know that she definitely isn’t a writer.  Kendra’s book was written by a ghost writer.  On a personal note, I respect the way she went about her writing — admitting that she didn’t do it.

1: Sliding into Home: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Sliding-Into-Home/Kendra-Wilkinson/e/9781439180914/?itm=2&USRI=sliding+into+home

As for biographies and auto-biographies, I know they are very different from Fiction, but where does the line stop when a title is given?  For example, if I were an actress, and I wrote my own biography, could I call myself a writer, too?  I could, but is that really who I am?  If so, doesn’t that make us all writers?