Chick Lit Goddess

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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?

I’m Suddenly More Inspired…and Here’s Why!

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Today I became, once again, inspired to become a writer!  I went to the local Barnes & Noble to get some of my writing work completed.  Being surrounded with book after book, I felt at home, and was off in my own world.

After reading and critiquing, I walked around the store, admiring the published authors’.  I read the back of several books, including a few first pages of some.  Each of them had a certain twist, making them different, but they all had one thing in common — they hooked me.

All next week, I plan on going to B&N at least four days next week to work on my own book.  I know it will definitely help me stay focused on my goal of becoming a writer, and I know that sitting among many brilliant writers’, I know I will make it!

The Thrill of Having Deadlines and Why I Love Them

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Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines!  All deadlines are meant for a reason, whether it be meant for work, school, or even for your personal gratification.  A lot of people do not like having deadlines, though a lot of people thrive on them, and I’m one of them.

When I’m trying to meet a writing deadline, I tend to work really hard at first, but then I get a little burnt out, so I take a day, two, or five off.  I give myself time to reevaluate the piece and think about the storyline, the characters, what should be changed, deleted, and added.  A couple of days before the deadline, I then begin writing my heart out until, very happily, I meet the goal.

I also must say, and this goes out to a few people who call me an “overachiever,” I’m not that at all.  I have been known to turn my work in early, but I would prefer to be ahead of schedule.  I (try to) keep a tight schedule, and not just follow it, but stay way in front of needs to get done.

My advice: (1) Make a schedule, and put writing time on your calendar.  (2) Take it day by day and page by page.  (3) Don’t stress.  (4) Try not to edit until you’re finished writing, because this can lead to distractions.  (5) Submit your work, and pat yourself on the back for doing a job well done!

Helpful Writing Books…and Why I Use Them!

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How many of you have bought a book to help you write?  At a young age, I began buying books, hoping that by reading them, would help me along in my writing journey.  To this day, I cannot even begin to count how many of these books I have collected.

As some of you know, I seriously begun writing in March, and am proud of the accomplishments I have made.  Over the past six month, I have learned A LOT, but I can’t say I’ve done it all alone.  The classes that I have and am taking at Gotham Writers’ Workshop, have taught me so much about my writing life, and about myself.  During this time, a few books are to be given credit for.  They are as follows:

(1) Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus, http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Oxford-American-Writers-Thesaurus/Oxford-University-Press-Staff/e/9780195342840/?itm=21&USRI=thesaurus

I have had many thesauruses, but I really think the title says, “…Writer’s Thesaurus.”  In this book, there is every word that a writer would possibly use.  This book is very concise, direct, and easy to understand.  The synonyms that are suggested, can be very usable in any way that author wants.  I do prefer book thesauruses because you can be searching for one word, but then see another word, which can give you another idea…and so on.  As for an internet thesaurus, http://thesaurus.com/, this is another source I use.

(2) See Jane Write: A Girl’s Guide to Writing Chick Lit, http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=see+jane+write

I am only a quarter through this book, but I already love it.  If you’re a woman who wants to write a Chick Lit, this book is for you!  (And no, I’m not joking).  When you first pick this book up, you plan on it being one of the do this, do that, and you’re published, but no…this book will test you to see if you are really Chick Lit writer material, and then explains on why you want to write a book like this.  As the book continues, it will guide you step-by-step, on how to write your book — dealing character descriptions, style, with writer’s block, working on personal deadlines, editing, and the manuscript submission process).  The two women who wrote this book, Sarah Mlynowski and Farrin Jacobs are two smart ladies who know what they are talking about!

(3) On Writing Romance: How to Craft a Novel That Sells, http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Romance-Craft-Novel-Sells/dp/1582974365

Ahh…Leigh Michaels’ book…It’s absolutely brilliant!  I have taken two of Leigh’s classes, thanks again to GWW, and am about to start my third.  I owe everything I’ve learned about Romance Writing to her.  She is a brilliant wave of information, but no only that, she’s like a lighthouse, who asks you questions, and you find the answer.  She lets you write your story, but gives and helps you write what needs to be told.  Through the an classes we will learn even more — it’s like she’s with you every step of the way, during your journey.  Her book answers your questions, and will help you in any way gain all the knowledge to help you write your perfect Romance book.

Achieving Writing Goals…?

I was recently asked what my writing goals are, and then they said something about how inspire people with my writing.  Okay, #1: I write because I love it — it’s what makes me most happy.  My writing goals have advanced over the years.  The begging of this year, I only wanted to write a book, but as I began the journey, my fingers eagerly typed, which now leads me to want to strive to have my book published…AND to one day have it turned into a movie, and yes, it would be a Romantic Comedy. #2, I thank them for the compliment about how my writing inspire people, but I look at it as more of that I want to entertain people.  I want people to relate to my stories, and after they have read it, feel as if they have looked inside my life and my character’s lives.  After hearing the quote “If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it,” by Toni Morrison, it inspired me to write even more.  My story needs to be written!

Many people who write usually have a goal in mind, which can be from one end of the spectrum to the other.  Goals are made all the time, but what helps you achieve them?

Not all of our goals are the same.  So, how do you set a writing goal?  I skimmed over several Google articles about setting a writing goal, and this was the one that seemed useful to me: http://www.writerstechnology.com/2008/07/how-to-set-smart-writing-goals.   I think the article had some SMART  (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) ideas, but not only that, the strategies seem reasonable for a beginning to expert writer, (yes, even expert writers still set goals).

As my writing advances, my confidence increases, which makes me want to achieve my goals.  I don’t want to be the old woman on her death-bed who says that I should have done this, or I should have done this, but instead, I want to be that woman in her thirties who is out in the World, with nothing stopping me.  I know that some days will be easier than some, but as long as I take it one day at a time, I truly feel that I will and can excel in what I put my mind to, my goals.

Changing The Title! Yikes!

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So, along with writing a great story, comes along with deciding on a clever title.  You want something to catch the reader’s eye, something that shouts, “READ ME!”  The title does or doesn’t have to be really related to the story, though I prefer it to.  I like titles that foreshadow, sometimes up until the end of the last page!  Do you prefer one word titles, or multiple?  For me, I’m really not picky, but I do admit that I choose books with an interesting title, and yes, sometimes cover.  (I know, a bad thing, right?)

When I titled my book “Second Thoughts of the Sexless Fiancée,” it was about a woman who is engaged to a man who won’t have sex with her (we find out in chapter two that he’s gay), and she begins to have second thoughts about being with another man, only because she wants to live a little before being committed to anyone.

Some of these experiences have happened in my life, only on way different levels, and not said or done exactly, but in some ways, I have felt how my main Heroine has felt, but now thanks to my husband who is improving himself, he’s also improving us, which in the end, means that my characters are improving too.

And…now, I guess I should come up with a new title!  Oh, this is going to be difficult!