Chick Lit Goddess

...because every author wants to feel like a goddess!

Books

Why Sharing What You Read Is A Good Thing

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Books are meant to be read, right?

Well, a few months ago I joined a website called Goodreads.com, but I never realized how cool it was, until now that I’m a reviewer.  (Shelfari is also a similar website.)  I use Goodreads which is a great way to share the books you’re reading with friends, make new friends, introduce yourself to new books.  It’s also keeps track with what you’ve read, want to read, and are currently reading.  I’ve also had a friend who started a group on Facebook for readers.  We share what books we’ve read.  Through this outlet, I’ve also found several books that I want to read.

So for your readers, I have some questions:

  • How do you keep track of your books you have read, want to read, and are reading?
  • Do you share these books with others, and if so, how?
  • Have you started a group of your own, or even a book club?
  • Do you have your own idea(s) about sharing books with your friends or family members?
  • Are you on Goodreads or Shelfari?  If so, find me on Goodreads at MrsAnderson1212!

Nobody Knows Who We Are…

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I have to admit that at first, I wasn’t really into this reviewing part of the author title, but without it I wouldn’t have had the great pleasure of reading some amazing, funny, thrilling, and charming Chick Lit books!

Tonight I was sitting at home thinking how cool it is to do what I do — I’m an author and most recently, a reviewer!  As a reviewer, isn’t it cool how we can be, in a bookstore for example, and feel right at home?  In some ways, isn’t it like we’re like a PI?  We reviewers (and authors) read and review books that are sold on eBooks and in bookstores.  Well, on quite a few novels, there are most often quotes about the book which can help promote the book.  Well, how cool would it be if while I’m not yet an author, the quote came from the Chick Lit Goddess?  Since I started this blog, I’ve grown not only to focus on writing and getting my books published, but to help support my fellow authors!

Looking Over Your NaNoWriMo For The First Time

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Everyone who’s participated in National Novel Writing Month-and won, they all say to step away from it for a few months before getting back into it to start working on the edits.  They say to give yourself, and your characters, some breathing.  I took their advice and I’ve had a blast.  While I’ve thought about the thought of finishing my book and have told some about it, I’ve really not thought about what the characters went through during my time with them…that is until now.

For the first time since November 30th, I opened my NaNoWriMo book today.  I read the first few pages and I was hooked!  Damn, this is some good stuff I wrote!  I stopped reading and decided to start editing using “comments”  in Word.  Once I got started, I couldn’t stop.  I was on a roll and was loving it!  While right now I’m only on page 8 and have 112 comments (a lot, I know), I’m excited about where this 2nd draft is going.  While it’s not the easiest job to do (edit), I’m enjoying it.

As for what I plan to do with this still untitled book when I’m finished, I know I’ve told you that I’ve planned on self-publishing, I just might seriously think about sending this to publishers!  Wish me luck!

What do you think?  What would yo do if you were me?

 

New Blog, New Ideas?

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Like I’ve mentioned before, there will soon be changes to Chick Lit Goddess!  Since one of my Christmas gifts was an upgrade to my WordPress hosted website (read about my Christmas gifts HERE), I can now add all the buttons, widgets, themes, and everything else I could imagine.

Right now I’m in the middle of setting up the new layout, and I can’t decide which one I like.  I didn’t know how difficult this would be, nor do I want to be changing it all the time — I want to be known for a certain layout, colors, and design.  I am the Chick Lit Goddess, hear me roar!  One thing I can tell you is that I have decided what the main colors will be, (my wedding colors if this give anyone a clue).

What I need help is on knowing what you, the reader and faithful follower would like to see more/less of?  What widgets, apps, and/or links would you like to see?

Any advice, comments, or ideas would be most helpful!

Where Will You End Up?

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I came across this picture and thought it would be fitting for the beginning of 2012

I ask you the following questions…

1. Where do you want to be this time next year?

2. How do you anticipate making that happen?

3. Who will you advise to help you get there?

4. How will you motivate yourself?

5. When you finally get there, how will you reward yourself?

Sleeping With Paris

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Book Review for “Sleeping With Paris”

“Sleeping With Paris,” by Juliette Sobanet

All is right in Charlotte Summers’ life.  She’s quit her job to move with her fiancé, Jeff, to Paris so that she can study French at a highly acclaimed university.  When she goes to Jeff’s office to surprise him (an expensive bottle of champagne in hand to celebrate) he’s not there, so she sits down at his desk and signs into her email to look at pictures of their apartment in Paris as she daydreams about their upcoming adventure.  Suddenly a message from another woman pops up, and soon she learns the truth, that her beloved Jeff has signed himself up on a dating website and has been cheating on her.

Leaving Jeff behind she decides to still to Paris to achieve her goals.  At first she’s devastated at her broken engagement and longs for Jeff to call her and say he’s made a horrible mistake and that he’s coming to Paris to be with her.  After a few days of sulking she get up out of bed and begins a blog based on how women should learn to date more like a man.  Along the way Charlotte makes new friends, and without giving too much away, one of her French suitors brings a whole new way of thinking about chocolate and sex.

At the end, Charlotte has an opportunity to be with Jeff when they are both in a wedding.  Does she take him up on his offer, or does she kick him to the curb for good, and start over with the suitor I mentioned before, the “Half-Naked French Hottie?” 

“Sleeping With Paris” by Juliette Sobanet was one of the best books I read in 2011!  It’s a true Chick Lit, and one I will never forget.

From the beginning I liked Charlotte.  She was a no-nonsense kind of woman and I find that very refreshing.  Just because her fiancé cheated on her, that didn’t stop her from doing what she wanted to do, which I thought was very brave.  I think Juliette wrote a very real character in Charlotte, and I felt that I could relate to in many ways.

All of Charlotte’s suitors were very interesting men.  I loved how they all weren’t so much alike.  At times I couldn’t decide who I wanted her with, but in the end I loved who the choice was.  (I’m not going to spoil it for you.  You have to read the book).

Not only is this book an exciting read, it’s also gives you a few French lessons through dialogue.  If you can’t understand French, don’t worry; you’ll still understand every word.  I found myself swiping the pages on my iPad quicker and quicker as the story continued on, even when it was four in the morning and I was halfway asleep.

I recommend “Sleeping With Paris” to anyone who enjoys Chick Lit, wants a light-hearted sweet love story, and to anyone who loves Paris!

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

**Click HERE to read my Guest Interview with Juliette

2012: Any New Year Resolutions For Writing? Not Me!

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Everyone always asks me if I have any New Year’s resolutions.  When I was younger I was able to answer this, but now I can’t.  It’s a funny thing, these resolutions.  Everyone at one time or another has made at least one during their lifetime, and on January 1st it becomes a great opportunity to make your “goals/dreams/wishes” if you will, come true.  As we get older, I’ve seen how things don’t go always as planned.  “Life got in the way,” someone might say down the line about not yet achieving their resolutions.  My thoughts are why wait until January 1st?  If you want something so bad, just go do it!  Reach for your dreams and make them in a reality!

I think that I’ve grown over the past year.  Not only am I more confident in my work, I’m not letting anything knock me down.  Having said that, I want to share with you what I have planned for this year.  They are not resolutions or dreams, but they are simply thing I want to get done.  (If you put what you want to do in a “To Do” list form, it seems to make things less intimidating).  So, here is my list for 2012:

  • I want to finish editing my book first book, Redefined Dreams
  • I will have the pleasure of doing quite a few more Guest Interviews/Posts, all which I’m excited to share.  (If you’d like to be a Guest, please email me directly)
  • I will once again be taking part in NaNoWriMo…and I will win again!
  • I will be researching more about self-publishing
  • And of course, I’ll be writing more.  I do have three plots that I’m toying with and I’d like to see where they go

My overall advice is do not wait until 2013 to start living the life you’ve always wanted!  It’s out there, and now it’s your turn to go get it!

What do you want to accomplish in 2012?

I’ll Admit It, I Love My Kindle, But…

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

For my first blog in 2012 (wow, that felt weird to type), I’d like to bring up a topic which most are black or white, with only a few in the grey area.  I’m talking about the love for the way you read whether it’s from an e-book or a hardback/paperback.  When I began this blog I was new to the e-book way of life, and I didn’t appreciate it as much as I do now.  I even wrote a BLOG about it.

This was before I found myself reading books to be reviewed, and not just for pleasure.  Now that I have established myself enough to be honored to be called a reviewer, it is easy for me to see now how much and e-book is such a necessity!  I can read pretty much anywhere – in the grocery line, in the car while the hubby’s driving, a doctor’s office, just to name a few examples of why it’s nice to have an e-book!  Having both, an iPhone and an iPad, are the two things I said that I would never have — I was strictly a Blackberry girl, but since changing over, it’s made my reading and reviewing life easier!  Can we say yee-haw?!  Oh, and to show you just how non-technical I am, just this week learned that I could sync where I was reading to another device!  I’m all for ebooks now, except that…

They’re not the “real” thing!  Has any ever thought about how there might now be anymore book signings?  (I’ve always wanted to go to one).  Just today I was watching TV the show I was watching was talking about how much books are worth.  Would this be the case in the e-book world?  I love to be able to see books on their shelves, but as a book collector I’m running out of space (This doesn’t make the hubby happy – ha, ha, ha!).

Where do you stand on this topic?

The Book I Wish I Would Have Written

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Have you ever read a book to finish it and say, “Wow, that was good.  I wish I had written it.”  Whether it’s a book that’s in your writing genre, a #1 Bestseller, or even a simple paperback you bought at the grocery store, there are books that have had you in such awe, and left you wondering if you can/would’ve written something to amazing.

I’ve read 5 books like that and I’d like to share them:

#5)  The Mitford Series by Jan Karon

#4)  THE NOTEBOOK by Nicholas Sparks

#3)  ROGUE by Danielle Steel

#2)  Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

#1)  WIDEACRE by Philippa Gregory

I thought about sharing a little bit about why I’d love to say that I have written them, but what I’d love more is for you to read them yourself and see what you think.  So, how about reading these books in 2012 (if you haven’t already), and letting me know what you think?

Another thing to think about is, what book do you wish you would’ve written?