Chick Lit Goddess

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

Chick-Lit

The ABOUT Tab

2 Comments

I’ve been working on my website tonight, and for the life of me, I cannot formulate the words that I want to write about me.  When my book is published, I’m trying to imagine someone picking it up and reading the inside flap about the me, the author!  What would I want them to know?

I have looked at several websites of very well-known authors and each of them are different, yet they do have one thing in common, they have a story about how they became a writer.  As for me, writing just soft of fell in my lap.  Do I say just that?

Any advice or comments would be very helpful tonight…

Two At A Time? I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN!

4 Comments

So, on Saturday morning, I wrote and finished my prologue to Book #2, which doesn’t have a title yet.  Afterwords,  I eagerly began and finished the first scene, in the first chapter.  Today, I wrote for almost nine hours on still untitled, Book #1, completing twenty pages, bringing me closer to The End.

I can happily say that I’m working on two projects.

Project #1:  I started this book, thanks to a Creative Writing class, I was taking with Gotham Writers’ Workshop, in March of 2010.  For almost a year now, I have lived with this storyline and these characters, and I can honestly say that I think this is some of the best work I’ve done…up to this point.  I am still improving my writing, by at least trying to write a page or two, a day.  For now, my main focus is to finish this Book #1 and have it published, no matter what or how long it takes.  I want this story to be read.

Project #2:  Live I’ve said, I’m not that far into Book #2, but so far I am loving it!  Reason number one: It’s very different from Book #1.  In Book #2, I knew right away what my main conflict was going to be, how my characters would act, what jobs they have, and where the setting takes place.  Reason number two: I feel that I am more prepared to write it, than I was, when I started the first book.  Reason number three: Book #2 is not a Chick-Lit, but I’m hoping to venture out, and still keep my main genre of Romance.  My goal date for Book #2 is February 12, 2012!  Wish me luck!

Happy Writing!

 

 

Defending Chick Lit!

2 Comments

Without rambling on telling you about what this wonderful sub-genre of Romance (thought some find this debatable), here are two great definitions of Chick Lit: Definition One and Definition Two.

Last night in the Lounge of a Fiction class of mine, and I was bombarded with questions about Chick Lit, from a very passionate (and that’s putting it nicely) man, who seemed to love to talk about writing.  He had me explain what Chick Lit is and he didn’t seem convinced, and debated with me about if there really such a thing.  “Yes, there really is,” I wanted to scream.  Okay, so it was a he, I was talking to, but for someone who seemed so literary well-rounded, he wasn’t open to anything I had to say, or at least that’s how he made it seem.  Newsflash: Some men do read Chick Lit!  The more and more I keep on writing Chick Lit, I’m getting a lot of the same reactions.

I’m sure that most people think of it as a “love story,” a “chick novel,” or like a “romance movie.”  Yes, I agree with all of these.  Chick Lit can be like that, but it’s so much more.  It’s as the character is fitting herself into her body.  By the end of the book, most women, and some men, I’m sure will walk away feeling refreshed, and have a better understanding if the Heroine, and maybe even relating to her too.

I don’t get why people feel this way, and act as if it’s not a “real,” part of fiction.  It’s very popular, one that I predict will eventually, stand on its own.

There are many popular Chick Lit writers, Emily Giffin, Jennifer Weiner, Candace Bushnell, and Sophie Kinsella, just to name a few.  One day, I hope to add my name to this wonderful list of inspiring writers, but until then, I have a lot of work to do…

 

 

Writing Sex…

2 Comments

Writing a sex scene, isn’t as easy as it sounds.  Two days ago, I literally, sat at my computer, starting at the enemy, my blinking cursor, trying to find ways to write a HOT sex scene.  With every steamy scene, I think it’s best  for it to be different each time, along with being the characters wanting to engage in more “daring” sex!  This task has been difficult because the farther I get in writing my book — I don’t want anything overused.  Women, (along with some men), expect the scenes to be magical, as if it were actually them being swept off their feet, and made love to so passionately, by the ever so charming Hero/Heroine!

I have often wondered if writers use their significant other/partner/spouse as their muse when they are writing a love scene.  How many of them do you think do this?  (Maybe by doing this, it will ignite some sparks, which often brings couples closer together). Mmm….yummy!  “Oh, my Hero,” I say as he kisses me, and I can taste the sweetness of his lips — it’s as if they are a combination of sugar cane and chocolate!  Or, is that my husband’s lips, instead?!

I found this link, http://writeanything.wordpress.com/2009/04/27/not-all-sex-scenes-are-equal/, which is a great sex writing motivator too…that is, if you don’t have anyone “special” in your life, though you can always create your own fantasy of how YOU want to be loved on…(This works very well)!

Have a great day, everyone!

“Something Borrowed” by Emily Giffin

Leave a Comment

Last night, I finished “Something Borrowed,” by Emily Giffin.  I started it, for the second time, because I wanted to do some “research” on how she writes these brilliant books.  Well, I caught myself reading for pleasure, and I loved every minute of it.  “Something Borrowed” was a great book, though, I was sad when it was over.  This story, about two friends. Rachel and Darcy, and one dashing fiance, Dex, will worm your heart, and make you smile, from beginning to end.  It is entertaining, comical, and at times, naughty!  Emily Giffin is not only a talented writer, but one what will easily be a favorite.

From a research POV, I learned a lot about story lines, writing beginnings, middles, and ends, creating characters, pacing, background, and dialogue.  It was an easy read, that was a great tool for anyone who wants to write, and do it the right way!

You can buy the book here: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Something-Borrowed/Emily-Giffin/e/9780312321185/?itm=4&USRI=something+borrowed.

Next, I will be reading “Something Blue,” also by Emily Giffin.

Have a great day!

Monday…A New Writing Week

Leave a Comment

If you’re like me, you’re not a Monday person, at all…though, as I’ve aged, I’ve come to appreciate and become thankful for Monday’s.  Here’s why:

1) It’s a new week!  Monday’s are great days to begin a new project.  Go ahead, and make the effort to start on that project you’ve been holding out on — you’ll be glad you did.

2) If you’re already working on a project, it’s a good day to sit back and evaluate what you would like to accomplish.  You might even set a new goal for yourself.

3) Be happy!  Just because you might have the Monday blues, doesn’t mean that you should be down in the dumps.  Be productive, and know that you can accomplish a lot today!

Have a great day, everyone!

Writing: The Blood, Sweat & Tears

Leave a Comment

It seems that all I’ve done this weekend is write!

Since I have barely come up for air, I’m realizing how hard this writing thing really is, though every bit of it is going to be worth is when my book is published.  I will look back on days and weekends like this, when I’ve practically abandoned my very independent husband and cat, and be blessed, though I’m sure that it won’t come with out a lot of Blood, Sweat & Tears.

Blood: Sometimes, when I’m typing, I feel like my fingers will literally fall off, creating a bloody mess all over my keyboard.  It will be worth it, when I’m published, I remind myself.  I am at the point in my book, where I’ll pretty much do anything to make my deadline and goal.

Sweat: There has definitely been some sweat during this book.  I will be at my desk, freezing, then I turn the temperature up, and before you know it, I’ll be sweating, not because I’m hot, but when the heat is on, my fingers type faster, and the acceleration has also been increased, which makes me write more.  Let it be hot, because it will be worth it.

Tears: There is no doubt that there have been a few tears shead during this writing process, but with the love and support of my husband, he’s often helped me when I’m down on myself, and with that, I’m off to writing, feeling even more powerful than before.  When this book is published, there’s no doubt, that I’ll be crying tears of joy, and it will be worth it.

I encourage all of you to take in and accept all your emotions during your writing process.  Know that some days will be better than the other, but be strong, because know that in the end, it will be worth it, and you’ll be proud of yourself.

Writing On The Weekdnds? Definately So!

2 Comments

This weekend, I plan on doing A LOT of writing!  It’s the first weekend I’ve really had “free” to do what I want, and on my own time schedule, so I’m planning on using it to my full advantage.

Speaking of advantages, there are a lot, if you plan on writing during the weekend.

1) You set the rules!

2) You can write in your PJ’s and nobody will ever know that you created this masterpiece in comfort.

3) You can start as early, or as late as you want — you set you own schedule.

4) If you’re married, know that your husband is probably happy to have his time alone too.  Huddle up in your workspace, and just write…knowing that he’s proud of you.

5) Don’t stress if writer’s block comes over you — it will come to you, and sometimes even better than you ever imagined, just give it time.

6) HAVE FUN!  Let your mind wander, and don’t pressure yourself.

Have a great day, everyone!

Pleasure Reading…For Research?

Leave a Comment

Last night, I began, for the second time, “Something Borrowed” by Emily Giffin.  Since I’m a passed half-way writing my Chick Lit, I’m at the stage of curiosity, and am wanting to study how published author’s write in this genre, and if I’m following all the “rules.”    In the passed, I might have got a little carried away with the story, and forgot to write at the same time, though this time, I am going about it differently — writing by day, and reading by night, and am loving it!

You’re probably wondering how it is that I read for research, right?  Well, the answer is easy — I focus on the storyline, examining what the writer wanted the reader to understand.  I’ll also concentrate on the pace, the back story (if there is one), the characters and how they speak and act, the conflict, and because I’m somewhat of a nerd, I look at grammar too.

During this process, some might think that it would be helpful to highlight, or make notes in the book, well, I completely agree.  I’m reading “SB” on my iPad, and thanks to the updated Kindle app, it’s just as easy as writing in a book.

Now, I’m wondering, how do you learn to write something that you haven’t written before?  Are you one of those who just begin writing, hope it gets published, and then it really does (lucky you!), or are you one who takes the time to actually learn your work, by learning the “rules” of your genre?  I’d love to hear from you, so post a comment back, if you have anything to share!

Oh, but before I leave you today, I wanted to add a link to Emily Giffin’s movie, “Something Borrowed,” which will be out on May 6th, 2011.  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0491152/.

Have a great day, everyone!