Chick Lit Goddess

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

Danielle Steel

Be Your Own Writer

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We all have favorite authors.  Often times it’s because of them that we want to become a writer.  It’ll go something like this: “Hey, I can write that book,” or “It can’t be that difficult?”  You then sit yourself in front of your computer and start writing.  You are ready to s tart living life-like Emily Giffin and Danielle Steel-your life will never the be same.  Your book will be the next #1 Bestseller, (move over Emily and Danielle)!

Please get your head out of the clouds.  While you might want to write like your favorite author, you never will! AND THAT’S OKAY!  You have you own voice, you have you own style, and you can write your own book, using your own ideas!

You have the power to create something wonderful – that is, if you try!  Don’t compare yourself to those you envy.  Instead, learn to appreciate what they do, and admire them for who they are.  They have their story about their journey, now you get to create yours.  And while it might seem easy to write like them, or to create your version of their book, it isn’t fun, nor what real writer does.  Give yourself credit and learn to come up with ideas-they are everywhere you turn, so learn to listen, look, and learn about each and every surrounding you’re in.  I bet you’ll have a storyline in mind before you know it!  (You’ll also be very proud of yourself for this!)

To end today’s post, I’m leaving you with a quote.  Not only can it be used for writing, but it’s easy to see how this can relate to any aspect of life.

Is There A Difference? Writers vs. Authors

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I don’t know about you, but it’s been a long week.  Is it (Good) Friday yet?

Anyway, back to my post:

A WRITER

Writing is a common thing in every part of the world.  It’s a way of communication.  For some, it’s the easiest for those who feel that they can be more open and honest with a pen and paper (or hands to computer).  Whether it be writing a letter, a memo, your signature, a grocery list, or even making an entry in your diary or journal, you’re still writing.  Even by sending a text, you’re still a writer.  All forms of writing are applicable – by phone, iPad, desk or laptop, or by hand.  I don’t want to get into the technical aspects or where it originated from, but if you’d like more information on the background of writing, click HERE.  I think that writing is a gift that should be treasured – no matter what your penmanship looks like, (on Monday, I’ll be talking about handwriting, so come back then), or how you type.

AN AUTHOR

When I think of the word, author, I immediately think of Emily Giffin, Danielle Steel, and James Patterson, all who have had their books published.  This means that they have gone through the (emotional) writing and editing process.  I think of book authors first because it’s what I want – I want to be an author!  This has led me to think more in-depth about what the definition of author really means.  Like writers, these days,  authors don’t just have to stick to writing books to be an author.  Writers who are published in magazines, reference books, and online websites, all are authors.  Is this all thanks to new technology?  I think so.  Places like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords, are making it easier for anyone who is a writer, to now be an author.

So, writers, this is your chance to be an author!  Come on, you can do it!

I’d love some feedback on this, so go ahead and leave me a comment!

Editing vs. Rewrites

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Congratulations, you’ve finished writing a book.  You’ve invested weeks, months, or maybe even years, but it’s done.  That was the hard part, right?  Wrong!

The definitions for editing and rewrites seem similar, but they’re not.

  • Editing: I thought that editing would go like this – I’d take away a comma here and there, make a few dashes in the right places, and add/delete a words every now and then.  I would change a few sentences, and then I’d be done.  I would find a publisher who would want to buy my books, and I’d be living the life like Emily Giffin and Danielle Steel.  I was wrong, so very wrong!
  • Rewrites:  I think that this is the most important part in the writing process, at least for me anyway.  Rewrites are where you delete parts of your work and write it again in a different way.  This means either changing around the dialogue, what the MC does or the situation he/she’s in .  It can also mean that you’ll need to do a rewrite to strengthen or explain certain scene(s) in more detail.  Authors go through many rewrites, and  mean a lot of them!  This is okay — it’s normal!

Yesterday I finished my rewrites to give to my editor.  It was the first time that I’d ever really done anything close to rewriting a part in my first book, Redefined Dreams.  When I sat down to do my rewrites, I was nervous.  I wanted these to be perfect, but I realize that in the writing world there is no such thing.  I’m looking forward to more rewrites, not just “editing!”

Tell me your editing and/or rewriting story!  I’d love to hear it!

What They Think We Do, What We Really Do, and What We Want To Do

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The above picture (or one similar) has been floating around Facebook for the past couple of weeks.  At first I thought it was funny, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized just how true pictures are.

When I finished the last page of a great book, I thought that writers would sit down at their computer and would write a book without any troubles and they’d be rich and famous.  That was when I was younger — much younger.

It took me a year to write my first book and a month to write my second, and for both there were struggles along the way. It’s definitely not as easy as it seems, nor is the editing and publishing process.  Being a writer isn’t easy, not by a long shot.  I admire writers like Danielle Steel, Emily Giffin, James Patterson, and Nicholas Sparks, who can literally write, go through several drafts of edits, and have their books published one after another in such a short time.

When people ask me what I do, I say that I’m a writer, and I love to see their expression.  Their jaw drops and their eyes dazzle.  It’s in that moment that I feel like I’m a move star!  It’s a wonderful feeling that makes being a writer worth the emotions, stress, struggles, and time, that writers go through.

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?