Chick Lit Goddess

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COVER REVEAL: “The Hollywood Setup”

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“The Hollywood Setup” by Isabella Louise Anderson

Blurb: Chelsey Rhodes just landed her dream job in Hollywood working as an assistant to actress, Hattie Marten. Chelsey’s first task is to find someone to accompany the actress to events in the hope of reviving her celebrity social status. When going through the list of potential suitors, one catches her eye and she’s shocked to find he’s someone from her past. As payback for years of torment in high school, and knowing Hattie isn’t the most pleasant person to work for, Chelsey decides to set her up with Bennett Grayson.

What will happen when Chelsey and Bennett come face-to-face again, and will the setup be a success or will Chelsey’s first Hollywood job be her last?

**Click HERE to pre-order your copy now!

**Click HERE to add “The Hollywood Setup” to your Goodreads list!

**About the author: Isabella Louise Anderson grew up with a book in her hand, and to this day nothing has changed. Aside from writing, she focuses her time on featuring other authors on her blog, Chick Lit Goddess, along with sharing book reviews. Isabella Louise is also a member of the Romance Writers of America.

She lives in Dallas with her husband, enjoys spicy Indian and Mexican food, margaritas, and red and white wines. She loves spending time with family and friends, and cheering on the Texas Rangers. When Isabella Louise isn’t working on her next release, her attention is also on her Scentsy business, where she’s a consultant.

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Three Reasons Why Watching Soap Operas Has Helped My Writing

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For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a huge fan of soap operas. My four favorites were The Young & the Restless (I love Victor and Nikki) and The Bold & the Beautiful (I’ll always think that Ridge and Brooke belong together), along with two others that are no longer on the air, As the World Turns (one word, CarJack), and The Guiding Light (Reva and Josh…soulmates).

Just recently, I found my first short story, which was taken off from a scene from The Bold & the Beautiful. It was about a scene that I’d seen that day (thanks for leaving the TV on, Mom). At that time (all those years ago—we won’t say how many), I was obsessed with the names Brooke and Ridge, so I didn’t change them. While the story wasn’t too bad, it could’ve been so much better if I’d used the following three tips, which I’ve learned from watching soaps:

1: Readers want hot/fantasy guys, but make them real: Ladies, admit it—we all have book boyfriends, right? I know I do! Most of the men in soaps are tall, dark and handsome, have chiseled jaws, and a body you could only fantasize about touching. The truth is that men like that really don’t exist…at least in the “real world.”

As an author, I want my heroes to be the best they can be, which means that what I really want is for them to be the perfect man—like the one who plays on in the soaps. The only problem with this is that I want my readers to be able to relate to the characters in my books, yet still be able to fantasize about them, too.

There are two tricks to this; the first is to make him a nerdy-type who’s really good in bed and has a delightfully charming personality (like James Bond, for example), and the second is to make him a handsome man, but with a quirk or a birthmark (for example, if he’s eating a meal, he eats the foods in alphabetical order, or he has a mole between his eyes…something along those lines).

2: More drama/conflict, the better: Another thing to admit is that we watch soap operas for the storylines (for some reason we’re drawn to know who slept with who, which sister is pregnant with your favorite heroine’s husband’s baby, and who killed Alan Spaulding), so as a writer, adding drama to your storyline is very important. It makes for a page-turner, where most often your reader will be staying up until late into the night reading your book.

One of my most favorite things about being an author is creating drama/conflict for my characters. Whatever the drama/conflict is, be sure that it’s something that can’t be fixed in a few sentences or pages—make your characters fight to solve it, and make your readers curious as to how it ends up.

The trick to this one is to be creative, and think outside the box. If you’re at a loss for ideas for storylines, observe people around you, watch TV (even something you thought you’d never be caught watching), or put yourself in the situations you’d want to be in, and go with it.

3: Watch actions and expressions: One of my biggest issues is writing actions or expressions. As of recently, I’ve learned to watch how soap opera characters closely (this involves everything from gestures, hand placement, nervous habits, etc.). This will help you will draw the reader in, and make them feel emotions about what’s going on with the storyline.

To do this, I encourage you to watch soaps, but one you don’t normally watch—only because you’ll be too busy watching the storyline unfold. But if you can’t do that, put your TV on mute and just watch. If you can you determine what your character is thinking or feeling, then you’re on the right track. Now, go write!

My Thoughts on The Bachelor: Season 17

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Insert a guy who has a body that was made for TV who claims to be searching his wife, a lot of dramatic women and the rose that always lingers, and you’ve got season seventeen of The Bachelor.

I’ve never really been that girlie kind of woman who watches shows like The Bachelor or The Bachelorette.  Okay, yes, I did watch the one with Trista and Ryan (who are still together, by the way), but the show wasn’t believable back then, nor do I feel it is now.  Could it all be a fantasy?  Yes, quite possibly.  We only get to see what the cameras show us, which makes for better drama, quite a bit of viewer judgements (both good and bad), and of course, the feeling of being let on by The Bachelor or The Bachelorette.

When I was young, I wanted the fairytale, and I still do, but in order to have that and what the show doesn’t show is that couples have to work 100%/100% each day on their relationship.  If there were one thing about these shows is to show the couples working on their relationship instead of gallivanting around the country like two teens on spring break.  I’m not saying to take all the lovey-dovey stuff out, but make it more of a reality, hence isn’t that supposed to be “reality TV?”

And so, last night.  Oh, boy…

**SPOILERS AHEAD**

When Emily dumped Sean, I felt sorry for him.  While I liked Arie and Jeff who Emily picked in the end (but supposedly they’re not together anymore), it was obvious to me that he took the process very seriously and why not?  Okay, I was hooked, so I began watching Sean’s season, hoping that he’d find the love of his life.

After the first episode, Tierra was my favorite pick.  She certainly did have a “sparkle” about her.  When Sean gave her the first rose before knowing her for five minutes, I thought that she might be the one, however, that changed shortly afterward.  Falling down stairs (some think on purpose), jumping in freezing water and expecting Sean to dote after you and cause drama amongst the other women in the house, just didn’t work for her.  I’m glad that Sean finally saw through her and sent her home.  I guess it’s a good thing because in the episode of “The Women Tell All,” she’s engaged now to a guy who she claimed “they needed time away from each other.”  Hmm…

And then there’s Des, the wedding planner.  I loved her from the beginning.  She’s cute, fun and she looked like she belonged with Sean…but unfortunately, he sent her home.  I’d still love to know the reason, but I’m guessing that it has something to do with her brother.  I know I’d be upset with him for how he treated Sean.  Though there is good news, people — Des is the new Bachelorette, which begins this May!  Who’s going to be watching?  I know I will be!

Lindsay Yenter was the favorite between the final two.  She seemed the more genuine woman and more the Sean-type.  They didn’t seem fake and I liked her morals.  While she came out of the limo in a wedding dress and got drunk the first night, she quickly redeemed herself, but unfortunately not well enough to win Sean’s heart.  As I was watching the episode last night I was amazed at how classy and mature she acted when Sean told her that he wasn’t picking her.  I would have said the same thing…well, okay, I might have been a little more boisterous.  I also thought it was cool how she stopped and took off her shoes as she made her way back to the car walking away from Sean.  You go girl!  I like Lindsay Yenter and wish her the best of luck in life and in love!

And then there’s Catherine Giudici, the winner.  I never saw what he liked so much about her.  She seemed very immature and she brings Sean down with him.  She stayed under the radar for most of the show, but maybe that was what Sean wanted, a normal girl without a lot of drama…but I don’t see it that way.  Did Sean pick her because she didn’t want to leave him the night before the proposal?  I think so.  He seems like such a caretaker and wants to give, so I’m thinking that he let Lindsay go because he knew she can handle being without him.  She’s a survivor and Catherine’s not.  Hmm, just a thought…

I’d love to hear what y’all think of this!

Happy Monday, folks!

Why Writers Should Follow Celebrities

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Jennifer Aniston
George Clooney

Celebrities!  We might love them and we might hate them, but as writers I think we should pay attention to them and what they say and do.  Why, you ask?  Because it helps us create better characters.

Often times when I have writer’s block, I think of what situations celebs have been in.  I imagine what they would wear, what they do, who they’d be with and what they’d say.  This helps add drama.  In this case, I  sometimes add Kardashian-like traits to my Heroine.  While I’m not really a fan of the Kardashian’s, Khloe is my favorite.  (Read THIS blog post I wrote about her).

I think that I first really began to enjoy celebs when Friends was on.  I loved Jennifer Aniston and still do!  She’s got a great body, she’s funny, she has confidence, and she’s moved on from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie – yuck!  Come on, we all know he’s a loser for cheating on Jen!  As for George (yes, I’m on a first name basis with him), don’t we all wish he was our Heroine?  Can you believe he just turned 51?!  This leads me to another plus of following celebs – relationships!  If you read the famously known tabloids and relate them to your characters, then you can create conflict between your Hero/Third Party/Heroine.  The magazine and website I use for this is UsWeekly!

Matthew McConaughey

(It’s okay if you can’t take your eyes off the men on this post.  I can’t either).

Here’s some advice for writing your characters like celebs:

  • Follow them on Facebook or Twitter

Read magazines!  Don’t just look at the pictures imagining how you wish you had their life

When watching an award show, observe them carefully: How do they walk? Who do they hug? A parent, friend or lover?

Reese Witherspoon

Above all, create the character that you want!  It’s important to do this because while copying can be easy, I don’t recommend it.  Be creative!  You don’t have to use everything about just one actor or actress, but maybe combining characteristics might work better — to create that perfect character for your book.

If all else fails, go ahead and use the Kardashian family!  You’re bound to write characters with lots of drama (KIM), lots of love (KHLOE), and lots of mommy-talk (KOURTNEY).

It’s Fun Friday

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While writing your ROMANCE or CHICK LIT novels, haven’t you ever daydreamed that you’re the Heroine and your boyfriend or husband is your Hero in your book?   Have you played the part in your own sex fantasy, only to wish you could have him right at that moment, but it’s the middle of the day and he’s at work?  (I have this fantasy often when I’m writing, and find it very helpful during a sex scene!)

Well, if you’re too shy to write you and your SO (significant other) into your book, I have just the right thing for you.  For Christmas I got my husband our own romance/erotic novel, “Safari Nights,” thanks to a website called UStarNovels!  If you go to this website, you can create your own books from the following categories: Romance, Classics, or Vampire.  All you have to do is fill out questions that the website will ask you each about, and then you’re done!  (If you got this as a gift, all you have to do is register it and it’ll be free).  It’s that easy!  My husband and I haven’t filled out the answers yet, but I’m hoping to sit him down and answer them this weekend.

This can be a wonderful gift, whether it’s given for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Anniversaries, Bachelorette parties, or just because, it’s a fun way to bring something new and spicy to your relationship!

I hope you and your SO have a sizzlin’ weekend!  Happy Friday!

It’s Fun Friday

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Betty White

Betty White turned 90 on Tuesday, so in honor of this iconic woman, I thought I’d pay a tribute to her.

I started going through pictures of her to show you how she’s aged, but the thing is with her, she hasn’t by looks, only by years.  She’s looks like the same woman I know and I love when I “met” her from watching “The Golden Girls” many years ago when she played he lovable (yet sometimes cuckoo) Rose Nylund.  She was my favorite character on that show because she was funny (everyone around me laughed), and somewhat a ditz, which is how I felt growing up — and sometimes still do.  (Note: A few months ago my husband and I were flipping through the channels and we saw an episode being played — well, I finally saw how dirty this show was, and why everyone was laughing and blushing).

Betty was an only child, and from a very young age, she was a pet lover.  During the course of her long life, she never had any children with any of her three husbands.  I remember her one time saying on a talk show that she considers her pets as her children.  Animals have been such a huge part of Betty’s life that she’s played a huge part in charities and supports animal rights.

Funny lady Betty was the oldest host of the highly populated show, Saturday Night Live, in May of 2010.  It was the first time I’ve watched SNL in years, and I thought she did an amazing job!  She played the parts perfectly, and was so funny!  If I were in the audience, I would’ve definitely given her a standing ovation!  Speaking of funny, don’t you all love that Snickers commercial of her?  She was definitely a team player!  I believe that this was a Super Bowl commercial — and I’d have to say it was one of the best!

We could talk about other highly acclaimed female comedians, but Betty tops them all.  She is a classic woman, and I’m proud that I can say that I have lived to see this lovely, brilliant, and talented woman in my lifetime.  She’s also the grandmother that we all wish we had, am I right?

Now, in no particular order, I’d like to share with you my top five Betty White quotes:

“You don’t luck into integrity.  You work at it.”

“I’ve always liked older men.  They’re just more attractive to me.  Of course, at my age there aren’t many left!  I’ve enjoyed the opposite sex a lot.  Always have.  Always will.”

“The secret to our marriage was enthusiasm. When I knew Allen was coming home, I would freshen my makeup and put on a new blouse. I don’t have a fella, but if Allen — or Robert Redford — were around, we’d have a very active sex life.”

“Friendship takes time and energy if it’s going to work. You can luck into something great, but it doesn’t last if you don’t give it proper appreciation. Friendship can be so comfortable, but nurture it-don’t take it for granted.”

“In your 20’s you dress to impress men.  In your 40’s your dress for business.  In your 80’s your dress for the bathroom.”

I love you, Betty!

It’s Fun Friday

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It’s Friday, so you know what that means!  New movies come out in theaters.  Whether you like to go to movies or not (I don’t), you must have a favorite movie or movies.

I’d like to share my 3 favorite romance movies with you.  Now these just aren’t my favorites, they are more like a comfort blanket to me.  I’ve watched them during each sad, happy, confusing, miserable, and sick time in my life, and each time I’ve felt better after I did.

These are in no particular order.  I love them all the same:

PILLOW TALK

From the first moment my mom showed me the 1959 movie Pillow Talk, I fell in love with Doris Day, Rock Hudson, and Tony Randall.  I wanted this sweet love story to be my life.  I had fallen in love with Rock Hudson and I wanted to be Doris Day.  Granted, I was only a little girl, maybe not even in my teens yet, that’s when I fell in love with being in love.  This movie is a true classic of what romance movies are all about.

P.S. I LOVE YOU

Once again, I’d like to give credit to my mom for introducing this laugh-and-cry-at-the-same-time delightful and wonderful movie.  The first time I saw P.S. I Love You, I went through half a box of tissues.  I laughed and cried until it hurt, but because I could relate to the characters.  This movie is for anyone who has or is in love, and knows what it’s like to be in love.  After watching this movie, I promise you that it will teach you not to sweat the small stuff in any relationship.

WHEN HARRY MET SALLY

 Oh, come on now, you know that When Harry Met Sally had to be on my list!  I don’t know where or how old I was when I first saw this movie, but what I do remember is that for thee days in a row when I was sick, I watched this movie over and over, and over and over.  “Why can’t I have that life?” I wondered.  I had a male best friend when I was younger, and life (on-screen) seemed so easy.  (Oh, and don’t forget about the fake orgasm scene — it’s kinda’ famous, ha, ha!)  Who wouldn’t want to fall in love with their best friend?  This movie shows how over time things and people can change, but how love can grow, even when you didn’t think it was possible!

I’d love to know, what are your favorite romance movies and why?

Have a great weekend!