Look what I just got in the mail!
Today I got my Certificate in Fiction from Gotham Writers’ Workshop!
It’s because of these classes that I kept on writing which got me to where I am today, so thank you GWW!
Isabella
Jen Daiker
If I had one word to describe Jen Daiker, it would be awesome! I got to know Jen from Twitter, and liked her immediately! She’s a sweet, funny, and devoted writer, blogger, and frequent tweeter, (she’s also the owner of #chicklitchat). This woman is busy, but somehow she finds time to do it all — and while eating cupcakes! I am so happy to have her as a guest because when one thinks of Chick Lit, they should think of her!
Tell us about yourself. I’m twenty five. Own two cats. Have a husband. Write horror/dystopian YA/chick lit… depending on my mood. I also watch copious amounts of Bravo TV and I’m not afraid to shot it out loud if asked. My first published works is part of the anthology, Snowbound Hearts, my story is, Snowbanked!
At what moment did you know you were a writer? January 20, 2010. The day I started blogging.
Where do you get your ideas from? The what-if’s in life. What if I had to have a brother and not two sisters? What if I was punished based on what my parents produced? What would happen if the society forced me to watch them live their lives after they’ve been changed? They bring up so many possibilities. The world has endless ideas. You just have to be willing to listen.
What’s it like in a day of Jen Daiker? Wake at 5, take a shower, work eight hours, grab a bite to eat (I never cook), go to a class (kickboxing or Zumba), write and watch trash TV. On weekends I live.
How do you come up with titles of your books? My husband. He’s like the title bank. Apparently I’m the worst at coming up with them, and he’s the genius. I’m okay with this.
How do you celebrate after you’re finished writing a book? Eat a cupcake… preferably with sprinkles.
What has been your greatest accomplishment as a writer? Writing my first novel, publishing my first short story, falling in love with a publishing house. They’re all accomplishments and all the greatest.
As a writer, what are you greatest strengths? Your weaknesses? Weaknesses? Silly girl, I have no weaknesses! Mwhahaha! Just kidding. Weakness – Wordiness. Still learning to simplify. Strength – Dialogue, both inner and between characters.
What are you favorite writing tools/utensils? Do you mean my trusty PEN! *giggles*
How long did it take to get your first book published? I’ve written three short stories, all debuting this year and it took me 2 years to experience the life of the published.
Do you have any advice for writers? Write crap. It’s the best way to learn how you as a writer work best. You’ll find your weaknesses, strengths, and support. Oh, and, never give up.
What are your upcoming projects? I have two more short stories in the works! Then I’m switching gears toward an adult thriller I’ve been working on, and a new dystopian YA that is going to take some effort and a whole lot of research. In the world of Jen, it’s never boring.
**Visit Jen at any of the below links:
Jen’s website: Unedited
Jen on Goodreads
Buy her book, Snowbound Hearts (Snowbanked)!
Heather Thurmeier
Please welcome Heather Thurmeier as a Guest today on Chick Lit Goddess! I got to know Heather from Twitter and immediately found out how awesome she is! Her fun and sassy approach to Chick Lit is what I love most! I’m delighted to share a guest post that Heather has written about the genre as it’s truly what Chick Lit is all about!
Chick Lit = Humor
When I think of chick lit I automatically think of books that are light and fun and easy to read. Some people might like to call them good beach reads, which they are. *Where’s my sunscreen? I’m going to the beach! Someone fetch me a margarita, STAT!*
But I like to call these chick lit gems—fluff. I don’t mean that in a derogatory way at all. I love fluff! Heck, I write fluff. (You know I even have a recipe for Fluff? It’s made with marshmallows and crushed pineapple… but that’s a post for another day. Carry on!) Fluff is good in my book *pun intended*. And it’s exactly what I feel like reading when I climb into bed at the end of a night after a long, stressful day.
I think the best chick lit books are the stories that are told in really fun, easy-going ways but still tackle some challenging issues. It’s the issues that make us care about the characters and what happens to them. It’s the issues that allow the heroine to grow and change. The best part about these issues—even heavy issues—is that in chick lit they can be dealt with by using humor.
Who wants to read about a messy break up with lots of snot and nights spent on the couch cuddling a fuzzy blanket in the fetal position? Not me. I wanna see the break up where you go get drunk with your best girls, hit on the hottest things with pecs, and have a rockin’ rebound with Mr. Hunky Hotpants with the accent. Hells, yes. Sign me up for that book club!
In LOVE ON LANDING, my heroine Tali has to confront and come to terms with not only her broken heart but also her deep unhappiness with the expectations that have been put on her by her family. But does she figure it all out while being destructive to herself or others? Nope. Well, not unless you count how she abuses her poor credit card. But really, that little piece of plastic was just begging to be used and abused. She deals with everything through some much needed retail therapy, a guy who would rather be anywhere else but with Tali as her official shopping bag holder, and by drinking too much Beaujolais nouveau.
And of course with a hearty dose of humor…and maybe a sprinkling of snark.
Maybe the reason why humor works so well in chick lit is because deep down we all feel like that vulnerable heroine on a quest to find herself but ultimately feel like a bumbling idiot. And wouldn’t we all like to be able to laugh at ourselves a little more and take things a little less seriously? Our Bridget Joneses and Rebecca Bloomwoods let us do just that.
And for that, I thank them because when I read or write my chick lit, I want it light, easy, fun and fluffy.
And I wanna laugh.
Well, and a guy with an accent never hurts either…
Heather Thurmeier, ~Heart, humor and a happily ever after.
Here is a blurb of LOVE ON LANDING:
When Tali tries to recover from a recent break-up with a trip to Paris for some retail therapy, she discovers shopping isn’t the only way to cure her broken heart. On route, she meets new pilot, Gavin. Tali and Gavin have instant chemistry and friction as their personalities clash at 30,000 feet.
One night in bed isn’t enough to quell the fireworks between Tali and Gavin and when tempers erupt, Tali’s ex-boyfriend is there to pick up the pieces. Too bad she’s finally realized what she really wants in life… and it isn’t her ex or the life her father has planned back home.
Now all Tali wants is the man who loved her enough to tell her what she didn’t want to hear, but can she win his heart back again on the trip home and find Love on Landing?
**For more information on Heather Thurmeier here’s her contact information:
Visit Heather’s website HERE
Email: heatherthurmeier@gmail.com
Follow Heather on Twitter!
Heather is on Facebook!
Buy Heather’s books HERE!
The Post I Hesitated On…But Had To Post!
I love to read other blogs, and I saw this title “Us writer declares romance novels deserve no respect” I was curious, so I clicked on it. HERE is that link. Well, when I read it through without clicking the link (which I advise you to do too), I felt the writer’s passion and dismay for what she read. THIS is the post what she read.
As I read the post by this uneducated man, I was truly upset! I must tell you that I thought long and hard about posting this blog. I didn’t want to give this guy (I’m not going to call him a man) the pleasure of his blog getting such hype, but then I thought why not share this? Can’t it be an education to those that romance books are one of the top-selling genre? Even The New York Times has articles about it!
Your thoughts and/or opinions are welcome!
It’s Fun Friday
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!
Jennifer Coburn
I’m honored to have Jennifer Coburn as a guest on Chick Lit Goddess! After reading “Tales From The Crib” and loving it, she is my new favorite author! As I am a Chick Lit Writer in the making, this talented and kind woman is a true inspiration. Once anyone reads just one of her books, you will want to continue on with the others — I know I do!
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? I’m a native New Yorker living in San Diego with my husband and 14-year-old daughter. I love nothing more than a good story – whether it is told at a dinner party, in a book, on stage or on screen. I also love traveling with my daughter, which is always like experiencing a good story in real-time.
Did you always know you wanted to be a writer? I’ve always loved writing, but never really though it was something I could do as a career, so I went the sensible route and got a “real” job. Even there, I found ways to incorporate writing, but it was always about politics or social issues. I enjoyed that immensely, but really found my own voice while I was on my (12-year!) maternity leave. It was then when I let myself start writing from the heart instead of just the head.
What’s it like in a day of Jennifer Coburn? Crazy. Two years ago I returned to work as the director of communications at the non-profit agency I left when my daughter was born. I leave at three o’clock to drive a carpool, shuttle Katie to activities and then write articles and novels from 7 PM to midnight. Some days I get to the gym, but no often enough.
How long does it take you to write a book? The fastest one was Tales From the Crib, which took four months to complete. Reinventing Mona took nearly a year.
Which do you prefer, Kindle or paper books? As a reader, I really like the feeling of a book in my hands. I tried the kindle once and it was fine, but I’m a very late adopter of technology. (I just learned how to program contacts into my cell phone.) As a writer, I prefer ebooks. Kindle and nook have provided a place for readers to access some of my older books that are no longer in print, so for that, I am eternally grateful.
What do you love and hate about the writing process? I love seeing how a story unfolds. I always think I know the story I’m going to tell, but it inevitably changes along the way and I really enjoy that experience. In my first novel, The Wife of Reilly, I realized three chapters before the end that if I finished the book the way I’d outlined, my character would have learned nothing. I really enjoy getting to know characters and figuring out what they need to become a fuller, more self-actualized person.
Do you have any advice for new writers? Have a rejection ritual – something you do every time you get bad news from an agent or an editor (or a bad review). I used to set a stopwatch for 15 minutes of hard-core grieving, then I’d drive to the Hotel Del Coronado and sip a cup of tea in the lobby. Something about being in this luxurious setting made me feel successful. It was the emotional boost I needed to return to writing.
How do you come up with the titles of your book? Authors actually do not have final say on their titles; it is the publisher. I was very lucky that my publisher let me name three out of four of my books. The Wife of Reilly and Tales From the Crib just came to me before I’d even started writing them. Calling my second book Reinventing Mona occurred to me after I’d finished it. And The Queen Gene was a compromise title. I wanted to call it Tales From the New Crib because it is a sequel to Tales, but my publisher did not go for it. I suggested Family Haunts because there’s a comical paranormal element, but my publisher wanted the title to focus on the mother-daughter relationship. They suggested a title I did not care for at all, so I put out an emergency email asking friends for suggestions. My friend, Vince Hall came up with The Queen Gene, which my publisher (thankfully) accepted.
Are any of your characters based on any people you know? Yes, quite a few, especially in Tales From the Crib and The Queen Gene. I gave my eighty something Aunt Bernice the manuscript to review before it was published and she insisted that I call the characters based on her and her sister by their real names. (I had originally changed Bernice and Rita to Beatrice and Rena. Slick, huh?) I told her that I was working on a sequel and the characters would be doing things neither she nor Rita would ever consider, such as going to a strip club and getting a bikini wax. She insisted on the change, and was a great sport when I wrote about her character giving weekly “Snatch Reports.”
Who or what inspires you? People who have been through the shitter, never gave up. I love hearing about an actor who couldn’t get an audition last year, and twelve months later is winning an Oscar. Those stories always bring tears to my eyes.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, how do you handle it? I convince myself that the story is already written, and that I am just the person charged with getting it on paper. So if I’m blocked, I tell myself that the next part of the story is out there waiting for me to find it. (I realize this sounds a bit airy fairy, but it helps take the pressure off me, so what the heck.) I go for a walk or grab a bite to eat and inevitably, while I’m out of my house, I see or hear something that fills in the story gap.
Can you tell us anything about any upcoming projects you’re working on right now? I just finished a book called Brownie Points, which is a comedy told from the POV the mother of a 13-year-old boy who wants to join the Girl Scouts. When the organization refuses, the boy sues for gender discrimination, setting off a firestorm of national media coverage. I had a lot of fun writing about this.
**Jennifer loves to hear from her readers:
**Click HERE to read my review for Tales From The Crib!
Chapters…
I have read books that contain as little as one or two words as chapters, but I’ve also read books where the chapters are over 50 pages. When I write, I don’t put my books into chapter because I really don’t know if it’s the right place. Instead I use these “*****” to symbolize breaks. Now, these breaks could or couldn’t be chapters, but I am too paranoid about it not being in the right place, so that’s why I don’t use chapters. What I have problems with are how and when to end and begin a chapter.
I’ve heard that it’s best to put a chapter between scenes, but how do I know what scene I want to put it between? For example, if I’m writing about a certain day or time, do I wait until the next day?
This is so stressful, and I really don’t now why. Maybe I’m making too much of it, but I really want to work on adding chapters. So, if any of you have any advice, I’d really appreciate any help I can get.
Thanks y’all, and Happy Tuesday!
Chick Lit Central
If you’re a Chick Lit lover like I am, it would be hard to believe if you haven’t heard of the awesome and delightful website, Chick Lit Central! My favorite thing about these ladies is that they are true to their beloved genre, Chick Lit! For this reason, I am happy to announce that they are the first guests on Chick Lit Goddess to write their own post!
Let’s read what they have to say, shall we?:
Melissa Patafio and I knew each other when we were growing up. We lived two doors down from each other and hung out all the time. Then we both moved away from the neighborhood sometime after I graduated high school. We found each other on Facebook in 2008 and reconnected. Soon, we realized that we had a love for chick lit in common, starting with Marian Keyes. I started including her in some group e-mails to discuss chick lit with some other friends of mine. Then I realized that I wanted a broader audience with whom to discuss chick lit. I started Chick Lit Central on Facebook in 2009, as a result. However, I didn’t do much with it at the time. In the spring of 2010, I decided to revisit that Facebook group and also start a blog to go along with it. The first author to support this group was Sarah Pekkanen. I got an advanced copy of her amazing first novel, “The Opposite of Me.” In the meantime, I had won books from other blogs and reviewed those, as well. I also decided to start doing interviews. Allie Larkin was my first interview to promote “Stay” (another amazing novel). When Jane Green said she’d do an interview with us, I just HAD to ask Melissa Patafio to participate. After that point, she became a natural partner for the blog. While things were slow at first, they started taking off by the end of 2010. In the spring of 2011, I met Amy Bromberg and we automatically bonded over chick lit and other common interests. She had “auditioned” to be an associate reviewer, but unfortunately wasn’t chosen by the judges at the time. (We did get three wonderful reviewers though!) I decided to have Amy come on as a promotional associate, as she was doing so much to promote our group and blog without even being asked! She knows the chick lit world better than I do sometimes!
We definitely see the Chick lit genre remaining strong within the next five years. There are more and more authors, both overseas and in North America, writing Chiclkit themed novels. Many of these authors are signed on with some of the big publishing houses. And the well known chick lit authors keep coming out with new books (ex. Jennifer Weiner and Jane Green). The fact that this keeps happening is an excellent good sign! Long live CHICKLIT!
The ladies at Chick Lit Central would love to hear from you!
Email: chicklitcentral@gmail.com
**You can also contact Amy, who is also a publicist, at the following:
Email: amy@kmspr.com
It’s Fun Friday
When we think of cowboys, don’t we think of boots, jeans and sexy music? The following sexy make my heart beat fast each time I see them.
The first time I heard Kenny Chesney sing All I Need To Know, I was hooked on him. It was a song that was recorded on his second CD, which came out in 1995. When I saw the video, I remember watching it over and over. His smile made me swoon, and his voice was a major turn on. Since then, it seems that Kenny’s music has transitioned into sounding more and more like Jimmy Buffett, hence his song No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem, but that’s okay because he’s still got that sweet smile that can melt a woman’s heart.
My brother introduced me to this amazing, talented, and handsome new country singer. His hits include Drinkin’ Me Lonely, Voices, and Tomorrow. When I saw him in concert over the summer, he hit the notes perfectly, and of course he look great while doing so.
When I heard I Can Love You Like That for the first time, I was in heaven. JMM’s dimples are a guarantee way to any woman’s heart. (Seriously, look at that cute face!) I love his teddy bearish body — doesn’t it make you just want to cuddle up next to him? We’ve not heard that much from him lately, but we’ll never forget his emotional and very sexy songs like I Swear, or especially the song I Love The Way You Love Me.
How could anyone not love Toby? This honky-tonk bad boy has been known to carry a flask with him to award shows, not to mention be vocal about his political views. Don’t we all love a man who speaks their mind? His rugged bad-ass ways can charm any woman, and his smile can light up any room. From Toby’s upbeat songs like How Do You Like Me Now and Should’ve Been A Cowboy, to the sweet heartfelt songs, You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This and Me Too, it’s hard to say how I what side of him I like the best! He’s just an all around American made man! Isn’t that sexy?
When I first heard Hypnotize The Moon by the hot and sexy Clay Walker, I was in heaven. Every time I heard it, it was as if he were singing directly to me. His songs are filled with so much emotion, and isn’t that attractive? Where Do I Fit In The Picture, Fall, and Love To Be Your Last are my favorite songs that he sings. I love his dark eyes; I could literally fall into him! What’s not to love about this HOT man?
This Australian born hunk looks like he could be in band (possibly a heavy metal), but instead, he’s his one man show — and what a show he puts on. I’ve seen him on several interviews and what I love most about him is that he’s a down-home family man! He love his wife (Nicole Kidman) and their two beautiful girls. When I saw him in concert, he charmed the crowd, not only with his voice, but with his sweet smile. I could listen to him sing and talk all day long in his alluring accent, and he’s pretty damn easy on the eyes…
There is a special place in my heart for Jason Aldean. When I saw him at the Texas Stampede a few years ago, Big Green Tractor, was a new song — one I loved! It’s a sweet slow song about a tractor. Silly, yes, but the song is adorable! His upbeat song She’s Country, is one of my favorite songs — it truly a country song! His Dirt Road Anthem and My Kind Of Party are just two highly popular songs that make him who he is. Every CD release by him is amazing! While Jason might look a little mysterious, there’s something about him that just makes me want him more and more! I’d love to ride on a big green tractor with him…
Oh, Blake, where have you been all my life? This 6′ 5″ man is the whole package! He’s funny, sensitive, charming, sarcastic, hard-working, sexy, and confidant! He doesn’t hide anything, and that’s one of my favorite things about him, (he’s been known to tweet while he’s drunk). This past May, he married the beautiful Miranda Lambert. With songs like Some Beach, Nobody But Me, All About Tonight, and Honey Bee, it’s hard to not love anything he sings. I love Blake because he’s true to himself, his fans, and more than anything, it’s obvious that he’s madly in love with his wife. What could be more sexier?
Women, don’t we wish we were as lucky as Faith Hill is to be married to this man? Tim McGraw has only grown sexier with age. Am I right? From the moment I heard the song Don’t Take The Girl, I knew there was something special about him. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing him in concert twice, and each time I fell more in love with him. What’s not to love about this fun-loving, sweet, and talented singer? I Like It, I Love It, Please Remember Me, and The Cowboy In Me are classic Tim McGraw songs. He is truly a classic in the country music world!
King George is how most country music fans refer to my #1 man! From his first number one hit, Fool Hearted Memory, to his most recent number one hit, Here For A Good Time (his 58th #1 hit), George Strait’s music hasn’t changed a bit. He’s true to his roots, and that’s just one thing that his fans love most! I loved watching him in Pure Country, where he introduced us all to one of his beloved songs, I Cross My Heart. Along with some of my favorites, Drinkin’ Champagne, I Can Still Make Cheyenne, Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind, You Look So Good In Love, If I Know Me, and I’d Like To Have That One Back, these are songs that will stick with me forever. I met him once at a concert, and he was one of the nicest man I’ve ever met, not to mention attractive! He is a true cowboy who wears his Wranglers very well!
Now tell me, who is your favorite cowboy?
I hope y’all have a very Happy Friday!
