Chick Lit Goddess

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

Isabella

Naming Your Book

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When I wrote my first book, I came up with the title on the same day I finished it.  I love the title.  (It’s Redefined Dreams, by the way).  After talking it over with my mom for about thirty minutes, I did it.  When I changed the file name on my computer, just typing the title melted my heart.  I had written a book.

Well, as many of you know, I won my first NaNoWriMo!  (Yay!)  I have sat back and only this past weekend did I open the file again to start fine-tuning it.  I’m very proud of this book.  It was my heart and soul for a whole month.  I even think that I love this book more than my first one.  When I submitted my NaNo book into their word counter and it told me that I won, I was awarded a certificate.  I’ve filled in my name several times, but can’t bring myself to fill in a title.  I have no idea what to name this book.  I’ve discussed it with my husband and several other family members, but still I have nothing.  I want nothing more than to print it out, and to hang up in my office!  I want people to ask about NaNo and about my book.  Now, if I could only come up with a title…

I ask you now:

  • How do you come up with the title of your book?
  • What do you do when you’re racking your brain to come up with a title?
  • Help!

The Bachelor (DRAMA) Girls vs. The Chick Lit (DRAMA-LESS) Girls

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If you’ve ever watched The Bachelor or The Bachelorette, you know there’s drama-and lots of it!  If you’ve ever read a Chick Lit, you know that the main character is (usually) strong, independent, and confidant.

Yes, I got sucked into watching “The Bachelor” this time around because of Ben Flajnik.  It all started when I began watching The Bachelorette only to see what practically every woman I know was talking about.  Sadly, I was hooked on watching Ashley Herbert date these guys, and sadly break Ben’s heart by accepting J.P. Rosenbaum’s proposal.  I say this because I’m not a girly girl.  I rarely get along with other women, and I highly dislike drama — of any kind.  On The Bachelorette there was some drama (remember Bentley?), but now that I’m watching The Bachelor I don’t think that I’ve ever seen, or heard, so much D.R.A.M.A. (the tears, the high strong emotions, the cat-fights…and more).  It’s obvious that these girls have a confidence issue(S) — yes, with a capitol “S!”  This just might be the last season of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, but for Ben’s sake I’m going to hang in there.

While the female main characters in Chick Lit books have struggles, they aren’t dramatic (though some have friends with a drama-filled life).  Of course these women have daily struggles, but again, they aren’t dramatic.  The characters might cry, throw things, or feel hurt, but aren’t they just experiencing the same feelings and/or thoughts that we as humans feel too?  They go get what they want, and that’s what’s so awesome about Chick Lit women, but they do it in a non-dramatic way!  (We rule!)

 

 

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!

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!

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