Merry (Belated) Christmas everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday.
When I was growing up I always got the question, “What do you want for Christmas?” “Books,” I would reply. Well I’m now thirty and my answer hasn’t changed. If anything my want for books is even more so now.
In my family at Christmas we all draw names to see who will be one another’s Secret Santa. Well, I got really lucky this year and the youngest member in the family (she’s 5) drew me! I made a list that consisted of grammar books and pajamas; she didn’t disappoint! Along with a set of comfy pajamas, here are the two books she got for me:
Essentials of English Grammar: The Quick Guide to Good English is a must have for writers! It is a great resource if you want a simple review of grammar. This book answers any and every question that you might have about anything about grammar and style. Whether it’s about how to write certain types of numbers (ages, dates, or times) in sentences, or knowing where to place the right punctuation, it’s all in this book. It doesn’t matter if you’re a writer or not, I highly recommend this book to anyone who writes! (I encourage you to walk-no, run-or click-to the nearest bookstore and get this book. I promise, you will not be sorry!)
Clean, Well-Lighted Sentences: A Guide to Avoiding the Most Common Errors in Grammar and Punctuation I recommend this book to anyone who is in the editing process of their book, or just wants a refresher on making strong sentences. From learning how to use adverbs the right way, modifiers, and tenses, this book will help you put the finishing pieces to your work. I predict that I will be carrying this book with me everywhere I go since I find myself obsessed with the editing process. (Yes, I know I’m a grammar nerd.)
Here is a very special thank you to my favorite little girl! I love the books, and I love you!
My husband really scored when it came time to open his gifts. He got me 3 books that I’ve never seen before, and a little something special which I cannot wait to share the news with y’all!
Lust: A Dictionary for the Insatiable is a book that any romance and/or Chick Lit writer needs to have! In this 155 page book, it is filled with lustful terms with simple definitions for the sometimes very kinky words. I was pleasantly surprised to find so many words that I didn’t know. This is a book I will definitely be using when I write another book in 2012, whenever that might be. As a Chick Lit writer aren’t I allowed some scenes that almost push you (the reader) to the limit and drive you wild with desire? Well, this book is here to help with that, and what a help it will be. (Is erotica in my future? Just maybe!)
Have you ever wondered where certain expressions come from? In Spilling the Beans on the Cat’s Pajamas explains from A to Z the heritage of where the slang terms come from. While some think that this book might not seem like it pertains to writing, I think it does because I see it as a great way help define a character in a story. I’m on page 30 of the 160 page book, but so far my favorite one is “All the cats love fish, but fear to wet their paws.” This is “a traditional saying, dating back to at least the early sixteenth century, used to describe a person who is eager to obtain something of value, but who is not bold enough to make the necessary effort or to take the risk.” It says that William Shakespeare referred to in Macbeth.
Descriptionary: A Thematic Dictionary (Facts on File: Writer’s Library) is an amazing book! Every writer has to have this book! If you know the word, but want to elaborate on it, it lists types of adjectives for a certain type of anything and then gives the definition for that word. For example: If you say, “She was eating bread,” but by having this book it can help you strengthen the details to change it to, “She was eating bannock while she sipped on her coffee.” This can also help readers gain knowledge through vocabulary. I cannot tell you how much I love this book!
As you can see, it was a wonderful Christmas, and I got these amazing books that will help continue to help me down the path of my writing journey…
Oh yes, that’s right, I said I had some news to share. Well, I hope I’ve kept you in enough suspense, so here goes! As one of my presents from my husband (the IT guy), he told me how he had been working on updating my website. Many of you know that my website is from the wonderful WordPress.com blogging site, but it’s now been upgraded. You’re wondering what that means, right? Well I was too, until he showed me in “presentation” form of how it will be different. I cannot yet share the much-anticipated NEW blog with you yet, but I can promise that BIG and EXCITING changes are coming to the Chick Lit Goddess website! In advance, I thank my faithful readers for being with me from the beginning, and to my new followers, I thank you for stopping by. I hope that you come back very soon!
From my family to yours, I wish you a wonderful holiday season!
