Chick Lit Goddess

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

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Why I Love AND Hate Writing At B&N

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Awhile ago, I posted two blogs that relate to this one.  Here they are Blog 1 and Blog 2.

When my husband suggested that we go to the bookstore on Saturday to work, it melted my heart, because I (usually) love writing in a place where I’m most comfortable and inspired.  Sadly, the bookstore was packed (though a great thing for B&N), so we came home.  I was fortunate to get some writing done, and even stayed up until 5:30 Sunday morning to write!

On Sunday morning, with the hubby at a friend’s house brewing beer, I decided to head to the bookstore to write.  I was disappointed when there wasn’t a place near a plug, but hey, at least I was there writing.  Finally, I saw two college-aged women who were sitting in a corner by a plug, start to pack up, so in the meantime, I gathered my stuff and waited for them to leave.  Ahh, finally, I thought, now I’m content. As time progressed, many people started filing in, which became very distracting, not because of the adults or whining babies, but because of the teenagers!  The Cafe in the B&N was crammed with cliquish teenagers who had brought their cool brand new (I’m assuming) laptops and were chugging down coffee, in the “Venti” size.  (Why don’t they just say large or extra-large?)  It was obvious that they were “working” on their assignments they had put off to the last minute, which of course, are due today.  It had turned into a teenage bar!  After trying to ignore them for half an hour, I couldn’t focus on my work, and decided to go back home, feeling disappointed and frustrated because I really hadn’t made any real progress.

Lesson to be learned:  If you plan on getting some work done on the weekends at B&N, just stay home, because you’ll definitely be more productive.  If you must work there, do it on a week day, because the kids are in school and or, are busy with other activities.

Country Writing/Beach Writing/Lazy Weekend Writing

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WRITING IN THE COUNTRY

Some of my best writing has been done while in the country.  While I’m being surrounded amongst trees, dirt roads, birds, goats and cows, I am in what I call my “happy place.”  My writing is smooth, my characters seem happy, and the storyline moves along at a steady pace.  Unfortunately, Mr. Writer’s Block sometimes decides to join me and view the countryside, but when I’m there, I don’t mind.  I take a breath, walk around, and then come back to it, not having it ruffled my feathers.

 

WRITING AT THE BEACH

When I go on beach vacations, the first thing I pack is my laptop, knowing that I’ll be able to get some work done, while lounging under an umbrella and sipping on strawberry daiquiri!  I’ve noticed that when I write at the beach, it seems to be very different from the day-to-day writing that I do when I’m not on vacation.  It is silly to say, but the beach brings out my erotica side.  My scenes are a lot more steamier, my characters are almost always “in the mood,” and thanks to the inspiration of the lovey-dovey couples that I observe, it helps me stay focused on my work.

 

LAZY WEEKEND WRITING

These days are my most favorite.  I seem to be focused on writing, and nothing else, (though I first make sure that the husband and cat are fed).  When it’s a lazy day and I’m focused on my work, it’s amazing at what gets done, and how everything just seems to come together.  I could have done nothing all week, and come to the computer for two straight days and catch up, sometimes even writing five days worth!  (On Saturday and Sunday, I have to thank my husband for his encouragement to wake up early and write).

I’m curious…what and where is your “HAPPY PLACE?”

My Writing Lifetime Goal!

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Years ago, I read Emily Giffin’s amazing book “Something Borrowed,” followed by “Something Blue.”  Halfway through her third book, “Baby Proof,” I stopped reading her delightful series…though not because I wanted to, but because life got in the way.  (Isn’t that always how it is?)  Just recently, I reread “Something Borrowed,” and a few days afterwords, I found out that it has been turned into a MOVIE, which comes to theaters on May 6th, of this year!  (I can hardly wait!)

Last March I started writing a book, not thinking that I wouldn’t get as far as I have, and these last few days before it’s finished, people are asking me what my goal is?  Besides having a book published, I really hadn’t thought about it — until now!  My lifetime writing goal is to have a book that I have written be turned into a movie.  (I credit Ms. Giffin for showing me that dreams can come true).

Two At A Time? I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN!

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So, on Saturday morning, I wrote and finished my prologue to Book #2, which doesn’t have a title yet.  Afterwords,  I eagerly began and finished the first scene, in the first chapter.  Today, I wrote for almost nine hours on still untitled, Book #1, completing twenty pages, bringing me closer to The End.

I can happily say that I’m working on two projects.

Project #1:  I started this book, thanks to a Creative Writing class, I was taking with Gotham Writers’ Workshop, in March of 2010.  For almost a year now, I have lived with this storyline and these characters, and I can honestly say that I think this is some of the best work I’ve done…up to this point.  I am still improving my writing, by at least trying to write a page or two, a day.  For now, my main focus is to finish this Book #1 and have it published, no matter what or how long it takes.  I want this story to be read.

Project #2:  Live I’ve said, I’m not that far into Book #2, but so far I am loving it!  Reason number one: It’s very different from Book #1.  In Book #2, I knew right away what my main conflict was going to be, how my characters would act, what jobs they have, and where the setting takes place.  Reason number two: I feel that I am more prepared to write it, than I was, when I started the first book.  Reason number three: Book #2 is not a Chick-Lit, but I’m hoping to venture out, and still keep my main genre of Romance.  My goal date for Book #2 is February 12, 2012!  Wish me luck!

Happy Writing!

 

 

Defending Chick Lit!

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Without rambling on telling you about what this wonderful sub-genre of Romance (thought some find this debatable), here are two great definitions of Chick Lit: Definition One and Definition Two.

Last night in the Lounge of a Fiction class of mine, and I was bombarded with questions about Chick Lit, from a very passionate (and that’s putting it nicely) man, who seemed to love to talk about writing.  He had me explain what Chick Lit is and he didn’t seem convinced, and debated with me about if there really such a thing.  “Yes, there really is,” I wanted to scream.  Okay, so it was a he, I was talking to, but for someone who seemed so literary well-rounded, he wasn’t open to anything I had to say, or at least that’s how he made it seem.  Newsflash: Some men do read Chick Lit!  The more and more I keep on writing Chick Lit, I’m getting a lot of the same reactions.

I’m sure that most people think of it as a “love story,” a “chick novel,” or like a “romance movie.”  Yes, I agree with all of these.  Chick Lit can be like that, but it’s so much more.  It’s as the character is fitting herself into her body.  By the end of the book, most women, and some men, I’m sure will walk away feeling refreshed, and have a better understanding if the Heroine, and maybe even relating to her too.

I don’t get why people feel this way, and act as if it’s not a “real,” part of fiction.  It’s very popular, one that I predict will eventually, stand on its own.

There are many popular Chick Lit writers, Emily Giffin, Jennifer Weiner, Candace Bushnell, and Sophie Kinsella, just to name a few.  One day, I hope to add my name to this wonderful list of inspiring writers, but until then, I have a lot of work to do…

 

 

What Keeps You Going?

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When you’re about to give up, thinking you should just give up, what keeps you going?  Is it a friend cheering you on, the unconditional support of your parents and/or your sibling(s)?  For some, it’s the voice in their heads, constantly saying, “I can do it, I can do it, I can do it!”  Try to visualize yourself walking through a bookstore and that’s when you see it — your book!

There are days when the last thing I want to do is sit at the computer, knowing that I’ll be staring at a blank page for a large portion of the day, begging me to start typing.  It’s on those days that I force myself, making the effort to at least try. What have I (or you) got to lose, right?

To get you motivated, here are 12 1/2 Motivation Rules.

No, go write!

Have a great day, everyone!