Chick Lit Goddess

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PC, Not Anymore…Hello, Mac…Well, Maybe!

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As a follow-up to my blog on Friday, I would like so add that I (think) I have found the perfect writing software, thanks to one of  my favorite writing buddies, (who was also the Best Man in my wedding).

The well-known writing software, “Scrivener,” (http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php),  seems to be a very useful and manageable for writers.  The reviews, even by highly recognized writers, all appear to be legit.  I don’t need to take the time to tell you every detail, as I’m hoping you’ll click the link to check it out.  Our of many, what seems most helpful to me would definitely be the Corkboard, Outlining, and Editing features.  It would also be nice to see the story side-by-side , especially when editing!  (I’m hoping to start that process by the beginning of April).  Unfortunately, a big change might have to be made, in order to have the software — I have a PC and it requires Mac, at least until early this year, (http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivenerforwindows/).

I’m tempted to change to from a PC to a Mac, as I’ve heard wonderful things about Mac’s software and products, (I just recently changed from a Blackberry to an iPhone and have an iPad, — love them both), but is it worth it?  Any thoughts?

For now, (or at least until my birthday in March), I will probably be sticking with a PC, and will be waiting to get Scrivener for the PC…that is, if I don’t get a Mac on what will be my 30th birthday (a monumental occasion, right), or convince me to let me use his MacBook Air.

Have a great day!

 

Writing Sex…

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Writing a sex scene, isn’t as easy as it sounds.  Two days ago, I literally, sat at my computer, starting at the enemy, my blinking cursor, trying to find ways to write a HOT sex scene.  With every steamy scene, I think it’s best  for it to be different each time, along with being the characters wanting to engage in more “daring” sex!  This task has been difficult because the farther I get in writing my book — I don’t want anything overused.  Women, (along with some men), expect the scenes to be magical, as if it were actually them being swept off their feet, and made love to so passionately, by the ever so charming Hero/Heroine!

I have often wondered if writers use their significant other/partner/spouse as their muse when they are writing a love scene.  How many of them do you think do this?  (Maybe by doing this, it will ignite some sparks, which often brings couples closer together). Mmm….yummy!  “Oh, my Hero,” I say as he kisses me, and I can taste the sweetness of his lips — it’s as if they are a combination of sugar cane and chocolate!  Or, is that my husband’s lips, instead?!

I found this link, http://writeanything.wordpress.com/2009/04/27/not-all-sex-scenes-are-equal/, which is a great sex writing motivator too…that is, if you don’t have anyone “special” in your life, though you can always create your own fantasy of how YOU want to be loved on…(This works very well)!

Have a great day, everyone!

Do You Judge A Book By Its Cover?

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Book covers!  Do you go to a bookstore and pick out a book, not for the title or storyline, but because the cover intrigues you so much?  It’s usually the first thing you see, so, if you said yes, then that makes sense.  (I am guilty of this too).  More often than not, I’m now seeing that sometimes the cover has nothing to do with the book, which is disappointing.  I think that it’s another way for the cover designer to make money.  Often, I wonder, does the cover artist make more than the writer, because after all, aren’t they the people who help sell the book?

A few months ago, I saw this segment on CBS, and thought it would be interesting: http://www.veoh.com/collection/CBS-Sunday-Morning/watch/v20677275ZcjwKQbx.

As a woman who is trying to get into the writing business, I find it kind of sad, that covers are now playing what seems like, an even bigger part now, than even the book itself!

I’d like to know what you think!

Have a great day!

Lunch Break Blog: Synonyms!

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Often times, when I’m writing, I am at a loss for words, and it’s not because of writer’s block.  Synonyms are a great tool for expressing what you want in a different way, rather than repeating yourself.  I find them very refreshing, especially for when writer’s block does take over.

Awhile ago, I wrote a blog, http://chicklitgoddess.com/blog/page/2/ and I included my all time FAVORITE thesaurus.  This book, http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Oxford-American-Writers-Thesaurus/Oxford-University-Press-Staff/e/9780195342840/?itm=21&USRI=thesaurus, is amazing!  It’s easy to understand and is easy to follow.  There are features, which include, “Word Notes,” “The Right Word,” “Easily Confused Words,” “Usage Notes,” “Word Spectrums,” and “Word Banks.”  The nine contributing editors did an amazing job at creating the perfect thesaurus that every writer should have.

Pleasure Reading…For Research?

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Last night, I began, for the second time, “Something Borrowed” by Emily Giffin.  Since I’m a passed half-way writing my Chick Lit, I’m at the stage of curiosity, and am wanting to study how published author’s write in this genre, and if I’m following all the “rules.”    In the passed, I might have got a little carried away with the story, and forgot to write at the same time, though this time, I am going about it differently — writing by day, and reading by night, and am loving it!

You’re probably wondering how it is that I read for research, right?  Well, the answer is easy — I focus on the storyline, examining what the writer wanted the reader to understand.  I’ll also concentrate on the pace, the back story (if there is one), the characters and how they speak and act, the conflict, and because I’m somewhat of a nerd, I look at grammar too.

During this process, some might think that it would be helpful to highlight, or make notes in the book, well, I completely agree.  I’m reading “SB” on my iPad, and thanks to the updated Kindle app, it’s just as easy as writing in a book.

Now, I’m wondering, how do you learn to write something that you haven’t written before?  Are you one of those who just begin writing, hope it gets published, and then it really does (lucky you!), or are you one who takes the time to actually learn your work, by learning the “rules” of your genre?  I’d love to hear from you, so post a comment back, if you have anything to share!

Oh, but before I leave you today, I wanted to add a link to Emily Giffin’s movie, “Something Borrowed,” which will be out on May 6th, 2011.  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0491152/.

Have a great day, everyone!

Do Our Moods Predict How We Write?

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Overtime, I have observed that my moods determine how I write.  This might explain how my characters act, along with what they say, and how they say it.

We, as an electronic world, posts Tweets and Statuses all the time.  Do our Tweets and Status changes alter our moods:  Read this article, http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/08/03/mislove.twitter.research/index.html, and take yourself in mind…

I have many different moods, which vary daily, and can almost vary in an instant, which isn’t a good thing when you’re trying to write a book.

Sad:  When I’m sad, I rarely want to write, and if I do, my writing seems to be very dull, and not interesting at all.  My writing seems sad, and my characters are flat, and not intriguing.  My mood can be blah, which makes me write, just to write, and not because I really want to.  Usually, my thoughts are elsewhere, and though my heart might be in it, my mind isn’t.

Grumpy:  In this state, I know that I should write anyway, mostly because it always drives me out of my funk.  I sit down to write — I’m grumpy — I begin to write — my mind enters a whole new world — and at last, I’m in my happy place again…

Happy:  If I’m in a good mood, I want to write, and usually, I can write for days upon days.  My characters rise to the occasion, they are dramatic, they are round, and full of excitement.  The storyline moves along at a rapid speed, marching towards the end.  In the end, I’m happy, and am motivated to want to continue on with my story.  It’s times like this, when I know I want to write…forever!

Determined:  When I’m in a determined state of mind, I feel that I can do no wrong.  Writing is my life, and I don’t want to stop!  I have a goal in mind, and know that I will achieve it.  I am proud of myself, and I feel confident.

Overall, I think that your goal (if you have one) should always be in your mind.  Think positive, no matter what mood you’re in, and make your writing that one thing that can pull you out of whatever negative emotion you’re feeling or thinking…

Happy Writing!!

Are Celeberties Really Writers Too?

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It seems that these days, each time you turn around, a “celebrity” has written a book, or has claimed to write one.  This really bothers me, and here’s why:  For the non-celeb people, it makes us feel and think that they used their celebrity to claim another title, Writer, to their long list of who they are.  I think celebs have taken advantage of the publishing companies, in order to make even more money, and of course, when their place in the Entertainment Business isn’t going as well as they like, they decide to branch out in the world of writing.

Yesterday, I was and Barnes & Noble, strolling through the Fiction section, and I came across a book called “Priceless.”  The title caught my attention, then I looked at who the author was, and did a double take.  Nicole Richie?  Really?  Apparently, so: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Priceless/Nicole-Richie/e/9781439166154/?itm=1&USRI=priceless.  This led me to wonder, do celebrities really write their own books, or do they have someone do it for the (like a ghost writer)?  I do know that there are different cases, with different writers, and here are two that I know about:

Tori Spelling:  I must admit, I did grow up watching Tori Spelling in “90210,” and have come to love her reality shows.  I have learned a lot about her, and was most surprised that on her show, she revealed that she wrote her own books.  Together, she has written 3 books about herself, and most recently, a children’s book.

1: sTORI Telling: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Stori-Telling/Tori-Spelling/e/9781416587002/?itm=7&USRI=tori+spelling

2: Mommywood: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Mommywood/Tori-Spelling/e/9781416599111/?pt=BK&stage=bookproduct&pwb=1&

3: uncharted terriTORI: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/uncharted-terriTORI/Tori-Spelling/e/9781439187715/?itm=2&USRI=tori+spelling

4: Presenting Tallulah: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Presenting-Tallulah/Tori-Spelling/e/9781416994046/?itm=1&USRI=presenting+tallulah

Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett: From dental assistant to one of Playboy’s most beautiful women, to wife and mother, and reality show start, Kendra has done it all.  She isn’t afraid to do anything, especially let the world know that she definitely isn’t a writer.  Kendra’s book was written by a ghost writer.  On a personal note, I respect the way she went about her writing — admitting that she didn’t do it.

1: Sliding into Home: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Sliding-Into-Home/Kendra-Wilkinson/e/9781439180914/?itm=2&USRI=sliding+into+home

As for biographies and auto-biographies, I know they are very different from Fiction, but where does the line stop when a title is given?  For example, if I were an actress, and I wrote my own biography, could I call myself a writer, too?  I could, but is that really who I am?  If so, doesn’t that make us all writers?

Helpful Writing Books…and Why I Use Them!

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How many of you have bought a book to help you write?  At a young age, I began buying books, hoping that by reading them, would help me along in my writing journey.  To this day, I cannot even begin to count how many of these books I have collected.

As some of you know, I seriously begun writing in March, and am proud of the accomplishments I have made.  Over the past six month, I have learned A LOT, but I can’t say I’ve done it all alone.  The classes that I have and am taking at Gotham Writers’ Workshop, have taught me so much about my writing life, and about myself.  During this time, a few books are to be given credit for.  They are as follows:

(1) Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus, http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Oxford-American-Writers-Thesaurus/Oxford-University-Press-Staff/e/9780195342840/?itm=21&USRI=thesaurus

I have had many thesauruses, but I really think the title says, “…Writer’s Thesaurus.”  In this book, there is every word that a writer would possibly use.  This book is very concise, direct, and easy to understand.  The synonyms that are suggested, can be very usable in any way that author wants.  I do prefer book thesauruses because you can be searching for one word, but then see another word, which can give you another idea…and so on.  As for an internet thesaurus, http://thesaurus.com/, this is another source I use.

(2) See Jane Write: A Girl’s Guide to Writing Chick Lit, http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=see+jane+write

I am only a quarter through this book, but I already love it.  If you’re a woman who wants to write a Chick Lit, this book is for you!  (And no, I’m not joking).  When you first pick this book up, you plan on it being one of the do this, do that, and you’re published, but no…this book will test you to see if you are really Chick Lit writer material, and then explains on why you want to write a book like this.  As the book continues, it will guide you step-by-step, on how to write your book — dealing character descriptions, style, with writer’s block, working on personal deadlines, editing, and the manuscript submission process).  The two women who wrote this book, Sarah Mlynowski and Farrin Jacobs are two smart ladies who know what they are talking about!

(3) On Writing Romance: How to Craft a Novel That Sells, http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Romance-Craft-Novel-Sells/dp/1582974365

Ahh…Leigh Michaels’ book…It’s absolutely brilliant!  I have taken two of Leigh’s classes, thanks again to GWW, and am about to start my third.  I owe everything I’ve learned about Romance Writing to her.  She is a brilliant wave of information, but no only that, she’s like a lighthouse, who asks you questions, and you find the answer.  She lets you write your story, but gives and helps you write what needs to be told.  Through the an classes we will learn even more — it’s like she’s with you every step of the way, during your journey.  Her book answers your questions, and will help you in any way gain all the knowledge to help you write your perfect Romance book.

Achieving Writing Goals…?

I was recently asked what my writing goals are, and then they said something about how inspire people with my writing.  Okay, #1: I write because I love it — it’s what makes me most happy.  My writing goals have advanced over the years.  The begging of this year, I only wanted to write a book, but as I began the journey, my fingers eagerly typed, which now leads me to want to strive to have my book published…AND to one day have it turned into a movie, and yes, it would be a Romantic Comedy. #2, I thank them for the compliment about how my writing inspire people, but I look at it as more of that I want to entertain people.  I want people to relate to my stories, and after they have read it, feel as if they have looked inside my life and my character’s lives.  After hearing the quote “If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it,” by Toni Morrison, it inspired me to write even more.  My story needs to be written!

Many people who write usually have a goal in mind, which can be from one end of the spectrum to the other.  Goals are made all the time, but what helps you achieve them?

Not all of our goals are the same.  So, how do you set a writing goal?  I skimmed over several Google articles about setting a writing goal, and this was the one that seemed useful to me: http://www.writerstechnology.com/2008/07/how-to-set-smart-writing-goals.   I think the article had some SMART  (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) ideas, but not only that, the strategies seem reasonable for a beginning to expert writer, (yes, even expert writers still set goals).

As my writing advances, my confidence increases, which makes me want to achieve my goals.  I don’t want to be the old woman on her death-bed who says that I should have done this, or I should have done this, but instead, I want to be that woman in her thirties who is out in the World, with nothing stopping me.  I know that some days will be easier than some, but as long as I take it one day at a time, I truly feel that I will and can excel in what I put my mind to, my goals.