Chick Lit Goddess

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

National Novel Writing Month

Why I’m Not Participating In NaNoWriMo!

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Happy November!

The past few months have had their ups and downs, but beginning today, things will be back to normal…thank goodness!

This is my favorite month – the cool weather (not cold because I live in Texas), snuggling with my hubby and cat, Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday), and usually a good football game, though the Cowboys aren’t doing so well…but that’s for another blog post – I love it all!

For writers all across the world, November 1st is the beginning of National Novel Writing Month, (NaNoNoWriMo).  This is where one writes a complete book in 30 days.  To find out more about my first experience with NaNoWriMo, click HERE.

Anyway, while I want desperately to take part in NaNo, I know I can write a book – in fact, I’ve written two of them – it’s time for me to focus on my next step, becoming a published author.  This means that I need to focus on the editing process, which at times can be very tedious, but there’s good news!  As of next week, I will have an office – one I’ll have to drive to – and will be able to center my complete attention on work.  My goal is to have edits finished with at least one book by the end of the year!  Wish me luck!

**Now, for a little announcement:  I’ve decided to self-publish!

**Why?  Come back for a new blog post tomorrow morning!

Some Days I Just Want To Write

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Now that I’ve written two books and am in the editing process of both of them, I just want to write!  Don’t get me wrong, I love editing and always have.  There are days where I just want to wake up, fix a cup of tea and spend time creating all the ideas I have in my mind!  I’ve spent so much time with the characters in the first two books that I’m wanting to make new friends.  I know that some writers are talented enough to do both, edit and write, but when I tried last week to start another book, that darn blinking cursor stared back at me.  (I guess you could say that my inner goddess was not happy with what I had written), so I deleted all two and a half pages.  Looking back on it, I can say it was the right thing and that what I wrote was in fact not good!

But, there’s some good news — November is just around the corner.  That means once again, I’ll be participating in National Novel Writing Month!  Last year was my first year to participate and I loved it!  I loved the way that I was so invested in it, not with only my characters, but the story, too.  While it was difficult timing wise (Thanksgiving and getting ready for Christmas and my wedding anniversary), somehow I made it work (thanks to my amazing husband who supported me along the way — I couldn’t have done it without him).  As for what I’m going to write this year, I have part of it already outlined and I’m really excited about it.  Also, if you’ve not done NaNoWriMo before, I highly recommend it.  It’s changed my life in the way I think of writing a book.  Apparently, I can write a book in 30 days! 🙂

Finding Out How Much You Love Writing…Once Again!

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I’m still on a high from what happened yesterday.  I wrote, and it felt great-no, it was better than great-it was rejuvenating.  I really haven’t written since November for my NaNoWriMo piece, so it was nice to get back to where I it all started.

Three nights ago I was talking to a writer friend who asked if I had done anything with a project he had read part of.  I told him that I hadn’t picked it up in quite a while (15 months).  It’s funny he mentioned it because the characters, Addie and Clay, had been on my mind for the past couple of weeks-I missed them.  Well, yesterday morning I got a Tweet from a friend of mine who encouraged me to write!  Since I had worked a lot on what I needed to get done during the weekend, I decided that there was no time like the present.

After sending out a few emails for a guest review that’s coming up, I was ready.  I decided to read the whole thing over to refresh my memory.  There were only 35 pages, but I felt it was important.  I edited the whole way through, and finally at ten thirty last night, I started writing, and didn’t want to stop.  I was exhausted, so I decided to try to go to sleep, but that didn’t happen because my mind was racing with ideas for my MS.  With the hubby sleeping, I got my laptop and continued to write until 3 o’clock in the morning, but I didn’t want to.  I’ve heard the same advice from some authors, “stop writing when you don’t want to,” or “when you’re at a peak point.”  Normally, I would find this difficult, but I decided to give it a try, and I’m glad I did.  When I woke up this morning, that “peak” point was the first thing I thought about!  It’s for this, that I look forward to doing some serious writing today!

Have a great day!

Why Letting Your Friends Read Your Work Is A Good Thing!

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When I started taking classes at Gotham Writers’ Workshop I was a little worried about sharing my work with my fellow classmates, but I quickly overcame those nerves and insecurities and learned to listen to what they had to say.  Whether their critique were comments about my storyline, helping me keep a better timeline of events, or anything else, I welcomed their opinions.

I recently gave my second book, The Right Design, to a close friend to read.  I was a little worried about doing so, not because of what I thought he might think, but because it was my baby, my NaNoWriMo baby.  I still haven’t let go of the storyline, nor have I gone a day without thinking about my beloved characters.  Come to find out, my friend really enjoyed the story.  He helped me see where I needed some help and what parts he liked.  This helped me so much, and I’m beginning to take notes for the 2nd draft – yea!

Many writers are like me, afraid to share their work, but trust me, you’ll want to show you work to friends because it might help you in the long run.  It’s also okay to learn to take criticism.  Writers need it because it’s the only way that our writing gets better.

Have you ever showed a friend your MS?  If so, what was your experience in doing so?  Were you happy you did it?  I’d love to hear all about it.  (You can even vent if you want to!)

The Right Design

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I’m sorry I’m just now getting to post this, but ti’s been a busy few days!  Anyway, like I promised last week, here are the details of my second book, The Right Design!  When I was writing this book, I didn’t tell anyone what it was about because it was my baby and until it was finished, I wanted the ideas to come from me and only me – I didn’t want to be persuaded by anyone.  Now that I’ve finally named my book, I’m excited to share what it’s about, so here goes:

The Right Design

It’s interior designer Carrie Newman’s six year anniversary with her boyfriend, Roger.  Before leaving for work that morning, he gives her a little blue box, but when Carrie opens it up, it’s not what she thinks (and hopes) that it would be.  Later thad day when she comes home early to prepare a surprise for him, she’s shocked to find him in a very erotic position with another woman on their kitchen counter.  Devistated and heartbroken, Carrie ends their relationship and moves in with her sister and brother in-law, Sara and Sean.  It’s not too soon after that does Sara announce that she’s pregnant, and Carrie thinks it’s time to get her life back on track, so she makes an announcement of her own – she’s moving to Florida!

Carrie finds herself living a whole new life, working at another highly established interior decorating firm.  Her first job since moving to Florida is to update Brad Larson’s mansion.  There is instant attraction between them, but Carrie is a firm believer of not mixing business with pleasure, but Brad does everything he can to change her mind.  After fighting her feelings, Carrie finally surrenders and allows herself to feel something for him, but the morning after they sleep together the first time, Brad walks in on Carrie at her office and catches Roger and her in a kiss.

…and cut!

That’s all you get to know until the book’s published!

Do you like the storyline?  Who do you think Carrie will end up with, or will she forget them both and move on to someone new?

My Title of My National Novel Writing Month Book Is…

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Like many of you know, I participated in National Novel Writing Month in November and I won!  I was my first I woke up around seven this morning and all of a sudden it hit me, and I had a title for my book!  I don’t know what it was that struck me, or how I came to this conclusion, but after three and a half months, I did it!  I must say that it is quite a relief!  (Even my husband was happy about it, and he can now print out my winning certificate!)

The title is:

The Right Design

For tomorrow’s post I will finally reveal what my book is about!

Stay tuned!

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!

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?