Chick Lit Goddess

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

Random

23 Days…

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23 DAYS.  That’s how much longer I have to write until my book is finished.  This was my husband’s idea, to have it finished by my birthday on the 18th of March.  At first, I was a little skeptical, but I think it’s a great 30th birthday present to give to myself, knowing that I CAN and WILL have done this!  How cool is it going to be to say, “I finished writing my 1st book (of many), on my 30th birthday?”

Wish me luck on this adventure…now, I’m off to write!

Have a great day everyone, especially you, my supportive hubby!

 

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!

 

 

Writing On Snow Days!

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So, since early Tuesday morning, Dallas has been hit by snow!  I’m not talking less than an inch, like we typically get (even when we do get “snow”), I’m talking up to 7-inches in some places! Everyone is tired of the cold, tired of their child’s school being closed (though I’m sure the kids are loving it), and are literally going stir crazy!  The weather is even a much bigger topic than the Super Bowl being hosted here!  (GO PACKERS!!!)

I, on the other hand, have been grateful for these very productive SNOW DAYS!  I have written and have worked like crazy, thanks to being forced to stay inside and stare at the computer.  I have put all my scenes into chapters, which was fun because it showed me just how far I’ve come with my story.

So, for my writer friends who are stuck inside, due to the large amount of snow, stop complaining, and WRITE!

 

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!

 

Writing With Friends

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As a writer, one is also an artist.  You might say to yourself, “Oh, you’re that kind of person?”  Yes, yes I am, and am proud of it.  It’s because of this, that I’m thankful for having so many writer friends.  They experience the same things you do — the blood, sweat, and tears of creating something grand.  They understand what it’s like when you have to create likable characters, they are there to support you when you have writer’s block, they are there to critique your work from page one to THE END.

For those of you who do have friends who write, start a writing club.  Share your work, have it critiqued, and critique their work.  (I’ve found that critiquing can really help you as a writer).  I also encourage you to talk about your writing to your friends, even your non-writing friends.  Getting them interested in your book, may spark up questions from them, helping you write your book.  In March of 2010, I started taking writing classes at Gotham Writers’ Workshop, not only helped my with my writing, it also introduced me to a lot of great people, some of who I still talk to.

Have a great day!

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 Software?

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As I’m in the midst of writing my book, I have been curious as to if I should buy a writing software program.  Right now, I’m using Word, but now I’m about to lose track of my characters, and parts of the story that I need to know.    I thought about making my own chart using either Word or Excel, but I don’t even know where to start.  How do I create what I need, much less organize my story?

On almost every website I’ve looked at, the reviews for the software was too confusing, seemed cheap and weren’t helpful at all.  Ugh!

Does anyone know of any software that might help?  If not, what do you suggest?

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!