Chick Lit Goddess

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

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Early Mornings + Little Sleep = Most Likely Not A Good Day of Writing…

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Okay, so, I’m going on about five hours of sleep, and I am in desperate need of some good writing time!  With a husband who can literally go to sleep during a concert and a cat who snores just as loudly as his daddy, I’ve slept on the couch for three nights in the past week!

Today, my goal is to write at least three to five pages, which I’m sure will require some heavy concentration, but with some positive thinking, I”m pretty sure that I’ll get it done…well, maybe!  I find it kind of sad, because usually I love writing when nobody is awake, like now, but now is a different story.  How am I going to finish by my deadline, I’m thinking to myself.  Calm down, it’ll be okay! (No, I haven’t had my coffee yet)!

As I write this, I’m beginning to see lightness come through the shades…here goes nothing, and I’m off to start my day!  Three pages, four pages, five pages…

Tips to help me get through today are very much welcome…

Have a great day, everyone!

Endings…

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THE END!  How can two short words, cause so much trouble for a writer?

Earlier in today, as I sat here on this snow day, I  was faced with a writing assignment that is due on Wednesday.  I was racking my brain on how to begin the ending paragraph/scene of my book.  This is impossible, I thought.  I don’t even know the ending, at least right now, because the more I write, the more things change, along with the ending.  I’ve come so far, (over 50,100 words), that what I thought would be my end, isn’t that way anymore.  Finally, after about two hours, I finally decided to go the “Internal Change” way, and wrote what I thought was a nice ending to my book.  It showed how my Heroine had grown up, and how though life threw in a few curve balls, life has a way of working out.

I’m curious, how have you/are you/did you write your ending to a book?

Happy Writing!

New Year! New Writing Goals?

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Last month, I was a little panicked!  2011 was coming SOON, and I had a deadline.  (Thank you, honey, for coming up with a great idea about a date change).  With a month full of obligations and celebrations — my dad’s birthday, my 1st wedding anniversary, family gatherings and Christmas, I honestly asked myself how this was going to get done.  With three days, of consistent writing, staring at the computer, deleting the word count option from Word, which allowed me to focus more on the story, and with a lot of inspiration from my husband,  I DID!  I started what will hopefully (cross your fingers), be my first book in March, and before midnight, on December 31st, 2010, I had written 50,120 words.

 

After finishing over fifty thousand words, I took a step back to think about what I AM going to accomplish this year.

1: Finish my book by March 18th, my 30th birthday!

2: Take better notes about my story, and maybe even begin to outline.

3: Finish the classes that are needed, and get my Gotham Writers’ Workshop Fiction Certificate!  (I have two more to take).

4: Begin looking for a possible agent by July 1st!

5: Start book number two!

6: Write more when I take vacations.

7: Try and write something, even just a page, every single day.

8: Remember to always click SAVE on the PC, and not to touch the “trashcan” on the iPad, AND to sync correctly!

9: Don’t stress!  Know that the story will come to how it’s supposed to be told.

10: On New Year’s Eve of this year, I will sit back and smile, knowing I’ve done my best!

 

Overall, I learned a lot in 2010, thanks to GWW and the friends that have helped me become a better writer.  (Y’all are all awesome, and I thank you).

What are your writing goals for 2011?

Happy Writing!

Getting Back To It

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So…I’ve not written anything good in about a month, and it’s killing me! It’s like I’ve had writer’s block this whole time — until today! Suddenly, I’m more inspired to write than I have been in the passed few weeks, and it feels great! Oh, how I can’t wait for my journey with Jackson, Lucy and Nathan to continue.

I just thought I’d share my good news!

Happy Writing, everyone!

The More You Read, The More You Write?

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For many people, including me, the more I read, the more I want to write.

When one does this, the reader and wanna’ be writer, is gathering information, doing research, creating characters, and developing a story line.  Yes, for a writer, reading is doing research.  If you’re a beginning writer, you might be focusing on the characters, their conflict (which you have to have in each story) and the grammar.

No matter what genre you enjoy reading, I’m sure that a little bit of that can go into your story.  For example, I do enjoy a good mystery (though haven’t been able to fine any in a long time, and have only read one), and my genre is Chick Lit, a sub-genre in Romance, when I finish the book, I’m encouraged to write.  It can be anything from a children’s book to a novel…and by finishing them, the fact that I have read someone’s book, I envy them.

By reading a book, no matter what genre it is, I am inspired!  So, here’s to all the published people out there, thank you!

Your Worst Enemy

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As I think of what to write today, I’m staring at my worst enemy — the blinking cursor.  It’s like an enemy that’s standing right in front of you, staring you down.  The flashing…over and over, tempts you, and makes your mind wonder if you have what it takes to write, which makes the cursor stop.  It can also makesyou feel defeated (especially, if you’re suffering from writer’s block).

Though you might sit there all day, playing a staring game with the cursor, know that it’s okay if you do this.  Every writer does this, even several times throughout a book.  Feel proud of yourself, and know that the following day or night, will be better.

How do we make the cursor stop?  Write.  Start writing until your heart’s content and you until enter in that last period.

My advice, don’t stress.  Just write, write, and write…and know that you can beat that cursor…

Writing Environments

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Writing.  Some people think that you write enough to fill up a lot of pages, and you’re finished, and you’re done, right?  No.  It’s not that easy, especially if you’re in the wrong environment.

What is your writing place like?  Is it in an office, sitting at a couch, in a library, a bookstore, or always on the go, writing on your Blackberry or iPhone?  Are you an organized person, who has taken down notes and knows exactly how the story is going to go, or do you gather ideas as you go?  (I’ve seen how the environment can sometimes alter both of these).

My writing environments change daily, depending on how I feel.  I might want to go out and get inspired by published writers.  In this case, I will head to a Barns & Noble, and sit in their Starbucks’ area and write away.  Other days, I will sit in the office, thinking I’m going to write, though I don’t get as much accomplished, thanks to household distractions and of course, a little thing called the internet.  Though, when I am at home and am focused, I can achieve so much, and feel that I’ve put in a hard day’s work, (though, I know it doesn’t compare to my husband’s work).

When I’m at the B&N, I am forced to write, and not distracted at all, which is nice, and it also makes my writing stronger.  (It might be because I’m very motivated (as I’ve written about previously).

At home, my environment is a messy desk in my office, papers scattered  everywhere, and with the annoyance of a crying cat (yes, the cat cries).  When I’m in the mood to write, I’ll write, and I must say, I do a damn good job at it, but when I’m not in the mood, writing at home is not fun.  It makes it a lot easier to get sidetracked, which of course, isn’t good.

To end, I encourage you to do what you feel is best for you and your story.  Whether it be writing at a bookstore or sitting at home surrounded by a messy desk, it’s important to consider your writing environment to make yourself the best writer possible.

Happy Writing!

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?