Chick Lit Goddess

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

Self-publishing

Grammar?

Leave a Comment

Hey!  I’m sorry for not posting yesterday, but I was busy editing — a lot!  I feel good about the things I did — thanks to my wonderful editor — and am looking forward to today to do some rewrites.  I’ve never done rewrites before, but I am finally at that point where I see big changes are needed.

After working on the edits, I got out these three books and flipped through them.  I’m recommending them to you, so here they are:

Barron’s Painless Grammar

Self-Editing For Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How To Edit Yourself Into Print

See Jane Write: A Girls’ Guide To Writing Chick Lit

It’s Fun Friday

5 Comments

Friday’s are the days where I try to write about something other than writing, editing, or publishing, but today I really wanted to share something very exciting with you:

Earlier this week I added the TOURS tab to my website.  This was the next step on my website, and I’m thrilled to be taking part of Samantha’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.  Having this opportunity has introduced me to some wonderful writers, along with their books filled with many memorable characters.

If you look at my new tab, you will see that on Monday will be my very first time for a tour!  I highly encourage you to come back on Monday to see what it’s all about.

**(There will be a giveaway of the book “Binding Arbitration” by Elizabeth Marx, and I know you won’t want to miss it!)

I hope y’all have a wonderful weekend — I know I will!

Gone, But Not Forgotten

2 Comments

Hi, y’all!  It’s been about two weeks since I’ve blogged and I’m so happy to be back!

During my hiatus there’s not been a second where I’ve not been thinking about my books (editing my first, and thinking about what to do with my second – self publishing?), reading book for my reviews, my upcoming guests, and of course my fantastic followers!

In the next few weeks I’ll be busy with a few book tours, featuring some wonderful writers (Elizabeth Marx who wrote “Binding Arbitration,” Kathleen Kole who wrote “Favorable Conditions,” Toni Aleo who wrote “Taking Shots,” and Liz Matis who wrote “Love By Design!“)  I also have a few guest posts/interviews that I’m excited about hosting!  And in the midst of it all, I’ll be dedicating the rest of my time to the books I’ve written!

Once again, I’d like to thank my fans, followers, friends, and family for sticking by me.  Your support has meant so much to me!

My Title of My National Novel Writing Month Book Is…

6 Comments

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!

Tracie Banister

6 Comments

I met Tracie Banister on Twitter and got to know her through our shared love for Chick Lit.  Her debut novel, Blame It on the Fame, has just been released!  When she said that she wanted to do a Guest Post on Chick Lit Goddess I was beyond excited!  I am thrilled to share this awesome post and topic!

I won’t keep you in suspense anymore, so here you go…

THE MALE PERSPECTIVE IN CHICK LIT

In preparing to write this guest blog, I asked several Chick Lit-loving friends to give me some examples of male characters in the genre who were particularly well-written and developed.  They all came back to me with the same answer, “I can’t think of any.”  I suppose this is the nature of the beast as Chick Lit is geared towards a female audience and most of it is written in first-person, which means we don’t get to see inside the heads of male characters in these stories and they remain a bit of a mystery.  All we know is how these men are perceived by our heroine, how she interprets their words and actions, how she feels about them.

When I started writing my Chick Lit novel, Blame It on the Fame, my intent was to focus almost exclusively on the five heroines (all Oscar nominees in contention for the Best Actress trophy.)  The male characters would be adjuncts, there to support the stories of the heroines in varying capacities (husbands, lovers, business associates, caretakers, and children.)  However, as I worked my way through the first several chapters, I noticed that there was another character who was on a parallel path with the five actresses, someone who not only had an interesting story to tell, but had the potential to be every bit as multi-dimensional and entertaining as the ladies were.  That someone was Best Actor nominee Miles McCrea, whom I began to jokingly refer to as “the sixth heroine in Blame It on the Fame.”

As there’s a third-person narrative in Blame It on the Fame, I had the freedom to dig deep with Miles.  Okay, maybe not that deep since Miles is a bit shallow and id-driven.  But there were still motivations and emotions and a backstory to explore, and I got to flesh out the character and show readers how his mind worked, which made the relationship between Miles and his co-star/on again-off again girlfriend, Philippa Sutcliffe, richer and more complex because it could be seen from both sides. 

Is writing for a male character more difficult or intimidating?  In my experience, no.  As a matter of fact, it was kind of refreshing to switch gears and think like someone with a Y chromosome for a while.  The character of Miles wasn’t based on any particular male of my acquaintance, but I did piece him together, much like Frankenstein’s monster, using personality traits and quirks gleaned from men I’d observed (people-watching – it’s the best research any writer can do, be it at your local restaurant, on You Tube, or in your own living room.)  What I ended up with was a fun, distinctive character I hope readers will connect to and find just as memorable as his female counterparts in Blame It on the Fame.

**Visit Tracie Banister on her blog!

Buy her book Blame It on the Fame:

Amazon

Smashwords

2012: Any New Year Resolutions For Writing? Not Me!

Leave a Comment

Everyone always asks me if I have any New Year’s resolutions.  When I was younger I was able to answer this, but now I can’t.  It’s a funny thing, these resolutions.  Everyone at one time or another has made at least one during their lifetime, and on January 1st it becomes a great opportunity to make your “goals/dreams/wishes” if you will, come true.  As we get older, I’ve seen how things don’t go always as planned.  “Life got in the way,” someone might say down the line about not yet achieving their resolutions.  My thoughts are why wait until January 1st?  If you want something so bad, just go do it!  Reach for your dreams and make them in a reality!

I think that I’ve grown over the past year.  Not only am I more confident in my work, I’m not letting anything knock me down.  Having said that, I want to share with you what I have planned for this year.  They are not resolutions or dreams, but they are simply thing I want to get done.  (If you put what you want to do in a “To Do” list form, it seems to make things less intimidating).  So, here is my list for 2012:

  • I want to finish editing my book first book, Redefined Dreams
  • I will have the pleasure of doing quite a few more Guest Interviews/Posts, all which I’m excited to share.  (If you’d like to be a Guest, please email me directly)
  • I will once again be taking part in NaNoWriMo…and I will win again!
  • I will be researching more about self-publishing
  • And of course, I’ll be writing more.  I do have three plots that I’m toying with and I’d like to see where they go

My overall advice is do not wait until 2013 to start living the life you’ve always wanted!  It’s out there, and now it’s your turn to go get it!

What do you want to accomplish in 2012?

Nikki Jefford

Leave a Comment

Nikki Jefford is one of the funniest girls I know.  I “met” her when I was taking a Romance writing course from Gotham Writers’ Workshop.  Since then I’ve gotten to know this wonderful woman!  Her blog posts make me laugh out loud, as she tells it how it is!  I have had the pleasure of reading her book, Forbidden Footage, and loved it!  She is an amazing writer, and I am honored to have her as a guest!

When did you start writing?  From the moment I could hold a pen. My stories really started improving once I learned to form words.

What is your genre, and why?  More and more I’m becoming a genre juggler. I’ve written short stories, a memoir, historical romance, erotica and now young adult. I’ll tell you what I love: Romance. I was an entertainment reporter back in Anchorage trying to break in as a literary fiction writer. Then I realized I wasn’t having fun doing either. When I wrote my first historical romance it was a Eureka moment. This is what I love to do!

Congratulations on your book.  I noticed you’re under a pseudonym, Louise Harvey.  Why?  Thank you. I chose a nom de plume for my erotica because I wanted to keep that genre separate from my – I’ll call it true pursuit – and especially not use the same name when I’m writing spicy content for adults on one hand and material for young adults on another. I dipped my pen into erotica as a way to bring in money (or try bringing in money), but it’s not the genre I want my name associated with. Don’t get me wrong, erotica’s a blast to write!

How long did it take you to write your first book?  My first fiction novel was finished in a month. I’d just read about National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), but it was February and I was too impatient to wait till November so I did it on my own, unofficially, in April 2005.

Why did you choose online publishing?  Online publishing offers many more opportunities. As far as online marketing, it’s easy to post links via blog and other social media outlets. You can spread the word instantly and I have to say, I love the quick turnaround.

How did you go through the editing process?  In the case of my erotica, my editor made the edits. I was never given a chance to look them over. Let that be a lesson to everyone: Take the time to research the publisher you go with. Funny enough I had doubts after reading the contract and never signed it. Then one day I received an email saying the stories were going live. I stressed over it then finally decided to basically write those stories off. Ultimately you learn, let go and move on.

What’s a day like for you?  I’m lucky in that I only have to work part-time. At the beginning of the year I had Tuesdays and Wednesdays off and it was the most productive writing time in my life. I wrote two novels, two short stories and one novella in three months. Ever since I changed my day job in July I’ve been working five hour shifts five days a week and lost my most productive time: Mornings. I know I should get up early and write before work, but I don’t feel like it. Sleep is a priority for me. As is a 3 mile+ hike with my dog, a home cooked meal and spending time with my husband. No exceptions. Starting in January I’ll be forced to take a 2-3 month hiatus from my day job and I’m already anticipating another round of crazy awesome productive writing time.

Who is/are your favorite writer(s)?  I’m a huge Jane Austen fan. I consumed her novels like candy in high school. For historical romance: Susan Carroll, Philippa Gregory, Candace Camp (excluding her latest series – so disappointing!), Sherry Thomas, Sophie Jordan and Loretta Chase. I love Michelle Moran’s books based on past events and people like Nefertiti and Cleopatra. Bill Bryson and David Sedaris are both a hoot. For chick lit: Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding!

What are your greatest strengths in writing?  Humor and dialogue.

What are you weaknesses in life?  Food! Particularly bread, sweets and snacks. I treat all symptoms with food: angst, boredom, depression, stress, sorrow, fatigue, joy, happiness… When my husband first met me he thought I’d done time in prison because he’d practically get stabbed in the hand by my fork anytime he took something off my plate.

What would someone be surprised to know about you?  My last name changed four times before I reached 20. I went to 13 different schools before graduating from high school. My mind has always been in the gutter. In fifth grade my teacher had to talk to me about bringing a naughty picture book to school. Shame on the snark who ratted me out! Very uncool.

Where do you see yourself in five years?  On Orcas Island in a home of our own, growing veggies and at least a dozen books published!

What would your perfect day consist of?  The house to myself all morning with five hours of uninterrupted time to write. Really good leftovers or takeout and a chewy chocolate chip cookie at lunch. Reading on the couch with a cup of tea and dog by my side. A hike with my husband, our good friends and our dogs (in the warm sun). Dinner out with everyone (dressed up) and two glasses of champagne

Do you have any upcoming projects?  If so, explain.  Heck, yeah! I’m jazzed about my latest YA romance: Entangled. It’s a dark comedy with magical elements. A condensed version of Entangled will be included in the anthology Death By Chocolate, a selection of six lip-smacking YA paranormal romance stories we chocolatiers plan to self-publish and release for Kindle Valentine’s Day 2012.

I’m especially excited about the release of Bob Friel’s The Barefoot Bandit: The True Tale of Colton Harris-Moore, New American Outlaw (available March 20, 2012). The chance to be Bob’s research assistant was the opportunity of a lifetime. Not only was this one of the most outlandish true stories I’ve ever heard, but Bob’s writing puts you right in the action and his humor cracks me up.

Do you consider yourself a writer?  Totally. Writing is one of my only skills. And it does wonders for boosting self-morale when you bounce from one crap job to another: When you’ve got eight screaming kids climbing up the walls or Cruella De Vil snapping at you to schedule her facial or a grumpy old millionaire watching as you weed on his plantation and making you paint the floor of his meat locker or having a woman throw her bill in your face at the reception desk… you drift off into dreamland and tell yourself, “This is only temporary. I am a writer.”

**For more information on Nikki Jefford, visit her blog:

http://www.nikkijefford.blogspot.com/

What Am I?

2 Comments

When I began this blog, it was merely to connect with other bloggers and authors, and to meet some friends.  I never in a million years thought that Chick Lit Goddess would be where it is today!

The more I blogged and read other people’s websites, the more I noticed a trend.  People were reviewing books!  When I received my first “Will you review this book?” question, my heart melted!  I was overjoyed that someone had taken the time to ask me, a non-professional, to read their book.  After I read, wrote and posted my review, I’ve had quite a few people wonder if I would read their book and write a review too, especially within the past few weeks.  This leads me to wonder…

Who am I?  Am I a blogger?  Am I a writer?  Am I a reviewer?  Another question I have is, how do I manage it all?  When do I read?  How do I edit my first book?  When I do I have time to work on self-publishing my second book?  As a New Year’s resolution, I’d like to take this all into consideration, and even make a somewhat of a calendar.

I’d love to hear your comments/questions/ideas, so let me know!

 

It’s Fun Friday

10 Comments

You’ve written a book!  Congratulations!  “Now what?” You might ask.  Why not try self-publishing?

Since having finished NaNoWriMo ten days ago I’ve done a lot of thinking about this book and am on the verge of beginning the process of self-publishing it.  Isn’t that what everyone is doing these days?  There are several book that I’ve read that have been self-published, Lisa Becker’s Click: An Online Love Story, for example.  (I will even be reading and reviewing some within the next couple of weeks).

I have done some research about where to start, but the internet was way too overwhelming with websites coming at me like there was tomorrow.  I had enough, so I went to B&N and bought THIS book.  It seems to have the basics, what to do and how to start, through making a profit.  If I do end up deciding to do this (maybe as a Christmas present to myself), I will share my experiences.  Wish me luck!

Have any of you thought about self-publishing?  Why, and/or why not?

Happy Friday y’all!