Chick Lit Goddess

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Do You Like Your Characters?

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Have you ever been in the writing or editing process and haven’t liked you main (or any) characters?  Well, beginning to strongly dislike my Hero.  I’m in the editing process of my first book and I’m wanting to delete him all together.  He’s the main Hero, so this means creating a new character — maybe even a guy with a heart towards his pregnant girlfriend and the baby he helped to create!

Let me explain:

Nathan really is a nice guy.  His girlfriend is pregnant and he doesn’t want to be a father.  She wants to keep it, but he had major daddy issues.  His dad wasn’t there for him, so he’s afraid of repeating the pattern.  While he love Lucy (my Heroine), being a father part of the plan.  Lucy prepares to become a mother on her own and she’s okay with that decision.

Nice guy, right?  Ha!  I know that this might be a realty for some, but this guy is a jerk!  He’s a handsome jerk, one that could easily be described as an innocent Christian Grey of “50 Shades of Grey.”  When I wrote this two years ago, the only conflict I could think of was pregnancy because I didn’t want to write about love triangles.  (I have before in a book that I didn’t finish, but might continue with that sometime in the future).  Maybe I don’t like Nathan because I have trouble writing from a male POV!

::::::Sigh::::::

Have you ever written a book, then want to get rid of a character because you don’t like him or her?  What do you do to get your characters likable?

Why Writers Should Follow Celebrities

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Jennifer Aniston
George Clooney

Celebrities!  We might love them and we might hate them, but as writers I think we should pay attention to them and what they say and do.  Why, you ask?  Because it helps us create better characters.

Often times when I have writer’s block, I think of what situations celebs have been in.  I imagine what they would wear, what they do, who they’d be with and what they’d say.  This helps add drama.  In this case, I  sometimes add Kardashian-like traits to my Heroine.  While I’m not really a fan of the Kardashian’s, Khloe is my favorite.  (Read THIS blog post I wrote about her).

I think that I first really began to enjoy celebs when Friends was on.  I loved Jennifer Aniston and still do!  She’s got a great body, she’s funny, she has confidence, and she’s moved on from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie – yuck!  Come on, we all know he’s a loser for cheating on Jen!  As for George (yes, I’m on a first name basis with him), don’t we all wish he was our Heroine?  Can you believe he just turned 51?!  This leads me to another plus of following celebs – relationships!  If you read the famously known tabloids and relate them to your characters, then you can create conflict between your Hero/Third Party/Heroine.  The magazine and website I use for this is UsWeekly!

Matthew McConaughey

(It’s okay if you can’t take your eyes off the men on this post.  I can’t either).

Here’s some advice for writing your characters like celebs:

  • Follow them on Facebook or Twitter

Read magazines!  Don’t just look at the pictures imagining how you wish you had their life

When watching an award show, observe them carefully: How do they walk? Who do they hug? A parent, friend or lover?

Reese Witherspoon

Above all, create the character that you want!  It’s important to do this because while copying can be easy, I don’t recommend it.  Be creative!  You don’t have to use everything about just one actor or actress, but maybe combining characteristics might work better — to create that perfect character for your book.

If all else fails, go ahead and use the Kardashian family!  You’re bound to write characters with lots of drama (KIM), lots of love (KHLOE), and lots of mommy-talk (KOURTNEY).

It’s Hump Day (50 Shades of Grey) Wednesday!

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As some of you know, I started “Fifty Shades of Grey,” out of complete curiosity, (and no, I’m not one who needs that kind of thrill).  I just wanted to read what all the hype is about.  I’m in the middle of it right now, so a review will be up within the next few weeks.

Anyway, since it’s “Hump Day,” I’m writing about the male Character, Christian Grey.  Ladies, I see it!  I’m now knowing what you mean by the erotic daydreams and fantasies that are now consuming your mind!  Two nights ago, I didn’t go to bed.  Christian Grey kept me awake!  Page by page, he had me right there with him in the moment, not wanting to stop — for anything!  I was at his beck and call.  I didn’t mind this dominance over me, but I did mind his rudeness, (more about this will be in the book review).

This leads me to wonder, who is your Christian Grey?  What does he look like?  What does he to do ignite you?  Does he take charge of you, telling you what to do or how to do it?  Does his touch make you (fill in the blank)!  Is he George Clooney, perhaps?  Tim McGraw, Ryan Gosling, or even Brad Pitt?

What turns you on?  Who is your Christian Grey?

Love By Design

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Book review of “Love By Design”

“Love By Design,” by Liz Matis

WATCH a clip HERE!!

When Victoria’s regular co-host, Neil, has to a leave of absence, Russ Rowland, steps in to take his place on Design Intervention.  Victoria isn’t too pleased with this new arrangement, but reluctantly goes along with it.  Bickering over colors and layout designs, sparks are flying all over the set!  Everyone can feel the heat these two have for one another.  Will these two be able to learn to work together, even when the past haunts their future?

When I saw the cover for “Love By Design,” I signed up immediately – without reading the synopsis!  (Admit it, you like the cover too, right?)  After I finally read what the book was about, I even more intrigued – hot Aussie comes to U.S. and falls for his co-host – what’s not to like?

From the moment I started this book, I was truly engaged with the characters and the story.  At first, I found Victoria’s character to be a little too arrogant, but once they start shooting the show their bantering quickly turns into flirting – and was done quite nicely I might add!  Russ seems to have the ability to tame her in a way that nobody can!  From beginning to end, there were twists and turns (one in particular had me on the edge of my seat), but at the sweet end, these clear to see that two created a love by design.

If you’re looking for a laugh out loud, sweet, and spicy read this is the book for you.  This book was one that I would definitely read again!  Liz Matis’ Love By Design will make you want to hop on a plane to go find your own Aussie – that’s at least what I wanted to do!

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars!

Buy “Love By Design!”

Amazon

**Read my Q & A with the author HERE

Liz Matis

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Author Bio:
Liz Matis is a mild manner accountant by day and by night a writer of fun, flirty, and fiery romps! She is a Kindle Best Seller and winner of the NECRWA First Kiss Contest. Married 26 years and counting she believes in happy ever afters.

Tell us about yourself:  First, let me say a big thank you for having me here!  I’m 48 and have been married for 26 years with one handsome son. I’m a mild manner accountant by day and romance writer by night. I live in the mountains of New York close to the original Woodstock site.

What are your days like, and when do you find time to write?  I work at my day job from 8-4. I try to write between 7-8 every night.

Your books are known to be steamy!  Where does that imagination come from?  I had to think about this for a while, but I’ve come to the conclusion that these scenes come from my characters. Sex is important in a relationship and I think showing the progression of when it’s at first ‘just sex’ for the characters to when it becomes so much more is important to the story.  Or maybe my characters are just really horny. LOL.

What is the writing process like for you?  I’m a slow writer. I write bare bones then I go back over and over again adding details, emotions, etc.

What is your favorite drink and/or snack when you’re writing?  Ice coffee.

Print or eBooks?  Both.

What would people be surprised to know about you?  That I know how to say, “Where’s the chocolate?” in Klingon. (Star Trek)

What is the best book you’ve ever read?  Why?  Oh boy – just one? Impossible. But if I had to choose it would be The Princess Bride by William Golden. A perfect blend of romance and adventure.

If you’re not writing, what are you doing?  Reading. Watching HGTV. Hanging with my husband. And I love to go to Zumba class!

Who would you prefer to go on a date with, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, or someone else?  Hands down, no competition – Keanu Reeves. You might be surprised to know that he loves to read. I picture us meeting in the poetry aisle at a Barnes and Noble, he buys me a hot chocolate and we talk about books.

Do you have any advice for writers?  When I get stuck I have a conversation with my main characters. I ask them what they want to happen next or what’s wrong. I’ve posted a conversation between Victoria, Russ, and I (from Love By Design) on my blog and more recently when I spoke with Hannah (from Going For It and Playing For Keeps) and I posted it on Twitter and Facebook.

What are you upcoming projects?  Going For It, the sequel to Playing For Keeps will be out soon. Then I’m part of a Martini Madness anthology coming out at the end 2012. My title is Real Men Don’t Drink Appletinis – it should be great fun!

**Visit Liz at the below link:

Tao of Liz

**Click HERE to read my review of Love By Design!

This Week at Chick Lit Goddess

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I thought this would be a good quote to help you with your goals that you’ve set to accomplish this upcoming week!  Not only do I love it because it’s by one of my favorite female country singers, Reba McEntire, but because I find it very inspiring!  What goals do you plan on accomplishing this upcoming week?

I’ve had a wonderful weekend with my amazing husband and our cat, am sad it’s coming to a close, but I’m excited about what’s coming up this week on Chick Lit Goddess!

Monday: Blog post: “How Important Is the Writing?”

Tuesday: Read my review of “Love By Design,” and a Q & A with the author, Liz Matis

Wednesday: Blog post: It’s Hump Day (50 Shades of Grey) Wednesday

Thursday: Blog post: “Why I Love Helping New Authors!”

Friday: “A Fun Friday” post will be up about my favorite Chick Lit blogs and websites! (If you’d like me to share yours, leave a comment with a link to it and I just might add it to my list on Friday!)

How Important Is the Writing?

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You’ve been recommended a “great,” “sexy,” “fun,” “alluring” book! Awesome, you think!  You buy the book, you find a comfy place in your home, and then open the book.

Well, when you’re not even 50 pages into it and you’re enjoying the story, but you’ve noticed or even questioned a few things — this means that it’s not written correctly, not did they have a good editor!

I started the book “Fifty Shades of Grey,” (don’t forget about its trilogy: HERE), a few days ago on my iPad, and then I bought a copy for my hubby, (which I’ll be writing about his outlook on it once he’s finished with it).  Before he stated I saw a few mistakes, and while I’m not an expert, but I think that a lot of people who are reading the book and giving great reviews don’t care about the writing.  One my husband read the first chapter, he said that he wanted to “take a red pen to it!”  I don’t blame him.  This leads me to today’s blog post!

HOW IMPORTANT TO YOU IS GOOD WRITING VS. A GOOD BOOK WITHOUT GOOD WRITING?

Since I’m now working with editors, I’ve started to think like them — Why think this, Why say this, and Does this make sense?  When I was younger, I didn’t pay much attention to grammar or thoughts, but since I’ve grown, it’s all that I pay attention to when I read!  For fun, I’m reading “Fifty Shades of Grey,” the book that everyone is talking about (yes, I might be wanting a thrill).  I’m sixty-five pages into it, and I’ve been wanting to take a red pen to it myself, like my hubby!  Oh, my gosh!  If I didn’t have to have read six (yes, 6) chapters before anything happens, then I wouldn’t care so much, because action would be happening.  I’ve even considered not finishing this book!  With exceptional reviews, is it just about the book?  Probably so!  If the writing was graded, I bet it’d get a 1 out of 5 stars, (read my review for “Fifty Shades of Grey” that will be coming soon)!

My question to you is do you prefer books written with bad writing and the story is good, or do you get through it and read a book because of its storyline?

It’s A Sexy Wednesday

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Athletes, cowboys, and James Bond all have something in common.  They are sexy, and I love them all (especially in my daydreams…wait, make that fantasies).  Put a suit on a man-any man-and his look can change 100%!

Men in suits are my weakness.  To be more specific, it’s a man who’s wearing black  and/or grey dress pants, a white dress shirt unbuttoned (it must be unbuttoned), and a black and/or grey dress coat.  This is my “ideal man.”  (It’s funny, because as I write this, I’m watching Person of Interest, and the main guy, Mr. Reese, is dressed as my “ideal man”).

Here are my Top 5 guys who are dressed to perfection:

George Clooney
Bradley Cooper
Pierce Brosnan
Jim Caviezel
Gerard Butler

Have a sexy Wednesday!

Adding A Little “Hump” To Your Wednesday, Part II

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Last August I wrote THIS post.  By far, it’s been the highest blog views each day.  It’s something I didn’t expect.  Anyway, I wanted to add a second part, but this time being sexy in a different way.

My first thought was to show pictures of all hot men, but decided against it.  Instead, I’m going to show you some of my favorite movie couples.  Read THIS for a preview of a few.  While these aren’t always “sexy” couples, they share something that could be even more sexy – the passion these couples have for one another.

"Love Story"
"The Mirror Has Two Faces"
"P.S. I Love You"
"When Harry Met Sally"
"Pillow Talk"
"The Notebook"
"Cat On A Hot Tin Roof"
"Up"

What movie couples do you find sexy?