Chick Lit Goddess

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

Writing

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!

Be Your Own Writer

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We all have favorite authors.  Often times it’s because of them that we want to become a writer.  It’ll go something like this: “Hey, I can write that book,” or “It can’t be that difficult?”  You then sit yourself in front of your computer and start writing.  You are ready to s tart living life-like Emily Giffin and Danielle Steel-your life will never the be same.  Your book will be the next #1 Bestseller, (move over Emily and Danielle)!

Please get your head out of the clouds.  While you might want to write like your favorite author, you never will! AND THAT’S OKAY!  You have you own voice, you have you own style, and you can write your own book, using your own ideas!

You have the power to create something wonderful – that is, if you try!  Don’t compare yourself to those you envy.  Instead, learn to appreciate what they do, and admire them for who they are.  They have their story about their journey, now you get to create yours.  And while it might seem easy to write like them, or to create your version of their book, it isn’t fun, nor what real writer does.  Give yourself credit and learn to come up with ideas-they are everywhere you turn, so learn to listen, look, and learn about each and every surrounding you’re in.  I bet you’ll have a storyline in mind before you know it!  (You’ll also be very proud of yourself for this!)

To end today’s post, I’m leaving you with a quote.  Not only can it be used for writing, but it’s easy to see how this can relate to any aspect of life.

Handwriting

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Handwriting.  With growing technology, handwriting is beginning to be obsolete.  I’ve even forgot how to spell some words-even the easiest-when writing a handwritten thank you note.  Yes, thank you notes should still be handwritten, but that’s another topic on etiquette.  (Click HERE to see a blog about handwritten letters).  Thanks to my iPhone and spellcheck on the computer, thinking about how to spell is something that I don’t have to do anymore.  For some, this could be a good thing, (if you’re in a hurry to send a quick email, or write memo), but for kids, I think that the spellchecker should be taken off — only because the computer is doing the work for them.  With a click of the mouse, the word can be corrected.

Above is a sample of my handwriting.  It’s not consistent at all, but it never is-not even when I try.  I want to have good handwriting, (not just because about ten years ago one of my family members commented on my “horrible” handwriting.  The truth is, I don’t even like how I write, non-cursive or cursive.  Maybe it’s because I don’t do it every single day.

This leads me to another thing.  When I was taught cursive (many hears ago), I loved it.  It made me feel like an adult.  Just the word, cursive, sounds fancy.  In high school, the teachers-even some who taught me cursive, didn’t care how we wrote-as long as our names were on our papers, the font was Times, and the paragraphs were double-spaced.  Times have definitely changed.

Here are some things to think about:

  • What do you think about your handwriting, or do you even know what it looks like?
  • Is it the same each time?  Do you prefer to write cursive or non-cursive?
  • When writing by hand in this modern world, do you find yourself struggling to remember to spell?

It’s Fun Friday

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I’m a baseball fan and I’m so excited that baseball season is finally here!

It’s Opening Day at The Ballpark in Arlington!  To begin the 2012 season, the Texas Rangers play against the Chicago White Sox.  I look forward to going to the game tomorrow night to cheer on my team, who for the past two years have been in the World Series.  As the saying goes, the third time’s the charm, so I’m hoping that this is our year – it just has to be, (because “12” is my lucky number).

Below, I’ve added some of my favorite links:

That’s The Way Baseball Go

Lean about the Texas Rangers

Chicks Dig Diamonds

Read about my favorite Ranger

A Nolan Ryan (Ranger)/Robin Ventura (Chicago White Sox) highlight

Look at all the new stuff

Is There A Difference? Writers vs. Authors

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I don’t know about you, but it’s been a long week.  Is it (Good) Friday yet?

Anyway, back to my post:

A WRITER

Writing is a common thing in every part of the world.  It’s a way of communication.  For some, it’s the easiest for those who feel that they can be more open and honest with a pen and paper (or hands to computer).  Whether it be writing a letter, a memo, your signature, a grocery list, or even making an entry in your diary or journal, you’re still writing.  Even by sending a text, you’re still a writer.  All forms of writing are applicable – by phone, iPad, desk or laptop, or by hand.  I don’t want to get into the technical aspects or where it originated from, but if you’d like more information on the background of writing, click HERE.  I think that writing is a gift that should be treasured – no matter what your penmanship looks like, (on Monday, I’ll be talking about handwriting, so come back then), or how you type.

AN AUTHOR

When I think of the word, author, I immediately think of Emily Giffin, Danielle Steel, and James Patterson, all who have had their books published.  This means that they have gone through the (emotional) writing and editing process.  I think of book authors first because it’s what I want – I want to be an author!  This has led me to think more in-depth about what the definition of author really means.  Like writers, these days,  authors don’t just have to stick to writing books to be an author.  Writers who are published in magazines, reference books, and online websites, all are authors.  Is this all thanks to new technology?  I think so.  Places like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords, are making it easier for anyone who is a writer, to now be an author.

So, writers, this is your chance to be an author!  Come on, you can do it!

I’d love some feedback on this, so go ahead and leave me a comment!

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?

Vacations Are “Research” For Writers

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I’ve written about this before, but since summer is almost here, I thought you might want to get started thinking about summer your summer vacation(s)!

You’re at the point where you either know you need a vacation, or you’ve got people telling you to take one.  “Okay,” you say.  You then buy a ticket to your desired destination, pack your bags, and are prepared to do nothing except relax…and do “research” for you next book.

Example: Your desired vacation...(The Breakers Hotel, Palm Beach, Florida)

Sigh!  You’ve made it!  you’re officially on vacation, and are required to do little to no work!  You’re only required to sleep in, order room service, lounge and relax by the ocean and/or beach, while drinking a Pina colada or  strawberry daiquiri.  It’s okay to even ogle over lust after the ultra-hot surfer dude, who would never be your type.

As an author, it’s okay to break the rules!  As authors, we are trained to observe our surroundings, and we can’t help it.  We’ll look, we’ll listen, and if interesting enough, we just might write about it.  (Go to a beach, and you’re guaranteed to find something/someone who gives you inspiration for your current WIP, or your next book).

Your "vacation" awaits...

When I’m on “vacation,” it I’m often so relaxed that I want to write, so I do.  I write whenever I can, but don’t set any time or word limits on my work.  I just see how far I get, and know that it’s okay — I’ll write when I get back home.  (Writing outside of your comfort zone might even help your creativity).

So, if you get a chance to take a vacation, whether it’s a beach, mountain, or countryside vacation, go!  You’ll be glad you did!

Have you ever gone on a “vacation” that has strictly been for research?  If you’ve not, where would you go, and why?

...all you need is a daiquiri!

Fiction Relationships vs. Real Relationships

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The picture to the left is what every story requires.  Along with choosing to read a book, whether it be by your favorite author, or you like the storyline, readers shuffle through, eagerly awaiting for the climax (feel free to think of it as a sexual innuendo).  It’s what we wait for, page by page, (though, these days it’s, swipe by swipe).  that’s mostly the reason why we read the book.

It’s almost been a year since Prince William and Duchess Kate got married.  (You can read my blog post on their wedding HERE).  Anyway, I came across THIS article (isn’t that cute?!), and wanted to somehow relate it to writing.  This lead me to think about romantic relationships in fiction, and in real life.

FICTION RELATIONSHIPS:  I’ve read so many books where it goes something like this – boy meets girl, they start dating, they fight, they fix the issue, then they live happily ever after.  We might get a touch here and there about them on a good day with no action, but that’s not fun to read because readers “want drama.”  I, however, don’t.  I ‘d like to see my characters living the day-to-day life together without the drama.  I think this might be why I write like I do, because I want normalcy for my characters.  I want to see my characters working on their relationship, and making it stronger.

REAL RELATIONSHIPS:  Like fiction relationships, couples meet, they fight, they make-up, and they life (happily) ever after.  The thing is that we’re not perfect, and neither is any relationship.  We both must work on it %100 every single day, (I might be watching too much Dr. Phil – ha, ha!).  Yes, we’re going to have fights with the one we love, but that doesn’t mean that it has to be filled with drama.  Like William and Kate, it can be as simple cuddling next to one another and watching TV.  Cooking together can also be very sexy!  Climaxes in real life relationships might happen more often than in fiction relationships, but that’s okay – that’s life.

In closing, I’d like to share two of my favorite relation quotes:

“Little kindness and courtesies are so important.  In relationships, the little things are the big things.” Stephen R. Covey

“The fundamental glue that holds any relationship together is trust.” Brian Tracy

 

Cancelled

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Book Review for “Cancelled”“Cancelled,” by Elizabeth Ann West

**Watch the trailer for Cancelled HERE!**

Meet robotics engineer, Johnathan Michaels.  For three years, Alexis Rodriguez, a coworker and friend have worked side-by-side.  Over time, their friendship has grown, so much that she spends the night on New Year’s Eve with him-leaving him weak in the knees.  It’s clear to the naked eye that Johnathan’s taken a linking to Alexis.  He then begins to try to convince her that they would be good together, as they grow closer and closer each day.  Back at work while they are preoccupied trying to save a very important contract, a woman who identifies herself as Kellie-the woman he had a one-night stand with only weeks before-comes to return his shirt from that night, and then she drops a bomb on him.  She’s pregnant, and he’s the father!  Johnathan decides against telling anything of the sorts to Alexis, who becomes his fiancée soon after he learns of his impending fatherhood.

It’s clear that he’s now in a pickle, so what’s this man to do?

(CUT!)

While I would usually continue telling you more about the book, since it’s the first book in a series, I don’t want to spoil anything for you, (though it’s killing me to not know what happens next).  However, I will tell you that the ending wasn’t what I expected!

Sounds like a good read, huh?  I think so too!  I’ll be honest, when I heard that “Cancelled” was written from a male’s POV, I was very curious!  The next thing that had me intrigued was the title.  The word “cancelled” can only mean one thing, right?  (Come on and admit it.  You immediately think of weddings too, right?)  It’s easy to say that this book lived it to its expectations!

As for Johnathan, I liked him quite a bit in the beginning, but at times, he either seemed too nice or too wishy-washy, but in the end, I understood why he acted how he did.  I wish he could’ve been more of a man to tell Alexis the truth from the beginning, especially since they were such good friends, but as the book progressed, Alexis had her own faults.  I admired Johnathan’s character for picking up the slack where his immediate family left off (excluding his step-mother…I loved Anna!), which said a lot for the kind of man he was.  I found it to be a refreshing side in a man!  (Readers, I advise you on not giving up on this Hero).

I liked Alexis, as she seemed poised, sophisticated, and direct, I couldn’t really relate to her, then I remind myself that it’s not about the female’s POV, and continued on – but that didn’t stop me from wanting more dialogue, just so that I could understand her a little better.  I felt sorry for Alexis when Johnathan chose to keep the secret about Kellie’s pregnancy.

While the book focused a lot on their relationship, I never felt any real chemistry between Johnathan and Alexis-not even as friends-but since this is the first book, maybe it’s supposed to be that way.

There is quite a bit of technical word usage when it comes to Johnathan’s at work, and most I didn’t understand, but considering what he does, it made sense.  I just wish there hadn’t been so much, because I thought I took away from the main point of this book.  As for writing in a male POV, I think that Elizabeth Ann West wrote as accurate as we ladies think that a man would think!  It was an interesting read, with twists that kept me hooked, and left me with questions, so I’ll definitely be picking up the next read about Johnathan!

I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars!

**Click HERE to read my interview with Elizabeth!