Chick Lit Goddess

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

Writing

New Blog, New Ideas?

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Like I’ve mentioned before, there will soon be changes to Chick Lit Goddess!  Since one of my Christmas gifts was an upgrade to my WordPress hosted website (read about my Christmas gifts HERE), I can now add all the buttons, widgets, themes, and everything else I could imagine.

Right now I’m in the middle of setting up the new layout, and I can’t decide which one I like.  I didn’t know how difficult this would be, nor do I want to be changing it all the time — I want to be known for a certain layout, colors, and design.  I am the Chick Lit Goddess, hear me roar!  One thing I can tell you is that I have decided what the main colors will be, (my wedding colors if this give anyone a clue).

What I need help is on knowing what you, the reader and faithful follower would like to see more/less of?  What widgets, apps, and/or links would you like to see?

Any advice, comments, or ideas would be most helpful!

Where Will You End Up?

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I came across this picture and thought it would be fitting for the beginning of 2012

I ask you the following questions…

1. Where do you want to be this time next year?

2. How do you anticipate making that happen?

3. Who will you advise to help you get there?

4. How will you motivate yourself?

5. When you finally get there, how will you reward yourself?

Sleeping With Paris

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Book Review for “Sleeping With Paris”

“Sleeping With Paris,” by Juliette Sobanet

All is right in Charlotte Summers’ life.  She’s quit her job to move with her fiancé, Jeff, to Paris so that she can study French at a highly acclaimed university.  When she goes to Jeff’s office to surprise him (an expensive bottle of champagne in hand to celebrate) he’s not there, so she sits down at his desk and signs into her email to look at pictures of their apartment in Paris as she daydreams about their upcoming adventure.  Suddenly a message from another woman pops up, and soon she learns the truth, that her beloved Jeff has signed himself up on a dating website and has been cheating on her.

Leaving Jeff behind she decides to still to Paris to achieve her goals.  At first she’s devastated at her broken engagement and longs for Jeff to call her and say he’s made a horrible mistake and that he’s coming to Paris to be with her.  After a few days of sulking she get up out of bed and begins a blog based on how women should learn to date more like a man.  Along the way Charlotte makes new friends, and without giving too much away, one of her French suitors brings a whole new way of thinking about chocolate and sex.

At the end, Charlotte has an opportunity to be with Jeff when they are both in a wedding.  Does she take him up on his offer, or does she kick him to the curb for good, and start over with the suitor I mentioned before, the “Half-Naked French Hottie?” 

“Sleeping With Paris” by Juliette Sobanet was one of the best books I read in 2011!  It’s a true Chick Lit, and one I will never forget.

From the beginning I liked Charlotte.  She was a no-nonsense kind of woman and I find that very refreshing.  Just because her fiancé cheated on her, that didn’t stop her from doing what she wanted to do, which I thought was very brave.  I think Juliette wrote a very real character in Charlotte, and I felt that I could relate to in many ways.

All of Charlotte’s suitors were very interesting men.  I loved how they all weren’t so much alike.  At times I couldn’t decide who I wanted her with, but in the end I loved who the choice was.  (I’m not going to spoil it for you.  You have to read the book).

Not only is this book an exciting read, it’s also gives you a few French lessons through dialogue.  If you can’t understand French, don’t worry; you’ll still understand every word.  I found myself swiping the pages on my iPad quicker and quicker as the story continued on, even when it was four in the morning and I was halfway asleep.

I recommend “Sleeping With Paris” to anyone who enjoys Chick Lit, wants a light-hearted sweet love story, and to anyone who loves Paris!

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

**Click HERE to read my Guest Interview with Juliette

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

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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?

I’ll Admit It, I Love My Kindle, But…

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

For my first blog in 2012 (wow, that felt weird to type), I’d like to bring up a topic which most are black or white, with only a few in the grey area.  I’m talking about the love for the way you read whether it’s from an e-book or a hardback/paperback.  When I began this blog I was new to the e-book way of life, and I didn’t appreciate it as much as I do now.  I even wrote a BLOG about it.

This was before I found myself reading books to be reviewed, and not just for pleasure.  Now that I have established myself enough to be honored to be called a reviewer, it is easy for me to see now how much and e-book is such a necessity!  I can read pretty much anywhere – in the grocery line, in the car while the hubby’s driving, a doctor’s office, just to name a few examples of why it’s nice to have an e-book!  Having both, an iPhone and an iPad, are the two things I said that I would never have — I was strictly a Blackberry girl, but since changing over, it’s made my reading and reviewing life easier!  Can we say yee-haw?!  Oh, and to show you just how non-technical I am, just this week learned that I could sync where I was reading to another device!  I’m all for ebooks now, except that…

They’re not the “real” thing!  Has any ever thought about how there might now be anymore book signings?  (I’ve always wanted to go to one).  Just today I was watching TV the show I was watching was talking about how much books are worth.  Would this be the case in the e-book world?  I love to be able to see books on their shelves, but as a book collector I’m running out of space (This doesn’t make the hubby happy – ha, ha, ha!).

Where do you stand on this topic?

The Book I Wish I Would Have Written

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Have you ever read a book to finish it and say, “Wow, that was good.  I wish I had written it.”  Whether it’s a book that’s in your writing genre, a #1 Bestseller, or even a simple paperback you bought at the grocery store, there are books that have had you in such awe, and left you wondering if you can/would’ve written something to amazing.

I’ve read 5 books like that and I’d like to share them:

#5)  The Mitford Series by Jan Karon

#4)  THE NOTEBOOK by Nicholas Sparks

#3)  ROGUE by Danielle Steel

#2)  Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

#1)  WIDEACRE by Philippa Gregory

I thought about sharing a little bit about why I’d love to say that I have written them, but what I’d love more is for you to read them yourself and see what you think.  So, how about reading these books in 2012 (if you haven’t already), and letting me know what you think?

Another thing to think about is, what book do you wish you would’ve written?

Family Time = Story Topics? Just Maybe!

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Doesn’t it seem that from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day you see so many of your family members, some even that you’ve not seen in months or years?  This can lead to wonderful writing, and for all genres!  Whether you’re in a family like the Clever’s, the Cosby’s, the Modern Family, or even if you’re like the Griswold’s, as a writer can’t you “see” the #1 Bestseller on the shelf written by you?

I’m not saying that you have to copy “Aunt Martha’s” very religious way of life, or base a character off of “Cousin Becky’s midnight rendezvous with the married man next door neighbor, or drink as much as everyone claiming “we’re not alcoholics, we just like to have fun,” but I am recommending that if you’re stuck with your writing, think of your family.  Take the most interesting person in your family, and write about them being complete opposite!  Sounds fun, huh?  Try it, and I promise you won’t be disappointed!

See, spending time with family can be not only fun, but helpful too!

What I Got For Christmas & Some VERY Exciting News

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Merry (Belated) Christmas everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday.

When I was growing up I always got the question, “What do you want for Christmas?”  “Books,” I would reply.  Well I’m now thirty and my answer hasn’t changed.  If anything my want for books is even more so now.

Christmas Books, 2011

In my family at Christmas we all draw names to see who will be one another’s Secret Santa.  Well, I got really lucky this year and the youngest member in the family (she’s 5) drew me!  I made a list that consisted of grammar books and pajamas; she didn’t disappoint!  Along with a set of comfy pajamas, here are the two books she got for me:

Essentials of English Grammar: The Quick Guide to Good English is a must have for writers!  It is a great resource if you want a simple review of grammar.  This book answers any and every question that you might have about anything about grammar and style.  Whether it’s about how to write certain types of numbers (ages, dates, or times) in sentences, or knowing where to place the right punctuation, it’s all in this book.  It doesn’t matter if you’re a writer or not, I highly recommend this book to anyone who writes!  (I encourage you to walk-no, run-or click-to the nearest bookstore and get this book.  I promise, you will not be sorry!)

Clean, Well-Lighted Sentences: A Guide to Avoiding the Most Common Errors in Grammar and Punctuation I recommend this book to anyone who is in the editing process of their book, or just wants a refresher on making strong sentences.  From learning how to use adverbs the right way, modifiers, and tenses, this book will help you put the finishing pieces to your work.  I predict that I will be carrying this book with me everywhere I go since I find myself obsessed with the editing process.  (Yes, I know I’m a grammar nerd.)

Here is a very special thank you to my favorite little girl!  I love the books, and I love you!

My husband really scored when it came time to open his gifts.  He got me 3 books that I’ve never seen before, and a little something special which I cannot wait to share the news with y’all!

Lust: A Dictionary for the Insatiable is a book that any romance and/or Chick Lit writer needs to have!  In this 155 page book, it is filled with lustful terms with simple definitions for the sometimes very kinky words.  I was pleasantly surprised to find so many words that I didn’t know.  This is a book I will definitely be using when I write another book in 2012, whenever that might be.  As a Chick Lit writer aren’t I allowed some scenes that almost push you (the reader) to the limit and drive you wild with desire?  Well, this book is here to help with that, and what a help it will be.  (Is erotica in my future?  Just maybe!)

Have you ever wondered where certain expressions come from?  In Spilling the Beans on the Cat’s Pajamas explains from A to Z the heritage of where the slang terms come from.  While some think that this book might not seem like it pertains to writing, I think it does because I see it as a great way help define a character in a story.  I’m on page 30 of the 160 page book, but so far my favorite one is “All the cats love fish, but fear to wet their paws.”  This is “a traditional saying, dating back to at least the early sixteenth century, used to describe a person who is eager to obtain something of value, but who is not bold enough to make the necessary effort or to take the risk.”  It says that William Shakespeare referred to in Macbeth.

Descriptionary: A Thematic Dictionary (Facts on File: Writer’s Library) is an amazing book!  Every writer has to have this book!  If you know the word, but want to elaborate on it, it lists types of adjectives for a certain type of anything and then gives the definition for that word.  For example: If you say, “She was eating bread,” but by having this book it can help you strengthen the details to change it to, “She was eating bannock while she sipped on her coffee.”  This can also help readers gain knowledge through vocabulary.  I cannot tell you how much I love this book!

As you can see, it was a wonderful Christmas, and I got these amazing books that will help continue to help me down the path of my writing journey…

Oh yes, that’s right, I said I had some news to share.  Well, I hope I’ve kept you in enough suspense, so here goes!  As one of my presents from my husband (the IT guy), he told me how he had been working on updating my website.  Many of you know that my website is from the wonderful WordPress.com blogging site, but it’s now been upgraded.  You’re wondering what that means, right?  Well I was too, until he showed me in “presentation” form of how it will be different.  I cannot yet share the much-anticipated NEW blog with you yet, but I can promise that BIG and EXCITING changes are coming to the Chick Lit Goddess website!  In advance, I thank my faithful readers for being with me from the beginning, and to my new followers, I thank you for stopping by.  I hope that you come back very soon!

From my family to yours, I wish you a wonderful holiday season!

Karen DeLabar

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I met this amazing woman, Karen DeLabar, from Twitter.  She’s a classy and witty lady, and one I’d like to call a friend.  I admire her passion for not only the love she has for her family, but for her writing.  She’s a dedicated wife and mother who does what she loves to do, which is write.  That’s only one of many reasons as to why I love her!  I am so happy Karen could join me at Chick Lit Goddess for a guest post during the holiday season!

What led you to writing, or is it something you’ve always done?  Expressing myself has always come natural to me and for most of my life my outlet for that expression was the stage. I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t want to be an actor; I even started college as a theatre major, but life didn’t take me towards the Great White Way. However, it did put a young man by the name of Eric in my path. It was my husband that pushed me to put my expressions down on paper. 

He has always been amazed at the vividness of my dreams and my ability to recall them the next morning. From day one of our relationship he said that I should be a writer but it wasn’t until after the birth of my second daughter, 10 years later, that I even entertained the thought. Eric introduced me to NaNoWriMo last year and challenged me to do it. Anyone knowing me knows that unless its physically impossible for me to do so, I almost always take a challenge. I wrote my first novel that month, or at least the start of a novel. Alas, its a novel that is currently sitting in the bottom drawer of my desk, but its there as a reminder that I can do it, that I want to do it.

I came alive that month, as corny as that sounds but its the truth. I was lost for awhile trying to figure out how to channel my creativity and need for connections with only two little babies at home with me. Writing gave me an outlet and lead me to meet some of the most interesting people the literary world has to offer.

At what moment did you consider yourself a writer?  I don’t remember the day but I definitely remember the moment. It was in early December last year, shortly after NaNo ended and I sat in my darkened dining room, the light of the blank computer screen my only light. I had just finished writing close to 72K in 25 days during NaNo and I felt drained, exhausted and yet… I had this itch. This bubbling inside my tummy. At the end of those 25 days I couldn’t coherently string two words together but in this moment story lines and dialogue came rushing at me from all directions. I couldn’t type fast enough. I think I even had that maniacal laugh delusional mad scientists are known for. It was great!

I do consider myself a writer, however, I’m a mom, too. And right now that comes first. There are days when I can write when they go to bed, or when they play nicely together, but unfortunately more often than not, my writing time is few and far between. But fear not, my oldest is going to be four… that means school is right around the corner. 😉

What’s a day in the life of Karen DeLabar?  Scary. You don’t want to know. Just kidding. Like I said above, its the life of a mom. I wake up to a very energetic and loud almost 4 year old declaring that she needs to pee. Every day. I usually lay in bed for another hour until I realize that I should have gotten up when she first awakened me because now I’m late. After waking up my youngest, I dress them both in something that I pray matches because my eyes are basically glued shut until I have my coffee. After they’re dressed, I grab a cup of coffee (because driving requires sight) and out the door we go to either school, or my mother-in-law’s for morning day care. 

So I have my mornings free, I should write, right? Nope. I wish, but the truth is, I can’t write in the morning. I’ve tried, I’ve failed. So, I do what any self-respecting writer would do… I head to Twitter. 🙂

After catching up with friends while doing some mindless chores around the house I pick the kids up after lunch and nap time comes. Wooooo! Now, I write. Wait, nope, not then either. I usually read or write (yay!) reviews (oh.) for the many wonderful authors I’ve met through my morning tweeting.

Sometimes at night there is dance class for the oldest and sometimes there are gym classes for me but our night’s fly by and before I know it, its bed time for the girls. If it’s a good day, I write, if it’s not, I watch tv with the hubs. Ah, the glamorous life of a mom.

When and how do you have time to write?  Well, you saw my day. It revolves around dropping off and picking up offspring, breaking up fights, teaching lessons on sharing and why you shouldn’t pull your dress up over your head in public. But on a good day, which means when the kids haven’t drained me of all conscious thought, I sit down after they go to bed at night and write. I may continue a review I started in the afternoon, I may pull up my WIP, or whip out a blog post or just write down thoughts I had during the day. Those are always my favorite nights. 

I’m definitely a night writer. I love the stillness of the night. The worries of the day seem to lose importance and I can focus on what I find to be important or inspiring.

What is your favorite genre to read?  To Write?  I’m a hopeless romantic. I love to read about happy endings because darn it, they just don’t happen in real life, do they? And if they do, not often enough. But the ones I really love reading and writing are the gut-wrenching, heart-breaking ones where two people find a way to accept the faults in each other and still find a way to be happy. 

With that said, I hate fluff stories. Give me drama, give me tears, and give me supernatural. There’s a darkness to supernatural stories that attracts me to no end it’s why I read them and now write them.

However, thanks to the people that I’ve met on Twitter I have read science fiction, thriller/suspense, urban fantasy, erotica and chick lit that I have all loved and left me wanting more. When it comes to reading I can honestly say that I’ll read anything as long as it’s a good story… and having some hot sex scenes thrown in there never hurts. 🙂

What writer(s) inspire(s) you?  Being of the romance persuasion I have to say that Nora Roberts is the one that got me addicted to genre so without a doubt she is my first inspiration. Her characters are accessible and her stories are easy to get swept away in. Julia Quinn’s historical romances are funny and heartwarming and when I need a quick pick me up I turn to her. For the supernatural I love Laurell K. Hamilton and JR Ward; those two are my favorites in the genre.

As for general writers, I’m going to get sappy here for a second, but the authors that I’ve met on Twitter inspire me to no end. It doesn’t matter if they are traditionally published or are doing it on their own, they all have a story to tell and will do their damnedest to see it out there. They network, they support each other, they beta read, copy edit and review each other’s work. It’s amazing to watch and I’m grateful to be a part of such a network.

What are your personal goals for your writing?  To write! Ack! Oh, if I could just write every day. So, you know what? My New Year’s resolution is to write every day. I don’t care if its five minutes a day or writing 5,000 words a day, I’m doing it. And I’m not even waiting for the new year. I know, I’m a rebel. 😉 I’ve already started and so far so good. 

So as long as I keep up that goal, my next one is to have a story ready to be published by summer. Whether that means I start looking for an agent or publisher or by doing the indie thing I haven’t decided, but dammit that story is going to be ready!

With the “Have Coffee…Will Write” being over with, tell us something about Writing on the Rocks?  Writing on the Rocks was meant to be a place for people to come together to read and review each other’s works. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out that way. But not all was lost. I’ve met some terrific writers through this venue who have opened me up to more channels of networking. The site, as it was, was shut down and integrated into my personal website. It’s currenlty being used as a home for my own reviews, interviews and blog posts.

Which do you prefer, ebook or paperback?  Tough one. I love the smell of books and I love seeing them on my bookshelves. I know that’s a bit weird but it’s like looking at them and seeing old friends. However, I love the accessibility my Kindle gives me. Anytime, anywhere a book is at my fingertips. And, there are times when I’m reading my Kindle and my fingers go to turn the page. It is quite surreal when I realize that I have to hit a button and not flip a page. 

So, to finally answer your question, I’ll go with ebook purely for the fact of having multiple books at the ready no matter where I am.

What has been your most proudest moment in your writing career?  When my book went live and I had 30 sales in the first 10 minutes and they were all from people I did not know. … Oh, wait, whoops. There goes my imagination again. 🙂 In all honestly, my proudest moment happened a few days ago and came to me by way of a request from a friend. 

I received an email from a friend, let’s call her Veruca,  who had dinner with a friend of hers. This friend seemed like someone who had the world wrapped around her finger, almost too perfect, you know? However, as the meal progressed Veruca learned that her friend’s life is far from perfect, in fact, her friend’s life holds some very tough struggles. Veruca left the dinner realizing that pretty much everyone has problems its just some are better at hiding them. It got her thinking about how everyone has their struggles and you never really know what is going on behind someone’s smile.

This is part of her email to me, “I was thinking about your blogs yesterday, and how they’re always so honest and mostly funny but sometimes just pure truth, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on a topic like this.” I was blown away by her email. The fact that she thought of me, my blog, the way I look at things and wanted me to write about it was something I held as a great compliment.

Writers take on difficult topics all the time. We break down human nature and inspect it in minute detail so we can truthfully, honestly, and reliably put it back together in a way for our readers to relate to. We hope to touch, to teach and to inspire a desire in our readers to question the meaning around them. Whether that inspiration comes through a comedy who wants you to take pleasure in the little things in life, or the spy thriller that makes you question government activities, or a romance that teaches you the meaning of love, our goal is to portray life openly and honestly. Veruca’s comments to me led me to believe that I’m on the right track with my work.

I have to say I was pretty proud at that moment. 🙂

It’s a known thing that you like scotch.  Is that your drink of choice when writing, or to inspire new ideas?  Both?  I started drinking Scotch a couple of years ago while I read Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. Her characters were always drinking it and I thought, “why not?” So I started… and now I can’t stop. 🙂 

I’ll admit that after a tough day I’ll relax with a snifter of Scotch (straight, no rocks) and let the worries of the day melt away. I by no means have a drinking problem, but it does help me relax and I have a wicked inner editor that 2 fingers of Scotch can help quell. But I’m not biased either, I’ll drink any alcoholic beverages while writing. 😉 However, I do have to say when I’m writing reviews Pinot Grigio is my go to drink of choice. I don’t know why, but it helps me formulate ideas about other’s work. However, just so everyone knows, I always finish my reviews at night and reread them the next day… sober. 🙂

Do you have any upcoming projects?  I’m currently working on the first in a trilogy about two warring kingdoms existing just outside the realm of our world. It has magic, sex, humor and heartache, all the things I love to read and write about. I’m hoping to have it ready to go this coming summer. I’ll definitely keep you posted!

**For more information on Karen DeLabar, please visit her at the following:

Facebook.com

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Goodreads

Twitter

www.writingontherocks.com