Chick Lit Goddess

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

Writing

Why I Love AND Hate Writing At B&N

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Awhile ago, I posted two blogs that relate to this one.  Here they are Blog 1 and Blog 2.

When my husband suggested that we go to the bookstore on Saturday to work, it melted my heart, because I (usually) love writing in a place where I’m most comfortable and inspired.  Sadly, the bookstore was packed (though a great thing for B&N), so we came home.  I was fortunate to get some writing done, and even stayed up until 5:30 Sunday morning to write!

On Sunday morning, with the hubby at a friend’s house brewing beer, I decided to head to the bookstore to write.  I was disappointed when there wasn’t a place near a plug, but hey, at least I was there writing.  Finally, I saw two college-aged women who were sitting in a corner by a plug, start to pack up, so in the meantime, I gathered my stuff and waited for them to leave.  Ahh, finally, I thought, now I’m content. As time progressed, many people started filing in, which became very distracting, not because of the adults or whining babies, but because of the teenagers!  The Cafe in the B&N was crammed with cliquish teenagers who had brought their cool brand new (I’m assuming) laptops and were chugging down coffee, in the “Venti” size.  (Why don’t they just say large or extra-large?)  It was obvious that they were “working” on their assignments they had put off to the last minute, which of course, are due today.  It had turned into a teenage bar!  After trying to ignore them for half an hour, I couldn’t focus on my work, and decided to go back home, feeling disappointed and frustrated because I really hadn’t made any real progress.

Lesson to be learned:  If you plan on getting some work done on the weekends at B&N, just stay home, because you’ll definitely be more productive.  If you must work there, do it on a week day, because the kids are in school and or, are busy with other activities.

A Friday Surprise From My Hubby, For Finishing My Book?

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Yesterday, I updated my “News” tab on my page, and wanted to share it as a blog.

March 5th: So, today, 13 days away from my original deadline, my husband said that he would give me a “surprise”…if I finish the book by THIS Friday!  That’s 6 days away!  I think he’s out of his brilliant mind, but usually his surprises arepretty damn wonderful, so I’m seriously considering his offer!  (Do I dare put myself through 6 days of some intense writing?) 🙂

Writers, how do your boyfriends/girlfriends/husbands/wives reward you after you have finished your book?

Writing THE END!

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When I began writing my book, I really never thought that it would turn into a book.  That was not my intention, at least at that time.  I was taking online writing classes and was just doing my assignments, but then something happened — I couldn’t stop!  My characters were beginning to be my friends, and I knew their secrets.  Like with friends, we had our disagreements and didn’t always get along, and sometimes we didn’t talk to each other for days, even weeks at the most, but we always came back together.  Not only my characters, but also the storyline I was creating, followed me wherever I went — it was all I thought about.  As the words kept flowing, the story began to go somewhere, and just like that, I was halfway, and then I was three-quarters of the way finished…

Now, as my deadline nears, I find that I’m having trouble writing the ending.  Maybe it’s because I don’t know, because I haven’t ever written one, but I think it goes deeper than that.  I really think that I’m not wanting to say my goodbyes to my “friends,” and I certainly don’t want the storyline to end, I want to know what happens to them!  Yes, I’m sure that it sound selfish, but this is the first book I’ve ever written.  My deadline is 13 days away, and I know I’ll make it, but until then, I’ll be loving the heart out of writing my book!

 

What My Characters Are Doing When I’m Not Writing…

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So, for about a day now, I haven’t written at all, and I’m okay with that, because when I do get back to my story, I know that I will have come back with more motivation and inspiration.  I will have more of a clear head, and my “friend,” Mr. Writer’s Block, will be gone.  Okay, that’s a lie.  Mr. Block hasn’t come for a visit, but I’d like to use that as an excuse.

This brings me to wonder, “What are my characters doing when I’m not writing?”  As I stare at the point I left off at, my characters are staring at me, I am here at my desk, staring back at them.  It’s almost as if we’re playing a staring game, and I will not let them win.

I will be the one who determines their future…It will be me who makes the first move!  I hold all the power…

Now, in order to do that, I feel that I must observe what they are doing when I’m not writing.  First, I read the beginning of the scene that I have put them in, (though mostly I just scan the scene, because if I really read, then I the editor in me will want to jump in and take charge).  I try to pay attention to the mood, but not just my characters, mine as well, because often times, my mood isn’t the same as it before.  Since I’m writing from my Heroine’s POV, I toss my hair back (like a celeb), getting into character and continue on my writing journey.

If you happen to be lucky, and who knows exactly what your characters are up to when you’re not with them, then good for you, (I envy you!)

My Characters…

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After getting the idea from someone’s blog, I have to say that the idea really struck a chord with me, one I can’t seem to forget.

The idea was to find celebs that resembled their characters, so here are mine:

Lucy, my main Heroine:

The Heroine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nathan, the main Hero:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rachel, the heroine’s best friend:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jackson, is Lucy’s ex-fiance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bradley is Jackson’s boyfriend, and a friend to Lucy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

After posting this, I’m sure that my reader are questioning me, and I’m even questioning myself, but this is how I see them…or at least until the book is published.  🙂

The Title Of…Your Book!

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Last year, at the very beginning of my book, I had a title for my book.  It was going to be Second Thoughts of the Sexless Fiancée, but then the characters began “speaking,” and thing changed drastically.  Now, I’m writing the end of my book and I still don’t have a title!  Yes, I could just call it “Book 1,” but who wants that on the cover of their first book?  I certainly don’t.  I have put my heart and soul into this book, and I think that it deserves to have something really catchy, along the same lines as it was originally named.  I’m not saying that the title has to grab the reader, though that would be nice, but I’m really thinking about the characters and the story that I think needs to be told.

So, tonight I’m wondering, how do you come up with titles of your books?

Do You Reward Yourself?

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Do you make writing deadlines?  If so, do you reward yourself after making it?

I’m about to finish what I hope will be my first published book, and I’m already thinking of how I’m going to reward myself.  Like I’ve posted on my blogs before, my deadline is on my 30th birthday — 16 days away, (PANIC)!  The fact that I will be able to say, “I wrote a book,” is going to be awesome, but what else do I get from saying that, what is my reward?  Since the editing process and finding someone to want my book, it probably won’t be published anytime soon, I’m in need of something to keep me going, and able to write my second book.

As I write this, I’m curious as to why saying it isn’t enough for me?  Is it the fact that I want people to see me in a different light, rather than just a daughter, a wife, and sister?

What did you do to celebrate finishing your first book?