Chick Lit Goddess

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Writing

Chick Lit: U.S.A. and the U.K.

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It’s stories like THIS (where London captures hearts, and new writers are born).  I hear the most about Chick Lit authors – even Emily Giffin did it!

Top 10 British Chick Lit Writers

As for US Chick Lit, I couldn’t really find a good list to share.  (If you have a good list, please add it below in the comments section.  I would love to look it over, and I might even add it to this post).

Now it’s time to talk about book covers?  I came across THIS post about book covers.  Interesting, huh?  What are you thoughts about covers in America and the United States?

What is it about U.K. that inspires Chick Lit writers to come out of the woods?  It’s for this reason that I would move to London (where I would have tea and crumpets with Will and Kate, and maybe even the Queen!), and I’d become famous after writing the next bestseller!  I know, I know, it’s a dream…It’s always just a dream!  If I didn’t love being a Texas girl so much, I would move (bringing my husband and our twelve-year-old cat with me).  “While Chick Lit has (a) massive competitive market in the U.K.,” there is no real evidence if  it’s more popular than in the U.S., says Chick Lit author, Nicola May.

In closing, I know THIS is an old article, but it means a lot to me.  So, my dreams of one day making a life in England can still be a reality? Yes, just maybe!

It’s Fun Friday

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I love necklaces. Simple, signature necklaces. Nothing too fancy, nor too plain. When I saw “Up All Night” and saw Christian Applegate‘s character wear the necklace that read her daughter’s name, Amy, I knew it was perfect for me! There was only episode where I caught her without it. It made me want one!

A few weeks ago on the Today Show, I saw a segment called “Jill’s Steels and Deals.” That’s where I saw that Baublebar.com being advertised! So, I decided to make a necklace in honor of me on Twitter, ILA121209!

While (for some) it not easy to see, it looks better in person. The letters are all caps, so it makes sense, especially between the “L” and “A!’ Yes, it’s not what I expected, but it’s not that bad! I’m proud of this necklace and I am proud to wear it! I love it! I’m proud to wear a necklace that symbolizes me!Well, last week I finally got it, so I thought I’d share it with you!

From here on out I will wear this necklace frequently, and I know people will ask. In fact, I want them to!

Happy Friday, y’all!

I’ve Missed Y’all!

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Hey!  It’s been a week since I’ve written anything, but last week was insane — in a very good way!

Here’s just a small part of what I’ve been working on, and what’s coming up this week on Chick Lit Goddess!

Monday: Guest Post by Nancy Scrofano

Tuesday: Read my book review of Nancy’s book ,”True Love Way”

Wednesday: Read my book review of Gillian Duffy’s book, “The L.A. Commandments” (A guest interview will be coming soon on a TBD date).

Thursday: A blog post will be up about why I think Chick Lit is more popular in the U.K.

Friday: A “Fun Friday” post will be up about a new necklace I just bought!  (It’s so pretty!)

The L.A. Commandments

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Book review of “The L.A. Commandments”

“The L.A. Commandments,” by Gillian Duffy

Desperate to get away from recession in Dublin and their complex families, Joanne and Suzie head to Los Angles, California to start a new life.  They plan on spending days shopping, soaking up the sun on the beach, enjoying the nightlife, and meeting new people.  They set rules for themselves, the most important being “thou shall not fall in love,” but not everything goes according to plan.

Joanne “Jo” and Marc = Not complicated!  There’s little drama (except for at the end), and they seem to be in sync with one another.  At first there isn’t attraction on Jo’s part, but it’s because Marc (who’s part of a band) is shy, doesn’t talk much, and is a fool.  They get over this hump and realize they have more in common than they thought.  They spend countless days and evenings together, sometimes not even leaving the bedroom.  When Marc goes back home to take care of his mom, they stay together through texts, phone calls, and emails, patiently waiting for the day he returns back to L.A.  When he does, it’s like he never left.  Soon after, Marc tells Jo that he has to leave again to go on tour, and asks her to come with him.  Jo is beyond excited to be traveling around with her man.  While at the beginning of the tour, something happens so tragically that Jo goes back home to Dublin.  While Jo’s in Dublin, everything changes.  When she sees a picture of Marc and another woman together, she is shocked, and demands answers!  Who’s to blame for this, and will these two stay together?  I think I’m spoiling it, so you’ll have to read the book!

Suzie and Chris = Complicated! When Suzie meets Chris for the first time, it’s love at first sight – but only on her end.  She often sits at the bar watching (starting at) him while he works.  Most of the time, she’s unable to say a word to him, because she gets tongue-tied.  While Chris notices her, he’s definitely not a one-woman man!  Most everyone tells Suzie he’s not good for her, but she doesn’t listen.  Jo warns her to be careful, but there’s only so much she can do.  On the other hand, there’s Paul, sweet Paul.  He worships the ground Suzie walks on and would like to be with her, but he knows that she only has eyes for Chris.  When Suzie finds something out about Chris, she then sees the light.  But when Suzie realizes she still has some ties to him, she’s devastated and scared, (I wish I could say what happens, but that would spoil it).  After time has passed, Suzie is back in the swing of things and acting like her old self, but could it be to all the time she’s been spending with her “friend” Paul?  Do these two ever become more than friends?

I loved this book!  I loved the characters, and thought they were really well written.  When each chapter ended, I wanted to keep reading because of twists and turns!  And what’s not to love about hot men who speak with accents!  The friendship between Jo and Suzie is so close, that it seems that they could be sisters.  While I don’t have a sister, I have someone like a sister, so I definitely related to this book.  During happy, sad, and devastating times, these girls are there for one another, and that means something to me – it’s one of my favorite parts of why Chick Lit is what it is!

Gillian Duffy has written a very memorable book, one that I loved from start to finish, (I even cried at the end)!

If you’re looking for a book to give to your sister or a girlfriend who is like one, this is the book for you!  It would also make a perfect summer read!

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

**Click HERE to read my interview with the author, Gillian Duffy!

Nancy Scrofano

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Author Bio: Nancy Scrofano is the author of True Love Way and writes book reviews for a prestigious book review magazine. Additionally, she is the founder and managing editor of The Chick Lit Bee, a book blog that promotes and celebrates women’s fiction. Nancy is at work on her next novel.

Guest Post: Chick lit is my favorite genre by far. These stories provide comedy, support, hot topics, romance, and fun to readers. Authors have the ability to connect with readers and show them, with the words on each page, that their feelings are shared with others. The novels in the chick lit genre represent a united front of strength and courage among women. I love the fact that these stories are mainly for women, by women. Issues that women face are depicted with humor, humility, joy, sadness, and triumph. Since I love reading these books so much, I know it is the right genre for me as a writer, too.

Many people criticize chick lit as being predictable, but for chick lit fans, that is the very reason we love it. It provides comfort to us, like listening to an old friend tell us a story. We know there will be a happy ending, and that’s exactly what we want. The stories probably won’t change the world but they can change people and affect attitudes and moods through entertainment. The characters remind us of ourselves, our close friends, our families, and our colleagues. It is satisfying to be able to relate to characters so well.

Chick lit is a collection of novels that deals with topics women are interested in by showing character growth through uplifting stories. The genre is constantly changing and evolving as new authors join it. I’m incredibly proud and honored to be a chick lit author. I have received wonderful support from other authors in the genre who have welcomed me with generosity and encouragement. I love being part of a group of intelligent, thoughtful, creative writers who understand the issues women face and who have been given the gift of being able to write about these subjects in ways that truly speak to readers. Simply put: I write chick lit because I love chick lit.

**Visit Nancy at any of the below links:

Nancy Scrofano

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

**Click HERE to read my review of True Love Way!

True Love Way

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Book review of “True Love Way”

“True Love Way,” by Nancy Scrofano

**Watch the trailer of True Love Way HERE!**

Marlo Spencer loves to live in past!  She loves old TV shows – The Brady Bunch, I Love Lucy, and Dick Van Dike, just to name a few.  She is known to collect old things, and is proud of having her Brady Bunch lunchbox.  Her Malibu is cluttered with everything vintage and she doesn’t care.  Nik, her best male friend, doesn’t understand what the fascination is, and even complains about it, but he accepts her as she is.  I loved these two together, and I could relate to their close friendship.  Their dialogue reminded of how an old married couple would sound.

When Marlo receives an email from Josh, Nik doesn’t like it at all!  It’s a little bit obvious that Nik might have feelings for her, but it’s not until the end do we find out what else he could be hiding.

Nik decides to follow Marlo to Napa so she can hopefully rekindle their romance and go through with the “pact” with Josh, the man who left her twelve years ago without saying goodbye, he decides it’s time to spend time with his sister, Savannah, and her daughter.  After they get to Napa, it’s a whirlwind of emotions for everyone involved – Marlo, Nik, Josh, and Savannah, Marlo’s best friend and Nik’s sister.  While Marlo wants things with Josh to be in sync, they’re not.  Things with Savannah don’t seem right either – it’s not until towards the end is everything revealed.  What’s found out could harm relationships – even friendships!  I think it came full circle and turned out how it was supposed to.  I was very pleased with the ending!  (Great way to end it, Nancy Scrofano!)  If I said anymore, I’d spoil it – so read the book!  You won’t want to miss it!

After reading the plot of True Love Way, it sounded like a cute book, so I decided to review it!  The title and cover also swayed me.  Like I do with most book, I dove right into this one late at night and I didn’t want to stop.  The only thing I would change is Savannah’s character.  I wish she felt a little more emotion for…(if i told you, then I’d spoil it).  True Love way was a quick and fun read.  All the characters are believable, and the storyline is filled with twists and turns.  At the end of each chapter, you’ll want to begin the next!  I couldn’t put it down!  I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fun and quick beach read!

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars!

**Click HERE to read the author’s guest post!

Confident Monday

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It seems that every Monday people say they will start or stop doing something, (start a diet, start writing a book, stop overindulging in sweets, and start your writing journey).  It’s Monday once again, so to begin the week I want to start y’all off with a positive quote.  Whatever you do (or don’t do), I know you can do it!

Have  a great week!

It’s Fun Friday

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Please don’t let the picture below make you want to click off this blog post.  I’m going to share just a few reasons why I like-no, why I love-this Kardashian-Odom woman!

Khloe Kardashian-Odom

I am by no means obsessed with reality-TV, but one day when I was sick, I got hooked on the Kardashian family.  Kim was my favorite, followed by Kourtney, and then Khloe.  That changed when I learned more about their highly dramatic family.  I won’t go into that, but rather I’d rather talk about why I admire and respect the youngest Kardashian, now turned Kardashian-Odom.  Of all the people in the “K” family, some even turned “Jenner,” she’s the one who isn’t in it for the drama, nor her looks.

Khloe: I love her!  I love for the woman she’s become.  She’s overcome hard times, (her father died of cancer, she went to jail for a DUI, she’s gained a lot and lost a lot of weight, and since she’s a celebrity, she’s criticized for each and every move she makes).  I’d like to think that she and I are a lot a like, and here’s why.  We both love our families, are outspoken women, love our husbands to pieces, and think that “friendship” is the root of a marriage.

The Khloe Kardashian-Odom/Jenner Family

Khloe on Family: Khloe has more love and respect for her family than any other celebrity that I know.  Her mom, Kris Jenner, can criticize her for her weight and call her “fat,” but Khloe says it’s all out of love.  Since Kris is her manager (and manager of her other daughters, and son Robert), Khloe respects mother’s judgment and harsh words.  While Khloe might seem “blunt,” and “direct,” as some people call her, she’s the only one who told Kim that her marriage to Kris Humphries would be a bad idea…and she was right.  (HERE is my blog about Kim’s marriage).

Mr. & Mrs. Lamar Odom

Khloe on Marriage: Khloe’s marriage to basketball player, Lamar Odom, came as a surprise.  The had known each other for nine, yes nine, days before they became engaged in 2009, and they are still going strong.  On some blogs and websites, it’s been said that they are one of the strongest celebrity couples.  I agree.  When Lamar got traded to the Dallas Mavericks, I thought it was cool that she made the move with him.  She even Tweeted, “I ride or die for my Lam! It’s where I go… It’s who I am with :),” and then, “I can survive anywhere…As long as I’m with Lam I’m good”  I love her ways of thinking about marriage.  If you watch her spinoff show, Khloe and Lamar, you will see how much these two love one another.  Just because they got married very soon after meeting one another, that doesn’t mean anything.  Oh, and they also made an Unbreakable scent together, (I have it, and LOVE it!)  One more thing, Khloe makes it a big deal about how much Lamar dotes on her, and makes her feel beautiful – no matter that, and that’s one think I love about them-that they show how much they love each other.  Khloe and Lamar, I wish you a very happy life together.

(Her) Weight: Khloe has always been judged about how she looks, but mostly about her weight.  Just recently, she’s been on several talk shows where every interviewer has asked about her weight.  I think it’s inspiring that she finds “curves sexy,” and that she’s comfortable in her own skin.  That’s hot!  I found THIS to be an amazing view of how she thinks about her weight, and about weight in general.

Anyway, when I woke up on Monday and found out that she’d be moving back to L.A. because Lamar and the Dallas Mavs have parted ways, I was sad.  She and Lamar had once lived at the hotel where I got married, The Rosewood Crescent Hotel, and she’d filmed her spinoff show in part of Dallas where I live.

In closing, Khloe has taught me that not every celebrity is alike, and that she’s her own person, no matter what!  I’ll always cheer for her and Lamar, as I wish them love and luck wherever they are!

What We Give Up, To Get A Great Reward

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I had a hard time coming up with what to write for today’s blog, but then I saw THIS blog post, I knew I had found my topic!  Perfect!

As writers, we are fortunate to be able to be on the go-wherever, whenever, and with anyone!  This is a perk, but it’s also a challenge.  We give up so much of ourselves to be with our characters, that it’s hard to juggle fiction vs. real life.  Here are five biggest distractions that we seem to give up when our book consumes our life:

FAMILY: Spending time with my family is very important to me.  It’s something I’ve treasured for a long time, and as I age, I want to spend more time with them.  So, when NaNoWriMo hit, the same month as Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday), and family came to town, I knew it was time to push it into high gear.  It was my first time to partake in NaNoWriMo, but I won.  Yes, I missed out in bonfires on the ranch and bonding with family, and watching football (go Cowboys), but when it was November 30th, at 11:59 p.m., it was over.  I had won NaNoWriMo, and I was happy!  (I must also say that I went to Orlando for a “Girl’s Only” weekend with my sister!  I wrote and she supported me!  I still have to tell her how much spending time with her helped my story).

My advice: Spend time with family as much as you can, but make each moment count!

FRIENDS:  I am thankful for my friends.  My true friends have been there from the moment I wanted to be a writer, and have supported me throughout this journey.  I love spending time with them, whether it’s going to Vino 100 for a night out on the town or staying home to play Settlers of Catan, I feel at “home” with my friends-my true friends!  Though, there comes a time when saying, “No, I can’t go out tonight,” can change your life.  Deciding to stay home on a few occasions in November helped add to the MS, word by word, and chapter by chapter.

My advice:  Surround yourself with friends that support you!  You’ll be glad you did!

EXERCISE:  Taking care of your self by exercising is very important.  It doesn’t matter if you’re under or overweight, exercise is (and should be) a factor in your life.  Often when I’m writing my MS and I get struck with writer’s block, going for a walk (thirty minutes at the most) can help jumpstart my writing.  It gets me back on track, and helps me reevaluate where I am and why my characters are doing and/or saying something.

My advice:  Doing something physical for thirty minutes a day can help you not only improve your health, but it might give you inspiration for you MS.

HOLIDAYS:  I’ve already mentioned how writing can be stressful during the holidays, but from January to December, doesn’t it always seem like there’s a holiday coming up.  Can this add more stress to you “career” as a writer?  Yes!

My advice:  Celebrate the holidays, but don’t stress about your writing.  Think of the holiday as a vacation, just for that day specifically, and know that you’ll get back to it the next day!  Most of all, don’t worry about anything, and have a wonderful day off-you deserve it!

LIFE:  Before you were a writer, you were a person.  Go out, and have fun.  (By doing this, it give you a chance to come up with more story ideas).  Find new hobbies, meet new friends, go to a sporting event or concert!  Live life breath by breath, because if you don’t you’re going to miss it!

My advice:  Do NOT let your book(s) consume your life!  There is more to life than writing.  Enjoy it!

My biggest message to you is that as writers we give up so much, but it’s okay to not make it your entire lie.  You can have both!  Just use your time wisely!