The World According to ChickLitGurrl™

Where the WORD is IT :: Editorial/Writing Assistance offered by author, editor, educator Shōn Bacon

YA Author Coe Booth Talks to ChickLitGurrl December 15, 2008

Filed under: Shon Bacon, chicklitgurrl, publicity, the writing life — Shon @ 3:00 am
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ChickLitGurrl Talks to young adult author Coe Booth about her latest novel, KENDRA!

INTERVIEW EXCERPT


CLG: Both KENDRA and your debut novel, TYRELL are young adult novels – what initiated your desire to write novels for teens [and for those who love a good read]?

CB: I’ve always wanted to write for teens. Even when I was writing my little pretend “novels” in elementary school, the main characters were always teenagers. The teen years have always held a special place for me. I guess it’s because there’s so much going on then, so many important decisions and so many heightened emotions. I find it very exciting to write about teens because they go through so many experiences, and often for the first time.

CLG: You’re walking down the street and you feel like a million bucks – what song plays in the background?

CB: “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé. That song always makes me laugh!

CLG: Many people believe that good writers are also voracious readers. What are three of your favorite books, and why do they make the list?

CB: My favorite books are THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD by Zora Neale Hurston, THE SOUND AND THE FURY by William Faulkner, and OF MICE AND MEN by John Steinbeck. I love books with real characters and authentic dialogue, and in all three of these books the characters are unforgettable and the dialogue just jumps off the page. These books are REAL!

Check out the rest of Coe Booth’s interview @ ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING!

ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING

Chocolate-caramel lattes + Women writers = ONE GREAT TIME!

[chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com]

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What is your EDITING PHILOSOPHY? November 21, 2008

Filed under: chicklitgurrl, the writing life, writings — Shon @ 5:29 pm
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I was going to initially titled this, “What type of editing do you do?”

But then I realized that I wasn’t looking for answers like substantive editing or copy editing or proofreading.

I wanted to know about your belief system in regards to editing.  What do you hope to PROVIDE to the client, essentially.

A few days ago, I began to think about this.  This year, I have edited SO many manuscripts, and I began to wonder, “Why did these people pick ME to trust with their baby?”  Many of them came by recommendation, so somewhere out there, there are satisfied customers that think enough about what I do to recommend my talents to other writers.

So, I’ll ask myself, “What is my editing philosophy?”

My short answer:  To help writers become better at the craft of writing.

My longer answer:  Yes, I want clients to be happy with the results of my edits.  I want them to see that I cared about grammar and mechanics. That I cared about rhythm and pacing.  That I cared about character development.  That I cared about the overall story development.  I want them to feel as if their baby – which they just delivered – was made shiny and beautiful.  The same baby they birthed – but clean.

However, when I edit, I do try to teach, too.  I explain why I make the changes I do.  Sometimes, I direct writers to books to help hone their skills.

I liken how I edit to how I teach.  If a student’s essay is riddled with fragments, I don’t say, “You have fragments” and immediately fix them.  I sit and discuss what fragments are, I explain how to fix them, and then I ask the student to tell me how he/she would fix the error.  This is how they learn to become better writers of academic essays.

In editing, I do the changes – after all, that’s what I’m paid to do; however, I also explain how I fixed the issues and why so that at the end of an editing experience, a writer might say, “Thank you for making my book better and making me a better writer.  I know my next work will be better than this one because you helped me understand the craft of writing.”

So, what is YOUR editing philosophy?

 

Bestselling Author J. D. Mason & Being a Female Writer November 10, 2008

Filed under: All the Blog's a Page, chicklitgurrl, publicity — Shon @ 9:26 am
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For the month of NOVEMBER, All the Blog’s a Page (AtBaP) is featuring FEMALE WRITERS!

This week, we feature bestselling author J.D. Mason!

The Question for November: Reflect on the stories you have written – the stories waiting to be written.  What themes, topics do you find your writerly mind pushing you to write?  How do these themes, topics portray themselves through you as a female writer?

J. D. begins her response by stating, “I think I’m psychic!  LOL  Or, maybe just very intuitive.  I seem to find myself pursuing the story within the story, meaning, the story of turmoil or revelation going on inside the characters, in addition to the turmoil and revelations going on around them.  I don’t know if anyone else would agree, but that’s the heart of the story to me.  I look at it like this, five totally unrelated people could be going through the exact same problem (or pretty similar); they could all be broke, or sick, or having problems in their romantic relationships.  But those five people will each have a different perspective of their issues, and they’ll each approach their solutions to those issues differently.  For instance, one woman might discover that her husband is cheating on her, and go ballistic beating him with a broomstick.  Whereas another woman could have the same discovery, but ends up throwing his clothes on the front lawn, sets them on fire, changes all the locks on the house and files for divorce.”

J.D. has a lot more to say and you can read it and learn more about her latest novel YOU GOTTA SIN TO GET SAVED by heading to All the Blog’s a Page now!

ALL THE BLOG’S A PAGE (AtBaP) – Where everything relates to writing

[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

 

Why Do You Love Chick Lit – Contest Winners Announced! November 10, 2008

Filed under: chicklitgurrl, publicity — Shon @ 8:50 am
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ChickLitGurrl™ and author Brenda Janowitz asked, “Why do you love Chick Lit?”

Several entered, but only THREE were chosen to win an autographed copy of Brenda’s latest novel, JACK WITH A TWIST!

**********

So, who won? *drum roll*

Penny Venable from Colorado, who wrote:

I love Chick Lit because I can relate to the characters. Also you get romance, but it’s more true to life romance. Not like the traditional romance novels where he sweeps her off her feet and carries her off to the bedroom to introduce her to his “member” and all that phoney baloney silly stuff. The Chick Lit that I enjoy has characters I can relate to, laugh at or with, and just enjoy a good down to Earth story without all of the fancy dresses, balls, and jewels. I often feel like I could have been that character, or else think it sounds like my sister, daughter, friend or Mom. Chick Lit is just more realistic and more like my life or what my life could have been like.

Lydia Heath from Wisconsin, who wrote:

Chick Lit has a way of making life seem more bearable. You know that others out there are dealing with the same issues or even worse ones. I feel like I always have a friend near when I have a good girly book. Chick lit gives us a way of bonding with other girls and gives us a peek into lives that we either wish we could lead or do lead. It makes me feel like I belong to a special group that only girls belong to.

And our favorite piece came from Carlie Sherwood from Louisiana, who wrote:

There’s nothing like sitting down with some Starbucks, coffee cake, and a good piece of chick lit. It’s one of the most relaxing ways I spend my free time. I can get into another person’s shoes and live a different story other than my own.

Chick lit pieces almost always end with the beautiful girl kicking the antagonist’s butt. One of my favorite books, “The Devil Wears Prada,” is a perfect example of this type of story that just sweeps me away. Personally, I don’t live the most sophisticated lifestyle. I don’t have the money, or the guts for that matter, to move to a big city and take on the world in the fearless way the character does in this book. So, I simply let her do it for me. And of course, there is the L word. The girls in my favorite chick lit books have to live happily ever after with their oh-so-gorgeous man candy, or else I won’t read it.
It’s okay to live in this fantasy of perfection for just a little while, right?

Now, you may think I’m a pathetic wannabe who lives her life vicariously through these gutsy women in my books. Maybe I am, maybe I’m not. But one thing’s for sure- anytime a sticky situation comes my way, all I have to do is channel one of my beloved chick lit characters and think, “What would Andy do?” Then maybe I can have the courage to conquer the devil- even if they are wearing really great shoes.

Congratulations to all who participated and to Penny, Lydia, and Carlie for winning and receiving a really great book from Brenda Janowitz!

Keep reading CHICK LIT! There’s always something new, hilarious, sweet, funny, sexy, real that is revealed between the pages!

 

The CHICKLITGURRL in The World According to ChickLitGurrl™ October 25, 2008

Filed under: chicklitgurrl, publicity — Shon @ 9:11 pm
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A lot of people ask me how I came up with the name ChickLitGurrl as my online moniker.  Initially, it was for a girl (me) who was a fan of Chick Lit.  It soon grew from that to a girl (me again) who loved literature by chicks (women, obviously).  It has kept parts of both definitions and now adds to it a girl (yep, me again) who loves writing literature about chicks (yes, women).

With that love of reading and writing women’s fiction, I started the blog ChickLitGurrl:  high on LATTES & WRITING (CLG) where I have interviewed and promoted women authors since 2005.

That love of showcasing women writers branched into wanting to help all writers.  This can be seen in the editing I do for clients, the Writers Boot Camp class that I offer, and the columns I write on various aspects of writing – all of while, I hope, will aid writers in developing their craft and achieving their literary dreams.

My latest foray into helping support writers comes in the form of a new blog – All the Blog’s a Page (AtBaP):  where EVERYTHING relates to writing.  In this monthly blogging series, I play moderator to a group of writers.  I pick a topic, pose a question, and ask the writers to respond by tying the topic to their writing.  AtBaP began in August 2008, and has tackled the topics of faith, sex, and being male.  In November, we’ll look at being female, and end the year by looking at homosexuality and writing.

SO, at the end of the day, when it’s asked, “What is ChickLitGurrl?  Who is ChickLitGurrl?” I answer that ChickLitGurrl is a wordsmith who believes that one of her literary goals is to help other writers achieve their literary dreams – via interviews, features, and articles (all of which are free)…and editing and Writers Boot Camp (which aren’t free – lol – but are VERY reasonable!).

This blog site will offer information regarding my editorial and story development services as well as showcase the interviews, features, articles, and other things I’m doing to help writers.

If you’re a writer looking to connect with someone like me, then get to it! :-)

 

What’s Up with ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING? October 20, 2008

Filed under: chicklitgurrl, publicity — Shon @ 10:05 am
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http://chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com

Shon Bacon, aka ChickLitGurrl, started the blog CHICKLITGURRL:  high on LATTES & WRITING in 2005 to showcase the talents of women writers; she wanted to know what inspired them to write, she wanted to know the trials they faced to get published, and she wanted to know what they were doing to promote their published works.  She also wanted to know the “other” side – how they managed writing in their busy lives, what they did outside of writing.

In those four years, Shon has interviewed over 60 writers, and in 2008 alone, she’s interviewed nearly 30, to include Abiola Abrams, Diana Rodriguez Wallach, Jennifer Banash, Liane Bonin, Lisa Mondello, Lutishia Lovely, Marissa Monteilh, Niambi Davis, Paula Chase-Hyman, Shannon McKelden, Shelley Halima, Wendy Nelson Tokunaga, and Yasmin Coleman!

It’s never to late to check out the interviews; in the right hand column, the interviews are located by YEAR.

For 2009, Shon plans to spotlight TWELVE AUTHORS, one every month.  HOWEVER, she’s only spotlighting indie authors – those who are self-publishing or those who are published through small, indie presses.  Books have to be published AFTER July 1, 2008.

If you fit into those two categories, send her an e-mail at sdb6812@hotmail.com and provide her with the following info:

Book title:
Book genre:
Book description:
Publishing house (and url):
Publication date:

 

ChickLitGurrl Talks with YA Author Diana Rodriguez Wallach October 20, 2008

Filed under: chicklitgurrl, publicity, the writing life — Shon @ 9:40 am
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ChickLitGurrl Talks to young adult author Diana Rodriguez Wallach about her debut novel, AMOR AND SUMMER SECRETS!

INTERVIEW EXCERPT

CLG: YA is huge – there are so many books on the market that feature girls having to spend what’s to be their best summer away from home in a different place. There are a slew of books about best friends, new friends, and love – how do you make your series UNIQUE? How does it stand out from the pack?

DRW: I didn’t set out to write a “fish out of water” story. My goal for Amor and Summer Secrets was to offer a modern-day look at the reality facing many American teenagers who are torn between two ethnic groups. It doesn’t matter whether your half Polish and half Puerto Rican, or half Filipino and half Russian, people can relate to what Mariana is feeling.

But in terms of uniqueness, the novel also brings to light many secrets that would have stayed hidden in Puerto Rico had Mariana not taken that trip. It opens Mariana’s eyes to a side of her family she didn’t know existed, and I think many teens can relate to being kept in the dark about unpleasant family histories. Trust me, I know. I was the youngest. I practically lived in a bubble.

CLG: Do you think the multiculturalism is an aspect that helps to illustrate the series uniqueness?

DRW: Absolutely. I think it’s becoming rare to find many American kids who are 100% affiliated with just one ethnic group. And I find that many people, including myself, connect more to the culture that they “physically” resemble.

For much of my life, I had a hard time connecting to my Puerto Rican roots because I didn’t fit the stereotype. My picture’s posted here, take a look. Would you look at me and think “Puerto Rican”? But as I grew older, I chose to seek out those connections. I studied Spanish in school, took a semester abroad in Madrid, and visited my family in Utuado.

So I purposely sent Mariana on a journey that it took me much longer to take. After all, Mariana’s a smart cookie, I knew she could handle it.

Check out the rest of Diana Rodriguez Wallach’s interview @ ChickLitGurrl:  high on LATTES & WRITING!

ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING
Chocolate-caramel lattes + Women writers = ONE GREAT TIME!
[chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com]

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Check out my QUICKIE EDITING TIPS @ Blogging in Black October 17, 2008

Filed under: chicklitgurrl, publicity, the writing life, writings — Shon @ 7:22 am
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Come check me out at BLOGGING IN BLACK [LINK] today where I’m sharing QUICKIE EDITING TIPS!

If you have some of your own, share them with the other readers.

See you there!

Shon

Blogging in Black

[http://www.blogginginblack.com]

 

Developing Scenes October 11, 2008

Filed under: chicklitgurrl, publicity, the writing life, writings — Shon @ 10:04 am
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Today, I talk about DEVELOPING SCENES @ The Blood-Red Pencil: http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/.

Come check out the piece and leave comments!

 

Author Torrance Stephens, Ph.D., talks about being a male writer October 10, 2008

Filed under: chicklitgurrl, publicity, the writing life — Shon @ 7:46 am
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For the month of OCTOBER, All the Blog’s a Page (AtBaP) is featuring MALE WRITERS!

We kick off the month with Torrance Stephens, Ph.D., a man of many words and much intellect and thought.  His ability to “keep it real” is something I admire and something that keeps me checking him out.

For the month of October, AtBaP authors are talking about BEING MALE; here’s the question that was posed:  Reflect on the stories you have written – the stories waiting to be written.  What themes, topics do you find your writerly mind pushing you to write?  How do these themes, topics portray themselves through you as a male writer?

Torrance begins his response:  Well I normally write about what I live and experience.  I have been told I write intellectual fiction. I have been compared to Hemingway, Iceberg Slim and Richard Wright, but my idols are Pablo Neruda, Albert Camus and Voltaire among a few others.  It is easy for me; since I write erotica, sci-fi, horror, and psychological and philosophical realism, with my understanding of the sciences, history and the world; they just roll off my brain.

What ELSE does Torrance have to say about “writing as male”?  Head over to ALL THE BLOG’S A PAGE today to read the rest of his response and to learn more about Dirt Behind My Ears and Butter Brown!

ALL THE BLOG’S A PAGE (AtBaP) – Where everything relates to writing:  [http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]