The World According to ChickLitGurrl™

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

Unlocking the Diary of Author Nikki Urban: Interview March 22, 2009

Filed under: Author Interviews, Shon Bacon, chicklitgurrl — Shon @ 12:52 pm

Unlocking the Diary of Author Nikki Urban

About Jade’s Diary:

Jade’s Diary is a tale of a dead woman’s diary that is left to her daughter Mikleah. As Mikleah reads her mother’s diary, she turns the pages of her mother’s secret life that includes sex, lust, lies, betrayal, and vengeance.

Mikleah learns from her mother’s diary of the father she never knew and of a long lost sibling. Jade’s daughter also learns she has been having an incestuous relationship with the sister that she never knew and learns to what extent her mother would go through to get what she wanted-her lover’s wife.

The diary exposes the many secrets of Jade’s lovers, which leads to death and imprisonment.

INTERVIEW EXCERPT

CLG: You walk into a movie theater and there’s a movie poster for JADE’S DIARY: SEX, LIES, LUST, BETRAYAL, VENGEANCE. What’s the logline?

NU: Unlock the Diary! What are your secrets? Remember, all secrets have consequences…

CLG: NIKKI URBAN: THE SOUNDTRACK. What are three tracks that would HAVE to make it onto the soundtrack of your life?

NU: There are so many songs that I could name to describe my life and who I am. But, if I had to have the ultimate soundtrack of my life the three tracks that I would choose would be: 1) I’m Every Woman by Chaka Khan because I am that every woman. I can do all things. 2) Tender Roni by Bobby Brown because once you meet me, you will never forget me, and I always make my father feel proud. 3) Hustlin’ by Rick Ross because I’m always hustling until I make it to where I want to be.

CLG: You are publishing JADE’S DIARY through Diamond Stone Productions. Talk to us about your role as a publisher; what have been some major things you’ve learned?

NU: My husband and I started DiamondStone Productions because I was not getting picked up by any traditional black publishers. In the process of starting Diamondstone Productions, I have learned that as publisher you must be a good negotiator and you must be involved in every aspect of the book process(writing, editing, book design, etc.). In addition, you should always have an abundance of books on hand and various outlets where your book can be sold at. Lastly, have a good accounting program on your computer and have a good marketing strategy. A good marketing strategy is key to the success of your book and publishing company. Once your publishing company is out there, vendors, readers, and other wholesalers will be more willing to take a chance with you. Reputation is key!

Check out the rest of Nikki Urban’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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CLG Is Interviewed! March 14, 2009

Filed under: Shon Bacon — Shon @ 9:06 pm
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Jessica Ferguson, author and president of the Bayou Writers’ Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana, interviews me on her blog Praise, Prayers and Observations as part of her “Louisiana Saturday Night” series!

In the interview, I talk about editing, writing, coaching, critique groups, branding, and MORE.

Check it out – [link] – LEAVE COMMENTS!

 

Do writers “starve” because they fail to help other writers? February 28, 2009

Filed under: Shon Bacon, The Blood-Red Pencil, the writing life — Shon @ 4:22 pm

Read my thoughts on The Blood-Red Pencil today – {http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com}

 

Do Some Writers Deserve to Starve? February 27, 2009

Filed under: Shon Bacon, The Blood-Red Pencil, the writing life — Shon @ 2:29 pm

I use Elaura Niles’ book, SOME WRITERS DESERVE TO STARVE, to help answer this question in a three-part series on the popular blog, THE BLOOD-RED PENCIL [link].

Head to The BRP to see part one and two on this question. Check out why it’s important for writers to know their book better than ANYONE (part one) and why it’s important to write THE NEXT BOOK (part two)!

Part Three is TOMORROW!

The Blood-Red Pencil [link]

 

Get Lost in Author Sandy Lo and Her Debut Novel, LOST IN YOU February 27, 2009

Filed under: Author Interviews, Shon Bacon, chicklitgurrl — Shon @ 1:33 pm

Get Lost in Author Sandy Lo and Her Debut Novel, LOST IN YOU: Interview

About Lost in You:

Cooper Jackson is a twenty-five year old woman, who shuts down in relationships. Burdened by her mother’s failed love life and her untimely death, Cooper won’t allow her heart to get broken, or stolen, either. A chance meeting with a famous singer, Ryan Latham could change Cooper forever. She finds herself wanting to give her heart to Ryan…one problem: he’s engaged. To divert her attention, Cooper throws herself into a relationship with Ryan’s best friend, JT, a man just as unstable as she is. Lost In You is a coming of age love story for a slightly older generation; it’s about finding yourself, overcoming your past, and building a future.

INTERVIEW EXCERPT

CLG: You’re strutting down the street – sexy, happy, and confident – what song is playing in your mind?
SL: “These Boots Are Made For Walking” by Jessica Simpson

CLG: Do you have a standard process to your writing? Are you a plotter or a pantser?
SL: I’m definitely more of a pantser. I could get the smallest idea for a story and just go with it. I’ll admit, it’s not very conventional or easy at times, but it works best for me. I have tried outlining and by the time I’m finished outlining everything, I either wind up straying from the plan anyway or get bored with the storyline altogether.

CLG: What are you doing to promote and market LOST IN YOU?
SL: I have been doing interviews with various newspapers, websites and magazines. I’ve also been promoting myself on Facebook and MySpace as well as setting up fan chats. In April, I will be doing a book signing at Barnes & Noble in my hometown of Staten Island, NY, so I’m really excited about that. Word of mouth has been very helpful thanks to my friends and family who have been spreading the word. Also, running my own magazine helps since celebrities have been nice enough to take pictures with LOST IN YOU.

Check out the rest of Sandy Lo’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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CLG Talks with Indie Publisher/Author Barbara Joe Williams February 22, 2009

Filed under: Author Interviews, Indie Publishing, Shon Bacon, chicklitgurrl — Shon @ 12:48 pm

ChickLitGurrl Talks to indie publisher/author Barbara Joe Williams!

INTERVIEW EXCERPT

CLG: If you had to define yourself as a writer, how would you do so?

BJW: I would define myself as a passionate writer. In other words, I only write about the things that I feel passionately about whether it’s fiction or nonfiction.

CLG: How do the books you’ve written connect to your definition?

BJW: All of my books feature strong willed characters who are determined to succeed in life. I write about people falling in love, dealing with hardships, and going through life changing experiences in a positive manner. I show people with a thirst for living and a passion for overcoming whatever obstacles they face.

CLG: How have you promoted your works?

BJW: I’ve tried many avenues for promoting my work nationally by using the Internet and traveling to different cities. I’ve joined many online book clubs and networking groups. In addition, I conduct writing, publishing, and marketing workshops at various conferences, libraries, and universities. I’ve been interviewed on the radio, newspaper, and television. Recently, I started a local authors network, and I’m the annual host for the Local African-American Authors Day program in February. All of these avenues give me exposure and promote my work.

Check out the rest of Barbara Joe Williams’ 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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Learn More about Me, the Editor February 18, 2009

Filed under: Shon Bacon, The Blood-Red Pencil, editing — Shon @ 2:49 pm
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The uber-popular Blood-Red Pencil [link] – where I’m a contributing blogger – is doing a MEET THE EDITOR segment, and yours truly is being spotlighted today!  Come see what I have to say about why I love editing.

{The Blood-Red Pencil}

 

Help Me Pick My Debut Solo Project February 6, 2009

Filed under: Indie Publishing, Shon Bacon — Shon @ 9:46 pm
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I’m going into indie publishing.

Issue?

I am having a hard time picking WHICH book to publish of mine first.

That’s why I’m writing.  I need YOUR help.

Head to my site – http://shonbacon.com.

There, I have the first 1,000 words of five novels.  Take the time to read the excerpts and let me know which book YOU think I should publish first.

I thank you in advance!

 

Author Teresa Patterson Talks Street/Urban Fic Today @ AtBaP February 5, 2009

Filed under: All the Blog's a Page, Shon Bacon — Shon @ 1:43 pm
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For the month of February, All the Blog’s a Page (AtBaP) is taking it to the streets – urban and street fiction, that is. Up first is Teresa Patterson, author of the latest, Ex-Boyfriend!

For February, I asked the following set of questions:

**What does urban/street fiction mean to you? Is there a distinction between urban and street?

**Of all the genres present, what drew you to write urban/street fiction?

**What has been – if any – some of the positive and negative comments you have received from readers?

**In the branch of Black literature, what do you think urban/street fiction brings to the table?

In answering the question, In the branch of Black literature, what do you think urban/street fiction brings to the table, Patterson replied, “I think urban/street fiction brings so much to the table for both the African American authors and the readers. Along with the newer “street” genre, came the opportunity for so many authors to put pen to paper and create. Before, they may have thought that no one would be interested in what they’d written, but times have changed. Today, if you write it and publish it, somebody is going to buy it and read it.

When once there were only a few African American titles to choose from now there are a variety of books on the bookshelves written by black authors. Urban/street fiction appeals to a lot of the younger generation. They may not necessarily have read much in the past, but now they can pick up something that they can relate to.”

To read the rest of Teresa Patterson’s thoughts on street/urban fiction and to read an excerpt from Ex-Boyfriend, head to All the Blog’s a Page!

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

 

The Write Life for You Series Presents… Showing vs. Telling February 2, 2009

Filed under: APOOO Books, Shon Bacon, The Write Life for You, chicklitgurrl, craft — Shon @ 7:03 pm
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Becoming a Lifelong Learner of the Craft of Writing

By author, editor, educator Shon Bacon aka ChickLitGurrl™

The Write Life for You is a series of articles on the writing craft.  Past articles have focused on building character, developing a solid plot, and harnessing a writing style.  This month, I look at SHOWING VS. TELLING IN STORIES.

Here’s an excerpt:

Showing vs. Telling

This month, I’m talking about camping vs. marching.  Before I pursued my MFA degree, I knew nothing about this “concept”.

Last month, I talked about camping vs. marching.  At first glance, showing vs. telling seems like the same concept, but there is a difference.  Both concepts examine how much a writer writes in a story; however, camping vs. marching tends to look at the development of scenes and their connection to the story’s purpose while showing vs. telling looks at the visualization of the things the writer writes in a story.

For example, if a writer has a scene that lulls and doesn’t connect to the story’s purpose, then the writer should cut and march through the scene, develop the scene so that it connects to the story’s purpose, or delete it altogether.  This is camping vs. marching.

For example, if a writer summarizes action or tells the reader that a character is happy or sad, then the writer should revise the material to show the reader a character’s emotion or show the reader the action as it’s happening.  This is showing vs. telling.

Want to learn MORE about showing vs. telling?

Then head to APOOOBOOKS.COM to read my latest article in The Write Life for You series!

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