tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post4083458508563111564..comments2023-10-25T05:30:54.507-04:00Comments on Oh Get A Grip!: My dreaded Chick Lit novelAshe Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03390519279886657608noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-35015642587741329902009-12-05T03:40:32.626-05:002009-12-05T03:40:32.626-05:00I do love this snippet and was at first disappoint...I do love this snippet and was at first disappointed it was only an exercise...then thrilled when I read on and found it was from a wip!<br /><br />I agree that it's fabulous and such an atta girl to have a publisher request a story from you, and continue to have interest as it hangs out there for a while. I have one instance of that happening, and what a thrill (of course mine was for a short story to fill an antho, so not quite at the level of your honor!).<br /><br />Love your style, and looking forward to your finished product..eventually! ;)Staceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10241398166886138241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-28442133934165660222009-12-04T19:16:40.829-05:002009-12-04T19:16:40.829-05:00Garce,
Thank you for the lovely complement. The m...Garce,<br /><br />Thank you for the lovely complement. The more recent stuff I wrote last month has a long way to go before it's that polished ;)<br /><br />As for publishers demanding what I write, keep a few things in mind.<br /><br />1) I can count on three fingers the number of times a publisher/editor has asked me for something. ALL of these people know me from previous work over the past several years and all have met me face to face. One of them I work for as an illustrator, so we have a pretty solid relationship. That means...<br /><br />2) It's all a matter of who I know. Aside from the publisher whom I work with as an artist, one of these other people published a previous novel of mine. She's the one who wants this current work. I inadvertently pitched an idea she liked, so she said write it. The other individual is a writer/editor has worked with me at various events and knows my work. Again, these people know me and know my work, so...<br /><br />3) You may not think you're on the same planet yet, but I'm betting you're closer than you think. You know people too - authors, editors, publishers. It's a matter of talking to these people, working with them, getting to know them better. I know a lot of people through my participation in EPIC (http://www.epicauthors.com). I volunteer for that organization, I work with the local chapter, and I've been to their annual convention twice so I've met a lot of folks face to face. All that makes a HUGE difference in whether I go into the slush pile or not when I submit. Plus it doesn't hurt that I have a venue (the Heat Flash podcast) where I can offer publishers free advertising. People do remember that sort of thing.<br /><br />I really do think people out there want your writing. I think if you haven't had people request stuff from you yet, they should be sometime in the near future. It's just a matter of talking to those other authors, editors, and publishers you know and opening up that network. You'll get there. You're too good not to!Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10832774182683343435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-54594828930533482792009-12-04T17:43:21.346-05:002009-12-04T17:43:21.346-05:00Hi Helen!
The part of the novel you showed us is ...Hi Helen!<br /><br />The part of the novel you showed us is really polished, I liked it a lot. The rest, I just ground my teeth with envy. I spend a lot of time envying people. To be in the prenscence of a publisher and have him demand what you;re writing. I'm not even on that planet yet. I have a ways to go to catch up with you.<br /><br />GarceGarceushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11160407485298015371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-72230869256829469772009-12-04T16:18:04.779-05:002009-12-04T16:18:04.779-05:00Ash,
I see what you mean about the brand name, an...Ash,<br /><br />I see what you mean about the brand name, and to be honest, that's my biggest complaint about Chick Lit. many books in the genre focus too much on fashion and consumerism and not enough on actual issues women deal with today. But I suppose if Chick Lit focused on issues, it would then fall within the "prestigious" category of "literature," wouldn't it? :D<br /><br />I think the Chick Lit I will end up writing is going to be a bit different from what's normally expected in the genre, thus part of my dread of it, but it will get written. Glad you thought the excerpt showed promise!Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10832774182683343435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-39886160242820639902009-12-04T08:38:54.742-05:002009-12-04T08:38:54.742-05:00Helen,
I can't wait to see this finished.
...Helen,<br /><br />I can't wait to see this finished. <br /><br />One minor crit (to give it the chick-lit edge). In the second para, Karen is teetering on 'her high heels.' In chick-lit you need to rely on the reader's knowledge of the consumer market. Karen should be teetering on 'her Guccis,' or teetering on 'her Jimmy Choos'<br /><br />But it's a minor criticism and for me, as a guy who seldom reads chick-lit, I thought this was effective story-telling.<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />AshAshley Listerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11997769708965362938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-64664334690212609632009-12-04T08:30:30.113-05:002009-12-04T08:30:30.113-05:00Lisabet,
Thank you for saying that. If I can just...Lisabet,<br /><br />Thank you for saying that. If I can just get past the research on the catering business, I think I'll be okay, but man, that's a lot to delve into!<br /><br />It'll get finished. And I'll send you a copy when it's published ;)Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10832774182683343435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-25233489427055626282009-12-04T06:27:06.092-05:002009-12-04T06:27:06.092-05:00Oh, Helen!
I do so want to write an intro to this...Oh, Helen!<br /><br />I do so want to write an intro to this novel...!<br /><br />I don't read a lot of chick lit, but I think you've got the key notions. Lots of designer clothing, lots of squealing, and the sturdy heroine, proving to the world that she can succeed (so that she can squeal and buy lots of designer clothing...!)<br /><br />You're right about mysteries, though. I just reread my thriller Exposure (Phaze is taking it to print - whooee!) and was remembering the headaches I had trying to figure exactly who dun it and why.<br /><br />It's worth finishing. Really.<br /><br />Hugs,<br />LisabetLisabet Saraihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05162514190572269660noreply@blogger.com