Showing posts with label Chick lit tour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chick lit tour. Show all posts
Interview with Christy Barritt
We're so glad Christy Barritt could be with us today! Christy is the author of the hilarious Squeaky Clean mysteries, and has recently signed on with Love Inspired Suspense.
Christy, thanks for stopping by. Do you have a favorite chocolate indulgence?
I absolutely love the blondie brownie sundae at Applebee’s. It’s covered in white chocolate and the blondie brownie is sooo warm and yummy! I love it!
The best way I can describe chick lit is that it’s literature about real women. That’s what I find so refreshing about reading and writing it. The books are about women who think and sometimes act the way I do in real life! The stories address imperfect women with insecurities, who can be snarky at times and sweet at times, women who love God but still screw up sometimes. They’re books I can relate with!
You are now writing for Love Inspired Suspense. How has that changed your writing style? Have you needed to change your tone to write for the category?
Writing for LIS is definitely a change. I like writing for the line, but the style is very different. LIS knows exactly what formula their readers want, and writers must follow that formula every step of the way. With my previous books, I was definitely freer to think outside of the box. I’m excited to write my chick-lit and for LIS, though. I love being able to tell stories, and I get to do that through both genres!
Do you have any chick lit-like moments from your own life that you could share?
The one that stands out happened a couple of years ago. I had a rare evening to myself, so I decided to relax in the bath and have a little pampering and spa treatment at home. These are things I never have time to do anymore now that I have two children! Oh, and I had laryngitis that evening also. After the bath, I put my robe on. My hair’s in curlers. A green mask is covering my face. And you know what happens? The doorbells rings. On my way to answer it, I stub my toe. So, I’m jumping on one foot, trying to cry out in pain but unable to because I’ve lost my voice. I answer the door and it’s the UPS man. I know I must have been a sight for sore eyes! Lesson learned? Next time just pretend I’m not home.
Do you have any writing quirks?
I have a tendency to injure my characters and then forget about their injuries the next chapter. I have to really watch myself there. I also love drinking Coca-cola and eating cheese crackers while I write. I’m trying to change that, however, because it’s not great for the waistline!
If you were going to co-author a novel with someone, who would you choose? Why?
Author Mary Connealy and I have been critique partners for years. I think we’d have a blast writing something together because we both get each other’s sense of humor.
What are one or two of your favorite lit novels from the CBA?
I love Siri Mitchell’s Kissing Adrien. I also really liked Sharon Dunn’s Ruby Taylor series and Kristin Billerbeck’s What a Girl Wants.
Where would you go on your dream “research” trip, and would you take anyone with you? Who?
I’d go back to Scotland with my best friend--my husband. My husband’s family still lives over there. We visited five years ago and had a great time. I’d love to go back again sometime. It’s such a beautiful country.
If you could live in a novel, which one would you choose?
This is a little tricky because I’ve been reading lots of suspense novels lately, and I wouldn’t want to live in any of those novels—they’re too scary and tragic!
If you weren’t pursuing writing, is there another dream career you might be chasing?
I’d want to be a Broadway actress.
Finally, share two pieces of advice—one writing-related and one not.
Writing advice: Write because you love to do it. If you get too caught up in getting contracts and good reviews, you’ll be miserable.
Other advice: Believe in yourself and it will be so much easier for other people to believe in you also!
Thanks so much for sharing, Christy. It's always nice catching up with you! To learn more about Christy, check out her website here.
Interview with Susan May Warren
We're honored to host Susan May Warren on Mind Chocolate today! Susan is one of our favorite authors, an amazing writing teacher/mentor, and an award-winning author who is the life of the party. (And she wears hats!) Susan has written somewhere around thirty books in various sub-genres of romance. She also founded the amazing writers' organization My Book Therapy.Susan, we are so glad you stopped in today! Please give your own definition of chick lit.
I’m going to define Chick Lit in relationship to women’s fiction. Women’s Fiction is the journey of a woman and her relationships during a season of life. Chick lit is a slice of life, with a humorous bent.
Do you have any chick lit-like moments from your own life that you could share?
Oh, I’ll share a recent one…. I was on a plane to the West Coast, which is a fairly long flight from Mpls. I was tired and crabby because I had a late connection and had to virtually run to my gate in Mpls. Thus, when I got on the plane, the overhead compartments were already full. The only room for my carryon was where they stored the blankies for the plane (you know, the ones they say they don’t have?). So, here I am, moving these slippery blankets in their plastic containers to other places on the plane, shoving them inbetween other suitcases, etc. Finally, I get the space opened up and I lift my bag. It’s heavy and of course it doesn’t fit, so I’m wrestling it in. To make matters worse, I’m leaning over the guy seated in the seat below, and I’m pretty sure he’s looking up my shirt. No, he doesn’t offer to help. I finally get the bag in, check my ticket and turn to find my seat when I realize someone is sitting in it. He’s climbed into the window seat on the wrong side, with two elderly ladies next to him. So, instead of making everyone get up, I accept the window seat on the other side of the aisle. Of course, there are two beefy guys between me and the window. And, while the aisle seat fellow gets up, the middle seat fellow stays put so I have to climb over him to get into my seat. Nice.
Yes, I’m fairly crabby by this time, and I’ve been on the road a lot so I really miss my family. When we get at cruising altitude, I open my computer and pull open a slide show of my family and turn on a sappy Michael Buble song (Hold On) and spend some time just gazing at my lovely family and praying for them, missing them. The music seems a bit low and I’m one of those rock and roll girls - I like my music loud – so I turn the volume way up so it just fills my brain. It’s a very perfect, sad moment and I’m sort of lost in it when someone taps me on the shoulder. I look up to see a fellow standing in the aisle, holding his earphones in his hand. He’s mouthing something and I make it out just as I pull my earphone from my ear…
“Ma’am, your music is blasting throughout the entire plane.”
Yes. I’d plugged the earphones into the wrong jack. Which meant Michael Buble was crooning out “Hold On…to me tight…” throughout the entire cabin of the huge plane.
And you know how quiet those planes are.
I waited all three hours before I got up to go to the bathroom.
Do you have any writing quirks?
Popcorn makes me write better. (Rachel calls it “Popcrack.”)
I loved the Heirs of Anton series. If you were going to co-author another novel, who would you choose? Why?
I would love to write with Rachel Hauck- we would have a blast! But I so loved writing with Susan Downs, I’d definitely write with her again, too. (I loved that series, too!)
What are one or two of your favorite lit novels from the CBA?
I loved Siri Mitchell's, The Cubicle Next Door.
Where would you go on your dream “research” trip, and would you take anyone with you? Who?
Italy. My husband. J
If you could live in a novel, which one would you choose?
I think it would be interesting to visit the Gilded Age, where my current WIP is set although I don’t think I’d like to live there. As for a novel…could I live in the Mitford Series? J
If you weren’t pursuing writing, is there another dream career you might be chasing?
I love to teach – I’ve always wanted to be a high school or college English teacher. And I’ve always been in love with theater – so I’d love to pursue being a playwright. Oh, that’s writing. I think it would be neat to produce movies, too. J In a different life, perhaps.
Finally, share two pieces of advice—one writing-related and one not.
They are combined: Pursue faithfulness and you will find significance.
Thanks for having me!
Thanks so much for joining us, Susan! To learn more about Susan and her writing, check out her website.
Interview with Rachel Hauck
So, Rachel, do you have a favorite chocolate indulgence?
No, just chocolate in all forms!
Give your own definition of chick lit/lit fiction.
Oo, good one. A woman's journey toward a goal or destiny that involves, faith, friends, family, career and hunky man. :)
You taught about chick lit at the ACFW conference a few years back. Could you give us a workshop in a nutshell? :-)
Oh, girl, what are you thinking? Um, be funny. Be deep. Create a wide stage with a humorous supporting cast, don't be snarky or mean, tell the story with dialog, don't be introspective. How's that?
Do you have any chick lit-like moments from your own life that you could share?
Well, I was a career woman for many years before I was married. I traveled the world and the country for four years before moving to an in-house job. One winter, I was in Spain, and my interpreter decided he was in love with me. Oh, mercy! He was married. I wasn't. And he gave me the willies. He flew to his home city over the weekend and about nine that night, a note was slipped under my door by a hotel staffer. It started out, "Dear Princess..." Oh no oh no oh no!
I felt sick, and slimed and a bazillion miles away from my friends. I just prayed. It was all I could do! And what a privilege to be able to pray. Monday morning, he tells me how he thought of me all weekend. He was with his family! More oh no oh no oh no!
A few nights later, our cab driver went insane or something and got lost taking us to our hotel. By then even I knew the route! So we're driving around Madrid and I preached to my interpreter the entire time. Gave him the Gospel of Jesus Christ straight up and full on. End of crush on ole Rachel. ;) God be glorified!
Do you have any writing quirks?
You mean writing itself is not a quirk?
I do tend to pick last names that start with H or W. I have to have a Diet Coke or two to get started. I have to run through email and social media before writing. And call Susie Warren. Sometimes I read before I take up my own project.
You've already co-authored a series with Sara Evans--which we're going to have to talk to you about later on! But is there someone else you would love to write with? Why?
I'd love to write with Debbie Macomber. She's such a warm, fabulous story teller. I've learned a lot from her. I'd like to write with Susie because we practically write each other's books anyway. But writing with a co-write is not easy. Sara and I have done extremely well together, and I don't take that lightly. Once you start getting into story and plot, how to write and what to write, all the rules change. Sara and I have our partnership divided in clear lines so we don't step on each other's toes.
Really, I'd love for one of my own books to just take off to the moon!!
What are one or two of your favorite lit novels from the CBA?
Well, got to bow to the master Kristin Billerbeck. She writes great stuff. I think her Ashley Stockingdale series is fabulous. My other favorite lit author would probably be Siri Mitchell.
Where would you go on your dream “research” trip, and would you take anyone with you? Who?
Whoa, you used dream and research in the same sentence. I'm not sure that's allowed. My dream trip would be to a ranch in Montana, or a beach house in Fiji. If I happened to get some research done, then so be it. I'd take my hubby for sure.
If you could live in a novel, which one would you choose?
Live in a novel? Hmmm... Maybe in Mitford, Jan Karon's great North Carolina world.
If you weren’t pursuing writing, is there another dream career you might be chasing?
This is it. My dream career. All my "eggs" are in this basket.
Finally, share two pieces of advice—one writing-related and one not.
Writing advice would be to take it one day, one book at a time. Don't get ahead of yourself but stay tuned into the industry and publishing. Get involved in writer's groups, work on your craft, work on networking.
None writing related would be to really, really, really get a hold of the fact Jesus loves you. He's declared you are worthy. Don't let anyone steal that from you. And take care of this matter before really trying to do the matter of writing.
Thanks for having me! GREAT questions. :)
And The Winner Is...
Thank you all for participating!
Everything seems to be going perfectly for Maya Davis: She has a great job at a coffee shop, gets along with her parents, and is happily single. That is until her best friend unknowingly starts dating Maya’s high school sweetheart, her annoyingly perfect brother moves back to town, and her co-worker starts showing interest in her. What is God trying to teach her about life, love, and commiserating over coffee?
Interview with Erynn Mangum
Today we have the hilarious Erynn Mangum as our guest author. Erynn is a proud new mom who writes about quirky characters and coffee...lots of coffee. The first time I read one of her books, my husband walked into the room and laughed at the smirk on my face. Fun stuff. :-) Erynn, do you have a favorite chocolate indulgence?
I love, love, LOVE homemade chocolate chip cookies. The Charmingly Chocolate Chip Cookies from Trader Joes are the closest to homemade that I've found that you can buy store bought. I also love chocolate milkshakes. :)
Give your own definition of chick lit.
I think chick lit is has changed a little bit over the years. Before, the characters needed to be in their thirties, desperate for love and pretty sarcastic. Now, I think it can encompass different ages, different motives and different voices - as long as it's fun, entertaining and has that twinge of romance!
Do you have any chick lit-like moments from your own life that you could share?
I'm forever putting my foot in my mouth, so awkward moments are pretty much a daily occurrence for me. Sadly.
What about any crazy college Bible study stories?
I was SO lucky to be a part of some amazing college Bible studies - and yes, most of the scenes in my books are usually directly related to some of the ones I lived through! I remember we used to meet at this house that four guys shared and they would roll out huge area rugs right before everyone came over and then roll them back up right after everyone left so they never had to vacuum their carpet. Bleugh!
Do you have any writing quirks?
Oh gosh - I never do the same thing twice. Sometimes I sit on the couch, sometimes I'm at the kitchen table, sometimes at the desk. Sometimes I need coffee, sometimes a chai tea, sometimes just good old fashioned water. Usually I'm wearing sweatpants. I went through a phase where I chewed gum the entire time I was writing and let me tell you, I had enviable jaw muscles.
If you were going to co-author a novel, who would you choose to write with? Why?
Honestly, I don't know that I could co-author a novel. I think I write in such a scattered, unorganized way that I would drive any other writer absolutely insane. Plus, I never know where I'm going to take the story until I'm in the middle of writing it. Such habits do not a good co-author make.
What are one or two of your favorite lit novels from the CBA?
Love Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson - I read that recently and just cracked up. Robin Jones Gunn is always a magical read - I can only read her every so often though because I get so envious of her storytelling abilities!
Honestly, I don't know that I could co-author a novel. I think I write in such a scattered, unorganized way that I would drive any other writer absolutely insane. Plus, I never know where I'm going to take the story until I'm in the middle of writing it. Such habits do not a good co-author make.
What are one or two of your favorite lit novels from the CBA?
Love Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson - I read that recently and just cracked up. Robin Jones Gunn is always a magical read - I can only read her every so often though because I get so envious of her storytelling abilities!
Where would you go on your dream “research” trip, and would you take anyone with you? Who?
England and Austria. I want to go see where Jane Austen grew up and I want to do the Sound of Music tour. I can think of several really fun storylines that could happen on a Sound of Music tour. :) As far as people I would bring, I'd make it a girls trip and bring my mom, sister, grandma and a couple of my bestest friends.
Also, I think it would be too fun to write a story in Australia and I would definitely want my husband to come with me for that one. After growing up watching Man From Snowy River, I think Australia is such a romantic place!
If you could live in a novel, which one would you choose?
Sheesh! This is a hard question! Can I have multiple lives? I'd pick Pride and Prejudice, but they hadn't discovered deodorant yet, so that might be more of a See And Not Smell place I'd like to live. And I would love to have gone on the road trip in Elvis Takes A Backseat, because seriously - a life-sized statue of Elvis was in the backseat. But I think my top choice would be Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, because y'all, they had milkshakes falling from the sky.
If you weren’t pursuing writing, is there another dream career you might be chasing?
Every person I've ever talked to who is a photographer is absolutely in love with their job - I think that would be my next choice. Can you imagine a more fun job than capturing all of the priceless moments in people's lives?
Finally, share two pieces of advice—one writing-related and one not.
Writing-related advice: Accept criticism with a critical eye. Everyone is going to have a different thought on where your manuscript should go - listen to the advice that you believe really makes your work better and ignore the advice that changes your vision for the book.
Non-writing-related advice: Don't get distracted while blow drying your hair or you might end up sucking hair into the wrong end of the dryer and that is painful. Be sure to break in the shoes you are planning on wearing during your wedding before your wedding day. Running while holding a bottle of water is harder than it seems, particularly if you've lost the cap to the bottle. I'm full of very important pieces of advice.
Thank you SO much! This was fun!! :)
Thanks for joining us, Erynn!
To learn more about Erynn and her writing, check out her website. She has also graciously offered to give away a copy of Cool Beans, the first book in her Maya Davis series. You can get your name put into the hat up to four times. 1. Tweet this link and let us know. 2. Post this link on your facebook and let us know. 3. Follow our blog. 4. Comment below, telling us about what novel you would choose to live in. Or, well, just comment below. :-)
Interview with Trish Perry
Today, our dear friend and award-winning author Trish Perry is hanging out with us on Mind Chocolate. A fellow ACFW member, Trish is the first published author I ever met! Thanks for joining us, Trish.
Do you have a favorite chocolate indulgence?
Do you have a favorite chocolate indulgence?
Oh, the list is endless—very hard to choose a favorite. But every once in a while Costco will feature the Fudgie Wudgie company’s wares, and I actually stock up when they do. I was smack in the middle of a hard-core diet the last time around, and I bought a couple boxes anyway and froze them. They’re in there, in my freezer, like jewels of the Nile. My favorite flavor is Belgian Chocolate Walnut. Amazing stuff.
Give your own definition of chick lit.
Hmm. I actually shy away from that genre title these days, because of the shallow connotation it now carries. I tend to call my books romantic comedy or contemporary romance (and let the humor come as a bonus). I think many readers now think of “chick lit” as being about young women whose lives revolve around shopping, dating, and falling down. Even though I inject plenty of humor in my romances (I love to laugh), my gals tend to deal with more in their lives—family struggles and secrets, personal growth, coping with loss and other challenges, deepening friendships, and things like that. Of course, romance plays a huge role, and there’s always at least one hunky man in my heroine’s life. But I do hope readers think of my books as more substantive than a lot of books in the chick lit genre.
Do you have any chick lit-like moments from your own life that you could share?
Just like the chocolate question, there are so many to choose from . . . but here’s one for you. Even though I’m older than your standard chick lit heroine, this one is real. Nearly two winters ago, my teenaged son and I took several drives to check out colleges in our state. We tended to use an entire weekend when we made those drives, packing for an overnight stay so we could cover several schools in the same general area. We rushed on one of these trips, because he was formally scheduled for a morning interview and tour at a college three hours away from home. We got there in time to catch a shuttle bus to the campus, but when I got out of the car, I realized I had forgotten to bring shoes. I tended to make those long drives in my socks, just to be comfy. But I had forgotten to throw my shoes in the car, and I hadn’t packed a spare pair. I had to let my son take the shuttle to the interview while I got back in the car and drove all over the rural college town seeking any place where I might find some shoes to buy. The place was like a retail-free zone—plenty of tractor and feed stores, but little else—and I kept going into places in my socks, asking where I might buy some shoes. Someone at a consignment shop finally directed me to the K-Mart, one town over, where I bought the cheapest pair of sneakers I could find. I turned a few heads on that little journey.
Do you have any writing quirks?
I’ve noticed after the fact that many of my heroines have daddy issues. This truly is a quirk, because my own dad is a total gem and has never treated me with the neglect, conditional love, or ridiculous demands that my heroines’ fathers often do. Maybe it’s because I feel so confident in him that I’m comfortable putting my heroines through such grief.
If you were going to co-author a novel, who would you choose? Why?
What a good question. I’ve never co-authored a novel before, but I’ve discussed it with a couple of women I respect. Maybe we’ll end up working together at some point in the future. Miralee Ferrell is an amazing brainstormer, and I love her to death. So she’d be one person to consider. The other person I’ve chatted with along these lines is Debby Mayne. I think she and I would blend well. Both of those women think much the same as I do, and neither of them has the slightest bit of ego problem about them.
What are one or two of your favorite lit novels from the CBA?
I thought Kristin Billerbeck’s What a Girl Wants was excellent and far more on-the-money than some of the other Christian lits that came out around that time. She “gets” the voice for the genre. And, again, I’m not sure about the genre classification, but Sandra D. Bricker has written some especially fun ones. I really enjoyed The Big 5-0. although I imagine some readers would wonder about a lit heroine at that age. My advice? Read it. You’ll love it. Sandie’s hilarious.
Where would you go on your dream “research” trip, and would you take anyone with you? Who?
I’d love to tour Europe (and if we’re dreaming, I’m dreaming a huge budget for this trip—I want comfort). If I took someone with me, it would probably be my adult daughter or my sister, or one of the women I’ve mentioned above. I’d even be happy bringing my son—he’s a fun, terrific person—but he’d probably rather not make that trip with mom . . .
If you could live in a novel, which one would you choose?
I’m so content in my real life, that I’d have to choose one of my own books that are set right here in my general area. I wouldn’t want to live in a different time than now, because I’m spoiled rotten by modern conveniences. And I have so many friends and loved ones who mean so much to me, that I’d notice their absence if I lived in a book far away.
If you weren’t pursuing writing, is there another dream career you might be chasing?
I’d still have to do something artistic, or at least something that happens via the right hemisphere. Probably acting or reviewing. There’s something about fictional stories that simply fascinate me. I don’t even enjoy good nonfiction or memoir as I do fiction. That element of human creation pulls me in like nothing else. To some extent I think of God as the creator of nonfiction and memoir. Fiction is how His creations wish it could be or imagine it could be. If I weren’t creating those fantasies myself, I’d want to be involved, somehow, with how others create such things.
Finally, share two pieces of advice—one writing-related and one not.
Writing related: Begin every day by thanking God for your gift and turning everything about it over to His will. That way you’ll always know you’re writing what He wants you to write.
Non-writing related: Know where your shoes are at all times.
Ha ha. Good advice, Trish! :-)
To learn more about Trish and her writing, check out her website. She has also graciously offered to give away a copy of her recent release The Perfect Blend. You can get your name put into the hat up to four times. 1. Tweet this link and let us know. 2. Post this link on your facebook and let us know. 3. Follow our blog. 4. Comment below, telling us about any chick lit moments in your life. Or, well, just comment below. :-)
Ha ha. Good advice, Trish! :-)
To learn more about Trish and her writing, check out her website. She has also graciously offered to give away a copy of her recent release The Perfect Blend. You can get your name put into the hat up to four times. 1. Tweet this link and let us know. 2. Post this link on your facebook and let us know. 3. Follow our blog. 4. Comment below, telling us about any chick lit moments in your life. Or, well, just comment below. :-)
Interview with Julie Carobini
Julie, do you have a favorite chocolate indulgence?
Mmmm ... milk chocolate covered toffee by See's. (My family knows that whenever we get a pound of See's candy ... never touch the toffee!) It's kind of an upscale version of a Heath bar. Love it!
It looks like we may have some things in common, as your books often have chocolate and ocean themes. What inspired that? Do you intend to weave them into your future books?
All that chocolaty goodness in Chocolate Beach and Truffles by the Sea provided solace for my poor heroines. (I can relate, can you?) These days I write seaside novels filled with faith, flip flops and waves of grace. While there's not a lot of chocolate in my new series, the Otter Bay Novels, there is a dramatic seaside locale, plenty of conflict, elements of faith ~ and romance. These are the threads I plan to tie and untie in future books too.
Give your own definition of chick lit.
Defunct. Kidding. Maybe I should say "evolving." When reading one, you can't help but feel like Alice falling into the wonderland of the main character's mind. My favorites are written in first person and they don't feel like the heroine's talking to a reader ~ they feel like she's talking to me. Also, the characters often sound unfiltered, like they speak first and think later. An abundance of snarkyness might explain why the genre has tumbled from its throne, but I also see the more attractive traits of -lit books, such as humor, voice and closely-written point-of-view, showing up in other genres.
Do you have any chick lit-like moments from your own life that you could share?
You mean like the time I was so nervous about meeting my new boyfriend's (now husband's) business associates that when taking my seat I shook the table hard enough to nearly topple their drinks? No, I couldn't share that ...
Do you have any writing quirks?
Julee Schwarzburg edited my next book, Fade to Blue, and gave me a list of my "favorite words." This was her very kind way of pointing out those words I overuse. The one that sticks out to me now is 'wag' or variations of it: wagged, wagging, wags ... My characters wag their heads way too much, apparently ;)
If you were going to co-author a novel, who would you choose? Why?
That's a toughie because I already have a few co-authors, namely God and all the characters I talk to in my office. If he or she could get along with all of us, then sure, I'd consider a co-author.
What are one or two of your favorite lit novels from the CBA?
I have a dog-eared copy of My Life as a Doormat (in Three Acts) by Rene Gutteridge. I've read it that often.
Where would you go on your dream “research” trip, and would you take anyone with you? Who?
Any place coastal ~ Italy, French Riviera, Hawaii ~ and I'd take my husband Dan because he's as curious as I am. I would also love to write a novel set on our southern coast some day, however, because southerners are just so friendly!
If you weren’t pursuing writing, is there another dream career you might be chasing?
In addition to writing, I run JuliesBeachShop.com and would love to travel the world searching for quirky treasures to fill it :)
Finally, share two pieces of advice—one writing-related and one not.
1. On writing ~ Go to writer’s conferences. I know they can be expensive, but our God is extravagantly generous. When my college-aged son was a baby, I didn’t have the resources to attend a week-long conference. Then ‘out of the blue’ I was invited to participate in that sought-after conference—for free. It’s a long story, but to this day I’m grateful for the way God answered the prayer for provision. Through conferences I have made lifelong friends, I’ve met editors and, of course, I’ve learned much about writing and marketing. Find a way—some conferences offer grants—and go!
2. Whatever it is you do for work, take a real break from it each day. No email, phone calls, FB, etc. I need to follow my own advice more often, really, I do. But whenever I do step away from the computer and take a walk by the beach (I live nearby) or go grab a cappuccino, I'm AMAZED at how much better I'm able to tackle what needs to be done!
Thanks for having me here today, Jenness! Best to you and Tracy!
Thank you, Julie!
To learn more about Julie and her writing, check out her website. She has also graciously offered to give away a copy of her recent release A Shore Thing. You can get your name put into the hat up to four times. 1. Tweet this link and let us know. 2. Post this link on your facebook and let us know. 3. Follow our blog. 4. Comment below, telling us about your dream research trip (aka vacation).
Interview with Kristin Billerbeck
Today on Mind Chocolate, we're kicking off our Lit genre spotlight with award-winning author Kristin Billerbeck. She's a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the mother of four, and a very funny lady who isn't afraid to tell it like it is. Her books include the Ashley Stockingdale series, the Spa Girls series, and more.
Kristin, do you have a favorite chocolate indulgence?
My favorite chocolate indulgence is an Iced Soy Mocha with two pumps of chocolate (not four) from Starbucks. It’s a weird enough order where they make it as I come in…ah, chocolate on demand, is there anything better?
Give your own definition of chick lit.
Chick lit embodies a multitude of women’s fiction. Some chick lit is deep and full of real angst, and some is lighthearted, fun beach reads. The thing they all have in common is “voice”. Chick lit is generally told in first person, and it’s about the way one character sees the world. It’s her worldview. Her character study. It has been said Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is the mother ship for all chick authors. She skewered the society of her day (when a woman’s value was only in how well she married). The humor is wry and ironic –very much like today’s chick lit.
You once made this prediction about chick lit: "I feel that it will peak, and that those who write good fiction will be left, and the genre as a talking point will die. Leaving those who really love the genre to get back to work." Do you feel like you were right? Do you have any other thoughts about the future of the genre?
I am actually surprised at how chick lit has survived and no one is calling it chick lit. I’ve heard humorous women’s fiction, young adult, Glitz, etc. Everything, but…but there are still plenty of chick authors out there and I just saw a commercial for the new Shopoholic book. I have been concentrating more on romance, but I miss the chick lit and the voice, so who knows what’s next?
Do you have any chick lit-like moments from your own life that you could share?
The reason I have no trouble coming up with chick lit moments is my life is made up of them. If they were pearls, I’d have a very long, expensive strand by now. It’s not just that life happens and involves me, it’s that I find great humor in humiliation, be it mine or someone else’s. I feel sympathy for others, and crack up at my own. Go figure.
Do you have any writing quirks?
I have a very short attention span, so I have to bribe myself to stay at the desk. I use espresso and David Crowder music mostly. And I reward words written with email. I have some local writer friends and we meet at a local coffee shop and write “together” – we reward scenes written with conversation.
If you were going to co-author a novel, who would you choose? Why?
I don’t know that I’d want to co-write. Most authors don’t play well with others, but if I had the ability to sit at someone’s feet and watch how they did it, I’d choose Maeve Binchy because her characters are so complete and whole. I’d love to see how she works them into her mind.
What are a couple of your favorite lit novels from the CBA?
There are really a lot I enjoy, but I love Rachel Hauck’s Love Starts with Elle, Tamara Leigh’s Faking Grace, Virginia Smith and Jenny B. Jones (whose voices I just love!).
Where would you go on your dream “research” trip, and would you take anyone with you? Who?
My dream research trip would be to Thomas Hardy’s England and I’d go the way I saw Jane Austen’s England – ALONE. I like to be lost in my own world and taking in the sights and sounds and the smells. I live with four kids and a dog, so I like the quiet. I don’t even mind eating in restaurants alone. I experience the world fully that way, and that is the way I like to research.
If you could live in a novel, which one would you choose?
Pride and Prejudice, naturally. I was an Austen-geek at fifteen, and nothing has changed. Now, I’m reading it to my daughter, and she’s well-acquainted with all things Darcy.
If you weren’t a writer, is there another dream career you might be chasing?
I am simply fascinated by how the human brain works, and how we’re all different and experiencing the world differently, so if I had another profession, it would be as a psychiatrist or brain researcher. Even if it were only as someone taking notes on doctors’ work, I find it fascinating.
Finally, share two pieces of advice—one writing-related and one not.
1. Writing is subjective. If it’s in your blood, write, write, write. Don’t let anyone’s opinion sway you from your mission. Set a goal, make it happen.
2. My other advice would be don’t let other people define you. Strive to be who God made you to be in fullness and don’t pretend to be the Christian Martha Stewart if that’s not how God made you. People’s judgment doesn’t matter in the end.
Thank you so much for stopping by, Kristin! To learn more about her, check out Kristin's website. She has also graciously offered to give away a copy of her recent release Perfectly Dateless, a fun YA novel. You can get your name put into the hat up to four times. 1. Tweet this link and let us know. 2. Post this link on your facebook and let us know. 3. Follow our blog. 4. Comment below, telling us about your favorite chocolate indulgence.
A Heads-Up
We're so excited about the next couple of months! We have some great guests lined up to do interviews and giveaways. And, of course, we'll be writing posts and giving you updates along the way. Next week, we'll kick off our lit authors tour with the queen of Christian chick lit, Kristin Billerbeck. Yay! Check back on Tuesday the 26th to see what she has to say. Meanwhile, if you're not sure what the lits are, check out the page right here.
We plan to post at least twice a week--Tuesdays and Fridays. The interviews will be posted on Tuesdays, the winner for any giveaways posted on Mondays, and then check back on Fridays for our miscellaneous but of course very brilliant thoughts.
Before we start with the big-wigs, however, we thought we'd let you get to know the new kids on the block a little bit better. (No, not the band, silly. I'm talking about us.) So stay tuned for interviews...with ourselves. :-)
Thanks so much for joining us!
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